OXO Brew Compact Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (8720800) vs Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder (ZCG485 black)
Is a compact grinder sized for small batches enough, or are the Encore's larger hopper and press-and-hold pulse control worth the extra counter space?
Products compared
ASIN B0DQ9QDTTS
OXO Brew Compact Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (8720800)
Your typical batch is no more than 50g and a 3.75-inch-wide grinder fits your counter or cabinet better.
Last observed offer
$79.95
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Size: Compact Size
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
ASIN B007F183LK
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder (ZCG485 black)
You want to load more than 50g but no more than the Encore's listed 300g hopper capacity before refilling.
Last observed offer
$149.95
- Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon
Size: 4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches (Pack of 1)
Price checked
Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.
Prices are per listed package. Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.
Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-20 · Updated 2026-10-20 · Source checked 2026-10-20 17:01 UTC
The main trade-off
OXO fits a small counter and loads up to 50g at a time; Encore's 300g hopper and hold-to-grind pulse fit larger batches and manual dose control, with a larger footprint. Their setting counts use different wording and do not establish relative grind precision.
Quick verdict
Choose OXO if you usually grind up to 50g at a time and want a narrow grinder that can be stored away. Choose Baratza Encore if you make larger batches and prefer its 300g hopper, 40 numbered settings and hold-to-grind pulse. Those maker-published controls do not show which produces a better cup.
Choose OXO Brew Compact Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (8720800) if
- Your typical batch is no more than 50g and a 3.75-inch-wide grinder fits your counter or cabinet better.
- You want the OXO's integrated grounds-cup spout and removable upper and lower burrs.
- You prefer a button that starts grinding and stops on another press or after OXO's stated 40-second shutoff.
Choose Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder (ZCG485 black) if
- You want to load more than 50g but no more than the Encore's listed 300g hopper capacity before refilling.
- You want a separate pulse button that runs only while held for small amounts, plus 40 numbered grind settings.
- You have counter space for the Encore's listed 13 x 15cm footprint and value its 120g grounds-bin capacity.
When the recommendation changes
- If your batch exceeds 50g, the OXO requires a refill; if it exceeds the Encore's 300g bean-hopper capacity, neither exact configuration holds the whole batch in one load.
- If a specific grind result matters, the published setting counts are not a matched particle-size or cup-quality test; the recommendation should follow an applicable test rather than the count alone.
The differences that matter
| Decision point | OXO Brew Compact Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (8720800) | Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder (ZCG485 black) |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity And Countertop Fit | The exact OXO 8720800 holds up to 50g of beans, which OXO says can make up to 6 cups/30 oz; listed dimensions are 10.75 x 3.75 x 3.75 inches.[1] | The black Baratza Encore listing gives a 300g bean hopper, 120g grounds bin and dimensions of 13 x 15 x 34 cm (W x D x H).[3] |
What this changes: OXO's smaller stated load and footprint fit small daily batches or a tight counter; Encore's larger hopper reduces bean refills for larger batches but needs more counter depth and width. These are capacity and fit facts, not measured grind speed.[1, 3] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
| Adjustment And Grounds Handling | OXO lists 15 grind settings plus 29 micro-adjustments; its guide describes settings 1 (fine) to 15 (coarse), button start/stop with automatic shutoff after 40 seconds, a chute-less path, removable upper/lower burrs and a grounds cup with an integrated spout.[1, 2] | Encore has 40 indexed settings from 1 (very fine) to 40 (very coarse), a side on/off switch and a front pulse button; the manual says pulse can grind small amounts while held and gives an adjustment-safety rule, removable ring burr and regular brushing guidance.[3, 4] |
What this changes: Choose by the control and cleanup routine you prefer: OXO documents micro-adjustments, one-button timed stopping and easy-access removable burrs; Encore documents 40 numbered positions and a hold-to-grind pulse for small doses. The manufacturers describe their adjustment counts differently, so the counts do not prove which grinder is more precise or makes better coffee.[1, 2, 3, 4] The better fit depends on your priorities | ||
Best for your routine
Small daily brew batches up to 50g in a narrow kitchen or coffee station
Best fit: OXO Brew Compact Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (8720800)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
The OXO's specified 50g capacity and 3.75-inch width suit this use case; its compromise is refilling for a larger batch.
Several cups or larger shared batches where fewer bean refills matter and counter space is available
Best fit: Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder (ZCG485 black)
Based on listed features, not comparative testing.
The Encore lists a 300g bean hopper and 120g grounds bin; its larger dimensions are the counter-space trade-off.
A buyer who prioritizes a particular grind outcome from the adjustment scale
The better fit depends on your priorities
OXO describes 15 settings plus 29 micro-adjustments, while Baratza lists 40 positions. Those numbers do not establish which grinder will produce a preferred result; look for a comparison using the same beans and brew method if grind outcome is your deciding factor.
Value and trade-offs
One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.
Compare current offers for these two grinders. The Encore's higher price is easier to justify if its larger hopper and press-and-hold pulse button match your batch routine; the OXO's compact footprint and 50g capacity may suit a small-batch setup for less.
Compare current offers and their terms before buying. There is not enough price history to say whether to buy now or wait.
Limitations
- No controlled grind-distribution, taste, retention, noise, speed, or long-term reliability test was conducted for this pair; published specifications do not establish those outcomes.
- OXO's product page describes 15 grind settings plus 29 micro-adjustments, while its use guide refers to 29 grind settings. The maker does not explain the difference between those descriptions, so they are not a shared scale for comparing precision.
- Capacity is the manufacturer's stated hopper or grounds-bin capacity; it does not establish the amount a household should brew per day.
- Prices and offer terms can change. Compare the current price and conditions for each grinder before buying; the available price history is too limited to say whether now is a good time to buy.
Questions shoppers ask
Do the Encore's 40 settings mean it grinds more precisely than the OXO?
Not from the numbers alone. OXO describes 15 settings plus 29 micro-adjustments, while Baratza lists 40 numbered positions. The manufacturers do not define those increments on a common scale, and this comparison includes no matched particle-size or cup test.
Can the Encore pulse button help when you want a small amount?
Yes. Baratza's manual says the grinder runs while the front pulse button is held and describes it for small amounts or more control over how much is ground. OXO instead uses a start/stop button and says it shuts off after 40 seconds if not stopped earlier.
Methodology and sources
The choice turns on batch size and counter fit, then on adjustment, dosing and cleanup. OXO lists a 50g hopper and compact dimensions, with a start/stop button and removable burrs; Baratza lists a 300g hopper, a pulse button and care instructions for its removable ring burr. Their adjustment counts use different wording and do not establish relative grind precision or cup quality.
The specifications and operating steps below come from the manufacturers. Pickoryx did not test either grinder.
View 4 sources
- 1.Compact Conical Burr Coffee GrinderOXO · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-20 17:01 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Product Details; Features; Specifications; SKU 8720800: The OXO page identifies SKU 8720800 and lists 15 grind settings plus 29 micro-adjustments, up to 50g of beans (about 6 cups or 30 oz), dimensions of 10.75 x 3.75 x 3.75 inches, a chute-less design, removable upper and lower burrs, an integrated grounds-cup spout, and cord wrap. It does not report a side-by-side grind or taste comparison.
- 2.How to Get the Perfect Grind for Every Type of BrewOXO · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-20 17:01 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- How to Use the Compact Conical Burr Grinder, steps 1-4: OXO's guide names the Compact Conical Burr Grinder and describes settings 1 (fine) through 15 (coarse), rotating the bean hopper to adjust it, button start/stop with a 40-second automatic shutoff, removing the hopper and grounds cup by turning them counterclockwise, cabinet storage, and removable burr access. The guide refers to 29 grind settings, while the product page says 15 settings plus 29 micro-adjustments; OXO does not explain the difference between those descriptions.
- 3.EncoreBaratza (US) · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-20 17:01 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Black model ZCG485BLK1AUC1A; Specifications: dimensions, bean hopper/grounds bin capacity, burrs and dosing feature: Baratza's US page identifies the black Encore model ZCG485BLK1AUC1A and lists dimensions of 13 x 15 x 34 cm (W x D x H), a 300g bean hopper, 120g grounds bin, 40mm conical steel burrs, and manual dosing. It describes the Encore for filter-brew use and does not provide a comparative taste or reliability test against the OXO.
- 4.Encore Operations Manual (v4.3, December 2022)Baratza · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-20 17:01 UTC
Evidence used on this page
- Operation pp. 5-6; Care & Cleaning p. 7: The Encore manual describes settings 1 (very fine) through 40 (very coarse), a side on/off switch and front pulse button, and says the grinder runs while the pulse button is held for small amounts or more control over the dose. It advises changing settings only while the grinder is running or when the hopper is empty. The ring burr is removable; for daily use, the manual recommends regular brushing (about monthly) and says not to wash the ring burr with water. The manual does not report a comparative cup-quality, ease-of-use, or lifespan test against the OXO.