Is the Baratza Virtuoso+ Worth It?
Based on tests by TechGearLab (Jun 2025). How we score
Save $100Depends. Baratza Encore for most people.
Amazon prices as of Oct 10, 1:57 AM EDT (details)
Why
TechGearLab's Best for Heavy Use grinder, 70 of 100: "A consumer-level model that is built more like a durable, commercial-level machine." It ground more consistently than the cheaper Baratza Encore (7.0 vs 6.1 of 10) and was easier to use (6.7 vs 5.9), with a digital timer where the Encore is switched on and off by hand. It also survived office duty: "It had a long stint as our office grinder, where it consistently churned out 20+ cups of ground beans per day like a champ." But the gap is small: the Encore scored 65, and it "operates even more cleanly and produces well above average pour over grinds." TechGearLab's one listed con for the Virtuoso+: "A bit pricey." It lists a one-year warranty for both. Splurge if several people grind coffee from it every day; save if you grind for a pot or two a day.
Baratza Virtuoso+ warranty: 1-year
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Baratza Virtuoso+
Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder, Black
From 1 tester: TechGearLab
From 1 tester: TechGearLab
TechGearLab's bottom line: "Unlikely to win any popularity awards, but just as unlikely to displease." It scored 65 of 100 to the Virtuoso+'s 70, grinding a little less consistently but more cleanly, and TechGearLab would "still recommend it as an option for high-volume brewing." It has no timer: you switch it on and off by hand. Static also makes finer grinds stick to its bin. America's Test Kitchen tested neither grinder; it notes that Baratza hopes to phase out the original Encore in favor of the newer Encore ESP.
Sources: TechGearLab: The Best Coffee Grinder (updated June 2, 2025), America's Test Kitchen: The Best Burr Coffee Grinders (updated July 9, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
Common questions
What's the difference between the Baratza Virtuoso+ and the Encore?
In TechGearLab's test the Virtuoso+ ground more consistently (7.0 vs 6.1 of 10) and has a digital timer; the Encore is switched on and off by hand and ran more cleanly. TechGearLab says the Virtuoso+ has sturdier, more industrial-grade parts. Both listings state 40 grind settings.
Sources: TechGearLab: The Best Coffee Grinder (updated June 2, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
