Coffee

I don't have either grinder (I'm a hand grinder user), so I'm just synthesizing reviews here, but from what I understand, the Ode 2 should be a much "better" option by enthusiast standards for filter coffee. The burrs are very well regarded and supposed to be competitive with SSP burrs which are sort of one of the gold standards in flat burrs.

The Encore ESP is a conical burr grinder that's espresso capable, so it's going to produce more fines and have a more full-bodied texture but with less clarity. However! some folks actually prefer that even for filter brewing. (E.g., let's say you mostly drink dark roasts or you just hate tasting acidity, then high-clarity might actually not be what you're looking for.)

I have a Baratza Virtuoso. Not exactly the Encore ESP but it's probably pretty close... roughly the same "platform". I use it for drip, pour over, cold brew, and espresso. Very capable. Love the idea of the lower range having finer adjustments. On paper it is a perfect multi-purpose grinder.

Everyone talks about Baratza customer service, but I gotta say I have had some experience with them and... well the reality lives up to the hype. I will also add that because their machines are designed to be user-repaired/serviced, any trouble can be resolved easily and cheaply in my experience.

No experience with fellow ode v2, but their Stagg kettle is OK and so is their pour over. Very thoughtful design on both fronts.

You're probably not gonna go wrong with either option it sounds like.

Gonna be honest, I misread to the title as a reference to Grindr, and I was wondering what an inability to choose between hot guys had to do with coffee.

But as to your actual question, your knowledge of coffee is obviously way beyond mine mate. I hope someone posts an actual answer.

Can't search both grinders right now.

Don't know if just one or both are burr grinders, but balde to burr is the best upgrade for grinders

I like my Encore. Haven’t used/owned an ode but strongly considered it. I’ve also considered upgrading to a Vario W+ or Orphan Apex.

The ode appears to be more compact, quieter, and more upgradeable. The ode’s catch cup may be a bit messier but the static suppressor is a great feature. The ode’s capacity seems to be a bit less. Fellow support has garnered a lot of gripes online whereas Baratza’s support seems to get lots of praise.

Go with the Ode V2. They’re much quieter and with the anti-static feature, much cleaner. I had a V1 with SSP burrs and thought it was great for everything except espresso.

I replaced it with an Opus after I got an espresso machine.

I'm an espresso handgrinder sort of person, but I do know that the Ode 2 is pretty well thought of for pour over. If you aren't doing espresso I don't think you can go wrong with it. James Hoffman did a video review on his YouTube channel a few months back.

I can’t comment on those models,but I have the Baratza Sette 270w. It’s over 5 years old now and the gearbox shaft itself a few months after warranty ran out… I contacted them and they told me it was a known issue in the older models that they had since fixed and then replaced the gearbox for free out of warranty. Ideally it wouldn’t have broken in the first place, but props to a company for fixing the problem when they had no legal obligation to.