We describe the construction and performance of a new electron spectrometer for analysis of low kinetic energy electrons, 0–2000 eV. The design of the analyzer is based on computer calculations and combines many favorable properties of both the retarding and the deflection energy analyzer. The energy analyzer consists of a set of electrodes with cylindrical symmetry and a planar retarding field grid followed by an electrode system with postmonochromatic action. Therefore a differential spectrum is obtained directly. The performance of the analyzer is discussed in terms of resolution, sensitivity, luminosity, and signal‐to‐background. The resolution achieved is 0.5%, with a resolution of 30 meV, making it possible to resolve and study electronic vibrational levels in atoms and molecules. A few spectra of nitrogen and argon are shown as representative of the performance of the new analyzer.