Head to head
Capresso Infinity vs Baratza Encore: Budget Burr Grinder Showdown
Capresso Infinity versus Baratza Encore compared on grind settings, noise, consistency, and long-term value for budget brewers.
Capresso Infinity
A quiet, slow-grinding 16-setting conical burr grinder for drip and press.
- Burr type: Conical steel burrs
- Grind settings: 16 settings
Sources: Capresso official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
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Baratza Encore
The entry-level burr grinder that has defined the category for over a decade.
- Burr type: 40 mm conical steel burrs
- Grind settings: 40 stepped settings
Sources: Baratza official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published coffee gear reviews
Check current priceCapresso Infinity
What owners report
- Owners praise the gear reduction motor grinding slowly, reducing heat and noise
- Many owners like the conical burrs producing a consistent medium grind for drip
- Owners say the compact footprint suits small kitchens
- Some owners find the 16 grind settings coarse-stepped for pour-over dialing
- Owners note it is not designed for espresso fineness or consistency
- A common complaint is the simple dial timer being less precise than digital dosing
Baratza Encore
What owners report
- Owners praise the 40 grind settings covering drip, pour-over, and press with usable granularity
- Many owners like the replaceable, user-serviceable 40 mm conical burrs
- Long-term owners say Baratza selling every part individually keeps the grinder repairable for years
- Some owners find the stepped adjustment skips the fine control espresso demands
- Owners note there is no timer, so dosing is manual by weight or by eye
- A common complaint is the plastic-heavy construction feeling utilitarian next to premium rivals
Our recommendation
Buy the Baratza Encore if you want the better long-term grinder: 40 settings versus 16, a wider owner community, and parts you can actually buy. Buy the Capresso Infinity if quiet operation and simplicity matter most and you brew drip or press exclusively: its gear-reduction motor runs noticeably quieter. Either way, read the best coffee grinders ranking to see what the next step up buys.
Grind settings
The Encore's 40 stepped settings give more than twice the granularity of the Infinity's 16. For drip and press both work, but for pour-over the Encore's finer steps make dialing noticeably easier. This is the single biggest functional gap between them.
Noise
The Infinity's gear-reduction motor turns its burrs slowly and quietly, making it the more pleasant early-morning grinder. The Encore's direct-drive motor is louder. In thin-walled apartments this difference is real.
Grind consistency
Both produce capable drip and press grinds, but the Encore's 40 mm conical burr set and larger adjustment range edge ahead on uniformity, particularly at medium-fine settings. The Infinity is consistent within its narrower band.
Hopper and grounds handling
The Infinity pairs an 8.8 oz hopper with a 4 oz grounds container; the Encore pairs an 8 oz hopper with a 5 oz bin. Functionally similar, though the Encore's bin is easier to dose from for pour-over.
Repairability
Baratza sells every Encore part individually with repair guides, a genuine long-term advantage. The Infinity has no comparable parts program. Over a decade of ownership, the Encore is the repairable machine.
Choose Capresso Infinity if…
- Quiet grinding matters because of early mornings or thin walls
- You brew drip or French press and want the simplest possible operation
- A compact, low-profile grinder fits your kitchen better
Choose Baratza Encore if…
- You brew pour-over and want finer adjustment steps
- Long-term repairability with available parts matters to you
- You may upgrade methods later and want headroom
Questions, answered
Is the Baratza Encore worth the extra cost over the Capresso Infinity?
For most brewers, yes: 40 settings versus 16 and a real parts program justify the difference. The Infinity's case rests on quieter operation and simplicity.
Which is quieter?
The Capresso Infinity, by a clear margin. Its gear-reduction motor is designed for low noise, while the Encore's direct drive is audibly louder.
Can either grind for espresso?
Neither is suitable. Both bottom out above espresso fineness with steps too coarse for dialing shots. Espresso brewers should look at the best espresso grinders ranking.
Which is better for French press?
Both handle coarse press grinds well. The Infinity's quiet operation is a plus for slow weekend mornings; the Encore's extra settings help if you also brew pour-over.