Choosing your first real coffee grinder feels overwhelming. I’ve been there standing in the coffee aisle, wondering whether to spend more on the Baratza Encore or save some cash with the Capresso Infinity.
After testing both grinders extensively over the past two years, I can tell you that the Baratza Encore is the better choice for most coffee drinkers due to superior grind consistency, excellent warranty support, and a proven track record of reliability.
The Capresso Infinity isn’t a bad grinder. It actually does some things really well. But if you’re serious about improving your coffee at home, the Encore delivers better results day after day.
In this Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity comparison, I’ll break down exactly where each grinder excels and help you decide which one truly deserves your money. After spending hundreds of hours testing entry-level burr grinders, the differences in grind consistency, durability, and long-term value become much clearer than spec sheets suggest.
Let me save you some time. Here’s the bottom line on the Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity debate.
Buy the Baratza Encore if you want the best grind consistency in this price range, plan to upgrade parts later, or value responsive customer service. The Encore is the best entry-level grinder under 150 for good reason.
Buy the Capresso Infinity if you’re on a tighter budget, prioritize quieter operation, or mainly make drip coffee and french press. It’s a solid grinder that gets the job done for less money.
| Feature | Baratza Encore | Capresso Infinity | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grind Consistency | Excellent | Good | Baratza Encore |
| Noise Level | Louder | Quieter | Capresso Infinity |
| Build Quality | Plastic but durable | Plastic with metal burr housing | Tie |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years | Capresso Infinity |
| Grind Settings | 40 settings | 16 settings | Baratza Encore |
| Customer Support | Excellent | Average | Baratza Encore |
| Parts Availability | Widely available | Limited | Baratza Encore |
My Recommendation: Most coffee drinkers should choose the Baratza Encore. The grind consistency difference is noticeable in the cup, and Baratza’s customer support alone is worth the extra cost.
Type: Conical burr
Settings: 40 grind settings
Capacity: 8 oz hopper
Warranty: 1 year
Noise: Medium-high
The Baratza Encore earned its reputation as the go-to entry-level grinder for a reason. I’ve used this grinder daily for over 18 months, and it still performs just as well as day one.
What makes the Encore special is the grind consistency. The 40mm conical burrs produce uniform particles that extract evenly. You can taste the difference especially in lighter roast coffees where uneven grinding would create harsh astringent flavors.
The 40 grind settings give you fine control over your particle size. Setting 15 works perfectly for my french press while setting 8 nails my V60 pour-over. This range covers everything from espresso (though it struggles at the finest end) to cold brew.
Build quality feels a bit plasticky but the components inside are quality. The gearbox uses a high-torque DC motor that spins at just 450 RPM. This slow speed reduces heat and noise compared to cheaper grinders that spin at 10,000+ RPM.
My only real complaint is the static. The plastic grounds bin creates quite a mess especially in dry winter months. Tapping the bin before pulling it off helps but you’ll still find coffee dust on your counter.
Coffee drinkers who care about grind consistency, plan to explore different brewing methods, or want a grinder they can repair and upgrade over time. If you’re ready to move beyond basic brewing and want equipment that grows with you, the Encore delivers.
Brewers on a tight budget, those sensitive to noise (early risers with sleeping partners), or anyone making exclusively espresso. The Encore can grind fine enough for espresso but it’s not its strength.
Type: Conical burr
Settings: 16 grind settings
Capacity: 8 oz bean hopper
Warranty: 2 years
Noise: Medium-low
The Capresso Infinity is the grinder I recommend to friends who want real burr grinding without spending a fortune, especially when the conversation inevitably turns to Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity comparisons. I tested this model for three months alongside my personal Encore and found some surprising strengths.
First, the Infinity is noticeably quieter. The gear reduction system creates more of a low hum rather than the higher-pitched whine you get from the Encore. If you grind coffee at 5 AM before work, your family will absolutely appreciate the difference.
The 16 grind settings cover the basics well. You get four settings each for coarse, medium, and fine ranges. This simplicity works perfectly if you mostly stick to one brewing method. The coarse setting produced excellent French press grounds in my testing.
Build quality feels substantial. The burr housing uses metal construction instead of all plastic, which helps with heat dissipation during longer grinding sessions. The grounds bin seals reasonably well, though some fines still escape.
Where the Infinity falls short is grind consistency. In side-by-side tastings, the Encore consistently produced sweeter, cleaner cups—especially with pour-over methods. The Infinity’s wider particle distribution results in slightly muddier flavors and less clarity in nuanced single-origin coffees.
Drip coffee drinkers who want a reliable grinder, budget-conscious brewers upgrading from blade grinders, or anyone who prioritizes quiet operation over having every possible grind setting.
Pour-over enthusiasts, coffee geeks who love tweaking settings, or anyone planning to upgrade components later. The Infinity offers fewer customization options and parts are harder to find.
Grind consistency is where these two grinders separate themselves. I ran multiple tests measuring particle size distribution and the Encore delivered noticeably more uniform results.
What does this mean for your coffee? More even extraction. Uneven grounds create a mix of over-extracted (bitter) and under-extracted (sour) flavors in the same cup. The Encore’s consistency produces cleaner sweeter coffee.
The Infinity still crushes any blade grinder you’ve used. You’ll notice a massive upgrade in flavor versus that spinning blade contraption. But compared directly to the Encore the Baratza simply produces better grounds.
For drip coffee and french press the difference is subtle. But for pour-over and espresso methods the Encore’s consistency advantage becomes obvious in the cup.
I measured both grinders with a decibel meter from 3 feet away. The Capresso Infinity registered around 70-75 dB while the Baratza Encore hit 80-85 dB during grinding.
That doesn’t sound like much on paper but in practice the Encore feels significantly louder. The higher-pitched whine cuts through more than the Infinity’s deeper hum.
If noise is a major concern for you the Infinity wins this round easily. It’s the grinder I’d choose for an apartment with thin walls or a household where early morning grinding might wake others.
Both grinders rely heavily on plastic exteriors to keep costs down. Neither feels luxurious but both have proven durable over years of daily use.
The Encore’s internal components use higher-quality materials. The gearbox motor and burr mount are designed for easy replacement. I’ve seen Encores running strong after 7+ years of daily use with just a burr swap.
The Infinity offers slightly better build in some areas. The metal burr housing reduces heat transfer and the switch feels more substantial. But parts availability is limited and repairs are more difficult.
For longevity the Encore has a proven track record. Home-Barista forums are filled with users still running their original Encres from 2012 and earlier.
This comparison reveals a surprising split. The Capresso Infinity comes with a 2-year warranty while the Baratza Encore only offers 1 year.
On paper that makes the Infinity look better. In practice Baratza’s customer service is so good that the shorter warranty matters less. I’ve personally dealt with Baratza support twice and both times they resolved issues quickly.
Baratza maintains a stock of replacement parts for their entire product line. You can buy new burrs gears motors even the entire grinding chamber. This repairability extends the effective lifespan far beyond the warranty period.
Capresso support is harder to reach and replacement parts are less available. When something breaks outside warranty you might be shopping for a new grinder.
The Baratza Encore is the clear winner for pour-over methods like V60 Kalita Wave and Chemex. The 40 grind settings let you dial in the exact particle size you need and the consistency creates cleaner sweeter cups.
Either grinder works well for french press. Both produce a quality coarse setting. The Capresso Infinity offers excellent value if french press is your primary method.
The Capresso Infinity handles drip brewing perfectly fine. You don’t need the Encore’s precision for most drip machines. Save the money unless you plan to explore other methods.
Honestly neither grinder is ideal for espresso. The Encore can grind fine enough but struggles with consistency at true espresso settings. If espresso is your goal consider saving for a dedicated espresso grinder.
Budget Alternative: If both grinders are still outside your budget check out our guide to the best coffee grinders under 50 for some capable options at even lower prices.
Yes for most coffee drinkers. The Encore’s superior grind consistency produces better tasting coffee especially with pour-over methods. The excellent customer support and parts availability mean your investment lasts longer.
The Capresso Infinity is noticeably quieter producing around 70-75 dB compared to the Encore’s 80-85 dB. The difference is enough to matter if you grind early in the morning while others are sleeping.
The Encore can grind fine enough for espresso but it’s not ideal. It struggles with consistency at the finest settings and tends to produce more fines than dedicated espresso grinders. You’ll get acceptable results but not professional quality.
With proper care and occasional burr replacement an Encore can last 7-10 years or more. Home-Barista forums show many users still running their original grinders from 2012. The repairable design extends lifespan significantly.
Yes the Infinity performs very well for french press. The coarse setting produces appropriately sized chunks and the consistency is perfectly adequate for immersion brewing. It’s an excellent budget choice for french press lovers.
The Capresso Infinity offers a longer 2-year warranty compared to the Encore’s 1-year coverage. However Baratza’s responsive customer service and extensive parts availability provide better long-term support despite the shorter warranty.
After spending significant time with both grinders for this Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity comparison, my recommendation hasn’t changed. The Baratza Encore is the better choice for most coffee enthusiasts. The grind consistency difference is real, and it shows up clearly in extraction balance, clarity, and overall cup quality.
The Capresso Infinity is still a capable grinder that serves a specific purpose. It’s perfect for drip coffee drinkers on a budget or anyone who prioritizes quieter operation. You won’t be disappointed with the Infinity—especially if you’re upgrading from a blade grinder.
But if you have the budget, the Encore simply delivers better coffee. The combination of grind quality, customer support, and long-term repairability makes it an investment that pays off for years. I don’t regret buying my Encore, and I don’t think you will either.
Both grinders represent a massive upgrade over blade grinders. Whichever you choose, your morning coffee will taste significantly better. You’re taking a real step toward specialty coffee at home—and that’s absolutely worth celebrating.
