The Baratza Encore vs. Capresso Infinity: Which is the Best Conical Burr Grinder for You?

About
Latest Posts

We, the 2Caffeinated Team, are a bunch of dedicated writers who are also coffee junkies. We love all things coffee. We are real coffee drinkers who enjoy the pleasure of drinking a cup of joe. We talk about coffee all day long and even have dreams about them at night. We offer authentic coffee bean and machine reviews. We are here to celebrate coffee and empower coffee lovers to make that perfect cup of java.

Latest posts by 2Caffeinated Team (see all)

My VitaCup Review: The Next Evolution of Coffee, or Junk Science? - June 13, 2022
iCoffee Mozart vs Opus? What You Should Get Instead - March 26, 2022
The R2-D2 Coffee Press: Fulfill Your Love of Coffee and Star Wars - March 26, 2022

The Capresso Infinity and Baratza Encore are two of the most popular conical burr grinders available on the market today that can give you the best cup of coffee like you have experienced in your favorite coffee shop, that you can now experience in the comfort of your home.

But, which is better? If you are anything like me, spending around $100 on something like a coffee grinder requires some due diligence to make sure I’m getting the best product for my money.

Today I’ll read my Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity Comparison with the help of verified purchases I affectionately call my Coffee Brigade. These online reviewers of all-things-coffee combined with my research will help you decide which grinder is best for you.

Spoiler alert: at the end of my review, I’ll provide a cheat sheet for you to reference later (or now if you just can’t wait to get grinding).

Here we go!

First Up: The Baratza Encore

Price:	$129
Amazon Ratings:	3.8 / 5 stars based on 1263 reviews
Grind Settings:	405-495 RPM
Grind Range:	40
Hopper Capacity:	8 oz.

The Baratza Encore is a conical burr grinder and not a blade grinder and it features 40 individual settings and a pulse button to allow easy customization each time your grind.

At a Glance

My first impression of the Baratza Encore is that it looks like a standard grinder. There’s a hopper on top for the beans and the various accouterments you need to transform said beans into grinds.

I doubt any coffee drinker is buying this grinder based on style alone since it is somewhat utilitarian in appearance rather than a chromed-out masterpiece ready for display on your countertop. Vanity aside, online reviewers love this grinder and suggest those new to grinding at home give it a try.

Let’s find out why!

The Baratza Encore is known as the reliable choice for both newbies and those that like to customize their grind. If you are grinding at home, chances are you know how important it is to get that perfect grind for the way you brew.

If you use a pour-over method using a Chemex, you want a coarser grind. For those that need grinds for an on-the-go espresso using an AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker, which requires a grind with a finer texture.

The Baratza Encore features 40 different grind settings from fine to coarse which sounds great, but what do users have to say about the accuracy of the settings and how the machine works?

Enter, the Coffee Brigade

Thank goodness for online reviews! People who love coffee love to share the best coffee beans, machines and methods they find to help others like them brew their perfect cup. They also feel a profound responsibility to warn other coffee lovers not to waste their time on sub-par beans, machines, and everything in between.

Aside from user reviews, I also seek out expert opinions on all-things-coffee, one of my favorite sources being Seattle Coffee Gear. Their “Crew Review” video series features an expert brewer who walks viewers through the features of at-home brewing machines and grinders so they can see how they work before they buy.

Check it out:

3 Best Features of the Baratza Encore

Baratza Offers More Control

If you are a control freak like me, you want a grinder you can adjust from start to finish. The Baratza Encore has a simple power switch and adjustable speed option (ranging from 405-495) that even the most technologically challenged users can find and operate. It also features a pulse option to start and stop grinding easily.

It’s All About the Grind

When it comes to the grind, reviewers claim the Baratza Encore covers all the bases except one: the ultra-fine grind. Ultra-fine is the most extreme grind used to produce the powder-like texture used to brew Turkish coffee or the finest espresso. According to online reviewers, if you want this kind of specialty grind, you ought to look elsewhere. Aside from that, this grinder did not disappoint your average brewer.

The Encore Lasts

Many reviewers commented how they were surprised not only at how well the Baratza Encore performed but that it does so consistently for much longer than they had anticipated.

Verdict: The Baratza Encore is ideal for new grinders, especially those that like more control over the brewing process.

Next up: the Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder

Price Range:	$92.45
Amazon Ratings:	4.2/5 stars based on 4, 194 reviews
Grind Speed:	450 RPM
Grind Settings:	16
Hopper Capacity:	8.8 oz.

This Swiss-developed Capresso Infinity features 16 settings from ultrafine to coarse and comes equipped with a timer allowing hands-free grinding.

At First Glance

I think this grinder looks nicer than the Baratza Encore, the clear plastic giving it a more refined look which is ironic since it is the cheaper alternative.

Since it offers fewer settings, it seems inferior to the Baratza, yet reviewers say otherwise (we’ll get to that later). I like the timer feature and am curious to see why this cheaper option compared to the Encore is so popular.

The Capresso Infinity is known as the grinder that can consistently produce the fine grind needed to brew espresso drinks, especially of the Turkish variety that requires grinds with a powder-like consistency.

What the Coffee Brigade Thinks

I was surprised to learn that many online reviewers believe the Capresso’s 16 settings offer more variety of grinding options versus the Baratza’s 40! While on paper it might now make sense, the proof is in the grind.

Reviewers say that while Baratza’s Encore has mastered the art of producing medium to coarse grinds, its’ fine and ultra-fine settings have not met their expectations. Most reviewers claim the Baratza can’t produce a grind fine enough for Turkish coffee so if that’s your beverage of choice, you should check out the Infinity instead.

3 Best Features of the Capresso Infinity

The Timer

The Coffee Brigade likes the timer option on the Infinity with most citing the convenience and time-saving aspect of not having to manage the process manually. This feature also takes the pressure off the user from determining how long to grind the beans, especially for those new to grinding at home.

The Ultra-Fine Grind

If you like espresso, you must have a grinder that can give you the best chance at brewing your perfect cup which means, it must produce an ultra-fine grind.

Even if you don’t drink espresso or Turkish coffee on a regular basis, it’s nice to know your grinder can perform when needed for guests.

Is the Capresso Infinity a professional-grade grinder that will create dust on demand? No, but for an entry-level machine, it’s the closest you will get for the price.

The Relative Silence

Does anyone enjoy the sound of a squealing grinder first thing in the morning? It’s hard enough to make a pot of coffee with your eyes at half-mast, there’s no need for that noise pollution.

Many reviewers enjoy how relatively quiet the Capresso Infinity operates. Hear it for yourself in this review; it’s my friend Gail again from Crew Review:

Verdict: If you want a precise grind with a timer for under $100 that is relatively quiet, the Capresso Infinity grinder is the one for you, even though it’s not made of stainless steel material.

NAME	Baratza Encore	Capresso Infinity
Price Range	$129.00	$92.45
Dimension	6.3 x 4.7 x 13.8 inches	9.6 x 14.6 x 7.8 inches
Grinder Type	Conical Burr	Conical Burr
Timer	No	Yes
Adjustable Speed	Yes	No
Hopper Size	8 ounces	8.5 ounces
Settings	40	16
Best Feature	Adjustable speed	Timer

Conical burr coffee grinders like the Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity can help take your love of coffee to the next level by providing you the grinds you need to get the coffeehouse experience at home, they are also easy to clean and will provide you with a fresh aroma and delicious cups of coffee in the comfort of your home.

Which is best? Well, it’s up to you, and I hope by now this information has helped you decide. It’s time to put that stale coffee grounds bag in the trash where it belongs and get grinding! Good luck!

FAQs About Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity

Is Baratza Encore good for espresso?

The Baratza Encore burr grinder is very quiet and is great for espresso, French press, Aeropress, Siphon etc. If you are looking for a grinder for home use that it’s not very expensive, this is a great option!

How do I use the Baratza Encore grinder?

After unpacking the grinder, open the lid and fill it with coffee beans. Close the lid, and adjust the bean hopper clockwise (the lower the number is, the smaller the particles will be), and press the on button.

Which Capresso Infinity Grinder is better?

For this grinder, there is a stainless steel model and a black model. According to many reviews online there’s not much of a difference except that the black one seems to be easier to operate, quieter and more durable than the stainless steel one.