Two popular burr grinders around $100–$150 go head to head. Here's how the Capresso Infinity (now the Infinity Plus) compares with the Baratza Encore and Encore ESP.
In the affordable burr grinder category, the Capresso Infinity and the Baratza Encore hit many of the same must-haves.
2026 update: The original Capresso Infinity 560.01 has been succeeded by the Infinity Plus (570.01), which keeps the same 16-setting design and Swiss-made conical burrs. Baratza has also added the Encore ESP, a version of the Encore designed for espresso.
“The Encore shines for drip and pour-over. The Infinity reaches the ultra-fine grinds Turkish coffee needs.”
Capresso has perfected its Swiss-developed conical burr technology while Seattle-based Baratza brings an innovative edge and a great set of features.
The Final Shot: For drip, pour-over and French press, the Baratza Encore is my top recommendation. If you need very fine grinds for Turkish coffee, the Capresso Infinity Plus serves you better. For espresso, the best choice in this price range is the Baratza Encore ESP.
Both burr grinders are solid picks, Capresso and Baratza have both kept up with the trend of the sophisticated home coffee brewer. Precise grinding technology and big settings ranges make it possible to get the perfect grounds for your preferred style of coffee drink and bean.
This comparison guide puts these two grinders side-by-side so you can see which of the features you need each of these machines will deliver.
The most obvious similarities between the Capresso and Bartza models are the overall design and advanced conical burr grinding technology.
Conical burr grinding sets both above typical blade grinders. Burrs crush beans to a consistent size instead of chopping them randomly, which leads to more even extraction and better flavor. Both also use gear-reduced motors that spin slowly, reducing heat and noise.
Precise grinding like this preserves the flavor of the coffee and provides a more consistent grind, which is especially important during the extraction process when brewing espresso.
Both models offer a standard top-loading design for ease of use and a detachable bin for collecting the grounds. Neither comes with a portafilter holder.
The machines both disassemble quickly, and without any additional tools. The burrs also lift right out of the machines and no special cleaning devices are required, although the Capresso grinder does come with a nice cleaning brush.
The size of both models are ideal for space-saving in smaller kitchens. Both the Capresso and Baratza can easily fit under overhead cabinets or be stowed away to prevent clutter. If you do choose to keep the grinder on the countertop, the designs of both the Capresso and Baratza are sleek and can blend in with other appliances easily.
The differences between the Baratza and the Capresso grinders are not all that readily apparent, until it comes to processing. What seem like small differences in grinding features actually result in coffee grinds that are pretty different.
These differences don’t necessarily put one model ahead of the other, though. It really comes down to coffee preferences and how much manual control you want over the grinding process.
For example, while you may have more control over the Baratza while it is grinding, the Capresso offers a wider range of grind sizes for more kinds of coffee. It’s great that we have so many options, but it also means that there’s no one-size-fits all model.
Here is a detailed list of differences between the two models so you’ll have a clear picture of why personal preference is so important when choosing between the Baratza and the Capresso.
The Baratza grinder has a simple on/off switch that gives you the ability to turn off the appliance easily, plus you can pulse the grounds to your liking. Capresso’s machine has a more complicated dial for operation, and there is no pulse option.
There is a down side to having so much control over processing, too. While you can’t pulse the grounds with the Capresso model, it is programmed with a timer so you can multitask in the kitchen. You don’t have to sit with the Capresso while it grinds, unlike the Baratza, which you can’t really walk away from during grinding. This is a case of convenience versus control- it really depends on what you’re looking for when it comes to user experience.
Both grinders use slow-turning, gear-reduced motors, which keep heat and noise down. Neither lets you adjust motor speed; the Encore's DC motor runs at a fixed speed of roughly 450–500 RPM, and the Capresso's at under 450 RPM.
The real difference is in control: the Baratza's pulse button gives you hands-on control, while the Capresso's timer lets you set it and walk away.
Here is where it gets a little tricky. Baratza boasts 40 different settings, so you’d think that would be a broader range of grind sizes, right? Surprisingly, this is not the case. While the Baratza is great for medium and coarse grinds for trendy manual brewing methods, it just can’t grind fine enough for the likes of Turkish coffee.
So, if you’re keen on the new manual methods like pour-over, Aeropress, Siphon, or Chemex, then the Baratza is for you. If you want Turkish coffee or are picky about your espresso grinds, the settings on this machine might not cut it.
For Turkish coffee, the Capresso has the edge. Even though it has 16 settings compared to the Encore's 40, its range extends to extra-fine grinds. For espresso, though, neither standard model offers fine enough adjustment steps to dial in shots precisely. If espresso is your priority, choose the Baratza Encore ESP, which adds dedicated espresso micro-adjustments.
It is counterintuitive-you would think more settings would mean more variety, but that just isn’t the case with these machines. Again, not an overall indicator of quality, it just depends on what kind of coffee you prefer.
When it comes to basics, both are great grinders, and it is difficult to put one above the other as far as quality goes. The superior technology is standard in both machines, it is really the smaller features that separate them.
If you need ultra-fine grinds for Turkish coffee or like a set-and-forget timer, the Capresso Infinity Plus is the better choice.
For drip, pour-over, AeroPress and French press, the Baratza Encore is the better bet, with excellent consistency and Baratza's renowned repair support. And if espresso is in your future, go straight for the Encore ESP.
Coffee grinders have come a long way, and even with their differences, both of these models are at the top of their category. Personal preferences should be the deciding factor as to which machine is best for you. As far as quality goes, you can’t go wrong here.
