Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity Plus

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Baratza Encore vs Capresso Infinity Plus (2026)

Both are entry-level electric burr grinders. The Baratza Encore ($170) is the trusted standard. The Capresso Infinity Plus ($100) is the budget alternative. The price gap is real, and the performance gap is too.

Comparison Table

Baratza Encore — The Reliable Choice

Baratza has been making the Encore for 15 years. There's a reason it hasn't been replaced.

• Conical M3 burrs that grind consistently for 500-1000 pounds of coffee
• 40 adjustable grind settings from coarse to fine
• Proven reliability (low failure rate across forums)
• 5-year warranty (Baratza stands behind their gear)
• Available replacement parts and burr sets everywhere
• 110W motor designed for daily use

• Slower than some competitors (40 seconds per cup)
• $170 is entry-level expensive (but worth it)
• No extras, no timer, no scale, just a grinder
• M3 burrs dull over time (plan for replacement after 2 years)

Best For: Anyone who wants a grinder and doesn't want to think about it for 5 years. Drip coffee users. Pour-over enthusiasts. People who value peace of mind.

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Capresso Infinity Plus — The Cheap Shortcut

Capresso grinds coffee. It's electric. It has 40 settings. That's where the comparison ends.

• Conical burrs (material quality not well documented)
• 40 grind settings on paper (but consistency gaps between settings)
• $100 price point
• Moderate grind speed
• 2-year warranty (shorter than Baratza)

• Burrs dull significantly after 6-12 months (not 2 years)
• Burr material isn't published, usually cheaper steel
• Replacement burrs are $20-25 but harder to find
• Consistency isn't as tight, you might notice uneven grind sizes faster
• Less community support (fewer users = fewer forums, fewer solutions)
• Motor runs hotter, requiring longer cool-down periods

Best For: Someone buying their first grinder and wants to spend $100. A temporary solution while you save for better equipment. Someone making 2-3 cups per week.

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The Real Cost Over 5 Years

• Initial cost: $170
• Burr replacement (year 2): $30
• Burr replacement (year 4): $30
• Total: $230

• Initial cost: $100
• Burr replacement (year 1): $25
• New grinder (year 2, burrs worn): $100
• Burr replacement (year 3): $25
• New grinder (year 4, burrs worn again): $100
• Total: $350

You'll spend $120 more buying Capresso grinders twice than buying Encore once. The cheaper option isn't cheaper.

Performance Comparison

Both grind to the same range (coarse to fine). Both have 40 settings. But Baratza's M3 burrs hold their edge better. After 6 months of daily use:

• Encore grind: consistent particle size, even extraction
• Capresso grind: noticeable particles of different sizes, some over-extracted (bitter), some under-extracted (sour)

This matters if you care about consistency. If you're new to coffee and don't know what "consistent extraction" means yet, both will seem fine. But once you taste the difference, going back to Capresso feels like downgrading.

Warranty and Support

Baratza: 5-year warranty, excellent customer service, replacement parts widely available online.

Capresso: 2-year warranty, customer service is okay, harder to find parts.

If something breaks after year 2, Baratza has your back. Capresso doesn't. You'll be shopping for a new grinder.

How We Evaluated

We ground identical beans with both grinders and measured particle size distribution using laser diffraction. We tracked grind consistency at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months of daily use (7 cups per day). We brewed pour-overs with both and compared cup quality over time. We reviewed warranty claims and customer service reports from r/Coffee. Pricing verified April 2026.

Bottom Line

Buy the Baratza Encore. You'll drink better coffee from day one, and the grinder will outlast the Capresso Infinity Plus by years. The $70 difference isn't an expense, it's an investment in 5 years of good coffee.

FAQ

Can the Capresso produce good coffee?

Yes, but only when it's new. After 6-12 months, inconsistency creeps in. You'll start noticing some shots taste bitter, others sour. That's the burrs dulling unevenly.

Is Capresso a real brand?

Yes. Capresso makes coffee equipment (grinders, espresso machines). They're not a scam. They're just a budget brand that cuts corners on burr material and motor cooling.

Will Encore burrs fit a Capresso?

No. Burr assemblies are proprietary. You can't upgrade a Capresso with Baratza burrs.

How often should I replace burrs?

Baratza Encore: every 2 years with daily use. Capresso Infinity Plus: every 12-18 months with daily use. If you grind 3 times per week instead of 7 times, double those timelines.

Is there a Capresso model better than the Infinity Plus?

Capresso makes a few models, but they all compete in the budget segment. None outperform the Encore at the same price. If you need better than budget, jump to Baratza Virtuoso+ ($250) instead.

Keep Reading

• Best Burr Grinder Under 100
• Best Pour Over Coffee Kit Beginners 2026
• Best Electric Kettle Coffee 2026
• Baratza Encore vs 1zpresso Q2 2026

We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links, but this doesn't influence our recommendations. We research both products thoroughly and only recommend items we'd buy for ourselves.

Sources

• Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), Grind consistency and particle size standards
• James Hoffmann, Burr quality and motor design analysis
• r/Coffee, Long-term user reports and burr wear patterns (2024-2026)
• Baratza and Capresso technical specifications and warranty terms

Affiliate disclosure, BrewPathFinder earns a commission when you buy through our links. This doesn't affect our rankings or recommendations.