Being a coffee enthusiast, you know there is something beautiful about a well-ground cup of coffee. You also know that burr grinders outshine blade grinders because they provide you with consistent coffee grinds.
If you have been considering upping your coffee-making game by buying a burr grinder, Baratza and Capresso make two great options.
And, if you have already been debating between the Baratza Encore and the Capresso Infinity, then this is definitely the review for you.
I get it. You want to make sure you are purchasing a grinder that is right for you, your lifestyle, and your overall tastes.
So, I am here to help. I will break down the differences, the similarities and just get straight into the nitty-gritty of each product.
Nothing is held back. If you want a true and honest opinion as to which burr grinder will meet your needs, read on.
Baratza Encore vs. Capresso Infinity – The Final Comparison
Baratza Encore |
Capresso Infinity
|
|
Features |
Baratza Encore |
Capresso Infinite |
|---|---|---|
|
Home Use |
✓ | ✓ |
|
Burr Size |
40mm conical burr |
40mm conical burr |
|
Grind Speed |
0.8-1.1 g/sec |
1.5-3 g/sec |
|
Build Material |
Plastic |
Plastic |
|
Grind Settings |
40 |
16 |
|
Hopper Capacity |
~227g (8 oz) |
~249g (8.8 oz) |
|
Burr RPM |
550 |
450 |
|
Weight |
7 kg |
8 kg |
|
Grind Range |
250 – 1200 microns |
300 – 1200 microns |
|
Extra Features |
Easy ON/OFF Switch |
Auto Grind Timer |
|
Price |
View Price on Amazon | View Price on Amazon |
But, before we dive into what makes these two babies tick, let’s take a look at the design of each grinding machine. Because prettiness definitely counts, right?
Aesthetics – Both are Good Looking Machines
If you like sleek and simple designs, then both of these grinders will do the trick. They have similar looks with the plastic hopper on top and the grounds bin in the front.
They are also similar in their construction, with high-quality plastics being used for the majority of the machine and essential components (like the burrs) being made from high-quality metals. This combination of plastic meets metal means the price point on both machines can be lower than if everything was made out of metal.
Size-wise, they will take up a similar amount of counter room, although the Baratza will take up a little less, measuring 4.7 x 6.3 x 13.8 inches, while the Capresso measures 14.6 x 9.6 x 7.8 inches.
They do differ in weight, with the Baratza weighing in at 7 lbs and the Capresso being only 4 lbs. If weight is a thing for you, then this may be a sizable difference.
If you are someone who loves coordinating colors when it comes to your décor, the Baratza comes in either black or white, and the Capresso comes in black or stainless steel. All good options depending on your kitchen’s interior and overall taste.
Whichever machine you choose, from an aesthetics perspective, either will look good adorning your counter-top while fitting nicely under your cabinets.
Hopper Size – Baratza Wins with its Portaholder Accessory
One of the main differences between these machines can be seen in the hopper and grounds bin sizes.
The Baratza houses an 8 oz hopper and a 5 oz grounds bin. This is smaller than the Capresso, whose hopper is 8.8 oz and the ground bin is 4 oz.
I do have to say, one nice thing about the Baratza is it offers a hopper extender accessory which increases the size of the hopper by an additional 9 oz.
The size increase is significant, so long as you are willing to dish out the extra cash for the fancy hopper extender accessory.
If you think the hopper extender is just an extra thing you don’t need, then the nice 8.8 oz of the Capresso may be just the right fit for you. It can still conveniently grind enough grounds to easily make a big carafe of coffee if need be.
But, if size really matters, then the extra 9 oz for the Baratza is an upgrade you just don’t want to miss.
Grinding Range + Abilities – Another Win for Baratza
When you are considering purchasing a machine, whether it is a grinder, a coffee machine, or some other form of tech, one of the most important aspects is the hardware.
Both the Baratza and Capresso can boast about their high-quality, commercial-grade, 40 mm stainless-steel burrs.
The real difference here is how the burrs are used.
The Baratza has a DC motor equipped with a unique speed control system that has a rotation of 550 RPM. This extra slow speed reduces heat, noise, static and assures the beans are fed smoothly into the burrs for one heck of a consistent grind.
The Capresso isn’t quite as impressive. Its motor system has an RPM of 450, a number that puts it at the lower end of the motor speed spectrum. That being said, 450 RPM is enough to reduce noise and static. It just isn’t enough to create a consistent grind that is capable of making the Turkish coffee it claims it can do so well.
Setting-wise, these two aren’t even close to being on the same level.
The Baratza offers 40 different coffee grind settings, while the Capresso offers only 16.
While both machines can grind fine to coarse grounds, there is just more customization available when you can choose between 40 different settings. If you are really picky with what size your beans turn out, then this is a must-have feature. You can play around with 40 different options until you find the one that works just right for you. 16 settings just don’t have the same ring, does it?
One other thing to mention here is the overheating of the motor.
The Baratza comes with a thermal overload cutout that protects its motor from overheating. It is capable of being used back to back, so if you need more grinds to make your next post, don’t feel bad about throwing in some more and turning it back on.
This is very different from the Capresso, whose recommended usage is to let it rest before another grind.
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that although both of these machines have commercial-grade burrs, they are not commercial-grade machines.
You won’t be able to make a significant amount of coffee per day (I know, it just isn’t right) without the machines needing some major maintenance.
This is an unfortunate part of using at-home grinders. Yes, they can absolutely make killer cups of coffee, but they can’t keep turning out pot after pot without getting clogged and just bogged down with coffee grinds.
Grind Consistency – Baratza Wins Hands Down
There really isn’t any comparison here when it comes to grinding consistency. The Baratza has this win in the bag.
Its DC motor keeps grinds smooth, even, and consistent. There won’t be halves or quarters of beans left behind in your coffee container. This also means your coffee will have the same consistently good quality, no matter the day of the week.
The Capresso can’t really say the same.
Its motor is on the lower end of the coffee grinding spectrum, so it does have a tendency to leave larger pieces of beans in the grinds. Without smooth, even, and consistent grounds, your coffee can taste very different depending on how well it actually ground your coffee.
This can be a real turn-off for coffee lovers who can tell the difference between a good cup and a horrible cup of java.
One thing to mention with grind consistency is both of these machines aren’t the best at super fine grounds. Espressos really aren’t an option with either one of these machines. Neither is Turkish coffee.
If you are deadest on both of these caffeinated drinks, you may want to check out a hand grinder. The Silva Manual Coffee Grinder or the Khaw-Fee HG1B Manual Coffee Grinder may be good options for the Turkish coffee and espresso lovers out there.
Ease of Use + Maintenance – …and Baratza Wins Again
Easy to use is a characteristic of both of these products, with both requiring essentially the same process.
You put your beans in the hopper, select your grind setting, set the timer, press the ON button, or move the ON/OFF switch. It can’t really get any simpler than that.
The real difference here can be seen in the maintenance.
Baratza has designed their Encore to be easily serviceable with replaceable parts. This is in complete opposition to Capresso, whose machines are not easily serviceable and don’t have replaceable parts.
If you are someone who cares about the reparability of your machine, then this is a no-brainer.
Baratza also offers quality customer service and support. They are easy to get in contact with and will go above and beyond to help meet your requests and needs.
That being said, both the Baratza Encore and the Capresso Infinity will need cleaning maintenance. Grinds can get caught in the burr area and chute, and fine coffee dust can find its way into the small nooks and crannies of the devices.
To clean both, the top burrs can easily be removed, and a little brush can be used to clean off the burrs and other areas that require a bit of dusting.
Other than that, the machines don’t really require any extra effort.
Additional Features
Baratza
- On/Off Switch: Easy on/off switch.
- Pulse Button: A pulse button that is great to use for quick grind bursts.
- Option to buy: The portaholder accessory is a replacement for the grounds bin that gives you the option to hold an espresso portafilter.
- Warranty: Comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Affordable price tag
Capresso
- Safety Lock System: Safety lock mechanism to ensure the grinder doesn’t operate without the bean container locked in place.
- Timer Option: Built-in timer can be set for 5 seconds to 60 seconds. Offers the ability for your machine to shut off automatically.
- Warranty: Comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Budget-friendly pricing
Final Verdict – It’s All About the Bartaza Encore
If you are looking to finally take the plunge and start grinding your own beans, or if you are in the market for a new grinder, the Baratza and the Capresso can definitely get the job done.
But, while both are solid entry-level machines, the Baratza does offer more grind settings, a better motor, and a consistent grind.
Pick Baratza Encore: If you are someone who likes having more control over grind adjustments and consistently even grounds every time, then the Baratza will be an excellent new coffee appliance to have in your home kitchen.
Pick Capresso Infinity: If you are someone who is just looking to grind some beans without the need for any adjustments to the grind settings, then the Capresso might be the perfect machine for you.
And, if the price is the biggest point of all for you, then you may want to consider the Capresso. It is on the lower end of the grinder price scale, so this could be the best bang for your buck option.
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