Capresso Burr Grinder: A Solid Budget Option That Gets the Job Done
The Capresso Infinity is one of those grinders that doesn't get a lot of attention in coffee forums, but it quietly sits on thousands of kitchen counters doing reliable work every morning. I bought one as my first real burr grinder about five years ago, and it served me well for nearly three years before I upgraded. At around $60-100 depending on the model, it's one of the most affordable conical burr grinders you can find.
If you're stepping up from a blade grinder or just want something simple that produces consistent grounds for drip coffee and French press, the Capresso line is worth your time. I'll cover what these grinders do well, where they struggle, and how they compare to other grinders in the budget category.
The Capresso Grinder Models
Capresso makes a few different burr grinder models, but they all share a similar design philosophy: simple operation, quiet motor, and a focus on drip and filter coffee rather than espresso.
Capresso Infinity (Model 560)
This is the flagship and the one I owned. It uses commercial-grade conical steel burrs and has 16 grind settings across four ranges: extra fine, fine, medium, and coarse. Each range has four sub-settings, giving you 16 total positions.
The Infinity has a gear-reduction motor that runs slowly, which is its biggest selling point. The low RPM means less heat, less static, and less noise. My wife used to joke that she couldn't even tell when I was grinding because it was so quiet compared to our old blade grinder.
Capresso Infinity Plus (Model 570)
The "Plus" version is essentially the same grinder with a zinc die-cast housing instead of the standard plastic body. It looks and feels more premium, and the added weight makes it sturdier on the counter. The burrs and motor are identical to the standard Infinity. The price difference is about $30-40, and whether the metal housing is worth it depends on how much you care about aesthetics.
Capresso Burr Grinder (Model 559)
This is the entry-level model with fewer grind settings and a smaller capacity. It works fine for basic drip coffee but has even less precision than the Infinity. If you're going to buy a Capresso, spend the extra $20-30 for the Infinity. The difference in grind control is worth it.
Grind Quality and Performance
The Infinity produces good grounds for drip coffee, pour over, and French press. The conical steel burrs create a reasonably consistent particle size at medium and coarse settings. For a $70-90 grinder, the results are impressive. My morning drip coffee improved noticeably when I switched from a blade grinder to the Infinity, with more flavor clarity and less bitterness.
Where It Shines
- Drip coffee: The medium settings (6-12) produce grounds that work great in standard drip machines and automatic pour over brewers
- French press: The coarse settings (13-16) are uniform enough for clean French press cups with minimal sediment
- Quiet operation: The slow motor is significantly quieter than grinders from Baratza, Breville, and most other brands at this price
Where It Falls Short
- Espresso: The finest settings aren't fine enough for proper espresso extraction with a non-pressurized portafilter. You can get away with it using a pressurized basket, but real espresso requires a finer grind than the Infinity can deliver
- Pour over precision: The 16 settings don't offer enough granularity for dialing in a V60 or Chemex. One step might be too fine and the next too coarse, with no in-between
- Light roasts: Dense, light-roasted beans cause the motor to struggle slightly, and the grind consistency drops compared to medium or dark roasts
For more options in the burr grinder category, check out our best burr coffee grinder roundup.
Build Quality and Daily Use
The standard Infinity's plastic body feels adequate but not premium. It's functional and durable enough for daily use, but it won't impress anyone who picks it up. The Infinity Plus model with the zinc housing feels significantly better.
The bean hopper holds about 8.8 ounces (250 grams) and has a simple twist-lock mechanism. One design quirk: the hopper doesn't seal tightly, so beans left in it for more than a day or two will go stale faster than in an airtight container. I started single-dosing my beans pretty quickly, weighing out what I needed and dumping the hopper after each use.
The Grounds Container
The Infinity comes with a sealed grounds container that holds up to about 4 ounces of ground coffee. It works fine, but I found that the grounds would sometimes clump together inside the container due to static. A quick shake usually broke up the clumps. The static issue isn't as bad as some other grinders because of the slow motor speed, but it's still present.
Noise Level
I keep coming back to the noise because it's genuinely one of the best things about this grinder. The gear-reduction motor runs at much lower RPMs than direct-drive grinders. While a Baratza Encore sounds like a small power tool, the Capresso Infinity hums along quietly. I could grind coffee in the kitchen at 6 AM without waking up my kids in the next room. That's not something I can say about any other grinder I've owned.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Capresso grinders are moderately easy to clean, but they have more retention than modern designs. The chute between the burrs and the grounds container traps about 1-2 grams of coffee, which stays in the machine until the next grind pushes it out.
My cleaning routine:
- Weekly: Remove the hopper, brush out the visible grounds from the burr area, wipe down the exterior
- Monthly: Remove the upper burr (twist to unlock), brush both burrs thoroughly, run grinder cleaning tablets through the machine
- Every 6 months: Deep clean the chute with a pipe cleaner to remove oil buildup
The upper burr ring pops out easily for cleaning, which is a nice design feature. Some budget grinders make you disassemble half the machine to access the burrs.
How the Capresso Compares
Capresso Infinity vs. Baratza Encore
The Baratza Encore costs about $50-70 more and is the more popular choice in the entry-level burr grinder category. The Encore has 40 grind settings to the Infinity's 16, which gives it a meaningful advantage in precision. The Encore's grind consistency is slightly better overall, and Baratza's customer service and parts availability are outstanding.
The Infinity wins on noise level and price. If quiet operation matters to you and you primarily brew drip coffee, the Infinity is a perfectly good choice at a lower cost. If you want more versatility and room to grow, the Encore is the better investment.
Capresso Infinity vs. OXO Brew Conical
The OXO Brew is another budget-friendly conical burr grinder in the same price range. The OXO has 15 settings with micro-adjustment within each setting, giving it slightly more precision. The grind quality is similar between the two. The OXO has a nicer-looking grounds container with an integrated scale, but the motor is louder.
For a complete breakdown, see our best burr grinder guide.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Capresso
After three years with the Infinity, here are the things I learned:
- Single-dose your beans. Don't leave beans sitting in the hopper for days. Weigh out what you need, grind it, and store the rest in an airtight container
- Purge a gram before your real grind. This pushes out stale retained grounds from the previous session
- Stick to medium and dark roasts. The Infinity handles these best. Light, dense beans make the motor work harder and reduce consistency
- Don't force espresso. The Infinity isn't built for it. If you want espresso, you need a different grinder. Trying to push the Infinity beyond its range will only frustrate you
- Buy the Infinity Plus if aesthetics matter. The zinc housing adds weight and stability. It's the same grinder inside, but it feels like a different product in your hands
FAQ
Is the Capresso Infinity good for beginners?
Yes. It's one of the best entry points into burr grinding. The 16 settings are simple to understand, the motor is forgiving with different bean types, and the price is low enough that you won't regret the purchase even if you upgrade within a year or two.
Can I grind for espresso with a Capresso grinder?
The finest setting on the Infinity is too coarse for proper espresso with a non-pressurized portafilter. If your espresso machine uses pressurized baskets (which most budget machines do), you can get an acceptable result. But for real espresso, look at grinders specifically designed for that range.
How long does the Capresso Infinity last?
The motor and burrs are rated for years of home use. I used mine daily for three years with no mechanical issues. The most common failure point is the hopper latch, which can crack if you twist it too hard. Replacement hoppers are available, but they're not always easy to find.
Is the Capresso Infinity Plus worth the extra money?
If you plan to keep the grinder on your counter where you see it daily, the zinc die-cast housing of the Plus is worth the $30-40 premium. It looks better, feels sturdier, and adds enough weight to keep the grinder from sliding during use. If the grinder lives in a cabinet, save the money and get the standard version.
My Take After Three Years
The Capresso Infinity was a faithful daily grinder that taught me the difference between blade-ground and burr-ground coffee. It's quiet, affordable, and reliable for drip and French press. I outgrew it once I got into pour over and espresso, where its limited settings couldn't keep up. But as a first burr grinder or a dedicated drip coffee grinder, it earns its spot on the counter. Buy it knowing what it is: a no-fuss workhorse for simple brewing, not a precision instrument for specialty coffee.