Capresso Coffee Burr Grinder: A Detailed Look at the Full Lineup
Capresso makes some of the most affordable conical burr grinders on the market, and they've been doing it for decades. If you're eyeing a Capresso coffee burr grinder, you're probably drawn by the price point, which typically undercuts Breville and Baratza by $30-80 depending on the model. The question is whether that savings comes at the expense of grind quality.
I've owned two different Capresso burr grinders over the past four years, and the answer is nuanced. They're genuinely good value for certain use cases, but they have real limitations you should know about. Here's my full take.
The Capresso Burr Grinder Models
Capresso has several burr grinder models in their lineup. Let me walk through the ones you'll actually find for sale.
Capresso Infinity (Model 560)
The Infinity is Capresso's flagship burr grinder and the model I recommend most often from their lineup. It uses commercial-grade conical steel burrs, which is a legitimate claim backed by decent grind performance. You get 16 grind settings organized into four categories: extra fine, fine, regular, and coarse, with four sub-settings within each.
The grind quality at medium settings (for drip and pour-over) is genuinely competitive with grinders costing $50 more. Where the Infinity shines is its quiet operation. Capresso designed the gear reduction system to minimize noise, and it really works. My Infinity is noticeably quieter than my Breville and quieter than every Baratza I've tested. At about 55-60 decibels, you can grind without waking up the household.
The container holds up to 4 ounces of ground coffee, which is enough for about 6-8 cups. The sealed design keeps grounds fresh if you grind more than you need, though I always recommend grinding only what you'll brew immediately.
Capresso Infinity Plus (Model 570)
The Plus version adds a zinc die-cast housing (versus the plastic housing on the standard Infinity), a larger 8.8-ounce bean hopper, and a few extra grind settings. The burrs are identical to the standard Infinity. The main value of the Plus is the sturdier build quality and reduced vibration from the heavier housing.
I tested both side by side, and the grind quality is identical. The Plus just feels more solid and stays put on the counter better during operation. If you can find it for $20-30 more than the standard Infinity, the upgrade is worth it for the durability alone.
Capresso 559 (Disk Mill Burr Grinder)
This is Capresso's budget option, using flat disk burrs instead of the conical burrs in the Infinity line. I'd steer you away from this one. The disk burrs produce significantly more fines and heat than the conical design, and the grind consistency is a clear step down. The price difference between the 559 and the standard Infinity is only about $15-25, and that small premium buys you a meaningfully better grinder.
Grind Performance: Honest Assessment
I ran the Capresso Infinity through the same tests I use for every grinder, and here are the results.
Medium Grind (Drip, Pour-Over)
This is where the Capresso performs closest to premium competitors. At the "regular" setting (positions 9-12 on the dial), I measured about 65-70% of particles within the target range for drip brewing. That's slightly behind Breville's 70-75% but ahead of most grinders under $80. My V60 pour-overs with the Capresso taste clean and balanced, with good sweetness.
Fine Grind (Espresso)
The Capresso Infinity can grind fine enough for espresso, but the 16-setting resolution is too coarse for precise dialing. You might find that setting 2 pulls a 20-second shot (too fast) and setting 1 chokes the machine entirely, with no step between them to find the ideal 25-28 second extraction. For pressurized portafilter baskets (common in entry-level espresso machines), the Infinity works fine. For unpressurized baskets, you'll likely be frustrated.
Coarse Grind (French Press)
The coarse settings (13-16) produce adequate results for French press but with more fines than I'd like. Those extra fine particles slip through the mesh filter and create a slightly gritty, muddy cup. If French press is your primary method, you can minimize this by using a slightly finer setting and shortening your steep time to compensate.
If you want to compare the Capresso against other burr grinders across the market, my roundup of the best burr coffee grinders includes head-to-head comparisons at every price tier. For a broader look at burr grinder options, the best burr grinders guide covers more models.
What I Like About Capresso Grinders
The Noise Level
I keep coming back to this because it's a genuine differentiator. My Capresso Infinity running at 6 AM doesn't wake my family. My Breville at 6 AM wakes the dog, who wakes everyone else. If early-morning grinding is part of your routine, the Capresso's quiet operation is a meaningful advantage.
The Price
At $60-100 depending on the model and any current sales, Capresso burr grinders offer the cheapest path to consistent burr-ground coffee. A quality blade grinder costs $20-30 and produces dramatically worse results. For the extra $40-70, the Capresso is a no-brainer upgrade.
Ease of Cleaning
The upper burr assembly removes easily for cleaning. Just twist the hopper off, lift out the upper burr, and brush away the grounds. The whole process takes under 3 minutes. Capresso also designed the grind chamber with smooth surfaces that don't trap as many grounds as some competitors I've used.
Timer-Based Dosing
The Infinity uses a simple dial timer (5-60 seconds) to control grind duration. Turn the timer knob, and the grinder runs until it clicks back to zero. It's less precise than digital dosing, but it's reliable and one less electronic component that can fail.
What I Don't Like
Limited Grind Settings
Sixteen settings sounds like a lot, but once you subtract the espresso-fine and extreme-coarse ends (which don't perform well), you're really working with about 8-10 useful positions. For drip and pour-over drinkers, this is adequate. For anyone who wants to micro-adjust their grind, it feels restrictive.
Static and Retention
The Capresso has a static problem similar to many grinders. Grounds cling to the container, the chute, and the surrounding counter. The sealed grounds container helps contain the mess, but you'll still see some escapees. Retention is around 2-3 grams, which is higher than Breville's 1-2 grams. That means more stale coffee mixing into your first grind of the day.
The Ross Droplet Technique (one spray of water on the beans before grinding) cuts the static dramatically. I do this every time now, and it's become second nature.
Plastic Housing (Standard Model)
The standard Infinity's plastic housing feels light and somewhat cheap. It vibrates during grinding and can slowly walk across the counter if you don't hold it or place it on a rubber mat. The Infinity Plus solves this with its zinc die-cast body, but it costs more.
Hopper Design
The bean hopper on the standard Infinity is only 5 ounces, which holds about 140 grams of beans. That's roughly 4 days of single-person use. The hopper also lacks a shutoff slide, so removing it requires either grinding out the remaining beans or carefully tipping them back into their bag. The Infinity Plus fixes this with a larger hopper and a better locking mechanism.
Who Should Buy a Capresso Burr Grinder
Buy the Capresso Infinity if:
- You primarily make drip coffee or pour-over
- Quiet grinding is important to you (early mornings, apartments, light sleepers nearby)
- Your budget is under $100
- You're upgrading from a blade grinder or pre-ground coffee
- You want reliable, simple operation without digital displays or complex programming
Skip the Capresso if:
- Espresso is your primary brew method (the grind settings aren't precise enough)
- You want 40+ grind settings for maximum control
- You plan to single-dose weighed amounts (the retention is too high)
- You need a grinder that handles everything from Turkish to cold brew (the usable range is narrower than competitors)
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Capresso
Season the Burrs First
Run 8-10 ounces of cheap beans through the grinder and discard the output. New burrs need breaking in, and the first few ounces of grounds will include metal shavings and manufacturing residue. Your good beans deserve seasoned burrs.
Use the RDT Method
Spray your beans with one tiny spritz of water before grinding. Stir the beans to distribute the moisture, then grind normally. This nearly eliminates static cling and makes cleanup much easier.
Find Your Sweet Spot and Mark It
Once you've dialed in the perfect grind setting for your brew method, take a photo of the dial position or mark it with a small piece of tape. The numbered settings on the Capresso aren't always precise enough to find the same spot by memory.
Clean Every Two Weeks
Run grinder cleaning pellets through the burrs bi-weekly, and do a full burr removal and brushing monthly. Coffee oils accumulate in the grind path and go rancid, creating stale flavors that contaminate your fresh coffee. The Capresso is easy to clean, so there's no excuse to skip it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Capresso Infinity good for espresso?
It can grind fine enough for espresso, but the limited settings make precise dialing difficult. For pressurized portafilter baskets, it works adequately. For standard non-pressurized baskets, you'll want a grinder with more steps in the espresso range.
How long does a Capresso burr grinder last?
With regular cleaning, expect 3-5 years of daily use. The burrs should last 500+ pounds of coffee before needing replacement. The timer mechanism and motor are typically the first components to wear.
Capresso vs. Baratza Encore: which is better?
The Baratza Encore has more grind settings (40 vs. 16), better grind consistency at the extremes, and superior parts availability for repairs. The Capresso Infinity is quieter, slightly cheaper, and easier to clean. For most drip and pour-over drinkers, both produce comparable results in the cup. If you make espresso or want long-term repairability, choose the Baratza. If quiet operation and low price matter most, choose the Capresso.
Does the Capresso grinder work with oily dark roast beans?
Yes, but oily beans will clog the burrs and chute faster than medium or light roasts. Clean the grinder weekly if you use dark roast beans, and avoid leaving oily beans in the hopper for more than a day or two.
My Final Take
The Capresso Infinity earns its spot as one of the best budget burr grinders available. It grinds well at medium settings, runs quieter than anything else in its price range, and is simple to use and maintain. Accept its limitations with espresso precision and coarse grind consistency, and you'll have a reliable daily grinder for drip and pour-over for years to come. Start with the standard Infinity if budget is tight, or spring for the Infinity Plus if you want a sturdier build. Either way, your morning coffee will taste dramatically better than anything ground with a blade.