Capresso Grinder: An Honest Look at Their Lineup
Capresso makes a range of coffee grinders that sit in the budget-to-mid-range category, mostly between $30 and $100. Their most well-known model is the Capresso Infinity, a conical burr grinder that's been a popular starter grinder for years. If you're considering a Capresso grinder, you're probably deciding between the Infinity and their blade grinder options, or comparing the Infinity to competitors like the Baratza Encore or OXO Brew.
I used a Capresso Infinity as my daily grinder for about a year before upgrading, and I have some strong opinions about where it fits in the market. It does certain things well and stumbles in other areas. I'll break down the full Capresso lineup, focus on the Infinity since it's their flagship, and help you figure out whether a Capresso grinder belongs on your counter.
The Capresso Grinder Lineup
Capresso offers a few different grinder models. Here's what's currently available.
Capresso Infinity (Conical Burr)
This is their main grinder and the one worth talking about. It uses commercial-grade conical steel burrs and offers 16 grind settings arranged in four ranges: extra fine, fine, regular, and coarse. Each range has four sub-settings, giving you 16 total positions.
The Infinity comes in a few finishes: brushed stainless, matte black, and a plastic-bodied version that costs about $20 less. Internally, they're the same. The motor runs slowly (450 RPM), which reduces heat and static. Bean hopper capacity is about 8.8 ounces, and the grounds container holds roughly 4 ounces.
Capresso Cool Grind (Blade)
This is their budget blade grinder, usually around $20 to $30. It chops beans with a spinning blade rather than crushing them between burrs. Blade grinders produce wildly inconsistent particle sizes, from powder to chunks, all in the same batch. I can't recommend blade grinders for anything except spice grinding. If you're looking at the Cool Grind for coffee, spend the extra $30 to $40 on the Infinity instead.
Capresso Disk Grinder
A flat disk grinder that sits between the blade and burr models in price. It's an improvement over blade, but still doesn't match true conical burrs for consistency. This model seems to be fading from their lineup, and I wouldn't recommend it when the Infinity exists at a similar price point.
Capresso Infinity Deep Dive
Since the Infinity is the only Capresso grinder worth serious consideration, let me give you the full picture.
Grind Quality
For its price ($50 to $70 for the plastic body, $70 to $90 for stainless), the Infinity produces decent grounds. The 16 settings cover everything from a Turkish-fine grind to a coarse French press. The medium settings (7 through 12) work well for drip coffee and pour-over.
However, the grind consistency has limits. At finer settings (1 through 4), you get a noticeable amount of fine dust mixed in with your target particle size. At coarser settings (13 through 16), some smaller particles sneak through. This inconsistency matters more for some brew methods than others. For auto-drip, you won't notice it much. For pour-over, the extra fines can cause slightly uneven extraction. For espresso, the Infinity doesn't have enough granularity between its fine settings to dial in a shot properly.
The Gear Reduction System
Capresso's main selling point for the Infinity is its gear reduction system that slows the burr speed. Slower grinding means less heat transfer to the beans, which preserves volatile flavor compounds. It also reduces static, at least in theory.
In practice, the Infinity does generate less static than many competitors in its price range. I didn't need to use the water droplet trick as often as I do with other grinders. But it's not static-free. The plastic grounds container still collects a film of fine particles from static cling.
Noise Level
The Infinity is quieter than most electric burr grinders. The slow motor speed keeps the volume down to a moderate hum rather than a loud buzz. You can hold a conversation while it grinds, which is more than I can say for some grinders I've owned. It's not silent, but it won't rattle your kitchen cabinets.
For a broader comparison of grinders in this price range, take a look at our best coffee grinder roundup.
Capresso Infinity vs. The Competition
The Infinity's main competitors are the Baratza Encore and the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder. Here's how they stack up.
Capresso Infinity vs. Baratza Encore
The Encore costs about $30 to $40 more than the Infinity and beats it in almost every category. The Encore has 40 grind settings versus 16, produces more uniform grounds, and has better build quality. Baratza also sells replacement parts and has excellent customer support. The Infinity's only advantage is price.
If you can stretch your budget to the Encore, do it. If you're firmly under $70, the Infinity is a respectable alternative.
Capresso Infinity vs. OXO Brew
The OXO Brew is priced similarly to the Infinity and offers comparable grind quality with a slightly more modern design. The OXO has a one-touch timer and a UV-blocking hopper to protect beans. Both produce similar grind consistency. This one comes down to personal preference on aesthetics and brand loyalty.
Capresso Infinity vs. Manual Grinders
A $60 to $80 manual grinder (like the Timemore C2 or 1Zpresso Q2) outperforms the Infinity in grind consistency. The tradeoff is physical effort and slower grinding speed. If you only make one cup at a time and don't mind cranking, a manual grinder gives you better results per dollar.
Check our top coffee grinder list for head-to-head comparisons across brands and price tiers.
Maintenance and Common Issues
The Infinity is fairly low-maintenance, but there are some things to watch for.
Cleaning Routine
- Weekly: Remove the grounds container and wipe it out. Brush loose grounds from the burr area with the included brush.
- Monthly: Remove the upper burr (it pops out with a twist) and brush both burr surfaces. Clear any stuck grounds from the grind chute.
- Every few months: Run grinder cleaning tablets through the machine to remove coffee oil buildup.
Common Problems
Grounds clumping in the chute. This happens with oily dark roasts. The oils combine with fine particles and create a paste that clogs the chute between the burrs and the grounds container. Regular cleaning prevents this. If it happens, use a wooden skewer to clear the chute.
Inconsistent dosing. The Infinity doesn't have a timed grind feature. You set a timer manually or just hold the button. This means your dose weight varies unless you weigh your beans beforehand. I always weighed beans before grinding rather than relying on time or volume.
Hopper not sealing well. Some users report that the hopper doesn't click firmly into place, allowing beans to shift and the grinder to stop. Push the hopper down firmly until it clicks. If it's still loose, the latch tab might need a gentle bend.
Who Should Buy a Capresso Grinder?
The Capresso Infinity is a solid entry-level burr grinder for people who:
- Primarily brew drip coffee or French press
- Want to step up from pre-ground or a blade grinder
- Have a budget under $80
- Don't need espresso-level precision
It's not the right choice if you're a pour-over enthusiast who wants very precise grind control, or if you plan to use it for espresso. For those uses, either spend more on a Baratza Encore or Virtuoso, or consider a quality manual grinder.
FAQ
Is the Capresso Infinity good for espresso?
No. The 16 grind settings don't provide enough resolution in the fine range. You'll struggle to dial in espresso shots because each click changes the grind too much. Stick to drip, pour-over, or French press with this grinder.
How long does the Capresso Infinity last?
With regular cleaning and moderate daily use (20 to 40 grams per day), expect 3 to 5 years before you notice grind quality declining. The motor and gears are reliable. Burrs will dull before the motor fails.
Does Capresso sell replacement burrs?
Yes, replacement burr sets are available for around $15 to $20. Swapping them takes about 5 minutes. This extends the life of the grinder significantly.
Is the stainless steel version worth the extra cost?
It looks better on the counter and feels slightly sturdier, but the internals are identical to the plastic version. If you're budget-conscious, save the $20 and get the plastic body. The coffee tastes the same.
Final Thoughts
The Capresso Infinity fills a specific gap in the market: affordable burr grinding with decent, not great, consistency. It's a meaningful upgrade from blade grinders and pre-ground coffee, and it serves drip and French press brewers well at a fair price. Just know that you're buying an entry-level grinder with entry-level limitations. If your coffee journey takes you deeper into pour-over or espresso territory, you'll outgrow the Infinity. For now, though, it's a reasonable starting point.