Capresso Infinity Grinder: What You Need to Know Before Buying

I spent three months with a Capresso Infinity on my kitchen counter, and I have some strong opinions about it. The short version: it's a solid conical burr grinder that punches above its weight in the $50-$80 range, but it has some quirks you should know about before pulling the trigger.

If you're shopping for a grinder that handles drip coffee, pour over, and French press without breaking the bank, the Infinity deserves a spot on your shortlist. I'll walk you through how it actually performs day to day, where it shines, where it falls short, and who should buy one.

Build Quality and Design

The Capresso Infinity comes in a few color options, but the die-cast zinc housing on the higher-end models gives it a weight and feel that most grinders under $100 just don't have. My unit weighed in at about 8.5 pounds, which meant it stayed put on the counter even when grinding at the coarsest settings.

The hopper holds roughly 8.8 ounces of beans. That's enough for about a week of daily brewing if you're making 2-3 cups a day. The lid has a nice seal, though I wouldn't call it airtight. I moved my beans to the hopper on Monday mornings and noticed no real difference in taste by Friday.

One thing I appreciated was the compact footprint. It takes up less counter space than a Baratza Encore, sitting at about 5 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep. If your kitchen counter is a war zone of appliances like mine, that matters.

The Grounds Container

The removable grounds bin sits underneath the burrs and holds enough for about 4 ounces of ground coffee. It's plastic with a snap-on lid, and it works fine. The static can be annoying though. Grounds cling to the inside of the container, and you'll end up tapping it on the counter to get everything out. This is probably my biggest day-to-day complaint about the Infinity.

Grind Performance Across Brew Methods

The Infinity offers 16 grind settings spread across 4 ranges: extra fine, fine, regular, and coarse. Each range has 4 sub-settings within it, giving you decent control over particle size.

Drip and Pour Over

This is where the Infinity really earns its keep. On settings 6-10, I got consistent, even grounds that produced clean cups in both my Chemex and a standard drip machine. The particle distribution was noticeably better than the blade grinder I upgraded from, with far fewer fines mixed in with the medium grounds.

French Press

At the coarsest settings (13-16), the grind was acceptable but not perfect. I still found some fine particles mixed in, which led to slightly muddy French press cups. If French press is your primary method, you might want to look at grinders with more range on the coarse end. Check out our best coffee grinder roundup for options that handle coarse grinding better.

Espresso

Capresso markets this as capable of espresso grinding, and technically it can produce fine grounds. But let me be honest: the finest settings are fine for a pressurized portafilter or a Moka pot, but they're not consistent enough for a proper unpressurized espresso basket. If espresso is your main goal, you'll want to step up to something in the $150+ range.

Noise Level

Here's something the Capresso Infinity actually does better than most of its competition. The gear reduction motor runs noticeably quieter than grinders like the Baratza Encore or the Oxo Brew. I measured it at roughly 70 decibels from 2 feet away, compared to the Encore's 75-80 decibels.

That might not sound like a huge difference on paper, but in practice it means you can grind beans at 6 AM without waking up the rest of the house. My wife specifically commented on how much quieter it was than our old blade grinder. If noise is a major concern for you, the Infinity is one of the quietest electric burr grinders in this price range.

The trade-off is speed. The slow motor means grinding enough for a full pot takes about 40-50 seconds. That's not a problem for me, but if you're grinding for a crowd every morning, it could add up.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Keeping the Infinity clean is straightforward but not as easy as some competitors. The upper burr pops out for cleaning, which I recommend doing every 2-3 weeks if you grind daily. Coffee oils build up on the burrs and can make your coffee taste stale over time.

The grounds container needs regular wiping due to the static issue I mentioned. I kept a small brush near the grinder and gave the chute a quick sweep after every use. It added maybe 10 seconds to my routine.

Burr Replacement

The conical steel burrs should last for years under normal home use. Capresso says they're good for thousands of grinding cycles. I'd estimate that for someone grinding once a day, you're looking at 5-7 years before the burrs need replacement. Replacement burrs run about $25-$30, which is reasonable.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

At its typical price point of $50-$80 (depending on the model and where you buy), the Capresso Infinity sits in a crowded space. The Baratza Encore costs about $40 more but offers better grind consistency, easier cleaning, and a larger adjustment range. The Oxo Brew Conical Burr sits at a similar price and trades blows with the Infinity in most categories.

If you're on a tighter budget, the Infinity gives you about 85% of the Encore's performance for 70% of the price. That's a solid deal. If you're willing to spend more, the top coffee grinder options in the $120-$200 range will outperform it in every category.

The Infinity makes the most sense for someone who brews drip or pour over daily, wants a real burr grinder, and doesn't want to spend over $100. It's not the best at any single thing, but it's good enough at most things to earn a recommendation.

FAQ

Is the Capresso Infinity good for beginners?

Yes, it's actually a great entry point into burr grinding. The 16 settings are simple to understand without being overwhelming, and the grind quality is a massive upgrade from any blade grinder. You'll taste the difference in your first cup.

How long does the Capresso Infinity last?

With regular cleaning, expect 5-7 years of daily use before the burrs need replacing. The motor is well-built and the gear reduction design puts less stress on the components than direct-drive grinders. I've seen reports of people running theirs for a decade with basic maintenance.

Can I grind spices in the Capresso Infinity?

Don't do it. The oils from spices will seep into the burrs and flavor your coffee for weeks. If you need a spice grinder, get a separate blade grinder for that purpose. Coffee grinders should only grind coffee.

Does the Capresso Infinity have a timer?

Yes, it has a simple dial timer that lets you set the grind duration from 5 to 60 seconds. It's not a dosing system by weight, so you'll need to dial in the right time for your preferred dose. I found 18-20 seconds gave me the right amount for two cups of pour over.

The Bottom Line

The Capresso Infinity is a smart buy if you're upgrading from a blade grinder and want to keep your spending under $80. It grinds quietly, produces consistent results for drip and pour over, and takes up minimal counter space. Just know that it's not the right pick for espresso, and the static in the grounds container will mildly annoy you forever. For the price, those are trade-offs I'm willing to accept.