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Capresso 560.01 Infinity vs. Baratza Encore Coffee Grinders
In the high-performance, under $150 grinder category, the Capresso 560.01 Infinity and the Baratza Encore are hitting many of the same key checklist must-haves.
Capresso has perfected its Swiss-developed conical burr technology while Seattle-based Baratza brings an innovative edge and a great set of features.
The Final Shot: For the casual coffee drinker, the Baratza is my top rec. If you’re an espresso lover looking for a finer, more precise grind, the Capresso will serve you better. It also has a nice timing mechanism. Both are solid conical burr grinders, but they are geared to serve different brewing needs.
Both burr grinders are solid picks, Capresso and Baratza have both kept up with the trend of the sophisticated home coffee brewer. Precise grinding technology and big settings ranges make it possible to get the perfect grounds for your preferred style of coffee drink and bean.
This comparison guide puts these two grinders side-by-side so you can see which of the features you need each of these machines will deliver.
Contents
Baratza Encore vs. Capresso 560.01 Infinity Head to Head
 |  |
|
|---|---|---|
| Name | Baratza Encore | Capresso 560.01 Infinity |
 Dimension | 7 x 7.5 x 14 in | 9.6 x 14.6 x 7.8 in |
 Grinder Type | Conical Burr | Conical Burr |
 Timer | No | Yes |
 Adjustable Speed | Yes | No |
 Hopper Size | 8 oz | 8.5 oz |
 Settings | 40 | 16 |
Similarities
The most obvious similarities between the Capresso and Bartza models are the overall design and advanced conical burr grinding technology.
The conical burr grinding technology in particular sets these two designs above your average grinder. The quality of coffee that is processed with this type of machinery is just better than the original steel blade designs and here’s why:
Conical burr grinders are known to produce grounds with superior aroma and flavor. This is because the conical burrs slow the machine’s gears to generate minimal heat and friction during grinding.
Precise grinding like this preserves the flavor of the coffee and provides a more consistent grind, which is especially important during the extraction process when brewing espresso.
Both models offer a standard top-loading design for ease of use and a detachable bin for collecting the grounds. Neither comes with a portafilter holder.
The machines both disassemble quickly, and without any additional tools. The burrs also lift right out of the machines and no special cleaning devices are required, although the Capresso grinder does come with a nice cleaning brush.
The size of both models are ideal for space-saving in smaller kitchens. Both the Capresso and Baratza can easily fit under overhead cabinets or be stowed away to prevent clutter. If you do choose to keep the grinder on the countertop, the designs of both the Capresso and Baratza are sleek and can blend in with other appliances easily.
Shared Features:
- Conical burr
- Multiple settings for different grinds
- Grind into a separate container
- Easy to clean
- Both models disassemble easily
- Large bean hopper capacity to accommodate big batches of coffee
- Sleek designs fit into any decor
Differences
The differences between the Baratza and the Capresso grinders are not all that readily apparent, until it comes to processing. What seem like small differences in grinding features actually result in coffee grinds that are pretty different.
These differences don’t necessarily put one model ahead of the other, though. It really comes down to coffee preferences and how much manual control you want over the grinding process.
For example, while you may have more control over the Baratza while it is grinding, the Capresso offers a wider range of grind sizes for more kinds of coffee. It’s great that we have so many options, but it also means that there’s no one-size-fits all model.
Here is a detailed list of differences between the two models so you’ll have a clear picture of why personal preference is so important when choosing between the Baratza and the Capresso.
Controls
The Baratza grinder has a simple on/off switch that gives you the ability to turn off the appliance easily, plus you can pulse the grounds to your liking. Capresso’s machine has a more complicated dial for operation, and there is no pulse option.
There is a down side to having so much control over processing, too. While you can’t pulse the grounds with the Capresso model, it is programmed with a timer so you can multitask in the kitchen.
You don’t have to sit with the Capresso while it grinds, unlike the Baratza, which you can’t really walk away from during grinding. This is a case of convenience versus control- it really depends on what you’re looking for when it comes to user experience.
Adjustable Speed
With the Baratza, the user can adjust the speed to suit their needs. This is great if you need a quick grind for the percolator and you’re not worried about a specific size. In fact, the RPM on the Baratza can be adjusted to anywhere from 405-495, according to your preferences.
The Capresso machine, however, has a set RPM of around 450 that is not adjustable. There is really no room for deviation from the programmed settings the Capresso comes with.
Again, these differences don’t put one over the other, it just depends on your preference. You definitely have more control over the processing with the Baratza grinder, but the Capresso is fool-proof. Just load the beans, choose your setting and let it run.
Range of Grind Settings
Here is where it gets a little tricky. Baratza boasts 40 different settings, so you’d think that would be a broader range of grind sizes, right? Surprisingly, this is not the case. While the Baratza is great for medium and coarse grinds for trendy manual brewing methods, it just can’t grind fine enough for the likes of Turkish coffee.
So, if you’re keen on the new manual methods like pour-over, Aeropress, Siphon, or Chemex, then the Baratza is for you. If you want Turkish coffee or are picky about your espresso grinds, the settings on this machine might not cut it.
No worries for the espresso or Turkish coffee aficionado, though. It turns out that even though the Capresso machine only has 16 settings compared to Baratza’s 40, it is better with finer grinds. The Capresso yields coffee grounds fine enough for the Turkish brewing method or a high-quality espresso.
It is counterintuitive-you would think more settings would mean more variety, but that just isn’t the case with these machines. Again, not an overall indicator of quality, it just depends on what kind of coffee you prefer.
Summary
When it comes to basics, both are great grinders, and it is difficult to put one above the other as far as quality goes. The superior technology is standard in both machines, it is really the smaller features that separate them.
If you’re looking for versatility, the Capresso will be the best choice for you. This machine can handle the finer coffee grounds required for the stronger Turkish and espresso brews, all with the touch of a button. It is also more convenient for those who want to multitask in the kitchen.
For those who don’t care for the brews that need finer grounds, but prefer the manual methods or percolator brews, Baratza is the better bet. The Baratza is also ideal for those who want control over the process and like to experiment with different size coffee grounds.
Coffee grinders have come a long way, and even with their differences, both of these models are at the top of their category. Personal preferences should be the deciding factor as to which machine is best for you. As far as quality goes, you can’t go wrong here.
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Chatting about coffee is my passion! Leave me a question in the comments, I answer each and every one and would love to get to know you better.
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4-Week Free Espresso E-mail Course!
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Week 3 - Types of Drinks
Week 4 - Advanced Brewing
Join Mike (me) and learn all the basics of making great tasting espresso!
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About the Author Michael York
I am a die-hard espresso fan. I love every form of the drink from straight espresso shots to lattes and cappuccinos. I currently use a Breville BES870XL Barista, it is an awesome machine. BUT, my dream machine is definitely an Italian Quickmill Andreja. Those bad boys make badass espresso. I love answering your questions, leave a comment or question below!
