Hey there, coffee lovers! Alex here, from Coffee Grinder Choice. Let’s talk about something that’s quietly one of the most important pieces of gear in your entire coffee setup: your grinder. If your coffee beans are the movie stars, the grinder is the director—it sets the entire stage for the performance. Today, we’re diving deep with a comprehensive Capresso Coffee Grinder Review. For years, Capresso has been a go-to name, especially for those making their first real leap into better coffee at home. But does it live up to the hype? Is it the right choice for your counter? Let’s grind into it.
Why Your Grinder is the Unsung Hero of Your Morning Coffee
Before we put Capresso under the microscope, let’s get one thing straight. You can have the most expensive, ethically sourced, single-origin Geisha beans in the world, but if you’re using a subpar grinder, you’re doing them a massive disservice. It’s like buying a Ferrari and putting cheap tires on it.
A great grinder does one thing exceptionally well: it produces a consistent grind size. Why does this matter? Water extracts flavor from coffee grounds. If your grounds are all different sizes—some big boulders, some fine dust—the water will over-extract the dust (making your coffee bitter) and under-extract the boulders (making it sour and weak). The result is a muddy, unbalanced cup. A quality burr grinder, which we’ll discuss, ensures every little particle is a similar size, leading to a clean, sweet, and flavorful extraction every single time.
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Our Picks for the Best Coffee Grinder in 2026
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| Num | Product | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BLACK+DECKER One Touch Coffee Grinder, 2/3 Cup Coffee Bean Capacity, Spice Grinder, One Touch Push-Button Control -150 Watts -Stainless Steel Blades |
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| 2 | Burr Coffee Grinder, Adjustable Coffee Bean Grinder Electric with 14 Grinding Settings,2-12 Cups for Espresso, Drip Coffee and French Press |
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| 3 | 4 IN 1 Single Serve Coffee Maker with Milk Frother and Coffee Grinder, Coffee Maker for K Cup and Ground Coffee, with 30 oz Removable Water Reservoir, 6 to 14 oz. Brew Sizes, Coffee Machine for Home |
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| 4 | Cuisinart Coffee Grinder, Electric One-Touch Automatic Burr Coffee Grinder with 18-Position Grind Selector, Cup Size Selector for 4 – 18 Cups, DBM-8P1, Black Stainless |
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| 5 | Portable Electric Coffee Grinder， Upgraded External Adjustable 40 Levels Fine to Coarse Settings, Stainless Steel Conical Burr Rechargeable and Faster Grinding for Office,Home,Camping,Travel,Black |
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| 6 | V6 Pro Portable Coffee Grinder Electric, 60 Grind Settings USB-C Rechargeable, 4400mAh for Espresso to Cold Brew, Wireless Rechargeable Coffee Grinders for Travel, Camping, Office |
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| 7 | TIMEMORE C5 Pro Manual Coffee Grinder Capacity 30g with CNC Stainless Steel Conical Burr - Internal Adjustable Setting,Double Bearing Positioning (C5 Pro Matte Black) |
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| 8 | Hamilton Beach Custom Grind Electric Coffee Grinder for 4-14 Cups, One-Press Hand-Free Operation with Auto Shutoff, Removable Grinding Bowl For Easy Pour and Clean, Stainless Steel (80406) |
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| 9 | SHARDOR Electric Burr Coffee Grinder 2.0, Adjustable Burr Mill with 16 Precise Grind Setting for 2-14 Cup, Black |
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| 10 | Mini Manual Coffee Grinder with 40 Adjustable Settings, Portable Hand Coffee Bean Mill with 30g Capacity, Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Crank for Travel, Camping, Office, Espresso, Pour Over, etc |
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The Great Debate: Burr Grinders vs. Blade Grinders
When you start shopping, you’ll see two main types of electric grinders: blade and burr. Honestly, it’s not much of a debate in the specialty coffee world.
A blade grinder works like a blender. It has a spinning blade that violently smashes the beans into pieces. It’s cheap, but it creates a chaotic mix of dust and chunks. It’s better than pre-ground, but only just.
A burr grinder, on the other hand, uses two abrasive surfaces (the burrs) to crush beans into a uniform size. It’s a much more precise and gentle process. This is where brands like Capresso come in.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Blade Grinder | Burr Grinder |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | A spinning blade smashes beans | Two burrs crush beans uniformly |
| Grind Consistency | Poor (dust and boulders) | Excellent (uniform particle size) |
| Heat Generation | High (can scorch the beans) | Low (preserves coffee flavor) |
| Control | Very little; based on time | Precise, adjustable settings |
| Best For | Spices, or if there’s no other option | Anyone serious about coffee |
“I tell all my home-brewing students the same thing,” says professional barista Isabella Rossi. “Your first real upgrade isn’t a fancier coffee maker; it’s a quality burr grinder. It’s the single biggest leap in flavor you can make at home, and a reliable entry-level model like a Capresso is the perfect starting point.”
A Deep Dive: The Capresso Coffee Grinder Review
So, where does Capresso fit into all of this? The Capresso Infinity series, in particular, is often hailed as one of the best entry-level conical burr grinders on the market. Let’s break down what makes it tick.
Who is the Capresso Grinder For?
This grinder really shines for a specific audience. You’ll love it if you are:
- The Aspiring Home Barista: You’re moving on from pre-ground or a blade grinder and want to experience what freshly ground coffee is all about without breaking the bank.
- The Drip and Pour-Over Fan: The Capresso excels at producing a consistent grind in the medium to coarse range, perfect for your daily drip machine, Chemex, V60, or French press.
- The Budget-Conscious Coffee Enthusiast: You want the benefits of a burr grinder—consistency and flavor—at a price that feels reasonable and justified for a morning routine.
Key Features That Actually Matter
Let’s look past the marketing jargon and focus on what makes a difference in your cup.
- Commercial-Grade Conical Steel Burrs: This is the heart of the machine. The solid steel conical burrs are designed to reduce speed and heat, which, as we discussed, preserves the delicate aroma and flavor of your beans. They’re durable and deliver impressive consistency for the price point.
- Wide Range of Grind Settings: Most Capresso models offer around 16 distinct settings, from extra-fine to coarse. This gives you the versatility to brew for a French press (coarse), a drip coffee maker (medium), or even get close to what you need for some entry-level, pressurized-portafilter espresso machines.
- Gear Reduction Motor for Quiet Operation: Let’s be real, some grinders sound like a jet engine taking off. The Capresso uses a gear reduction system that slows down the burrs, which not only minimizes heat but also makes it one of the quieter grinders in its class. Your family or roommates will thank you.
- Ease of Use and Cleaning: The design is straightforward. You pop the beans in the top, turn the hopper to your desired grind size, and set the timer. The upper burr is easily removable, making a quick weekly brush-out a simple task.
How Do You Choose the Right Capresso Model?
While the “Infinity” is the most well-known, Capresso has a few models. The most popular is the Capresso Infinity Plus Conical Burr Grinder. It features the classic design with a sturdy build (options for stainless steel or a heavy-duty ABS plastic) and the reliable grinding mechanism they’re known for. It’s the workhorse of the lineup and the one most people are referring to when they talk about Capresso. For most people’s needs, from French press to pour-over, the Infinity Plus is the sweet spot of performance and value.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Capresso Grinder
Owning a great grinder is step one. Using it correctly is step two. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years.
- Don’t Adjust While Empty: Only change the grind setting while the motor is running or just before you add beans. Adjusting the burrs when they are empty and stationary can sometimes cause them to jam.
- Single Dose If You Can: While the hopper is large, I recommend only putting in the amount of beans you need for your immediate brew. This keeps the rest of your beans fresher in an airtight container.
- Use the RDT (Ross Droplet Technique): Static electricity can be an issue, causing grounds to fly everywhere. A simple fix: take a spoon, dip the very tip in water, and stir it through your beans right before grinding. This tiny amount of moisture dramatically reduces static.
- Clean it Regularly: Don’t let coffee oils build up. Once a week, give the burrs a quick brush. Once a month, do a deeper clean with grinder-specific cleaning tablets (like Urnex Grindz) to keep it running smoothly and your coffee tasting fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions about Capresso Grinders
Can the Capresso Infinity grind for true espresso?
The Capresso can grind fine, but it often struggles to produce the ultra-fine, consistent powder needed for non-pressurized, high-end espresso machines. For entry-level machines with pressurized portafilters, it can work quite well.
How often should I clean my Capresso coffee grinder?
A quick brushing of the burrs should be done weekly to remove loose grounds. A deeper clean with grinder cleaning pellets is recommended every month or two, depending on how often you use it and how oily your beans are.
Is the Capresso Infinity Plus loud?
Compared to many other electric grinders, especially blade grinders, the Capresso Infinity Plus is relatively quiet. Its slow-grinding speed and gear reduction motor help keep the noise to a manageable level for a morning routine.
What is the difference between the Capresso Infinity and the Infinity Plus?
The Infinity Plus is the newer model, often featuring a more robust housing (like a zinc die-cast option) and a slightly more refined motor and burr set for even better consistency and durability than the original.
How long do the burrs last on a Capresso grinder?
With regular home use and proper care, the solid steel burrs on a Capresso Infinity grinder can last for many years. You would likely need to grind hundreds of pounds of coffee before noticing any significant decline in performance.
The Final Verdict
So, after a thorough look, what’s the verdict on our Capresso coffee grinder review? It’s simple: the Capresso Infinity Plus is a fantastic piece of equipment that punches well above its weight. It’s a reliable, consistent, and user-friendly grinder that serves as the perfect gateway into the world of specialty coffee for home brewers. While it might not satisfy the most demanding espresso aficionado, for the vast majority of people brewing drip, pour-over, French press, or AeroPress, it’s an investment that will pay for itself with every delicious cup. If you’re ready to transform your morning coffee, investing in a quality grinder like a Capresso is one of the smartest moves you can make.