Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Coffee Grinders Under $200

Capresso Infinity vs Timemore Chestnut C3

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Timemore Chestnut C3 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.1 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about entry-level manual grinder users — read the strengths below before deciding.

Capresso Infinity
Ranked #7 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200
Capresso Infinity
6 sources$98as of Aug 1

Reviewers describe the Capresso Infinity as an entry-level conical burr grinder that returns solid value for money. It carries 16 grind settings spanning every home brewing method and runs at a low 450 RPM, which holds down heat and noise. Grind consistency is good for most uses but not precise enough for espresso drinkers chasing exact timing. Durability and ease of use draw praise, though more than one reviewer found the timer dial confusingly labeled. Casual coffee drinkers who want quality grounds without breaking the bank will get the most out of it; anyone needing ultra-precision should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • Very well priced
  • Wide range of most popular grind settings
  • Made of high-quality materials
Watch-outs
  • Other burr grinders have more precise settings
  • Not dishwasher safe
Timemore Chestnut C3
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Coffee Grinders Under $200
Timemore Chestnut C3
6 sources$99as of Aug 1

The Timemore Chestnut C3 is an incremental update to the popular C2, bringing new S2C burr technology and a steel dial indicator. Reviewers found the new burrs slower than the previous model, dropping grinding speed from 0.8-1g/sec to around 0.5g/sec. The design carries over almost unchanged, with an aluminum body and stainless steel components, though the plastic internals have raised concerns among some users. For filter coffee the C3S variant is the recommendation, while the C3 ESP offers more precise adjustments for espresso. Drawbacks aside, it stays a budget-friendly entry into manual grinding.

Strengths
  • Features new S2C burr technology that Timemore claims improves grind consistency
  • Includes a steel dial indicator instead of plastic on the newer model
  • Lightweight design at just 423g, making it easy to handle during use
Watch-outs
  • New S2C burrs are slower than the previous C2 burrs, grinding at ~0.5g/sec vs 0.8-1g/sec
  • Still uses plastic stabilizers internally which some users may find concerning
  • Grinder speed and performance are described as a step back compared to the C2

How they stack up

Capresso Infinity

The Capresso Infinity provides solid value and ease of use, but it's less precise than the Baratza Encore and lacks the advanced features of the OXO Brew. It's more affordable than the Baratza Virtuoso Plus but doesn't offer the same level of grind consistency for espresso, making it ideal for casual users who don't need precision.

Timemore Chestnut C3

The Timemore Chestnut C3 improves on the C2 with a steel dial indicator and S2C burrs, but it's slower and still uses plastic components, unlike the 1Zpresso J-Max's titanium-coated burrs. It's less precise than the Baratza Virtuoso Plus and not as versatile as the Fellow Opus, but it remains a budget-friendly option for basic manual grinding.

Specs side-by-side

SpecCapresso InfinityTimemore Chestnut C3
Burr Type40mm Stainless SteelConical Steel Burrs (S2C 660)
Grind Settings1612 clicks (C3S), 30 clicks (C3 ESP)
Burr Size40mm38mm
MaterialStainless steel, Plastic, Zinc die-castAluminum body with stainless steel burrs
Capacity25g
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