5+ Best Ninja Coffee Makers in 2024

This is a review of the best Ninja coffee makers. Compare our recommendations to find your next dream machine.

I’ve used a lot of Ninja appliances in the past and have been searching for the best coffee maker they make. That inspired me to write this list.

I went with the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System as the best overall because of its ability to brew coffee, tea, and other instant drinks and mixes. Making it perfect for folks who like drinks other than coffee.

Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: Best Overall

• Price: $$$
• Dimensions: 11.81 × 10.04 × 15 in (D, W, H)
• Water Reservoir Size: 50 oz = 10 cups
• Material: Casing: Plastic
• Carafe Material: Stainless steel
• Warranty: 1 year
• Pod Support: No

Check Current Price

This machine may fall out of your budget, though. And it doesn’t brew espresso. If those downsides are less than ideal, check out our other recommendations.

Let’s get a move on.

Best Coffee Makers Made by Ninja

1. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: Best Overall
2. Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System: High-End Model
3. Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty: Most Affordable
4. Ninja DualBrew Pro: Includes Milk Frother
5. Ninja CM401 Specialty: Best Specialty Coffee Maker
6. Ninja CE251: Best Maker, UK

Top Ninja Coffee Makers for Home Use

The following sections will briefly review all Ninja’s best coffee makers. I’ll discuss their pros and cons, noteworthy features, and additional relevant information.

No Ninja coffee makers have built-in grinders. Considering Ninja is a reputable grinder brand, why don’t any of their coffee makers have an integrated grinder? Likely (allegedly) so they can get more money out of you.

I make this allegation because to grind coffee with a Ninja grinder, you must buy a separate attachment that’ll grind coffee beans. I honestly recommend getting a separate electronic grinder at that point. It’ll grind beans more consistently, which’ll lead to better-tasting coffee.

I digress—

1. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: Best Overall

Price *	$$$
Dimensions	11.81 × 10.04 × 15 in (D, W, H)
Water Reservoir Size	50 oz = 10 cups
Material	Casing: Plastic
Carafe Material	Stainless steel
Warranty	1 year
Pod Support?	No

The Ninja CP307 coffee maker is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who value versatility and customization in their brewing experience.

Due to the machine’s vast coffee and tea selection options, it’s definitely worth the cost.

Let’s go over all the different types of drinks and brewing styles this machine can make:

• Tea: Oolong, white, green, black, & herbal
• Classic: Normal coffee.
• Rich: Extracts more flavor from beans.
• Over Ice: More watery coffee.
• Cold Brew: Less-acidic coffee.
• Specialty: Espresso-like drink.

It doesn’t support K-Cup pods, but it includes a reusable mesh filter. A nice accessory because it eliminates the need of frequently buying paper filters. However, it’s a bit difficult to clean the filter due to grinds getting stuck in the mesh.

Finer coffee grounds could even escape through the fine mesh and into your coffee, giving it a gritty taste.

Its massive size doesn’t make it the best choice for small kitchens or for anyone with low-hanging wall cabinets. And it’s a pain to see the remaining water left in the reservoir due to the tank being positioned on the machine’s back.

Meet the best high-end Ninja coffee maker.

2. Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System: Best High-End Ninja Coffee Maker

Price *	$$$
Dimensions	12.21 × 9.84 × 14.96 (D, W, H)
Water Reservoir Size	12 cups
Material	Plastic & stainless steel
Carafe Material	Stainless steel
Warranty	1 year
Pod Support?	Yes: Nespresso Original pods

The Ninja CFN601 suits serious coffee lovers seeking diverse brewing options.

It’ll only work with Nespresso’s Original line capsules (the smaller ones). Vertuo coffee pods won’t fit in this machine. Meaning, you won’t get black coffee that way. However, you could use ground coffee.

I’ve seen this machine start independently upon closing the coffee ground side’s lid and start brewing. This is a nightmare if you don’t constantly have a carafe sitting under it, because you’ll have coffee forming a molten puddle on the carafe stand.

The machine’s bulky size won’t allow it to fit on many countertops. But it can accommodate a glass carafe, which will produce cleaner-tasting coffee than stainless steel ones since it won’t have a metallic taste.

And the included warming plate will keep the coffee in your carafe warm for hours, though it risks burning the coffee inside, which is when thermal carafes shine. Since they retain heat better.

Let’s talk about the brewing options:

• Black coffee:
  • Classic: No special settings.
  • Rich: Brews longer to extract no flavor.
  • Over Ice: More diluted.
• Espresso: Uses up to 19 bars of pressure, which is ideal for brewing espresso [1].
  • Espresso: Solo shot.
  • Lungo: Watered-down espresso.
  • Over Ice: More diluted taste.

It doesn’t offer ristretto (concentrated shot) or doppio (double shots), but this isn’t a professional espresso machine. However, these options work great for anyone who wants Americanos or similar drinks.

Perhaps you like lattes. It includes a built-in milk frother, which gives you a means to froth milk for such drinks.

Perfect for rookies, we’ll discuss the most beginner-friendly Ninja coffee machine next.

3. Ninja CE251: Most Beginner-Friendly Ninja Coffee Maker

Price *	$
Dimensions	8 × 10 × 14 in (D, W, H)
Water Reservoir Size	12 cups
Material	Stainless steel & plastic
Carafe Material	Glass
Warranty	1 year
Pod Support?	No

The Ninja CE251 is best suited for households that require multiple cups of coffee, relish advance scheduling, and prioritize easy maintenance.

Considering its price point and giant water tank, it’s worth the money for anyone who drinks a lot of black coffee and doesn’t need many features.

Many coffee manufacturers don’t understand that people want to know at a glance whether they’re running low on water. Ninja addressed this concern by placing the reservoir on the machine’s side.

It’s also removable, making cleaning and refilling much easier. You don’t need to carry a pitcher to and from your machine. However, I wish the tank had a handle to make it easier to grip.

Such a large water reservoir partially contributes to the machine’s massive size, which makes it unideal for small kitchens.

Can you not function without coffee upon waking up? Set it to brew right before you wake up. That way, you’ll have coffee that’s ready to drink when rolling out of bed. 

The machine’s plastic parts feel flimsy and won’t last as long as coffee makers that have stainless steel bodies. Without this cut corner, Ninja wouldn’t have been able to price the machine the way they did.

It uses a glass carafe, which is a double-edged sword. It’s nice because you can see the remaining coffee. But it’s bad because the warming plate used to keep the coffee warm could burn the coffee in the carafe.

Stainless steel carafes don’t have this issue since they don’t require warming plates. Their metal bodies do fine with keeping coffee hot for hours.

It has Classic and Rich (stronger-tasting coffee) brewing options. Not as much customizability as with other models.

Craving cappuccinos? Our next mini-review features a Ninja coffee maker with a milk frother.

4. Ninja DualBrew Pro: Best Ninja Coffee Maker with Milk Frother

Price *	$$$
Dimensions	11 × 9.1 × 15.5 in (D, W, H)
Water Reservoir Size	96 fl oz = 16 6-oz cups
Material	Plastic & stainless steel
Carafe Material	Glass
Warranty	1 year
Pod Support?	Yes: K-Cups

The Ninja DualBrew Pro is ideal for discerning coffee lovers who appreciate variety and the flexibility of brewing sizes.

If you love drinking coffee, tea, and other instant drinks, the DualBrew Pro is worth the money due to the machine’s flexibility with drink making.

This specific model isn’t as wide as other machines, yet the reservoir sits on the machine’s side, which makes it excellent for viewing how much water it has. Once it’s time for a refill or a clean, it’s removable.

A much better option than hauling the machine to your sink. Or a pitcher to your machine.

However, the water tank will require both hands to grab. I wouldn’t get this machine for the removable tank if you’re someone with wrist issues or can’t grip things well due to the lack of a handle.

If you only need a few more inches of counter space to fit this machine, shift the water reservoir to the machine’s rear. 

You’ll have plenty of cup and brew sizes. Whether you want 4 oz Specialty (concentrated coffee) or a full carafe of Rich (slowly brewed) coffee. The brew strengths will allow you to choose whether you want weaker or stronger drinks.

I wish there were more precise temperature controls. It would allow you to have more consistent temperatures in your drinks.

Let’s revisit the Specialty coffee option. It brews concentrated coffee, which by definition should be espresso. However, the machine doesn’t use 9 bars of pressure to brew it—from what I could find. And it doesn’t have crema, features that make espresso what it is.

However, you’ll have a drink that tastes like espresso for the most part. Then you could use the milk frother to froth milk to use in making drinks like latte macchiatos.

Discover versatility in our next section, presenting the dual-function Ninja coffee maker.

5. Ninja CM401 Specialty: Best Coffee for Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker

Price *	$$
Dimensions	8.75 × 11.99 × 15.04 in (D, W, H)
Water Capacity / Enough for	40 fl oz = 40 solo shots or 12 cups
Material	Stainless steel
Warranty	1 year
Pod Support?	No

The Ninja CM401 shines for adventurous coffee enthusiasts who relish diverse brewing methods and enjoy milk-based beverages.

This coffee maker’s a great value because of its ability to brew concentrated and black coffee.

It doesn’t offer the ability to brew tea like the Hot and Cold Brewed System. However, iit has a Specialty button that allows it to brew concentrated coffee. I won’t say it is espresso due to not producing much crema. And for not using many bars of pressure.

Ninja allegedly doesn’t specify the number of bars of pressure used for the Specialty coffee on this machine, which is a critical factor in extracting flavor from espresso beans.

Anyway…

If you want to make drinks like cappuccinos and macchiatos, use the milk frother on the side. However, due to the small parts, any milk residue gooped into the component could prove difficult to clean.

The Rich button slowly brews black coffee to extract more flavors, and the Over Ice gives you a more diluted drink.

It offers a glass and thermal carafe option. I recommend the former if you’ll entertain a lot of people due to having cleaner-tasting coffee. And the latter if you need to keep your coffee warm for extended periods.

Glass produces cleaner-tasting coffee because no chemicals will seep into your drink. However, this specific glass is much thinner and more fragile than, for instance, borosilicate glass. Meaning you should practice caution when handling it.

UK residents, your search ends here with the best Ninja coffee maker available.

6. Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve: Best Ninja Coffee Maker UK

Price *	££
Dimensions	33 × 13 × 33.8 cm (D, W, H)
Water Reservoir Size	709 ml = 4 cups
Material	Plastic & stainless steel
Carafe Material	NA
Warranty	1 year
Pod Support?	Yes: K-Cups

The Ninja PB051 suits UK dwellers due to its ability to produce everything from iced lattes to steaming hot espressos. Mimicking Britain’s café culture in the comfort of home.

If you’re looking for a machine that’ll make lattes and support K-Cups, you’re in the right spot.

It has an unappealing milk frother, but it’s practical in allowing you to brew milk-based drinks like cappuccinos. Do you want to brew black coffee instead? Insert reusable K-Cups and add your own coffee grounds.

I wouldn’t get this machine if you have low-hanging wall cabinets, and here’s why:

• Buttons are on top.
  • Harder to see if cabinets obfuscate it.
• Water reservoir is on the rear.
  • Difficult to see remaining water & grab water tank.
• Must reach over to grab the water tank.

And the water reservoir doesn’t have a handle or any design that’ll allow you to easily grip it. If you have arthritis, something similar, or are just clumsy, I’d avoid this machine. Unless you jury-rig a DIY handle.

If you can access the machine’s top, it offers a great selection of brew types like: Classic, Over Ice (diluted), Rich (extracts more flavors), and Specialty (concentrated coffee). And it’ll allow you to choose from 177 to 709 milliliters.

Read on for our expert buying guide on selecting your ideal Ninja coffee maker.

How to Choose the Best Ninja Coffee Maker

Consider these factors when shopping for a Ninja coffee maker

All the criteria above are general guidelines to consider. I can’t read your mind and won’t know your preferences. Thus, use the information provided as a starting point to pick your next machine.

1. Machine & Water Reservoir Size

Large machines offer convenience, often featuring larger water reservoirs. They make more coffee in one run, suitable for larger households or offices. However, they take up more counter space, potentially a disadvantage in a small kitchen.

The smaller machines excel in compactness. They fit into small kitchens or tight office spaces. Yet, they often come with smaller reservoirs. It means you’ll refill more regularly if you’re a heavy coffee drinker or serving multiple people.

Water reservoir size is another crucial factor.

A large reservoir brews more cups before needing a refill. It’s perfect for busy mornings or offices, where constant refills can be disruptive. But there’s a caveat. Water left sitting for too long could become stale, affecting your coffee’s taste.

Smaller reservoirs have their charm, too. You’ll refill more frequently, yes. But it ensures fresh water in every brew, maximizing flavor. However, if convenience trumps all else for you, smaller reservoirs might be more of a burden than a boon.

Ninja coffee makers aren’t one-size-fits-all. They offer a range of sizes to fit varied needs. The largest models can have dimensions as big as 15 inches tall, 11.8 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep. But there are smaller, more compact models available, too.

2. Carafe Material

Carafe material impacts the temperature maintenance, taste, and longevity of coffee in Ninja coffee makers.

1. Stainless Steel Carafe

Best for: Those seeking durability and long-lasting heat retention.

Pros:

• Maintains heat longer, keeps coffee hot.
• Durable, withstands rough handling.
• Easy cleaning, stains less easily.

Cons:

• Alters taste, metal can infuse flavors.
• Higher price, due to material quality.
• Heat loss, if not well-insulated.

While not universal, many Ninja coffee makers do feature stainless steel carafes due to their robustness and heat retention capabilities [2].

2. Glass Carafe

Best for: Those prioritizing flavor preservation and aesthetic appeal.

Pros:

• Pure taste, doesn’t affect coffee flavor.
• Transparent, easy to gauge quantity.
• Affordable, typically cheaper than metal.

Cons:

• Fragile, susceptible to breakage.
• Heat loss, cools quickly if not warmed.
• Tougher cleaning, stains more readily.

Glass carafes are fairly common in Ninja coffee makers, favored for their affordability and neutrality in flavor preservation.

3. Additional Features

Features to keep an eye out for with Ninja coffee machines include:

High-end Ninja makers will include features like an integrated frother and thermal flavor extraction. And most lower-end ones will have removable water reservoirs and a programmable brew start.

Buy machines with features you’ll actually use. Otherwise, you’ll waste money and make your life a bit more difficult. Since you’ll need to find a way to get rid of the machine or continually maintain it.

4. Brew Styles It Supports

Brew style compatibility is crucial in buying a Ninja coffee maker, determining usage options for either convenient pods or versatile ground coffee.

1. Ground Coffee

Best for: Coffee enthusiasts seeking full control over their brew’s strength and flavor.

Pros:

• Personalized taste: Customize the brew based on personal preference.
• More eco-friendly: No single-use plastic pods involved.
• Usually cheaper: Buying coffee grounds in bulk is cost-efficient.

Cons:

• Preparation time: Requires more time than pods.
• Clean-up: Grounds can be messy to handle.
• Inconsistent brews: Can vary if measurements aren’t precise.

Most Ninja coffee makers commonly support ground coffee, catering to those who prefer a more traditional brewing method.

2. Pods

Best for: People who value speed and convenience over customizing their coffee.

Pros:

• Speedy brew: Coffee is ready quickly with minimal fuss.
• No mess: Pods prevent ground spillage.
• Consistent taste: Pods provide a uniform brew each time.

Cons:

• Less eco-friendly: Pods create more waste than grounds.
• Limited choices: Restricted to pod-compatible coffee brands.
• More expensive: K-Cups could cost up to $850 a year [3].

Pod brewing support isn’t as common in Ninja coffee makers, but they offer options for consumers seeking modern, easy coffee solutions.

5. Water Filter

Choosing a Ninja coffee maker with a built-in water filter ensures a clean, pure brew, enhancing flavor and removing unwanted chemicals in your coffee. 

Yet, consider the price. Ninja coffee makers with built-in filters tend to cost more.

But, the benefits stretch beyond pure coffee. A water filter prolongs your machine’s life by preventing mineral buildup. It saves you money on descaling and maintenance.

Filters need regular replacement, though. This ongoing expense requires consideration. Also, ignoring filter replacement can lead to flavor degradation or machine malfunction.

6. Drinks You Can Make

Here’s a generalized list of what some Ninja coffee makers can brew:

Only the Ninja coffee makers with espresso-brewing capabilities can brew drinks like Americanos and lattes. And you can only brew the latter if the coffee maker includes an integrated milk frother.

Otherwise, Ninja coffee makers can only make black coffee and latte-like drinks (if they include a frother).

How to Clean & Descale a Ninja Coffee Maker

To clean and descale a Ninja coffee machine, you’ll need white vinegar, water, and a soft cloth.

Here’s how to clean and descale a Ninja machine:

1. Empty the drip tray & capsule container.
2. Fill the water tank with a descaling solution.
3. Place a container under the coffee outlet.
4. Start the descaling process as per your machine’s instructions.
5. Rinse the water tank & fill it with fresh water.
6. Run a cycle with just water to rinse the machine.
7. Repeat the rinse cycle.
8. Wipe down the machine with a soft cloth.

Descaling removes mineral buildup from your coffee machine. It improves the machine’s efficiency and the taste of your coffee.

Descaling methods can differ among Ninja coffee maker models. Always refer to your machine’s manual to ensure you’re using the correct procedure.

Ninja vs. Other Coffee Maker Brands

Key:

• Price:
  • $ = Budget
  • $$ = Mid-Range
  • $$$ = Premium
  • $$$$ = High-end
• Ease of Use: This is subjective, but:
  • High: Generally easy to use with intuitive controls.
  • Medium: Some learning curve.
  • Low: Takes more time to learn & adjust to the machine.
• Brew Quality:
  • High: The brand typically offers excellent brew quality.
  • Medium: Good, but not exceptional brew quality.
  • Low: The brew quality may not be up to par with other brands.
• Versatility: This parameter denotes the range of coffee types that the machine can brew (e.g., espresso, latte, regular brew, etc.).
  • High: Has a wide range of brewing options.
  • Medium: Some variety.
  • Low: Limited brewing options.
• Durability: “High” denotes the machines are typically durable & long-lasting. “Medium” indicates average durability, & “Low” signifies the machine may not be as durable as other brands.

Ninja coffee makers are usually priced in the premium range. They are easy to use, offer high brew quality, and are versatile in their coffee brewing options.

However:

They may not be as durable as some of the more luxury brands such as Breville or De’Longhi. If you value versatility and quality of brew over durability, a Ninja coffee maker might be worth considering.

FAQs for Ninja Coffee Makers

Check out these frequently asked questions about Ninja coffee makers.

Our Verdict

Here are the top 3 Ninja coffee machines:

1. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: Brews the most drinks.
2. Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System: Best for espresso-like drinks.
3. Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty: Supports ground coffee & pods.

I recommend the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System to anyone who needs to meet various drink preferences. Whether coffee or tea.

Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System: Best Overall

• Price: $$$
• Dimensions: 11.81 × 10.04 × 15 in (D, W, H)
• Water Reservoir Size: 50 oz = 10 cups
• Material: Casing: Plastic
• Carafe Material: Stainless steel
• Warranty: 1 year
• Pod Support: No

Check Current Price

Footnotes:

1. * Price will vary by model, manufacturer, and vendor.