ZDNET Key Points
- The Ninja Luxe Coffee Shop is a $500 3-in-1 espresso machine that can make drip coffee, cold brew coffee, and hot or cold foam.
- This Ninja espresso machine has all the features and accessories you need to make the best coffee you’ve ever tasted in your kitchen. Easy to use and intelligently adjusts settings based on your coffee beans and water hardness.
- I wish it could be turned on remotely or on a schedule to warm up before I go downstairs. I also wouldn’t recommend it for people who generally like Keurig or milder coffee.
Espresso machines are often very expensive, almost “high-end” kitchen appliances. As someone who grew up in a culture that values coffee, I have been disappointed since moving to the United States that espresso is considered a luxury rather than a part of the daily routine. Ninja Luxe Coffee Shop The 3-in-1 espresso maker finally solved that problem for me.
Anyone from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, or Puerto Rico can attest that we love coffee. Stovetop espresso makers are a staple in every home on these islands, and espresso or “cortadito” is often the first thing hosts serve guests.
When I moved to the United States, I experienced a bit of culture shock at how differently people viewed espresso; it was more of a luxury than a necessity. When drip coffee makers weren’t working, I would often buy Starbucks or other expensive coffees to satisfy my need for strong coffee. Then I found a stovetop espresso maker at a discount store and immediately moved it to a permanent spot on my stove.
Since then, a variety of coffee makers have graced my kitchen and countertops, including a Keurig and, more recently, a budget DeLonghi espresso machine. While the DeLonghi countertop espresso machine makes the best coffee, I found turning it on, waiting for it to warm up, and going through all the steps to brew a small cup of coffee to be a chore — not to mention a chore to maintain.
I usually buy espresso machines, but I never try them because they don’t stand out. The Ninja Luxe Café stands out in many ways, not least because of its smart component.
This 3-in-1 coffee maker can make espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew coffee with fresh ground coffee beans. It also has a milk frother to make hot or cold froth from milk and plant milk, with options for each.
The Ninja Luxe Café espresso machine evaluates your grind and brew style to recommend the most suitable grind size for each cup of coffee.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
The machine is smart enough to know the roast and quality of the beans inside, so it can tell you what grind setting you need for the type of coffee you want. A finer setting is preferred for espresso, while drip coffee uses a coarser grind. After one brew, the machine will adjust the settings, learn how to brew coffee at the predetermined grind, and give you an informed weight-based recommendation for the next time you use it.
A built-in scale makes it easy to add the exact amount of coffee grounds needed for your favorite drink, so you don’t have to weigh your grounds or worry about whether your coffee is right.
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When I tested the Ninja Luxe Café, I quickly realized that I wasn’t going back to my mocha pot or my DeLonghi espresso machine. This is a comprehensive brewer that makes espresso easier to make than the simpler DeLonghi — I didn’t even have to measure or scoop anything, and the used coffee grounds were easier to use than the DeLonghi. With larger espresso machines that are notoriously difficult to operate, you’d think the opposite would be true.
Everything you need for the Ninja Luxe coffee maker is included: machine, filter arm, double basket, larger Luxe basket, ground coffee funnel, milk carafe, adjustable cup holder, tamper to help tamp ground coffee, and cleaning kit.
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Once set up, the Ninja Luxe simply placed the included funnel over the filter and slid it under the grinder. I turned it on, selected the type of coffee I wanted, adjusted the grind size to the machine’s recommendation, and started grinding.
I then tamp the freshly ground coffee with the included tamper, remove the funnel, and slide the filter into the coffee maker to start brewing. If I want to make a cappuccino, latte, macchiato, or flat white, I can start the milk frothing before or after brewing the coffee.
When finished, I wipe down the frother head, rinse the filter and milk carafe, and the machine is ready for the next use. The milk frother can be cleaned of any remaining milk inside by pressing the “purge” button. The frother will run hot water into the drip tray that holds the milk carafe and coffee cup while the Ninja Luxe Café is running. This tray slides out easily and I clean it at the end of the day.
Espresso is my favorite drink when I use the Ninja Luxe Café, but what I love most about it (aside from less work for better coffee) is that I can make drip coffee that is much richer and fresher tasting than I can with a traditional drip coffee maker. While the fresh taste is definitely from freshly ground beans, the rich flavor is better than my stovetop espresso machine.
ZDNET Buying Advice
Who should buy? Ninja Luxe Coffee Shop? As evidenced by its price, this is no Keurig or drip coffee maker replacement. However, it is a great option for those who enjoy making drinks at home and experimenting with different types of coffee. The Ninja Luxe Café is relatively affordable at $500, and its build quality and performance are unmatched at that price point.
The downsides of the Ninja Luxe Café are more on my wish list than my “cons.” For example, I wish the coffee maker had a smart feature that could warm up my coffee before I got downstairs in the morning.
This is one of the best-performing home gadgets I’ve tested this year. It reliably lives up to the lofty expectations it sets for performance and ease of use. For $500, the Ninja Luxe Café will make you feel like you’ve pulled off a heist after just a few uses.
