Opposites attract, right? Well, in our house, that holds true when it comes to coffee preferences. I love a cup of hot coffee morning or afternoon. My wife on the other hand drinks iced or cold brew coffee from sun up to sun down (all year round)!
So, when it came to choosing a coffee machine for our home, certain considerations had to be make. A simple drip coffee maker would never do. We actually settled on a Ninja Coffee bar system that was able to create drip coffee and iced coffee with just a single turn of the dial and press of the button.
We had our own Ninja coffee bar comparison dialogue when making our decision. Although, now, the moniker Ninja coffee bar has been forgone, but everyone still refers to multi-purpose Ninja coffee makers by that name (change is hard).
No matter, we will discuss the most current Ninja coffee machines that still hold true to the idea that once was the Ninja Coffee Bar system of machines!
Best Overall
Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro System
Benefits
- Brew coffee pods faster than the leading K-Cup coffee maker upon startup
- Grounds and pods coffee system
- Select Classic, Rich, Over Ice or Specialty brewing
- Built in milk frother
- Large water reservoir
This machine can really do it all! Not only does it brew traditional fresh coffee grounds in the filter basket with a paper filter, you can also use coffee pods. This machine has 9 brew size options (small, cup up to XL cup size). The “XL” option is great for those of us who like our morning mugs LARGE! All sizes will allow you to make your drink stronger or weaker depending on your taste.
A built-in temperature control ensures that the water is at just the right temperature when it hits the grounds so you can get a rich, full flavor. The machine also allows you to choose from a number of brews. The classic brew option is pretty obvious. Rich, Specialty, and Over Ice are all part of the Ninja specialty coffee maker lineup, allowing you to brew coffee concentrate options for adding milk, cream, and sugar.
You can also make instant soups or hot cocoa with the independent hot water system included in the machine! Of course lets not forget about the built in milk frother that provides silky smooth frothed milk for delicious coffee recipes. This machine makes all of that and more possible while taking up very little counter space (and looking pretty sleek while doing it!).
Another plus is this machines ability to do its thing quickly! Ninja claims that their Coffee Pods will brew coffee grounds faster than other leading K-Cup models upon startup and we could not agree more!
Ninja is known for their great customer service and this product will provide you with many years of use. We definitely recommend trying out the Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro System if you are in the market for a coffee maker/coffee pod brewer and we think this Ninja machine may be your best bet!
Read our full review of the Ninja DualBrew Cofee System here!
Most Versatile
Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
Benefits
- Machine can brew coffee and tea, making it a jack of all trades
- Lower water temperature ensures more effective flavor extraction for iced coffee and tea
- Smart basket recognizes if your brewing tea or coffee
- Milk frother for steaming and foaming milk
This Ninja is a jack of all trades when it comes to brewing amazing drinks at home. If your like me, then you drink a lot of coffee, but you also have a love of all things tea as well. There’s just something about hot water extracting flavor from plants that helps me make it through each day.
So, I present to you, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System! One machine can now brew your favorite cup of joe in the morning and a quite cup of chamomile tea before bed time. There’s a ton of different brew sizes available and the versatility to switch from hot coffee to cold tea is amazing.
Overall, this is a great machine if you want something that can do it all. There are some complaints about how much counter space it takes up, but I think its worth clearing out a few inches in your kitchen to make sure you have enough room for this awesome maker!
The unique iced coffee and tea brewer actually lowers the water temperature accordingly. This system extracts coffee and tea flavors from your favorite ground coffee or tea leaves in a more effective way. Ninja even has a special brew basket just for making loose leaf iced teas!
It’s also multitalented, with a hot-brewing function that lets you enjoy rich flavor in your hot beverages, plus Ninjas Auto IQ system ensures you get the perfect size brew every time.
There’s even a fold out milk frother for steaming and foaming milk, so you can customize your coffeehouse drinks by hand.
With its sleek design, brushed metal finish, and soft-touch digital display, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed Coffee System is an attractive addition to any kitchen countertops. It also comes with a variety of different brew sizes from single serve up to full coffee pot – enough options to fit every need!
If there was one thing I wish this machine did it would be double the size of its water reservoir because I don’t like having to refill that often. Other than that, I like this machine because it does its job really well and provides high quality drinks for all!
Best Traditional
Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker
Benefits
- The coffee maker can make a variety of coffee, including specialty drinks and iced coffee
- Built in milk frother
- Brew full carafe all the way down to single serving cup
- Delay brew timer
The Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker is what you expect when you look for the best Ninja coffee bar machine. It does everything. The Ninja comes with a number of helpful features to make the entire coffee-brewing process as simple and painless as possible. Whether you want a single cup or a whole carafe, it’s got your back.
After you select your brew capacity, then you can press one of the brew style options. Each option as you go down the list is mostly an increase in the brew strength. When you get to the specialty brew option, you have the longest steep time creating a high coffee concentration that won’t get watered down.
Available with either a glass carafe or thermal carafe option. This brewer has all the bells and whistles including auto-start so you can set it up the night before or program it to brew your coffee just before you step out of bed.
Lets you use your own ground coffee rather than pods. This can save you over $100 per year vs K-Cups (if you drink around 2.5 cups per day). If you love strong rich flavored coffee with maximum caffeine content, this machine might be for you! I’m not sure how they do it but this coffee maker seems to extract the full flavor and caffeine from every ounce of ground coffee.
Best Budget
Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer
Benefits
- Brew using regular and rich brew setting
- Wake up to hot coffee with the 24-hour programmable delay brew
- Keep coffee fresh and flavorful up to 4 hours with the adjustable warming plate
- Dishwasher-safe parts
This Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer is a great fit for those who want a better than average drip coffee maker. It offers custom brew strengths and doesn’t produce a bitter cup of coffee.
This coffee maker also features advanced boiler technology that allows for a perfectly hot cup of coffee each time. Additionally, the 24-hour programmable delay brew lets you prepare your brew up to one day in advance. The 60 oz water reservoir means you’ll be able to fix a large carafe or have a few smaller cups before needing to refill the reservoir.
It doesn’t have as many brew options as the other Ninja coffee bar machines, but it still is able to brew regular and rich brew (which is great for those who add cream and sugar to their coffee cups).
What are the main features of a Ninja coffee maker?
Before we dive into the details of choosing which one is right for you, let’s take a quick look at what makes these machines so special. Unlike traditional coffee makers, Ninja Coffee Bars use revolutionary brewing technology to deliver superior flavor. Not only that, but most of them come with an array of brewing options so that this one device can be shared amongst coffee lovers of all types.
Thermal Flavor Extraction
This is the heart of the Ninja system. The Thermal Extraction System is special in that it has a built in blooming phase during the brew cycle. Those who love pour over coffee will know this well. The bloom helps by saturating the coffee grounds and then letting them degas for about 30 seconds. This really helps to unlock the full flavor potential from every brew
Brewing Options
Most machines come with at least three (sometimes more) brew types – which can be found in different sizes depending on the model. The types of brew include: Classic, Rich, Specialty, and Iced. As you can probably guess these serve different purposes. You’ll use them for iced coffee, flavored drinks, and bolder roasts to name a few applications.
Branded Ninja Pods (and Compatible Alternatives)
Only one machine allows you to make beans from the supermarket . It’s probably not what you think! Instead of using pre-ground or loose beans like traditional pour over, you instead use coffee pod like the well know k cup. Simply place the pod, add water, and press a button. You’ve got yourself some pretty great tasting coffee! The pods are compatible with most other manufacturers as well.
Smart Technologies
A Ninja can do much more than make your brew for you. It actually comes with smart features like an auto on/off feature which turns off the device after being inactive. The delayed timer lets you prepare coffee the night before and wake up to the aromatic experience you deserve.
Milk Frother
Cappuccino anyone? This feature allows you to make milk foam, iced drinks, and specialty coffee beverages. The frother makes it easy to create the perfect drink with ease (it does requires some practice though). Start with cold milk and the wand will heat it up and create a velvety texture.
Size Matters
You can buy a single serve unit for around $100, but I recommend going at least one step up. You’ll get more features and save money in the long run by choosing a larger unit with better features. The units vary from model to model; however, there are generally three sizes: Single Serve (12 – 14 oz.), Personal (20 – 30 oz), and Full Size (40 – 58 oz).
Brewing Methods
And because they’re designed to be versatile, the options go way beyond your average coffee maker too. The Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System is able to brew loose leaf tea, while the Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro can take k-cup coffee pods. These machines. All of them come with a coffee carafe for large gatherings of friends.
Thermal Carafe or Glass Carafe?
You might be thinking: Is it better to choose a stainless steel thermal carafe or glass carafe ? The answer is – that’s up to you. Glass is cost effective, but it does come at the expense of retaining heat. With a glass carafe, you have to use the heating pad to keep your coffee warm. If you drink your coffee quickly though, this won’t really matter so much.
On the other hand, there are plenty of benefits of using a thermal carafe with your ninja coffee maker. For one thing, they help keep your coffee hot for hours on end by insulating the heat.
So what Ninja specialty coffee maker should I consider getting?
Choosing which Ninja Coffee Bar model is right for you can often seem like a daunting task given how many products there are to choose from. While I personally recommend going with a full features unit like the Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro, coffee lovers may want to consider the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System.
Ninja Coffee Bar Review Final Thoughts
No matter which model you choose, you’re sure to enjoy delicious hot coffee and espresso drinks at the push of a button (from a fresh hot cup to a concentrated coffee ice brew). With so many different brewing options and features, you’ll be able to whip up your favorite beverage in no time – no barista required!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ninja Coffee Bars make cappuccinos?
Yes, the Ninja Coffee Bar can make cappuccinos. In fact, it comes with a milk frother, so you can make all sorts of specialty coffee drinks.
Can Ninja Coffee Bars use K-cups?
Yes, some models of the Ninja Coffee Bar can use K-cups. The Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro is one such model.
Do Ninja Coffee Bars come with a carafe?
Yes, all models of the Ninja Coffee Bar come with a coffee carafe. The size of the carafe varies from model to model, though.
What filter size does the Ninja Coffee Bar use?
The Ninja Coffee Bar uses a standard size number 4 paper coffee filter. It has a slight cone shape to it.
Do Ninja Coffee Bars come with a reusable filter?
Yes, some models of the Ninja Coffee Bar come with a reusable coffee filter. The Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro is one such model.
What is the warranty on a Ninja Coffee Bar?
The warranty on a Ninja Coffee Bar varies depending on the model you purchase. However, most models come with a one-year limited warranty.
