Customer Ratings & Reviews

Picked up this machine, and second espresso in, the grinder system malfunctions. Keeps saying to add beans when clearly there is some. The funnel and shoot system gets backed up, and habe to start all over. By that time the auto measuring beans system is so off the espresso basket is too full! Will habe tk contact Ninja and hope for the best.

The Ninja Luxe Café is a premium 3-in-1 semi-automated espresso machine that makes a variety of espresso, coffee, or cold brew drinks without the guesswork. The stainless-steel design gives it an aesthetic look and makes the machine sturdy. This is similar in size compared with other espresso machines, so make sure you have enough room on your kitchen countertop. Setting up the machine is easy, and Ninja provides handy guides and instructional videos for you to follow through. The entire packaging is neat and includes all the accessories along with the machine. The tools included are portafilter, milk jug, double basket, Luxe basket, assisted tamper, cleaning brush, cleaning disc, funnel, descaling powder, cleaning tablets, hard water testing kit. Once you set up the machine, there are couple of things you will want to do before you start brewing. First, you will need to test your water for hardness. This is a simple and easy thing to do by using the included kit and following the instructions. You can then set your water hardness on the machine. The next thing to do is flushing the machine by filling the reservoir with water and the bean hopper with the coffee beans. Place a large cup and start brewing. This completes your setup and the machine is ready for brewing. This espresso maker comes with Barista Assist Technology. What it means is that the machine will automatically calibrate the grind size of the coffee beans, dosing based on weight, temperature, and pressure adjustments for the beans you are using. For the machine to recommend the grind size and adapt personalized brewing, you will need to follow the steps included in the quick start guide and brew your current beans twice. After that, the machine will now start using this innovative feature to get perfect espresso extraction for your variety of drinks. Remember, every time you change your coffee bean type, you will need to re-caliber and follow the steps so the system can adapt to your new coffee beans. My initial thought was that this was going to be a hassle, but after the first use, it was clear that this additional step is easy and straightforward to do. The system has a easy to use control panel on the front with digital display that has the dial buttons to customize drink options including temperature control, milk options, froth presets, and grind size. It also displays notifications for drink actions. The machine has manual grind dial on the left side to manually adjust the grind setting to match the recommendation. I really like the storage compartments on either side of the machine to store the funnel, tamper, baskets, cleaning disk and brush. When making a drink, the machine uses the built-in scale for weight-based dosing and grinds the beans using the integrated grinder. Keep in mind the grinding, brewing, milk frothing are all done one step at a time. The progress bar on the display panel will show you the status during each step. I tried making few different drinks and they turned out to be incredible and tasty. My family and friends who are coffee enthusiasts loved it. They could tell the difference in the drinks made with this machine and my previous coffee machine. The cleaning and maintenance is simple as well. Most of the parts are dishwasher safe. I can't wait to try various drink recipes. Overall, this is a versatile machine for brewing quality coffee drinks at home. If you are a coffee aficionado or someone who likes a quality brew, you can't go wrong with this.

Not at all automatic. Chose to switch with the delonghi.

I ended up having to return this item. Only one setting turned out ok without tasting burnt. I tried all the settings, all the temps, all the grind sizes, and changed the types of beans 3 times.. none of it helped. The frother worked great but couldn't get the espresso/coffee to ever taste good. I contacted customer service and they were unable to help, so ultimately I returned. Went into TJ maxx next to bestbuy and they had a breville barista express impress. The breville machine is 10/10 compared to the ninja.

Easy to use after following the directions and scanning the QR codes for videos. Intimidating at first but a few brews in and I’m trying all kinds of different drinks. Setup and Use The pieces and parts were intimidating at first because you’re not sure what everything is and how to use it. My wife and I spent about 30 minutes cleaning the parts and reading through some of the instructions. I like the QR codes you can scan for instructional videos. There’s an instruction manual as well if that’s your preference. Each part has a place on the machine and there’s some included cleaning supplies in a small box that I stashed away for future use. After running a rinse, I was ready for the first use. There are included test strips to test your water hardness. You then use the results from the test to adjust the water hardness setting on your Café Premier Espresso machine. The Espresso function needs a few cycles of whatever bean you’re using to learn your bean, find the perfect grind for the perfect espresso. After making the adjustments, you can just drink the test brews or dump it and make a third “optimized” espresso. Modes and Results Like it says in the description, you can do Espresso, Coffee, and Cold Brew. We started off with the espresso, double shot. You simply load in the correct basket (it can sense which one is loaded in and provide the correct options). You put the filter attachment onto the portafilter that helps with keeping the coffee grounds from going everywhere. With your favorite coffee beans loaded, select the recommended ground size for your espresso and press grind. I was happy to hear the grinder isn’t obnoxiously loud like my previous stand-alone grinder. Remove the grinder filter and use the tamper to press the grounds. There’s a built-in spring to let you know when you’ve applied the perfect amount of pressure. Load the portafilter into the machine and turn the handle. It carries some resistance so twist hard. As long as it’s moving, you’re likely doing it right. Press start brewing and you’ll watch the espresso pour out of the portafilter into your cup. If you like drip coffee, it can do that too. Much of the process is the same except you use the larger filter basket and avoid the tamper after grinding. Select normal, rich, over ice, or cold brew, depending on your preference, and the cup size. It goes up to 18oz from 6oz. It’ll grind the appropriate amount of beans based on your cup size setting. Load it in like you would the espresso and press brew. If you’re brewing cold coffee, it may take a bit longer, but it doesn’t take long for hot to brew. Finally, if you want to make delicious drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, cold foams, there’s a frother and steam wand to help you do that. Simply remove the cup and pull out the wand. Use the included book with recipe recommendations to pour the amount of cream or milk needed for the drink. Place the cup back into the machine with the wand inserted into the milk. Select the froth level and start the process. Through the wand, steam will be injected into the milk to get it to the correct temperature and consistency while the whisk in the bottom does the frothing. It’ll let you know when it’s done, just remove the cup (the wand will extend out with it) and pour your desired amount. Simply use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the wand and push it back into place (without the cup). The automatic purge system will clean out the wand into the drip tray. Cleaning and Storage Cleaning is easy. There are built in cleaning functions like simply running a cycle with a empty cup underneath and the auto purge for the frother steam wand. Many of the parts are high quality stainless and dish washer safe. Refer to the manual for which parts can be washed. The espresso machine will also let you know when it’s time to run a clean cycle by flashing “clean” on the display. It uses water and a drip tray to flush out the system. I have yet to run a cleaning cycle, but there are instructions on how to do so in the manual. As far as where you keep all the accessories? Well, they have storage places for every item (outside of descaler and cleaning tablets). There’s a place for the filter baskets, cleaning disk, and brush on the right and you can store the tamper and grinder filter on the left. This way you don’t lose any parts, and everything is conveniently right there for use. Taste and Final Thoughts Taste is going to be subjective, depending on what kind of beans you use and the drinks you make. I find the espresso’s made from my medium roast beans to be very tasty and rich. I’m not huge on non-flavored lattes or cappuccinos. I prefer a touch of vanilla, caramel, or chocolate. Mochas are my favorite, and I can’t wait to find the perfect recipe. If you prefer a guided hand, there’s an included guided barista manual that will help you make all different types of flavored drinks. The recipes are easy to follow and being able to make your own espresso shots opens the door for a ton of different drink types I couldn’t make before. This is a large machine but compared to other espresso machine’s I’ve seen available for purchase; Ninja did a great job condensing all these functions into a compact design. A lot of the machine and its parts are stainless. It does a lot for the curb appeal for my kitchen which I can appreciate. I am a bit disappointed there’s no functionality for brewing teas. With the increased popularity of a different variety of tea, I would like to rid myself of my other brewer that does handle both the bean and the leaf. I may eventually try and get away with testing some teas in this machine, but I don’t want to do anything that may damage or ruin the integrity of the machine, so for now, I’ll be hanging on to my old combo unit. If you’re looking to expand your home barista arsenal to something more than flavored creamers in your drip coffee, and maybe save some money from hitting your local coffee shop every day, you should be interested in this product. If you’ve collected a few different devices and are looking to condense it all into one package, this will check that box too.

Mediocre at best and broke after less than a month of use.

The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series 3-in-1 machine is a versatile addition to any coffee lover's kitchen. It seamlessly combines espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew functionalities, offering a wide range of brewing options from double shots to cold-pressed drinks. Due to the multi-step processes involved with this machine, it is best suited for the coffee connoisseur vs those who just want a quick cup of coffee or espresso to get their day started. Features This machine offers several wonderful features that add to its value as a coffee machine: - First among these is its ability to make a wide variety of coffee styles including 3 classic drip styles, 2 espresso styles, as well as 2 Cold brew styles (coffee and espresso). - Next, up are the combined Barista Assist Technology, Integrated grinder, and weight-based dosing of the ground beans. These features work together to tailor the coffee drinks to your precise settings every time – from the grind size to the amount of coffee, as well as the temperature and pressure used in the brew that leads to high-quality drinks with balanced flavors. - Third would be the espresso features of this machine – the easy-to-follow instructions, combined with video support allow anyone to create Espresso drinks with ease. The included tamper device also allows the espresso pucks to contain evenly distributed and compact grounds to ensure an excellent cup of expresso – either in double or quad shot sizes. - Last, from my perspective would be the Cold Brew and Hands-free Frothing features. Cold Brewing allows one to create flavorful cold-pressed drinks including cold brew coffee and espresso to support espresso martinis! The hands-free frothing combines steaming and whisking at the same time to create the perfect microfoam. This feature has programs for frothing – steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, and cold foam to suit multiple tastes. This coffee machine comes with several items to support its functions including: - The machine - The portafilter - Milk Jug - Double basket – for double shot espressos - Luxe Basket – for quad espressos and larger coffees - Assisted tamper (making great espresso plugs) - Funnel (captures the grinds) - Cleaning brush and disk, descaling powder, cleaning tablets, and Hard water testing kit. One excellent feature of this machine is that the regular-use accessories all have storage places on the machine – the funnel and tamper on the left side when facing the machine, and the baskets, cleaning disk, and brush in a compartment on the right side. The Portafilter is stored in its normal position without a basket. Overall, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series 3-in-1 machine is ideal for both beginners and experts, providing high-quality, customizable coffee experiences with ease. Its comprehensive feature set, user-friendly design, and accompanying documentation (guides, manuals, and videos) help to reduce the learning curve and allow one to make wonderful coffee drinks sooner rather than later. Pros: - Versatility: Offers 2 espresso styles, 3 drip coffee styles, and 2 cold brew styles with various cup sizes. - Barista Assist Technology: Simplifies the brewing process with customized grind size recommendations and active brew adjustments. - Integrated Grinder: The 25-setting conical burr grinder ensures fresh and precise grinding for all types of beans. - Hands-Free Frothing: The Dual Froth System creates perfectly textured microfoam for both hot and cold drinks. - Temperature Settings: Allows selection of three brewing temperatures suitable for different roasts. Neutrals: - Time Investment factor: The nature of this machine requires a bit more time and as such its use is more of an investment in one’s coffee experience. vs an “I need coffee” experience than you get with a fully automated coffee machine. Although one benefit of this machine vs a fully automated one is this machine forces one to clean out things between each brew. Cons: - Complexity: The extensive features may be overwhelming for beginners, although the included guides and online tutorials help mitigate this. The portafilter is tough to lock into place for brewing. - Milk Jug Cleaning: One concern expressed by my wife Is the need to remember to clean up the milk jug after the day’s use – so it does not get extra dirty by having dried froth/milk to clean later.

We were looking so forward to trying out our new coffee/espresso machine, unfortunately, it was damaged so returned it. Now we are waiting for it to return to stock. Still plan on purchasing once it's available. Hopefully Ninja takes a look at their packaging to ensure all aspects of machine are protected.

Hats off to Ninja, my wife and I love coffee and have been reluctant to get a “manual” espresso maker for years! We have been spoiled by a De'Longhi Dinamica fully automatic coffee and espresso maker for quite some time. Immediately upon opening up the box you notice the quality of all the components from the tamper to the portafilter. The packaging was well thought out and organized to fit a ton of items in the smallest size box possible BUT it still seems larger than life once you unpack and set everything up. I noticed the weight on the shipping page stating 34lbs and that was accurate. The first time anyone who has never used an espresso machine before attempts to make their first coffee with this machine comments on the weight of the components. I also like the fact Ninja offers replacement parts to add to the longevity of the machine in case anything needs replacing. Simple or easy is the theme here through our first couple of days with this incredible machine, from set up to brewing, including clean up. Ninja did a great job making this seem like a high end “luxe” option with their quality set up instructions and linked online videos. We had it up and running in less than 30 minutes establishing the coffee bean intelligent grinder settings based on the beans being used. Again, simple and easy! While not as easy as pushing power and selecting from a laundry list of drinks in our automatic one, this made it seem like you were a professional barista, from grinding to brewing to frothing. I now try to design the shapes of the frothed milk, something I never expected to want to do. We are actually enjoying breaking down the steps and shout out to Ninja for thinking of unique way to simplify the process of using a clip on funnel to the portafilter it eliminates 99% of the grounds mess by forcing all grounds into an area before tamping. I appreciate this design and it allows an expert level tamp without all the mess. From there you insert the loaded portafilter into the machine, your type of drink is already chosen from the easy to interact with front display and simply hit brew. The machine goes to work and out pours your super tasty caffeinated beverage. But, you aren’t done yet, next comes the frothing options which Ninja has combined the steam nozzle and frothier in one easy to use metal container with pre measured lines depending on which drink you choose. We have experimented with several dairy options from 1% or 2% milk, heavy cream and even half and half. All with sensational results from the convenience of your own home. The intelligent weight based dosing that is a result from the integrated conical burr grinder eliminates some of the potential extra tools necessary to brew quality coffee in your home. My wife made herself an over ice coffee with cold foam that included sea salt and caramel, it was fantastic. We will continue experimenting with different types of beans and frothed concoctions. We are also trying new types of brewed coffee because of the true 3-in-1 design paired with Ninja’s barista assist technology it takes all the guess work out of brewing an exceptional cup hot or cold coffee styles. Maintenance and clean up is also one of those negatives when it comes to owning an espresso maker and Ninja has designed several strategic storage areas into the main unit to make sure all your components are tucked away neatly when you wrap up brewing. Clean up also is a breeze with the removable drip tray that also breaks apart for a thorough cleaning. Even the coffee bean hopper is removable and can be wiped out when necessary. My only challenge since owning this machine is trying to limit the amount of coffee/caffeine consumed per day. Ninja hit one out of the park with this machine, it really does make it easy to brew coffee shop grade beverages at home.

My wife is quite the daily coffee connoisseur and I have struggled trying to find her an at-home coffee machine that not only brews good coffee, but can brew espresso (she loves her affogato) and cold brew (she also likes her iced coffees). I also do not know much about coffee and am by no means a barista, so finding a machine that I can operate and make coffee for my wife that she actually likes is important. With all that in mind, this machine has proved to be exactly what the caffeinated ordered! To begin, the machine looks great sitting in the kitchen and rivals the elegance and sophistication of other machines I have seen with significantly higher price tags. The stainless steel is nice and the machine feels very sturdy. There are a few plastic parts, but they are also very stout and well-made. Unboxing was relatively easy and I really appreciated having a "quick start" guide included within the box that made things very easy. (There is also a QR code available that can be scanned to watch tutorial videos that Ninja makes available as well.) There are testing strips included that determine the hardness of the water you are using (which is part of the machine's setup process) and there are descaling tablets and other accessories for maintenance. (Just be sure to have some roasted coffee beans ready to go when setting up the unit.) The unit itself is well designed with all accessories being stored on or within the unit. No searching for a missing item... Everything is right there. One of the great features of the machine is that it eliminates a lot of the guesswork regarding the coarseness of the grind. Whenever you switch beans, you run the machine through a calibration process and it suggests the best grind for you (from fine to coarse). Depending on the drink you are brewing (espresso versus traditional brew, for instance), the unit will suggest a different grind for your specific beans. Along those lines, the process of grinding, tamping, and brewing is actually very easy and, for a person that had no idea how to brew a pot of coffee, all it took was once or twice through the process for me to get it down. My wife is thrilled because I can now make her coffee in the morning. All these features would be worthless if the machine did not brew a good cup of coffee and I am pleased to say that my wife stated this machine brews the best coffee she has ever had at home (and the coffee is even better than some coffee shops that she frequents). Grinding your own beans makes a huge difference as the coffee brewed is very fresh (as opposed to tasting "stale"). The built-in frother also works well and is great for topping off homemade cappuccinos and other specialty coffee beverages. The unit also accommodates different size cups, including travel mugs. The frother cleans itself after it does its thing and the cleanup of the unit itself is relatively simple. (The bottom drawer that collects waste water/liquid and errant coffee grounds pulls out for easy cleanup.) While I have historically found machines like this to be very intimidating and complicated to use, this Ninja machine is extraordinarily versatile, easy to use, and (according to my wife) brews an outstanding cup of coffee (or espresso). This one unit replaced three different coffee-brewing devices that we had sitting around our kitchen and we have now stopped our search for the perfect coffee/espresso/cold brew/cappuccino/frother machine for the house. Whether you are a coffee novice or an aficionado, if you are looking to grind your own beans and make your own coffee (and specialty coffees), I would strongly recommend this machine.

It has a leak problem and a lot of people have the same problem with this coffee machine

I drink about 2 16oz cups of black coffee everyday. I went from drinking diner/donut shop coffee to instant to K-Cups to grinding my own fresh beans. This is my first experience with a more complex coffee brewing system. Setup was simple and the quick start guide was easy to follow. After washing and drying all the components that will come in contact with any liquid you will consume I was up and filtering out the first few batches. The Ninja Luxe Cafe appears to be well made with thoughtful compartments for the grinder funnel and tamper on one side and baskets and cleaning brush on the other side. It makes our coffee bar look more like a serious coffee station. The portafilter has a nice heft to it and makes it look like I know what I'm doing. The guided system is easy to use from grinding the right amount of beans in the integrated conical grinder to the appropriate weight for the right sized or type of drink to adjusting your preferred temperature. The Luxe Cafe makes it pretty easy albeit a bit time consuming. I also like that the water tank is removable for easier filling and cleaning. My last coffee maker had a non removable tank and was a pain in the rear to clean. Another note about cleaning; do yourself a favor and get a knock bucket to empty the portafilter basket. Having to wash the portafilter due to knocking it on the side of the kitchen trash can after every use to use it again right away got old after my second time having to do it. I prefer my coffee on a bit lighter side as I usually don't like anything in my coffee (other than bourbon on Friday evening) and noticed that this coffee maker does make a strong cup of coffee. I have not had it long and it took a me a few tries to get it dialed in to my liking. I am still playing around with the settings and have only made a few other drinks that I found via the Ninja website and the recipe guide. My wife definitely enjoyed the latte and espresso martini that I made. I also like the fact that I can fairly quickly make some cold brew coffee without watering it down too much by dumping hot coffee over ice or having to wait for hot coffee to cool down to get it cold. I am not big on frothed milk so a 8-10 cup carafe would've been something I preferred over the frother but I'm sure it'll definitely please some of my more snobb... I mean sophisticated coffee drinking friends. The Luxe Cafe makes it easy to brew up a variety of caffeinated concoctions and make it look like I am a coffee pro rather than a caveman with a pot. That being said I am still a coffee neanderthal and on my daily grind I need my black coffee ready to go when I come down to the kitchen still half asleep. While the Luxe Cafe automates a lot as far as settings, it is still largely a 1 cup at-a-time making manual machine that asks way more of me than my my 12 cup Ninja coffee maker with timer. It wont replace my daily driver, but it will be my lazy weekend/entertaining friends caffinator.

Had to return. The coffee grind ratio didn’t work. Sometimes it would grind the perfect amount. Other times it would just grind until the funnel overflowed and the grinder would back up and get stuck. There’s an option in the advanced settings to do a factory reset. I tried that but it still didn’t help.

I am probably like a lot of people out there that NEEDS to start their day with coffee so I am always interested in great at home options that help me get my coffee fix in while giving me versatile options without having to always splurge at a coffee shop. This Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Series 3-in-1 Espresso, Coffee, and Cold Brew Machine definitely peaked my interest with all of it's features. I already had experience with an older Ninja Expresso and Coffee Barista System that works great but had a few features I wish were available. This one is definitely a nice upgrade. The ability to make virtually any coffee drink that I could want at home is always a plus but the added perks of the built in scale and the versatile grinder made this machine better than I could have hoped for at a much better price than some of the more complex high end options I have looked into. The dual froth system is such a fun way to get creative on those days that I have the time. I love that while it can do so much it's simple to use making it everyone in my households fave new kitchen gadget. I haven't had the urge to stop at my fave coffee shop since the day I got this! And I am on a mission to figure out recipes for some of the drinks I love to get from them while giving them my own twist. I definitely think this is a great option for any coffee lover out there that wants to experiment beyond a basic cup of coffee while still being able to have their tried and true whenever they need it.

Coffee shots are not consistent. It will grind either too much coffee or too little coffee. Truly wanted to love this product but after using it for a month, I’ve decided to return it.

This machine was a waste of time and money. The automatic grinder was inconsistent. The tamper does not even fit the portafilter inserts. The inserts fall out when trying to knock the puck out. I could go on and on.

The Ninja Luxe Cafe 3-in-1 is another great addition to the Ninja appliance line. Ninja has been branching out over the years and I have pleased they have entered the Cafe realm. This is my second at home espresso machine. Having been in professional school, espresso became near and dear to me over the years (and by that I mean 2-4 shots at a time with a espresso based drink on the side). My first experience from home was not the greatest, having a semi-fancy machine but always coming out with inconsistent and weak product. I wanted to try a different option, and Ninja having a 3-in-1 machine was just like them, multi-use space saving design. To start, this is advertised as a 3-in-1, but I will be honest that this is a 6-in-1 appliance. Yes, this makes 3 drink types (espresso, coffee or cold brew) but it also has a grinder, scale and frother. It sounds simple, but if you are not already an at home coffee person these 3 additions are key and often require individual items; having the grinder, scale (with measurement) and frother included makes everything so much more simple; along with these being within the design space of the Luxe Cafe. The design is minimalistic in that it is a fancy, metal box. I personally did not like how boxed appearing it was at first, but the initial design has grown on me. The appearance is sleek, and although box-like in appearance (especially the grinder/scale side) it holds its own appearance wise in an open kitchen without taking up more space than needed. If you were to have a coffee machine along side an espresso machine, with a grinder and scale you would absolutely need more space than this needs. To set up, there is a QR code and a quick start guide, myself being a quick start person used this for set up. The start up smoothly goes from unboxing, to beans and then use. There is a digital screen that is simple to read. The left panel allows for display of grind size along with recommended which can be adjusted to desired fit. The espresso and coffee allow for adjustments in intensity/amount (double/quad for espresso) along with cold brewing setting of either. Size is easily adjustable to desire. There is some slight tweaking to be had depending on if you prefer brew to be stronger or not (which affects the bitterness) along with grind size playing a role but once you have a few test runs can sip through the adjustments. The other enjoyable aspect of this machine is the assisted tamper, providing some consistency in the process where there is a mechanical activation in the process to standardize. A simple manual tamper has been a heavy hit or miss for me. I found the overall process to produce a stronger brew compared to what I previously encountered which ultimately wins it for me. There is some computer automation to the brewing, per report of Ninja which is not outwardly observable, but seems to work! The frother is on the right side, allowing for selection of milk-type. Supposedly the frother can use plant-based milk, which I did not realize would make a difference, but hey it is an option. The frother works, which is more than I can say for the hand one I have, so a win to make that early morning latte. When selecting different styles of brew, the Luxe Cafe helps work through what is needed, making even a moderate user like myself efficient. There is a bit of time/cleaning involved, but you are getting a fresh/higher quality at home product. Ultimately, the Ninja - Luxe Cafe brings an in home barista effect to the kitchen. There is consistency in the grind, measuring, brew and product which I appreciate. Having the ability to take whatever roasted bean one desires and make either espresso or coffee, hot or cold, is fantastic. This does not mean one will avoid getting a coffee while out every now and then; however, this is a great at home device. Ninja continues to produce quality combination kitchen devices, leaving me with another kitchen gadget

After the first espresso shot. The grinder keeps grinding and backs up then flashes add beans error. Returned it since other have had this issue and doesn't seem reliable in the long run.

Great in concept, but machine suffered from "Add Beans" error from the very first grind. The machine will start a grind but not finish a grind with the proper dosing because it will flash "Add Beans" error even if the bean hopper is full. Had to return.

Doesn’t work tried making multiple drinks changed all the setting and still makes bitter coffee. Even used different covered beans.