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Finding the perfect coffee maker can be tough. You want one that’s well-made, simple to clean, and lets you whip up all sorts of drinks. When it comes to ticking all those boxes, Ninja is the go-to brand.
The original Ninja Coffee Bar was a big success, and it’s easy to see why. Since its launch, they’ve made it even better, creating a whole range of top-notch coffee makers.
Discover the perfect Ninja coffee maker for you. Let’s explore together!
Ready to dive straight into my top recommendation? Here’s the best deal I’ve found for the Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System CP307. Check it out now: Click here! Perfect for beginners eager to explore coffee brewing.
What Makes Ninja Coffee Makers Unique?
Back in 2015, the Ninja Coffee Bar burst onto the scene, turning heads with its big launch and Sofia Vergara from Modern Family leading the charge. If you thought Ninja’s kitchen blenders were cool, just wait until you see what they did with coffee makers. I couldn’t wait to see how they’d shake up the coffee world.
Ninja did not disappoint.
Their coffee machines stand out by offering a wide range of brew styles and sizes, something not common in just one machine. Perfect for any coffee lover!
Type of machines
Most coffee lovers use drip coffee makers at home. These handy machines heat water until it’s almost boiling. Then, steam travels up pipes and drips through a filter packed with coffee grounds, delivering delicious coffee into a carafe or cup below.
Exploring the world of coffee doesn’t end with drip machines! There are many exciting ways to brew your perfect cup, including pour-over coffee makers, French presses, percolators, and cold brew makers. To dive deeper into how these options compare, especially between percolators and drip coffee makers, check out our detailed guide here. It’s a great way to understand the differences in design and the delicious coffee they make.
Not sure what coffee to make? Go for drip coffee. It’s quick, simple, and always gives you a delicious brew. Perfect for beginners!
Every Ninja coffee maker is designed to drip brew your coffee, but a few can also whip up a concentrated coffee for espresso-like drinks. Plus, they all come with reusable filters, cutting down on the waste from disposable paper filters found in regular drip machines.
Grounds vs. pods
Not long ago, most coffee makers needed you to scoop coffee grounds into a filter to brew your cup. But, Keurig and Nespresso changed the game with their pod-based machines. Now, you can just pop in a pod filled with just the right amount of coffee.
Coffee pods are super easy to use, but they’re pricier, less varied, and not so great for the planet. Plus, you can’t change how much coffee they use, and they often make a weaker brew. Want more control over your cup? Stick to traditional grounds. Check out how to adjust the amount of coffee grounds for a better taste.
Ninja coffee makers use coffee grounds, not pods. Prefer pods? See how they compare to Nespresso in our Ninja vs. Nespresso showdown.
Brew styles
Many drip coffee makers only brew one kind of coffee. However, machines like Keurigs are now offering a strong brew option to tackle their reputation for weak coffee. But, only a handful, including the Ninja, offer multiple brewing styles.
Ninja coffee makers let you choose from at least two brew styles with just a twist of a dial. The main difference? How rich your coffee tastes, from regular to a strong concentrate. Want a richer cup? The machine takes a bit more time and drops the heat. Remember, the richer the brew, the less coffee it makes.
- Classic coffee: Not much to say about this one, it’s what you get from a standard coffee maker.
- Rich coffee: This is a stronger brew than the classic option, perfect for those that like a bit more flavor or want to add milk without losing the underlying flavor of the coffee.
- Iced coffee: If you add ice to regular coffee, you end up with watered down coffee. This setting increases the richness enough to maintain the proper concentration and flavor even after the ice has done its part.
- Cold brew coffee: I’m not going to pretend that this is as good as the cold brew you spend 12+ hours making in your fridge — after all, it only takes 10 minutes. The principle is basically the same, though: decrease the temperature and slow the brewing process.
- Specialty coffee: This setting is Ninja’s way of creating something akin to a latte or a cappuccino. It’s not a true espresso because it doesn’t use pressurized water, but it does concentrate the coffee enough to make a great-tasting specialty beverage.
Do you love both coffee and tea? Smart brewing baskets are a game-changer! They let you effortlessly switch between brewing coffee and tea. Plus, with different filters for each, your drinks always taste pure and perfect. It’s an awesome solution for homes where both coffee and tea lovers live.
The Ninja brewer is your all-in-one tea and coffee maker. Whether you prefer loose-leaf or tea bags, you can make your favorite drinks in various styles like classic, rich, iced, cold brew, or specialty. Swap to the coffee basket, and you’ll switch to coffee brewing modes. Pop in the tea basket, and you’ll unlock settings for different teas. Ready to try a refreshing cold-brew green tea?
- Herbal tea
- Black tea
- Oolong tea
- White tea
- Green tea
Brew size
Coffee machines come in all shapes and sizes. Some can brew a whole carafe of coffee in one go, perfect for when you have guests or need lots of coffee. These carafes can be small, holding about 4 cups, or large, fitting up to 12 cups. If you’re more of a one-cup-at-a-time person, single-cup machines are for you. They can make anywhere from a tiny 4 oz cup to a generous 12 oz serving, though 6 or 8 oz cups are the most common. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just treating yourself, there’s a coffee machine that’s just right.
Discover the magic of dual coffee makers! These versatile machines can brew both single cups and full carafes, giving you flexibility in your coffee routine. However, they tend to be larger and pricier than regular coffee makers.
When picking a coffee maker, don’t forget the carafe! Most come with glass ones, but if you want your coffee to stay warm longer without reheating, look for a machine with a stainless-steel thermal carafe.
Basic Ninja coffee makers brew a full pot, but most models let you choose from 6 different sizes for your perfect cup.
- Cup
- XL Cup
- Travel Mug
- XL Multi-Serve
- Half Carafe
- Full Carafe
Different brew styles mean different coffee amounts. A cup gives you 9.6 oz of classic coffee, but just 3.1 oz if it’s a specialty blend.
Ease of use and cleaning
Drip coffee machines are usually the simplest to use. But, when you add more features, things can get tricky. Ninja coffee makers come packed with features, but don’t worry! Their auto-IQ one-touch technology makes brewing easy and straightforward.
Making different drinks is super easy—just twist a dial. Want to change the drink size? Just turn a knob. The machine does everything else, from measuring water to setting the temperature. It’s incredibly simple to use.
Cleaning your Ninja coffee maker is as simple as it gets with drip machines. Just toss the used grounds, rinse the reusable filter, and you’re halfway there. The detachable water reservoir isn’t just handy for refills; it’s a breeze to clean too. About once a month, you’ll need to descale the machine to keep it running smoothly. The good news? Unlike many fancy coffee machines, your Ninja is happy with vinegar for descaling, saving you from buying pricey cleaning solutions.
Other features
Most models come with a handy frother built right in, so there’s no need to buy one separately for your favorite fancy drinks. Plus, it folds away, so it won’t take up extra space on your counter. Perfect for making barista-style coffees at home!
The Ninja smart scoop may seem like just another coffee scoop, but it’s so much more. Tucked away inside the machine, this clever tool has two sides – one for a single cup and another for a full carafe. It’s the little things like this that can make a big difference, and I truly value these hidden gems.
Ninja coffee makers let you schedule your brew up to 24 hours ahead. Imagine waking up every morning to the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Who wouldn’t love that?
The Best Ninja Coffee Makers
Best Ninja coffee maker: Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System CP307
- COLD BREW: Brew tea or coffee at a lower temperature over ice for smooth, naturally sweet flavor in 10 to 15 minutes..BPA Free : Yes. Cord Length : 2.5 ft
- SEPARATE BASKETS: Keep flavors separate with different baskets for brewing coffee and loose or bagged tea.
- SMART BASKET RECOGNITION: System recognizes what's in the basket and automatically displays coffee or tea options.
- 6 BREW SIZES: Brew anything from a single cup to an XL cup, travel size, XL travel size, and half or full carafe with your coffee maker.
- 5 BREW STYLES: Choose your style with Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Cold Brew, or Specialty.
- TEA TYPES: Select your tea type, and the system will know the right temperature and number of steps needed.
- KEEPS IT HOT: The 50 oz. (10-Cup) Thermal Carafe is double-walled to keep your coffee and tea hot for up to 2 hours. No warming plate required.
- FOLD-AWAY FROTHER: Turn hot or cold milk into silky-smooth froth in seconds with the Hot and Cold Frother. Flips into the machine when not in use.
- DISHWASHER SAFE PARTS: The water reservoir, frother whisk, brew-through lid, coffee and tea permanent filters, removable filter holders, flip-top lid, and scoop are all top-rack dishwasher safe. Thermal carafe should be hand-washed only.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System, 50 oz. (10-Cup) Double-Walled Thermal Carafe, Separate Coffee and Tea Brew Baskets, Coffee Permanent Filter, Tea Permanent Filter, Removable Water Reservoir, Ninja Smart Scoop, & Fold-Away Frother.
The CP307 is an incredible all-rounder for coffee lovers. It offers Ninja’s 5 unique coffee styles: classic, rich, iced, cold brew, and specialty. Not just for coffee, it brews tea in 5 ways too, thanks to a special tea basket. Plus, you can make anything from a single cup to a full carafe with its 6 size options. Perfect for any drink you crave!
The CP307 features a 50-oz stainless steel thermal carafe to keep your coffee hot for hours, unlike glass carafes. It includes a ninja smart scoop for simple measuring. Plus, it has a versatile milk frother for both hot and cold milk. The easy-to-remove water tank ensures quick refills and hassle-free cleaning.
Cheaper variant: Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System CP301
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted.Filter type:Reusable
- Brew multiple brew sizes, ranging from a pod free single cup or travel mug, all the way up to a full Carafe
- Hot brewing lets you enjoy a bold, flavorful cup of hot coffee or tea; Or brew over ice to create full flavored, refreshing iced beverages
- Brew your favorite style of tea, whether you use tea bags or loose leaf, with the specially designed tea brew basket
- Auto IQ one touch intelligence technology
- Built in frother turns hot or cold milk into silky smooth froth in seconds, with nothing more than the press of a button; The thermal Carafe is not dishwasher safe
- Cord length (ft.): 2.5. Cold Brew Coffee and Tea: Brew over ice at a lower temperature for smooth, naturally sweet flavor in 10 to 15 minutes
The CP301 is almost a twin to the CP307, but swaps out the stainless steel carafe for a glass one. If you don’t mind missing out on a thermal carafe, choosing this model could save you some money.
First runner-up: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM407
- Specialty brew: brew super-rich Coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiato, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- Iced Coffee: brew fresh over ice for flavorful Iced Coffee that's never watered down
- 6 brew sizes: brew anything from a single cup or travel size to a half carafe or a full carafe in your Coffee maker
- Fold-away frother: turns hot or cold milk into silky-smooth froth
- No Pods Required: Up to 200 dollars in annual savings using grounds vs. pods Based on a 2.5-cup daily average consumption of popular coffee brands
- Included components: Instruction Booklet
The CM407 comes packed with features perfect for any coffee lover! It brews in 6 sizes, from a single cup to a full carafe. Plus, it includes a clever ninja smart scoop, an in-built milk frother, a permanent filter, an easy-to-remove water tank, and a 50-oz thermal carafe to keep your coffee hot.
This model might not have all the fancy brewing features of the pricier versions, but you can still make classic, rich, iced, and specialty coffees. Sadly, if you’re into cold brew, this one doesn’t offer that option.
The CM407 is all about coffee! Unlike the fancier models, it skips the tea settings and doesn’t come with a tea basket or filter. It’s your go-to just for brewing coffee.
Cheaper variant: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401
- 4 BREW STYLES: Select from one of the four, versatile brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty Brew.
- SPECIALTY BREWS: Brew a super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- MAKE ICED COFFEE: Brew fresh over ice for flavorful iced coffee that's never watered down.
- 6 BREW SIZES: Brew anything from a single cup or travel size to a half or full carafe in your coffee maker. 6 sizes include Cup, XL Cup, Travel Mug, Multi-Serve Travel Mug, Half Carafe & Full Carafe.
- NO PODS REQUIRED: Use your favorite grounds to create a single-serve coffee—no reusable pod required.
- BUILT-IN, FOLD-AWAY FROTHER: Turns hot or cold milk/milk alternative into silky-smooth froth. Removable for easy cleaning.
- REMOVABLE WATER RESERVOIR: Conveniently carry the 40-oz. removable water reservoir to your sink for easy filling.
- EASY TO CLEAN: The glass carafe, brew-through lid, permanent filter, removable filter holder, water reservoir, flip-top lid, frother whisk, and scoop are all top-rack dishwasher safe.
- AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF: After one hour of inactivity, the system will power off automatically.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker, 50-oz (10-cup) Glass Carafe, Fold-Away Frother, Permanent filter, 40-oz. Removable water reservoir, & Ninja Smart Scoop.
Just like the CM407, but with a twist: it sports a 50-oz glass carafe instead of stainless steel. The best part? You get to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket.
Best Budget Ninja coffee maker: Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer CE251
- 2 BREW STYLES: Classic or Rich, each brew is flavorful and never bitter with custom brew strengths.
- 12-CUP GLASS CARAFE: Brew small or large batches of coffee – perfect for day to day or entertaining.
- HOTTER BREWING TECHNOLOGY: Delivers even saturation and temperature control for ultra-flavorful coffee.
- SMALL BATCH FUNCTION: Ensure your coffee is never diluted when brewing a small batch (1-4 cups).
- WAKE UP TO HOT COFFEE: 24-hour programmable delay brew allows you to prepare your brew up to a day in advance.
- ADJUSTABLE WARMING PLATE: Keep coffee fresh and flavorful up to 4 hours.
- REMOVABLE WATER RESERVOIR: Conveniently carry the 60-oz removable water reservoir to your sink for easy filling.
- MID-BREW PAUSE: Pour yourself a cup before the brew is complete.
- CLEAN SETTING: Descale your coffee maker at the touch of a button.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Ninja Programmable Brewer, 12-cup Glass Carafe, Permanent Filter, Ninja Integrated Scoop, & 60-oz removable water reservoir.
This coffee maker might seem basic, but it’s got Ninja’s top-notch quality. It includes a detachable water tank, a scoop, and a reusable filter. Instead of a 50-oz insulated carafe, the CE251 features a larger 60-oz glass carafe. It’s a simple yet effective choice for your coffee needs.
The CE251 brewer keeps it simple with just two styles: classic and rich. Don’t expect iced, cold brew, or fancy drinks from it. It can’t make single cups either, only offering a full 12-cup carafe or a smaller 4-cup option. Also, there’s no milk frother for creamy toppings.
What Happened to the Ninja Coffee Bar?
Ninja has upgraded their coffee bar systems with the latest models I talked about. If you’re looking for the older versions, they’re available second-hand on Amazon. However, I’d suggest going for the new ones instead, as they’ve enhanced both design and features.
Ninja Coffee Bar CF097
- Choose a size: Select one of six sizes, ranging from a single cup to a travel mug to a full carafe
- Choose a brew: Dial up the flavor richness level by choosing a brew type: Classic, rich, over ice, specialty, or our exclusive cafe forte
- Pod free single serve: Offers unlimited variety use any brand of coffee, and personalize flavor by customizing the taste to your liking; Reveal your coffee’s full potential with fresh taste and Aroma
- 10 cup double walled thermal Carafe: Beautifully designed stainless steel Carafe that is perfect for entertaining; The double walled vacuum sealed thermal carafe will keep your coffee hot upto 2 hours
- Thermal flavor extraction technology: Patent pending ninja technology blends precision water delivery with automated controls for calibrated temperature, pre infusion, coffee saturation, and flavor richness; Ninja thermal flavor extraction technology unlocks the full flavor potential of your coffee
Before the CP307 came this gem. It may not make tea or cold brew, but it’s a pro at whipping up classic, rich, iced, and specialty coffees. Plus, it boasts a sleek stainless steel thermal carafe and offers all 6 brew sizes just like its successor.
Ninja Coffee Bar CF091
- 10-cup (50-oz.) glass carafe
- Built-In frother to brew, froth and drink—all in your favorite mug
- 20-recipe inspiration guide. Capacity : 60 oz. / 12 Cup,Stainless Steel Mesh Filter,ABS Housing
- Ninja Smart Scoop.After brewing the first cup, the Ninja Coffee Bar is pre-warmed. This enables any following brews to be slightly hotter. For a hotter first cup, after plugging in and powering on your brewer, allow 3 minutes for your brewer to pre-heat
- Permanent reusable filter.This brewer is designed to brew coffee grounds only. Do not insert pods or K-Cups
- Note: Kindly refer page number 19 in user manual provided for troubleshooting steps
The Ninja Coffee Bar CF091, with its glass carafe, sets the stage for the CP301, similar to its sibling, the CF097. Perfect for coffee newbies!
Final Verdict
If you’re unsure about which coffee maker to pick, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System CP307 is a fantastic choice. It offers a wide range of brewing sizes and styles, more than most drip coffee makers. Plus, it can even brew tea!
The CP307 is a fantastic choice for those short on kitchen space. It’s like a mini coffee and tea station, complete with a milk frother, all packed into a neat design. However, if you’re looking to save some cash without sacrificing quality, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer CE251 is an excellent, wallet-friendly alternative.
Ninja coffee machines are a dream for coffee lovers! They’re easy to use, a breeze to clean, and have only gotten better since the original Ninja coffee bar. In this article, I’ve highlighted the top picks, but honestly, choosing a Ninja is always a smart move.
