Ninja Luxe Café Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier suits beginners who want guided espresso, drip coffee and cold brew in one machine. Its built-in grinder, weight-based dosing and automatic frothing reduce the number of steps you manage yourself.
On this page (9 sections)
- The Ninja Luxe Café Premier at a glance
- Is the Premier easy to use for a beginner?
- What drinks can you make with it?
- How much counter space does the Premier need?
- How does the Premier compare with the Pro and Mini Plus?
- When should you choose the Breville Barista Express?
- What should you know about the grinder and milk system?
- What are the main trade-offs?
- Who should buy the Ninja Luxe Café Premier?
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier is a guided, multi-drink espresso machine for people who want espresso, drip coffee and cold brew from one counter appliance. It includes a built-in grinder, weight-based dosing, assisted tamping and hands-free frothing.
Its broad menu is the main reason to choose it. If you want to learn manual espresso and milk techniques, the Breville Barista Express offers a different kind of control.
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier at a glance
The Premier is best suited to varied coffee routines with guided preparation. It combines 2 espresso styles, 3 drip styles and 2 cold brew styles with an integrated grinder and automatic frothing.
Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601: Best for guided variety
- 3-in-1 espresso, drip coffee and cold brew
- Built-in conical burr grinder with 25 settings
- Hands-free frothing with 4 preset programs
The Premier combines guided espresso with drip coffee and cold brew options. Its grinder, weight-based dosing and hands-free frother suit a household that wants several coffee styles without managing every adjustment.
Pros
- Guided steps from grinding through frothing
- 25 grinder settings and weight-based dosing
- Four preset frothing programs plus manual frothing
- Accessory storage is built in
Cons
- The range of drink styles may be more than an espresso-only routine needs
- Its listed dimensions call for a planned countertop spot
What makes the Premier distinct?
The Premier covers more than espresso. You can make a double or quad shot, classic or rich drip coffee, drip coffee over ice, cold brew coffee or cold-pressed espresso.
Barista Assist guides the process from grinding through brewing adjustments. The grinder has 25 settings, dosing is weight-based, and the assisted tamper helps press the puck.
The Dual Froth System combines a spinning whisk with an automatic steamer. Choose among steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam, or use the manual frothing option.
Is the Premier easy to use for a beginner?
The Premier is designed to guide key espresso steps, which can make it more approachable than a machine that leaves grinding, dosing and tamping entirely to you. It adjusts the selected drink’s temperature and pressure in real time, according to Ninja’s product description.
You still need to choose beans, set a drink style and learn how your preferences affect the result. Guided controls can simplify preparation, but they don’t replace learning how to adjust a drink to your taste.
If you’re new to espresso, our guide to espresso machines for beginners covers the features that matter when you’re choosing your first machine. For a broader starting point, see how to pick an espresso machine as a beginner.
What drinks can you make with it?
The Premier makes espresso, drip coffee and cold brew, so it can serve people with different coffee habits in one household. The drink options include:
- Double or quad espresso
- Classic, rich or over-ice drip coffee
- Cold brew coffee or cold-pressed espresso
Drip coffee and cold brew are available in sizes from 6 to 18 oz. Cold-pressed espresso is described as brewing at a lower temperature, pressure and pace than standard espresso.
That variety comes with a trade-off: an espresso-only household may not use much of the machine’s wider menu. Consider how often you’ll make each kind of drink before giving up counter space to a multi-function machine.
How much counter space does the Premier need?
The Premier measures 12.99 in deep, 13.39 in wide and 14.57 in high. Its listed weight is 31.6 lb, so plan a stable spot that leaves room to work around the machine.
Ninja describes built-in accessory storage and a removable 70 oz water reservoir. Check the space above and around the machine, and measure the route to the counter if you’ll need to carry it through tight doorways.
The Ninja Luxe Café Pro 4-in-1 is another guided Ninja option, while the Mini Plus ES351 is smaller at 10.1 in deep, 12.2 in wide and 13.4 in high. Those links cover separate reviews, so use the dimensions and feature comparison here when deciding which Luxe Café model to investigate.
How does the Premier compare with the Pro and Mini Plus?
The Premier offers the broadest balance of espresso, drip coffee and cold brew among these three Ninja options. The Pro adds hot water and an integrated tamper, while the Mini Plus keeps espresso and drip coffee in a smaller machine.
| Model | What stands out | Consider it if |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601 | Espresso, drip coffee and cold brew; assisted tamper | You want multiple drink types with guided steps |
| Ninja Luxe Café Pro 4-in-1 | Adds independent hot water and integrated lever tamper | You also make tea, pour-overs or Americanos |
| Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus ES351 | Smaller dimensions; espresso and drip coffee | Counter space matters and you don’t need cold brew |
| Breville Barista Express BES870XL | Manual steam wand and grind controls | You want to practice milk texturing and espresso adjustments |
All three Ninja models have a built-in grinder. The Mini Plus product description says it is 30% smaller than the Pro, while its published dimensions provide a direct way to compare the machines before you buy.
For a manual alternative, our Breville Bambino vs Barista Express comparison explains how the Barista Express fits into a different style of home setup.
When should you choose the Breville Barista Express?
Its integrated conical burr grinder sends grounds into the portafilter, and its steam wand is designed for manual microfoam.
The Barista Express includes low-pressure pre-infusion and PID temperature control. It does not have the Premier’s described drip coffee and cold brew functions, so compare the machines around the drinks you actually make.
Breville Barista Express BES870XL: Best for manual milk texturing
- Integrated conical burr grinder
- Manual steam wand for microfoam
- PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion
The Barista Express gives you manual control over milk texturing and grind amount, with an integrated grinder. It suits buyers who want to learn those steps instead of choosing an automatic frothing program.
Pros
- Manual steam wand for textured milk
- Adjustable grind size and amount
- PID temperature control and low-pressure pre-infusion
Cons
- Manual milk texturing takes practice
- Its stated drink options focus on espresso rather than drip coffee or cold brew
A manual steam wand takes practice. If you prefer to select a frothing program and let the machine do more of the work, the Premier’s automatic options fit that preference better.
What should you know about the grinder and milk system?
The Premier’s 25 grinder settings and automatic frothing are useful if you want the machine to guide much of the routine. The Pro also has a 25-setting conical burr grinder and hands-free frothing, while the Mini Plus combines a built-in grinder with an automatic steam wand.
The Barista Express gives you more direct control over the grind amount and manual milk texturing. That makes it a better fit for someone willing to practice those steps, though the machine’s manual operation asks more of you.
Our guide to how to dial in espresso explains why grind and dose choices affect the shot. For milk drinks, see how to froth milk for a latte or cappuccino.
What are the main trade-offs?
The Premier’s biggest advantage is its combination of guided espresso and other coffee styles. The main compromise is that its range of functions takes up space even if your routine mostly involves one kind of drink.
It is also a substantial countertop appliance at 31.6 lb. Measure your available space and consider where you’ll store beans, cups and accessories before deciding.
The machine offers guided adjustments, but that doesn’t mean every drink will match your preference without changes. Give yourself time to learn the controls and follow Ninja’s instructions for cleaning and care.
Who should buy the Ninja Luxe Café Premier?
Choose the Premier if you want guided espresso plus drip coffee and cold brew from one machine, with built-in grinding and hands-free frothing. It fits a household that values drink variety and would use those extra functions.
Choose the Pro if its independent hot water system and integrated tamper suit your routine. Consider the Mini Plus if you want a smaller espresso and drip coffee setup, or the Barista Express if you want to practice manual milk texturing.
For another model-focused perspective, compare this review with our AMZCHEF espresso machine review and Chefman Crema Supreme review. Select the machine around the drinks you make, the steps you want to control and the counter space you can give it.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Ninja Luxe Café Premier make?
The Premier makes double or quad espresso, drip coffee in classic, rich or over-ice styles, and cold brew coffee or cold-pressed espresso. Drip and cold brew drinks come in several listed sizes from 6 to 18 oz.
Choose it if you want those options alongside guided espresso.
Does the Ninja Luxe Café Premier have a built-in grinder?
Yes. The Premier has a built-in conical burr grinder with 25 settings, and Barista Assist guides grinding and weight-based dosing.
You can adjust the grind setting, but the machine is designed to help with the steps rather than leave every choice to you.
How does the Ninja Luxe Café Premier compare with the Pro?
Both machines have a built-in grinder with 25 settings, guided dosing and hands-free frothing. The Pro adds an independent hot water system and integrated lever tamper; the Premier offers its own espresso, drip and cold brew options.
Pick based on which extra features match your daily drinks.
Is the Ninja Luxe Café Premier fully automatic?
Its listed operation mode is fully automatic, and Barista Assist guides grinding, dosing, assisted tamping and brewing adjustments. You still select the drink and prepare the ingredients, while the machine handles several steps.
Read the instructions before using its cleaning and descaling features.
