Ninja’s coffee machine promises to do it all – does it deliver?

I love coffee. I drink more than five cups a day, and yet, the coffee machine I had at home never became an essential part of my daily routine. It wasn’t made by one of the leading brands, and the taste it produced was fine – but never quite as precise as I like it. The initial excitement faded quickly, and eventually, I gave up on it. Before that, I also tried quite a few capsule machines that promised convenience at the push of a button and a variety of flavors with no effort, but none lasted more than a few days in my home.

Although I live in a smart, fully connected home – from lighting to electric blinds, everything is controlled by my smartphone and voice assistant – when it came to coffee, I stuck with the simplest solution: A spoonful of instant coffee, boiling water, and milk. It was quick, convenient, and most importantly, hit the taste I liked without any fuss.

So, when I was offered the chance to test Ninja’s coffee machine – a bean-to-cup grinder promising a different kind of experience – I realized this was going to be a completely different kind of test. I had occasionally tasted coffee from machines that grind beans on the spot and could always tell the difference in flavor, but I wasn’t convinced it was worth the hassle at home. This time, I wanted to see if a premium, innovative machine could actually change years of habits.

Ninja brings quite a few strong cards to the table: An integrated tamping arm that prevents mess and ensures even compression – a feature usually reserved for high-end machines; a new hot water dispenser that finally allows for proper Americano preparation; and a larger frothing jug designed for double servings. I received the machine for review from Super-Pharm Online, and my personal challenge was clear: To find out if fresh-ground coffee could really change my routine and bring coffee back to center stage.

The Ninja Luxe Pro is a machine that’s hard to ignore. It commands real presence on the countertop, with its combination of gleaming stainless steel and a sleek black front panel that gives it a luxurious, modern look. This isn’t a minimalist device meant to blend into the background – it’s designed to be the “centerpiece” of the kitchen.

At the center of the front panel is the control board, arranged symmetrically and intuitively. The buttons are large and distinct, with soft backlighting that adds a touch of elegance and helps you navigate in the dark. The main button, a silver dial, serves as the primary control and feels solid in hand – a pleasant detail each time you start brewing coffee. Above it, a bright digital display clearly indicates the grinding and brewing status.

On the right side is the milk frothing station with a dedicated stainless-steel jug. Its positioning is very convenient – close at hand, allowing you to work with coffee in one hand and froth milk with the other without feeling cramped. On the left is the portafilter handle, which easily locks into the group head, and below it, a wide drip tray covered in shiny stainless steel. Hidden underneath this tray is a clever feature – an additional retractable shelf that accommodates especially tall or thermal cups, something not always found in other machines.

Another small but useful design detail sits on the right side of the device: A built-in compartment for unused filters. Instead of leaving them scattered in a drawer or on the counter, everything has its place, maintaining a tidy and organized appearance.

The water tank is located at the top rear of the machine and can be easily removed for quick refilling. The lower waste container also slides out conveniently for daily cleaning. They’re not especially large, but their placement and accessibility are well thought out. The beans themselves are stored in a special compartment at the top of the machine – a tightly sealed container with a lid that prevents moisture or air from getting in, both of which can quickly damage the flavor and aroma. Moreover, the lid is designed to block sunlight and UV rays, which are known to accelerate oxidation and flavor loss.

The foundation of any good coffee is a quality grinder, and that’s usually where home machines compromise. The big surprise with the Ninja Luxe Pro is that its grinder not only meets expectations but exceeds them. It offers 25 different grind settings – an unusually wide range that allows you to fine-tune your coffee to your exact taste, whether you prefer a short, intense espresso or a long, milder brew.

The unique feature here is the weight-based grinding system. Instead of relying on time or approximate volume, the machine weighs the beans to ensure a perfectly balanced dose every time. That means there’s no over- or under-grinding, resulting in consistent coffee quality. In addition, the system automatically detects when you switch filters – between a regular filter, a double filter, or the deep Luxe filter – and adjusts itself accordingly. That’s a level of smart technology rarely seen in home machines, and it makes the process smoother and more transparent.

Another clever detail is the automatic self-cleaning function each time you change the grind setting. Most machines leave behind residue from the previous setting, leading to an inconsistent first cup. Here, the machine flushes out those remnants, ensuring that the next coffee truly reflects your chosen grind size.

During brewing, the machine even recommends adjusting the grind size based on extraction time. If the flow is too slow, the grind may be too fine, producing bitterness. If it’s too fast, the grind may be too coarse, resulting in weak flavor. In practice, it took me a bit of trial and error: The first shot flowed too quickly and came out weak; the second was too slow and bitter; only on the third attempt – grind level 13 – did I finally get the exact taste I wanted.

The deep, unconventional Luxe filter initially seemed excessive – it requires double the amount of beans – but I soon discovered it’s perfect for a strong Americano or a large morning cup. Combined with the new hot water dispenser, it allows for a rich, concentrated long coffee that feels very close to a professional machine result.

On the milk side, the large frothing jug includes an internal mixer and offers four frothing levels for both hot and cold milk. The automatic frothing especially impressed me – dense, glossy, uniform milk foam that’s even suitable for basic latte art. Those who prefer manual control can use the jug for self-frothing, though its size makes it a bit harder to maneuver by hand.

The machine also remembers summer days: Its Cold Brew mode simulates a slow, room-temperature extraction, and paired with cold frothed milk, you get a refreshing iced latte with a thick foam layer. It’s not a true 24-hour cold brew, but the result is impressive – and much faster.

Absolutely not. Although it looks packed with buttons and options, it’s actually very intuitive to use. The included manual is clear, and there are plenty of online videos and guides explaining step by step how to get the best out of it. It does take a few attempts to find the exact coffee strength that suits your personal taste – but that’s part of the fun, and the machine’s smart system gives you an excellent starting point even if you’ve never used a bean-to-cup machine before.

Once you get the hang of the sequence – choosing the filter, grinding, locking the portafilter, and frothing if needed – the routine becomes simple. The buttons may be many, but each has a clear function, and the interface logic makes operation quick and straightforward. That said, one thing remains constant: The need for cleaning. Like any professional or semi-professional coffee machine, you still need to empty the trays, rinse the filters, and wipe away coffee residue after use.

Taste is probably the most important criterion in any coffee machine review – and for me, it was the turning point. I’d previously owned a bean-grinding coffee machine and was initially excited, but it quickly got pushed aside. The coffee it produced was okay – decent, but nothing more. The taste couldn’t match what I loved, and eventually, I went back to instant freeze-dried coffee. It was simpler, faster, and, above all, consistently hit the spot.

When I started testing the Ninja Luxe Pro, I was skeptical. I thought I’d get excited for a few days and then return to my old routine. But I was in for a real surprise: For the first time, I felt the difference between random grinding and precise grinding. The combination of the smart grinder and the brewing system produced espresso that was stable, balanced, and with a depth of flavor I’d never had at home. Whether it was Americano or cappuccino, there was a new level of clarity, sharpness, and precision that made me realize freshness and accuracy truly make all the difference.

In other words, Ninja changed my mind. From someone who always preferred simple, familiar coffee, I found myself willing to spend a few extra minutes for a cup that tastes like a whole new experience.

The Ninja Luxe Pro is sold in Israel for NIS 3,350 on Super-Pharm Online – a price that firmly places it in the premium segment of home coffee machines. It’s not an amount everyone would spend on a device mainly intended for a morning cup of coffee, but for those who see coffee as an essential part of life, it’s an investment that can truly transform the daily routine.

Of course, not everyone will connect with it. It breaks quite a few conventions in the coffee machine world, favoring accessibility and simplicity over traditional craftsmanship. A true manual frothing enthusiast might not be impressed by the mixer at the bottom of the milk jug, even if it excels at cold froth. Hardcore espresso fans might raise an eyebrow at the large Luxe filter, which takes up significant space and changes the look of the portafilter.

Still, it’s impossible to ignore the precise thought that went into almost every detail: From the weight-based grinder with automatic cleaning between grind changes, to the built-in filter storage, to the tamping arm that minimizes mess and ensures even compression.

In short, this machine is made for true coffee lovers – those who want a professional coffee experience at home, without dealing with overly complex, traditional equipment.