If you are searching for a Ninja coffee machine, you will quickly find that there is no longer just one model to consider.
Ninja’s current UK Luxe Cafe range covers several price and feature levels, from the more compact Mini Plus to the Premier and higher-spec Pro. The idea behind the range is simple: combine an integrated grinder, assisted espresso preparation and automatic milk frothing in one machine, while still giving you more involvement than a fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee maker.
For most UK buyers, the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier ES601UK is the strongest all-round option. It offers 19 drink settings, a built-in grinder, cold brew options and automatic frothing without requiring the higher price of the Pro. The Mini Plus makes more sense where worktop space and simplicity matter, while the Pro is aimed at users who want more drink choices and a more advanced tamping and frothing setup.
Here is what you should understand before choosing one.
What Is a Ninja Coffee Machine?
Ninja is best known in UK kitchens for appliances such as air fryers and blenders, but its Luxe Cafe line moves into home espresso and speciality coffee.
These machines sit somewhere between a traditional manual espresso setup and a fully automatic coffee machine.
You still interact with the portafilter and coffee preparation process, but technology helps remove much of the guesswork.
Ninja calls this Barista Assist Technology.
Depending on the model, the machine can guide grind settings, measure the required dose and automate milk frothing.
The current official Ninja UK range includes the Luxe Cafe Mini Plus, Premier and Pro among its main models.
Ninja Luxe Cafe Models Compared
Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus ES352UK
The Mini Plus is the entry point for people who want the Ninja coffee experience in a smaller package.
According to Ninja UK, it currently offers:
- 9 drink settings
- Built-in grinder
- Assisted tamper
- Barista Assist Technology
- Hands-free AutoFroth
- 3 froth presets
- Over Ice cold setting
Its biggest appeal is simplicity.
You still get assistance with grinding and frothing, but the feature list is smaller than the Premier or Pro.
This can actually be a benefit if you mainly want espresso-based drinks without dozens of settings.
Independent testing has also highlighted the Mini Plus as particularly accessible for beginners because the machine helps with grind calibration.
Who Is It Best For?
Choose the Mini Plus if:
- You are new to espresso making
- Kitchen space is limited
- You mainly drink standard espresso and milk drinks
- You do not need the widest cold coffee selection
- You want to spend less than you would on the Pro
Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier ES601UK
The Premier is the model that made the Luxe Cafe range widely known.
It currently sits in the middle of the main range and offers a much broader selection than the Mini Plus.
Ninja UK lists:
- 19 drink settings
- 25 grind settings
- Built-in grinder
- Assisted tamper
- Dual Froth System
- 4 froth presets
- Barista Assist Technology
- Over Ice
- Cold Brew
- Cold Pressed coffee
It can make espresso while also covering larger filter-style drinks and cold coffee.
That versatility is the key reason the Premier is probably the best starting point for most households.
The official Ninja UK Luxe Cafe range and specifications are available through Ninja UK coffee machines.
Is the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier Actually Good?
Independent reviews are generally positive, but they also highlight limitations that marketing pages naturally do not emphasise.
The Guardian’s 2026 long-term review found that the Premier can make very good coffee for its price and praised its broad range of drink options. However, the reviewer also noted that users still need to carry out steps such as fitting the dosing funnel, tamping and locking the portafilter into place.
That distinction matters.
A Ninja Luxe Cafe is not simply a machine where you press “latte” and walk away.
You still participate in preparing the coffee.
For some buyers, that is part of the appeal.
For others, a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine may be more convenient.
Expert Reviews reached a similar overall conclusion, praising the Premier for accessibility and value while noting that coffee quality can be better from more expensive setups.
Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro ES701UK
The Pro sits above the Premier.
Ninja UK’s current comparison lists:
- 29 drink settings
- Built-in grinder
- Integrated tamper
- Advanced Dual Froth System
- 5 froth presets
- Barista Assist Technology
- Espresso variations
- Filter coffee
- Over Ice
- Cold Brew
- Cold Pressed drinks
The integrated tamper is one of the most meaningful differences.
Instead of using an assisted handheld tamper, the Pro lets you create the coffee puck using a built-in lever.
This can make preparation cleaner and more consistent.
The Pro also offers more espresso styles and an expanded frothing system.
Is the Pro Worth Paying More For?
Not automatically.
Expert Reviews tested the Pro and praised its ease of use, coffee quality and large selection of drinks, but also noted that the increased price may be hard to justify for people who do not need its extra controls.
This is an important buying lesson.
More settings do not necessarily mean a better machine for your needs.
If you mostly make cappuccinos, lattes and Americanos, many of the Premier’s 19 options may already be more than enough.
The Pro makes more sense for someone who:
- Makes several different coffee styles
- Wants the integrated tamper
- Regularly prepares milk drinks
- Wants more froth options
- Enjoys experimenting with espresso
Does a Ninja Coffee Machine Grind the Beans?
Yes, the main Luxe Cafe models have integrated grinders.
This is one of their biggest practical advantages.
Buying a traditional espresso machine often means buying a capable grinder separately.
With the Ninja system, beans go into the built-in hopper and are ground directly for brewing.
The machine’s assistance system can also recommend appropriate grind adjustments.
That does not remove every variable from coffee preparation, but it significantly lowers the learning curve for someone moving from instant coffee, pods or a basic filter machine.
Can Ninja Coffee Machines Make Normal Coffee?
Yes.
This is one of the reasons the Luxe Cafe range stands out from ordinary espresso machines.
The Premier and Pro can make larger filter-style coffee alongside espresso.
Ninja currently lists Classic, Rich, Over Ice and Cold Brew options on these models, with multiple drink sizes up to 530 ml.
This can make one machine practical in a household where one person wants a flat white while another prefers a large black coffee.
Can They Make Cold Brew?
The answer depends on the model.
The Premier and Pro include cold coffee options such as Cold Brew and Cold Pressed drinks.
The Mini Plus has a more limited cold selection and focuses on Over Ice.
If iced coffee is one of your main reasons for buying a machine, check the exact model’s drink list rather than assuming every Ninja Luxe Cafe has identical cold features.
What About Milk Frothing?
Milk frothing is heavily automated across the Luxe Cafe range.
The Premier uses Ninja’s Dual Froth System with four presets.
The Pro increases this to an Advanced Dual Froth System and additional frothing options.
This is useful for beginners because creating consistent microfoam manually with a steam wand normally takes practice.
The machines are designed to handle dairy and plant-based milk, although results can vary depending on the milk used.
If milk-based drinks are your priority, the assisted frothing system is one of the strongest arguments for choosing the Ninja over a completely manual espresso setup.
How Much Worktop Space Does It Need?
Do not buy one without measuring first.
The Premier is not a tiny appliance.
Ninja lists the ES601UK at approximately 37 cm high, 34 cm wide and 34 cm deep, depending on how the dimensions are presented. The Pro is similar in overall footprint and weighs more than 17 kg according to Ninja’s current comparison information.
You also need usable space above and around the machine for:
- Refilling beans
- Removing the water tank
- Using the portafilter
- Frothing milk
- Cleaning
The Mini Plus is the more logical choice when countertop space is genuinely limited.
Is a Ninja Coffee Machine Easy to Clean?
Regular maintenance is unavoidable with any machine that combines coffee grounds, milk and water.
Typical cleaning includes:
- Emptying the used coffee grounds
- Rinsing the portafilter
- Cleaning the milk jug
- Wiping the steam wand
- Emptying and cleaning the drip tray
- Cleaning grinder-related areas when required
- Periodic descaling
The exact cleaning cycle should always follow the manual supplied with your model.
Do not treat a coffee machine like another general kitchen appliance and experiment with aggressive cleaners.
If you also own other Ninja appliances, our guide on how to clean an air fryer explains how to clean another popular countertop appliance safely.
Ninja Coffee Machine vs Fully Automatic Bean-to-Cup
This is perhaps the most important comparison.
A fully automatic bean-to-cup machine can often make your entire drink after one or two button presses.
The Ninja Luxe Cafe requires more participation.
You may need to:
- Insert the correct basket
- Grind the coffee
- Tamp it
- Attach the portafilter
- Brew
- Froth milk where required
Ninja automates or guides several of these stages, but it does not remove them completely.
That makes it a better choice for someone who wants to feel involved in making espresso without learning everything from scratch.
If convenience is your only priority, a fully automatic machine may suit you better.
Which Ninja Coffee Machine Should You Buy?
Choose the Mini Plus if:
You are a beginner, have less counter space and want the essential assisted espresso experience.
Choose the Premier if:
You want the best balance between features, versatility and price.
For most buyers, this is the model I would consider first.
Choose the Pro if:
You want more espresso options, an integrated tamper and the most advanced frothing setup in the main Luxe Cafe range.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
Before ordering, ask yourself five questions.
What coffee do I actually drink?
Do not pay for 29 settings if you only make flat whites.
How much counter space do I have?
Measure your kitchen first.
Do I want involvement or one-touch convenience?
The Ninja is assisted, not completely hands-off.
Will I use cold coffee features?
If not, some of the Premier or Pro features may offer little value.
Am I prepared to clean it regularly?
Fresh coffee machines require routine maintenance.
You can browse more home and appliance guides in the 2DayTimes Lifestyle section or visit the 2DayTimes homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ninja coffee machine bean-to-cup?
Ninja describes the Luxe Cafe range as bean-to-cup, but it is more hands-on than many fully automatic bean-to-cup machines. The grinder and dosing assistance are integrated, while the user still handles parts of the espresso process.
Which Ninja coffee machine is best?
For most households, the Luxe Cafe Premier ES601UK offers the strongest balance of drink selection and features. Beginners or smaller kitchens may prefer the Mini Plus, while enthusiasts may benefit from the Pro.
Does the Ninja Luxe Cafe make regular coffee?
Yes. Selected Luxe Cafe models can make larger filter-style drinks as well as espresso.
Can a Ninja coffee machine make a latte?
Yes. The Luxe Cafe range includes automatic milk frothing designed for drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.
Does it make cold brew?
The Premier and Pro include cold brew and other cold coffee options. Check the exact model before buying because the Mini Plus has fewer cold settings.
Does a Ninja coffee machine come with a grinder?
The main current Luxe Cafe Mini Plus, Premier and Pro models include built-in grinders.
Is the Ninja Luxe Cafe good for beginners?
Yes. Barista Assist, guided grind recommendations and automatic frothing make the range significantly more approachable than a traditional manual espresso machine.
Final Thoughts
A Ninja coffee machine makes the most sense for someone who wants better home coffee but does not want to master a completely manual espresso setup.
The range combines an integrated grinder, assisted preparation and automatic milk frothing while still letting you take part in the coffee-making process.
For most UK households, the Luxe Cafe Premier is the sweet spot. It provides espresso, filter coffee, cold drinks and automatic frothing without the higher price of the Pro.
The Mini Plus is better suited to beginners and smaller spaces, while the Pro is aimed at people who will genuinely use its extra drink settings, integrated tamper and more advanced frothing controls.
Whichever model you consider, compare the current specifications rather than choosing based on the biggest feature count. The best machine is the one that matches the drinks you actually make every day.
