Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine Review: Is it Worth the Money?

This is an independent review by the editor. Northern Luxury has not been compensated for this review, nor have we been gifted any products from the brands. All opinions are entirely our own.

Nothing beats a proper coffee first thing in the morning, and instant coffee sometimes just doesn’t do the trick. With hundreds of models on the market, from pod machines to complex bean-to-cup setups, it can be difficult to know where to invest your money wisely.

After hours of research comparing quality against cost, we decided to go with the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine. As long-time fans of Ninja products, we had high hopes, but didn’t realise just how easy and effective it would make our morning routine.

After four months of daily testing and going through countless bags of beans, we are delving deep into whether it truly is the best coffee machine on the market, and if it justifies the current £447 price tag.

Ninja Luxe Café Premier Product Overview

Who is it for: Coffee lovers who want barista-quality brews without the hassle

Benefits: Automatic coffee grinding, variety of drink styles, automatic milk frothing

Price: RRP £549 (Currently retailing at around £447 on the official Ninja website)

Dimensions: 34 cm (W) x 33 cm (D) x 37 cm (H)

Weight: 11.4 kg

Our rating: 9.2/10

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Incredibly easy, automated grinding and tamping with minimal mess
• Great for milk frothing, even with plant-based milks
• Excellent value compared to other similar models on the market

Cons:

• Requires substantial kitchen counter space
• Quite loud during the grinding phase and beeps when finished
• Cannot brew coffee and froth milk simultaneously

Our First Impressions

When unboxing the Ninja Luxe Café Premier, the first thing we noticed was its size. Coming in at 34 cm wide, 37 cm high, and 33 cm deep, it’s quite a substantial appliance. It also weighs a fair amount at over 11.4 kg, meaning it does need to find a permanent home on your countertop rather than being moved in and out of cupboards.

From an aesthetic point of view, the coffee machine looks sleek and modern, transforming the kitchen into an independent cafe. The matte black body and stainless-steel accents provide that premium, luxury look and feel without the hefty price tag of other rivals.

After finding the perfect spot, we were then able to locate the machine’s cleverly designed secret compartments. There is storage on the right-hand side for the filter baskets and cleaning brush, and empty spaces on the left for the funnel and tamper.

With so many accessories and settings, it can feel a little overwhelming to know exactly what to do at first glance – especially when all you want is to make your first beverage. Fortunately, Ninja provides a booklet that easily explains everything in detail, which meant any confusion quickly subsided.

What’s in the Box?

Along with the machine itself, the bean hopper, water reservoir, and integrated cup warmer, the box also includes:

• Assisted Tamper
• Grind Funnel
• Three Filter Baskets: Single, Double, and Luxe
• Stainless Steel Milk Jug and Removable Frothing Whisk
• Portafilter
• Removable Drip Tray Components and Cup Tray
• Water Hardness Testing Strip and Internal Water Filter Parts
• Cleaning Brush

Key Features of the Ninja Luxe Café Premier

Setting Up the Water Filter

As per instructions, we first tested the hardness of our water using the supplied test strip. Our water came back as very soft because we pre-filter it using a BRITA Marella Water Filter Jug (as minerals and chlorine are sometimes high in our area). We then programmed the water hardness into the machine as setting hd 1 (the tap water was a little higher at hd 3).

Then it was time to install the water filter. This was as easy as soaking the filter for five minutes and inserting it into the filter housing, setting a date for two months to know when to replace it. After clicking it into the reservoir, we filled it to the max line. We recommend topping it up every other day, so the machine doesn’t run dry mid-brew.

After using the machine now for four months, we haven’t had to run a full descaling cycle yet, which we can attribute to using pre-filtered water. The internal water filter we still replace every two months, and you can buy these directly from Ninja or via Amazon, since you only get one in the box.

Top Tip: If you don’t use filtered water and your tap water is very hard, you will find yourself having to descale your machine more frequently due to limescale buildup.

Grinding the Coffee

After hearing friends and colleagues complain about spending hours trying to dial in their beans, this was the key selling point of the Ninja Luxe Café Premier for us. Getting the right grind size was a breeze since the machine does all the heavy lifting for you.

Ninja’s Barista Assist Technology uses smart sensors and a built-in scale beneath the grinding cradle to find the perfect grind size. This depends on the type and volume of beans, basket size, and beverage type, ensuring a perfect extraction each time.

First, the beans need to be poured into the hopper. Then, all we had to do was click the funnel into place on top of the basket in the portafilter (we generally go for the double basket) and slide it into the grinding cradle. The machine then displays two numbers – the current setting and the recommended setting. You can then use the dial on the upper left to match the recommendation. Then press the button and wait for the machine to beep to confirm it’s finished.

The amount that is produced by the machine is accurate around 99% of the time, as long as the storage tray of beans is kept reasonably full. Otherwise, it might not produce enough or run for too long. It’s also quite noisy, so something to bear in mind if you live with light sleepers or in properties with poor insulation.

Note: You must first run a ‘practice’ cycle to flush out the internal systems before consuming anything.

Tamping the Coffee

Once the coffee grounds are deposited into the basket, it’s time to use the tamper, which is magnetically secured on the left. It’s important to leave some room on this side of your counter to be able to access it easily.

Tamping the coffee is as easy as inserting the tamper into the portafilter with the funnel attached and pushing down gently until it won’t go any further. The springs require a little force, but it’s easy enough. The coffee is condensed perfectly so that it’s perfectly level, and there’s only a small amount of space left at the top.

The most surprising thing about all of this was that there was practically no mess. While some ground coffee may continue to fall from the grinder after, this can just be brushed into the waste container below for later cleaning.

Using the Control Panel and Making a Coffee

Next comes the satisfying part that makes you feel like a professional barista in a coffee shop. You need to align the portafilter with the indicator dot on the group head and twist it firmly into place, and select your drink type on the control panel.

On the left of the interface, you’ll find the power button and grind button. The main beverage selection dial, the size button, the hot water button, and the brew button are all on the right. It can be a little confusing at first to know what to twist or press, but luckily, most of the buttons are labelled, or you can refer to the instruction manual. We found that after the first few drinks, it becomes almost routine to know exactly what to do.

Once you press the brew button, sit back and wait for the coffee to slowly trickle from the portafilter into your cup below. It only takes a minute or two and will beep to alert you when it’s done.

Important Note: You can’t froth the milk and brew the coffee at the same time, so bear this in mind when making your drinks. If you’re preparing drinks for a few people, we recommend texturing the milk first or brewing your shots back-to-back.

Frothing the Milk

From using cheap hand whisks to microwaving, there’s never been an easy way to make hot and frothy milk for coffee. And usually, you’d have to buy a milk frother separately or invest in a professional machine to achieve effective results, but the Ninja Luxe Café Premier blew us away.

Having worked in catering and hospitality, we know how tricky it can be to position the steam wand to create proper microfoam without making a mess. Yet, the Ninja Luxe’s Dual Froth System removes the guesswork and does this for you. All you need to do is fill the jug up to the right line and choose your designated setting on the control system.

The jug sits comfortably on the cradle via a magnetic system, and the whisk and steam wand work together to perfectly steam the milk. You can choose from four different milk texturing modes:

• Steamed Milk – The lowest aeration setting that offers warm milk for flat whites
• Thin Froth – Decent microfoam that is best for making latte art
• Thick Froth – A thicker foam that is ideal for cappuccinos
• Cold Foam – Thick foam produced without steam and only the whisk, this is the best setting to add to the top of iced coffee

As soon as the cycle ends and you hear the beeping, immediately pull the wand forward and wipe it down with a damp cloth. Then, push it back into its resting position, and the machine will automatically flush itself with hot steam to keep the internal tip clean.

Types of Drinks the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Can Make

The machine features automated presets to make a variety of coffee-based drinks depending on your preferences. You will need to adjust the temperature and clear hot residue if switching from hot drinks to cold drinks and vice versa.

The varieties of drinks you can make include:

• Espresso – A rich shot of coffee made using the single or double basket and the Espresso setting
• Americano – A longer coffee with a shot of espresso and hot water that the machine adds for you via the Americano setting
• Latte – A creamy drink made using the Latte setting and hot frothy milk using the jug
• Flat White – A strong drink with more espresso than milk. Choose the Flat White setting so the machine steams a dense micro-foam for a double shot.
• Cappuccino – A balanced coffee with espresso and steamed milk made with the Cappuccino setting. Add a sprinkle of cocoa on the top.
• Macchiato – A shot of espresso with a dollop of foam. Brew a shot of Espresso and scoop the thick foam on top.
• Cortado – An equal amount of espresso to warm, lightly steamed milk. Make a standard Espresso and add the same volume of low-foam milk.
• Filter Coffee – Use the Luxe Basket to make a drip-style cup of coffee that is lighter than an espresso.
• Iced Coffee – A chilled drink you can pour directly over ice without it being watered down. Choose the Cold-Pressed function to ensure the coffee is naturally sweet and cool enough to keep the ice intact.
• Espresso Martini – A popular cocktail made by shaking a shot of espresso with vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. Top with a few fresh coffee beans.

Personal Recommendation: We make our own Hazelnut Espresso Martini with 25 ml Kahlua, 50 ml Divine Rum Coffee Liqueur, 10 ml Hazelnut Syrup, and a double shot of espresso using the Cold-Pressed setting. This is then shaken with ice to produce a smooth alternative to the classic cocktail.

The Verdict

Given how easy it is to use the machine and the speed at which it takes to make great-tasting coffee, we think the Ninja Luxe Café Premier is absolutely worth the money.

When compared to manual models that cost thousands, or machines that tie you into expensive and wasteful plastic pods, it’s a game-changer in the coffee scene.

We’ve yet to find many downsides or come across any major issues other than having to clean the parts regularly or purchase additional filters. However, you’re expected to do this with most machines anyway.

After speaking with others who’ve also purchased a machine for themselves, this seems to be the consensus. If you’re prepared to make the purchase, we doubt you’ll regret it.

FAQs

What Beans Should I Buy for My Ninja Luxe Café Premier?

Your choice of beans can make quite a difference, not just for the flavour of your brew but for the longevity of your machine. Medium to medium-dark roasts are the ideal choice since they grind the best and produce a nice crema.

Avoid anything lightly roasted since the beans can be difficult to grind and can either taste slightly sour or too weak. If you feel the beans are greasy when handling them, avoid adding them to the bean hopper, as they can clog the grind chutes over time.

We love using the M&S Espresso Dark Roast beans, and find that they produce a nice, rich flavour and always grind easily. On average, a 454g bag will last us around 1.5 weeks when making two cups (Americanos or double espresso shots) per day.

Can I Use Plant-Based Milks?

Yes! The machine comes with a dedicated Plant Based setting for plant-based milks that ensures nothing is watered down. Ideally, go for the barista versions of your choice of milk (oat, almond, soya, etc.) since they contain more fats and can hold air bubbles better.

We would advise you to turn up the dial to Thick Froth since this creates a nicer texture that doesn’t immediately disappear or curdle when adding to your drink.

Can I Adjust the Beverage Temperature?

Yes, we prefer coffee to be piping hot and initially had to use the microwave to get it to the right temperature. This was before realising that you can change the setting.

Hold the Size button for three seconds, rotate the dial to _h06 for coffee (or _h07 for milk) and press the centre dial to then change from medium to high or low. It’s worth noting, though, that temperature can affect the taste of your beverages. Ideally, for darker roasts you should use low or medium, with high reserved for light roasts.

Heating your cup and portafilter using the hot water setting can also further increase the temperature, but we’re usually too impatient to be doing all this before work.

Can I Change the Coffee Strength?

Yes, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier has three different strength settings and is normally set at medium. To change to milder or bolder coffee, you need to use the Strength button. It’s worth noting that stronger coffee will use more beans and produce less volume, and the adjustment will work differently depending on the type of drink.

The machine does all the heavy lifting here and will recommend a different grind size. If you find the coffee to be too bitter, manually increase the grind size. Or, decrease the grind size if you find the coffee to be too sour.

Is it Difficult to Change the Beans?

We have yet to do this, since we stand by our current choice of beans (M&S Espresso Coffee Beans Dark Roast) and don’t feel the need to switch just yet. However, the brand recommends cleaning out the grinder and removing any remaining beans by using the Start Grind function. Then add your new beans and choose the right grind size.

Important Note: Always turn off and unplug the machine before putting your hands inside the bean hopper.

Does the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Require Much Maintenance?

Compared to instant coffee, yes, but we’ve found maintenance to be quite manageable and easy. The main drip tray can fill up with water quickly, especially if you froth your milk each use. However, the water can just be poured into the sink once the orange indicator floats above the drip tray.

We found that all of the removable equipment usually needs to be cleaned around once a week with dish soap and water due to coffee stains. This is from making about two cups of coffee per day. The portafilter, funnel, and baskets we wash after each use, but this can just be combined with your usual washing-up routine.

The milk frothing wand will also need to be cleaned each time to prevent milk from becoming stuck internally. While some parts can be added to the dishwasher, we avoided doing so to ensure nothing became damaged or faulty.

How Do I Dispose of the Coffee Grounds?

While you can buy a dedicated basket to tap your grounds into, we just shake the portafilter directly into the bin. Aim to do this after making your coffee to avoid damage to the parts, but be careful as the metal can get quite hot.

You don’t need to use as much force as baristas in your coffee shops (who often make quite a racket). The grounds fall out quite easily but may require slight banging on the side of the bin/container. You can then wash the portafilter and basket.

What Cup Should I Use for My Coffee?

Generally, you should use a cup that is the right size for your drink. Otherwise, it’ll become cold quickly. Thinner materials will ensure a hotter brew, with double-walled insulated glass mugs retaining heat much longer than ceramic.