The morning coffee ritual is often a crucial start to the day, with many valuing a robust and well-prepared brew.
Initially, I approached the Ninja Luxe Café Premier with some skepticism, anticipating it might be another standard coffee maker. However, these reservations quickly dissipated upon unboxing. The Ninja Luxe Café Premier presents itself as a substantial appliance, weighing almost 14 kilos, with a predominantly metal construction. Its solid, well-built feel suggests a premium experience for home users.
The machine immediately conveys a professional barista experience, elevating the home brewing environment. All components are meticulously packaged, and the comprehensive getting-started instructions are enhanced by convenient QR codes that link to concise, step-by-step instructional videos.
The system provides three distinct brewing styles, managed by interchangeable filter baskets: single, double, and luxe. These options allow for versatility in preparing various coffee-based beverages, from a straightforward espresso to more elaborate creations. A significant advantage is the Dual Froth system, designed for automatic frothing of both dairy and plant-based milks. It’s worth noting that during testing, oat milk became warm but did not froth, while conventional milk consistently achieved a frothy and creamy texture. This milk frothing capability facilitates the preparation of lattes, cappuccinos, and even iced coffees. The accompanying stainless steel pitcher also supports frothing cold milk, ideal for refreshing iced coffee drinks.
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier incorporates convenient side storage compartments, enabling organized containment of accessories such as filter baskets, the funnel, and tamper. During operation, the machine maintains a low noise level while grinding beans and brewing coffee, with the exception of an audible alert indicating readiness. Thoughtful design allows users to disable this notification.
This machine exhibits a robust and stable build quality, complemented by a stylish aesthetic that enhances kitchen decor. However, its substantial footprint and somewhat rectilinear design necessitate ample counter space. While the filter baskets and portafilter are metal, the funnel that attaches to the portafilter is constructed from plastic. A potential concern is the long-term durability of this plastic component, as repeated use could lead to cracking. Fortunately, Ninja provides spare parts should such an issue arise.
Following two weeks of extensive use, the machine’s various settings and functions became intuitive. It incorporates a smart barista system that precisely recommends the ideal grind size for beans, eliminating guesswork and guiding users with clear display recommendations. The resulting espresso consistently exhibits a creamy, balanced profile with the desirable classic crema. For optimal results, utilizing high-quality beans is advisable. My testing with Lavazza’s Crema e Gusto produced a remarkably rich and flavorful coffee.
It is infrequent for Senses to award a perfect score. While the Ninja Luxe Café Premier does not achieve the maximum star rating, it earns a commendable nine. Full marks would have been granted absent a few minor drawbacks, such as the drip tray’s tendency to overflow, suggesting more frequent emptying than typically advised. Additionally, the filter baskets prove quite difficult to remove from the portafilter, making basket changes a challenging endeavor.
Ninjakitchen sent review samples for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.
