With over a decade of barista experience under my belt, I feel well-equipped when pouring myself the perfect cup of coffee in the morning. And even more equipped to pass judgment on any at-home machine promising to pour the perfect cup.
So, when given the chance to put the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine to the test, I couldn’t resist the opportunity. I grabbed my favourite coffee beans (St. ALI for those wondering) and put on my old barista hat to give you the most in-depth coffee machine review possible.
Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine review verdict
- Our rating: 8/10
- Why we rated it a 8/10: While this fancy piece of tech makes a good cup of coffee, get yourself acquainted with the instructions first to get the best result possible.
Pros
- The Barista Assist Technology
- Grind size recommendations with built-in scales & grinder
- Multiple coffee types available
- Fantastic in-built milk frother
- In-built accessory storage
Cons
- May be too automated for more proficient barista types
What’s so special about the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine is one of the few coffee machines on the market that offer the ability to go between espresso-based coffees and cold brews. Not to mention the intelligent Barista Assist Technology will have you feeling like a complete pro without having to go through countless early morning rushes. Ninja have truly thought of everything with this machine, even including a place to store your additional accessories. Aside from making a great cup of coffee, it’s those little touches that make a huge difference.
Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine materials and size
Colours: Stainless Steel, Midnight Black, Gunmetal or Cyberspace
Functionality: Espresso, cold brew, filter coffee
Dimensions: 32.9 W x 34 D x 37 H
Weight and wattage: 11.6kg, 1650W
What’s in the box: Ninja Luxe™ Café Premier Espresso Machine, Portafilter, Milk Jug with Integrated Whisk, Single/Double/Luxe Basket, Assisted Tamper, Funnel, Cleaning Brush with Steam Wand Cleaning Tool, Cleaning Disc/Tablets, Descaling Powder, Hard Water Testing Kit, Water Filter Insert/Housing, Instruction and Inspiration Guide
How to use the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine
Set up: Scan the QR code. Yes, this innovative machine comes equipped with not only a physical manual but also multiple QR codes to make the setup process a breeze. The set-up process includes aspects such as filling the water tank, setting up the filter, filling the grinder and becoming accustomed to the accessories.
Selecting your coffee: Whether you’re after an espresso, a long black or cold brew, this machine can do it all. Select your chosen beverage using the middle dial, and the recommended grind will adjust based on this.
Preparing your coffee: Once you’ve adjusted the grind size (as simple as rolling a wheel on the side of the machine) to match the recommended number, you’ll place your portafilter (with its mess-free funnel) into the grinder. Once the grinder has stopped, take your tamp and press down. Pro tip: Place the portafilter on your countertop with the spouts off the edge to get the best tamp. Remove the funnel, give it another little tamp, and you’re ready to brew.
Brewing your coffee: Place the portafilter into the group head (by aligning the orange dots and moving the handle from left to right) and put your cup underneath. Press the button labelled ‘start brew’ and your coffee will start to pour. This machine tells you how far along it is with five white lines on the display.
Frothing milk: If you like a milky coffee, once the espresso has poured, fill the milk jug to the line according to your chosen froth level (conveniently placed on the sides of the jug), place the ultra-streamlined steam wand in the jug and put it on the frothing spot. Select the level of froth (or even cold foam) you’re after and the machine does the rest.
Finishing touches: Pouring your frothed, perfect-temperature milk over your espresso is the final step of the process. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to enjoy your morning brew.
Results from our test
This is an above-average coffee machine that our rigorous, caffeine-fuelled testing found for the most part to take the heavy lifting out of your morning brew.
The built-in function that decides on what grind level you should have bases its predictions on the last coffee made, so you may need to tweak it between shots if you’ve noticed the pour not running to your liking.
What we did find to be incredibly helpful, especially from a non-barista standpoint, was that the machine gently prompts you on what to do next, from inserting the portafilter into the grinder to tamping it. If there is an issue, however, it is a little less gentle with the ‘error’ noise it makes. But at least you know what step is causing the machine grief before rectifying and moving on.
As someone who enjoys a milky coffee (and a fun beverage overall), both my usual cappuccino and a cold brew with cold foam (yes, you read that correctly) were on the cards. I do love to control the steam wand myself, which this machine doesn’t have the functionality for, so I handed over the reins and let the Ninja create a beautiful, micro foam for both my hot and my cold milks. Which really comes as no surprise, as the milk jug not only sits at the perfect height for the steam wand but is also fitted with an integrated whisk for perfect milk aeration.
Overall, is the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine worth it?
At a retail price of almost $800, this is definitely an investment in your daily cuppa. If you’re looking for a highly automated option that requires little barista prowess, then this machine is perfect. With an in-built function that tells you how to dial the grind in, and a frother that delivers fantastic frothy cappuccino, it takes the guesswork out of making the perfect cup of coffee.
Similarly, if you’re on the market for a machine that can do everything from espresso to cold brew, then the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine is the coffee machine for you and worth the bench space.
Where to buy the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine
Ninja, from $799.99 (usually $999.99)
Bing Lee, from $799
Kitchen Warehouse, from $799.95 (usually $999.99)
The Good Guys, from $799
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