Ninja Luxe Café review: is this the most versatile coffee machine ever?

SharkNinja was the talk of the town during IFA 2024, unveiling an impressive lineup of 20 innovative products in a single day. However, it was its first-ever coffee machine that really stole the show, so much so that the preorder waitlist was cut off within minutes.

Initially launched in the US, the Luxe Café combines three popular coffee methods – espresso, filter coffee and cold brew – into one versatile machine. After finally getting my hands on one, I've spent the last few weeks testing it out to see if it lives up to the hype.

Keep reading to find out if Ninja’s bold move into the coffee market has paid off, and if the Luxe Café meets expectations for quality and performance.

Ninja Luxe Café review: price and availability

The Ninja Luxe Café is priced at £549.99 in the UK, and can be purchased from Currys, Argos and John Lewis. It is available at Ninja's online store, but it's often out of stock, so you're better off going to a third-party retailer.

It's also available in the US for $499.99, priced lower because it was released there earlier in 2024. The UK model has a few differences in terms of features, but we'll get onto those in a little while.

Ninja Luxe Café review: unboxing and set up

There's no running away from the fact the Ninja Luxe Café is a luxurious experience. Upon opening, you're greeted with a well-organised starter kit that includes all the essentials: a portafilter with two baskets, a weighted tamper, frothing jug and a funnel. These items are clearly labeled, and there's a helpful guide that includes a QR code for instructional videos.

I would recommend putting aside an hour or so to set up the machine, especially as a lot of the tasks are quite fiddly. It's also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the different components, as I ended up putting a few pieces in the wrong places. That said, the instruction guide is clear, and my mix-ups were more a result of my un-caffeinated brain than anything else.

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The Ninja Luxe Café box also includes cleaning tablets and water test strips, allowing you to calibrate the machine’s water hardness settings. This is particularly useful for those, like myself, who live in areas with hard water. Adjusting the settings ensures you get the best possible flavour and performance from the machine, whilst also helping to prevent mineral build-up over time​

Ninja Luxe Café review: design and features

Design wise, the Ninja Luxe Café has a modern, stainless steel exterior that not only looks premium, but is also extremely durable. This look is reminiscent of high-end machines like the Sage Barista Touch and De'Longhi La Specialista Opera, which share a similar sophisticated aesthetic despite being almost twice the price.

Its dimensions are substantial, so it might require some counter space, but a lot of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines do. It’s designed to be user-friendly with a front-facing, digital display, and the interface includes clear buttons for selecting between espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew, along with settings for grind size, brew strength and more​. The milk frothing station is also placed to the right of the machine.

The hot water button is a convenient addition, perfect for diluting your coffee or brewing a cup of tea. However, this feature is exclusive to the UK version of the Luxe Café and isn’t available on the US model. There are three temperatures to choose from, and it delivers about 200ml of water, but this can be stopped before it reaches capacity.

One great design feature is the built-in storage for all the machine's accessories. On the right side, there's a swing-out compartment perfect for stowing the filter basket and cleaning tools, and the left side has designated spots to store the tamper and funnel. Whilst I have limited counter space and prefer to keep the components on top of the machine, I still think it's really useful addition.

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The Ninja Luxe Café stands out for its impressive all-in-one functionality, which is a huge amount of ground for Ninja to cover for its first bean-to-cup machine. That said, it's ideal for anyone looking for a machine that does it all.

A standout feature is its Barista Assist Technology, which allows users to fully customise their brew settings. With grind-size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and automatic adjustments for temperature and pressure, it simplifies the process of creating café-quality drinks at home. You activate this feature during the set up process, but once it's sorted, there isn't a lot more you have to do. The grinder even recognises which basket you’re using and auto adjusts the settings so you don’t have to – it's all pretty impressive!

The Automated Dual Froth System is also great, and I love that it's hands-free. There are multiple preset options for both hot and cold foam, and different milk types. You need to give the steam wand a quick wipe after use, but there's an integrated auto purge setting that cleans the inside for you, preventing build-up and residue.

I've listed all the beverage choices below, and you'll also find my TikTok if you'd like a closer look at the machine itself:

3 espresso styles: espresso (1 shot), americano (exclusive to the UK) and cold pressed espresso

4 coffee styles: classic, rich, over ice and cold brew

7 drink sizes: 175ml, 235ml, 295ml, 355ml, 415ml, 475ml and 530ml

4 froth presets: steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold froth

@t3dotcom

♬ original sound - T3

Ninja Luxe Café review: performance

I'm more than impressed with the Ninja Luxe Café, and can't quite believe its quality for the price. The sheer variety of drinks it can create – and the different methods it uses – makes it an exceptional choice for coffee enthusiasts. Whilst the initial setup can be a bit fiddly, once it's done, the machine operates seamlessly.

However, before I get into the good stuff, there is one small drawback worth mentioning. The funnel (pictured below) is required to fasten on the portafilter every time you want to grind your coffee. This isn’t a standard feature on all machines, and I found myself forgetting about it occasionally due to the sheer amount I've tested. However, I’m sharing this with you now so you can be aware of it before purchasing, ensuring it won’t become an inconvenience.

Apart from brewing a lovely crema, one of my favourite things about the machine is the integrated milk frother. Unlike many alternatives that offer only a single frothing setting, the Luxe Café provides customisable options, allowing you to select between dairy or plant based milk and four different froth types – all with the simple press of a button.

I also loved its hands-free functionality, meaning you can start the frothing process, step away, and let the machine handle the rest. This gave me time to empty the used grounds from the portafilter and dispose of them, which was great in terms of clean up. The frothing jug itself is also thoughtfully designed, with clear measurements on the side so you can pour the exact amount of milk needed for each drink.

I may not be a complete pro when it comes to latte art, but I was over the moon with each beverage I made with the machine. The freezing mornings haven't resulted in too many iced drinks, but I have tried the cold froth setting a few times, which has been delightful.

Every hot drink I’ve made has been consistently perfect, with the smoothness of the brew standing out as a highlight. The milk also froths to the ideal temperature every single time, which is a detail that many machines often struggle to get right.

Ninja Luxe Café review: verdict

The Ninja Luxe Café's 3-in-1 functionality makes it a great choice if you're looking for a coffee machine that does it all. It has a range of innovative features that design details that make it incredibly high-quality, including its Barista Assist Technology and integrated hands-free milk frother. It's also extremely easy to use after set up, especially as it boasts a variety of automatic maintenance details. Downsides include a fiddly initial setup and the need for a portafilter funnel during grinding, but for its affordable price point, you can't really do any better.

Ninja Luxe Café review: alternatives to consider

The top alternative has to be the Sage Barista Impress, which combines a similar high-end aesthetic with advanced features like Auto MilQ settings, an intuitive touchscreen and a powerful grinder. Whilst it's nearly double the price, it offers an elevated quality and user experience that may appeal to those willing to invest more for professional-level results.

If you're looking for something in a similar price range as the Luxe Café, consider the Breville Barista Max+. This machine offers adjustable grinding intensity, convenient one or two cup options and an efficient steam wand for milk frothing. However, whilst it delivers excellent functionality, it lacks the upscale finish that the Ninja Luxe Café replicates so well.