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I'm a shopping pro and the Ninja Luxe Café is the best thing to happen to my morning coffee
I haven't bought a coffee since getting this clever gadget that makes espresso, coffee and cold brew at home.
As someone who would pop out to grab an iced coffee or a latte almost daily, my java addiction was costing me a good amount of money. I was never a fan of the taste of K-cups or bottled cold brew, and I found the bells and whistles of fancy espresso machines overwhelming. When Ninja offered to let me test out the new Ninja Luxe Café machine, I was initially intimidated. But once they explained to me just how easy it is to use, and the fact that it is essentially three machines in one that can make espresso, coffee and cold brew, I was ready to give it a test run.
The best part of waking up... is not having to think when I make my morning cappuccino!
Ninja Luxe Café: First impressions
When it arrived at my house, the size and the array of attachments made me think I'd made a mistake. This thing looked professional! I can't really function before I have my morning coffee, which is why I usually pay a coffee shop to make one. I was anxious about what I was in for. But, to my surprise (and joy), it took only about five minutes to set up. Not only that, the sleek design instantly elevated the look of my kitchen counter. This thing is gorgeous.
As for the attachments, each machine comes with a dizzying array of tools to make absolutely any type of coffee or espresso drink you can dream up. And — as a neat treat — it also comes with an inspiration guide. You get basically everything you could possibly need to set up a fully functioning coffee bar, aside from the actual beans. After skimming the manual, I was ready to try this thing out. I found it to be one of the most user-friendly kitchen appliances I’ve ever tried.
How I tested
To get started, I filled the water tank and added whole coffee beans to the top compartment. You don’t need to measure or weigh the beans — like magic, the machine’s built-in scale automatically grinds the perfect amount based on your drink selection. It even suggests a grind size, which you can adjust with a dial offering 25 settings.
Once the grinds were ready, I simply tamped them down in the selected filter and turned a dial to choose my preferred drink. You can opt between two espresso, three drip coffee and two cold brew styles. Each brew is selected with the turn of a button, and you can choose from a range of drink sizes spanning from 6 to 18 ounces.
The entire process, from start to finish, takes maybe three to five minutes, depending on what drink you choose. Most mornings I make an iced latte, so I just make some espresso, add ice and pour in milk. If I'm feeling fancy, I take the extra step and use the attached steam wand and frother cup and whip myself up some cold foam.
About that froth system: It's just as easy to use as the coffee-making portion. Choose between a variety of milk settings and then select from four presets: steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam. With a push of another button, you have a barista-level beverage — minus latte art.
Ninja Luxe Café Review: Final thoughts
Besides loving how foolproof and easy it is to use (even on mornings when I'm barely functioning), I'm honestly so impressed with how delicious every type of beverage I've made tastes. I feel like I'm a professional barista every morning, and haven't had coffee anywhere but home since I got the Ninja Luxe Café two months ago. It's actually turning out to be a money-saving device in the long run!
An organizational dream, it's helping me to streamline my appliances. I love that one gadget lets me make regular coffee, espresso and cold brew all in one — especially since I have a small kitchen and can use all the free space I can get. It has organized storage within the machine for all the accessories, so they're not hanging out in different drawers and stashes. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to clean: The bottom tray catches excess water and grounds, and it simply pops out for quick dumping and wiping.
At $500, it's definitely an investment but one that I wholeheartedly think is worth it. Not only do I use it daily to make my morning cup of joe, but it also helps me make nighttime espresso martinis and affogatos with ease. As one five-star reviewer put it, "We like it a latte" and I think you will too!
It's definitely an investment, but since I've stopped buying coffee every morning, it's on its way to paying for itself.
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