Rita says: Buy it
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Ninja Luxe Cafe Espresso Machine (ES601)
by Ninja
$599.00
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Rita's Full Review
I'll be honest with you — I've always been a bit intimidated by espresso machines. All those dials and tampers and milk jugs. But the Ninja Luxe Cafe practically holds your hand through the whole process, and the coffee it makes is genuinely lovely.
It grinds the beans for you with a built-in grinder that has 25 settings, then guides you on the screen — telling you whether to adjust finer or coarser next time. There's even a built-in scale so your dose is spot on every time. I was pulling proper espresso within three goes, no experience needed.
What I really like is the versatility. It does espresso, drip coffee, and even cold brew — that's three machines in one. The automatic milk frother is surprisingly good too. My cold pressed espresso over ice was a revelation.
My only gripe is the size — it takes up a fair bit of worktop, and at nearly $600 it's not cheap. But compared to the Breville machines that cost more and require more skill, this is brilliant value.
Perfect for anyone who wants cafe-quality coffee at home without the learning curve. Not for you if you're after third-wave specialty espresso — the Breville Oracle does that better.
What Rita liked
- Built-in grinder and scale mean consistently good espresso with virtually no learning curve
- Three machines in one — espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew from the same device
- The automatic milk frother makes decent cappuccinos without the faff of a steam wand
- Barista Assist guides you on-screen to improve each shot — like having a teacher built in
What could be better
- Takes up a lot of worktop space — measure first if your kitchen is compact
- Cold brew mode is disappointing — tastes nothing like proper slow-steeped cold brew
- At nearly $600 it's a big investment, even if it replaces multiple machines
Key Specifications
| 53mm portafilter; 15-bar pump pressure; stainless steel conical burr grinder with 25 settings | |
| Built-in precision scale; PID temperature control with 3 settings | |
| Brew modes | Espresso, Double Espresso, Drip Coffee, Cold Brew, Cold Pressed Espresso |
|---|---|
| Automatic milk frother with hot and cold foam; 67.6 fl oz water reservoir | |
| 1650W; bean hopper capacity 12 oz; includes tamper, dosing funnel, milk jug | |
| Dimensions | approx 14" W x 15" D x 17" H |