Ninja Luxe Café Review
A research-based Ninja Luxe Café Premier review: specs from Ninja, owner feedback, strengths, weak points, and who should skip this 3-in-1 espresso.
By Gary Gray
Updated October 21, 2026
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series (model ES601) is a 3-in-1 machine that brews espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew from whole beans. It combines a conical burr grinder, a built-in scale for weight-based dosing, an assisted tamper, and a hands-free frothing system, and Ninja’s Barista Assist Technology recommends the grind size and adjusts brewing for each drink.
It suits a beginner who wants lattes, espresso, and regular coffee from one guided machine, with less trial and error than a traditional espresso setup. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants to fine-tune every variable, add aftermarket parts, or keep a small machine on the counter.
This review draws on Ninja’s published product information on the SharkNinja site, the Amazon product listing, and Amazon owner reviews. Where the two sources differ, we follow the manufacturer.
Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso & Drip
Ninja Luxe Café Premier Key Specs
| Spec | Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series (ES601) |
|---|---|
| Drink types | Espresso (double or quad shot), drip coffee (classic, rich, or over ice), cold brew (cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee) |
| Drip and cold brew sizes | 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 oz |
| Grinder | Conical burr, 25 grind settings, with grind size recommendations |
| Dosing | Weight-based, built-in scale |
| Tamping | Assisted tamper |
| Milk | Dual Froth System (steam wand plus whisk), 4 hands-free presets: steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, cold foam |
| Water reservoir | 70 oz, removable |
| Power | 1650 watts, 120 volts |
| Dimensions (D x W x H) | 12.99 x 13.39 x 14.57 in |
| Weight | 31.6 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
| In the box | Portafilter, double basket, Luxe basket, assisted tamper, milk jug, funnel, cleaning brush, cleaning disc, cleaning tablets, descaling powder, water hardness check kit |
The Amazon listing labels the operation mode as fully automatic. In practice the ES601 still uses a portafilter that you lock in by hand, so it sits between a semi-automatic and a super-automatic machine.
What We Like
- Three machines in one footprint. Espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew come from the same unit, a point several owners mention as the reason they chose it over buying separate machines.
- Guided espresso. Grind size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and the assisted tamper take much of the guesswork out of pulling a shot. Owners who were new to espresso describe making good drinks after a short learning period.
- Hands-free milk. The Dual Froth System combines steaming and a whisk, with 4 presets including cold foam, and works with dairy or plant-based milks. Owners frequently single out the frother for praise.
- Grinder range for drip and espresso. The 25 grind settings cover both fine espresso and coarser drip coffee.
- Large water reservoir. The 70 oz removable reservoir means fewer refills on busy mornings.
- Steam wand purges itself. The listing says the steam wand purges automatically after every use, which cuts down on cleanup.
What Could Be Better
- Still a learning curve. Owners who love it still say it takes a few days to dial in a preferred drink, and that you need to keep up with cleaning. It is simpler than a traditional espresso machine, not as simple as a pod brewer.
- Portafilter takes some strength. One owner notes that locking and removing the portafilter needs some hand and arm strength, which matters for anyone with limited grip.
- Not built for tinkering. An owner who also uses a Breville espresso machine says it works best as designed, does not leave clearance for most puck screens, and has a small drip tray that needs frequent emptying.
- No dedicated hot water spout. The same owner finds it harder to use as a hot water source for tea, and rates the regular drip coffee below the espresso drinks.
- Grinder cleaning is a chore. One owner mentions having to vacuum out the burr grinder during cleaning.
- Large and heavy. At 31.6 lb and 14.57 inches tall, it needs a dedicated spot under the cabinets.
- Mixed reliability signals. Most ratings are five stars, but a noticeable share are one star. The warranty is 1 year.
How It Compares
Ninja Luxe Café Pro Series. Ninja’s step up adds an independent hot water system to the espresso, drip, and cold brew functions. Choose it if you also want hot water for tea or Americanos on demand.
Ninja Luxe Café Mini. A smaller model in the same family for buyers who want guided espresso and drip coffee in less counter space. It appears in our best espresso machines for beginners.
Breville Barista Express. A traditional semi-automatic with a built-in grinder and a manual steam wand. It gives you more direct control of grinding, tamping, and milk texture, but no drip coffee, no cold brew, and no hands-free frothing. Compare both types in our best espresso machines with grinder.
If you mainly want regular coffee with an occasional espresso drink, our best coffee and espresso makers covers more combination machines.
Who Should Skip the Ninja Luxe Café
- Espresso hobbyists who want to adjust pressure profiles, add puck screens, or swap in aftermarket parts. A traditional machine from our best semi-automatic espresso machines is a better base.
- Anyone who wants push-button drinks with no portafilter at all. A super-automatic machine grinds, doses, and brews internally; see our best super automatic espresso machines.
- Kitchens with little counter space or low upper cabinets.
- Tea drinkers who need a hot water spout on the same machine.
Why You Should Trust Us
We do not conduct our own product trials. Our picks draw on published specifications, independent reviews, and Amazon owner ratings.
The CML Score is calculated with the published method on our How We Review page.
Affiliate commissions do not affect our rankings or scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ninja Luxe Café an espresso machine or a coffee maker?
Both. The Premier Series (ES601) brews espresso with a portafilter and also makes drip coffee and cold brew, all from whole beans ground by the built-in grinder.
Can the Ninja Luxe Café froth plant-based milk?
Yes. Ninja says the frothing system makes hot or cold microfoam from dairy or plant-based milks, with 4 hands-free presets.
How many grind settings does it have?
The conical burr grinder has 25 grind settings, and Barista Assist Technology recommends a grind size for the drink you choose.
What sizes can it brew?
Espresso comes as a double or quad shot. Drip coffee and cold brew are available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 oz sizes, according to the listing.
What is the difference between the Premier and the Pro?
Ninja describes the Premier as 3-in-1 (espresso, drip coffee, cold brew) and the Pro as 4-in-1, adding an independent hot water system.
Final Thoughts
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier Series takes much of the guesswork out of home espresso and adds drip coffee, cold brew, and hands-free milk in one machine. It rewards buyers who want guided lattes and coffee rather than full manual control. Hobbyists who like to tinker, and kitchens short on space, should look at a traditional semi-automatic or a smaller machine.
For more options, browse our espresso machines coverage or, if milk drinks are your priority, see our best latte machines.
About the author
Covers home espresso machines, from capsule models to semi-automatic setups, for CoffeeMakerLab.