Which Ninja Coffee Bar Is Better – A Guide For Coffee Lovers!

Which Ninja Coffee Bar is better is, by its very nature, a subjective question as it fully depends on what you, the user want and what kinds of coffee drinks you want to make. Which is better will vary amongst coffee drinkers and the cups of coffee they expect to be made with it.

Do you want one that makes an excellent espresso? Or lattes, or single serve capsules?

This is why we have decided to create this article detailing Ninja Coffee Bars with the aim of helping you to decide which is the better choice for you.

Pick the right one, and you will have a great coffee house experience in the comfort of your home without the need for an espresso maker, drip coffee machine, coffee grinder and milk frother and a whole range of coffee brewing equipment.

If you are in a big rush, our top two picks are the Ninja Dual Brew Pro Coffee Maker and the Ninja Hot And Cold Brew System.

This is just one benefit of Ninja coffee makers – you don’t have a lot of equipment cluttering up your kitchen.

Keep reading as we dig down and get on with this article.

Why Buy A Ninja Coffee Bar?

The biggest reason many coffee lovers choose to get a Ninja Coffee Maker is versatility. A Ninja coffee machine is a space saver and clears up clutter from your kitchen.

Read: Does The Ninja Coffee Bar make espresso

What’s So Special About Ninja?

In the whole world of the coffee realm, and your preferred brew type, an espresso, latte, cold brew, drip coffee it is fairly possible you might not have heard of this company. The company is focused on making well-built versatile tools that provide great value for money.

Their unique selling point seems to be versatility and are synonymous with all-in-one coffee machines.

You get a single machine that will brew 5 different ways:

• 1. Rich. 
• 2. Over ice. 
• 3. Classic.
• 4. Specialty. 
• 5. Cold Brew. 

What Can You Expect From Your Ninja Coffee Bar?

Let’s detail the brewing options that you get from Ninja Coffee Makers to give you a better idea of what you can expect from them.

• Classic: This is a regular cup of coffee. A simple, classic coffee.
• Rich: The strength is between the espresso option and classic and works well with milk-based coffee drinks.
• Cold Brew: This is on the newer models only. This is not exactly a cold brew that you would make yourself and with a 16-hour brew cycle. It brews your cup of coffee slower and at a lower temperature for a smoother tasting Cup of Joe. Cold Brew fans will notice a much better cup of cold had they made it without a Ninja machine.
• Iced: This is a genius idea and permits you to brew your coffee over ice. The machine compensates for the fact that your cup or carafe will contain ice and will not overflow.
• Café Forte: An option only on Ninja Coffee Bar machines. This is where it will produce a short, focused and concentrated hot coffee that is close to but not quite an espresso.
• Specialty: A strong shot of coffee that is similar to an espresso and can be used to make a latte, flat white, cappuccino or any milk based coffee drink.

The Café Forte – literally meaning strong coffee – is only on the Ninja Coffee Bar, which is slowly being sunset. The Rich and Specialty coffee produces a good strong coffee that will hit the spot.

The cold coffee settings are very well-thought-out as they will produce a complex but simple cold brew and a very good iced coffee and produce a good cold beverage that will suit you well during a hot day.

On top of these options, there is the Auto IQ One Touch feature which measures your water and eliminates a lot of guess work and produces a coffee that has the ideal coffee to water ratio, which ensures that you have a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.

The Coffee Warmer Plate

A thermal warmer plate to keep your coffee hot is a well-thought-out idea that is fully programmable by both time and temperature. Be aware that as your coffee sits on the hot plate it stews and can become overtly bitter. The advanced technology allows you to program in a set temperature and keep it warm at a preset temperature and for a specific time can prevent that from happening.

Make good use of the warmer plate if you are making a full carafe. You can also opt for buying a thermal carafe if you wish to keep your coffee warm for an extended period of time without using the warmer plate and stewing your coffee.

Variable Brew Strength

The ability to change the brew strength at the touch of a button is a feature that many Ninja coffee makers love and appreciate. The standard settings on all models are Rich Brew and Classic Brew, which we spoke about earlier.

Their Specialty Coffee maker has two additional settings, Over Ice and Specialty. The latter provides you with 4 ounces (120 ml) of strong concentrated coffee that is similar to a double lungo, a double long espresso that is broadly similar but not the same as a shot of espresso. It is brewed without the 9 bar of pressure required.

Despite not quite being an espresso, it is more than good enough for brewing the various espresso-based milk drinks.

The cold brew system that is built into the Ninja machines and the cold brew setting is a great addition for those that are not patient enough to wait a full 16 hours to brew a proper cold brew. It’s a good and well-thought-out idea, but as one that loves a cold brew it is a good quality cold brew but is missing that certain something.

Variable Brew Size

Variable brew sizes is a good feature that you will see on all Ninja coffee makers. This is something that I particularly liked as I enjoy a good large sized cup of coffee.

The great benefit is having a coffee that tastes the same for every single cup of coffee, regardless of the size or how many cups of coffee you are brewing.

This ensures you will not suffer a weak, watery cup of coffee nor an overtly strong cup of coffee. The Ninja Coffee Brewer Model has a small batch function which is for 1 to 4 cups of coffee.

Their Specialty hot and cold coffee machines have options and settings for you to determine the precise quantity of water that you want it to use, ranging from 4 ounces (120 ml) to 18 ounces (540 ml). Most models have the option to brew a full or half carafe also.

Thermal Flavor Extraction

This is what many coffee enthusiasts and coffee lovers consider to be the very heart of their functions and why they brew great coffee.

At the very start, there is a shower head that delivers an even flow of water from the water reservoir to the drip basket that is full of coffee. The even distribution and saturation of the water ensures you will get a good flavor extraction from your coffee grounds.

The brilliantly thought out thermal flavor extraction takes bloom time into consideration. This is the process that many coffee brewers (literally all!) miss out. It is wetting of the grounds and letting them sit for 20 to 30 seconds to degas and bloom.

If you skip this, with any brewing method, you will not get the most out of your coffee grounds. The Thermal Flavor Extraction also takes into consideration the coffee water temperature when brewing and ensures that your coffee is brewed at the ideal temperature of 195F to 205F (92C to 96C).

The machine is set up to brew the perfect cup of coffee with as little input as possible from the user.

Permanent Coffee Filter

All Ninja Coffee Makers come with a permanent coffee filter, often referred to as the brew basket. It is a stainless steel mesh that acts as a screen for your coffee grounds and permits the hot water to pass yet prevents the grounds from falling into your coffee below.

Notable is this type of filter produces the best tasting cup of coffee as it does not block any of the coffee oils from getting into your coffee.

Completely optional is the use of a paper filter or cotton cloth filter. The use of a filter does alter the taste of the resulting coffee.

A paper filter results in a crisp, clean taste.

Every time you change your coffee grounds, clean your brew basket properly to prevent flavor cross-contamination. This can spoil your coffee and older grounds can get sticky and spoil your fresh batch. To brew perfect coffee, you need the perfect brew conditions. And that means cleaning out your coffee filter and machine regularly.

Milk Frother

Ninja coffee makers come with a built-in milk frother that folds away. The frother is a great addition and is what will get you making exceptional lattes, flat whites and all sorts of milk-based coffee drinks.

Delay Brew

This is an awesome feature that allows you to set up your coffee machine before you go to sleep and have a perfect cup of coffee waiting for you when you wake up. Do a dummy run first to ensure it works and get you coffee ready on demand.

Drip Stop

All Ninja coffee machines have a drip stop. The drip stop facility allows the user to pour their coffee before the carafe has finished. On the Hot and Cold Brewers you can stop the drip manually.

Things To Consider When Buying A Coffee Machine

It can be tempting to jump in and buy a coffee machine (of any brand and type), especially when it is well-designed, makes great coffee and has a lot of bells and whistles. You need to think about a few things.

This is what I will detail in this section.

Kitchen Counter Considerations – Do You Have The Space?

Some coffee machines are bigger than you expect them to be and need a number of accessories that are not included, such as a coffee grinder, milk steamers and so on. These can add to clutter and not look so good and, take up too much space.

Also, storing such items like a grinder in a cupboard can be a drag to take it out, set them up every time. Also, certain coffee machines can be pretty big and take up a lot of space. Measure out the amount of space that you need before you buy it.

Measure in all dimensions, as the Ninja coffee makers are notably taller than regular drip coffee makers and home espresso machines that you have seen. They are bigger than the average coffee maker by 20% to 25% on average.

How Much Coffee Do I Actually Drink?

Do you drink a lot of coffee? Or are you just a once cup per day kind of person?

If you are just making a cup in the mornings, then a Hot And Cold Brewer or Specialty machine is better for you. With both of these machines, all you will need to do is keep your water reservoir full.

Selecting the size of cup that you want to brew, and your machine will deliver it. If you drink a lot of coffee, and you need a carafe of coffee, then a more simple Ninja Coffee Brewer will fit your needs.

What About Lattes and Mochas?

You need to think about what kind of coffee you need to make and what you will likely be brewing. If, like myself, you love lattes and mochas and cappuccinos, you would be best looking at a machine with a Specialty brew selection.

These don’t produce the espresso shot that you need, but it gives you a great resemblance that is close to what a true espresso machine will produce.

Single Cups Without The Need For Pods

You can make single cups of coffee without the need for coffee pods. Coffee pods and capsules are damaging to the environment. Just your fresh grounds and your mug is all that is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Which Ninja Coffee Bar Is Better

Which Is Better Classic Or Rich Ninja Coffee Maker?

Which is better for you will depend on your coffee preference and how you like your coffee. Rich brew delivers a coffee with a more intense and bolder flavor, a great choice if you prefer a strong tasting coffee. Classic brew is more rounded and balanced smooth coffee. If you prefer classic coffee, this is the better choice for you.

What Is The Difference Between Ninja CFP301 And CFP307?

The main difference between these two hot and cold brewed system is the type of carafe and the warming plate. The CFP307 has a thermal carafe that does not need a hot plate to keep your coffee hot. The CFP301 has a glass carafe and needs the use of a hot plate to keep your coffee hot.

What Is The Difference Between Ninja CFP301 and CP305?

The difference between these two Ninja coffee makers is minor. The CFP301 comes with a glass carafe and is designed with a hot plate to keep your coffee hot. The CP305 comes with a stainless steel carafe and no hot plate.

What Is The Average Life Of A Ninja Coffee Bar?

Ninja coffee makers if you maintain them well and assume an average use of 3 cups of coffee per day for a family of 4 will last you up to 2 years. If you don’t take good care of it it will last approximately one year. The most common errors are problems with the water reservoir, brewing cycle and pump.

What Are The Different Styles Of Ninja Brew?

You have three different brew styles to choose from:

•  Rich.
• Over Ice.
• Classic.

Rich produces a more intense and vibrant coffee. The classic brews a hot classic and balanced cup of coffee and over ice for great iced coffee.

Can I Leave My Ninja Coffee Bar On?

Yes, you can leave your Ninja coffee bar on. If you leave it on, it will remain pre-heated for 72 hours or until you turn your Ninja Coffee Bar off.

Does Ninja Coffee Maker Use Nespresso Pods?

Yes, the Ninja coffee maker CFN601 uses Nespresso capsules.

Why Are Ninja Coffee Makers So Good?

Ninja is a great brand in electro domestic appliances and spends a lot of money on their research and development for products. Their machines are well-designed for both brewing coffee and keeping coffee hot for 12 hours, which is more than long enough for coffee lovers.

Frappé-Ing It All Up – Which Ninja Coffee Bar Is Better

Ninja Dual Brew Pro Coffee Maker Ninja Hot And Cold Brew System. These two will fill the needs of the majority of coffee lovers and the Ninja coffee bars are better suited for 80% to 85% of coffee drinkers.

Both machines give you varied options and will make you the coffee drinks that you need to make and fit your needs perfectly.

Give special consideration to which Ninja Coffee Bar is better for you before you part with your money.

Join our cool coffee community and feel free to discuss the topic with other coffee lovers that may have purchased a Ninja Coffee Bar and have chat with them, get their thoughts. Find us on Facebook/Meta.

Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location