Features:

  • Specialty brew: brew super-rich Coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiato, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
  • Iced Coffee: brew fresh over ice for flavorful Iced Coffee that's never watered down
  • 6 brew sizes: brew anything from a single cup or travel size to a half carafe or a full carafe in your Coffee maker
  • Fold-away frother: turns hot or cold milk into silky-smooth froth
  • Sca certified home brewer
Excellent coffee machine

I'm a bit of a coffee machine addict. I keep trying different machines looking for the best solution I think I finally found it. This one provides very very easily the ability to brew one cup or a travel mug size or a half pot or a whole pot this pretty much thought of everything. There's a little frother armed it's easy to use and easy to clean. They even thought to include their own measuring spoon which attaches to the side so you won't lose it. Mine had a little piece of plastic broken off from the inside of the filter basketbut it didn't seem to be important and has definitely not impacted my ability to brew delicious coffee. I like the pull out arm for the filter so much!! what a clever idea that is. Plus the water container is a nice square easy to fill and carry or fill in place.

Throw away all your other machines, this does it all and does it better

I have ran through so many coffee machines in the last few years that I would consider myself somewhat as an expert these days. I have had 3 k-cup machines from the popular brand, and also a top of the line nespresso machine. I noticed this machine last year since a family member purchased it, but it didn’t interest me until now. I found myself going back to coffee shops because no matter what I could not get my k cups to taste like decent coffee, and vertuoline pods were expensive and tasteless. I used the quick start guide right off the bat and proceeded to brew my blueberry coffee. For the first time after using, I could actually taste the flavor at its best! The machine itself is aesthetically pleasing, and it does the job of brewing, frothing, and creating specialty espresso drinks with such ease and perfection. There are so many settings and accessories that are included in the compact design that you can make whatever coffee you want. I am actually upset I spent so much money on buying other little machines, frontera, capsules, etc when all along this machine includes everything you need. The price is not cheap but it honestly does the job of about 4 separate machines that cost be double what this costs. I feel like this machine is what I have been missing and has really increased the quality of my home brewing system. Everything is so easy to use and clean. I couldn’t be happier to throw out my old coffee machines that were big and bulky and replacing it with this machine as my everyday. Love love love it and I would recommend this 100 percent.

Fold away frother? Fold away mess!

I'll comment on two things I love and two things I don't love so much, things to consider when making this purchase. I had a Ninja coffee maker similar to this before and I switched it out for a Calaphon. Boy did I ever miss my Ninja! One of the things that I really love that I can't find on other machines is the dedicated cleaning cycle. Sure, other coffee machines simply instruct to make a mixture of 1:1 water/vinegar and run it through a couple times, but this machine has a button that specifically says "CLEANING." Not only that, but the cleaning/descaling process lasts 60 minutes, so I know it's getting a good wash out. My other Ninja had the choice of "deep clean" which lasted 4 hours but 60 minutes is plenty. Another thing I appreciate is the smaller footprint. Instead of low and squat, the carafe is tall and skinny so that the whole machine takes up less space. It's definitely smaller than the Calaphon and my old deluxe Keurig. Two things I don't love so much: Because the carafe is taller and skinnier, it's harder to clean. I cannot fit my hand inside it, so I have to get a separate bottle washer to fully clean inside and to the bottom. What I've been doing is putting a soapy dishrag inside the carafe, and then manipulating it with my scrub brush. Since the carafe is not a universal shape, it could have come with some kind of plastic and sponge carafe cleaner. Another thing: I love the frother but it makes a mess. I put 1/3 cup of almond milk with a couple packets of Truvia. The instructions say to place the frother just below the surface so that it aerates fluffy, but I found it works better if I just go up and down (all the way down, then all the way out). It makes for an attractive cup of coffee (if you have one of those clear mugs) but then the frother is left dripping! Don't even think of folding it away because you'll make a bigger mess (even though "fold away" is in the title of this machine. You have to clean it right away, or put a little something on the table to catch the drippings. Ninja could have put in a tiny plastic cup for that I think. Those are a few things to consider when making this purchase. Also, it could've just been me, but I thought the coffee was a bit more bitter than usual. I only drink Pilon and Bustelo because I'm not a big coffee drinker and those taste the best, but on the "classic" brew, the taste seemed harsher. I've tried it various times but I suppose I'll keep fooling with the measurements until I get the perfect cup.

Ninja does it again!

This coffee maker included simple instructions and was easy to use right out of the box. Love the size options for cup, travel mug, 1/2 carafe and full carafe. The frother is a great addition for the specialty coffee option. It also has an automatic warming plate to keep the carafe warm for a few hours. The additional option to brew over ice is a bonus for summer. The instruction book includes a few recipes and their website includes many more, both hot and iced. It’s very convenient that the recipes specify the proper measurement of coffee, depending on the size of the drink, using the scoop spoon included with the machine. The unit stores easily on the countertop, with the spoon snapping on the side and the frother folded to the back. Everything stays together so you don’t have to hunt thru drawers for parts to attach. The machine provides a message when additional water is needed for a brew, a signal when brewing is complete and a message when a de-scaling cycle is needed (a few simple steps included in the instructions). I would recommend this machine for anyone wanting to step up their at-home coffee berewing options.

Excellent Pot Ninja thank you.

I have had a Ninja coffee brewer previously, and we honestly were not happy with it especially since it cost so much money. However, this time I am happy to report that this machine is amazing. This is the Ninja Specialty fold away frother CM401 coffee maker. So, first thing I want to mention is that it is a large machine, and as someone else mentioned that mean space on your counter and a large foot print. I feel it is large but not excessively so, and if it makes great coffee and last years, then I am okay with the size. The second thing to mention is that the coffee I have made, in particular, the regular large classic flavor carafe I am drinking right now, id delicious coffee. The flavor is rich and very nice. I also use good coffee, so please note that. The pot is also versatile, and you can make really anything you want except in my opinion a good straight espresso. Though I have not tried that yet. You can do cold brew, latte, cappuccino, and just a cup or mug of coffee. You can also brew a half of a carafe and whole. You can do classic brew, rich, or cold. I love the options. There is also a coffee frother on the side which works so much better than those hand held ones, and I am going to ditch my hand held one after this.. It does not heat up your milk so note that and just microwave your milk a touch first. My coffee tastes great as is or with frothed milk. I also use the frother to make my milk for other drinks, such as tea lattes. The machine is easy to set up straight from the box, and I rinsed it with three water brews first. The plate lights up to indicate that it is hot, and the pot offers the option of keep warm or not. I do wish it had a timer on the keep warm function like my old pot, but that is just one complaint. My other complaint is that for as big as the entire machine is the carafe is small. It looks like maybe 8 cups total as opposed to the 10-12 cup pots I am used to, although please note the description states it is a 10 cup carafe. The final conclusion is that I love this pot. It also comes with a permanent filter, so no more buying throw away filters for me!

So Much Better than Ninja Coffee Bar

Yes. Yes yes yes. We had a version of this Ninja Coffee Bar that was about three years old. We have loved and used and abused that coffee maker since we got it. I was SO happy that we got to test out a new one! Firstly, this is big. Make sure you measure your cabinets before you purchase it if you want the coffee maker to actually fit under your cabinets (it doesn't fit under mine). Secondly it's a lot lighter than the last Ninja coffee bar. The coffee filter slips out very nicely and the water reservoir is far superior to the previous one as it doesn't leak and seals beautifully. I absolutely love that the coffee scoop hooks to the side of the coffee maker, keeping it out of the way and yet easily snagged. The selection dial has not only regular sized coffee cups but extra large ones as well. Overall this is a great addition to the Ninja collection of products and we're definitely putting it to good use!

Great for making specialty drinks

This is going to seem crazy but as a 27 year old this was my very first coffee maker ever. I guess I should start of by saying I absolutely can not stand coffee (standard coffee anyway) but I absolutely love frappes or any other blended drinks. The ninja coffee bar with frother has easily become one of my favorite machines, as a newbie the machine was very easy to learn to use and even includes a recipe book. Produces specialty shots that always taste great added to my favorite drinks. Includes a 2 sided scoop that tells you exactly how much coffee grounds to use per size cup you are making. I know I’m not anywhere close to using this machine to it’s full capacity, but it truly does do it all and any coffee drinker would be very happy to receive this ( standard coffee, iced coffee, lattes or frappe drinkers alike).

Wow!

Wow! This coffee maker does it all and really does make delicious coffee to your liking. I was impressed that despite all the bells and whistles it's very user-friendly and easy to clean. The attachments all come off easily for cleaning. The variations seem to work well too (coffee strength, milk frother, espresso/latte shot vs. pot of coffee, coffee timer etc.) - this thing does it all! And you won't believe how quiet it is. Great purchase for the coffee lover.

They seemed to get everything spot on in design, function and flexibility!

I think I've accumulated every type of coffee maker known to man, bordering on the need for a family intervention or a 10 step program. From a monster espresso machine from Italy, to pod devices, to numerous French presses, to touch screen automated brewers. So when I was offered one more machine to view and review, the photos looked intriguing enough to have a closer look. I know Ninja is a brand name that many people are enamored with especially for their Bullet Blender that makes shakes and smoothies so convenient, but strangely I've never purchased or used any of their products. Could they possibly have created a coffee maker that raises an eyebrow. I requested it to review but had limited expectations. I just finished running it through its paces and can say I am duly impressed. They seemed to really have thought of everything. I have always loved simplicity and for the design of anything to follow function. No matter your status, brewing for a family or a single cup, preferring a standard brew or full bodied, drinking it right away or keeping it warm up to 4 hours, as well as timing your brew to be made exactly the moment you're waking up. It's all thought of and included here. First, I am so over machines with pods. Yes, of course, they are convenient. But the cost per cup is much higher, and much more disconcerting, is that I read how many millions of those plastic pods are generated as trash every day and it is an astounding waste. This machine has a permanent brew filter or you can use paper filters if you are so inclined for some reason. There's a measuring tool that mounts to the side of the machine to remind you of the correct amount of grounds to add for the type of brew you prefer and the size of the batch. It comes with a carafe for a full pot brew, or you can fold down the small side stand to place a conventional cup there for a single cup brew. If you're on the go, place your travel cup under the spout and press the button for that quantity. The simple dial mechanism allows you to choose from 6 settings as to quantity. There are three buttons that designate the strength of the brew, allowing the coffee to be held in the grounds longer for a stronger brew. Want to set a timer so your coffee is ready when you wake up. It's a simple setup. No mechanical engineering degrees required or head scratching involved! You can fill the water tank either by flipping up the lid as it stands in place to add water, or the tank lifts out to take it over to the sink to fill it from your filter spout there if you prefer or for cleaning. Is that about it. Nope. They even thought of a frothing arm that swings out from the left side of the machine. Froth your milk before adding it to your brew. The wand comes off with a half turn to simply rinse it under the faucet for easy cleanup. I measured the temperature of the coffee brew and it's right around 175 degrees. The unit is plastic, but it all feels very sturdy and well constructed. Brewing a full pot but you can't wait and want that first cup pronto? You can flip a lever on the front and it stops the flow into the carafe. Pour your first cup, replace the carafe, flip the switch and the remainder of the brew will continue. Are there any negatives? Honestly, the only thing I could think of is that the unit is a little tall, though it should fit under any cabinets. Aesthetically, I think it has a very modern and efficient look to it, especially if you're brewing just one cup and the cup is sitting suspended on that fold down holder. Before your first use, you're instructed to run two full pots of hot water brewed without coffee in the filter initially to make certain it's clean and sterilized. I'll report back if i discover any issues going forward that didn't jump out initially. But I sincerely report that this is a machine that is not inexpensive since it doesn't do extra chores like grind your beans. But it's functionality, it's diversity, ability to brew a single cup, to adjust the brew strength and time the brew begins, to interrupt a carafe for an impatient cup as well as ease of cleaning and aesthetic look, Ninja created a highly desirable machine well worth your consideration.

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