The first morning I set up the Ninja Luxe™ Café Premier, my kitchen instantly felt like a small café. This isn’t just another countertop coffee machine—it’s an all-in-one espresso, drip, and cold-brew system designed to replace multiple appliances. After two weeks of daily testing and dozens of drinks, here’s my full experience with this ambitious 3-in-1 brewer.
Ninja Luxe™ Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso, Drip Coffee & Cold Brew Maker Review
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2...
Key Features & Specs:
Before diving into the details of my testing, here are the highlights that caught my attention:
- Three brewing styles in one unit: true espresso (double or quad shot), classic or rich drip coffee (6 – 18 oz), and two types of cold brew—traditional or cold-pressed espresso.
- Barista Assist Technology: built-in grind recommendations, automatic temperature/pressure adjustments, and weight-based dosing for consistent results.
- Integrated conical burr grinder with 25 settings for precise grinding.
- Dual Froth System: hands-free frothing for hot or cold microfoam with four presets (steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, cold foam).
- Adjustable brew temperatures for dark or light roasts.
- Stainless-steel housing with built-in storage for accessories and a side holster for the tamper and funnel.
- Powerful 1650-watt heating element, 120 V operation, and a 4.4-lb capacity bean hopper.
Design & Build Quality
The Luxe Café Premier is a substantial piece of equipment—13 inches wide and nearly 15 inches tall—but it earns the space it occupies. The stainless-steel finish feels premium, and the Midnight Black accents give it a modern look that fits both classic and contemporary kitchens. Every component, from the portafilter to the milk jug, has a reassuring weight.
The control panel is thoughtfully laid out: a central dial for selecting espresso, drip, or cold brew, and backlit buttons for temperature, froth type, and shot size. I appreciated the built-in storage compartment that neatly hides cleaning tools and extra baskets. No loose accessories rolling around in a drawer—small detail, big win.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2...
Setup & Ease of Use
Unboxing took longer than I expected because the machine ships with a full barista kit—portafilter, tamper, funnel, cleaning discs, and even a hard-water test kit. Once rinsed and assembled, the guided on-screen prompts made first use straightforward.
The Barista Assist feature is a lifesaver. Instead of guessing grind size or dose, the machine recommends settings based on the drink. For example, when I selected a double espresso, it suggested a fine grind and automatically set the water temperature and pressure. Weight-based dosing means it measures grounds on the spot—no need for a separate scale.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2...
Espresso Performance
The first test was a standard double shot. With fresh beans and the assisted tamper, the puck was compact and perfectly level. Extraction took about 28 seconds, producing a thick crema that rivaled my local café. Over several days, I tried both dark and light roasts, adjusting the brew temperature with the dedicated button. Lower temps for dark roasts brought out smooth chocolate notes, while higher temps for light roasts highlighted bright citrus flavors.
Quad shots were equally consistent, and the machine never struggled with pressure. I especially liked the cold-pressed espresso mode, which uses lower temperature and pressure for a slow, mellow extraction—ideal for iced drinks or an espresso martini base.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2...
Drip Coffee & Cold Brew
Switching to drip coffee is as simple as turning the dial. The machine offers three strength settings: Classic, Rich, and Over Ice. A full 14-ounce carafe brewed in about six minutes with an aroma that filled the kitchen. The rich mode extracted deeper flavor without bitterness, and the over-ice setting brewed hot but concentrated coffee that held up well when poured over ice cubes.
Cold brew impressed me the most. Instead of the 12-hour steeping traditional cold brew requires, this machine creates a smooth concentrate in 10–15 minutes using its lower-temperature extraction. It’s not identical to overnight cold brew, but the flavor is shockingly close—perfect when I forget to prep ahead.
Frothing & Milk Texturing
The Dual Froth System deserves special mention. I simply placed the included milk jug under the frother, chose “thick froth,” and let it go. In less than a minute, I had silky microfoam ready for a latte. The cold-foam setting worked just as well for iced drinks. No need to angle a steam wand or guess at timing; the presets consistently delivered the texture I wanted.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2...
Cleaning & Maintenance
Daily cleanup is painless. The portafilter and baskets are dishwasher-safe, and the drip tray slides out easily. The grinder needs a quick brush after a few uses, and the included descaling powder makes periodic deep cleaning simple. Built-in storage keeps all the small parts organized, so nothing gets misplaced.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Brew without limits with no guesswork espresso, well-balanced drip coffee, and rapid cold brew. 2...
Pros:
- True three-in-one functionality—espresso, drip, and cold brew from one machine.
- Integrated burr grinder with 25 settings and weight-based dosing for accuracy.
- Hands-free milk frother with hot and cold presets.
- Customizable brew temperature for different roast profiles.
- Sturdy stainless-steel construction and convenient built-in storage.
Cons:
- Takes up significant counter space and is heavy to move.
- Initial setup is a bit involved due to the many accessories.
- Grinder is slightly louder than expected (typical for burr grinders).
- Price is higher than single-function machines, though justified by its versatility.
Concluding Remarks:
After two weeks of lattes, iced americanos, and late-night cold brew, the Ninja Luxe™ Café Premier proved itself as a true café replacement. Its combination of precision espresso, balanced drip coffee, and fast cold brew makes it stand out from the typical espresso machine or drip brewer.
If you’re looking for a single device to cover every coffee craving—from morning pour-overs to evening espresso martinis—this machine delivers café-quality results without the barista learning curve. It’s not the smallest or cheapest option, but its Barista Assist technology, integrated grinder, and flawless frother justify the investment.
For households where one person wants a double shot at dawn, another prefers a carafe of drip, and everyone craves iced drinks on a hot day, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier is a true all-rounder that lives up to its name.
