Each morning, I wake up in anticipation of my first cup of coffee. As the day progresses, one cup turns into two, then I’m pushing three and four. The only problem with Ninja’s new espresso bean-to-cup coffee machine is that it’s so good I’ve been maxing my caffeine intake even further.
The appliance brand debuted the luxe cafe premier machine in 2024 – but the new luxe cafe mini is 30 per cent smaller, while boasting a similarly multifunctional design. Its compact size is a much more appealing choice for my tiny London flat.
As much as I love (read: am addicted to) coffee, I’ve never taken the plunge with a bean-to-cup machine, instead relying on cheap and cheerful cafetieres or fuss-free pod machines, which cater to my lazy tendencies. Good news, then, is that the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini is an absolute delight to use. In fact, it’s even quite mindful – providing a quiet couple of minutes to breathe during a busy work morning.
The two-in-one machine makes both espresso and filter coffee with no guesswork required. Automatic grind recommendations and brew monitoring make it just as easy to use as a pod machine – so it’s great for beginners.
Catering for every preference, the machine features a steam wand to turn milk into a foam for cappuccinos and lattes. Customisation is built-in with single and double shot espresso baskets, three strengths and three temperatures.
How I tested
Daisy Lester
Throughout my month at home with the Ninja coffee machine, I’ve assessed everything from ease of use and clean-up to flavour and versatility. Having consumed a lot of coffee, here’s everything you need to know about Ninja’s luxe caffe mini plus espresso machine – and whether it’s deserving of a spot on your kitchen counter.
Daisy Lester/The Standard
★★★★★
What we love: Easy to use once you’ve learnt the ropes; versatile for such a compact machine, with recommended grind adjustments that result in a wide range of barista-quality drinks, beyond just espressos.
Take note: It takes practice, can be fiddly at first, it’s expensive, you need to clean the portafilter after each use, and the water tank needs refilling regularly when making Americanos or long blacks.
Straight out of the box, it’s clear that the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini Plus is a very smart machine. Fitting snugly into a corner of my kitchen, it’s a shrunken version of the larger cafe luxe, boasting the same sleek stainless steel and black plastic design.
An LED screen shows the milk and filter coffee settings, and whether it’s switched to a single or double espresso shot, while buttons are clearly labelled and self-explanatory. The machine comes with a portafilter, single and double baskets, a funnel, an assisted tamper, and a milk jug.
If you’ve used or owned a bean-to-cup coffee machine before, you’ll be familiar with the functions – but beginners can scan a QR code in the manual for an easy-to-follow video. Slightly different methods are required when making a traditional espresso or a filter coffee, but hands-free presets create a seamless experience.
When making an espresso, you choose either the single or double basket – which the Luxe Pro recognises and adjusts the settings accordingly – and fit the portafilter in the grinder. The machine then detects the optimum grind size. After stamping the grounds, pressing ‘start brew’ delivers a steaming cup of Joe. You can just as easily make an Americano or a long black by adding hot water.
If you’re enjoying back-to-back black coffees or live in a busy household, you will find yourself refilling the 1.3l water tank quite regularly (it's 2l in the larger machine).
Making a filter coffee is just as effortless: simply dial the main dial to classic, rich or over ice. After some rope learning, it becomes second nature – and even becomes enjoyable. Less enjoyable is the cleaning of the portafilter, tamper and steam wand after each use (something you don’t have to do with a pod machine). But this is a small gripe considering the flavourful and rich coffee the machine produces.
Unsurprisingly, the coffee machine is currently sold out – but you can sign up for an email notification when it returns.
- Machine type: Bean-to-cup espresso machine
- Size: 26.01 cm x 30.91 cm x 34.11 cm
- Built-in grinder: Yes
- Milk system: Steam wand
- Water tank capacity: 1.3l
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
The Ninja luxe cafe mini plus espresso machine is a surprisingly easy way to make barista-quality brew at home. Once you’ve got to grips with the basics, the process of grinding, tamping, and even cleaning the portafilter becomes a mindful, methodical exercise that makes you feel like you’ve earned your cup of Joe. There’s no denying the machine is expensive, but Ninja’s Luxe Plus is the ideal appliance for beginners who appreciate a well-roasted coffee.
Thanks to presets and automation, the machine takes the guesswork out of making coffee– and rivals a pod machine for ease of use. Even if you don’t drink espresso, it makes a wide range of drinks, from americanos and long blacks to ice coffees, lattes and cappuccinos. My daily coffee intake might be up, but I’m enjoying every second of it.
Why trust us
Daisy has been reviewing lifestyle products for five years, from coffee machines and air fryers to fashion and books. Covering shopping on both The Independent and The Standard, everything she reviews is expert-tested with consideration of value for money, durability and performance.