The 30-Second Verdict: The Ninja LUXE Café Premier is the best espresso machine of 2026 for people who want café-quality lattes without the “hobbyist” learning curve. Its Barista Assist accurately predicts grind sizes, and its Cold Press mode is a game-changer for iced coffee lovers. While the small drip tray and manual tamping are minor hurdles, it outperforms the Breville Barista Express in ease of use and versatility.
Table of Contents
- Key Features
- Barista Assist & Grind Accuracy
- Cold Press, Cold Brew & Over Ice
- Ninja LUXE vs Breville Barista Express
- Real-World Friction Points
- Pros & Cons
- FAQ – People Also Ask
Key Features
- Barista Assist technology recommends grind size per bean type
- Cold Press Espresso, Cold Brew, and Over Ice extraction modes
- Automated milk frother producing microfoam
- Assisted Manual Tamper for even puck compression
- Multiple drink modes: espresso, latte, cappuccino, iced drinks
- Compact footprint with removable drip tray
- 3 MACHINES IN 1 – Brew without limits with no guesswork, well-balanced drip coffee and...
- BARISTA Assist Technology - Unlock the ultimate guided experience with custom grind size...
- BUILT-IN GRINDER - The conical grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh and...
- Weight Based Dosing: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our integrated...
- HANDS-FREE FRUIT - Whether using dairy or vegetable milk, creating hot or cold microfoam,...
Barista Assist & Grind Accuracy
The Barista Assist feature guides you to the optimal grind per bean type. During testing:
- Dark roast: Grind 8 → shot pulled in 25–30 seconds
- Light roast: Grind 12 → shot pulled in 25–30 seconds
This guidance is accurate and reduces wasted beans, making it perfect for beginners who don’t want to manually dial in grind size.
Cold Press, Cold Brew & Over Ice
The ES601 handles three distinct cold coffee methods:
- Cold Press Espresso: High-pressure, low-temperature espresso for drinks like Espresso Martinis.
- Cold Brew: Slow, low-pressure extraction (10–15 minutes).
- Over Ice: Standard hot coffee brewed at higher concentration for iced drinks.
During testing, the Cold Press Espresso produced smooth, low-acid shots, while the frother made consistent microfoam for oat, soy, and dairy milk. Latte art was possible immediately after frothing.
Ninja LUXE vs Breville Barista Express
| Feature | Ninja LUXE Café Premier (ES601) | Breville Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Level | Fully automated; Barista Assist guides grind & brew | Semi-automatic; manual grind, tamp, and shot control |
| Cold Coffee Modes | Cold Press Espresso, Cold Brew, Over Ice | None; standard hot espresso shots only |
| Grinder Tech | Weight-based (grams) | Time-based (seconds) |
| Tamper Style | Assisted Manual (lever-free) | Traditional handheld |
| Barista Guidance | Barista Assist (digital screen) | Analog pressure gauge |
| Steam Quality / Frother | Automated microfoam; works with dairy & plant milk | Manual steam wand; requires skill |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly; just press and go | Learning curve; ideal for hobbyists |
| Drip Tray Capacity | Small but manageable; frequent emptying | Standard; slightly larger |
- 3 MACHINES IN 1 – Brew without limits with no guesswork, well-balanced drip coffee and...
- BARISTA Assist Technology - Unlock the ultimate guided experience with custom grind size...
- BUILT-IN GRINDER - The conical grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh and...
- Weight Based Dosing: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our integrated...
- HANDS-FREE FRUIT - Whether using dairy or vegetable milk, creating hot or cold microfoam,...
Real-World Friction Points
- Small drip tray; must empty regularly
- Assisted manual tamping requires a hand press
- Frother can overheat if used consecutively without pause
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Barista Assist is accurate and beginner-friendly
- Cold Press mode creates smooth, low-acid iced espresso
- Microfoam works on multiple milk types
- Assisted Tamper ensures consistent puck without guesswork
- Compact and beginner-friendly design
Cons
- Drip tray is small
- Requires manual tamping (not fully automatic)
- Frother can overheat if used repeatedly
- 3 MACHINES IN 1 – Brew without limits with no guesswork, well-balanced drip coffee and...
- BARISTA Assist Technology - Unlock the ultimate guided experience with custom grind size...
- BUILT-IN GRINDER - The conical grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh and...
- Weight Based Dosing: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our integrated...
- HANDS-FREE FRUIT - Whether using dairy or vegetable milk, creating hot or cold microfoam,...
FAQ – People Also Ask
Can the Ninja LUXE make regular coffee?
Yes, it has a “Brew” mode for standard coffee in addition to espresso drinks.
How often do you have to descale it?
The “Clean” light appears every 2–3 months depending on usage; follow the included descaling instructions.
Does it come with a tamper?
Yes, it includes an Assisted Tamper. You place it into the dosing funnel and press down manually. It ensures an even, level puck without the guesswork of a traditional handheld tamper.
Is it beginner-friendly?
Yes. Barista Assist, automated frother, and assisted tamping make it easy to achieve café-quality drinks.
Can it make iced lattes?
Yes. Cold Press Espresso, Cold Brew, and Over Ice modes allow you to make a variety of cold drinks.
Final Verdict
The Ninja LUXE Café Premier (ES601) is ideal for beginners and coffee lovers who want high-quality espresso without a steep learning curve. Assisted manual tamping and the small drip tray are minor inconveniences, but the Barista Assist and Cold Press modes make it a versatile and convenient choice. For iced espresso drinks, the ES601 outperforms the Breville Barista Express in ease of use and speed.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1 – Brew without limits with no guesswork, well-balanced drip coffee and...
- BARISTA Assist Technology - Unlock the ultimate guided experience with custom grind size...
- BUILT-IN GRINDER - The conical grinder has 25 grind settings to deliver a fresh and...
- Weight Based Dosing: Different drinks require different amounts of grounds. Our integrated...
- HANDS-FREE FRUIT - Whether using dairy or vegetable milk, creating hot or cold microfoam,...
