Ninja has just announced an updated version of its brilliant Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier coffee machine, with the Luxe Cafe Pro model.
Considering we gave last year’s Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier a perfect five-star rating, and hailed it as the best coffee machine, what’s really different with the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro? As the two look visually similar, is there really enough of a difference to warrant an upgrade?
To help you decide, we’ve noted what’s new with the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro below. Keep reading to see how Ninja’s coffee machines compare.
Pricing and Availability
The Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro has an RRP of £699.99, making it considerably more expensive than the Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier which will set you back £549.99.
As the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro was launched with minimal fanfare from the brand, it isn’t clear when the machine will be available to buy, as, at the time of writing, it’s listed as out of stock on Ninja’s official website.
Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro has more espresso settings
Although the Ninja Luxe Cafe does boast a generous 15 drink settings, the Luxe Cafe Pro undoubtedly takes the lead with nearly double that. With 29 drink settings, made up of a whopping 13 espresso styles, four coffees and seven drink sizes, the Luxe Cafe Pro offers more versatility.
The espresso styles on offer with the Pro model include:
- Single, double or quad espresso
- Single, double or quad ristretto
- Single, double or quad lungo
- Single, double or quad and water Americanco
- Double or quad cold pressed
That’s not to say the Luxe Cafe isn’t impressive. It sports the same four coffee styles and seven drink sizes (175ml, 235ml, 295ml, 355ml, 415ml, 475ml and 530ml) as its Pro alternative, but instead has just four espresso programmes. These four espresso modes are simply: espresso, quad, Americano and cold-pressed.
Both offer the same four coffee styles
While there’s a big difference between the espresso styles available, both the Ninja Luxe Cafe and Luxe Cafe Pro offer the same four coffee types. Available across seven drink sizes, the styles available are: classic, rich, over ice and cold brew.
We found during our time with the Ninja Luxe Cafe that all coffee styles were poured brilliantly, although it’s worth noting that the hopper was slightly limiting as it can only take one type of coffee. Even so, all styles, especially the cold brew option which takes just minutes to pour, resulted in excellent tasting and high-quality coffee.
Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro has an additional milk froth setting
Both Luxe Cafe machines have an automated dual froth system which combines steam and whisking to perfectly froth dairy and plant-based milks within the included stainless steel jug. With both machines, the stainless steel jug includes a removable whisk at the bottom.
The Luxe Cafe is fitted with a total of four froth presets: steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold froth. These presets can be found on the Luxe Cafe Pro too, with the addition of the extra-thick froth mode too.
Both Ninja machines also offer easy clean-up too, with the steam wand just needing a quick wipe after each use. You won’t need to worry about cleaning the inside of the steam wand either, as it has an integrated auto-purge setting which prevents build-up and residue.
Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro has an integrated tamper
Other than the amount of espresso options, the main difference between the Luxe Cafe and Luxe Cafe Pro is that the latter sports a built-in tamper. While the Luxe Cafe has a spring-loaded assisted tamper, which you simply fit over the portafilter and press down to tamp, the Luxe Cafe Pro alleviates any chance of doing something wrong and affecting the taste of your coffee.
Instead, the Pro’s built-in tamper promises to deliver the precise weight and pressure needed with just a “simple push of the lever”.
Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier tamping
Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro Tamp
Early Verdict
As we have yet to get our hands on the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro, we can’t confidently say whether or not the coffee machine is a better investment than its predecessor.
However, if you want a machine that promises to perfectly tamp your coffee or want more built-in drink and espresso choices, then the Luxe Cafe Pro seems like a brilliant choice.
Even so, as the Luxe Cafe Pro is considerably more expensive, if you want to strike the balance between brilliant coffee at home with a more reasonable price tag, then the Ninja Luxe Cafe remains a fantastic option.
