Ninja Luxe Café Pro ES701EUWH

With the Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso ES701EU, I can easily make a variety of coffee specialties. Thanks to the built-in tamper and the handy display, I no longer have to worry about the correct settings. Brewing coffee takes a little longer, but the coffee always tastes great.

Built-in tamper

What I find handy about this model is the built-in tamper. Thanks to the lever on the side of the machine, I can easily tamp the coffee in the filter holder. So I don't have to fiddle with a separate tamper. Normally, I tamp the coffee myself. Because of this, I didn't always get the same result. Thanks in part to the built-in tamper, the coffee tastes almost always the same.

Make cold brew coffee

When it's warm, I like to drink an iced coffee. The display easily guides me through all the options. The machine has a handy setting for cold brew and over ice. This allows me to make cold coffee exactly how I like it. I also find the different sizes convenient. For a large iced coffee, I choose XL. If I'm in the mood for a small, quick coffee, I choose the XL. Then I choose S.

Machine indicates the correct grind size

Normally, I set the grind size myself. That often takes time because I have to figure out what works best. This machine indicates exactly which grind size suits the type of coffee. This allows me to choose the right settings more quickly and I don't have to guess or test endlessly. That's convenient, because I get the flavor I want right away.

Automatic milk frothing

For cappuccinos and lattes, the machine froths the milk automatically. With other semi-automatic machines, I do this myself with a jug. This machine works differently: I froth the milk with a steam wand and a magnetic wheel. This means I don't have to tilt the jug while frothing. Yet, I get the same result: rich milk froth with exactly the right texture. The froth is firm and creamy. After use, I rinse the system. That takes little time and is simple.

Storage space for spare parts

There's a compartment on the side of the machine where I store spare parts. The other filter holders and the cleaning brush fit easily inside. Everything stays together, so I don't lose anything. It's also handy if you clean the machine regularly or switch between accessories.

I received the Ninja Luxe Café Pro Espresso Machine - ES701EU for testing, and I'm very pleased with it. Installation was very easy, and the machine was ready to use in no time. The coffee tastes wonderfully full and rich, exactly what you'd expect from a high-quality espresso machine. Moreover, the temperature is always perfect, ensuring both espresso and lungo are consistent and well-balanced.

The milk frother works perfectly, creating creamy, dense foam – ideal for cappuccino or latte. An added bonus is that you can also effortlessly make hot chocolate with it. The built-in coffee grinder is also a big plus; it always grinds exactly the right amount of beans, so you never have too much or too little.

I've had this coffee machine for a few weeks now and have had the opportunity to test it out. In terms of both appearance and physical features, the machine is pleasantly compact. Accessories can be easily stored in a compartment on the side, and the machine doesn't take up too much countertop space. The Ninja's appearance isn't as impressive as I'd hoped; the machine and display feel a bit plasticky and cheap. The piston and tamper handles do feel solid, but overall, they detract from the overall look of the machine.

This machine offers a wide variety of coffee options. In addition to the five different types of coffee, it can also produce five different types of foam, and it distinguishes between soy and cow's milk. Besides the numerous adjustment options, the adjustable shelf underneath the machine accommodates a wide range of cup sizes. By removing the drip tray, even small thermoses fit directly under the spout.

The coffee machine offers a high degree of automation for a Piston machine. The built-in tamper works perfectly and prevents any mess from ending up on the counter. However, not every automatic coffee machine works equally well. For example, the grind size indicator is somewhat arbitrary. If I follow it, the coffee either flows too quickly or the pressure builds up too much, and the extraction takes far too long. What works best for me is using fresh beans, roasted no more than 30 days ago, and a fixed setting for all coffee recipes. With this machine, I can definitely make good coffee. The coffee I get from it has the right temperature and extraction time. The flavor is well-balanced and not bitter or sour. The froth is also nice and firm, although I can't tell much difference between the different settings (except for Cold Froth). All in all, I have mixed feelings about this machine. There are certainly things it does well, but there are just too many annoyances to recommend it.