The coffee machine that turns a beginner into a barista

In 2026, the average cappuccino can set you back $5. If you order a coffee five days a week, that's roughly $1300 per year, not including milk alternatives or decaf.

If you're looking to save, the brand that drives affordable innovation is now gunning for our morning brew. Introducing the Ninja Luxe Café Premier Espresso Machine: a 3-in-1 system that blends espresso, cold brew and filter coffee into one machine.

But can such a machine deliver? To find out, we tested the machine for a few months and got advice from Rohan Cooke, Ninja's Luxe Café expert and co-owner of Golden Brown Coffee.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing

What makes the Ninja Luxe Café unique?

Was $799.99, now $699.99

It's a machine that aims to help beginners with guidance, but also allows for easy adjustments if you're nerdy about your coffee.

Here's a breakdown of its performance.

The 3-in-1 factor

While some machines may lock you into espresso only, the Ninja Luxe Café is a hybrid.

• Espresso: It brews the classics, like single, double, quad shots, and long blacks
• Filter coffee: If you enjoy a classic coffee without the intensity of espresso, you have the option available
• Cold brew: Yes, the machine does cold brew and has a dedicated milk setting for cold foam

I favour espresso in milk-based drinks, although the filter coffee and cold brew perform well too.

Barista-assist technology

Dialling in your coffee is the process of adjusting the grind size to achieve the perfect flow.

Here's how the guided technology works to help you achieve that: a scale exists in the dosing funnel that weighs your coffee, and the machine suggests specific grind setting adjustments after every shot until it's optimal.

In my early stages of testing, these recommendations were a massive help. It meant that I could get the right grind size without wasting as much coffee.

Once you're dialled in, you can turn the assistance off. If you're using new beans, you can reset the guidance to adjust appropriately.

The hands-free milk solution

If you can't texture milk right, you can't make yourself a cafe-quality coffee.

The machine uses a froth system that combines steaming and whisking simultaneously.

The milk frothing options: Steamed, microfoam, thick froth and cold foam.

The results: Upon first use, the milk texture was spot on. The included pitcher is lined clearly with measurements for flat whites, cappuccinos and lattes.

Manual option: The silky milk texture was better for latte art when I steamed it myself.

How to make at-home coffee taste better?

We asked Cooke for tips and tricks for getting the best coffee out of the Ninja Luxe Café.

Rule #1: Freshness is non-negotiable

According to Cooke, the biggest issue is rarely the quality of the beans, but knowing how to use them. He suggests using fresh beans that have been roasted within the last month and avoiding supermarket varieties. The reason: the second you grind the beans, they lose flavour and oxidise, so fresh is always best.

Rule #2: Stick to the golden coffee ratio

Cooke explains that the average espresso shot follows a 1:2 ratio, that's 1g of coffee in, 2g of liquid out. On the Ninja Luxe Café, this corresponds to the third strength setting. I tested it immediately and can confirm that it hit the sweet spot for true cafe-quality coffee.

Rule #3: Accessories for the extra mile

The machine is built to get you 95 per cent of the way there, according to Cooke. To chase that last five per cent of flavour, this is where your accessories come in.

WDT Tool: This is the Weiss distribution technique, and it's the one accessory Cooke highly recommends. It's essentially a set of fine needles used to break up clumps of coffee so you get a more even extraction.

Milk pitcher: If you're someone who steams manually and wants to up your skills, Cooke recommends a tailored milk pitcher for latte art. I purchased a smaller one with a more pronounced spout, and I began making better art.

Puck screens: Stainless steel puck screens lie on top of the ground coffee after tampering. They aim to provide better consistency in the espresso shot by distributing the hot water more evenly.

Paper filters: These are paper filters that can be placed below or above the coffee puck. Cooke says it's entirely personal preference, but when placed below, it removes some of the syrupiness and brings out more clarity in the shot.

Coffee leveller: You use this to flatten the coffee bed before tamping. Cooke said he believes it makes the WDT tool redundant. I personally enjoyed the satisfaction of perfecting the level.

Scale: I'm adding a scale in too for the advice. You'll want to measure your input and output if you want true consistency, as I found the machine overshoots a little bit.

Ninja Luxe Café cons

No machine is perfect, and despite the expert tips, there are a few quirks I noticed after a few months of use.

• The water tank: It is on the smaller side, so if you're entertaining or drink a lot of coffee, you will be refilling this frequently
• Drip tray: Similarly, the drip tray fills up fast. You'll need to keep an eye on it to avoid spills
• Grinder: Occasionally, the grinder would accidentally trip mid-grind and shift to another step. It was rare, but annoying when it happened

While I could nit-pick, these are the most realistic cons I found for an entry-level machine.

Final verdict

Shop here for $699.99

If you're after a coffee machine that bridges the gap between convenience and quality, then the Ninja Luxe Café is a good option.

It's fantastic for beginners and those who want a swift coffee in the morning, though die-hard coffee fans will likely miss the tactile satisfaction of a fully manual routine.

Despite that, the machine offers some seriously great assisted technology that'll drive you from home novice to cafe-quality barista with a few extra tips, tricks and accessories.

READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to choosing the best automatic coffee machine