The Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini is a space-saving bean-to-cup coffee machine that makes both espresso and filter coffee, and it has become a daily essential in my tiny London flat. The appliance brand launched the luxe cafe premier machine in 2024, but this new mini version is 30 per cent smaller while offering a similarly multifunctional design.
Compact design and ease of use
Having never owned a bean-to-cup machine before, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the Ninja Luxe Cafe Mini is to use. Automatic grind recommendations and brew monitoring make it as simple as a pod machine, so it's great for beginners. The two-in-one machine handles both espresso and filter coffee with no guesswork required.
The machine features a steam wand for frothing milk, plus single and double shot espresso baskets, three strengths, and three temperatures. An LED screen shows milk and filter coffee settings, and buttons are clearly labelled.
Testing and performance
Over a month of home use, I assessed everything from ease of use and clean-up to flavour and versatility. The machine comes with a portafilter, single and double baskets, a funnel, an assisted tamper, and a milk jug. Beginners can scan a QR code in the manual for an easy-to-follow video.
When making an espresso, the machine recognises the basket and adjusts settings accordingly, detecting the optimum grind size. Filter coffee is just as effortless, with options for classic, rich, or over ice. The water tank holds 1.3l, which needs refilling regularly when making Americanos or long blacks.
Verdict
The machine is expensive, but it rivals a pod machine for ease of use and produces a wide range of drinks, from americanos and long blacks to ice coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos. Cleaning the portafilter, tamper, and steam wand after each use is a small gripe compared to the rich, flavourful coffee it produces. The machine is currently sold out, but you can sign up for an email notification when it returns.
