Best Ninja coffee machine for latte: which model to buy in 2026
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601 makes the best latte of any Ninja, and it lists at about $500, often dropping to around $425 on sale. Ninja’s drip machines can’t match it for milk drinks.
The best Ninja coffee machine for latte is the Luxe Café Premier ES601. It grinds by weight, helps you tamp, and froths milk automatically, so a beginner gets usable microfoam on day one. Spend about $100 more for the Pro ES701 if you want a hot water tap and a cooler steam wand, or drop to a $129 to $169 CM401 if frothed milk over strong drip concentrate is good enough.
Key takeaways
- The ES601 is the pick for most people: a 25-setting grinder, weight-based dosing and a hands-free frother with four presets (steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth, cold foam).
- Only the ES601, ES701 and CFN601 make real espresso. The CM401 and DualBrew Pro brew a coffee concentrate, which gives a latte-style drink with no crema.
- The ES701 adds an integrated tamper, a hot water tap, an insulated steam wand, a bigger jug and a fifth froth preset.
- The CFN601 only makes sense if you want Nespresso-compatible capsules, which are sold separately.
- Oat milk gave decent results on the ES701, while almond frothed poorly on the CM401’s fold-away frother.
- Latte art is limited on all of them. A standard 12 oz barista pitcher fixes most of that.
The best Ninja coffee machine for latte: Luxe Café Premier ES601
Ninja built the ES601 to take on the Breville Barista Express, and for milk drinks it wins on effort. You fill the hopper and pick a drink, and Barista Assist Technology suggests a grind setting while the machine grinds by weight. You tamp with the assisted tamper, clip the jug under the steam wand, and press a froth preset. TechRadar’s tester found the automatic frother settings almost always worked with 2% milk, producing microfoam with no skill needed.
That’s the whole pitch. A latte is mostly milk, and the ES601 automates the part beginners fumble.
Price helps. The US list price is $499.95, a tracked deal in April 2026 took it to $424.99, and Costco has run it at $499.99 with a $120 shop card. Tom’s Guide rated it better value than the Breville Barista Express, which lists around $700.
Why it wins for most buyers
The built-in grinder has 25 settings, and the machine reads which filter basket you’ve loaded so it doses the right amount. It also brews drip coffee and cold brew, so a household where one person wants a latte and another wants a full carafe needs only one machine. TechRadar calls it a bean-to-cup setup that takes much of the guesswork out of espresso. See Best Coffee Makers for Beginners
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want a manual steam wand to learn latte art, or a dedicated hot water tap for tea. The ES601 has no hot water delivery, and TechRadar calls it bulky.
Check latest price before buy Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601
Espresso machine or coffee maker: what latte means on a Ninja
Ninja sells two different kinds of latte machine, and buying the wrong one is the easiest mistake in this lineup. The ES601, ES701 and CFN601 make real espresso. The CFN601 does it from capsules at 19 bars of pressure, while the Luxe Café models pull shots through a portafilter. The CM401 and DualBrew Pro are drip makers with a Specialty setting that brews a thick concentrate instead.
One CM401 owner described that setting as the nearest a drip machine gets to espresso, roughly 4 oz from two large scoops of grounds. It tastes rich. It doesn’t make crema, and the body is lighter against milk.
So the best Ninja coffee machine for latte depends on the drink you actually order. If you get flat whites at a café, go espresso. If your usual is a vanilla iced latte made at home, a concentrate machine saves you roughly $300, and the missing crema matters less under syrup and ice.
Ninja also sells an entry-level ES501 Essential. I couldn’t find enough latte testing to rank it, and its steam wand isn’t insulated, so it stays off this list.
Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601 frother: what works and what annoys you
What works
The Dual Froth System steams and whisks at once, using a spinner inside the milk jug. Four presets cover steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam, and a milk type setting adjusts the steaming profile for dairy or plant-based milk. Tom’s Coffee Corner reports the milk heats to as high as 65°C, with a texture that runs thin for a flat white or thick for a cappuccino. For lattes, a four-week test at CoffeeDrinker liked the latte function, which gives smooth milk with little foam. Cold foam is rare at this price, per Home Coffee Expert.
What annoys you
CoffeeGeek says the frother lets out a high-pitched screech, worst on hotter settings and Thick Froth. Think about where the machine will live before you commit. The included jug is large, which makes pouring latte art awkward. The wand also has no insulation; the Pro model added one.
None of this changes my pick. The noise is real, though.
Is the Ninja Luxe Café Pro the best Ninja espresso machine for lattes?
Mostly yes, if you’ll use what the extra money buys. Compared with the ES601, the ES701 adds an integrated tamper, a single-shot basket, a dedicated hot water tap, an insulated steam wand, a larger jug and a fifth froth preset, extra-thick. CoffeeGeek’s biggest gripe with the original was the missing hot water delivery, and the Pro fixes it. Ninja says the XL jug froths enough for two drinks at once.
Expert Reviews UK got decent results making flat whites, cortados and cappuccinos with whole milk and oat milk. The tester also used the steamer alone for a chai latte. Their complaints were a crowded control panel, no low-bean indicator, and a dual spout that struggles to fit more than one cup, the same issue James Hoffman raised about the ES601.
Owner reports are mixed. A Canadian Tire reviewer said the jug handle broke, another said the grinder wasn’t dosing consistently, and a buyer on an eBay listing said the milk takes a while to heat. These are single reports, not failure rates.
One retailer guide lists the Pro at $599, and the UK price is £549.99. For most people the ES601 stays the best Ninja coffee machine for latte. Buy the ES701 if you make two lattes at a time, drink tea or Americanos, or dislike a scalding wand. Otherwise, keep the $100. [AFFILIATE LINK: Ninja Luxe Café Pro ES701, add your tag]
Ninja CFN601 Barista System: a latte machine for capsule fans
The CFN601 suits one specific buyer: someone who already likes Nespresso-style capsules and wants one machine for a morning carafe and an afternoon latte. HomeGrounds describes it as essentially a Nespresso machine combined with a Ninja drip brewer. For capsule users, it’s the best Ninja coffee machine for latte, narrowly.
On the espresso side you get three capsule styles from a 19-bar system: Espresso at 1.35 oz, Lungo at 3.75 oz and Over Ice at 1 oz. On the coffee side it brews grounds in nine sizes, from a single cup up to a 12-cup carafe. A fold-away frother handles the milk. I couldn’t confirm whether it heats milk, so check the manual if you want hot foam rather than cold.
The downsides repeat across reviews. Capsules are sold separately, pod compatibility limits you if you favor one brand, the unit is large, and one reviewer called it loud while brewing. It’s also pricey for a single-serve machine.
Compare it with the ES601 and the case weakens fast. The ES601’s steam wand and automatic jug make better milk, and you grind fresh beans instead of buying capsules.
Cheaper Ninja coffee makers for latte-style drinks: CM401 and DualBrew Pro
The CM401 is the cheapest sensible route at roughly $129 to $169. It has a 10-cup glass carafe, six brew sizes, an Over Ice mode and a Specialty setting that brews strong concentrate for milk drinks. A fold-away frother tucks behind the unit. The best Ninja coffee machine for latte under $200 is this one, and nothing else comes close.
Two honest limits apply. First, the frother whips milk but doesn’t heat it, so warm the milk first or you’ll get a lukewarm latte. One owner was disappointed by that, then decided that a detachable frother is easier to clean. Second, plant milks vary: one tester found almond frothed poorly, though regular milk foam held up well enough to carry the concentrate poured through it.
If you thinking about brew , Read our guide Best Ninja Coffee Maker for Iced Coffee
The DualBrew Pro CFP301 is the step up. Mayfair Farms lists 13 brew sizes, pod and ground brewing, a thermal carafe and the same fold-away frother as the CM401. If you want pods and grounds in one machine, it fits. If you don’t, the CM401 gets you the same latte for less.
Budget for pre-ground coffee, since the CM401 has no grinder. See Best Single Serve Coffee Maker with Grinder
Ninja latte machines compared: ES601 vs ES701 vs CFN601 vs CM401
Here’s the best Ninja coffee machine for latte in each price band, on one screen. Prices come from the sources above and move with sales, so treat them as snapshots.
| Model | Price seen | Coffee type | Milk frother | Grinder | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES601 Luxe Café Premier | $499.95 list, $424.99 on sale | Espresso, drip, cold brew | Hands-free steam and whisk jug, 4 presets | Built in, 25 settings | Beginners who want a real latte |
| ES701 Luxe Café Pro | $599 listed, £549.99 UK | Espresso, drip, cold brew, hot water | Hands-free, insulated wand, XL jug, 5 presets | Built in | Two lattes at once, tea drinkers |
| CFN601 Barista System | Not confirmed | Capsule espresso plus drip | Fold-away frother | None | Capsule users |
| CM401 Specialty | $129 to $169 | Drip with concentrate | Fold-away frother, doesn’t heat milk | None | Budget lattes, iced coffee |
The ES601 versus ES701 call is the only close one. Everything else follows from whether you want espresso or concentrate. The CM401 and CFN601 have no grinder, which saves money up front but means buying capsules or pre-ground coffee every time.
Milk matters: how Ninja frothers handle dairy, oat and almond
Milk decides how good the best Ninja coffee machine for latte actually tastes. Both Luxe Café machines froth with a steam wand and a whisking spinner in the jug. You pick dairy or plant-based on the panel, and the machine adjusts the steaming profile. Expert Reviews got decent flat whites and cappuccinos from whole and oat milk on the ES701. The CM401’s frother is a different animal: it doesn’t heat, and almond frothed poorly in one test.
Auto frother versus manual steam wand
Tom’s Coffee Corner found the Ninja’s automatic steaming works better than the one on the Breville Barista Touch Impress, while the manual steam results were about equal. His own preference was manual on the Ninja, which gave silkier milk than the automatic mode. So auto is a good default, not the ceiling.
Latte art limits and the 12 oz pitcher workaround
CoffeeGeek got its best results by setting the Ninja jug aside and using a standard 12 oz stainless barista pitcher with the manual wand. The foam came out thick and silky, perfect for dry cappuccinos and pourable enough for some basic latte art. The fix costs one pitcher. The included jug is the problem, not the machine.
Ninja Luxe Café vs Breville Barista Express for lattes
Ninja aimed the Luxe Café at the Breville Barista Express, and reviews split by what the reviewer values. Tom’s Guide gave Ninja the wins on price, interface, grinding and coffee, and gave Breville the win on looks. TechRadar also scored the Ninja ahead, citing the lower price, a foolproof espresso system and the drip option. Against the Breville, the best Ninja coffee machine for latte wins on effort and cost.
Enthusiast sources lean the other way. One comparison says Breville has better temperature stability and extraction consistency, and another reports its shots tasted more café-like with medium and medium-dark beans. Manual microfoam on the Breville is also better for latte art. A commenter on a deals forum said the Breville lasts longer, but that’s one person’s experience, not data.
Choose the Ninja if:
- You want an automatic milk frother and no learning curve.
- Price matters: one 2026 comparison puts the Ninja at $449 to $499 against $679 to $799 for the Breville.
- You want drip coffee from the same machine.
Choose the Breville if:
- You’ll practice steaming milk and want to pour latte art.
- Shot consistency matters more to you than convenience.
What owners complain about before you buy
Even the best Ninja coffee machine for latte has flaws worth weighing. These come up repeatedly in reviews and owner feedback:
- Noise: The automatic frother screeches on hot or thick settings.
- Size: TechRadar calls the ES601 bulky, and another reviewer flagged the CFN601’s size.
- Build feel: A Coolblue reviewer found the ES701EU’s body and display a bit plasticky.
- Parts: One Canadian Tire reviewer said the jug handle broke and they couldn’t find a replacement.
- Dosing: Another reviewer on that page reported inconsistent bean dosing from the grinder.
- Cup clearance: Two cups barely fit under the dual spout, per Expert Reviews on the Pro.
- Warranty: Ninja lists a 1-year limited warranty on the Luxe Café.
Long-term reliability is the real unknown. These machines are recent, and I couldn’t find multi-year durability data. One deals-forum commenter switched from a Breville after almost four years and preferred the Ninja’s taste, while another thought the Breville lasted longer. Both are anecdotes.
Model codes also carry regional suffixes, such as ES601UK or ES701EU, so check plug and voltage before ordering abroad.
By the way do you know, how long do ninja coffee makers last? read the guide.
FAQ: Ninja coffee machines for latte
What is the best Ninja coffee machine for latte?
The Luxe Café Premier ES601 for most buyers. It makes real espresso, grinds fresh beans and froths milk automatically at around $425 to $500. Choose the ES701 for a hot water tap, or the CM401 on a tight budget.
Can a Ninja make a real latte?
Yes, if you pick an espresso model. The ES601, ES701 and CFN601 brew real espresso, and the Luxe Café machines add automatic steamed milk. The CM401 and DualBrew Pro make concentrate, so you get a latte-style drink without crema.
Does the Ninja Luxe Café froth oat milk?
Yes. The panel has a plant-based milk setting that adjusts steaming, and Expert Reviews got decent drinks from oat milk on the ES701. Results vary by brand.
Is the ES701 worth the extra cost over the ES601?
It’s worth about $100 if you want a hot water tap, an integrated tamper, an insulated wand and a bigger jug that froths for two drinks. If you make one latte at a time, the ES601 does the job.
Which Ninja has a built-in milk frother?
The ES601 and ES701 have an automatic steam wand with a whisking jug. The CFN601, CM401 and DualBrew Pro have fold-away frothers, and Ninja’s Pods & Grounds single-serve machine has one too.
Can you use Nespresso capsules in a Ninja?
The CFN601 is Nespresso-capsule compatible. The Luxe Café models are built around fresh beans and a portafilter, and I haven’t found Ninja listing capsule support for them.
Summary: the best Ninja coffee machine for latte by buyer type
Work through these steps in order and you’ll land on one model.
- Pick espresso or concentrate. If you want crema, shortlist the ES601, ES701 or CFN601. If frothed milk over strong coffee is fine, the CM401 is enough.
- Set a budget. About $129 to $169 gets a CM401, $425 to $500 gets an ES601, and around $599 gets an ES701.
- Choose beans or capsules. Capsule fans take the CFN601. Everyone else wants the built-in grinder on a Luxe Café.
- Decide how much milk skill you’ll learn. For automation, buy a Luxe Café. For latte art, add a 12 oz pitcher to a Luxe Café, or step up to a Breville Barista Express.
- Check the counter and the noise. The Luxe Café is bulky and its frother is loud.
For most households, the best Ninja coffee machine for latte is the ES601. Pay for the ES701 if you make two drinks at a time or want hot water on tap. Buy the CFN601 only if you already like capsules, and the CM401 if budget matters more than crema.
The ES601 isn’t perfect. It’s loud, large and has no hot water tap, and a Breville will out-shoot it for anyone willing to practice. But for a latte every morning with no practice, nothing else Ninja sells does it better.
