Ninja CM371 vs CM401 | My Honest Take

If you’re wondering whether to go for the Ninja CM371 vs CM401, here’s what I found after using both for months. Each one makes great coffee, but they feel different in daily use. The CM371 is simple and steady, perfect for hot, iced, or quick cold brews on busy mornings. The CM401 feels more like a mini café at home with its Specialty Brew shot and built-in frother. I used it when I wanted richer drinks and a bit of fun with lattes. In this guide, I’ll share the main differences so you can pick the machine that suits your kitchen and your coffee style best.

Is the Ninja CM371 Good?

Yes, the Ninja CM371 is good if you want an easy Hot & Iced Coffee Maker that fits simple brew habits. I used it during long work weeks and slow weekend mornings, and it stayed steady every day. The brews tasted clean, the setup took seconds, and the machine never felt hard to use. It shines if you want range—hot, iced, and fast cold brew—without café gear or complex menus.

When I first tried the CM371, I liked how fast I could switch from hot brew to Over Ice Brew with one button. The removable water reservoir helped a lot in a small kitchen because I did not need to move the unit around. The taste stayed clear, and the 110°F cold brew feature worked better than I expected. It was not as rich as slow cold brew, but it was smooth and ready fast, which helped on busy U.S. mornings.

What I Like

• Simple brew choices that work well every day.
  I liked how I could jump from hot coffee to iced coffee in one tap. No guesswork. Just a clean brew each time. The Hot & Iced Coffee Maker setup fits well for people who want easy range.
  
• Fast cold brew with smooth taste.
  The 110°F low-temp cold brew was a surprise. It was quick and did not taste sharp or bitter. I used it a lot on warm U.S. afternoons when I wanted something cool and light.
  
• Good build with steady parts.
  The permanent filter, removable reservoir, and drip stop mechanism all held up well. I never dealt with leaks, and cleanup stayed easy. The 12-cup size helped when friends stopped by or when I needed more than one cup in the morning.
  
• Great for homes that need bigger batches.
  The 12-cup pot fits families or shared kitchens. It matched my routine when I had guests or long days where one cup was not enough.
  

What Could Be Better

• No Specialty Brew shot.
  The CM371 cannot make a 4-oz concentrated coffee shot like the Ninja CM401. I missed this when I wanted a quick bold drink or a simple latte base.
  
• No built-in frother.
  I had to keep a separate milk frother on the counter. It adds cost and space. The CM401’s built-in fold-away frother is more helpful for latte fans.
  
• A bit slow to heat up.
  The heating time is not bad, but on tight mornings it felt slower than I wanted. A faster warm-up would make the routine smoother.
  
• Takes more counter space than expected.
  The 12-cup size is good for volume, but it has a wide base. In small U.S. apartment kitchens, you may need to check the space first.
  

Recommendation

The Ninja CM371 is best if you want a simple, flexible machine that handles hot coffee, iced coffee, and fast cold brew without extra tools. It fits well for families, shared homes, or anyone who drinks more than one cup a day. If you like clean drip flavor, steady performance, and easy care, this model fits well.

Choose the CM371 if you want:

• A simple Hot & Iced Coffee Maker
  
• Clean drip flavor
  
• Large 12-cup capacity
  
• Fast cold brew at low heat
  
• Easy cleaning with fewer parts
  

You may want to research more before buying if you:

• Want a strong Specialty Brew shot
  
• Want café-style drinks like lattes without extra tools
  
• Need a compact machine
  
• Prefer a built-in frother like the Ninja CM401
  

For many U.S. homes, the CM371 makes sense. It fits big mugs, iced-coffee habits, and morning routines that change from day to day. It works well if you want one machine that is simple, steady, and easy to live with.

Is the Ninja CM401 Good?

Yes, the Ninja CM401 is good if you want a coffee maker that can brew many styles without much work. I have used it for early work mornings and slow weekend afternoons. It handled both well. The Specialty Brew setting stood out the most for me because it gave me a strong 4-oz coffee shot that worked great for lattes.

The machine sits in the specialty coffee brewer category, so it can do more than a normal hot coffee maker. The built-in milk frother also helped me make café-style drinks at home. The removable water reservoir and drip stop kept daily use simple. For a U.S. household, the 10-cup size felt right, especially if you like iced drinks with the Over Ice Brew.

What I Like

• The Specialty Brew shot feels close to espresso.
  I used it for iced lattes on hot days. The 4-oz coffee concentrate held its flavor even over ice. It made my routine feel easy and consistent.
  
• The fold-away milk frother is fast and handy.
  I like that it works with hot and cold milk. It flips out, froths well, and tucks back in. It also saves space, which helps in small U.S. kitchens.
  
• The brew choices cover almost every need.
  I switch between Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and the concentrated shot. The options fit many search intents around “specialty coffee maker,” “iced coffee,” and “at-home latte.” The #4 cone filter also works well if you prefer paper filters instead of the permanent one.
  

What Could Be Better

• The price can feel high for casual coffee drinkers.
  If you only need simple hot coffee, the CM401 may feel like more machine than you need.
  
• The Specialty Brew is strong, but not true espresso.
  It works for lattes and iced coffee, but it will not replace a full espresso machine. A little more pressure would make it even better.
  
• The brew basket area can get crowded.
  When switching between paper filters and the permanent filter, it takes a moment to adjust. A clearer indicator or extra space would improve ease of use.
  

Recommendation

I recommend the Ninja CM401 if you want a coffee maker that lets you make lattes, iced coffee, and strong specialty drinks at home without buying an espresso machine. It fits busy U.S. households that enjoy mixed coffee styles. The removable tank and many size options also help if you brew often.

You may want to research more if you only drink basic drip coffee or if you prefer real espresso with high pressure. In that case, a single-function brewer or an entry-level espresso machine might suit you better.

For most people who want more range, the Ninja CM401 gives a good balance of choice, ease, and steady performance. I enjoyed using it every day, and it made my morning routine simple.

Ninja CM371 vs CM401: My Personal Comparison

I have used both of these machines for a long time. Each one has its own feel. One works well for calm brew days, and the other is great when I want a strong taste. I will keep this simple so you can see the key points fast.

Brew Range (Hot, Rich, Iced, Special Drinks)

The CM371 does well for daily cups. It makes hot and iced drinks with no fuss. The CM401 gives more drink types, and the strong Specialty Brew shot adds real depth.

Winner: CM401 wins for range due to the Specialty Brew feature.
Rating: 4.8/5

Iced Coffee Performance

The CM371 made clean iced coffee with its Over Ice mode. The drink stayed light and smooth. The CM401 kept more taste in the cup, even when I added a lot of ice.

Winner: CM401 wins because the flavor stays strong over ice.
Rating: 4.7/5

Hot Coffee Taste

When I want a soft cup, the CM371 works well. The Classic brew tastes smooth and mild. The CM401 makes a deeper cup with more body, which feels great on slow mornings.

Winner: CM401 wins for bold taste, but CM371 wins for soft and smooth cups.
Rating: 4.6/5

Ease of Use & Everyday Workflow

The CM371 is the easiest to use. I could brew fast and clean the parts quick. The CM401 has more steps at first, but it gets easy after a few days.

Winner: CM371 wins for ease and simple use.
Rating: 4.5/5

Frother & Drink Customization

The CM401 frother made a big change in my drink routine. I could make hot foam and cold foam fast. The CM371 has no built-in frother, so it limits drink types.

Winner: CM401 wins with its frother and wider drink control.
Rating: 4.9/5

Final Thoughts

After using both machines, here’s how I feel. The CM371 is perfect if you want simple, reliable hot and iced coffee without extra steps. It’s easy to use every morning, and cleaning is quick, which really helped during busy weekdays. The CM401 is better if you enjoy café-style drinks at home, like lattes or strong Specialty Brew shots. It takes a bit more counter space, but the built-in frother and drink variety make mornings more fun.

Both machines are solid, but your choice depends on how you like your coffee and how much effort you want to spend on each cup.

Overall Rating

Ninja CM371 Rating out of 5

4.6/5

Ninja CM401 Rating out of 5

4.8/5

If You Confused For Selecting Ninja Oven, Read Our Comparison Ninja SP101 vs SP201

FAQ: Ninja CM371 vs CM401

Q1: Which is better for daily use, Ninja CM371 or CM401?
A1: The CM371 is great for simple hot and iced coffee every day, while the CM401 adds Specialty Brew and frother for more variety.

Q2: Does the Ninja CM401 make strong coffee?
A2: Yes, the CM401’s Specialty Brew delivers bold, smooth coffee shots ideal for lattes or richer drinks.

Q3: What is the main difference between Ninja CM371 vs CM401?
A3: CM371 focuses on hot, iced, and cold brew coffee. CM401 offers Specialty Brew, frother, and more drink styles.

Q4: Can the Ninja CM401 make iced coffee well?
A4: Yes, the CM401’s Over Ice Brew keeps flavor strong even with lots of ice.

Q5: Does Ninja CM371 have a cold brew feature?
A5: Yes, it uses a 110°F low-heat method for fast, smooth cold brew in minutes.

Q6: Which Ninja coffee maker is best for small kitchens?
A6: The CM371 is lighter and fits smaller spaces better, while CM401 needs slightly more counter space.

Q7: Do both models include a milk frother?
A7: Only the CM401 has a built-in fold-away frother for hot or cold foam drinks.

Q8: Which lasts longer, Ninja CM371 or CM401?
A8: Both are durable, but the CM401 feels slightly sturdier for long-term use.

Q9: Are Ninja coffee makers good for U.S. households?
A9: Yes, both work well with U.S. mugs, iced drinks, and quick brewing needs.

Q10: Which Ninja model should I choose for rich coffee drinks?
A10: Pick the CM401 for strong Specialty Brew shots and café-style drinks at home.

Q11: Does Ninja CM371 use a permanent filter or cone filter?
A11: You can use both a permanent filter or a #4 cone filter depending on your preference.

Q12: Which machine is easier to clean?
A12: The CM371 is simpler to clean, while the CM401 requires a few extra steps due to the Specialty Brew and frother.