Ninja just launched an automatic espresso machine, but should you choose the new AutoBarista Pro or go for the cheaper Ninja Luxe Caf? I'm here to help
Date:
Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:56:15 +0000
Description:
Pick the right Ninja for for your kitchen
FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Last week, Ninja launched its first automatic espresso machine the Ninja AutoBarista Pro. It offers a menu of 13 customizable drinks, with hot and cold brewing and automatic milk frothing. However, it's also much more expensive than the company's previous flagship coffee maker, the Ninja Luxe Caf. Not sure which one is right for you? I'm here to sketch out the key differences between the two, so you can make the best choice. I'd also recommend taking a look at TechRadar's
complete guide to the best coffee makers , so you can weigh up your options from other brands, such as De'Longhi, Breville, KitchenAid and Philips. Ninja AutoBarista Pro 899.99 at Argos 899.99 at SharkNinja UK 899.99 at Argos Check Amazon
A fully automatic espresso machine that brews drinks at the press of a
button. You can tweak your drinks, but there's no experience or skill needed. Ninja Luxe Cafe 435 at very.co.uk 447 at Amazon 447 at Currys 529.99 at QVC
UK
A semi-automatic coffee maker that can do the work of dosing and grinding for you, or let you take control manually. Available with or without a tamping lever. Price and availability Ninja Luxe Caf Premier: $599.99 / 549.99 / AU$799.99 Ninja Luxe Caf Pro: $749.99 / 699.99 (about AU$1,040) Ninja AutoBarista Pro: $949.99 / 899.99 (about AU$1,320) There are two Ninja Luxe Caf models, one of which costs considerably more than the other. The original Ninja Luxe Caf launched in June 2024, and was followed a few months later by the Luxe Caf Pro, which has a lever on the side for tamping down your coffee grounds, plus extra coffee- and milk-frothing options. To differentiate between this new machine and the original, the company renamed the original coffee maker the Ninja Luxe Caf Premier. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:
The Ninja Luxe Caf Premier has a list price of $599.99 / 549.99 / AU$799.99, while the Ninja Luxe Caf Pro is $749.99 / 699.99. That works out at approximately AU$1,040, but at the time of writing the Ninja Luxe Caf Pro isn't available in Australia.
Now that they're a couple of years old, you'll often find both models at a discount, particularly during sales events like Amazon Prime Day Amazon just confirmed its next Prime Day event for June 23-26 and Black Friday. You may like Ninja has solved a big, disgusting problem with home coffee makers The 3 best budget-friendly coffee makers recommended by a barista The best coffee maker 2026: espresso and filter made easy
The Ninja AutoBarista Pro was released in May 2026, priced at $949.99 / 899.99. That's about AU$1,320, but again, this machine isn't yet sold in Australia. At the time of writing (June 2026) the AutoBarista Pro is brand new, so it hasn't received any price cuts yet. You'll find today's best deals on all three coffee makers below. Today's best Ninja coffee maker deals Ninja Luxe Cafe 447 View Deal See all prices Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro 699 569 View Deal See all prices Ninja AutoBarista Pro 899.99 View Deal See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Features Ninja AutoBarista Pro brews coffee at the press of a button Ninja Luxe Caf requires you to get a bit more hands-on Both steam milk automatically, but you need to pour it yourself The Ninja Luxe Caf is a semi-automatic coffee maker, while the Ninja AutoBarista Pro is fully automatic. Both take whole beans and let you make coffee with no prior experience, but the Luxe Caf is a little more hands-on. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
The Ninja Luxe Caf grinds your coffee into a portafilter, which you then move under the brewing group (the part of the machine that dispenses hot, pressurized water). With the AutoBarista Pro, the entire brewing process happens inside the machine, so you only have to press a button and wait for your drink to be dispensed.
The Ninja AutoBarista Pro has two bean hoppers, so you can switch between coffee types on the fly (particularly handy if, like me, you prefer to drink decaf in the afternoon), whereas the Ninja Luxe Caf only has one. The Ninja Luxe Caf is available in two versions: a model with a built-in tamping lever, and a more affordable one without (Image credit: Future) Both machines have steel burr grinders. The Ninja Luxe Caf has 25 grind settings, while the AutoBarista Pro has 50 settings, giving you more control over the rate at which your coffee is extracted and therefore the final flavor. Both machines guide you to help achieve the optimal grind size for your chosen coffee, but the AutoBarista Pro takes into account extra factors such as the age of the beans, tweaking the settings accordingly. What to read next The best bean-to-cup coffee maker 2026: quick and convenient espresso machines tested The best espresso machine 2026: home coffee makers tested by experts The best 4 capsule coffee machines from Nespresso, Keurig, and more
Both machines are capable of brewing espresso and drip coffee (which is quite unusual), as well as cold-brewed coffee. Both can also produce creamy foamed milk for lattes and cappuccinos, with different texture settings. Alternatively, you can raise the steam wand of either machine a few degrees and steam milk manually.
Neither coffee maker will dispense milk into your cup; whether you use the auto foaming function or use the steam wand manually, you'll need to pour it in yourself. This is particularly unusual for a fully automatic coffee maker, but has the advantage that you can experiment with pouring latte art. Maintenance Both machines are designed for easy cleaning AutoBarista Pro has
a fan to keep components cool and dry Both have user-friendly descaling programs Fully automatic coffee makers usually take more effort to maintain than semi-automatic models because of the heat, moisture, and coffee grounds inside the case, but all of the AutoBarista Pro's removable components are dishwasher-safe, and there's a fan inside to keep everything cool and dry (something I've never seen before on a coffee machine).
The Ninja Luxe Caf is also easy to keep clean; just wash the portafilter and basket, clean the drip tray, purge and wipe down the steam wand, and flush
the group set with hot water to keep it fresh. Conclusion Ninja Luxe Caf for price Ninja AutoBarista Pro for convenience If price is the most important factor, then you can't go wrong with the Ninja Luxe Caf. It's an excellent coffee maker that gives you far more features than many other models in the same price range. Personally I'd choose the Premier model rather than the
Pro. Although the tamping lever is a nice addition that's satisfying to use, and means you're never in contact with loose coffee grounds, tamping coffee
by hand isn't hard and I don't think it's worth an extra $150 / 150.
If time is more valuable to you, and you want a machine that can brew your coffee while you tackle other tasks, the Ninja AutoBarista Pro is a better choice, handling the whole process for you. It's also easier to keep clean
and hygienic than most automatic coffee makers, so you won't have to
sacrifice time later in the day washing components by hand and drying the interior. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best coffee makers you can buy Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons
Read our full guide to the best coffee makers 1. Best espresso: Breville Barista Touch Impress 2. Best drip: Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal 3. Best all-in-one: Ninja Luxe Caf 4. Best Nespresso: Krups Nespresso Pixie
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/ninja-autobarista-pro-vs-ninja- luxe-cafe
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