Ninja CM401 Review
The Ninja Coffee Maker is a compact yet powerful coffee maker that will meet all of your caffeine requirements.
The most excellent part about this coffee maker is that it is not expensive although loaded with functions.
For individuals who want their caffeine fix and can't go a day without a nice cup of coffee at regular intervals, this is a product they should consider - find out if it's the correct model for you with our Ninja CM401 review below.
But, let’s first know a few things about the Ninja Coffee maker!
The Ninja Coffee Bar brewer brings simplicity, flexibility, and quality to your kitchen countertop. Use the included reusable pods or brew coffee using cold press ground beans. Use the brew-through lid to pour in hot water without the hassle of a hot-water tank.
You can also use it to make iced coffee with your favourite cold-pressed speciality ingredients. And when you're not using it, fold the carafe back into the machine and store the Ninja Coffee Bar brewer out of the way until you need it.
The Ninja Coffee Bar is an award-winning, professional-grade homebrewer that’s the perfect way to start your morning.
It is an automatic single-cup coffee maker that brews up to 10 cups of coffee at a time. It features a removable water reservoir, built-in fold-away frother, permanent filter, and brew-through lid.
It’s a super-smart way to brew coffee, tea, or other hot drinks. And it even makes hot chocolate!
Specifications
- Colour: Black/stainless steel
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
- Cord Length: 2.5 feet
- Overall Dimensions: 12L x 8.8W x 15H (inches)
- Brew Types: 4
- Warranty: 1 Year Warranty
- Carafe Type: Glass/Thermal
- Filter Type: Permanent
- Product Weight: 9.24 lbs
- Water Reservoir Capacity: 50 oz
Features
Design
The Ninja CM401’s straightforward interface and design are some of its most distinctive features. An elegantly suspended brew group is hoisted between a support bar and the water tank in the design.
The tank is transparent and features markings at critical spots to indicate how much to fill it with. A clock at the very top allows you to select a specific time of day to brew the coffee.
You have two options below that: Stay Warm and Delay Brew. Stay Warm will transfer some of the ambient heat to the hot plate to keep the coffee warm. Delay Brew allows you to brew at a predetermined time.
A rotary dial beneath that allows you to pick how much tea you wish to brew. There are six different brew sizes to choose from, as well as a bonus glass carafe. Right below it, you'll see four rectangular buttons from which to select one of the four brew styles.
Quality
When it comes to materials, the entire frame is composed of stainless steel. Consumer-grade steel is a suitable choice for various reasons, the most important of which are its low cost and stiffness.
It is also very thermally conductive, allowing maximum heat to flow out and into the hot plate. It also keeps the machine from overheating.
Coffee Blooming
Another exciting feature of this coffee maker is the coffee blooming. It is the process of slightly wetting the coffee bed to liberate trapped carbon dioxide. This gas is produced during roasting and harms the taste.
Coffee blooming allows all of the gas to escape, resulting in maximal saturation of the grounds and, as a result, an equal extraction.
Brew Sizes:
The Ninja CM401 allows you to pick from 6 different brew sizes to simplify things and save waste. You can have a single cup, an XL single cup, a half carafe, a full carafe, a travel mug, and an XL travel mug.
Each of these six brew sizes is labelled on the water reservoir. So you need to add the amount of water you require, saving you from wasting water.
The brew size is selected using a big dial on the control panel. It means you only brew as much coffee as you need, which is impossible to do with a standard coffee machine. Another distinguishing feature is that it can hold larger travel cups and full jugs.
Folding frother
The Ninja CM401 has a new twist. Its frothing wand is collapsible, which means it can fit snugly by the coffee maker’s side, and you can take it out as needed.
Simple Descaling:
The Ninja CM401’s designers intended to make it simple to clean and descale. Scale formation is a natural phenomenon caused by the release of calcium deposits by boiling water.
While many machines include their descaling solution or need you to purchase one, the Ninja does not. Instead, you can make your solutions from water and white vinegar or use store-bought tablets and solutions.
Cleaning and general maintenance:
The exterior is relatively simple to clean and maintain. Because it is composed of stainless steel, sludge and residue coffee are unlikely to remain. Instead, you can clean it with a damp cloth, and you’re ready to go.
The glass carafe merely needs a gentle cleaning with warm water and non-corrosive soap. If there is too much residue in the bottom, use a soft foam brush to remove it. We do not recommend wire brushes since they will mar the elegance of the glass.
Brewing settings
The Ninja CM401 has four different brew settings: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Specialty Brew.
Classic Brew is the standard setting that allows you to make coffee in the way that you want.
Rich Brew gives your coffee a full-bodied flavour by increasing the contact time of the hot water with the grounds. This brew style is for those who enjoy intense flavours.
It also maximizes flavour at lower temperatures by keeping them closer to 140 degrees Fahrenheit than other machines on the market.
Over Ice Brew also keeps the temperature of the water low to allow maximum flavour extraction. But it is designed for those who want their coffee icy and refreshing—ideal for serving over ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and desserts.
Specialty Brew: Gives the coffee a deep flavour with higher caffeine content. It is for those who enjoy a more pungent taste of the coffee.
Price
It costs somewhat more than $100, which is typical for coffee machines. So it is slightly higher than the national average, which ranges between $70 and $80. But it is somewhat lower than other coffee machines of the same quality.
Pros
- Utilizes water: The machine is very good at utilizing water. The water flow helps the coffee brew effectively. You can make a decent cup of coffee from this coffee maker without worrying about the number of grinds or water temperature, etc.
- Drip stop button: This is a nice feature in the coffee brewer. You can press this button, and it will stop the brewing.
- Ease of use: The coffee maker allows you to select either the double or single cup size. You can adjust the brew time depending on how strong you want your cup of coffee. If you are short on time, then it will brew for less than 4 minutes.
- ABS material: The ABS material is tough and durable. Compared to other coffee makers, it doesn’t contain plastic that may dissolve into the coffee over time and hence recycling will be good for the environment.
- Has a heated plate: Keep your mug or cup warm for a good time. For example, the coffee maker has a heated plate that can keep your cup of coffee warm for two hours at a time.
- Flexibility: You can select different brewing sizes and times. This way, you can get the coffee precisely to your liking.
- Coffee quality: The machine produces coffee that is smooth and rich in flavour. It has an exclusive feature that allows you to select different grinds for your coffee.
Hence depending on how much taste you want to add or preferred grind size for your coffee, you can make it like a latte or espresso shot, etc.
Cons:
- It is very noisy: This is probably one of the reasons why you should try other coffee makers if you are looking for something quiet.
- Does not come with a coffee bean grinder: You will need to go for an external grinder to get freshly ground coffee beans.
If this feature exists, it would be like a plus point because grinding coffee beans can also get done quickly in this coffee maker itself.
- Tall machine: This coffee maker can be a problem if you have a tiny kitchen. It may not fit in small cabinets easily.
Customer reviews
The Ninja coffee maker gets a lot of mixed feedback from customers. While some say that it is delicious and does what it claims, others say that the machine is not worth the money it costs, and there are better machines in the market.
Many positive reviews are saying that this is a coffee maker worth buying. Some customers said they were happy with the number of options when brewing coffee; for example, they could set their machine to make coffee for two cups instead of one.
It makes good coffee, according to quite a few customers. They also said that it was effortless to use and clean. In addition, it has a simple design that is easy to use.
There are negative reviews as well. However, most of them are about the machine getting broken or not working well within a few months of purchase.
Alternatives
The Ninja CM401 is one of the finest coffee makers, but it is not without competitors. There may be something in Ninja CM401 that does not meet your requirements, in which case you will require a replacement.
Ninja CM407 is a competitive alternative to Ninja CM401. Both have the same brew size, style, carafe, and nearly identical structure.
Furthermore, the CM407 is durable, constructed of stainless steel, glass, ABS, and rubber for maximum protection.
Therefore, if you are not interested in the CM401, you might seek the CM407 model. However, keep in mind that CM407 is more expensive than CM401.
Who should buy this machine?
If you are a coffee drinker who would like to enjoy good coffee brewed from their kitchen, then this coffee maker can be an excellent choice for you.
Those short on time and budget should also look for this machine as it is effortless to use and offers high-quality brews at a reasonable price.
Consumers looking for a unique design will also find the CM401 appealing as it comes with a stylish glass carafe.
Finally, consumers looking for a simple machine with a good taste of coffee should buy the Ninja coffee maker. This machine makes delicious coffee and does not cost a lot to own.
If you are a person who is not too keen on the process involved in brewing a cup of coffee, then it can be an excellent choice as compared to other machines that require special attention or more skills.
It produces high-quality coffee within minutes and at a very reasonable time and cost.
Does Ninja specialty CM401 make espresso?
No , it does not make a true espresso. The specialty CM-401 makes ground espresso.
Can you make tea in Ninja CM401?
No. You can only make espresso like drink in this product.
Can you use ground espresso in Ninja specialty coffee maker?
Yes, you can use whichever your favorite ground espresso brand is in the machine.
Is Ninja a good brand for coffee?
Yes, Ninja is a very good brand when it comes to coffee making. They are one of the leading brands in this field.
Do Ninja coffee makers need water filters?
No, you do not need water filters for Ninja coffee makers. They come with permanent filters and you can wash them after every use.
Can you get hot water from Ninja Coffee Bar?
Just leave out the coffee grounds and brew it. You can have hot water as well as coffee from your Ninja coffee bar.
Do ninja coffee makers last?
Yes, Ninja coffee makers are one of the most durable coffee makers if taken proper care of. They will not disappoint you over time.
Conclusion:
The Ninja coffee maker is an excellent machine that gets the job done in a short time and at a reasonable cost. If you are looking for a coffee maker that will give you great coffee in a short time, you should buy this one.
It can be great to have it in your kitchen if you are often pressed for time and want to make good coffee easily from your kitchen.
FAQs
What is the distinction between the Ninja CM-400 and the Ninja CM-401?
Almost every aspect of the goods is the same; however, the Ninja CM-401 is superior in two areas: carafe and hot plate.
The carafe in the Ninja CM-400 is made entirely of glass. However, the Ninja CM-401 employs a glass and thermal carafe. Next, the CM401 has a heated plate, but the CM400 does not. And, in terms of price, the CM-401 is more inexpensive.
Is there a warmer on the Ninja specialty coffee maker?
Yes, thankfully, the Ninja CM-401 includes a dedicated heated plate designed to keep any cup warm for 2 hours.
How Should I Look After My Ninja CM401?
It is simple to maintain your Ninja CM401. Here’s what you can do to keep it going:
- Avoid getting coffee on the control panel or digital screen.
- Wipe the exterior down using a wet cloth.
- Using a mild warm soap solution, clean out the carafe.
- Every week or two, run a descaling cycle with white vinegar and water.
- Every month, brush off dust and grime from the parts.
