The New Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus Is the Tiny Kitchen Upgrade Replacing Bulky Coffee Machines – It's Coffeehouse-Quality from Your Countertop
The new design is 30% smaller than the original, for coffee on a compact footprint
A quality coffee machine has become almost as essential to the modern kitchen as a stove or sink. For those of us with limited counter space, however, café-quality coffee often comes at the cost of valuable prep room.
With the new Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus, however, you can have the best of both worlds. Designed specifically for smaller kitchens, this compact all-in-one system delivers espresso, filter coffee, and silky café-style microfoam without dominating your countertop.
With barista assist, it removes all of the guesswork from your morning brew, too. As someone constantly fighting for precious counter real estate, I cannot wait to get my hands on what looks to be a worthy contender for the best espresso machines.
The Mini model is 30% smaller than its predecessor, but delivers the same café-quality coffee at the touch of a button. It will even froth your milk for you − it's a true gem for small kitchens.
The best coffee makers have a reputation for being bulky. To reach the top spot, they often offer several functions, from multiple brew methods to built-in grinding and milk frothing − and the extra bells and whistles usually equate to more room.
The Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus Autofroth Espresso Machine, available at Amazon, delivers all of that without the added mass. Measuring just 10.08" L x 12.17" W x 13.43", it is 30% smaller than its predecessor, the Ninja Luxe Café Pro, which we reviewed and gave five stars last year.
Our expert reviewer Lydia Hayman completely fell in love with the original, saying it was the only machine she ever wanted in her kitchen. One of her only criticisms was that the machine was too big, making this launch possibly the thing to make it truly perfect. I will be sure to put it to the test to find out.
As with the original, the Mini is a highly automated machine, with Barista Assist Technology designed to remove the guesswork from making coffee at home. The system will automatically select the best grind and shot size to give you consistent results, no matter if you are a first-time bean drinker or a trained barista. With single and double-shot espresso baskets, three brew strengths, and three hot water settings, every drink can be tailored to your preferences.
And that's just the coffee. The Luxe Cafe Mini Plus also froths your milk, with a hands-free steam wand calibrated for both dairy and plant-based milks. It's shaping up to be one of the best ways to make espresso at home.
What Else to Shop
At just under $500, the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus is also one of the more accessible automatic espresso machines I've come across, offering an impressive range of features without venturing into premium coffee-shop territory.
To help you get the most from your new machine, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite coffee accessories, from storage and organisation essentials to brewing tools that can help take your at-home coffee station to the next level.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Nothing ruins your brew like stale coffee. This coffee canister features a patented inner plunger lid with a two-way valve that forces excess oxygen out of the canister and locks out humidity, preserving freshness for longer when storing coffee beans.
This nine-pin professional-grade WDT is designed specifically for even ground distribution, with ultra-fine 0.3 mm gauge stainless steel needles. The ergonomic walnut wood handle looks great on your counter, too, and the included stand protects against damage while providing somewhere to easily store it.
Your water quality can impact the taste of your brew. This Espresso Machine mineral packet can be added to the water, and is specially engineered to protect your espresso machine’s boiler while delivering exceptional espresso shots with rich crema, balanced acidity, and enhanced sweetness.
These matching glass bottles come with precision pumps for easy and consistent dispensing in retro style. They also come with labels to fully personalize your setup.
This tiered countertop organizer is a great way to keep your morning coffee essentials organized, using vertical storage to save space while creating a visual display.
Our coffee expert and trained chef, Lydia Hayman, dubbed the glass version of the AeroPress in her review as the 'Rolls Royce' of coffee makers, and this Stainless Steel model now has a more durable exterior that doesn't risk breaking when transported or stored in a cramped kitchen drawer.
Not sure which coffee style is best for you? Check out our guide to espresso versus drip for the best morning brew.
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