The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is an outstanding product in the highly competitive market of drip coffee machines. Combining affordability with a suite of premium features, it aims to deliver an exceptional coffee-brewing experience without breaking the bank. This detailed review delves into the design, performance, features, and overall value of the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your kitchen.
- Priced around $80, it offers great value for the features included.
- Multiple brew strength settings and small-batch options.
- Programmable timer, removable water reservoir, and dishwasher-safe parts.
- Shower head-style brewer and Flavor Straw ensure even extraction and flavor.
- Fits well in most kitchen spaces without taking up too much room.
- Makes the machine feel less sturdy.
- A full carafe takes about 15 minutes to brew.
- Good, but not exceptional; may not satisfy coffee connoisseurs.
- Setup is more time-consuming compared to other models.
Design and Setup
The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker boasts a sleek design with stainless steel and black accents, fitting seamlessly into modern kitchen aesthetics. Its compact size, measuring 9.9 x 10.5 x 14.6 inches, is particularly noteworthy, especially given its capacity to brew up to 12 cups of coffee at once. This makes it an excellent choice for households that consume large quantities of coffee or entertain guests frequently.
Despite its slim profile, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker features a significant amount of plastic in its construction, which can make it feel less sturdy compared to more robust models. However, this does not detract from its overall aesthetic appeal, which is modern and sophisticated. The machine’s layout is intuitive, with the water tank located at the back, adjacent to the brew basket area. The carafe and warming plate are positioned directly under the brew basket, with the control panel conveniently placed underneath the water tank.
Setting up the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is relatively straightforward, though the initial priming process is somewhat lengthy. The included instructions recommend running two full cycles of water through the machine, taking about 15-20 minutes in total. While this step ensures the machine is ready for optimal performance, it can be seen as a minor inconvenience. Once primed, using the machine is simple: add your coffee grounds to the permanent filter, fill the water tank to the desired level, select your preferred coffee strength on the control panel, and press Brew.
Performance and Coffee Quality
The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker excels in several areas, particularly in its versatility and customization options. It offers both Classic Brew and Rich Brew settings, allowing users to adjust the strength of their coffee to their liking. This feature is especially useful for households with diverse coffee preferences, as it caters to both mild and strong coffee lovers.
One of the standout features of the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is its shower head-style brewer. This mechanism evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds, similar to more expensive models, ensuring a consistent extraction and well-balanced flavor profile. The machine maintains a stable water temperature of around 195 degrees Fahrenheit during brewing, which contributes to the smooth taste of the coffee.
Additionally, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker includes a “Flavor Straw” in the carafe. This innovative feature ensures that the coffee circulates well and maintains a uniform flavor throughout the pot, regardless of whether it’s the first or last cup. This level of consistency is impressive for a machine in this price range.
Despite these advantages, the coffee produced by the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker, while good, is not extraordinary. It is a solid performer for drip coffee, but those with more refined palates might find it lacking in depth and complexity. Nevertheless, for everyday use, it delivers a satisfying cup of coffee that is sure to please most users.
Features and Convenience
The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is packed with convenient features that enhance its usability. The control panel is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a clearly labeled LED clock display. It also includes a programmable timer, allowing users to set the machine to brew automatically up to 24 hours in advance. This is a particularly handy feature for those who like to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee.
Another practical feature is the removable water reservoir, which makes refilling and cleaning straightforward. This is a significant advantage over machines with fixed water tanks, as it allows for easier maintenance and more precise water measurement. The reservoir is also dishwasher-safe, along with the other removable parts, including the carafe and brew bed. This simplifies the cleaning process and ensures that the machine remains in good working condition.
The warming plate of the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is adjustable, allowing users to keep their coffee hot for up to four hours without burning it. This is particularly useful for those who like to enjoy their coffee slowly over an extended period. However, some users might find that the coffee is not as hot as they would like after a couple of hours, as the temperature drops to around 159 degrees Fahrenheit.
One minor drawback of the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is its brew time. A full carafe takes about 15 minutes to brew, which is longer than some other models. While this might be an issue for those in a hurry, the machine’s pause feature allows users to pour a cup mid-brew without making a mess. This feature is moderately effective, though it does allow a few drips to escape onto the heating plate.
Value for Money
Retailing at approximately $80, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker offers excellent value for money. It provides many of the features found in more expensive models, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. While it doesn’t match the performance of high-end machines like the OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker, it delivers solid performance and versatility at a fraction of the price.
In comparison to other coffee makers in its price range, such as the Black + Decker 5-Cup Coffee Maker, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker stands out with its larger capacity, more advanced features, and greater customization options. The Black + Decker model is smaller and less expensive, but it lacks the versatility and extra features of the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker.
Final Verdict
The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and versatile coffee machine at an affordable price. Its range of features, ease of use, and consistent performance make it a strong contender in the budget coffee maker category. While it may not satisfy the most discerning coffee aficionados, it offers solid performance and great value for everyday use.
Whether you’re brewing a full pot for a group or just a couple of cups for yourself, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has the flexibility and functionality to meet your needs. Its sleek design, intuitive controls, and convenient features make it a valuable addition to any kitchen. If you’re looking for a coffee maker that combines affordability with premium features, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is definitely worth considering.
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Specifications
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Filter Type: Cone (reusable)
- Water Dispensation Style: Shower head
- Carafe Style: Glass with bottom heating element
- Small-Batch Feature: Yes (2 to 4 cups)
- Brew Delay/Programmable Timer: Yes (up to 24 hours in advance)
- Brew Strength Customization: Classic Brew and Rich Brew settings
- Keep Warm Feature: Adjustable (up to 4 hours)
- Dimensions: 9.9 x 10.5 x 14.6 inches
- Material: Stainless steel and plastic
- Removable Water Reservoir: Yes, dishwasher-safe
- Other Features:
- Digital clock display
- Pause feature for mid-brew serving
- Measuring spoon attached to the machine
- Clean function for descaling
- LED control panel
- Cord storage compartment
- Warranty: One year
- Price: Approximately $80
