The fun-size Ninja Luxe Café Mini helps you brew tasty espresso and drip coffee if your kitchen isn't big enough for two separate machines

The Ninja Luxe Café Mini Espresso Machine is a compact version of its larger sibling, requiring minimal counter space while still offering multiple brewing options. This single machine grinds whole beans directly into a filter, weighs grinds, brews espresso or drip coffee, and froths milk, eliminating the need for additional coffee accessories on your counter.

Despite its compact size, the Ninja Luxe Café Mini delivers delicious coffee. However, mastering the espresso settings can be challenging, even after brewing numerous cups. The machine's semi-auto nature demands manual strength and dexterity to properly position the portafilter, which may require some trial and error. While drip coffee consistently comes out well, frothing milk proved to be a bit tricky, with overflow occurring when using minimal amounts of milk.

Priced at $449.99 USD (£338.50 GBP, $643.73 AUD), the Ninja Luxe Café Mini is widely available in stores and online, including popular retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Kohl's, Target, and directly from Ninja's website. The machine comes exclusively in black and chrome, offering a sleek, aesthetically pleasing design that complements any kitchen decor. It features five brew styles and a conical burr grinder for consistent results.

Setting up the machine involves determining water hardness using a test strip, running a flush cycle, and selecting the appropriate brew style. The conical burr grinder, brewing system, and steam wand are housed within the machine, which includes two filter baskets of different sizes. Once your grind size is set, tamp the coffee grounds, remove the funnel, and lock the portafilter into place. You can then select the desired brew strength and temperature, or use the default settings.

Cleaning and maintenance require removing and cleaning various components after each use, such as the tamper, funnel, basket, portafilter, steam wand, and milk jug. The drip tray and grinder also need regular cleaning, although the latter is not easily accessible. Despite the learning curve and occasional inconsistencies in brew amounts, the Ninja Luxe Café Mini provides an efficient, multifunctional coffee brewing solution for those willing to put in the effort.