Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601: A coffee maker for those who want professional results without the hassle

In a market saturated with automatic, super-automatic, and semi-professional coffee machines, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier ES601 presents itself as an attractive alternative for those who want to get started in the world of specialty coffee without facing a steep learning curve or making an investment exceeding seven or ten million pesos.

This machine, which combines a grinder, a weight-based dosing system, temperature control, and a simplified user interface, aims to make espresso accessible at home. But beyond its advertised features, how does it perform in everyday use? What should you know before buying it? Here's an honest technical review after weeks of use.

One of this machine's greatest achievements is its interface. The control panel features a system of lights and a sequence of steps that lets the user know exactly what to do at any given time. It's not a touchscreen or generic button panel, but rather a guided environment that simplifies the coffee-making process, even for people without prior knowledge.

This interface works in conjunction with Ninja's proprietary technology, called Barista Assist, which recommends the grind type and automatically adapts some extraction parameters based on the chosen beverage.

Unlike semi-automatic machines, where the user must adjust pressure, grind, quantity, and time, here it all comes down to following a logical sequence and letting the machine handle the rest.

This automation has obvious advantages in terms of convenience, but it also imposes certain limits on the personalized control that a more advanced user might expect.

The Ninja Luxe Coffee includes a built-in conical burr grinder with 25 adjustment levels, allowing you to cover everything from coarse grinds for cold brew to fine grinds for espresso.

The grinding system is linked to an internal scale that, rather than operating by time, measures the exact weight of the coffee being ground.

In practice, this guarantees a consistent dose of approximately 18 grams per shot, which represents a double espresso as the minimum standard. One thing to note here is that on this model, the machine does not allow you to select a single espresso.

Even if you specify a single cup, the system always grinds and extracts a double dose. This can be seen as a limitation, but it also ensures consistency and prevents common underdosing mistakes among novice users.

The extraction process, from pressing the button until the flow stops, takes on average between 45 and 50 seconds.

This includes preheating, pre-infusing, and fully extracting the coffee. The machine works with a preset ratio of approximately 2.5 grams of water per gram of coffee, resulting in a double espresso.

There are two other espresso ratio models: 4:1 (which is essentially a lungo) or 2:1. You can also influence the flavor profile by adjusting the water temperature from three settings: low, medium, and high.

This setting, while functional, doesn't offer the degree of precision that other professional or prosumer machines offer. For most users, the three levels will be sufficient. However, for those looking to experiment with millimeter-level precision in the extraction temperature curve, this system can be restrictive.

As for the result in the cup, the espressos obtained with this machine have a pleasant texture, a thick and stable crema, and a flavor profile that tends toward acidity, especially when using light or medium roasts.

This acidity can be moderated by using a high temperature and choosing coffees with greater roast development. Consistency from extraction to extraction is one of the strengths of the ES601's automated system.

One of the less-discussed features—and one worth keeping in mind—is that once you start making an espresso, it can't be interrupted.

If for any reason you want to stop the process and change the preparation, there is no manual cut-off option. This lack of control can be seen as a minor inconvenience or as a logical consequence of a machine that prioritizes automation over manual intervention.

Additionally, coffee and water consumption must be carefully considered. The fact that each brew uses 18 grams of coffee means that a 500-gram bag yields about 27 to 28 cups, which represents a high consumption if you drink several cups a day. But even more important is water consumption.

The machine purges the system before and after each brewing process, automatically cleans the steam wand, and preheats the brew group. All of this generates additional water consumption that ends up in the waste bin, even if only one cup has been brewed. For those who use treated, filtered, or bottled water, this detail can impact their finances or their supply logistics.

The milk frother—or steam wand—is another of this machine's strong points. It works with a hands-free system that offers four preset profiles for different types of foam: dense, creamy, airy, or cold.

Simply insert the lance into the milk jug and select the desired option. The machine does the rest. Plus, after each use, the machine automatically cleans the lance with steam and hot water, preventing milk buildup or residue that could clog the system over time.

This feature, which on other devices requires manual intervention or frequent deep cleaning, becomes a relief for those seeking efficiency without compromising hygiene.

The Ninja Luxe Café ES601 is constructed from a combination of stainless steel and high-density ABS polymer. It features a robust design, with gunmetal or brushed steel finishes that blend with the aesthetics of a modern kitchen.

The drip tray is deep and removable, making cleaning easy. The water tank has a capacity of 70 fluid ounces (approximately two liters), which is enough for several consecutive preparations, but its design requires removing it completely to fill it, which can be inconvenient if the machine is located under a low cabinet.

In terms of dimensions, the machine measures 38.5 cm high, 34 cm deep, and 33 cm wide. It weighs approximately 11.7 kilos, reflecting a solid structure, with no creaking or unnecessary movement when operating the grinder or activating the pump.

Ninja includes a set of water hardness test strips in the box. This isn't an inconsequential courtesy. Water hardness directly influences both the flavor of your coffee and the lifespan of your equipment.

Very hard water can cause limescale buildup in the system, while excessively soft water can affect extraction to the point of becoming unbalanced. The machine also includes sachets of powdered descaler and cleaning tablets, making periodic maintenance easier without the need to purchase additional products during the first few months of use.

However, the high volume of discarded water requires frequent emptying of the tray and may force those responsible for this issue to review their supply more closely.

The Ninja Luxe Café ES601 is a machine that delivers on its promise: preparing espresso, drip, and cold brew with little room for error, great flavor, and a polished aesthetic.

It's not a machine designed for espresso purists or those who want to customize every setting. But for those looking to get started in the world of coffee with a reasonable investment, without sacrificing quality and without the need to purchase a grinder, scale, or prior experience, this option represents one of the best value-for-money options on the market today.

Its price, around two and a half million Colombian pesos (varies by distributor), places it in an affordable segment compared to professional machines that can cost three or four times more. And most importantly, it does so without offering mediocre results. On the contrary, it delivers a balanced, textured, full-bodied coffee with enough room for customization to suit the average user's taste.