A good coffee machine is an important factor in getting a cup of quality coffee. With a good coffee maker, you can get to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee consistently everyday with convenience. There are many coffee making machines in the market. Two well known brands are the Nespresso and Ninja coffee makers. But what are their differences? Which is better? These are some questions faced by buyers when considering which to buy. So let’s check them out in this Ninja coffee bar vs Nespresso review.
Contents
Differences between the Nespresso espresso makers and Ninja coffee makers
Coffee Produced & Brewing Method
The first important difference is the coffee brewed. The Nespresso brews espresso while Ninja brews the common drip coffee.
With Nespresso coffee machines, you will get to enjoy the tasty rich coffee crema on top of the espresso. These espressos are made using high pressure and temperature. If you enjoy cappuccino and latte, you can froth some milk and add to the espresso.
Besides espresso, there are some Nespresso models which can make both espresso and coffee. These models belong to Nespresso’s second product line, called the Nespresso Vertuoline models. These models use Nespresso’s new spinning technology to produce the high pressure to extract coffee.
For more details on differences between Nespresso’s two product lines, check out the Nespresso Vertuoline vs Originalline review
Although you can’t get to enjoy the rich coffee crema, Ninja allows you to brew coffee drinks that are iced. The brewing method is the traditional brewing and dripping method to get your coffee. In other words, you don’t get a rich coffee crema. The coffee is also less concentrated.
Coffee Serving
Nespresso machines are pod based espresso machines. Hence, they can only serve a single cup of coffee at a time.
Ninja, on the other hand, have a variety of cups servings. They can serve a single cup, a large mug, a travel cup and even a carafe. If you have a large family of coffee lovers, the carafe will save you efforts by making a pot of coffee at one go.
Ease of Use
Nespresso machines are fully automatic machines. With their patent Nespresso capsule system, you just need to pop in the coffee capsule. Place your cup under the coffee sprout. Make a selection. And the machine takes over from there. The user controls are very intuitive. In most models, you basically just need to make on selection.
On the contrast, Ninja coffee makers require more steps in the setup. You have to turn knobs and press buttons at different locations to get started. You also have to deal with messy coffee powder. Pour the coffee powder into the coffee filter. Place the coffee filter into the coffee holder and push the holder into its place. Then you get to put your cup under the sprout and make your selections using the knobs and buttons.
Price
The prices are also something that distinguishes the two.
For Nespresso machines, the budget can go anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on the features. In contrast, Ninja coffee makers have a more affordable range from $80 to $200. Ninja Coffee Bar, for example, is in the higher price range.
Ninja coffee bar CF097
Storage Space
The required space to store these machines varies.
The typical Nespresso machines are very compact. So they occupy a limited space. For example the Nespresso Essenza Mini is only 4.33 inches wide x 8.07 inches deep x 12.8 inches tall.
However, Ninja machines are large in size, taking up more of your counter. The smallest one, Ninja Coffee Brewer, is already 8.7 inches deep x 9.9 inches wide x 14.6 inches tall.
Energy conservation
The Nespresso machines goes off after use in 9 minutes. However, the Ninja coffee machines take 2 hours to go off automatically. If you leave the house hurriedly without turning off the coffee maker, you get different extra energy costs with the two machines.
Noise
Nespresso machines are typically pretty noisy as they use pump based high pressure to produce tasty espresso. The noise level is lower for the Nespresso Vertuoline models which uses the spinning technology.
Ninja machines do not use high pressure. So they are quiet and offer a calm environment.
Design
Nespresso machines typically come in many cheerful and fun colors. Each Nespresso model is designed beautifully. When you are looking to decorate your kitchen, they are the best. The sleek designs are eye-catching and beautiful. Some even won awards. For example, the Essenza mini and Pixie are Red Dot Award Winners.
Ninja machines, on the other hand, only come in black/stainless steel. The only distinct features will be the accessories and packages they come with.
Descaling Method
On the use of vinegar, the Nespresso machine is out of bounds. It is not allowed in the coffee maker for descaling. You have to use the Nespresso descaling agent which is more expensive than using vinegar.
In contrast, you can use vinegar to descale Ninja coffee makers and have no problem whatsoever.
But considering descaling is only performed every 3 to 6 months, the costs do not really mean much.
Milk frother
In most Nespresso machines, a separate Nespresso Aeroccino 4 milk frother is required to froth milk. This made use of the mechanical spinner to make the foams in the milk. Only the milk frothers in the Lattissma and Creatista models use hot steam to froth milk. And these frothers are integrated with the espresso makers.
Nespresso Creatista Plus Espresso and Coffee Beverages Maker with Milk Frother by Breville
The milk frothers on Ninja coffee makers only use the mechanical spinner to make the foams in the milk. Other than the Ninja coffee brewer, the milk frothers are attached to the coffee brewers.
Coffee Used
The Nespresso machines can only Nespresso coffee pods although some models may be able to accept third party compatible capsules. However, these are usually used at your own risk, for it will void the warranty.
The nespresso capsules use high quality coffee selected by Nespresso. The coffee is sealed in aluminium pods, keeping the freshness of the coffee for a long time. High pressure is required to press water through these pods which are punctured with holes when brewing start.
Thus, you can get great tasty aromatic espresso consistently with every single pod. Even though you can only capsules for the Nespresso machines, there are a wide variety of flavours available from Nespresso. If you consider the third party compatible capsules, then you have even more choices.
On the other hand, Ninja coffee makers brew any kind of coffee. You can choose the roasting, the origin and the freshness of the coffee beans. Since it is drip coffee, the coffee will not have the tasty rich crema available only in espresso.
Nespresso gives you convenience in not dealing with messy coffee powder. However, with Ninja coffee makers, you can have total control over the coffee. But you have to spend more efforts to deal with coffee powder. If you choose to buy coffee beans over powder, then you also need to do grinding, adding up to more work.
Advantages of buying Nespresso espresso makers
- They produce real espresso which is sweet and enjoyable while drinking. The coffee is highly flavored.
- Nespresso machines are elegantly designed. Some Nespresso machines have an LED touch screen which makes the machine even more attractive.
- When you have a small space, the machine will fit perfectly well. They come in small sizes hence the convenience.
- Nespresso machines are fully automatic in making espresso. You only need to choose the type you want to drink. In the Lattissima models, even latte and cappuccino are made automatically with the automatic milk frother.
- It is easy to clean up the machine while other parts are dishwasher secure.
- You can choose from the various designs and colors that they have. People with different tastes and preferences are covered.
- They have a faster heating time. You can get your coffee within a very short time.
Advantages of buying Ninja Coffeemakers
- There are no restrictions to the coffee beans or coffee powder used.
- When it comes to descaling, you are free to do it with vinegar which will make the machine better.
- The milk frother that is attached to the machine is easy to remove. You can also clean it up without the risk of damaging it.
- Ninja coffee brewers can serve a small cup to a large carafe. When you have friends coming around, you can easily serve a whole pot with the Ninja coffee brewers.
- You should be able to use the machine anytime without waking up people in the house. Since it does not use high pressure, it is not noisy.
Related: Nespresso vs Verismo
Nespresso or Ninja coffee makers?
With that much said about Nespresso and Ninja coffee makers, it will be your decision to make. The differences will help you pick the one that suits your needs. The sizes will also help in establishing whether it will fit on the kitchen counter. The variety of coffee you require will also be a determining factor. So far both of them are affordable. The prices might be different from the designs. The flavor will also push you to get the best one. As you purpose to get a coffee brewing machine, get one that will make your life enjoyable and easy.
