These days, you don’t have to go all the way to a coffee shop to get a barista-level cup of coffee. With so many commercial-grade coffee makers designed for home use, you can easily get a machine that can produce high-quality coffee in the comfort of your own kitchen! However, there’s one catch: how do you choose among all the amazing models out there?
When it comes to coffee makers for the home, there are two names that might sound familiar to you: Nespresso and Ninja. Both are brands known to make high-quality coffee makers for the coffee lover to make their own brews at home.
Nespresso is known for its one-touch system that uses capsules, while Ninja machines are advertised as a full-service coffee bar designed to fit on your kitchen countertop.
But which one would be a better fit for you? In this article, we’ll tackle the Nespresso vs. Ninja coffee maker debate and see which one comes out on top.
The Brew
At the heart of this debate lies the question: what kind of coffee do each of these two coffee maker systems produce?
The Nespresso system is a fully automated espresso machine. Like the traditional espresso maker, a Nespresso system uses pressurized hot water forced through capsules containing finely ground beans. This produces a flavorful espresso with a rich crema on top. If you want to make espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes, you need to get a high-end Nespresso machine with the built-in milk frother feature called the Aeroccino.
The Ninja system creates drip coffee, and you need to use your own grounds. This means that, unlike Nespresso, you have the freedom to create your own blends so that you can make a cup of coffee precisely to your liking. You won’t have to be limited to a set of flavors.
Coffee Serving and Strength
Since Nespresso is a system that uses capsules, each pod will create a single serving of coffee. Advanced models can let you choose the serving size, but you will still be limited to the traditional serving sizes of an espresso, namely single, double, and lungo. What’s more, you will be limited to the brew strength of the pods that you use.
The Ninja, on the other hand, offers more freedom in terms of the size and strength of your brews. You can choose from a wide variety of sizes from a single cup serving up to a carafe. Every Ninja model comes with its own carafe.
You can also choose from four different brewing strengths with a Ninja:
- Classic – the flavors will be like a traditional brew.
- Rich – the flavor will be deeper and more pronounced, perfect for those who want to add milk or creamer to their coffee without diluting the flavor.
- Iced – the flavor will be more intense to allow for adding ice to the brew without the flavor being diluted by the extra water.
- Specialty – this brew is perfect for those who use special bean blends so that you can taste the subtle notes of flavor in your coffee.
User-Friendly
When it comes to ease of use and speed, the Nespresso takes the upper hand against the Ninja. Every Nespresso system is designed to be as easy to use as possible. All you need to do is choose a capsule, place it into the machine, and press the “start” button – 1 minute later, you’ll be enjoying your fresh cup of espresso!
The Ninja system requires a bit of practice to perfect. While the Ninja system is still easier to use compared to a traditional commercial drip coffee system, you still need to learn the basics of using the different levers and buttons of the Ninja.
Price
Depending on the size and features included, Nespresso machines come in a range of prices from affordable to pricey. You can get a Nespresso machine for as low as $100, all the way up to $500 or more.
Ninja coffee makers are priced more affordably, ranging from $80 to $200.
The Models
While there are dozens of Nespresso models on the market, you can categorize them into two lines. The first line is called the Original line, and it is comprised of older Nespresso models. Many people prefer the Original line because the older models are compatible with capsules from other brands. However, many of these models are no longer supported by the manufacturer. The second line is called the Vertuo line, and it is the newer line of Nespresso machines released by the company. The Vertuo line uses Nespresso capsules exclusively.
The Ninja line of models only has four models, namely the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System with Thermal Carafe, the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe, the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe, and the Ninja Coffee Brewer. The Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System are also called the Ninja Coffee Bar, and it is considered to be the top-of-the-line model.
Design and Appearance
As with the price point, Nespresso comes in a variety of designs and appearances. Some Nespresso machines are designed for home use, and they are compact, simple, and sleek. Others are designed for business or commercial use, and they are large, professional-looking models. Nespresso machines for home/personal use also come in fun colors.
The Ninja line, on the other hand, is simpler in terms of design and appearance. They look like traditional commercial coffee makers and come in either black or stainless steel. Here’s how to learn more about coffee machines.
Some Final Thoughts from the Earl
There you have the main difference between Nespresso vs. Ninja coffee makers. Now you have a better idea of what kind of models you can expect from each maker, as well as what features you can enjoy. When it comes to the Nespresso vs. Ninja debate, there is no one winner. If you want a machine that’s quick and easy to use, the Nespresso is the better choice. However, if you want more freedom and creativity in brewing your coffee, the Ninja is the coffee maker for you.