Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I think I've accumulated every type of coffee maker known to man, bordering on the need for a family intervention or a 10 step program. From a monster espresso machine from Italy, to pod devices, to numerous French presses, to touch screen automated brewers. So when I was offered one more machine to view and review, the photos looked intriguing enough to have a closer look. I know Ninja is a brand name that many people are enamored with especially for their Bullet Blender that makes shakes and smoothies so convenient, but strangely I've never purchased or used any of their products. Could they possibly have created a coffee maker that raises an eyebrow. I requested it to review but had limited expectations. I just finished running it through its paces and can say I am duly impressed. They seemed to really have thought of everything. I have always loved simplicity and for the design of anything to follow function. No matter your status, brewing for a family or a single cup, preferring a standard brew or full bodied, drinking it right away or keeping it warm up to 4 hours, as well as timing your brew to be made exactly the moment you're waking up. It's all thought of and included here. First, I am so over machines with pods. Yes, of course, they are convenient. But the cost per cup is much higher, and much more disconcerting, is that I read how many millions of those plastic pods are generated as trash every day and it is an astounding waste. This machine has a permanent brew filter or you can use paper filters if you are so inclined for some reason. There's a measuring tool that mounts to the side of the machine to remind you of the correct amount of grounds to add for the type of brew you prefer and the size of the batch. It comes with a carafe for a full pot brew, or you can fold down the small side stand to place a conventional cup there for a single cup brew. If you're on the go, place your travel cup under the spout and press the button for that quantity. The simple dial mechanism allows you to choose from 6 settings as to quantity. There are three buttons that designate the strength of the brew, allowing the coffee to be held in the grounds longer for a stronger brew. Want to set a timer so your coffee is ready when you wake up. It's a simple setup. No mechanical engineering degrees required or head scratching involved! You can fill the water tank either by flipping up the lid as it stands in place to add water, or the tank lifts out to take it over to the sink to fill it from your filter spout there if you prefer or for cleaning. Is that about it. Nope. They even thought of a frothing arm that swings out from the left side of the machine. Froth your milk before adding it to your brew. The wand comes off with a half turn to simply rinse it under the faucet for easy cleanup. I measured the temperature of the coffee brew and it's right around 175 degrees. The unit is plastic, but it all feels very sturdy and well constructed. Brewing a full pot but you can't wait and want that first cup pronto? You can flip a lever on the front and it stops the flow into the carafe. Pour your first cup, replace the carafe, flip the switch and the remainder of the brew will continue. Are there any negatives? Honestly, the only thing I could think of is that the unit is a little tall, though it should fit under any cabinets. Aesthetically, I think it has a very modern and efficient look to it, especially if you're brewing just one cup and the cup is sitting suspended on that fold down holder. Before your first use, you're instructed to run two full pots of hot water brewed without coffee in the filter initially to make certain it's clean and sterilized. I'll report back if i discover any issues going forward that didn't jump out initially. But I sincerely report that this is a machine that is not inexpensive since it doesn't do extra chores like grind your beans. But it's functionality, it's diversity, ability to brew a single cup, to adjust the brew strength and time the brew begins, to interrupt a carafe for an impatient cup as well as ease of cleaning and aesthetic look, Ninja created a highly desirable machine well worth your consideration.