Brew 
Thinking About the Specialty?
This coffee maker review covers the Ninja Specialty: how it makes your drinks, what you need alongside it, and the tradeoffs to consider before buying.
Its concentrated coffee setting isn’t traditional pump espresso. It’s a good option for coffee-based milk drinks, but know that difference before buying.
Full Amazon Product Name: Ninja Coffee Maker, 10-Cup Carafe, Fold-Away Frother, Black, CM401
What’s It Like to Use the Specialty Every Day?
The Ninja Specialty is for mornings when you want a choice between plain coffee and something with frothed milk. Start with the amount of coffee you need, choose the brewing option for your drink, and add milk separately when you want it. You’re still working with ground coffee rather than a traditional espresso shot.
You get more choice without switching to a traditional espresso setup. That can suit a household that likes a pot of coffee as much as the occasional frothy drink.
What About Lattes and Cappuccinos?
The Specialty includes a frother, so you can make the coffee and prepare the milk separately. Brew your coffee, use the frother as directed, then pour the milk and coffee together.
That’s an easy enough extra step if you enjoy the occasional latte or cappuccino. Just stay below the frother’s fill mark and rinse or wash it after use. Check the included frother’s heating options if you want both hot and cold milk drinks.
The coffee base here is brewed coffee, not traditional espresso. You can still make a tasty milk drink, but it’s worth knowing the difference if you want the same style of cappuccino you order at a café.
If you’re buying this mainly for cappuccinos, compare brewed-coffee milk drinks with espresso-based options first.
What Else Will You Need?
The Ninja Specialty coffee maker doesn’t grind beans for you. Preground coffee is the easiest place to start, or you can use a separate grinder and try different beans. Match the grind to the brewing method rather than assuming finer is always better.
Before ordering, check which filter and serving container come with the machine. If you already have coffee tools you like, it’s worth checking that they suit the new brewer.
A Few Details Worth Knowing
| What to Check | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Pot Size | 10 cups |
What’s Good, and What Should You Think About?
What You Might Like
- Choose the ground coffee you already enjoy.
- Add frothed milk without a traditional manual-steam routine.
Before You Buy
- Its concentrated coffee setting isn’t traditional pump espresso. It’s a good option for coffee-based milk drinks, but know that difference before buying.
- Add the cost of a grinder if you want to use whole beans.
How Easy Is the Specialty to Clean?
Wash the frother after you use it, following the directions for its removable parts. Milk residue is easier to deal with before it dries.
Descaling takes care of minerals inside the water path; washing the removable coffee parts is a different job. Use the products and cleaning steps recommended for this machine.
Leave room to refill and clean it. Before putting the Ninja Specialty under a cabinet, check that you can open the lids and remove the tank or tray. A machine that fits on paper can still be awkward when you use it.
What Could You Buy Instead of the Specialty?
Not quite sure this is the one? These machines give you a few other options to weigh up. Look at how they make coffee, what you do with the milk, and whether a grinder is included.
| Machine | How It Makes Coffee | How You Make the Milk | Built-In Grinder | Who It May Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braun OptiBrew Pro | Specialty coffee | Milk frother | No | Hot, Cold, and Frothed Milk |
| Ninja DualBrew Pro CFP301 | Specialty coffee | Milk frother | No | Pods or Ground Coffee |
| BUNN Speed Brew Elite CSB2B | Drip coffee | No frother included | No | For Your Daily Coffee Pot |
You can also browse all our coffee makers, or answer a few questions in Help Me Choose to get a smaller list that suits your drinks and budget.
A Few More Questions About the Specialty
Does the Ninja Specialty Grind Coffee Beans?
No, the Specialty doesn’t include a grinder. Use suitable ground coffee, or add a separate grinder if you prefer whole beans.
Can You Make Lattes and Cappuccinos with the Specialty?
Yes. Use the included frother and combine the milk with your brewed coffee. The coffee base is concentrated brewed coffee rather than traditional pump espresso.
What Should You Know Before Buying the Specialty?
Its concentrated coffee setting isn’t traditional pump espresso. It’s a good option for coffee-based milk drinks, but know that difference before buying.
What Else Should You Compare with the Ninja Specialty?
Start with the Braun OptiBrew Pro and Ninja DualBrew Pro CFP301. Compare the coffee format, milk steps, and whether you need a separate grinder. The links above take you to each full review.
Is the Ninja Specialty Right for You?
The best choice comes down to what you drink and how much you want to do before that first sip. If the coffee and milk steps above sound comfortable, the Specialty is worth comparing with the other machines on your list.
Compare the whole cost before you decide. Include the coffee you’ll keep buying and any grinder or milk accessories you need. Then check the current offer and what comes in the box.
