Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker Review 2026: Foam

• Specialty mode is strong drip, not pressure espresso: The machine uses its normal showerhead and a smaller water volume, so the grounds see less water and the coffee comes out concentrated. Without the high pressure of a pump machine there is no true crema, which is why the drink works as a latte base but not as a stand-alone shot.
• Over Ice compensates for dilution: Ice melts into the cup, so the brew cycle is adjusted to produce a stronger coffee that survives the ice. If you simply pour hot coffee over ice, the drink tastes watery and flat.
• The frother is a whisk, not a steam wand: It spins milk into foam using agitation and gentle heat, so it makes cold foam and dense hot foam but not the glossy microfoam used for latte art. For milk drinks that is plenty; for pouring art it is not.
• Why it matters: One machine covering drip coffee, iced coffee and foamed milk saves counter space, as long as you do not expect espresso-machine results.

• Bitter or flat carafe coffee: A glass carafe on a hot plate keeps cooking the coffee. Pour it into a thermal server or insulated bottle within half an hour, or use a smaller brew size that you drink straight away.
• Foam that collapses: Use cold, fresh milk and clean the frother whisk after every use; a thin film of dried milk stops it from spinning properly. Oat milk marketed for baristas foams better than most carton alternatives.
• Scale and slow brewing: Hard water leaves deposits that slow brewing and dull flavour. Filtered water helps, and our descaling guide shows how often to clean the internals.
• Weak coffee at the usual scoop: Weigh your grounds for repeatable results, and check the grind size chart so the grind matches a flat-bottomed basket.
• Moving to real espresso later: If you start to crave a thick shot, the espresso machine types guide explains what to buy next.

• What you get: A strong coffee concentrate and stable hot or cold foam, with no tamping, grind dialing or steam wand technique.
• What you give up: 9-bar extraction and proper crema. Espresso drinkers will notice the difference.
• Who it suits: Mixed households where one person wants lattes and another wants drip.

If you want real espresso without giving up a drip pot, the De'Longhi All-in-One Combo ($249–$399) pairs a 15-bar pump with a 10-cup drip brewer; it costs more and takes more skill, but makes true shots. If you want to learn espresso, the top espresso machines under $500 are a better route, and our guide to espresso machine types explains the trade-offs.