It was back in June that Ninja launched a smaller version of its bestselling coffee machine, the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus. Despite being 30% more compact than the original, it still includes many of the same features, including a built-in grinder, precision scale, assisted tamper and steam wand.
Naturally, that raises the question of what has actually changed apart from the size and the £50 price difference. More importantly, are the extra features on the original worth paying for, or is the Mini Plus the smarter buy?
To find out, I compared the Ninja Luxe Café Premier and the Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus. These are the two middle models in Ninja's Luxe Café lineup, sitting between the entry-level Luxe Café Mini and the flagship Luxe Café Pro, making them the closest rivals in terms of features and price
1. Drinks choice
When it comes to drink options, it's probably no surprise that the Luxe Café Premier is the more versatile of the two. It offers 19 drink presets, including Espresso, Americano, Cold Pressed Espresso, Classic Coffee, Rich Coffee, Over Ice Coffee and Cold Brew.
The Mini Plus drops the Cold Brew and Cold Pressed Espresso functions, instead focusing on Espresso, Classic Coffee, Rich Coffee and Over Ice Coffee. If you're someone who regularly enjoys cold brew or chilled espresso drinks, the Premier is the clear winner.
2. Milk frothing
The same applies to milk frothing. Thankfully, both machines include Ninja's excellent assisted milk frothing system, but the Mini Plus comes with fewer presets. The Premier offers Steamed Milk, Thin Froth, Thick Froth and Cold Froth, whereas the Mini Plus misses out on the Cold Froth setting.
It's not a huge omission, but it does make the Premier more versatile if you prefer iced coffees.
3. Brewing capacity
Another difference is brewing capacity, as the Mini Plus is aimed more at solo coffee drinkers, brewing single and double espressos alongside smaller coffee servings.
The Premier can also brew larger filter coffees and travel mug-sized drinks, making it a better fit for busy households or anyone who gets through several coffees a day.
What are the similarities?
That said, the similarities between the two machines are what really stand out. Both machines include a built-in conical burr grinder, Barista Assist Technology, automatic grind recommendations, an assisted tamper and an integrated precision scale. They also both use the same 1650W heating system, so the core coffee-making performance should be very similar.
Which one should you choose?
Personally, I'd still lean towards the Luxe Café Premier, especially if you have the space on your worktop. The extra £50 feels like money well spent for the additional drink presets, larger serving sizes and extra milk frothing options, particularly if you enjoy cold coffee.
However, if you're tight on space and don't think you'll miss cold brew or cold foam, the Mini Plus remains an excellent alternative.
