Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker Review

We purchased the Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

The diversity of coffee machines has increased with each passing year. There are coffee makers with a variety of functions, designs, and capacities to suit every need. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a coffee machine, you’re sure to find one that’s just right for your home.

One versatile coffee machine that has received excellent reviews is the Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker. I tested it out for over a month and evaluated its brew functions, frother whisk, design, cleanup, and price. Keep reading to see what I discovered. 

Design: Efficient and modern design, but takes up a lot of space 

The Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker not only looks sturdy but also boasts a modern design. I found that it has an attractive aesthetic with its stainless steel and black accents. This model also comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe. There's another model that includes a glass carafe instead. 

In terms of construction, though the unit is partially made of plastic, it still feels sturdy. It weighs approximately 10 pounds and measures 12 x 8.8 x 15 inches. That said, this coffee maker does take up quite a lot of space both vertically and horizontally. In addition, there's a frother whisk arm that extends out of the side of the machine. To accommodate the use of this function, extra horizontal space is necessary. The machine’s control panel is located on the bottom right and is easy to navigate due to the clearly labeled buttons and bright illumination. There's also a clock display on the panel.  

The water reservoir is located on top of the control panel. It's also removable, which is always a design feature I like in a coffee machine because it makes for easy refills. The brew basket is to the left of the water reservoir, which swings open and closed, so you can easily add grounds to the filter. Underneath the brew basket is the platform area for the carafe. There's a single-serve foldout on the side of this area that's useful for bringing the single-serve cup closer to the brew basket. 

Setup Process: Takes about 20 minutes 

The Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker isn’t unique in that it requires the user to run the machine through two full cycles with just water before using it to brew coffee. All of the removable parts (except the thermal carafe) must also be washed with warm, soapy water either by hand or in the dishwasher before the first use. This entire priming process took me about 20 minutes, which is normal for a coffee maker setup time. 

Choose from four brewing options, including: "classic," "rich," "over ice," and "specialty brew." This coffee maker also can brew six different size servings, such as a single cup (12 ounces), XL cup (14 ounces), travel mug (16 ounces), XL multi-serve (20 ounces), a half carafe (25 ounces), and full carafe (50 ounces). I loved the versatility of this machine and the variety of its options.

For brewing regular coffee, the user can choose to brew it as classic, rich (for a stronger cup), or over ice. To make an iced coffee, the user must put ice cubes in their serving cup prior to pressing the over ice button. I found that the drip coffee this machine makes is excellent. I preferred the rich option, though, because I like a stronger cup of coffee. 

To make lattes and the like, the Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker has an electric frother that can be used in conjunction with the specialty brew option. This function makes 4 ounces of concentrated coffee. It’s supposed to be equivalent to espresso, but it’s definitely not. I found that it tastes like a strong cup of coffee. However, when I used it with frothy milk, it worked well enough for making lattes and cappuccinos. 

Performance: Great drip coffee, even better frother whisk

The frother works exceptionally well. The user can choose to froth cold or hot milk. If hot milk is desired, the user must heat the milk in the microwave for 60 seconds and then insert the frother wand into the warm milk. I found that it makes beautiful microfoam perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. It’s also really fast, requiring about 45 to 60 seconds to make foam. 

This unit also comes equipped with a few convenient features to make the brewing process more enjoyable. One extra is the "delay brew" function. This allows the user to set the coffee machine up to 24 hours prior to when they would like their coffee to brew. Another feature is the "drip-stop" function, which allows the user to sneak a cup of coffee before the machine has finished the brew cycle for a carafe. 

Ease of Cleaning: No problem to keep clean 

In terms of cleaning, the Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker doesn’t require much upkeep. Most of the removable parts are dishwasher safe, which helps the cleaning process go quicker. 

After each brew, the filter holder, permanent filter, frother whisk, water reservoir, carafe lid, and scoop can all be placed in the top rack of the dishwasher. The thermal carafe must be hand washed without any abrasive cleaners. 

This unit also has a "clean" button located on the control panel that will illuminate when it's time for a cleaning cycle or descale. Further instructions are detailed in the user manual.

Price: Fair

The Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker retails for around $180, a fair price considering the number of features it offers, its sturdy design, and its excellent drip coffee. On average, a high-quality coffee machine retails for about $200, which is in line with the Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker’s price. 

Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker Review vs. Ninja CF091 Coffee Bar System 

Ninja CF091 Coffee Bar System: The Ninja CF091 Coffee Bar System is another coffee maker that's comparable to the Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker, but there are a few minor differences between the two. Both machines are priced comparably with similar brew options and design, and each has an electric frother. The Ninja CF091, however, is larger, measuring 14.5 x 11.5 x 9.5 inches. This takes up quite a bit of counter space, similar to the size of an espresso machine. 

In terms of features, the Ninja CF091 offers an extra brew function called the "café forte" and a warming plate. The Ninja CF091 doesn’t however have the programmable automatic brewing function that the Ninja CM407 has. It has an MSRP of $199.95. Ultimately, it comes down to your budget, what features you’re looking for in a coffee machine, and how much kitchen counter space you have at home.