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Ninja’s coffee maker offers 13 drinks but needs frequent cleaning
Ninja’s $999.99 AutoBarista combines a grinder, espresso machine, drip coffee maker, milk frother and scale, making 13 drinks at the press of a button. Its automatic Grind iQ system adjusts the grind and dose to the beans and chosen drink, so it suits people who want convenient coffee without mastering espresso techniques.
The reviewer found the drinks good and the machine versatile, including options for cold brew and plant-based milk. However, its drip tray fills after a few drinks and needs frequent emptying, while the knock box can develop mould if left unemptied for several days. For the reviewer, that upkeep outweighed the convenience; they suggest the machine is poor value if its range of functions would go unused.
In short
- AutoBarista makes 13 drinks with automated settings.
- Frequent tray emptying and cleaning frustrated the reviewer.
- At $999.99, it suits people who will use its versatility.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The AutoBarista may justify its high price for people who regularly want a wide range of café-style drinks but do not want to learn espresso techniques. Its automatic settings, built-in grinder and milk frother make that variety convenient, and the reviewer found the drinks good; frequent cleaning may be a manageable trade-off for those who use its features often.
The case against
The machine’s versatility may not justify its cost and upkeep for people who mainly want a few familiar drinks. A drip tray that fills after only a few drinks and a knock box that can develop mould if left for several days add recurring chores, while paying for functions that go unused makes the value harder to defend.
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Originally published by TechCrunch as “Ninja’s AutoBarista is impressively versatile, but one feature was a dealbreaker for me”.