Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System CFN601 vs Ninja Luxe Café Pro Series Espresso Machine

Buy the Luxe Café Pro if espresso quality is the point: a built-in 25-setting grinder, integrated scale and tamper, and Barista Assist guide you to a real shot, and owners rate it higher (4.4 from about 2,000 ratings vs 4.1 from 379). Buy the Barista System if you need one machine for both capsule espresso and a 12-cup carafe of filter coffee, and you don't mind buying pods and grinding elsewhere. The Barista System is more versatile on paper but more compromised in the cup; the Luxe Café Pro is the better espresso machine and the weaker crowd-pleaser.

• Choose the Barista System if you want Nespresso-compatible capsules plus a 12-cup carafe and a fold-away frother from one countertop machine.
• Choose the Luxe Café Pro if you grind fresh beans, care about shot quality, and want guided dialing-in with a built-in scale and tamper.