Ninja CFN601 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Ninja CFN601 is a versatile single-serve espresso machine that allows you to brew customized coffeehouse-style drinks at home. This compact machine uses Ninja's innovative Centrifusion technology to extract bold, rich flavor from ground coffee, pods, or capsules.

With the Ninja CFN601, you can pull cafe-quality espresso shots and layer them into lattes, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks. The fold-away milk frother lets you recreate that silky steamed milk foam to top off your beverages. This espresso maker stands out for its versatility, ease of use, and range of programmable brew sizes to suit everything from a single shot to a generous travel mug.

The Ninja CFN601 aims to deliver exceptional espresso and specialty coffee drinks from the comfort of your kitchen. Keep reading to learn more about the features, performance, and overall value of this single-serve espresso machine.

Design

The Ninja CFN601 single serve coffee maker has a sleek and modern design perfect for any kitchen. It has a width of 8 inches, depth of 14.5 inches, and height of 12.3 inches. The total dimensions make it a compact coffee maker that doesn't take up too much counter space. It weighs only 10.2 pounds making it fairly lightweight and easy to move around if needed.

The coffee maker body is made of plastic with stainless steel accents giving it a nice look and feel. It comes in 3 color options including black, white, and rich cinnamon. The black and white colors have a matte finish, while the cinnamon has a shiny metallic finish. All 3 color options fit well with most kitchen designs and décor.

Overall, the dimensions, weight, materials, and color options of the Ninja CFN601 give it appealing design aesthetics. The compact size and lightweight build make it easy to use in most kitchens.

Another fantastic coffee maker to consider is the Yabano CM6816. This model is known for its robust construction and efficient brewing capabilities. With a powerful 1350W motor, it ensures quick and consistent coffee preparation, catering perfectly to espresso lovers. The Yabano CM6816 features a 15-bar pressure system that extracts rich flavors and aromas, ensuring each cup is a delightful experience. It also has a compact footprint, making it suitable for both small and large kitchens.

Brewing System

The Ninja CFN601 features an innovative Centrifusion brewing system that combines rapid spin technology with precision temperature control for optimal flavor extraction.

A 10 bar high-pressure pump provides the needed force to push hot water through finely ground coffee. 10 bars of pressure is ideal for making high-quality espresso with rich crema. The high-velocity spinning shower head evenly saturates the coffee grounds in a rapid circular motion, while the optimized brew time of 20-30 seconds ensures the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity and aromatics.

Unlike older systems, the Centrifusion technology doesn't rely on steam or vibration pumps which can degrade the coffee's delicate flavors. The advanced thermo-coil heating system maintains a consistent brewing temperature between 190-205°F, the optimal range for espresso extraction. You can customize the brew strength and volume for either a single or double shot. Overall, the innovative brewing process allows you to brew café-quality espresso drinks at home.

If you are looking for an alternative, consider the IMUSA GAU-18202. This stylish and compact machine is designed to make your coffee-making process easy and convenient. It features a steam wand for frothing milk, a removable drip tray, and an easy-to-fill water reservoir. The IMUSA GAU-18202 provides consistent brewing pressure, ensuring robust and full-bodied espresso with every use. Perfect for those who appreciate simplicity and functionality, this machine delivers great coffee without the fuss.

Ease of Use

The Ninja CFN601 espresso machine is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The interface consists of just a few buttons to select your beverage and start and stop brewing.

There is a power button, menu button to select your drink, and single or double shot buttons. The buttons have indicator lights so you can easily see which mode is selected. The menu lets you choose from shots, cappuccino, latte, and macchiato.

The large LED display clearly shows the selected drink option. It also displays alerts if it needs more water or when decalcification is recommended.

Programming options are simple with 3 brew sizes and 3 temperatures to choose from. Just press and hold the menu button to enter the settings. The interface is very intuitive overall with no complicated menus or programming required.

Beverage Options

The Ninja CFN601 espresso machine allows you to make a variety of coffeehouse-style drinks at home. Here are some of the beverages you can make:

Espresso

This machine can pull rich, flavorful espresso shots. You can adjust the shot volume to make single or double shots. The espresso has a nice, thick crema on top.

Cappuccino

With the integrated milk frother, you can easily make cappuccinos. Just froth some milk and combine it with your espresso shots for the perfect cappuccino.

Latte

Lattes are also easy to make with frothed milk and espresso. The milk frother allows you to adjust the foam consistency to match your latte preferences.

Americano

For a longer coffee similar to drip, you can make an americano by combining hot water with espresso. Adjust the espresso to water ratio to your taste.

The Ninja's brewing system and milk frother allow you to explore and enjoy all your favorite coffeehouse drinks in the comfort of your own home.

Milk Frothing

The Ninja CFN601 comes with a fold-out milk frother wand that allows you to make creamy milk foam for lattes and cappuccinos. The milk frother is easy to use - just pour milk into a cup, immerse the wand, and turn on the frother. It will heat and froth the milk in about a minute.

The foam quality is quite good for an automatic coffee machine in this price range. The frother aerates the milk nicely, creating light, airy foam. It may not be quite as thick and creamy as milk foamed with a steam wand on a high-end espresso machine, but it’s very decent. You can adjust the froth texture and temperature by varying the amount of milk and frothing time. With some practice, you can produce latte art-worthy microfoam.

The only downside is that you have to hold the cup and frother wand steady to prevent spilling during frothing. An attachable stand would make it more convenient. Overall, the milk frothing performance is impressive for the price and adds great value to the Ninja CFN601.

Maintenance

The Ninja CFN601 requires minimal maintenance to keep functioning properly. Here are some of the key things to know about maintaining this espresso machine:

Cleaning

Daily cleaning consists of rinsing the removable drip tray, water reservoir, and milk frother after each use. The drip tray and water reservoir can be hand washed or placed in the dishwasher. The milk frother should be hand washed only.

About once a week, you'll want to run a cleansing brew without a pod to flush the system. Place an empty cup under the brew head and run a cup size of hot water through.

Wipe down the exterior as needed with a soft damp cloth to keep the surfaces clean. Never submerge the base in water.

Descaling

Mineral buildup from water can affect performance and taste over time. Ninja recommends descaling every 3-6 months depending on your water hardness. Use the company's descaling solution or citric acid powder. The descaling process runs automatically and takes about 30 minutes.

Part Replacement

The main parts that may need replacement over time are the water filter, milk frother, and brew head. The water filter should be changed every 2-3 months. The milk frother and brew head are designed to last roughly one year with proper maintenance. Replacement parts are available from Ninja or major retailers.

Capacity

The Ninja CFN601 has a 40oz water reservoir, which allows you to brew multiple cups before needing a refill. The water tank is removable for easy cleaning and refilling.

The used grounds drawer can hold up to 10 used coffee pods before needing to be emptied. This is a decent capacity that allows you to brew quite a few cups before having to empty the grounds. The grounds container is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Overall, the 40oz water tank and 10 pod used grounds capacity should be sufficient for most home use without having to constantly refill and empty the components. Just be aware that it has a smaller capacity compared to some larger machines designed for office use. But for a typical household, it should provide enough capacity between refills and emptying used grounds.

Accessories

The Ninja CFN601 comes with a few handy accessories to help you get the most out of your espresso machine.

Tamper

A tamper is included to help you tamp down and compress the ground coffee in the filter basket before brewing. This helps ensure even water extraction and a quality shot of espresso. The tamper fits nicely in the portafilter.

Filter Basket

A single shot filter basket comes standard for brewing 1-2 oz espresso shots. The basket is stainless steel and has small holes to allow water to pass through while holding back the coffee grounds.

Milk Frother

To help you make foamy cappuccinos and lattes, the Ninja CFN601 includes a fold-out milk frothing wand. This attaches to the front of the machine and lets you aerate milk to your desired texture.

Descaling Solution

To keep your machine operating smoothly, a descaling solution is included. Use this regularly as directed to remove mineral deposits from the internal brewing components.

Cleaning Brush

A small cleaning brush allows you to scrub away coffee residue and oils that build up over time in key areas like the portafilter basket and frothing wand. This helps maintain flavor and hygiene.

Water Filter

The CFN601 comes with a replaceable water filter that attaches to the water reservoir. This helps filter out impurities for better tasting espresso.

Pros And Cons

Pros

• Single serve coffee machine with a slim profile that takes up minimal counter space
• Produces espresso shots, brewed coffee, cappuccinos, and lattes
• Thermal Flavor Extraction technology for rich, full flavor extraction
• Portafilter basket extracts like a traditional espresso machine
• Easy to use controls and programming
• Removable water reservoir for easy refilling
• Froths milk quickly with built in frother
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• Smaller 40oz water reservoir capacity
• Only makes one cup at a time
• Accessories like milk frothing pitcher sold separately
• Lacks some customization options of higher end machines
• No hot water spout for Americanos or tea
• Fewer available drink settings compared to other models