Ninja PB041ST Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is a compact pod-style coffee machine that allows you to brew single cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more in a matter of minutes. This model (Ninja PB041ST) includes several useful features while maintaining a small footprint, making it a great option for dorms, apartments, offices, or anywhere space is limited.

With a sleek, modern design and a variety of brew size options, the Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker aims to provide delicious hot beverages on demand with minimal fuss. In this review, we'll take a comprehensive look at the key features, performance, ease of use, and overall value of this single serve coffee maker to help you determine if it's a good fit for your needs and budget.

Design

The Ninja PB041ST Single Serve coffee maker has a modern, sleek design that looks great on any kitchen counter. It has a black and stainless steel exterior that pairs nicely with other stainless steel appliances.

At 10.63 x 7.87 x 12.21 inches, this coffee maker has a relatively compact footprint. It won't take up too much space on your countertop. The dimensions make it easy to tuck away in a corner or slide under upper cabinets when not in use.

The water reservoir is transparent so you can easily see how much water is left. The drip tray pulls out from the front for easy emptying. All parts that come in contact with water or coffee are BPA free.

With its clean lines and minimalist aesthetics, the Ninja Single Serve coffee maker has an attractive high-end look. The combination of matte and shiny finishes adds nice visual contrast. Overall, the design is modern yet understated enough to fit most kitchen decors.

Another excellent choice for a single serve coffee maker is the Keurig K-Express. This model boasts an intuitive interface, making it simple to brew a cup of coffee quickly. The slim design ensures it fits comfortably on your countertop without taking up too much space. Featuring a strong brew setting, it provides a bolder and more intense flavor. The K-Express also includes a removable water reservoir for easy refilling and cleaning. Its elegant design blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens.

Features

The Ninja PB041ST single serve coffee maker comes equipped with a range of useful features.

• Brew Sizes: It can brew coffee in 4 different cup sizes - 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, and 12 oz. This allows you to brew anything from a small espresso to a large travel mug.

• Reservoir Size: The 50 oz water reservoir is large enough to brew up to 11 cups before needing a refill. This is very convenient as you won't have to refill it as frequently.

• Brew Types: The Ninja can brew ground coffee as well as coffee pods such as K-cups. So you have the flexibility to use your preferred type of coffee.

• Strength Control: There are 3 flavor strength settings - Classic, Rich, or Over Ice. You can make regular, bold, or iced coffee depending on your tastes.

• Hot Water Function: A convenient hot water dispenser allows you to make tea, instant oatmeal, soup or other hot beverages.

• Removable Water Reservoir: The water tank can be removed for easy cleaning and refilling. The water tank lid flips up for easy refilling.

• Fold-away Frother: The fold-away milk frother allows you to turn your coffee into rich creamy lattes and cappuccinos.

• Smart Scoop: It comes with a smart scoop that senses the right amount of grounds to brew your desired cup size. This removes the guesswork.

Another great option is the Mixpresso DCM-P-TM, known for its compact design and efficient performance. Ideal for small spaces, it brews not only ground coffee but also K-cup pods, providing versatility and convenience. With a quick brew time, it’s perfect for busy mornings. Learn more about the Mixpresso DCM-P-TM.

Ease of Use

The Ninja Single Serve PB041ST coffee maker is designed to be very easy and intuitive to use. The control panel has simple button controls including brew, ice brew for iced coffee, hot water, and a dial to select cup size. The buttons light up to indicate which functions are active. Users report the controls are straightforward and allow them to quickly brew a cup without any hassle.

The water reservoir is easy to access from the front and lift out to refill. A front-loading pod holder makes it simple to insert a pod with just one hand. Programming options are limited but sufficient for brewing cups, travel mugs, and pitchers. There are no complicated customization settings, which some users see as a plus for simplicity. The unit gives audio prompts to guide the user through each step of the brewing process. Overall, the Ninja Single Serve offers a fuss-free interface that's easy for anyone to operate.

Brew Quality

The Ninja Single Serve Brewer produces coffee and espresso drinks with excellent taste and temperature. The brewing process extracts robust, nuanced flavor from coffee grounds, resulting in a smooth, balanced cup.

Thanks to the brewer's precise temperature control, coffee comes out steaming hot, around 190-205°F depending on the brew size. This is the ideal temperature range to bring out the aromatic compounds in coffee. The hot coffee retains its heat while you drink it.

When brewing espresso, the Ninja creates a rich, thick crema on the top of the coffee. The crema contains emulsified coffee oils that lend the espresso a velvety mouthfeel and intense flavor. The fine metal mesh filter basket allows the soluble compounds that produce crema to pass through while trapping very fine grounds.

The Single Serve Brewer consistently delivers flavorful coffee and espresso with the expected characteristics - hot temperature, robust taste, and thick crema. The advanced brewing technology and precise controls result in drinks that match the quality of high-end coffee shops.

Noise Level

The Ninja Single Serve PB041ST produces 72 decibels of noise when brewing. This is about as loud as a washing machine and may be noticeable in smaller kitchens.

Some users find the brewing noise too loud, especially in the morning before others are awake. The noise comes from the pump pushing water through the brewing chamber. There is no way to adjust or reduce the noise level on this particular model.

Other single serve coffee makers like the Keurig K-Mini have similar noise levels around 70-75 decibels. So the Ninja is average for a single serve machine. The noise is a brief burst during the 1 minute brew time and then stops once brewing is complete.

Some tips to reduce noise include:

• Placing a towel or pad under the machine to dampen vibrations
• Brewing your coffee before others are awake or out of the house
• Locating the machine in an area away from bedrooms or workspaces
• Pairing the coffee maker with a white noise app or device to mask the brewing noise

While not the quietest single serve available, the Ninja PB041ST has an average noise level typical of these types of coffee machines. The noise may be an issue in close quarters but there are ways to dampen it.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker is designed to be very easy to clean and maintain. The removable water reservoir and drip tray can be quickly washed by hand with soap and water.

Descaling is also straightforward with the Ninja. To descale, you simply need to fill the water reservoir with a descaling solution instead of water, place a large mug under the brew head, and run a cleansing brew. The descaling solution will run through the internal components and clean out any mineral deposits.

The simplicity of the single serve design means there are fewer parts that need cleaning compared to larger, multi-serve coffee makers. No carafes, baskets, or other attachments. Just the main coffee maker housing, water reservoir, and drip tray.

Wiping down the exterior with a damp cloth keeps the stainless steel and plastic surfaces looking their best with minimal effort. Overall, straightforward cleaning and descaling make it easy to keep your Ninja Single Serve in great working order.

Compatibility

The Ninja PB041ST is compatible with both Ninja and K-Cup style single serve pods. This gives you the flexibility to use pods from a wide variety of brands including Starbucks, Peet's, Dunkin Donuts and more.

The coffee maker has a universal pod holder that can accommodate both short and tall pod sizes. This means you don't have to worry if you have a variety of pod shapes and styles in your pantry. The Ninja will brew them all with no issues.

Some reviewers have noted that they needed to adjust the pod holder when switching between Ninja and K-Cup pods. But overall, the compatibility with the two major pod types is a big advantage compared to other single serve coffee makers that only work with one style.

Being able to use both Ninja and K-Cup pods really opens up your options when it comes to the types of coffee and flavors you can brew. You're not limited to just one brand's offerings. This versatility makes the Ninja PB041ST an excellent choice for households with multiple coffee drinkers who have different tastes and preferences.

Value

When considering the Ninja Single Serve PB041ST coffee maker, it provides good value relative to the price. This model typically retails for around $100 which places it on the affordable end for single serve coffee makers.

At this price point, you still get a sturdy and well-designed machine that should hold up with regular use. It has useful features like brew size customization, a removable water reservoir, and compatibility with both soft pods and K-cups. While it may lack some of the extra bells and whistles of more expensive models, it delivers where it counts for making quality coffee.

The brew performance produces good tasting coffee that rivals more expensive single serve machines. You can brew a strong, hot cup of coffee in under a minute. The brewing process extracts robust flavor from the grounds.

For those looking for an inexpensive but capable single serve coffeemaker, the Ninja Single Serve PB041ST hits a sweet spot. You get good brewing functionality without paying for extra features you may not need. Considering its solid construction and tasty coffee output, it's a great value purchase.

Conclusion

The Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker PB041ST has a lot going for it as a budget-friendly single serve coffee maker. It's simple to use, has a large water reservoir, and is compatible with K-cups and Ninja's own coffee pods. The brew quality is quite good for a single serve machine in this price range. It brews quickly and isn't too loud.

On the downside, the plastic construction feels a bit flimsy and there are some reliability concerns based on reviews. The water reservoir can also be tricky to fill and clean.

Overall, the Ninja Single Serve Coffee Maker PB041ST is a decent option for anyone looking for an affordable single cup brewer that can handle both K-cups and other pod styles. Just keep in mind that you may be sacrificing some durability and quality compared to more expensive models. For the price though, it's hard to beat for a basic, no-frills single serve coffee experience.