Ninja - PB051 Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker

I have a Ninja Single-Serve machine that will do pods or grounds. So far I have only used it with grounds. Mine will do up to a 20oz cup. My mom has a larger version that will do a single cup with grounds or pods, but can also brew a whole pot with grounds. So far, I’m really liking mine, but I’ve only had it a few months, so I’m not sure on the longevity, though I’ve had good luck with other Ninja products in the past.

MM is a quality maker for sure, but if you don’t want to spend big bucks my suggestion would be an OXO grinder and a Ninja specialty coffee maker. The Ninja makes good coffee and you have several different batch sizes to choose from. That’s the setup I have and I’m very happy with the results I get and it comes in at less than $200. Not everyone can afford to pay $500+ for a grinder and coffee maker.

I like my Ninja coffee maker, they make a few different models but mine has a removable reservoir and lets me choose the drink size. I don't use it a ton, but if you're buying one anyway I'd also look at moccamaster. Not sure if they'll have what you want but it'd probably make better coffee.

I got suckered into two, second ninjas- I bought one and loved it and then got one for my mother. Both also suffered the led clock going out, one bar at a time after a couple years. Searched for one with the removable water tank and ended up with both of us ultimately getting a different, newer model ninja. I’ve had several brands, especially cheaper ones over the years - and while they do last longer, ninja for me makes the best tasting drip coffee. FWIW tho, I’m a recovering coffee addict, so I have and use pretty much every other method to make it (French press, espresso machine, cheesecloth for cold brew etc). Depending on how long these ninjas last- will determine whether they’re my last or not.

No it hasn’t been worth in my opinion. I am a coffee snob, only buy beans from my fav micro roasters, grind my own beans, am careful not to let the hot plate burn for taste. I have not tasted any improvement from the much cheaper ninja drip coffee machine that I replaced. I kinda wish I went with a different brand. The moccamaster seems to be marketed more on “longevity”, the ease and ability to clean, quality of manufacturing. But lacking in my opinion in a few features, for example ability to brew without the hotplate on. And the head that drips water is an odd shape that I can’t help feel is not optimal for spreading water across the entire reservoir.

Tell that to my Ninja coffee maker. First the tank started to leak when you removed to fill with water. The clock timer failed next. Finally the whole thing started to leak. I just got a Moccamaster on 1/2 price sale, and I do think it makes a better cup of coffee faster than my Ninja.

My Ninja died on me. First it leaked so I could take the tank off to fill it, then the LED clock died so I couldn't use the timer function, then finally the whole thing started to leak. Moccamaster is the way!

Have one of these too…5 years and going strong.

Do you need a whole pot? Nespresso is like 100 bucks and the vertuo ones make espresso and coffee. Strong good cups too. Otherwise, a ninja drip coffee maker was good to me for awhile. I see the pour over and French press recommendations, both a pain in the ass for a minimally and maybe no different cup than a machine drip. If you like the process and the routine then absolutely go for pour over or French press. Otherwise all drip and pour over coffee is pretty similar assuming you have good grounds and don’t have the cheapest shittiest coffee maker. Diminishing returns are insane when it comes to coffee. Someone somewhere will tell you how his $30 espresso was magical when it’s still just coffee.

The fails I’ve had have been despite routine maintenance. The ninja I loved, but the buttons stopped responding unless I left it unplugged for a couple hours before using it again. We’re on our second Braun, the first replaced under warranty after it started leaking from somewhere internally. We got a cheap Mr coffee while we waited for the replacement, but more often than not it ended up with grounds in the coffee. Use less, too weak. Before we switched back to a pot, our Keurig chugged along for years, rarely requesting maintenance. 😂

My mother has a ninja. I've used it, it makes a decent cup of coffee. She drinks a cup or two a day, sometimes using locally roasted beans and sometimes whatever is on sale at the grocery store. Every time she comes to visit me she comments on what great coffee my moccamaster makes and how it's better than what her ninja makes. Would upgrading be worth it to her? No, not really. I love coffee and I've gotten deeper into it as a hobby over the last few years. I upgraded my grinder, I started roasting my own beans, etc. Drinking coffee is one of the highlights of my day. To me, dropping $$$ on a coffee machine was worth it. I've been really happy with my moccamaster - I've found it makes a consistent, delicious cup of coffee using a wide range of beans. At the end of the day, it's a silly expensive drip coffee machine. Whether or not it's worth it is a matter of perspective.