Espresso Machines

Head-to-Head comparison of three excellent espresso machines.

8/19/202610 min read

Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso Machine, Drip Coffee, & Cold Brew

Breville Barista Touch Impress

De'Longhi La Specialista Opera

Ninja Luxe Café Premier vs. the Competition: Is This 3-in-1 Coffee Machine Worth It?

If you love espresso in the morning, drip coffee on a lazy afternoon, and cold brew when the temperature rises, owning three different coffee machines can quickly become expensive—and take over your kitchen counter.

That is the idea behind the Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso Machine, Drip Coffee & Cold Brew, a machine designed to combine several coffee-making routines in one appliance. It brings together an integrated burr grinder, built-in scale, assisted tamping, espresso brewing, drip coffee, cold brew, and hands-free milk frothing.

But Ninja isn't alone in this increasingly competitive category. Two of the strongest alternatives are the Breville Barista Touch Impress and the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera.

So which one deserves a place on your counter?

The three machines at a glance

FeatureNinja Luxe Café PremierBreville Barista Touch ImpressDe'Longhi La Specialista OperaModelES601/ES601GMBES881EC9555MEspressoYesYesYesDrip coffeeYesNo traditional drip modeNoCold brewYesYesYesBuilt-in grinderYes, 25 settingsYes, 30 settingsYes, 15 settingsBuilt-in dosing assistanceWeight-based scaleIntelligent dosingSensor Grinding TechnologyMilk frothingHands-free hot/cold microfoamHands-free automatic microfoamManual steam wandInterfaceGuided controlsTouchscreenTraditional controlsApprox. manufacturer price researched$599.99$1,499.95$799.95Warranty1 year2 yearsManufacturer warranty varies by market

The prices above are manufacturer-listed prices found during research and can change frequently.

1. Ninja Luxe Café Premier: The Versatility Champion

The Ninja Luxe Café Premier is arguably the most interesting machine of the three because it doesn't try to be only an espresso machine.

Ninja calls it a 3-in-1 system: espresso, drip coffee and rapid cold brew. The machine also includes an integrated conical burr grinder with 25 settings, a built-in scale for weight-based dosing, assisted tamping and hands-free milk frothing.

Ninja's Barista Assist Technology recommends grind sizes and monitors the brewing process, reducing some of the trial and error traditionally associated with espresso preparation.

That makes the Luxe Café particularly appealing to people who don't consider themselves coffee experts.

Its biggest strengths

1. Three coffee styles in one machine

This is the Ninja's killer feature. You can make espresso-based drinks, conventional coffee and cold brew without buying separate appliances.

2. Built-in scale and dosing assistance

The integrated scale is particularly clever. Rather than relying entirely on the user to measure coffee grounds, the machine weighs the dose and uses that information as part of its brewing assistance.

3. Beginner-friendly espresso

The machine recommends grind settings and provides guided assistance, making it considerably less intimidating than a traditional semi-automatic espresso machine.

4. Hands-free frothing

The Dual Froth System can produce hot or cold microfoam and works with dairy and plant-based milks.

5. Strong value proposition

At roughly $600, the Ninja is dramatically less expensive than the Breville Barista Touch Impress while offering a broader range of beverage types.

The drawbacks

The machine's versatility comes with compromises.

Independent testing by WIRED found that espresso could occasionally be inconsistent, while its drip coffee and cold brew were less impressive than its espresso and milk-frothing capabilities. The reviewer also noted the absence of a hot-water spout and the awkwardness of fitting two espresso cups beneath the portafilter.

The machine is also relatively large and feature-heavy. There is a learning curve—not necessarily because the machine is difficult, but because there is a lot going on.

What owners seem to like

An Amazon-review snapshot associated with the Luxe Café showed a large number of positive comments centered on ease of use, coffee quality and the sheer number of functions. One highly positive Amazon customer described it as an exceptional value after owning and trying more expensive espresso machines.

A broader marketplace snapshot has also shown the model receiving strong customer feedback, particularly around ease of use and coffee quality.

The important takeaway is that owners tend to appreciate the combination of automation and flexibility, rather than regarding the machine as a pure espresso enthusiast's machine.

Best for: households that want espresso and regular coffee and cold brew without buying multiple machines.

2. Breville Barista Touch Impress: The Premium Espresso Specialist

If the Ninja is the versatility champion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is the premium choice for people who put espresso quality and the overall café experience first.

Breville has built this machine around its Impress Puck System. The machine provides guided dosing and assisted tamping, while its touchscreen walks the user through the process.

It also uses a ThermoJet heating system that Breville says reaches extraction temperature in about three seconds.

The integrated Baratza European Precision Burr grinder provides 30 grind settings—more than either the Ninja or De'Longhi.

And there is an important twist: the latest Barista Touch Impress also supports cold brew and cold espresso.

Its biggest strengths

1. Excellent guided espresso experience

The touchscreen and Impress Puck System make the machine approachable without turning espresso preparation into a completely automatic process.

2. Superior milk-texturing technology

Breville's Auto MilQ system is designed to create hands-free microfoam and includes settings for dairy, almond, oat and soy milk.

For latte and cappuccino drinkers, this is a major attraction.

3. More grinder adjustment

With 30 grind settings, Breville gives users more room to fine-tune their espresso than the Ninja's 25 settings or De'Longhi's 15.

4. Fast heat-up

The ThermoJet system is designed to reach brewing temperature in approximately three seconds.

5. Premium touchscreen experience

This is where Breville feels more like a high-end appliance. The touchscreen guides users through drink preparation and allows customization and saving of drinks.

The drawbacks

The biggest issue is simple:

It costs a lot more.

Breville's U.S. site lists the Barista Touch Impress at $1,499.95—roughly $900 more than the manufacturer's listed price for the Ninja Luxe Café Premier.

And despite its impressive beverage menu, it isn't a replacement for a conventional drip coffee maker in the same way the Ninja is.

If your household regularly drinks a large pot of traditional coffee, the Ninja's 3-in-1 design has a meaningful advantage.

What customers say

Customer-review patterns are overwhelmingly positive about the Barista Touch Impress's ease of use and coffee quality. A large retailer review sample currently shows a 4.6/5 rating, with customers particularly praising ease of use, coffee quality and overall performance.

The negative feedback tends to focus more on price and, in some cases, grinder-related issues rather than the quality of the espresso experience itself.

One important lesson from customer feedback on Breville machines generally is that these are sophisticated appliances with maintenance and support considerations. For a $1,500 machine, buyers should be comfortable with regular cleaning, descaling and proper grinder calibration.

Best for: serious home espresso drinkers who want premium guidance, excellent milk texturing and more control—and don't mind paying for it.

3. De'Longhi La Specialista Opera: The Middle-Ground Contender

The De'Longhi La Specialista Opera EC9555M occupies an interesting middle position.

It is considerably less expensive than the Breville, but it has a more traditional espresso-machine approach than the Ninja.

The Opera includes a built-in grinder with 15 settings, a 19-bar pump, Dynamic Preinfusion and a commercial-style steam wand. It can also make espresso, coffee, cold brew and De'Longhi's Espresso Cool.

The machine uses a thermoblock heating system and has a 67.6-ounce water tank.

Its biggest strengths

1. Strong espresso focus

The Opera feels like an espresso machine first. Its grinder, pre-infusion system and steam wand are designed around producing high-quality espresso beverages.

2. Excellent manual milk steaming

Unlike the Ninja and Breville, which emphasize hands-free milk texturing, De'Longhi gives users a traditional steam wand.

That means more work—but also more control for someone who wants to learn latte art and manually texture milk.

3. Cold coffee capability

The Opera isn't limited to hot espresso. It offers both Cold Brew and Espresso Cool.

4. More affordable than Breville

At the manufacturer's listed price of roughly $800, it lands between the Ninja and Breville.

The drawbacks

The biggest disadvantage compared with the Ninja is versatility.

Although the Opera makes coffee and cold beverages, it isn't the same kind of all-in-one espresso-plus-drip-coffee machine. If you want a conventional drip coffee experience, the Ninja is the more natural choice.

Its 15 grinder settings also give you less adjustment than the Ninja's 25 or Breville's 30.

And the manual steam wand means there is more technique involved.

What customers say

Customer feedback is particularly encouraging regarding espresso quality and ease of use. A large Best Buy sample currently shows 4.8/5 from more than 170 reviews, with espresso quality, ease of use and overall performance among the most frequently praised attributes.

One verified customer described the machine as producing smooth, delicious drinks and praised its straightforward setup and cleaning.

Another reviewer said that after experimenting with the settings, the machine produced an excellent version of their favorite drink.

The criticisms are comparatively limited but include price and the placement of the water tank.

Best for: people who want a serious espresso machine, enjoy manual milk steaming and want cold-brew capability without spending Breville money.

Ninja vs. Breville vs. De'Longhi: Which one wins?

The answer depends heavily on what you drink.

🏆 Best overall versatility: Ninja Luxe Café Premier

The Ninja is the obvious winner for households with multiple coffee preferences.

If one person wants a latte, another wants drip coffee and someone else wants cold brew, the Ninja can accommodate all three.

Its integrated scale, grinder and guided brewing also make it unusually accessible for beginners.

Ninja's biggest advantage: it gives you the broadest coffee menu for the money.

Ninja's biggest weakness: espresso enthusiasts may eventually want more control and consistency than its automated assistance provides.

☕ Best for serious espresso: Breville Barista Touch Impress

If espresso is the priority and budget isn't the primary concern, the Breville is the most sophisticated option here.

Its 30-setting Baratza grinder, ThermoJet heating, Impress Puck System, touchscreen guidance and Auto MilQ milk system create a remarkably polished experience.

Breville's biggest advantage: premium espresso workflow and milk texturing.

Breville's biggest weakness: the price.

Spending approximately $1,500 makes sense if you will use its advanced espresso capabilities regularly. It makes considerably less sense if you mainly want a good cup of drip coffee.

🎯 Best compromise for espresso enthusiasts: De'Longhi La Specialista Opera

The De'Longhi is the machine for someone who wants to take espresso seriously without paying Breville-level money.

Its manual steam wand is particularly attractive to users who want to develop real barista skills.

De'Longhi's biggest advantage: a more traditional espresso experience at a middle-of-the-road price.

De'Longhi's biggest weakness: fewer grinder adjustments and less versatility than the Ninja.

Pros & Cons at a glance

Ninja Luxe Café Premier

Pros

  • Espresso, drip coffee and cold brew in one machine

  • Built-in grinder

  • Built-in scale

  • 25 grind settings

  • Assisted tamping

  • Hands-free hot/cold milk frothing

  • Very beginner-friendly

  • Strong value

Cons

  • Espresso can occasionally be inconsistent

  • Drip coffee and cold brew aren't its strongest modes

  • No dedicated hot-water spout

  • Large footprint

  • One-year warranty is shorter than Breville's two-year warranty

Breville Barista Touch Impress

Pros

  • Excellent guided espresso workflow

  • 30-setting Baratza grinder

  • ThermoJet rapid heating

  • Impress Puck System

  • Excellent automatic milk texturing

  • Supports alternative milks

  • Touchscreen interface

  • Cold brew and cold espresso

Cons

  • Very expensive

  • Doesn't replace a conventional drip coffee machine

  • More complex and maintenance-intensive than a basic coffee maker

  • Grinder-related complaints appear in some customer feedback

De'Longhi La Specialista Opera

Pros

  • Strong espresso performance

  • 15-setting integrated grinder

  • 19-bar pump

  • Dynamic Preinfusion

  • Excellent manual steam wand

  • Cold brew and Espresso Cool

  • Stainless-steel construction

  • Less expensive than Breville

Cons

  • No true 3-in-1 drip/espresso/cold-brew workflow like Ninja

  • Fewer grinder settings

  • Manual milk steaming requires practice

  • Water-tank placement isn't ideal for everyone

  • More expensive than the Ninja

What do the reviews tell us?

Looking beyond marketing claims, an interesting pattern emerges.

Ninja owners tend to praise convenience and versatility. The machine succeeds because it removes much of the intimidation associated with espresso while giving households several coffee styles in one appliance.

Breville owners tend to praise coffee quality and ease of use. The touchscreen and guided puck preparation make a premium espresso machine much more approachable.

De'Longhi owners tend to praise espresso quality and the traditional barista experience. The manual steam wand is a feature rather than a flaw for someone who actually wants to learn espresso technique.

In other words, the three machines aren't really targeting exactly the same customer.

Final verdict

If I were buying based on maximum versatility per dollar, I'd choose the Ninja Luxe Café Premier.

It is the machine that makes the most sense for the average household because it doesn't force you to choose between espresso and ordinary coffee. The integrated grinder, scale, assisted brewing and hands-free frother make it approachable, while espresso, drip coffee and cold brew cover a remarkably broad range of preferences.

If I were buying specifically for premium espresso, I'd step up to the Breville Barista Touch Impress. Its higher price is difficult to justify for a casual coffee drinker, but its grinder, touchscreen workflow, rapid heating and milk-texturing system make it a more compelling choice for someone who treats home espresso as a hobby.

And if I wanted a more traditional espresso experience at a lower price than Breville, the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera would be my pick. Its manual steam wand and espresso-focused design make it especially attractive to someone who wants to develop barista skills rather than have the machine do everything.

The short version:

Buy the Ninja Luxe Café Premier if you want one machine that does almost everything.

Buy the Breville Barista Touch Impress if you want the most polished premium espresso experience.

Buy the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera if you want excellent espresso with more hands-on control at a midrange price.

For most households, however, the Ninja's combination of espresso + drip + cold brew + grinder + scale + frother is what makes it stand out. Its occasional compromises are real, but at around $600, the feature set is unusually compelling.

Prices, availability, Amazon ratings and customer-review counts can change. Review comments above are summarized rather than reproduced verbatim, and ratings should be treated as marketplace snapshots rather than permanent scores.

Sources & shopping links

For the shopping side, the current product-search data puts the Ninja around $550–$600, the De'Longhi around $800, and the Breville around $1,500, although retailer pricing fluctuates.

Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1

$599.99

Breville Barista Touch Impress

$1,499.99

Ninja Luxe Café Premier

$549.00