SharkNinja’s new coffee machine takes the hard parts out of making espresso

This Ninja Luxe Cafe claims to be the only “no guesswork” semi-automatic espresso machine that also comes with the ability to make drip coffee and cold brew. Using “Barista Assist Technology,” it can suggest what grind size to set based on the drink you’re trying to make, ideally saving you a few minutes and some stress in getting your fresh roasted beans dialed in right for an espresso.

It will also weigh the ground coffee coming out, so you don’t have to rely on inconsistent timed grinds. Afterward, you’ll press the grounds with an assisted tamper, then, like most other espresso machines, manually install the portafilter in the group head.

The Luxe Cafe is not a fully automatic espresso machine like this $1,999 one from Bosch that can make you a whole drink on demand via Alexa, and it might not have the manual and crafty feel Allison loved about the (normally $700, but currently on sale for $550) Breville Barista Express.

But at $499, its step-by-step guidance might be worth considering for espresso, coffee, and milk-based drinks during your morning rush that are a step above what you’d get from pod machines like Nespresso or Keurig.

SharkNinja says the machine’s auto steamer and frother can prepare dairy and plant-based milk to the perfect texture, including microfoam, that you can immediately pour from the jug and do your own latte art. For those who prefer cold coffee drinks, the machine can accommodate large glasses and extract lower-temperature coffee that you can drip right over ice.