One of the most intriguing features of the Ninja DualBrew is the specialty brew style, which is meant to mimic an espresso for specialty coffee drinks. Using the Ninja Smart Scoop, I measured out two large scoops, as instructed, and placed them in the brew basket with a filter, like when brewing normal coffee. I adjusted the brew style to specialty, and the brew size was automatically changed to 4oz.

Ninja DualBrew Pro review: an advanced pour over coffee maker Ninja DualBrew Pro review: an advanced pour over coffee maker

There are clean cycles for each mode: grounds, pods, and hot water. For grounds, make sure the coffee maker is in that mode and the brew basket is installed. You’ll fill the water tank with a descaling solution or white vinegar, and the carafe should be placed below to hold the dirty water. You just press the clean and start brew buttons and let the machine do its thing. It should take about 75 minutes. You’ll want to run a classic brew with just water to rinse out the machine after, and you’ll be good to go. The same steps are taken with the pod mode, only the K-cup adapter will be installed. For the hot water mode, ensure you’ve got the knob on the side switched to the water droplet. That’s it for maintenance, making for super manageable upkeep. I'd prioritize it for someone who's most likely to brew single-K-cup pods more often than 12-cup carafes. This is because the K-cup adapter must be removed (and stored). In the case of my family, who is utilizing the 12-cup carafe, more often than the individual k-cup pods, removing the adapter is both an extra step and required having a place to store the extra adapter. The Ninja can brew up to 12 cups of coffee, or 55-ounces. That is quite a large volume, so you can really brew as much or as little in various increments that are enough for a single-serving, a few cups, or the whole carafe. It's easy to simply turn the dial to your desired ounce size, with 13 options to choose from in all. During brewing, a progress indicator flashes along the dial to show how much is left to brew. The included scoop has the recommended coffee portions based on your selected cup size, so there is no guesswork on how much coffee to use. Note if you do use the Rich brew function, it does yield slightly less coffee.The Ninja DualBrew is for the coffee fan who loves options and bells and whistles. It's perfect for anyone looking to add a little variety to their coffee routine. Sure, it can make your classic cup of coffee, but you can take it up a notch with an extra-rich brew, iced coffee, and a coffee concentrate that mimics espresso. Plus, the included recipe book is a launching pad for trying coffeehouse-style specialty beverages at home. At first, I grappled with the fact that you had to take the adapter out to brew a carafe, or put it in when you wanted to use a pod... the point of view changes depending on which brew method you use more. But, I found, you're likely to choose one option more often than the other as you settle into a routine, and while there are "side-by-side" options from Keurig and other companies, none of them offer the features and versatilities, or even the swanky looks of the Ninja Dual Brew Pro.

Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker

Additionally, the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System has the ability to brew cold brew and tea. It costs more than the Specialty, but less than the DualBrew Pro, and shows that you have no shortage of specialty coffee options when it comes to choosing Ninja machines. How does the Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System compare to other single-serve coffee makers? Why settle for a basic coffee maker, when you can have an entire caffeine system at your fingertips?Cuisinart also has its own K-cup compatible coffee maker, the Cuisinart Coffee Center Coffee Maker & Single-Serve Brewer, which also has a convenient side-by-side build. While its design just doesn't feel as sleek, it has two separate water reservoirs as if two coffee machines were combined together. Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System: our verdict And then there’s the footprint. This slim machine barely takes up any room on my countertop, so not only did I get to trade in several machines for one, but I also saved space. Even the frother folds in, saving even more space. When you have a small kitchen, you know that every inch matters, and it feels like whoever designed this knows the tiny space life. The taste of the coffee from the Ninja DualBrew Pro varied depending on the brew style, but it doesn’t get watered down. Coffee made on the specialty method is designed for espresso-based drinks and is well-balanced when combined with dairy or creamer.

Ninja® DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System Ninja® DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System

If you and your partner or roommate can’t agree on whether you want pods or grounds, or if you like the flexibility of having both options then the Ninja® PB051 Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker can’t be beat. The ability to brew either pods or grounds — and brew them both well — is not something you see in most machines. Add in the 4 oz. specialty option and the milk frother, and you have a machine that can do it all. The milk frother is a nice feature as well, and easy to use and remove to clean. It does not have a heated element like a steam wand you might find on an espresso machine, but at this price point, and the fact that it stores on-board and takes up minimal space, it is convenient.

The warming plate turns on and stays on for two hours if you’re brewing at least ¼ of a carafe on classic or rich brew, and will be off automatically otherwise. The warming plate can also be turned on manually for up to four hours using the “Keep Warm” button at the front of the coffee maker for up to, and you’ll know the warming plate is on when the triangular icon at the base of brew is illuminated.