Ninja Pods and Grounds Review: Versatile to the Max!

If you’re a caffeine fiend like me, I bet you’re always looking for the ultimate (and sometimes convenient) coffee experience. If so, this Ninja Pods and Grounds review might be what you need to read!

Ninja’s latest grounds and pods specialty coffee maker promises to brew your coffee just the way you like it – whether you’re team fresh-ground coffee or or a die-hard fan of coffee pods. 

Spoiler alert: if you’re into convenience brewing, this dual coffee maker will definitely tempt you. But will it have you yelling, “Shut up, and take my money?!” Let’s find out!

Overview: Ninja Pods and Grounds Review

The Ninja Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker claims to simplify your morning caffeine game. This dual coffee machine isn’t a one-trick pony – it can handle both single-serve-pod and ground coffee brewing (always my go-to option).

Let’s talk features: this coffee maker has an impressive seven ground coffee and four pod brew sizes. What does this mean? Well, whether you need a single “espresso” shot or full travel mug, this coffee maker’s got you.

I commend Ninja for also thinking about size when they designed this beauty. The slim outer body and small footprint mean that this coffee maker fits on most countertops and under most kitchen cabinets. What’s more, it stores the permanent grounds filter, brew basket, adapters and coffee scoop, saving on counter space.

While we’re on the subject of space-saving, I must mention the built-in foldaway milk frother; a total game-changer. Latte and cappuccino-like beverages at home? Yes, please!

What about the cleanup? A total breeze! The removable water reservoir, brew basket and drip tray make refills and cleaning easy-peasy.

Now, onto the important stuff – taste. As you’ll see later in this Ninja Pods and Grounds review this Ninja coffee maker uses thermal flavor extraction. This function delivers coffee in four brew styles – Classic, Rich, Specialty and Over-Ice. Oh, the versatility!

So, what are my initial impressions? This Ninja beauty is super user-friendly, compact, versatile and well-constructed. The control panel is straightforward, with clear options and settings. And despite all these features, it’s remarkably affordable. At a pocket-friendly $94.99, it’s an excellent starter choice.

Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker Features

As with all my coffee gear reviews, I like to go into the nitty gritty to give you all the information you need before purchasing. This Ninja Pods and Grounds review is no different. Full disclosure here: I generally don’t advocate for coffee pod machines. But I do understand that some of you need or prefer to use them for various reasons.

So what does the Ninja Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker offer? Keep reading for the full lowdown.

Size and Design

When it comes to size, the Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffeemaker is a winner. It’s compact and lightweight, meaning it’ll fit nicely on most kitchen countertops. The plastic construction is pretty hardy, punctuated by a durable stainless steel pod adapter, body and drip tray.

Despite its diminutive size, this coffee machine sure packs a punch. It’s a drip coffee maker and automatic milk frother in one.

What’s more, it boasts a removable water reservoir (more on this later), coffee scoop, permanent grounds filter, removable brew basket and integrated adapter with storage. All this more than simplifies brewing.

The bottom line: These features may not seem like much but believe me, they are. It’s rare to find a Ninja coffee maker with all these components at this price point.

User Interface

Just like with this brand’s air fryers and blenders, the user interface on the Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker is straight-up slick. It oozes versatility and ease of use.

You can use it to brew with up to seven cup sizes using your favorite grounds (four, if using disposable pods). There are no restrictions here, just pure choice! Wanna quick fix? Craving that freshly ground aroma? Load up those coffee grounds and go to town. Simple!

To add to this versatility, is the intuitive control panel. Sitting atop the coffee machine, this interface lays out everything. It has a power and descale button as well as a brew size, brew style and brew button clearly displayed. And the functionality? Smartphone-touch-button smooth!

What I also love about this interface is that it automatically knows which adapter you’ve got in the machine (grounds or pod). As a result, it adjusts itself to either brewing process with absolutely no input from you. This makes the brewing all-intuitive and, importantly, easy to navigate.

And why not? After all, this is why you’re considering buying this single-serve coffee maker isn’t it?

Brew Styles

When it comes to brew styles, the Ninja Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker ain’t messin’ around. You want that kick-ass, robust espresso-like flavor that wakes you up in the morning? As Chef Gordon Ramsay would say: Done! Or maybe you’re in the mood for a smoother, more laid-back drip brew? This Ninja’s got your back there, too.

This coffee maker boasts four distinctive brew styles – Classic (drip coffee), Rich (strong-brewed), Over-Ice (iced coffee) and Specialty (for macchiatos, cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks).

What’s more, the Specialty Brew and Over-Ice settings have their own brew processes. Specialty Brew yields 4 ounces of concentrated coffee, making it easy to make espresso-like drinks. All you need to do is steam and froth your milk (if using) before placing your cup under the spout and selecting your coffee style.

On the other hand, the Over-Ice setting will brew half the coffee you need for a specific brew size to adjust for the ice in your cup. This gives you just the right amount of dilution without weakening your coffee’s taste. It really is like having a Starbucks lineup in the comfort of your own kitchen!

Brew Sizes

Now, onto brew sizes. The Ninja Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker doesn’t disappoint. It has 4-ounce (114-milliliter) single-serve all the way to 24-ounce (710-milliliter) cup options.

It doesn’t matter if it’s just you and your favorite coffee mug or a whole bunch of family and friends! This slim beauty helps you brew drip like a boss. And here’s the thing: you’re not stuck with just one size. Ninja lets you dial in up to seven brew sizes, ranging from a quick 6-ounce cup to a big 24-ounce gulp-worthy mug. Clearly, this dual coffee maker is all about flexibility and versatility.

Thermal Flavor Extraction

Now, to an essential factor in this Ninja Pods and Grounds review: Thermal Flavor Extraction. This is the secret sauce behind this Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker. In my opinion, it’s next level.

Ninja has balanced this tech to extract as much flavor as possible from coffee grounds. In addition, this extraction works for strong-brewed coffee (Rich), iced coffee (Over-Ice) and espresso-like shots (Specialty Brew), extracting more slowly for a richer flavor.

As a result, it makes decent espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos, lattes and marocchinos possible.

Importantly, this tech also ensures water heats up to the optimal temperature for various brew styles, including for iced coffee. It also blooms grounds evenly (due to the multi-hole design of the brew head), ensuring an even extraction.

Lastly, it calibrates brewing styles for every size and style, ensuring uniform results. Any of you into single-serve coffee machine technology know that this isn’t easy. More so at this price point!

Adjustable Cup Tray

Another feature I love about this coffee maker is the adjustable cup tray. This machine sold itself on convenience, and with this feature it has more than delivered.

The tray accommodates all coffee cup sizes from a diminutive 3.2-inch (8.2-centimeter) tall coffee cup to your favorite 8-inch (20-centimeter) oversized coffee mug or travel mug.

All you need to do is slide that tray up or down four steps at a time to get your brew just the way you like it. No more spills or awkward angles when brewing that liquid gold!

Removable Water Reservoir

Just like many other machines from this brand, e.g. the Ninja Luxe Cafe, this machine also comes with a removable water reservoir. I absolutely love this Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker’s removable water reservoir. First off, it’s big, holding a decent 56 ounces (1.7 liters) of filtered water. No constant refilling here!

It’s also super easy to use. Just pop it out, fill it up and pop it back in at the back of the coffee machine. No spills, no hassle – just smooth sailing. I also love that it has a lid to protect the water from contaminants.

On the downside, I must mention that I don’t much like its plastic construction. It gives me the micro-plastic-leaching heebie-jeebies! However, it’s BPA-free plastic, so there’s that. I guess at this price point you can’t have it all!

Foldaway Milk Frother

I can’t finish this Ninja Pods and Grounds review without mentioning this coffee machine’s foldaway milk frother. This thing ain’t just for show; it adds versatility and takes your brewing capacity to the next level. You can whip up bold but frothy macchiatos, creamy cappuccinos and milky latte-like beverages like a pro, all at the touch of a button. The best part? Once done, simply wipe and fold that bad boy away.

Why is this feature so revolutionary, you may ask? This is why: it ensures easy cleaning for cafe-quality coffee every time and adds to this machine’s space-saving credentials. A neat feature, if I do say so myself!

How to Use the Ninja Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker

Using your new Ninja Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker is pretty straightforward. If using your machine for the first time, I recommend priming it by running a clean cycle. You may, in fact, need to run several to get the pump to prime working condition. Follow the manual’s instructions to understand this process better.

Brewing with this affordable coffee maker is straight up simple! To begin, grind the required amount of coffee beans to give you the fresh coffee grounds you need. Then using a coffee scale, weigh out your grounds.

The Ninja scoop has a handy guide for coffee-to-water ratios calibrated along its handle. However, always aim for an SCA coffee maker-recommend extraction yield of 18-22%. This means that for 24 ounces of brewed joe, you’ll need approximately 60-120 grams of coffee grounds to make a great-tasting brew.

Now, load up your brew filter with the required amount of medium-to-coarse-ground coffee and place it into the brew basket. Replace the lid, before placing your coffee mug or travel cup under the spout. Now, make your brew style and size selections as indicated on the user interface and hit that brew button.

The machine will do the rest, delivering a perfect cup of coffee with absolutely no work from you.

Remember: always refer to the user manual for specific brewing instructions if at any stage you’re unsure. This includes optimal flavor settings, brew styles and altitude calibrations (yes, elevation does affect your brew).

How to Clean the Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker

What about cleaning? Ain’t nobody got time for complicated scrubbing sessions, right? 

Still, cleaning and descaling your Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker is essential for optimal performance and hygiene.

Ninja keeps it simple by placing a clean cycle sticker at the back of the machine. Refer to it before using the machine to familiarize yourself with the machine’s cleaning routine.

Besides, the coffee maker comes with a removable filter basket and drip tray that are dishwasher-safe. Also, easily slide out and hand wash the water reservoir, brew basket, adapter storage basket, pod adapter and milk frother. This makes it easy to hand wash these components in warm, soapy water, before giving them a quick rinse and dry.

Going further, this coffee machine has a convenient descale button on the user interface. It will prompt you when you need to use it. When the time comes, follow these steps to begin: Unplug the coffee maker and mix water and white vinegar (or commercial descaler) in equal parts before pouring the liquid into the water reservoir. Then, run a clean cycle. Repeat a few times to remove any built-up coffee grounds and residue.

To finish, run a clean cycle using fresh water. This will rinse the coffee maker and remove any remaining vinegar and limescale deposits that may affect your coffee’s taste.

It goes without saying that you should regularly wipe down the outer body of your machine with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. It also doesn’t hurt to shine the stainless steel components once in a while using a commercial stainless steel cleaner.

Clearly, as shown in this Ninja Pods and Grounds review, this coffee maker prioritizes convenience all around!

Ninja Pods and Grounds Technical Specifications

Verdict: Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker Review

At first glance, the Ninja Pods and Grounds Coffeemaker is a game-changer. It especially suits java heads who love the luxury of freshly-ground and brewed coffee.

Additionally, this coffee maker is easy to use, versatile and brews a decent cup of joe. Furthermore, its compact size and innovative storage solutions make it a multi-tasking superstar.

My final recommendations in this Ninja Pods and Grounds review? Get this coffee maker if you’re looking to add convenience to your morning coffee game without breaking the bank. You’ll get a drip coffee maker and automatic milk frother in one at a fraction of the price! Plus, it’s a good starter machine while you explore other options.

On the flip side, if you’re a coffee brewing purist (like me!) or an eco-conscious coffee lover who wouldn’t be caught dead using coffee pods, my humble advice would be to stay away.