For all you coffee connoisseurs out there who want a machine that’s smart, pretty, and very capable, you’re in luck.
The Ninja Dualbrew Pro coffee system is here, bringing with it a whirlwind of frothy, beany goodness. Whether you’re a constant coffee drinker (like me) or just looking for an easier way to make your morning cuppa, this product has got you covered.
We were lucky enough to get our hands on this thing soon after it was released, and it’s been our daily coffee maker ever since. After owning the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker before this, I can say the DualBrew is a clear step up in both design and functionality.
So, let’s dive into the deep end and explore what the latest coffee masterpiece from Ninja has to offer.
Recommended: Best Ninja Coffee Maker
Things to consider before buying The Dualbrew
So, what should you consider before purchasing this snazzy piece of coffee tech? Well, if you’re the type of person who likes drip coffee but also wants the simplicity of a pod machine, this will be right up your alley.
The Dualbrew Pro is powerful yet compact, taking up very little kitchen counter space. This makes it ideal for those with smaller kitchens or who simply want to reduce the footprint of their coffee machine. If you already have a drip or pod coffee maker (or one of each), then this has the power to replace them both. It’s also very stylish, with its sleek, black appearance and modern touchscreen controls.
But one of the best things about the Ninja Dualbrew Pro is that it suits pretty much every type of coffee drinker. It’s a machine with all the bells and whistles; it can give you a delicious standard cup or a just-as-tasty iced latte – the choice is entirely up to you. The included recipe book will inspire countless coffee creations from budding baristas.
So, what can the Dualbrew Pro do?
Plenty! Ninja has packed an abundance of features into this elegant machine.
The clever 12-cup coffee maker can make standard hot brews, specialty coffee beverages, and iced coffee drinks and is compatible with Keurig pods. It can produce nine different brew sizes ranging from a small cup to a full carafe. There are also four different sizes to choose from for pod brews, and you can even use the independent hot water dispenser to make instant soup or a steaming bowl of oatmeal.
For those familiar with the Ninja range, the Dualbrew Pro looks like a slimmer, more high-end version of the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker. Both offer a detachable milk frother, a plethora of coffee customizations from cup size to brewing method, and an adjustable warming plate. I suspect they were trying to build on this design, as many of the features of the Dualbrew Pro are similar but more advanced.
In the Dualbrew Pro box, you’ll find the fantastic Ninja coffee system (of course!), Ninja pod adapter, Ninja smart scoop, a paper filter kit, and a 12-cup glass carafe. You’ll also find a handy fold-away milk frother that is perfect for making lattes and flat whites or can simply be used to dispense hot water for a lovely cup of tea. Finally, the included recipe booklet and paper filter kit are the icing on the cake – or the foam on the latte!
Key features, pros, and a few cons
Basic Specs
- Product Dimensions: 11.39″ L X 9.13″ W X 15.54″ H
- Cord length: 2.5 ft
- Colour: Black
- Water tank capacity: 55 oz./ 12cups
- Warming plate: Yes
- Customizable: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
- Serving size options: Small Cup, Cup, XL Cup, Travel Mug, XL Travel Mug, ¼ Carafe, ½ Carafe, ¾ Carafe, or Full Carafe, four pod brew sizes
- Warranty: 1 year
Ninja Pod Adapter
The pod adapter is both a blessing and a curse with this machine. Well, a curse might be being a little dramatic, but it can certainly get in the way a little. You see, to use the 12-cup carafe drip machine, you have to remove the pod adapter. If you’re constantly switching between brewing methods, all this removing and replacing can add a fiddly extra step to the brewing process. Not to mention, you’ll need to find somewhere safe to store the attachment to make sure you don’t misplace it.
Nonetheless, I still believe that the feature is excellent and, if you don’t mind having to do a little more than press a button to use the drip feature, it doesn’t affect too much.
The Ninja pod adapter provides much better coffee saturation than a standard Keurig machine. The machine uses TriNeedles, which are relatively blunt. They punch three larger holes in the coffee pod instead of one small one. Ninja also claims that, on startup, the Dualbrew Pro can make a coffee pod brew more quickly than most alternate coffee makers. However, it’s worth noting that the machine isn’t K-Cup pod compatible.
4 Brew Style Choices
Having a range of coffee choices is always a good thing. First, it means you’ll never get bored of your morning brew and end up down at the local Starbucks, and secondly, it gives you a chance to experiment with different styles of coffee. And let’s face it, variety is not just the spice of life; it’s also the spice of coffee!
The Ninja Dualbrew Pro really delivers in this regard with its four delicious coffee styles. The classic brew – standard and strong; the rich brew – for those who like a real kick to their morning cup; the iced variety – for those who like to cool down (but not water down) their coffee; and the specialty beverages – for those who like to get extra creative!
Built-in, Foldable Milk Frother
The built-in fold-away frother is a much-needed feature for those who like a milkier brew. It’s a great addition to an already impressive machine, capable of creating creamy cappuccinos, flavorsome flat whites, luscious lattes, and more.
Located on the left side of the coffee maker, it’s both detachable and dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning it a breeze. It also folds away neatly when you’re not using it, so there’s no need to worry about taking up extra space.
There are a few downsides, however. It’s a fairly basic tool and doesn’t actually heat the milk, so you will have to do this as an extra step. Also, if you don’t put it straight into the sink after use, it will drip milk all over your counter.
Nonetheless, it’s a great tool for those who like to experiment with different coffee styles.
Removable Water Tank
The removable water reservoir can hold up to 60 ounces of water. As it’s removable, you can easily take it to the tap for refills instead of trying to position the whole machine under the faucet or going back and forth with a plastic jug (we’ve all been there).
When it comes to refilling, there are several handy measurements on the side of the tank to help you gauge what you need. It shows you the minimum and maximum fill lines and how much water you need for a half-carafe and a full carafe.
The tank can also be placed in different locations on the machine – either on the side or back. This is super useful as it means you can adjust the placement of the water tank depending on what space you have available in your kitchen. Once again, Ninja is going the extra mile to make its coffee machines space-efficient.
Keep warm function
This handy feature will help if you find that you often make slightly more coffee than you currently want to drink. Once you’ve brewed a carafe, the precision plate will keep coffee warm for up to 4 hours without burning it or turning it bitter. You can make a brew, leave it, and come back later to find the coffee hot and fresh.
This function is also great if you’re serving many people at once. Simply prepare a full carafe, and let people help themselves without worrying that it will get cold.
Delay brew
For those who need a hot cup of coffee to function in the morning, you will be pleased to know that you can program your Dualbrew Pro to prepare a carafe of coffee for a specific time. It’s a highly-useful function and another impressive addition to this machine.
With a maximum delay time of 24 hours, you can have coffee ready and waiting for you when you need it most – whether that’s when you come downstairs in the morning or when you get home from a busy day at the office.
Independent Hot Water System
The separate hot water system is another very well-designed feature. When the knob is set to “Water,” the machine quickly changes to provide water-only options rather than coffee. There are two hot water settings: hot and boil. Simply select which one you want and choose how much water you need, from 2 to 55 ounces, meaning that you can effectively use the Ninja Dualbrew Pro as a kettle on top of everything else!
Specialty Brew
The specialty brew feature isn’t a specific type of coffee but more a rich concentrated, espresso-like coffee that you can use to create countless different brews. Designed to be what a shot of espresso is to a latte, the four-ounce serving has a delightfully bold flavor and is rich, strong, and full-bodied. While it’s not quite an espresso in terms of taste, the possibilities are endless once you add some frothed milk. It can become a latte, cappuccino, macchiato, or much more.
However, this feature does have a few disadvantages. First, the four-ounce setting isn’t changeable. Second, you can only brew for one person at a time. This means that if you’ve got family over and you’re trying to do lattes for four, brewing the coffee, waiting for the brew basket to cool, cleaning it out, and starting all over again can be quite a lengthy process.
But, overall, this feature is a great addition for those who like a little extra from their coffee or want to create coffee-house-worthy masterpieces from home.
Overall…
A machine that both looks good and seems to do just about everything, the Ninja Dualbrew Pro is an impressive choice for anyone looking to up their coffee game. Elegant and attractive, it’s easily one of Ninja’s most versatile machines, whether you’re after a drip coffee maker with a few extra frills or simply a slim and stylish machine that looks as good as it brews.
However, it’s not Ninja’s most affordable machine, so if the Dualbrew Pro is a little outside your price bracket, the previously mentioned Speciality Coffee Maker might be better suited. The model with the glass carafe, instead of the more expensive thermal carafe version, will shave a decent amount off the price tag. However, you will lose your cold brew and pod capabilities.
Alternately, the Ninja Hot and Cold Coffee Maker has almost all the bells and whistles of the Dualbrew Pro, including six brew sizes and five brew styles, and can brew a delicious iced coffee, which the Speciality Maker cannot. The only downside is that, once again, you’ll have to forgo the K-Cup coffee pods.
Overall, if you’re looking for a stylish machine with the most features and functions possible, then you can’t go wrong with the Ninja Dualbrew Pro. Admittedly, it’s not the cheapest coffee machine on the market, but it comes with standout features that other machines simply don’t offer. It’s ideal for creating the classics, delicious cold brews, or more innovative cups of coffee.
Happy Caffeinating!
Ninja Dualbrew Pro Review: The K-Cup Compatible Ninja
Looking to upgrade your coffee maker? You'll want to check out our Ninja Dualbrew Pro review! It's K-cup compatible, beautiful, and versatile.
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