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Ninja Luxe Café Mini Plus with AutoFroth ES351
Espresso Machines

Ninja ES351

#3 · Best All-in-One with Built-In Grinder
7.5 /10 Our score
Lowest verified price $449.99 Amazon
Our verdict
A convenient all-in-one for total beginners, with the caveat that its track record is short.

Pros

  • Built-in burr grinder with 60 settings
  • Barista Assist and built-in scale for dosing
  • Manual wand plus hands-free AutoFroth
  • Also brews drip coffee
  • No separate grinder needed

Cons

  • Plastic sides and portafilter insert
  • Small 1.3 L water tank
  • Auto-frothing can be inconsistent
  • New model with limited long-term data
  • 1-year warranty

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View best price at Amazon
Last reviewed October 25, 2026
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Review

What to know about Ninja ES351

A compact 2-in-1 (espresso and drip) with a built-in 60-setting conical burr grinder, Barista Assist grind recommendations, a built-in scale for weight-based dosing, a manual non-burn steam wand and hands-free AutoFroth. Aimed at total beginners who want no separate grinder.
Editorial notes

Why it stands out

Why we like it

It is the only in-stock option at this price with a built-in grinder. Barista Assist recommends grind settings, and the built-in scale handles weight-based dosing, which removes much of the guesswork. Tom's Guide's review headline calls it ideal for total beginners, and Tom's Coffee Corner found the espresso full-bodied and balanced, and praised the powerful, non-burn steam wand.

Evidence is more limited than for the Breville machines. It is a new model, and the two sources disagree somewhat on taste.

What to know

Skip it if you want proven long-term reliability or a sturdier build. It is priced right at $500 and carries a 1-year warranty.
Performance

Score breakdown

Beginner-Friendliness

How quickly a novice gets a good drink: heat-up time, clear controls, forgiving baskets, assisted grinding or dosing, cleaning effort and learning curve, as described by testers.

8.6
Guided grinding and weight-based dosing remove most of the dialing in (Tom's Coffee Corner, Tom's Guide headline); small tank means frequent refills.
Espresso Quality

Shot taste, crema, consistency and temperature stability in independent tests (with a proper grinder where needed).

7.0
Tom's Coffee Corner found it balanced and full-bodied; Tom's Guide snippet says 'just OK'.
Milk Steaming

Ability to make latte and cappuccino microfoam; automatic wands score well for beginners; also steam power and wait between brewing and steaming.

7.3
Strong manual wand; AutoFroth is hands-free but inconsistent (Tom's Coffee Corner) and slow (Tom's Guide snippet).
Build & Reliability

Materials, durability, warranty length, owner-reported failures, and parts and repair availability.

6.0
Plastic sides and portafilter insert, new model with no long-term data, 1-year warranty.
Health & Materials

Materials in the hot-water path (boiler and heater metal, lead-free brass, stainless steel), BPA-free plastics, manufacturer PFAS claims, recalls, standby energy and auto-off.

5.5
No PFAS, BPA or materials disclosure found; no recall found.
Value

Total cost to good espresso (including a grinder if one is needed) relative to performance, at typical US street prices.

8.2
$499.99 includes the grinder and drip mode; nothing else to buy.
Specifications

Ninja ES351 specs

General

Machine type
Semi-automatic with grinder (assisted)
Built-in grinder
Yes
Water tank capacity
44 oz

Milk

Automatic milk frothing
Yes

Brewing

Heating system / boiler material
Thermoblock

Materials

Manufacturer PFAS-free claim
No

Ownership

Warranty
1 years
Shopping

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Prices are checked periodically. Older amounts are labeled with their last verification date.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial rankings.

Prices and availability may change. The retailer's price and availability at checkout govern the transaction.

RetailerPriceAvailability
AmazonLowest $449.99 $499.99 In Stock View deal
Best Buy $449.99
Last known price — verified Oct 25, 2026; may have changed
 Check at retailer Check at retailer
Lowest verified price $449.99
30-day low $449.99
90-day average $474.99
90-day low $449.99

Based on 4 retailer price observations captured during the last 90 days.

More coverage

Guides featuring Ninja ES351

The Best Espresso Machines Under $500 for Beginners of 2026 Best All-in-One with Built-In Grinder · #3
Head-to-head

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