If you want one machine that makes both real espresso and drip coffee, the Ninja Luxe Café Premier is the clearest alternative supported here—but it is a less fully featured model from the same product family, not a competing-brand replacement. If espresso matters more than an all-in-one setup, consider an espresso-focused machine and plan on a separate drip brewer. The Ninja DualBrew Pro is not a substitute for an espresso machine: its espresso-like setting does not make a real espresso shot.
What to look for in an alternative
The key question is whether you need one appliance to make both espresso and drip coffee, or whether you mainly want espresso and are comfortable using a second machine for filter coffee. Those are different buying decisions: an espresso-focused machine should not be described as an all-in-one replacement unless its drip-brewing capability is established.
- Brewing methods: Check for genuine espresso brewing and drip or filter coffee separately. A setting marketed as espresso-like is not necessarily espresso.
- Workflow: Compare guided settings and automation with the hands-on control you prefer, including how the machine handles grinding, tamping and milk.
- Capacity and space: Check the exact model’s batch capacity and dimensions. TechRadar notes the original Luxe Café’s bulky footprint and an 18-ounce maximum, but those details should not be assumed to apply to every Luxe Café model or configuration. TechRadar’s coffee-maker guide discusses the distinctions between integrated, drip and espresso-like functions.
- Total setup: If you choose an espresso-only machine, account for the additional counter space, cost and separate workflow of a drip brewer.
One machine for espresso and drip: Ninja Luxe Café Premier
The Luxe Café Premier is the most direct one-machine option in the available evidence for someone who wants espresso and drip coffee from whole beans. SharkNinja also describes it as making cold brew. It is a same-family step-down from the Pro, rather than a competing-brand alternative. The company’s March 2026 announcement lists the Premier at $599.99 and the Pro at $749.99; those are announced US prices, not guaranteed current retail prices. SharkNinja’s announcement describes the product family and its announced pricing.
The Pro adds an independent hot-water system, integrated tamping, an XL milk jug and five preset frothing functions. SharkNinja says its Barista Assist technology recommends grind settings and adjusts brewing. If you want those Pro-specific features, the Premier is not a like-for-like replacement; check the Luxe Café Pro product page for the manufacturer’s current feature description.
#1 Best Overall
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso coffee maker is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20 Bar Pressure System: Semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker, with 20 bar professional Italian pump and 1350 W powerful boiler. This latte machine gives you top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and rich aroma. The built-in pressure gauge on this cappuccino machine shows the exact pressure helping you make adjustments according to your personal taste preferences. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at your home or office with our cappuccino maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand, so you can texture creamy, rich microfoam milk to create amazing milk foam art and enhance the flavor of your brews. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art. Don't pass us by if you are looking for an excellent espresso coffee maker
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The beautiful and compact design makes this small espresso machine suitable for any size kitchen. Make single or double espresso shots with a beautiful layer of crema in minutes! The 34 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups, and it is detachable for easy refilling. Included components: Espresso Machine, 34 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Useful Tips: Please kindly note that do not brew coffee immediately after frothing milk. The machine must cool down first otherwise the temperature and the pressure inside the machine will be too high, and the machine will go into over-heating protection mode. The lights for 1 cup or 2 cup will flash repeatedly and please follow the steps of included guide to cool down the machine. You can watch more INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO by clicking Visit the CASABREWS Store
Espresso-first alternatives that may need a drip brewer
De’Longhi La Specialista Touch
Tom’s Guide described the La Specialista Touch as a compact, more interactive alternative to the Luxe Café Pro. Its review reported prices of £699 in the UK and $999 in the US at the time of publication in June 2025. These are historical review prices, not current quotes. The cited review does not establish drip-coffee capability, so treat this as an espresso-focused option and expect to use a separate filter brewer if you need drip coffee. Read Tom’s Guide’s Luxe Café Pro review.
Breville Barista Express Impress
Tom’s Guide names the Barista Express Impress as a price-comparable espresso machine. The cited source does not establish that it brews drip coffee, so it should not be treated as a one-machine espresso-and-drip replacement. Confirm the current model name and regional version before comparing availability or prices.
Rank #2
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso machine is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20-Bar Pressure System: A semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker with a 20 bar professional pump and a 1350 W powerful heating system. This 20 bar pressure espresso maker gives you a top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and richer aroma in your coffee. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at home or in the office with our stainless steel espresso maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand that creates a creamy and rich micro-foam milk texture to enhance the flavor of the coffee and enable the creation of latte art. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art with our espresso machine. This compact espresso machine is perfect for latte, cappuccino or macchiato. If you are trying to find an excellent espresso coffee maker, look no further
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The compact design makes this espresso coffee machine suitable for a kitchen of any sizes. The 43.9 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups of coffee without a refill, and it is detachable for easy refilling. The drip tray can be easily removed to clean. This home espresso machine comes with everything a coffee lover needs to get started. What’s included: Espresso Machine, 43.9 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Using Tips: Please remove the rubber plug at the bottom of the water tank and make “First use cycle” for this espresso machine when you use it for the first time. Please follow the steps in the user guide. Please note that there are many instructional videos on the USER GUIDE of CASABREWS store
Drip coffee and pods, but not real espresso: Ninja DualBrew Pro
The Ninja DualBrew Pro is a drip coffee maker that accepts ground coffee or K-Cup pods, according to TechRadar. It may fit a household that wants those brewing options, but TechRadar cautions that its “espresso” setting cannot reproduce the depth and richness of a real espresso shot. Choose it for drip coffee and pods—not as an espresso-machine alternative. TechRadar’s guide explains this distinction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When two separate machines make more sense
If you care more about each brew style working independently than about saving space, pairing an espresso machine with a dedicated drip brewer is a reasonable approach. It means a second purchase, more counter space and separate preparation and cleanup. No specific drip-brewer model is established here as a recommendation, so compare current specifications and capacity for your own needs rather than assuming a particular model has been assessed.
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Best Value
- BE YOUR OWN BARISTA: Café-quality espresso shouldn't require a PhD. The Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier is a 3-in-1 machine designed to take the guesswork out of every latte, cappuccino, cold brew, and cup of coffee. Perfect for beginning espresso enthusiasts and anyone looking for a great, dialed-in cup of coffee with practically zero effort.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Includes 2 Espresso Styles — double shot or quad shot, 3 Drip Coffee Styles—classic, rich or over ice, and 2 Cold Brew styles— cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee (drip coffee and cold brew available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 oz. sizes)..
- HANDS-FREE FROTHING: Dual Froth System combines a spinning whisk with automatic steamer to produce perfect, silky-smooth microfaom every time. Simply pour the milk, select style, and walk away. 4 preset programs including steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam or the option to manually froth..
- COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER: A built-in conical burr grinder features 25 settings for precise, versatile grinding based on your specific drink. Brew your classic morning cup of coffee or create a summer afternoon cold brew with the exact grind and dosage you need.
- SMART TECHNOLOGY: This coffee and espresso combo machine features Barista Assist Technology that guides you every step of the way, from automatic precision grinding to weight-based dosing, assisted tamping for the perfectly pressed puck, and active real-time temperature and pressure adjustments based on your selected drink.
Rank #4
- MANUAL HAND-TEXTURED MICROFOAM: The powerful steam wand on this cappuccino maker and latte machine is designed to quickly turn milk into smooth, flavorful microfoam for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE DOSE GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder on bean-to-cup espresso machine grinds on demand to deliver correct amount of freshly ground coffee directly into portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and draws out all the flavors evenly during the extraction for a balanced-tasting espresso, latte or cappuccino
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, so espresso coffee maker allows for precise espresso extraction
Rank #3
- BARISTA PLUS TECHNOLOGY: The 19-bar pressure system delivers ultra-flavorful espresso with a silky-smooth crema by brewing at the optimal temperature and pressure.
- COFFEEHOUSE DRINKS AT HOME: The built-in, fold-away frother allows you to create espresso-based cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, and more.
- BREW SINGLE-SERVE ESPRESSO: Choose your favorite espresso capsule and brew up to 3 styles: Espresso (1.35 oz), Lungo (3.75 oz), and Over Ice (1 oz).
- BREW THROUGH COFFEE GROUNDS: Make a Classic, Rich, or Over Ice brew. Select 9 different sizes ranging from cup, to travel mug, to a full 12-cup carafe.
- VERSATILITY TO ENTERTAIN: Treat your guests to an espresso-based coffeehouse drink or brew a 12-cup carafe for the crowd.
Which setup should you choose?
- Choose the Luxe Café Premier if you want one appliance for espresso and drip coffee and are happy with a less feature-rich model from the same family.
- Consider the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch or Breville Barista Express Impress if espresso workflow is the priority and you are willing to add a separate drip brewer.
- Consider the DualBrew Pro only if drip coffee and pods meet your needs; its espresso-like setting is not equivalent to real espresso.
- Choose separate equipment if you want dedicated appliances for espresso and filter coffee and can accommodate the cost, space and extra steps.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
