Not every drip coffee maker is built with iced coffee and milk drinks in mind — most are made for one job: brewing a hot pot and nothing else. The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401 takes a different approach, and it's worth a closer look at what that actually gets you before spending $170 on it.
Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401 — $169.99 · 4.6★ (19,700+ reviews) · 4 brew styles · Built-in frother · No pods required
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Overview
The CM401 sits between a basic drip machine and a full espresso setup. Its design leans into a "coffee bar" look rather than a standard countertop appliance — the brew head is suspended between the water tank and a support column, with stainless steel accents over a mostly plastic body. It brews regular hot coffee, iced coffee, and milk-based drinks from one unit, without pods and without a steam wand.
Full Specifications
| Manufacturer | Ninja |
| Model number | CM401 |
| Category | Drip coffee maker |
| Carafe | Glass, 10-cup |
| Water reservoir | 40.6 fl oz, removable |
| Brew styles | 4 (Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Specialty) |
| Brew sizes | 6, single cup to full carafe |
| Milk frother | Built-in, fold-away |
| Filter | Reusable, no pods required |
| Power | 1550 W |
| Weight | 9.2 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Price | $169.99 |
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Features
The CM401 brews in 6 sizes, from a single cup to a full carafe, and includes a Delay Brew option to schedule brewing in advance. A Drip Stop switch lets you pull the carafe mid-brew without a mess. The glass carafe sits on a warming plate that adjusts based on how much coffee remains.
What's in the Box
- Removable water reservoir
- 10-cup glass carafe
- Fold-away milk frother
- Reusable gold-tone filter
- Measuring scoop
- Quick start guide
Brew Sizes
The CM401 brews 6 distinct sizes: standard cup, XL single cup, travel mug, XL travel mug, half carafe (5 cups), and full carafe (10 cups). Actual output volume varies slightly by brew style — a single Classic cup yields roughly 9.5 oz, while the same settings on Rich yield closer to 8.7 oz, since more grounds are used relative to water.
Control Panel
The panel groups a brew-size dial with four labeled brew-style buttons and a digital clock display. Basic brewing needs no manual, though the delay-brew and warming-plate settings are easier with the included guide.
Brew Styles
Classic vs. Rich
Classic is built for a balanced, standard cup. Rich uses more grounds relative to water for a fuller-bodied result. Both use the same brew time.
Over Ice
This mode brews double-strength hot coffee directly over ice, avoiding the dilution that comes from pouring regular coffee over ice. It is not the same as true cold brew, which is steeped cold for roughly 12 hours rather than brewed hot.
Specialty Brew
A 4-ounce concentrate meant to pair with frothed milk for latte- or cappuccino-style drinks. It is not true espresso — the machine can't reach the roughly 9 bars of pressure espresso extraction requires — but it fills the same role for home use.
No Pods Required
The CM401 uses a reusable filter and ground coffee only, avoiding the ongoing cost and waste of single-use pods.
Fold-Away Frother
The built-in frother whisk folds out for use and flat when done. It froths hot or cold milk but doesn't steam it the way an espresso machine's steam wand does, so foam is airy rather than the microfoam used for latte art.
Water Reservoir
The 40.6-oz reservoir is removable for easy filling and has a flip-top lid with fill-level markings for each brew size.
How It Compares to Other Ninja Coffee Makers
| Model | Price | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja CM401 | $169.99 | Built-in frother, reusable filter, Specialty Brew mode |
| Ninja CM300 | ~$163 | No frother, no reusable filter, no Specialty mode |
| Ninja CM371 | ~$140 | No frother; manufacturer markets a 10-minute "cold brew" mode, though genuine cold brew requires roughly 12 hours of steeping |
Verdict
The CM401 covers hot coffee, iced coffee, and milk-based drinks in one machine without a pod subscription — a reasonable middle ground for anyone who doesn't want to buy separate equipment for each. It won't replace a real espresso machine or a slow cold-brew setup for those specifically after either.
FAQ
Does the Ninja CM401 make espresso?
No. Specialty Brew produces a rich concentrate, not true espresso, since the machine doesn't reach espresso-level pressure.
Does it make cappuccino?
You can approximate one using Specialty Brew with the fold-away frother, though it won't produce true crema or latte art.
Does it make cold brew?
No. Over Ice brews hot and pours over ice; true cold brew is steeped cold for about 12 hours.
Do I need special pods?
No — it uses a reusable filter with ground coffee only.
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