The Ninja Coffee Maker we’re covering today is the Ninja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew, model CM371. It’s built for coffee lovers who want options without the fuss. One machine handles hot coffee, iced coffee, and cold brew. That’s a big daily benefit if your household drinks coffee three different ways before 9 a.m.
This isn’t an espresso machine. It won’t pull shots through a portafilter or steam milk with a wand. If you want true espresso with crema, check our guide to the best super-automatic espresso machines instead. But for everyday drip coffee with serious flexibility, this Ninja Coffee Maker earns its spot on the counter.
🔬 Evaluation Summary
Our evaluation analyzes verified manufacturer specifications, build durability, temperature/grind consistency, and real-world buyer feedback.
Ninja Coffee Maker Specs and Practical Build
The CM371 runs on 1,550 watts at 120 volts. That’s plenty of power to heat water fast for morning coffee. The housing is plastic, and the whole unit weighs about 11.24 pounds. It measures roughly 14.25 by 11.14 by 17.4 inches, so give it real counter space.
Ninja calls its heating system Thermal Flavor Extraction. In plain terms, it soaks the grounds evenly and keeps water temperature steady. That means fewer weak or bitter cups. SharkNinja’s product page confirms the system delivers even saturation and precise temperature control for flavorful coffee.
The water reservoir is removable and auto-metering. You fill it up, and the machine senses how much water it has. No more guessing or constant refills. It comes with a 12-cup glass carafe, a permanent filter, and Ninja’s Smart Scoop for accurate measuring.
Brewing Performance and Daily Workflow
This Ninja Coffee Maker offers 8 brew sizes. You can make a small cup, a regular cup, an XL cup, a travel mug, or an XL travel mug. Want more? Choose a quarter, half, or full carafe.
There are also 4 brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Cold Brew. Rich mode uses more grounds for bolder flavor. Over Ice brews concentrated coffee that won’t get watered down by ice cubes. Cold brew takes about 10 minutes, which is dramatically faster than the 12-to-24-hour steep most cold brew methods need.
No pods are required here. You use your own ground coffee, which cuts down on plastic waste and lets you pick any bean you like. A keep-warm function holds your carafe at temperature, and a 24-hour delay brew feature means you can wake up to coffee already made.
Real buyers back this up. On Walmart’s listing, reviewers describe the machine as easy to operate with minimal effort required. One reviewer said they’ve used their machine since 2021 with zero performance issues, brewing on the Rich setting daily.
Standout Strengths and Realistic Trade-offs
This Ninja Coffee Maker has real strengths. It’s reliable, and buyers report solid extraction performance across brew styles. The auto-metering reservoir removes guesswork. And having 8 sizes and 4 styles in one machine is genuinely versatile for a busy household.
There are trade-offs too. This machine requires routine cleaning and maintenance to keep flavor consistent. Some buyers also note that coffee grounds can spill into the pot during a full carafe brew, so pay attention when using the permanent filter. If you want zero-mess pod convenience, a K-cup compatible model may suit you better.
Ninja Coffee Maker vs Alternatives
Here’s how the CM371 stacks up against two other Ninja options, based on verified retailer listings.
| Feature | Ninja CM371 (Hot & Iced XL) | Ninja CM360 (10-Cup) | Ninja DualBrew CFP150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pod compatibility | No pods, grounds only | No pods, grounds only | K-Cup compatible |
| Brew styles | Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Cold Brew | Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Cold Brew | Hot & Iced, grounds or pods |
| Carafe size | 12-cup glass | 10-cup glass | 12-cup |
| Best for | Max brew-size flexibility | Budget-friendly, smaller kitchens | Households split on pods vs. grounds |
If your water quality varies, pairing any of these with a good filter helps protect the internal components. Our water filtration guide for coffee machines covers your options.
Who Should Buy This Ninja Coffee Maker
This machine fits home cooks who want variety without buying separate gadgets. If you drink hot coffee some days and iced coffee others, this Ninja Coffee Maker covers both. Families with different taste preferences will like switching between Classic and Rich styles easily.
Skip this one if you specifically want espresso-style shots with crema, or if you need K-cup compatibility for convenience. In those cases, a dedicated espresso machine or the DualBrew CFP150 makes more sense.
Practical FAQ
Does the Ninja Coffee Maker make espresso?
No. This is a drip and cold-brew coffee maker. It doesn’t use a portafilter or produce espresso-style crema. For true espresso, look at a dedicated espresso machine instead.
How fast does the Ninja Coffee Maker make cold brew?
The Rapid Cold Brew feature makes smooth cold brew in as little as 10 minutes, much faster than traditional overnight steeping methods.
Can I use my own coffee grounds instead of pods?
Yes. The CM371 requires no pods at all. You use your own ground coffee with the included permanent filter and Smart Scoop for measuring.
Final Verdict
This Ninja Coffee Maker earns a 4.5 out of 5 in our evaluation. It’s a versatile, no-pods machine that handles hot coffee, iced coffee, and fast cold brew in one unit. Build quality looks solid, and the auto-metering reservoir makes daily use simple.
Just remember to clean it regularly, and watch for grounds spillage on full-carafe brews. For most home coffee drinkers who want variety without an espresso machine’s learning curve, this Ninja Coffee Maker is a smart, practical pick. Check Amazon for current pricing before you buy.
