Clearly, I’m a fan of Ninja and of consolidating my coffee makers, so let’s get into the finer details. I did the same testing as the 8oz brew with traditional grinds, and it yielded similar results when using the classic, rich, and over-ice brew with the K-cup pods. Ninja thought of everything and somehow fit it all into a slim single-serve coffee maker that not only has a small countertop footprint but also has each accessory cleverly integrated into the actual machine. It took 8 minutes to brew a full 55oz carafe, and immediately after finishing, the coffee was 170°F / 76°C. However, since you’re using pods over grinds, starting the brew and cleaning up after is a bit easier, as you don’t need to deal with filters or measurements.

Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System review - Real Homes Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System review - Real Homes

As the coffee was brewing, the same indicator lights that let you know the size selection before starting the brew would light, letting you know how far along you were in the brewing process. Instead, you can dispense brews into a coffee cup or travel mug, and it even includes a platform to rest the smaller vessels on.

You want to be sure there’s space on the side of the Ninja DualBrew to make use of the milk frother and the coffee grind measuring scoop. The ability to brew either pods or grounds — and brew them both well — is not something you see in most machines.

Ninja® DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System Ninja® DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System

It's easy to simply turn the dial to your desired ounce size, with 13 options to choose from in all. Using the frother is as simple as placing it in the milk and pressing the button on top, and the results were better than I expected. And, seriously, I cannot get over the fact a normal coffee maker has a milk frother— a good one at that. Plus, the included recipe book is a launching pad for trying coffeehouse-style specialty beverages at home.You’ll fill the water tank with a descaling solution or white vinegar, and the carafe should be placed below to hold the dirty water. However, the plate will stay warm for over 30 minutes after you turn it off, and a light on the base of the brewer will illuminate to indicate it’s hot. Once you’ve selected your style and size, and then pressed brew, you should expect about two to three minutes from start to finish. The smaller end of the scoop measures out to be about about one tablespoon, while the larger end is just under three tablespoons. The taste of the coffee from the Ninja DualBrew Pro varied depending on the brew style, but it doesn’t get watered down.