Ninja Has Entered the Coffee Chat - Which one is the best?
At Upgrade Your Cookhouse, we have compared the 4 different models of coffee makers that Ninja has made. Read our blog to find what makes each one different and decide for yourself which one you want for your kitchen.
UYC
1/4/20263 min read
Ninja Coffee Maker Comparison: CM401 vs CM407 vs CFP301 vs CP307
Below is a breakdown to help you choose the right Ninja machine based on features, capacity, versatility, and price.
1. Ninja CM401 — Specialty Brewer (Base Model)
Best for: Everyday coffee drinkers who want specialty-style drinks without pods or extras.
Typical Price Range: ~$150–$200. Smart Beer Zone
Highlights
4 brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Specialty (concentrated for lattes). Consumer Reports
6 brew sizes: From a single cup up to full carafe. Consumer Reports
Built-in milk frother for lattes/cappuccinos. Consumer Reports
50-oz glass carafe (heats up quickly, affordable). Kitchen Explored
Simple controls and easy upkeep.
✔ Pros: Excellent versatility for specialty drinks, easy to use and clean, strong value.
⚠️ Cons: Glass carafe doesn’t keep coffee hot as long; no tea or pod brewing.
2. Ninja CM407 — Like CM401 With a Few Upgrades
Best for: Those who want slightly better heat retention and added convenience.
Typical Price: Slightly above CM401. Kitchen Explored
Key Differences vs CM401
Thermal Carafe: Keeps coffee hot longer than the CM401’s glass carafe. Kitchen Explored
Programmable Delay Brew (on some versions). Shop Me The Way
Similar brew styles and frother as CM401.
✔ Pros: Better heat retention, convenient auto-brew.
⚠️ Cons: Typically higher price and still no pod/tea options.
Bottom Line: The CM407 keeps coffee warm longer and adds a few convenience features, but the core brew experience is very similar to the CM401.
3. Ninja CFP301 — DualBrew™ Pro Coffee Maker
Best for: Coffee drinkers who want pods and grounds plus extra flexibility.
Typical Price: Often above CM401 ($180–$250). Kitchen Explored
What It Has That CM401 Doesn’t
Dual brewing: Grounds and K-Cup pods (with included adapter). Kitchen Explored
Larger capacity: 12-cup carafe (96 oz). Kitchen Explored
More brew sizes: Includes both grounds and pod sizes. Kitchen Explored
Water reservoir is larger and multi-position. Kitchen Explored
✔ Pros: Most versatile (pods + grounds), bigger reservoir, more size options.
⚠️ Cons: Higher price; slightly larger footprint.
Good Choice If: You sometimes want the convenience of pods or you have guests with varying coffee preferences.
4. Ninja CP307 — Hot & Cold Brewed System
Best for: Households needing tea brewing plus coffee and a thermal carafe.
Typical Price: Usually above CM401; often similar to or slightly below CFP301. Kitchen Explored
Standout Features
Tea + coffee brewing: Separate baskets for tea and coffee. Kitchen Explored
Cold Brew setting (in addition to classic, rich, over ice, specialty). Kitchen Explored
Thermal carafe to keep drinks hot longer. Kitchen Explored
Larger capacity than CM401.
✔ Pros: Most feature-rich of the bunch; tea brewing included.
⚠️ Cons: Larger and pricier; may be overkill if you don’t need tea or cold brew.
Comparison Snapshot
FeatureCM401CM407CFP301CP307Brew Styles444*5*Specialty Brew✓✓✓✓Pod Brewing✗✗✓✓Tea Brewing✗✗✗✓Thermal Carafe✗ (glass)✓✗/glass✓Built-in Frother✓✓✓✓Best ForSpecialty drinksWarm carafe + conveniencePods + groundsMost features + teaPrice LevelBest valueMidHigherMid-High
*Exact features depend on specific model variants, but these are typical differences. Kitchen Explored+1
Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s a quick guideline:
🏆 Choose Ninja CM401 if:
You want specialty drink brewing without paying extra for unrelated features.
You prefer simplicity and great coffee quality for the price.
Pods and tea options are not a priority.
☕ Choose Ninja CM407 if:
You like the CM401 but want better heat retention and a few convenience features.
☕ Choose Ninja CFP301 if:
You want the most versatile system — including pods, grounds, and tea.
A larger capacity and more brew size options matter to you.
🍵 Choose Ninja CP307 if:
You want coffee + tea in one machine.
A cold brew option is important.
You like the idea of a thermal carafe to keep drinks warm.
Summary
The CM401 is the best all-around everyday specialty coffee maker for most people.
The CM407 improves heat retention and convenience slightly.
The CFP301 unlocks pod brewing plus more sizes and reservoir flexibility.
The CP307 gives the widest range of drink options, including tea and cold brew.
Clicking any of the links below, will bring you to the coffee maker of your choice! I love my CM401, I think it is time for you to find out for yourself too.
