Ninja Pod & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker Review: Top Choice for Home Brewing?

Finding a coffee maker that juggles versatility and compact design isn’t always easy—especially if you want to brew both pods and grounds. The Ninja Pod & Grounds Coffee Maker tries to hit that sweet spot, letting you use either method without taking up your whole counter.

You get a range of brewing sizes, a removable milk frother, and a design that’s genuinely space-conscious. Folks have called it easy to use and a real counter saver. Worth noting: if you’re outside the US, the voltage might not play nice, and if you’re eco-minded, reusable pods are a smart call.

Bottom Line

If you’re after a coffee maker that’s compact but doesn’t skimp on features, the Ninja Pod & Grounds is definitely worth a look. Click here to view or purchase the Ninja Pod & Grounds Coffee Maker.

Overview: Ninja Pod & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker

This machine’s all about flexibility—brew with grounds or pods, whatever you’re in the mood for. Cup sizes range from a single serving to a travel mug, and the built-in frother is handy if you’re chasing that café vibe at home.

People appreciate the generous, removable water tank and how the slim design doesn’t hog the kitchen. That said, the voltage isn’t universal, so international buyers might run into headaches. If you want a machine that’s adaptable and doesn’t eat up your whole counter, this one’s in the running among single-serve coffee makers.

Versatility: Brew With Pods or Grounds

Switching from pods to grounds (and back) is pretty painless here. Brew your favorite beans for a richer cup, or just pop in a K-Cup for speed—your call.

Having both options in one small footprint has been a real draw for folks who don’t want two machines cluttering things up. Of course, swapping between pods and grounds takes a little cleaning, and some people found that annoying. Still, the flexibility is hard to beat if you’re sharing the machine or just like to mix things up.

Brew Styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Specialty

The Ninja PB051 doesn’t just do “regular coffee.” There’s Classic for a smooth cup, Rich if you want a little more punch, and Over Ice, which is designed to keep your iced coffee from tasting like sad, watery leftovers.

Specialty mode makes a concentrated shot for lattes or other milk drinks. Some folks say the difference between Classic and Rich isn’t huge, but it’s nice to have the options. In the end, how much you love each setting depends a lot on your beans and your taste buds.

Coffeehouse Drinks Made Easy

If you’re into lattes or cappuccinos, this machine makes it pretty simple. The frother is straightforward, works with both dairy and non-dairy milk, and folds away when you’re not using it.

People have had good luck getting a nice froth, though getting it just right can take a little experimenting—especially with plant-based milks. The concentrated brew option is a solid base for specialty drinks, but, as always, your results may vary depending on what you like.

Compact Footprint and Smart Storage

This Ninja is genuinely compact, so it’ll fit in tight spots or between other appliances. The built-in storage drawer is a nice touch for stashing the brew basket or filter and keeping things tidy.

On the flip side, the height means you might have to shuffle it around if you’ve got low cabinets. Still, if you’re short on space, it’s a practical pick.

Convenient Removable 56-Oz. Water Reservoir

Nobody likes constant refilling. The 56-ounce tank is big enough for several drinks and pops out easily for filling or cleaning.

People like that it’s simple to remove and clean, though sometimes getting it back in takes a little wiggling if you don’t line it up right. All in all, the water tank is a plus for anyone who doesn’t want to fuss with refills every day.

Built-In, Fold-Away Milk Frother

Making lattes or cappuccinos is a breeze thanks to the built-in frother. It handles both hot and cold milk and folds away to save space.

Most users like that it’s removable for cleaning. Just a heads-up: it doesn’t actually heat the milk, just froths it, so the texture won’t quite match what you’d get from a real espresso machine.

Pros:

• Folds away and comes off for cleaning
• Works fast for hot or cold froth

Cons:

• Doesn’t heat milk while frothing
• Froth can be inconsistent depending on the milk

On-the-Go Brewing Options

Travel mugs fit under the spout, so you can brew straight into your to-go cup. The compact design means it doesn’t hog space, whether you’re in a tiny kitchen or at work.

The big reservoir means you can make several drinks before refilling. Brew sizes go up to 24 ounces, so whether you want just a quick cup or something bigger, it’s easy.

Switching between pods and grounds is pretty straightforward, though you’ll still need a power outlet—no battery option here. For folks who want quick, customizable coffee, the PB051 covers the bases.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Flexible: works with both pods and grounds, so you’re not stuck with just one method.
• Compact enough for small kitchens, and the storage drawer is genuinely handy.
• Brew sizes and styles range from single cups to travel mugs and specialty drinks.
• The built-in frother folds away and is easy to clean.
• The 56-oz. water tank means fewer refills.
• Travel mugs up to 8 inches fit under the spout, which is great for commuters.

Feature	Benefit
Pod & grounds compatibility	More brewing options
Built-in frother	Versatility for specialty drinks
Compact design	Saves space in small kitchens
Removable reservoir	Easier refilling and cleaning

Cons

• The pod adapter and brew basket can clutter things up if you don’t keep them organized.
• Tons of brew options might overwhelm someone who just wants basic coffee, no fuss.
• Cleaning the filter area and frother can be fiddly.
• Not dual-voltage, so international users may run into trouble.
• Some people found plastic K-cups messier than mesh pods, which can make cleanup annoying.

Customer Reviews

Most buyers say the Ninja PB051 is versatile and doesn’t hog the counter. The big water tank and compact build are frequent positives.

People like how fast and easy it is to use, and the frother gets a lot of love for making specialty drinks. The integrated storage also makes things less cluttered.

There are a few gripes—mainly about voltage issues abroad and some pod types being messier than others. Still, the overall vibe is positive, with a 4.4 out of 5 rating from thousands of reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re eyeing the Ninja Single-Serve Coffee Maker, you’ve probably got questions about taste, convenience, and how easy it is to use. Here’s what people ask most:

How does the flavor output of the Ninja Single-Serve Coffee Maker compare to other brands?

A lot of users say the flavor stacks up well—sometimes even better—than other single-serve machines. Using grounds instead of pods can give you a fresher, richer cup.

Strength settings actually make a difference, and being able to switch between pods and grounds means you can tinker until you get it just right.

Can the Ninja Coffee Maker accommodate multiple cup sizes?

Yep, it’s flexible—brew anything from a small cup to a big travel mug. The adjustable tray means taller mugs fit without making a mess, which isn’t always the case with other machines.

What convenience features does the Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Coffee Maker offer?

Highlights include:

• Pod and Ground Compatibility: Switch between pods and grounds as you like.
• Built-in Milk Frother: Handy for lattes and cappuccinos.
• Large Reservoir: Less frequent refilling with the 56-ounce tank.
• Compact Design: Saves space, and built-in accessory storage is a nice bonus.

Switching between pod and ground modes does mean swapping a few parts, which can take a minute.

How easy is it to clean the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker?

Cleaning’s pretty simple since most parts come off for rinsing. The water tank, frother, and baskets are all removable.

Rinsing the frother right after use helps prevent buildup. The slim design doesn’t have a ton of hard-to-reach spots, but you’ll still want to descale it now and then.

What types of coffee beverages can the Ninja Coffee Maker produce?

You can make classic, rich, iced, and specialty coffees. Lattes, cappuccinos, and iced coffee are all doable with the built-in frother.

Here’s a quick look at what you can make:

Coffee Style	Can be made?
Standard Brew	Yes
Rich Brew	Yes
Iced Coffee	Yes
Concentrated (for lattes/capps)	Yes
Tea	Not designed

That’s a pretty good range, especially compared to other single-serve machines that don’t go beyond basic coffee.

Is there a significant difference in the cost of operation between the Ninja and its competitors?

Running costs really come down to whether you’re sticking with pods or using ground coffee. A lot of folks notice that brewing with grounds in the Ninja is just plain cheaper than relying on pods, especially compared to machines that only take pods.

If you’re a pod person, you’ll find the cost per cup is about the same as other K-Cup machines. But having the option to switch to grounds? That’s where you can start saving a bit, depending on what works for your wallet.

The Ninja’s flexible setup means you’ve got some control over how much you end up spending—nice if you’re watching your coffee budget or just like having options.