Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer Review (Worth it to You?) 2024

Last updated on October 20th, 2022 by Catherine Cervone

Do you enjoy a good quality, great-tasting cup of coffee? If you love a drip coffee with a bold, rich flavor that’s reliable for everyday use, you’re not alone. The Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer was made for coffee drinkers like you.

Want the quick summary?

The Ninja CE251 is a sleek drip coffee maker that brews quality coffee. It’s a great machine if you want the taste of a pour over without the hassle and if you want the affordability that comes with using ground coffee vs costly pods. It may not come with a specialty coffee experience like espresso, over-ice or tea options, but its an easy to use and maintain brewer for a value price. 

If you’re looking for something simple yet effective that makes a delicious cup of drip for a larger or smaller crowd and you don’t mind missing the extras of an all-in-one or pod machine, this coffee maker is right for you.

Last update on 2024-04-25

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Whats So Special About the Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer?

Ninja is part of SharkNinja Operating LLC, with the CE251 Brewer being one of many coffee maker models Ninja has created. There are a wide variety of appliances to suit your needs, from simpler models like this one, to the Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty coffee maker.

The Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer is comparable with many other similarly-priced models on the market. But there are a few standout features included with this Ninja coffee maker:

1. Two Different Brew Modes

With this brewer, you have the ability to choose either Classic or Rich modes. Classic brews a great, everyday cup, while Rich brings out the flavor and tastes for a bolder palette. Both settings are designed to be hot and flavorful and never bitter. 

2. Programmable Delay Brew

Like many coffee makers on the market, the Ninja CE251 comes with a delay brew setting so you can prepare your morning cup of coffee before you go to sleep the night before. It can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance for ease and flexibility in your coffee routine.

I love using the delay brew setting because it’s one less thing I have to do in the mornings as I’m rushing out the door. What’s better than waking up to a fresh cup of coffee?

3. Small Batch Setting

The Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer has been specially designed to create small batches of 1-4 cups that are just as delicious as a full 12 or 14 cup carafe. This makes the brewer perfect for making an afternoon pick me up or a large pot for your morning all while preserving the flavor and strength. 

4. Sleek Look

If you’re like me, you also care about your countertop kitchen aesthetic. This gorgeous, industrial appliance from Ninja checks that box, too. For a sleek, stainless steel look on the counter, it’s got a great appearance for a tool you’ll use every morning.

How to Use the Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer

The Ninja CE251 is simple to use, so don’t worry if you’re not the most technologically savvy. It’s got one of the cleanest, most streamlined displays out there, with just a few buttons necessary to get you on your way to your perfect brew.

1. Remove the water reservoir and fill it with water. It’s portable for easy filling.

2. Plug in the machine and turn it on with the power button on the display. Let’s get ready to brew some delicious coffee!

3. Insert the coffee filter into the basket. Fill with your favorite ground coffee!
   1. I love changing it up every week to try new roasts and blends to suit different taste preferences. Ninja makes it easy to measure out the perfect amount of coffee with their included scoop that attaches to the machine.

4. Select your brew mode. Classic provides a quality cup with a great, milder taste, while Rich is perfect for the person who loves a bolder flavor. Mix it up and experiment to find your favorite. 

5. Watch the magic happen! Within minutes, you’ll have freshly-brewed coffee waiting for you. Can’t wait until the pot is done? This machine has an auto-pause feature that makes reaching in to grab a fresh cup quick and easy.

6. Utilize the Stay Warm function to keep your coffee fresh, hot, and never bitter for up to four hours. This is great for having company over or for keeping a carafe fresh all day long.

7. Cleanup in a breeze with dishwasher safe parts. The permanent filter, water reservoir and carafe can all be placed in the top rack of your dishwasher for easy cleaning. 

Pros and Cons to Consider

Things We Like:

• Brews up to 12 cups or 14 cups at a time – depending on the model you choose

• Small Batch Setting – formulates a smaller batch (4 cups) so it tastes just as great as a full carafe

• Larger Carafe – This model has a 60oz glass carafe

• 2 Brew Modes – Choose between Classic and Rich

• Hotter coffee – The boiler has been redesigned to brew coffee at an even hotter temperature to ensure a delicious, steaming cup.

• Pause for a Cup – With the auto-stop feature, you can pull the carafe out mid-cycle to pour yourself a cup without wasting a drop.

• 60 oz Removable Water Reservoir – The reservoir can be lifted off for easy, mess-free refilling that slides right back under the cabinets when you’re done.

• Programmable Delay Brew – Set the timer up to 24 hours in advance to have hot coffee when you come home or when you wake up in the morning.

• Auto shuts off

• Flavor Straw – Located within the carafe, the flavor straw works to circulate the coffee while brewing for a more even flavor.

• Comes with a permanent filter

• Keep Coffee Warm for Hours – With the adjustable warming plate, which can be set for up to four hours of heat. 

• Dishwasher Safe Materials – Make cleanup easy and quick with parts that can be safely put into the dishwasher. 

• Sleek Finish – The machine features black and stainless steel covering for a sleek look in the kitchen.

• Small Countertop Area – This compact design won’t take up a lot of space on the countertop, leaving you plenty of room for cooking space and other appliances. 
  • Measures out 8 in long, 10 in. wide, and 14 in. high

Things We Don’t Like

• No Pods Compatibility – Unfortunately, this machine only used ground coffee, not pods or K-cups.

• Unstable Water Reservoir Seal – Some reviewers have mentioned the seal on the water reservoir coming loose over time. Their solution was to not unseat the water reservoir to fill it, instead bringing water over to the machine to fill it.

• Tall Design – While the machine itself only stands at 14” tall, the lid covering the brew basket must be lifted up, not slid out, to fill. This could be a problem for kitchens with lower cabinets. 

How Does it Compare

Ninja CE251 Brewer vs. Calphalon Programmable Coffee Maker

Both machines:

• Brew drip coffee and don’t brew pods.
• Brew high quality drip coffee using precise temperatures
• Come with programmable functions to preset your coffee
• Have both lower strength and higher flavor settings.

But the differences:

• The Calphalon takes up less counter space with a more compact design. 
• The Calphalon has an upgraded warming plate with low, medium and high settings
• The Ninja model is slightly cheaper, coming in at $99.99 regularly priced vs. Calphalon at $109 regularly priced.

The Winner?

• The Calphalon model is the better choice if you want a more compact design and some updated features.
• The Ninja appliance is the better choice if you’re looking for a lower price and simple, yet useful, design functions.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer?

The Ninja Programmable Brewer is a Good Choice if…

You want a sleek machine for your countertop that brews a great cup of drip coffee from grounds. This machine has a number of features that will make your morning brewing easier and more delicious, like hotter boiler power, a stay warm function, and delay brewing so you can prep your coffee hours ahead of time. At a regular price under $100, it’s very comparable with other brands and models on the market and represents good value. 

The Ninja Programmable Brewer is the Wrong Choice if…

You value the convenience of coffee pods. Or if you want even more features that would come with an upgraded, higher-end model or an all-in-one machine, such as the ability to brew espresso-like beverages and cold drinks.

Last update on 2024-04-25

For more Ninja coffee makers to consider, check out our reviews on the:

• Ninja Hot and Cold System
• Ninja Specialty

Chief Editor