The closest one-machine alternative supported by current product information is the Ninja Luxe Café Premier: it makes espresso and drip coffee, but it is a step-down model from the Pro, not a competing-brand match. If you want a different brand, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch and Breville Barista Express Impress are espresso-focused options; plan on a separate drip brewer if filter coffee is essential. The Ninja DualBrew Pro makes drip coffee and pods, but its espresso-like setting is not equivalent to a real espresso shot.
What counts as an alternative?
The Luxe Café Pro combines four functions: espresso, drip coffee, cold brew, and independent hot water. SharkNinja also lists Barista Assist guidance, integrated tamping, an XL milk jug, and five preset frothing functions. Its March 2026 announcement gave US prices of $749.99 for the Pro and $599.99 for the Premier; these are announced prices, not guaranteed current retail prices. See SharkNinja’s announcement and the Pro product page.
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For this comparison, the key distinction is whether a machine makes real espresso as well as drip coffee. A drip machine’s concentrated or “espresso” setting does not automatically produce espresso. The available evidence does not establish a competing-brand machine that matches the Pro’s full combination of brewing modes and integrated features.
Options at a glance
| Option | True espresso | Drip coffee | Best fit | Price evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Luxe Café Premier | Yes, per SharkNinja’s product-family description | Yes | One appliance for espresso and drip, if a same-family step-down is acceptable | SharkNinja announced a US price of $599.99 in March 2026; current street price not established |
| De’Longhi La Specialista Touch | Espresso-focused machine, as characterized in Tom’s Guide’s review | Not established by the cited review | Those prioritizing an interactive espresso workflow and willing to use a separate filter brewer | Tom’s Guide reported £699 in the UK and $999 in the US in its 2025 review; historical, not current pricing |
| Breville Barista Express Impress | Presented as an espresso-machine alternative by Tom’s Guide | Not established by the cited review | Espresso-first buyers who can brew drip coffee separately | Tom’s Guide calls it price-comparable; no exact price established here |
| Ninja DualBrew Pro | No: its espresso-like setting is not equivalent to a real espresso shot | Yes; accepts grounds or K-Cup pods, according to TechRadar | Drip coffee and pods, without a requirement for genuine espresso | Not stated by the cited source |
| Espresso machine plus dedicated drip brewer | Yes, depending on the espresso machine selected | Yes, using the separate brewer | Households that want to choose equipment independently for each brew style | Not stated; no specific paired products are recommended here |
Best one-machine choice: Ninja Luxe Café Premier
The Premier is the clearest option here if you need both espresso and drip coffee from one appliance. SharkNinja describes it as brewing espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew from whole beans. Because it is in the same product family, it is better understood as a lower-tier alternative to the Pro than as a rival from another brand.
#1 Best Overall
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso coffee maker is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20 Bar Pressure System: Semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker, with 20 bar professional Italian pump and 1350 W powerful boiler. This latte machine gives you top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and rich aroma. The built-in pressure gauge on this cappuccino machine shows the exact pressure helping you make adjustments according to your personal taste preferences. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at your home or office with our cappuccino maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand, so you can texture creamy, rich microfoam milk to create amazing milk foam art and enhance the flavor of your brews. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art. Don't pass us by if you are looking for an excellent espresso coffee maker
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The beautiful and compact design makes this small espresso machine suitable for any size kitchen. Make single or double espresso shots with a beautiful layer of crema in minutes! The 34 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups, and it is detachable for easy refilling. Included components: Espresso Machine, 34 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Useful Tips: Please kindly note that do not brew coffee immediately after frothing milk. The machine must cool down first otherwise the temperature and the pressure inside the machine will be too high, and the machine will go into over-heating protection mode. The lights for 1 cup or 2 cup will flash repeatedly and please follow the steps of included guide to cool down the machine. You can watch more INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO by clicking Visit the CASABREWS Store
SharkNinja’s product announcement lists independent hot water and the Pro’s added features separately. Do not assume the Premier includes the Pro’s independent hot-water system, integrated tamping, XL milk jug, or five preset frothing functions. Check the announcement and current Pro specifications against the Premier’s listing before buying.
Best espresso-first alternatives from other brands
De’Longhi La Specialista Touch
Tom’s Guide described the La Specialista Touch as a “very worthy alternative” to the Pro, emphasizing a compact and more interactive espresso experience. Its June 2025 review gave prices of £699 in the UK and $999 in the US at that time. Those figures are historical and can change; the review does not establish drip-coffee capability. Treat it as an espresso-first choice, and budget for a separate filter brewer if your household regularly makes drip coffee. Read the Tom’s Guide review.
Rank #2
- Make Your Favorite Espresso Coffee At Home: The CASABREWS coffee machine with milk frother allows you to prepare all your favorite espresso-based coffees. You can enjoy a barista-brewed latte, cappuccino or macchiato at home. Stainless steel appearance, stylish and durable, ideal for any size kitchen. This compact espresso machine is perfect for home or office use
- Professional 20-Bar Pressure System: A semi-Automatic 2-in-1 Espresso Maker with a 20 bar professional pump and a 1350 W powerful heating system. This 20 bar pressure espresso maker gives you a top quality extraction, resulting in a more fragrant and richer aroma in your coffee. You can create a cappuccino, latte or flat white at home or in the office with our stainless steel espresso maker
- Milk Frothing System: Our espresso machine with milk frother has a powerful steam wand that creates a creamy and rich micro-foam milk texture to enhance the flavor of the coffee and enable the creation of latte art. Awaken your inner barista and create your own unique milk foam art with our espresso machine. This compact espresso machine is perfect for latte, cappuccino or macchiato. If you are trying to find an excellent espresso coffee maker, look no further
- Compact, Stylish & Practical: The compact design makes this espresso coffee machine suitable for a kitchen of any sizes. The 43.9 oz water tank allows you to brew multiple cups of coffee without a refill, and it is detachable for easy refilling. The drip tray can be easily removed to clean. This home espresso machine comes with everything a coffee lover needs to get started. What’s included: Espresso Machine, 43.9 oz Removable Water Tank, One Cup Brewing Filter, Two Cup Brewing Filter, Portafilter, Tamper With Spoon, Instruction Manual
- Using Tips: Please remove the rubber plug at the bottom of the water tank and make “First use cycle” for this espresso machine when you use it for the first time. Please follow the steps in the user guide. Please note that there are many instructional videos on the USER GUIDE of CASABREWS store
Breville Barista Express Impress
Tom’s Guide names the Barista Express Impress as a price-comparable espresso-machine option, but the cited review does not establish that it brews drip coffee. It may suit a buyer focused on espresso who is comfortable with a second appliance for filter coffee. Confirm the current model name, regional version, and specifications before comparing listings; this evidence does not support presenting it as an all-in-one replacement.
Recommended Free Tools
When the Ninja DualBrew Pro is—and is not—the answer
The DualBrew Pro is a drip coffee maker that accepts grounds or K-Cup pods, according to TechRadar’s coffee-maker guide. The guide cautions that its “espresso” setting cannot reproduce the depth and richness of a real espresso shot. Choose it for drip coffee and pod convenience, not as a substitute for a true espresso machine.
Rank #3
- BARISTA PLUS TECHNOLOGY: The 19-bar pressure system delivers ultra-flavorful espresso with a silky-smooth crema by brewing at the optimal temperature and pressure.
- COFFEEHOUSE DRINKS AT HOME: The built-in, fold-away frother allows you to create espresso-based cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, and more.
- BREW SINGLE-SERVE ESPRESSO: Choose your favorite espresso capsule and brew up to 3 styles: Espresso (1.35 oz), Lungo (3.75 oz), and Over Ice (1 oz).
- BREW THROUGH COFFEE GROUNDS: Make a Classic, Rich, or Over Ice brew. Select 9 different sizes ranging from cup, to travel mug, to a full 12-cup carafe.
- VERSATILITY TO ENTERTAIN: Treat your guests to an espresso-based coffeehouse drink or brew a 12-cup carafe for the crowd.
When two machines make more sense
If you want to select an espresso machine and a filter brewer independently, a two-appliance setup is a reasonable route. It adds counter-space demands, a separate brewing workflow, and the cost of buying two machines. No specific drip-brewer model is established here as a recommendation, so compare current specifications and available space before choosing a pair.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose for your kitchen
- Need both espresso and drip from one appliance? Choose the Luxe Café Premier if same-family status is acceptable and its feature set meets your needs.
- Care most about espresso workflow? Compare the La Specialista Touch or Barista Express Impress, and plan separately for drip coffee.
- Want drip coffee and pods, not true espresso? The DualBrew Pro fits that use case; do not rely on its espresso-like setting for espresso shots.
- Want independent choices for both brew styles? Consider two appliances, weighing the extra cost, counter space, and separate workflow.
Before purchasing, compare each exact regional model for brewing modes, batch capacity, milk handling, footprint, and current price. TechRadar notes an 18-ounce maximum for the original Luxe Café and describes it as bulky, but that capacity should not be assumed to apply to every model or configuration. Verify the specifications for the specific machine you are considering.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BE YOUR OWN BARISTA: Café-quality espresso shouldn't require a PhD. The Ninja Luxe Cafe Premier is a 3-in-1 machine designed to take the guesswork out of every latte, cappuccino, cold brew, and cup of coffee. Perfect for beginning espresso enthusiasts and anyone looking for a great, dialed-in cup of coffee with practically zero effort.
- 3 MACHINES IN 1: Includes 2 Espresso Styles — double shot or quad shot, 3 Drip Coffee Styles—classic, rich or over ice, and 2 Cold Brew styles— cold pressed espresso or cold brew coffee (drip coffee and cold brew available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 oz. sizes)..
- HANDS-FREE FROTHING: Dual Froth System combines a spinning whisk with automatic steamer to produce perfect, silky-smooth microfaom every time. Simply pour the milk, select style, and walk away. 4 preset programs including steamed milk, thin froth, thick froth and cold foam or the option to manually froth..
- COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER: A built-in conical burr grinder features 25 settings for precise, versatile grinding based on your specific drink. Brew your classic morning cup of coffee or create a summer afternoon cold brew with the exact grind and dosage you need.
- SMART TECHNOLOGY: This coffee and espresso combo machine features Barista Assist Technology that guides you every step of the way, from automatic precision grinding to weight-based dosing, assisted tamping for the perfectly pressed puck, and active real-time temperature and pressure adjustments based on your selected drink.
Rank #4
- MANUAL HAND-TEXTURED MICROFOAM: The powerful steam wand on this cappuccino maker and latte machine is designed to quickly turn milk into smooth, flavorful microfoam for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE DOSE GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder on bean-to-cup espresso machine grinds on demand to deliver correct amount of freshly ground coffee directly into portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and draws out all the flavors evenly during the extraction for a balanced-tasting espresso, latte or cappuccino
- RECEIVE 2 FREE BAGS OF SPECIALTY COFFEE: Included when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T&Cs apply
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature regulation (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, so espresso coffee maker allows for precise espresso extraction
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
