Ninja Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Brewer
Verdict
A strong budget-friendly 12-cup drip brewer for households or small groups that want simple controls, programmable keep-warm, and a consistently good “Rich” brew. Expect some fit-and-finish quirks (drippy spout, lid annoyance) and only average filtering, but the value-for-money remains the main reason to buy.
Pros
-
Scoop-storage convenience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 5.0
-
Value & Price ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.8Value is the headline: the brewer is repeatedly framed as extremely affordable and a cost-efficient pick versus pricier alternatives, delivering a generous 12-cup feature set without a premium price tag.
-
Design, ergonomics & footprint ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
-
Overall user experience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.3Overall usability is praised for transparent, button-driven controls and a convenient removable reservoir; the experience stays beginner-friendly, though users are advised to pay attention to beeps/indicator lights and expect a few minor quirks like dripping and lid fussiness.
-
Automation & sensors ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.3Convenience features are a key strength, including mid-brew pause for quick pours and safety plus precise programmable timing; overall, automation focuses on simple, practical controls rather than advanced sensing.
-
Capacity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.2This brewer is positioned as a true crowd-pleaser, centered on a full 12-cup output with a large 60-oz glass carafe for serving groups rather than specialty single-serve flexibility.
-
Water system, maintenance & descaling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.2Maintenance is generally easy thanks to a removable reservoir and dishwasher-safe removable parts; descaling is described as a longer 25–35 minute cycle, and some owners report reservoir-area leaking as a watch-out.
-
Design, ergonomics & footprint ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.1The design is framed as functional over flashy, with a straightforward control panel; its tall footprint and light weight can make placement feel more important to avoid tipping or counter-edge mishaps.
-
Brewing performance & consistency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.1Reviews describe a consistently enjoyable cup with the Rich mode strongly recommended; the longer brew cycle is framed as helping thorough infusion, with heat and flavor staying balanced through the last pour, aided by the carafe’s flavor-straw circulation.
-
Assembly & Setup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.1Setup is described as very straightforward—wash the main parts and run a water-only cycle—making first-time use feel quick and beginner-friendly.
-
Accuracy of marketing claims ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0Marketing around delivering a properly hot cup largely held up in testing, with brew water observed around 200°F and generally consistent temperature regulation during brewing.
-
Brewing performance & consistency ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
-
Cable management convenience ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0A rear cord storage compartment helps keep the countertop tidy and improves day-to-day convenience.
-
Cup, tray & carafe handling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.0Carafe handling is a mixed bag: the flavor-straw helps keep heat and concentration circulating for consistent pours, but the spout can drip and the lid may be fiddly to remove, especially risky when hot.
-
Accessories ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.0Accessories are basic but practical: an included permanent filter and an integrated measuring scoop cover essentials, while the carafe’s flavor-straw is highlighted as a functional add-on; compared with newer models, there are fewer extras in the box.
-
Heating-element power ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.8Heating performance is mixed: the keep-warm system avoids scorching the coffee over hours, but heat retention lags some competitors, with coffee dropping to around 159°F after a couple of hours.
-
Filter ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.6The included permanent gold-tone filter keeps day-to-day brewing simple, but filtering performance is criticized as subpar in this review, making the filtration setup a notable weak point despite otherwise good brew results.
-
Warranty & Customer support ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5Warranty coverage is a standard one-year limited plan for the price tier; brand support is portrayed as improving, with third-party consumer feedback landing in a middle-of-the-road range.
Cons
-
Pot function ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.5The warming plate is programmable and precise, with keep-warm duration adjustable up to four hours; daily use is straightforward, with a reminder to let the plate cool before cleaning around it.
-
Build quality & durability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 2.9Build quality is described as rigid and serviceable with a stainless-steel-and-plastic mix, but long-term durability gets a mild caution due to the unit’s lightness and recurring leak complaints around the reservoir and carafe areas.
-
Design flaws ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.7Key drawbacks called out include slow full-pot brew times, the lack of a thermal carafe (it relies on a glass carafe and hot plate), and only moderate heat retention on keep-warm despite avoiding burnt flavors.
-
Recognition & certifications ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5The CE251 is explicitly not SCA certified, with the review citing an approximately 15-minute full-pot cycle that exceeds SCA time guidelines and attributing the longer process to a pre-infusion stage.
-
Speed & time-to-cup ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 2.4Time-to-cup is portrayed as on the slower side at roughly 12–15 minutes for a full cycle, but the pace is also credited with supporting better extraction and richer flavor for those who can wait.
