Ninja Fresh Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker CE251

Ninja Fresh Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker CE251

By Ninja · Coffee Makers · Kitchen & Cooking

  • 12-cup / 70-oz glass carafe drip brewer
  • Classic and Rich brew strengths
  • Programmable auto-brew, pre-infusion showerhead
  • 1100W, cone filter, 14.5x9.5x8.3 inch

Lowest price seen
$69.99
from $69.99 at Abt · Checked Oct 9, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A 12-cup drip brewer with a removable water reservoir, pre-infusion, 24-hour delay brew and an adjustable warming plate, aimed at buyers who want good coffee without spending much. Check two things before you buy: a full carafe can take 7–15 minutes, and the glass carafe is fragile.

Strengths

  • Wirecutter has called it the best-tasting cheap coffee maker after testing 18 models.
  • Brews balanced, hot coffee with even water distribution from the pre-infusion showerhead.
  • The removable 60 fl oz water reservoir is a standout convenience.
  • Classic and Rich settings, 24-hour delay brew and a warming plate adjustable to 4 hours.
  • Most parts are dishwasher safe: filter, carafe, lid, holder, reservoir and scoop.
  • Compact footprint for a 12-cup machine.

Weaknesses

  • Brew times are slow and inconsistent, from about 7 minutes 48 seconds in one test to 12–15 minutes in others.
  • Mostly plastic construction with thinner glass than pricier machines.
  • The glass carafe is fragile and replacement carafes can be hard to find.
  • Owners report leaking from the reservoir seal, internal hoses or the brew basket valve.
  • Some long-term owners report water temperature dropping and flavor declining after 2–4 years.
  • Only a 1-year limited warranty, and wearable parts such as the carafe and reservoir are not covered.

Verified specifications

ModelCE251, part of Ninja’s CE200 series.
Power1100 W, 120 V, 60 Hz.
Brew strengthsClassic and Rich.
Small Batch1–4 cups on retailer listings; the manual says 2–4.
Pre-infusionyes, a showerhead that pauses to saturate the grounds before brewing.
Delay brew24-hour programmable.
Warming plateadjustable up to 4 hours, default 2 hours.
Carafeglass, 12-cup / 60 fl oz, with a brew-through lid and flavor straw.
Water reservoir60 fl oz, removable.
Filtergold-tone permanent or #4 cone paper.
Dimensionsabout 14–15 in high and 10 in wide; listed depth ranges from 8 to 13 in across sources.
Weightabout 7 lbs.
Warranty1-year limited.
SCA certifiedno.
Full research notes and sources

Brewing and taste

The CE251 brews balanced, hot coffee with even water distribution. Wirecutter has named it the best-tasting of the cheap coffee makers it has tested since 2016, and Forbes Vetted gave it a value award in a month-long comparison. TechGearLab measured an average brew temperature of 191.6°F and called the grounds saturation even, though it found the Classic and Rich settings made only a small difference. The permanent filter, carafe, lid, filter holder, reservoir and scoop are all dishwasher safe.

Brew time and warming plate

A full carafe is not quick. TechGearLab measured an average of 7 minutes 48 seconds, with batches from 7:00 to 8:18; other testers report 12–15 minutes, and Forbes puts a full carafe near 15 minutes. The manual suggests running a clean cycle if brewing stretches past 12–15 minutes. The warming plate holds coffee warm but does not reheat it: TechGearLab saw coffee cool about 10°F in an hour, and the plate shuts off after 4 hours at most. The brew group lid does not seal tightly, so some seepage during brewing is normal.

Leaks, repairs and running costs

Leaking is the most common owner complaint, from the reservoir seal, internal hoses, scale buildup or the brew basket valve. Running a clean cycle when brewing slows down and descaling with a vinegar solution helps with scale. Replacement carafes, filters and reservoirs are sold by Ninja and third parties, but stock can be inconsistent, and owners report the reservoir showing as unavailable for months. Coffee, descaler and optional paper filters are the only recurring costs, and there is no pod lock-in.

Is it worth it?

Best Buy lists it at $69.99, Home Depot at $89.99, and RedditRecs reports Walmart at $65 (2026). At $70 or less it is strong value; $71–80 is still good; $81–90 is fair. Above $90, machines with a thermal carafe, SCA certification or metal construction come into reach, and the CE251’s case rests on its specific mix of a removable reservoir, pre-infusion, a 4-hour warming plate and a small footprint rather than any single standout feature.

Which model this is

This page covers the Ninja CE251 in black and stainless steel, part of the CE200 series. The same manual covers the CE200, CE201, CE250 and CE251. Don’t confuse it with the CE250, CE201 or other Ninja brewers such as the CM401, CM407 and DualBrew, which brew differently.

ASIN B07S98411N.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Buying guides for this category

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