I compared Ninja CM371 vs CM401; both are strong brewers, CM401 edges on extras and polish.
I love coffee and I needed a machine that handled hot and iced drinks. I tested both machines side by side for weeks. I tried the Ninja CM371 vs CM401 in real mornings and busy weekends. I found clear differences in feel, frothing, and ease of use when I switched between them.
Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM371
I tested the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM371 over many mornings. It brews hot and iced coffee with steady results. The unit offers six brew styles and multiple sizes that fit mugs and travel cups. I liked the clear controls and the removable reservoir for easy filling.
The CM371 includes a 10-cup carafe and a fold-away frother. The permanent filter cuts waste and is easy to clean. The black finish looks tidy on a counter. Overall it felt like a reliable daily brewer that suits varied coffee needs.
Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401
I tested the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401 in daily life. It brews hot and iced coffee and offers the same six brew styles you expect. It also pours sizes from a small cup to a 10-cup carafe. The controls felt slightly more refined in my use.
The CM401 has a fold-away frother and a permanent filter. Its removable reservoir is handy and the machine cleaned quickly. The finish and buttons felt a touch more polished than some similar models. It is a small step up in feel over basic variants.
Is the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM371 Good?
Verdict: The Ninja CM371 is a dependable machine with broad brewing options. It handles hot and iced coffee and offers strength control. In my tests it made smooth carafe coffee and decent single-serve cups. The frother works well for foamed milk and lattes. Setup and daily use were straightforward and fast.
Anecdote: I used the CM371 for a weekend brunch with family. I brewed a carafe and then made travel mugs back to back. The machine kept pace. The removable reservoir cut refill trips. Guests liked the foam. When I compared Ninja CM371 vs CM401, the CM371 held its own in taste and stamina.
Real-World Experience
One Saturday I hosted six people for brunch. I brewed a full 10-cup carafe on the CM371 first. Then I switched to single-serve mode for travel mugs. The fold-away frother made cappuccino-style drinks in minutes. Refill was quick thanks to the removable reservoir. Cleanup was under ten minutes. The CM371 proved steady and easy when the pace picked up.
What I Like
- Versatile brew styles for many tastes
- Good value for features
- Easy to fill with removable reservoir
- Fast cleanup with permanent filter
- Compact footprint for most counters
What Could Be Better
- No major display or touch controls
- Frother is manual and limited vs espresso machines
- Carafe handle can feel light when full
My Recommendation
Buy the CM371 if you want a reliable daily brewer that handles hot and iced drinks and offers varied sizes without fuss.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Small kitchens | Compact shape fits counters and the removable reservoir makes filling easy in tight spaces. |
| Busy mornings | Multiple sizes and the carafe option let you brew for one or many with fast cleanup. |
| Casual latte drinkers | Fold-away frother gives milk foam for simple lattes and cappuccinos. |
Is the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker CM401 Good?
Verdict: The Ninja CM401 is a strong, user-friendly brewer. It covers hot, iced, and specialty styles with consistent results. I found the control layout intuitive. The frother and strength options added useful variety. In taste tests the CM401 produced clean cups with good extraction.
Anecdote: I used the CM401 during a rainy weekday when I needed a robust pot fast. I brewed a high-strength carafe and then used the frother for creamy cappuccinos. The removable tank made refills quick. When I compared Ninja CM371 vs CM401, the CM401 felt a bit smoother in control feel and had a touch better froth consistency.
Real-World Experience
I kept the CM401 on my counter for two weeks. On a hectic morning I made a pot, then switched to a travel mug while the kids prepared lunches. The machine handled both with no lag. The frother produced steady foam for milk drinks. The reservoir and carafe were easy to clean. The CM401 felt built to live through busy days.
What I Like
- Intuitive controls and consistent performance
- Good milk froth for casual lattes
- Removable tank speeds refills
- Solid build and polished finish
- Versatile sizes for single or group brewing
What Could Be Better
- Larger footprint than single-serve machines
- Frother not as powerful as dedicated milk machines
- Higher price than entry-level drip brewers
My Recommendation
Choose the CM401 if you want a slightly more polished daily brewer with consistent frother performance and refined controls.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Best For | Households that need flexible brewing for single cups and carafes. |
| Why | The CM401 balances control, frothing, and capacity for everyday family use. |
Ninja CM371 vs CM401: Side-by-Side Test
I ran both machines through the same routines. I compared the Ninja CM371 vs CM401 for taste, speed, ease, frothing, and value. I took notes on noise, cleanup, and consistency. The goal was to find which fits which user best.
Brewing Options: Which Offers More?
I checked modes and size flexibility.
| Feature | CM371 | CM401 |
|---|---|---|
| Brew Styles | 6 styles | 6 styles |
| Pour Sizes | Small cup to 10-cup carafe | Small cup to 10-cup carafe |
| Iced Brewing | Yes, over ice | Yes, over ice |
Taste & Extraction: Which Tastes Better?
I brewed same beans in both machines.
| Feature | CM371 | CM401 |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor Clarity | Clean and balanced | Clean and slightly brighter |
| Strength Control | Good | Good |
| Consistency | Very consistent | Slightly more consistent |
Frother & Milk Drinks: Who Froths Better?
I tested cappuccino and latte textures.
| Feature | CM371 | CM401 |
|---|---|---|
| Froth Quality | Good for casual drinks | Better, denser foam |
| Ease of Use | Simple fold-away frother | Simple fold-away frother |
| Cleaning | Quick wipe down | Quick wipe down |
Ease of Use & Cleaning: Which Is Simpler?
I timed refilling and cleanup tasks.
| Feature | CM371 | CM401 |
|---|---|---|
| Reservoir | Removable, easy | Removable, easy |
| Filter | Permanent filter | Permanent filter |
| Control Clarity | Clear buttons | Slightly more refined buttons |
Speed & Noise: Which Is Quicker?
I measured brew time and loudness.
| Feature | CM371 | CM401 |
|---|---|---|
| Brew Time | Fast for single cups | Fast for single cups |
| Carafe Time | Standard for drip | Standard for drip |
| Noise | Moderate | Moderate |
Value & Price: Which Is the Better Bargain?
I weighed features against cost.
| Feature | CM371 | CM401 |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Set | Strong | Slightly more refined |
| Build Feel | Good | A bit more polished |
| Price | Often slightly lower | Often slightly higher |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Quick Decision Guide
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
I prefer the CM401 if you want the slightly smoother controls and a touch better froth. It feels a bit more refined in daily use. The CM371 is a great value and performs nearly the same in taste and capacity. If price matters, pick the CM371. If small upgrades in feel and froth matter, pick the CM401. In my hands the Ninja CM371 vs CM401 choice comes down to budget versus finish and froth consistency.
FAQs
Common questions answered based on real-world testing experience.
Are the CM371 and CM401 the same machine?
They share core features like six brew styles and a 10-cup carafe. The CM401 feels slightly more refined in controls and froth performance.
Which is better for milk drinks, CM371 or CM401?
Both have a fold-away frother. The CM401 produced a touch denser foam in my tests and handled milk drinks a bit more consistently.
Do both models brew iced coffee well?
Yes. Both support over-ice brewing modes and handle iced recipes with clear results and no dilution surprises.
Is cleanup difficult on either model?
No. Both have a removable reservoir and a permanent filter. Daily cleanup is quick and takes only minutes.
Which should I buy in the Ninja CM371 vs CM401 debate?
Pick the CM371 for value and solid performance. Choose the CM401 if you want a slightly more polished feel and improved froth for milk drinks.