Our verdict: The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer CE251 ranks 2nd of the 10 drip coffee makers we compare, with 8.7 out of 10.
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer CE251
8.7/10
The Ninja CE251 is a 12-cup drip coffee maker with a glass carafe, a removable 60-ounce reservoir, Classic and Rich strengths and a small-batch setting. It suits households that want some control without a thermal or grind-and-brew machine.
Classic or Rich brew styles and a 1-to-4 cup small-batch setting
24-hour delay brew and a pause-and-serve feature
Removable 60-ounce reservoir fills easily at the sink
Adjustable warming plate keeps coffee hot for up to 4 hours
Keep in mind
Some owners report it failing soon after the one-year warranty ends
A few report a slow brew, especially with the small-batch setting
Glass carafe with a brew-through lid is awkward to clean
Why the Ninja CE251 scores 8.7
Each bar shows where it places among the 10 drip coffee makers in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
How happy owners are2nd of 10
How many rated it2nd of 10
How new it is4th of 10
Why it sits behind the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker
The Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker (8.8) edges the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer CE251 (8.7) on the balance of all three parts.
About the Ninja CE251
The CE251 is a countertop drip brewer for 120V outlets, rated at 1100 watts. It makes up to 12 cups (8 ounces each) into a glass carafe. A cone-shaped permanent filter is built in, so paper filters are optional. The manual says a #4 cone paper filter also fits, but not together with the permanent one.
Two brew styles, Classic and Rich, change the strength. A small-batch setting covers 1 to 4 cups. A delay function sets a brew up to 24 hours ahead, and a pause-and-serve feature lets you pour a cup before the cycle ends. The warming plate is adjustable and keeps coffee hot for up to 4 hours. Tech Gear Lab found the plate shuts off after two hours if no timer is set.
The 60-ounce water reservoir lifts off the base, so you can fill it at the sink. In the box are the brewer, the 12-cup glass carafe, the permanent filter, a Ninja scoop and the reservoir. Tech Gear Lab reports that the carafe, lid, filter holder, reservoir and scoop are dishwasher-safe, and the brewer has a clean cycle for descaling.
What owners report about the Ninja CE251
Owners most often praise how simple it is to use. The removable reservoir gets regular credit, along with the built-in filter and coffee they describe as good for the category. Several say they like having a strength choice and the small-batch setting.
Durability is the main complaint. Some owners report the brewer quitting a little over a year in, close to the end of the one-year warranty. Others describe a warming plate that overheated to the point of a melting-plastic smell, a clock display that lost a digit after months, and a brew-and-clean cycle that stopped working. The lid can hold water, and one owner said the pause feature did not work for them.
Speed comes up too. The Tech Gear Lab review describes brewing as slow and uneven, with a first brew from cold taking well over 11 minutes. It also says the hot plate can burn drips and needs regular wiping. Feedback on this exact model is thinner than for the best-known brewers, so treat the failure reports as a risk to weigh, not a certainty.
Who the Ninja CE251 suits
The CE251 fits a household that drinks a few cups a day, wants a strength setting, and is happy to fill a tank at the sink. It also fits someone who brews half a pot at times. It is easy to learn and mostly dishwasher-friendly.
Look elsewhere if you want coffee that stays hot for hours without a hot plate: the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker CM2046S has a thermal carafe. If you are buying for one or two people, the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch is smaller. Anyone who wants the longest-lasting machine should consider the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select, since failures just after the warranty are the main worry here.
Questions about the Ninja CE251
What's the difference between the Ninja CE251 and CE250?
We could not find a source that lists the differences. The retailer listings we found describe the CE251 as a 12-cup brewer with Classic and Rich styles and a 24-hour delay, so check the CE250 box or manual before assuming they match.
How do you clean the Ninja CE251 coffee maker?
Wash the carafe, lid, filter holder, reservoir and scoop by hand or in the dishwasher, and wipe the base with a damp cloth. Run the clean cycle to descale, using the steps in the manual.
How long does the Ninja CE251 take to brew?
The manual gives about 12 to 15 minutes for a full carafe and says to descale if it takes longer. Tech Gear Lab measured about 8 minutes for six cups.
Does the Ninja CE251 need paper filters?
No. It comes with a permanent filter. A #4 cone paper filter also fits, but the manual says not to use one with the permanent filter. Use medium-grind coffee to avoid sediment.
How long is the Ninja CE251 warranty?
Retailer listings show a 1 Year Limited Warranty. Some owners report failures soon after that year ends.
Other drip coffee maker picks
The other badge winners in our drip coffee makers ranking.
The Ninja CE251 is a 12-cup drip coffee maker with a glass carafe, a removable 60-ounce reservoir, Classic and Rich strengths and a small-batch setting. 8.7 out of 10.
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Too few review sites cover drip coffee makers for their verdicts to lead, so this ranking is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 18 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
