Ninja AutoBarista Pro review: Grind iQ feature simplifies espresso grind settings

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Before I tested and reviewed the Ninja AutoBarista Pro , I had tried every kind of coffee brewing method over the years. I ground my own beans with a high-end 20-setting electric burr grinder. I researched how to get the ideal grind for each type of bean and brewing method. Grind size is important, because it determines the speed that water flows through your coffee grounds and therefore the amount of extraction.

As a general rule, you'll want a coarser grind for a French press or for cold brew made in the refrigerator. Medium-coarse works well for pour-over. A typical automatic drip machine works best with a medium grind. A moka pot works well with medium-fine. The finest settings are best for espresso machines or Turkish coffee.

How your beans are roasted also plays a part in how coarsely you'll want to grind your beans. Darker roast beans work best with a slightly coarser grind, while lighter roasts work better when ground slightly finer.

When grinding your own beans, you'll have to account for both your roast and your brewing method. If your coffee comes out more bitter than you'd like, you'll want to grind your beans more coarsely. On the other hand, if your coffee comes out sour or weak and watery, you'll want your beans ground a bit more finely.

Figuring all this out and adjusting the grinder (known as 'dialing in') doesn't require a chemistry degree, but it does require some some trial and error on your part. Then along comes the Ninja AutoBarista Pro with Grind iQ, which removes the need for guesswork. Just pour in your whole beans, and Grind iQ takes it from there.

The first time you put new beans into the Ninja AutoBarista Pro's hopper, Grind iQ will determine the ideal grind size based on your particular beans. This process takes about five minutes or so, and it does expel a bit of coffee, but then it's good to go.

Whether you're making a regular cup of Drip Coffee, Espresso, Iced Coffee, or Cold Brew, the built-in stainless steel burr grinder grinds your beans just right for every cup. The machine automatically determines which of its 50 grind settings to use. No guessing or trial and error. It's just one less thing you need to think about before you've had that first cup of coffee in the morning.