Ninja Coffee and Spice Grinder

The Ninja Coffee and Spice Grinder (model SP7407) is a compact blade grinder that Ninja positions as a dual-purpose tool for grinding coffee beans, spices, seeds, and herbs. It retails for around $30-40 and comes in the same sleek design language as Ninja's blender and kitchen appliance lineup. I've been testing one for a couple of months alongside my regular burr grinder, and I have some clear thoughts on where it works and where it falls flat.

Here's the bottom line upfront: it's a decent spice grinder that also happens to grind coffee. If you're looking for a dedicated coffee grinder, there are better options. If you want something that handles both spices and coffee in one small package, the Ninja does an acceptable job.

What Comes in the Box

The Ninja Coffee and Spice Grinder typically ships with two grinding cups: one for coffee and one for spices. This dual-cup design is one of its main selling points, and it actually matters. Coffee oils and spice flavors are extremely persistent. If you grind cumin in the same cup you use for coffee, your morning brew will taste like cumin for days. Having separate cups solves this problem.

Each cup holds about 4 ounces (roughly 3-4 tablespoons of whole beans), which is enough for 2-3 cups of coffee at a time. The motor base is compact, about the size of a large coffee mug, and the cups attach with a twist-lock mechanism.

The blade is a simple stainless steel chopping blade, similar to what you'd find in any blade grinder. There's no burr, no adjustment mechanism, and no dosing system. You control the grind by pulsing the blade and watching the results through the clear cup.

Coffee Grinding Performance

Let me be direct: the Ninja grinds coffee beans, but it doesn't grind them well by coffee snob standards. As a blade system, it chops beans randomly rather than crushing them to a consistent size. This produces a wide distribution of particles, from powder to chunky fragments, in every batch.

I tested the Ninja against my Baratza Encore (a $150 burr grinder) and brewed both in a standard drip machine. The Ninja-ground coffee tasted fine. Not remarkable, not terrible. There was a slight muddiness in the finish that the Baratza cup didn't have, and the brightness of the Ethiopian beans I was using was muted. For someone drinking coffee with cream and sugar, the difference would be hard to notice. For someone drinking black, it was apparent.

Controlling the Grind

Since there's no grind setting dial, you control fineness by how long you pulse the blade. Short pulses (2-3 seconds at a time) give you a coarser result. Longer continuous grinding (10-15 seconds) produces a finer result. But "finer" with a blade grinder doesn't mean "uniform." You'll always have a mix of sizes regardless of technique.

Here's the technique that works best: pulse 3-4 times for 2 seconds each, shake the cup between pulses to redistribute the beans, then give one final 3-second continuous grind. This produces the most even results I've been able to achieve. It won't match a burr grinder, but it reduces the worst of the inconsistency.

Which Brew Methods Work

Drip coffee maker: Acceptable results. The flat-bottom filter and longer brew time compensate for uneven grinds. This is where the Ninja performs best for coffee.

French press: Okay. The metal mesh filter is forgiving, but you'll get more sludge at the bottom of your cup than you would with a burr grinder.

Pour-over: Not recommended. Pour-over methods are sensitive to grind consistency, and the Ninja can't deliver the uniformity that a V60 or Chemex demands.

Espresso: Absolutely not. Don't even try.

Cold brew: Works well. Cold brew extracts over 12-24 hours, which smooths out any grind inconsistencies. This might actually be the Ninja's best coffee application.

Spice Grinding Performance

This is where the Ninja actually shines. For spices, seeds, and dried herbs, a blade grinder is the right tool. Unlike coffee, where you need uniform particle sizes, spice grinding just needs everything broken down to a powder. Blades do this quickly and effectively.

I've ground cumin seeds, peppercorns, cardamom pods, dried chili flakes, and flax seeds in the Ninja. All produced excellent results in under 10 seconds. The motor is powerful enough to handle hard spices without struggling, and the small cup size means everything stays in contact with the blade.

For anyone who regularly cooks with whole spices, the Ninja is a legitimate kitchen tool. It's faster than a mortar and pestle and small enough to store in a drawer. The dedicated spice cup means you won't cross-contaminate flavors.

Build Quality and Durability

The Ninja feels sturdy for a $30-40 appliance. The motor base has a rubberized bottom that grips the counter, and the twist-lock cup mechanism is secure. Nothing rattles or feels flimsy during operation.

The blade shows no signs of dulling after two months of regular use (grinding both coffee and spices several times per week). The cups are BPA-free plastic and have held up well to repeated washing.

My one durability concern is the motor. Like all small blade grinders, the motor runs hot if you grind for extended periods. Ninja recommends limiting continuous grinding to 60 seconds at a time. I'd suggest keeping it under 30 seconds and letting the unit cool between batches. Overheating is the most common cause of death for blade grinders.

The power cord is permanently attached and relatively short (about 20 inches). You'll need a counter outlet nearby.

Ninja vs. Dedicated Coffee Grinders

Ninja vs. Budget burr grinder ($40-60): A budget burr grinder like the Bodum Bistro or Gevi 4-in-1 will produce better coffee than the Ninja. The burr system creates more uniform particles, which means better extraction and a cleaner cup. If coffee quality is your priority, spend the same $40 on a burr grinder and buy a separate $10 blade grinder for spices.

Ninja vs. Krups blade grinder ($15-20): The Ninja has a more powerful motor and the dual-cup system. The Krups is cheaper but single-purpose. If you only need a blade grinder for occasional use, the Krups is fine. If you grind both coffee and spices, the Ninja's dual cups are worth the premium.

Ninja vs. Hand grinder ($25-40): A manual burr grinder like the JavaPresse or Hario Skerton will produce significantly better coffee than the Ninja. The trade-off is effort and speed. Hand grinding takes 30-60 seconds of cranking versus 5 seconds with the Ninja.

For a full comparison of grinders across all types and budgets, see our best coffee grinder guide.

Tips for Getting Better Coffee From the Ninja

Grind in small batches. Don't fill the cup to the brim. Grind 2 tablespoons at a time for the most even results. Small batches keep all the beans in contact with the blade.

Shake between pulses. After each 2-3 second pulse, give the cup a quick shake. This moves larger pieces back toward the blade and prevents the fine dust from sitting at the bottom while big chunks hide at the top.

Use it for cold brew. Cold brew is the most forgiving brew method and the Ninja's uneven grind doesn't matter much over a 12-hour steep. Grind coarsely (5-6 quick pulses), steep in cold water overnight, and strain through a fine mesh filter or cheesecloth.

Don't grind too fine. With blade grinders, the temptation is to keep grinding until everything looks fine. Resist this. Over-grinding creates excessive dust that makes any brew method taste bitter and chalky. A few larger pieces are better than a cup full of powder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Ninja grinder replace a dedicated coffee grinder?

For casual coffee drinkers who add cream and sugar, yes. For anyone who drinks black coffee or uses pour-over methods, no. The grind inconsistency is too noticeable in the cup. A burr grinder is the better choice for coffee quality. Check our top coffee grinder picks for specific recommendations.

How do you clean the Ninja Coffee and Spice Grinder?

The cups are top-rack dishwasher safe. The blade assembly wipes clean with a damp cloth. Don't submerge the motor base in water. For deep cleaning, grind a tablespoon of uncooked white rice in each cup to absorb oils and residual flavors.

Is the Ninja grinder loud?

It's comparable to a blender running on low. Not whisper-quiet, but not obnoxiously loud either. Grinding a dose of coffee takes about 10 seconds, so the noise is brief.

How long does the Ninja Coffee and Spice Grinder last?

With normal household use (daily coffee, weekly spices), expect 1-3 years. The motor is the most common failure point. Keeping grinding sessions under 30 seconds and allowing cool-down time between batches will extend the lifespan.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Ninja Coffee and Spice Grinder if you want a compact, affordable tool that handles both coffee and spices with separate cups. It's great for cooks who grind whole spices regularly and want to grind coffee beans as a secondary function. Don't buy it if good coffee is your primary goal. In that case, spend the same money on a budget burr grinder and use your blender for spices.