Since the Ninja Prestige DualBrew coffee maker came into my life, I'm finally becoming a morning person

With its drip coffee pitcher on one side, Nespresso machine on the other, and a milk-foaming arm that can spring from the side, the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is a pretty odd-looking machine, but after a week of testing it's become my new best friend in the morning.

I love the meditative process of making espresso – grinding the beans, tamping them down, pulling the shot of espresso, foaming the milk, then trying to achieve the perfect pour – but not first thing in the morning. I'm neither a night owl nor a lark, and prying myself out of bed is always a challenge (even with the Philips Hue Play Wall Washer offering a simulated sunrise to make the experience less jarring).

That's where Ninja's new machine comes in. Whether I want my first coffee of the day in drip or espresso format, this is ...