KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Review: This Pricey Appliance Made Me a Morning Person
Updated: Jul. 08, 2024
$2,000 for an espresso machine is insane—right? Our Senior Shopping Editor's KitchenAid espresso machine review explains whether this appliance is worth the splurge.
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What constitutes a good morning? Is it waking up feeling rested or enjoying a delicious breakfast? Perhaps it’s getting out the door on time or minimal traffic on your commute. For me, it’s indulging in a coffee I actually enjoy drinking.
For too many years, I spent mornings sipping through burnt-tasting, lukewarm cups of joe. Specialty lattes and Americanos were only for the weekends when I had time to visit a coffee shop.
Recently, I found a holy grail appliance that marries coffee convenience with barista quality—all from my kitchen counter. The only downside? This splurge costs nearly $2,000. After three months of testing, here’s my honest KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine review.
What is the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine?
There’s no hiding that KitchenAid makes some of our favorite cooking gear—hello, stand mixer…and toaster…and cordless mixer—so I had high hopes for the new espresso collection. The KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine uses a touchscreen and top-notch technology to make espresso drinks with minimal effort.
If you’ve ever used a manual espresso machine (like our Content Director’s beloved Breville Bambino Plus), you know that there’s a significant learning curve. It takes time and effort to figure out the ideal grind size for your machine and perform manual maintenance tasks. A fully automatic espresso machine removes all the guesswork. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to customize a beverage to your liking, and the machine makes it for you. It also tells you when it needs more water, more beans or a cleaning cycle. Order up!
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We Tried It
KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Features
This is the most hands-off espresso machine we’ve tested at Taste of Home. It boasts a bevy of impressive features, including:
- Hands-off preparation of 40+ drink recipes
- Touchscreen drink menu with customizable options for strength, milk type, number of ounces, etc.
- Ability to save your favorite drinks to one of 6 profiles
- Automatic milk frothing
- Removable bean hopper
- Walks you through each cleaning process step by step, and tells you when each cycle is needed
- 2-year warranty
- Comes in four colors: stainless steel, porcelain white, cast iron black or juniper
How We Tested It
I’ve been using the KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine since April 2024. It has more or less replaced our French press, pour-over and standard drip coffee maker. We use it every day, typically in the morning and afternoon.
Unboxing and Assembly
The KF8 arrived in standard KitchenAid packaging—a large white box emblazoned with the product image and a big red brand logo. It was impeccably nestled inside, with plenty of protective materials.
I took everything out and put it on my kitchen table. Right away I realized it was too deep for my coffee bar, so I reconfigured a few things so it would have a home on my countertop.
Then, I grabbed the quick start guide. The setup was very simple. All I had to do was wash some of the removable parts—like the water tank and milk tank. Next, I plugged it in and turned it on. The touchscreen came to life and I had to answer some basic questions, like my language preference.
After that, it was as simple as adding coffee beans to the hopper. The guide recommends making (and dumping) four espresso shots before crafting a drink, so I selected “espresso” from the touchscreen menu and hit the blinking “start” button. I was amazed at how quickly the machine heats up—it’s ready to brew in mere seconds—and watching dark, rich, full-bodied espresso shots pour into a mug without having to lift a finger is pure magic. I hadn’t even taken a sip yet, and already I was hooked.
Initial Uses
I called my husband downstairs for a christening drink. We filled the milk canister and connected the hose, then scrolled through the touchscreen to get a feel for our options. I settled on a latte while he opted for a cortado. These are our go-to orders at a café, so I was eager to see if the KitchenAid could match our local coffee shop.
After making our selections—for every drink, you can customize temperature, size, water: coffee ratio, etc.—we let the machine get to work. Again, I was amazed at how quickly the machine heated and started to pull the shot or steam the milk. In less than a minute, we each had a delicious espresso drink sitting in front of us.
After the first sip, I fell a little bit in love. My opinion shifted from “there is no way this thing is worth $2,000” assumptions to “where has this been all my life?!” notions.
Additional Uses
Over the next few weeks, I found myself going to bed actually looking forward to the morning. (Well, my morning coffee). I’m a night owl through and through, so this was a surprising change.
After my inaugural latte, I made it my mission to try every recipe listed on the machine. I enjoyed plenty of coffee shop favorites, like macchiatos and flat whites. But there were some new-to-me drinks to try, too, like an espresso lungo and ristretto. (Psst! If you’re not sure what these drink names mean…you’re not alone! Check out our ultimate guide to coffee for an explanation.)
I quickly found that my favorite drink to make with this machine is a cappuccino. I’m not a huge fan of super-sweet store-bought coffee syrups, so I added just a tiny splash of vanilla coffee creamer to the milk container, infusing the milk with the perfect touch of sweetness. My next step is to try making homemade vanilla syrup.
Now that the weather is warmer, I’m enjoying plenty of iced coffees, too. I find that brewing two shots of espresso over a pile of ice, then adding milk and, again, a touch of creamer, is the perfect morning pick-me-up. I won’t say no to an affogato on a hot afternoon, either.
As part of my research, I also wanted to find the best espresso beans. We love picking up a bag from one of our many local roasters as a treat, but we burn through coffee quickly, so it’s not sustainable for our long-term budget. After three months of testing, I found that the Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee Blend is the ideal marriage of budget-friendly and delicious.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One of my favorite features of this machine is that it tells you when (and how) it needs to be cleaned. Previous coffeemakers I’ve owned built up hard water stains and stuck grounds. And I never quite trusted that my old budget espresso maker cleaned out all the milk gunk after steaming. Needless to say, cleaning a coffee machine is not one of my favorite tasks, especially when every model requires a different process and cleaning solution.
The KitchenAid takes out all the guesswork. The machine is intuitive enough to alert you when it needs a little TLC. Some cleaning tasks are required daily, such as rinsing the milk system (if you make a steamed milk drink), emptying the catch tray of excess water/disposed grounds and re-filling the water tank. These tasks are quick and take just a minute or two.
Other cleaning cycles, like the deep milk system cleaning or brew unit rinsing, are necessary every few weeks. These processes are a bit more involved, requiring a special cleaning tablet or taking the brew unit out of the machine for a rinse. The best part? No need to track down the owner’s manual. The touchscreen walks you through each task step-by-step. It also won’t let you proceed if you have a piece out of place, which ensures you don’t accidentally damage the machine.
The machine comes with (almost) everything you need to get started. I’ve had my machine for about three months and am only now needing to restock water filters and cleaning tablets. I was a bit surprised when the deep milk cleaning cycle notification popped up, as I couldn’t find a milk detergent directly from KitchenAid. I ended up buying some mini tabs off Amazon for a Jura automatic espresso machine, and they worked just fine.
One other tip? The machine does a brief rinse every time you turn it on or off, so I recommend keeping a mason jar under the pour spout to catch some of the excess water. Otherwise you’ll be emptying the drip tray much more frequently.
I’m hopeful that this regular cleaning and maintenance will keep my machine in tip-top shape for years to come.
Pros
- Incredibly intuitive design—it’s like having a barista in your kitchen!
- Extensive menu of espresso-based drinks
- Espresso pours are rich with a beautiful crema. Every drink is café-quality
- Water dispenser is separate from the coffee portafilter, so there’s no cross-contamination for tea
- Very intuitive cleaning cycles—it tells you exactly what to do and when
- Includes options for regular milk and plant milk
- Very quiet
- Solid construction; many parts are made of stainless steel or sturdy plastic
- Wheels on the bottom make it easy to move
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Replacement accessories (water filter, cleaning tabs, etc.) are pricey and only available through KitchenAid
- Takes up quite a bit of space
FAQ
How do you use a KitchenAid espresso machine?
After a quick set-up, you simply use the touchscreen to select a beverage and follow the on-screen prompts. Then, the machine pulls an espresso shot and/or steams milk to make your drink. It’s that simple!
How do you clean a KitchenAid espresso machine?
Simply follow the on-screen instructions. The KitchenAid KF8 tells you what cleaning tasks need to be done in real-time. Some, like the milk unit rinsing, must be done daily. While other cycles are only necessary after weeks of use.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
I’m not the only one who finds this espresso machine life changing. While a fairly new-to-market product, there are still plenty of glowing Amazon reviews.
“I seriously debated whether or not to even order this due to the high price, but after almost a week, I am 100% a convert,” shares 5-star reviewer AmazonCustomer. “There are several espresso drinks that I dearly love…but between working from home and my budget, they just weren’t accessible for me anymore. Enter this machine. I’ve stayed away from home espresso machines before because I didn’t want to get into dealing with all the parts, the measuring, the cleaning and upkeep, so I had resigned myself to my daily Keurig coffee. But this fully automatic espresso machine by KitchenAid is so easy to use. It literally does just about everything for you.”
Espresso machine veteran and verified customer Mike SoRelle was blown away by this machine. “The ability to produce spectacular beverages with almost no effort is absolutely amazing, even something as simple as brewed coffee comes out exceptional. Also happy to be saving about 5 bucks a pop every time I want to have a macchiato and not have to leave the house to do it.”
Product Comparison
The KitchenAid KF8 is just one of the brand’s recently launched fully automatic espresso machines. It is the top-tier model with all the bells and whistles. All three models include core features, such as the removable bean hopper, automatic milk frothing/cleaning and quiet operation. As you go down to the KF7 and KF6, you lose some features. But the price also decreases.
The KitchenAid KF7 features a slightly smaller touchscreen, four profiles and only 20+ recipe options. There is also no plant-based milk setting. The KF7 retails for $1700.
The KitchenAid KF6 cuts out a few more features. The touchscreen gets even smaller and there are only 15 recipe choices. There’s no dual-milk delivery and the milk container is not included with purchase. The KF6 retails for $1200.
Why You Should Trust Us
As Taste of Home’s Senior Shopping Editor, I’ve reviewed everything from Hexclad knives to the best housewarming gifts. But one of my personal passions is tracking down essentials for crafting a delicious cup of coffee. I’ve reviewed everything from coffee subscriptions to the Baratza burr grinder and Cometeer coffee capsules.
Plus, I’m not the only one on the team who loves a good cup of joe. I’m surrounded by coffee experts (some of whom are former baristas) who assist with testing Keurigs, flavored coffees, drip machines and so much more.
Final Verdict
As a daily coffee drinker who appreciates the good stuff, the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is worth the splurge for my family. I even did the math.
On average, a specialty coffee drink at one of our local cafés runs about $7, including tip. If my husband and I are each getting a drink, plus a pastry to share, a coffee date can easily cost us $20. That means we only need to skip going out 100 times (AKA twice a week) for this machine to pay for itself. And that’s only over the course of a year! With a two-year warranty, sturdy craftsmanship and regular cleaning, I expect it to last much, much longer. If your coffee habits sound similar to mine, this machine might end up saving you money in the long run.
However, if you aren’t a big coffee drinker or don’t love the taste of espresso drinks, this likely isn’t the machine for you. There are plenty of more cost-effective ways to get a caffeine fix. While fancy tools and gadgets are fun, good coffee beans make the greatest impact.
Where to Buy the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
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We Tried It
KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
If you are ready for mornings to get way easier, you can buy the Fully Automatic KF8 Espresso Machine directly from KitchenAid, as well as on Amazon, Crate & Barrel and Williams Sonoma. It retails for $2,000 and comes in four colors.
Originally Published: July 08, 2024
