Customer Ratings & Reviews

Espresso (or, to be more accurate, drinks with espresso in it) is pretty much the only coffee that I will routinely drink. This is the second countertop espresso maker I've tried, as well as the cheapest. And, much to my surprise, it's by far my favorite. The unit comes with pretty much everything you need including four different permanent filters which lock into place rather than just sitting in the arm, a very nice tamper, a frothing cup, and a cheat sheet teaching you how to assemble some of the more popular drinks you can make with it. Setup is very simple: you just need to plug in the frothing wand, fill the water chamber, purge the group nozzle without the filter in place once to wash out any contaminants from the factory, and you're ready to go. The scoop included for filling the filter holds about 10g of espresso, and the frothing cup holds just about the perfect amount of milk for a single cappuccino. You can configure it for three different water temperatures or hardness levels, and out of the box it comes set for the hardest water (which, where I live, is accurate) and medium water temperature. I found these settings to be pretty much perfect. Once you've actually got everything set up it can produce a single or double shot of espresso in about a minute. The process is, admittedly, noisy, but also nearly completely painless. The frother also works very fast, at least once you've worked out how to use it. The instructions for it are a bit vague (it took me a little while to realize that you're supposed to end things by pointing the nozzle straight down into the cup to let it heat up the rest of the milk) but once you get the knack of it you can put together an entire drink in five minutes or less. There's also some expansion options if you want to make it even more automated - with an automatic frother you can attach in place of the manual one. As far as quality goes, I have no complaints. I'll admit I don't have the best palate when it comes to assessing the quality of coffee but the first shots I drew tasted fantastic. As a sanity check I also gave some to a couple of friends of mine who are self-described coffee snobs, and they both agreed that it did a very good job. They agreed that it wasn't quite as good as what can be achieved with a truly professional grade machine, however they felt that it was close enough that it didn't matter much. There are, however, a few things that I feel are probably worth mentioning. First up: cleaning the frothing wand can be a little tricky. Milk tends to bake onto the tip of this thing very easily, and in my experience I'd say you really do need to wipe it down and purge it as soon as possible after you're finished if you want to avoid any issues. You're going to want to be very aware of the current state of your drip tray, as it'll fill up very quickly (particularly if you're following the manufacturer's advice and regularly flushing your frothing wand into it. There's no included storage solution for all the different filters and tools, making it somewhat cluttered to store. And it stores a fair bit of water internally to cut down on startup times, which makes me a little nervous about possible sediment forming. Given that I would highly advise you to pay attention to the section in the manual going over regular descaling, as I'm sure more direct maintenance would be a major undertaking. At the end of the day, though, I think you're going to struggle to find another countertop espresso maker that's both this small and easy to use. It's a great choice for anyone who's fed up swinging by Starbucks each morning to feed their latte habit.

The Kitchenaid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is luxurious, efficient, and easy to use and clean. The smart temperature sensors maintain the perfect brewing temperature and the machine can make 1-2 espresso shots at a time as well as cappuccinos and lattes. You are able to adjust how strong you want the brew to be, which is essential in my opinion. Once you have isolated your particular setting for the perfect brew, you can keep those settings to consistently make the same drink every time. The pieces feel high quality, and the presser is able to be applied with the perfect gentle press to push down the ground beans for the perfect espresso brew. Within a couple minutes of coming downstairs in the morning, I am able to have a fabulous espresso at the ready in the comfort of my home. There is a feature to make hot water too, in case you want hot chocolate or a cup of tea. This allows for one to condense the kitchen countertop if a simple water warming device is taking up some real estate. This machine is also easy to dissemble when it comes time to clean it – practicing a couple times is all you need to get it down. My wife often cleans up behind me, as I am a mess, and she said it has been more than simple for her to maintain day by day. Before the first use, I took the time to thoroughly clean the individual parts before putting it together. Additionally, while in use, this espresso machine is subtle and quiet, providing the perfect brew while leaving others in the house still soundly asleep. If a trip to your local coffee shop or café is part of your everyday routine, you will very likely fall in love with this machine enabling similar quality espresso drinks without the cost. You will feel like a barista making high quality lattes in the comfort of your own home which cannot be beat. I’ve found that this machine creates lattes that actually taste expensive; as if they were made at a café. The steam wand creates the perfect thick and creamy froth to accompany your drinks. Previously I’ve attempted small electric frothers with little success. I for years now have had a coffee delivery service, where I will hand grind fresh roasted beans for French Press. Now I have found myself ordering espresso ground beans along with the fresh roasted beans, so I may indulge in both within my home. It is also a great conversation piece if having visitors over. I also like that while aesthetically appealing, the machine itself is compact and does not take up much counter space. It will also fit into low cabinets if you need to store it. Ultimately, this is a fantastic addition to my KitchenAid Kitchen.

I am by no means a coffee snob (yet) but I do enjoy a good cup of coffee and espresso every now and then, most likely to be daily after receiving this machine. The KitchenAid semi-auto espresso machine does exactly what you need it to do. It brews espresso! But, it is very simple to use and set up and delivers consistent results. Set up took about 5 minutes and the instructions were well written to get you started. The only thing I was confused about was the baskets, but that is because I am new to the craft espresso world. Features that I love: - The cup warmer on top of the machine, very nice for when you make a cup but are finishing your breakfast cooking and want to keep the espresso nice and warm. - Simple to use, not many buttons to get confused by, just insert the portafilter with the desired coffee, do 1 or 2 shots, press start, bam, you have espresso within 20 seconds. - Water heats up extremely fast, you don't have to wait more than 15 seconds to use the machine. - Can adjust water temp/hardness - Sleek design What I don't like: - The power button!! I really wish this was on the side or the front of the machine, it is a pain to have to reach to the back every time to power the switch off for the machine. - Kind of messy? Maybe that is just how it is, but the drip tray is constantly full of water/espresso since it drips for a while after brewing. - No grinder.... this is the toughest part and why I give it 4 stars. Yes, I know it is semi-auto, but for $400 it is steep for no grinder and just a steam wand. - Steam wand, another reason for 4 stars. It works fine, but you aren't going to get amazing frothy results, if you just want to warm your milk and maybe have a tiny amount of foam, then this is fine. I personally don't care too much, I think a little creamer and almond milk with the wand is quite tasty. Most of espresso comes down to technique, not the machine. In this case, the machine does its job well, the espresso turns out great, perfect amount of black coffee to the creamy top layer that we love. I will have to work to become a master of espresso but I am on my way with this machine!

The Kitchenaid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is a matte black small footprint coffee shop in your house. Espressos, lattes and cappuccinos with fantastic taste and the perfect temperature with dual, smart temperature sensors (which also heat the water to the proper temp in 45 seconds!). You can make one or two espresso shots at the same time and make fantastic Lattes and Cappuccinos with the included steam wand. You can also make hot chocolate and tea utilizing the hot water feature. Keeping your machine clean is also easy with the descaling feature. Your favorite settings are also programmable to get to your favorite beverage settings quickly. Get this machine if you want coffee shop quality drinks at home.

The first model I received had a product defect, where the water bucket lid wasn't closing completely, so I returned to Best Buy and got a new one, which luckily didnt have that issue. The machine is a little loud when warming up, but you get used to it. I find that it's super easy to use, looks nice, and is a great beginner machine. I suspect if you're looking for something fancier, this isn't it, but for my basic everyday latte needs, this is great.

I already have a nespresso compatible espresso machine in my house and its really nice for convenience and quickness. This espresso machine is definitely a more "prosumer" experience and it's the first time I'm worried less about quick and convenient and more about the coffee making experience. Setup is simple if you know what you're doing a little bit. Fill up the water reservoir and plug the machine in and it's ready to go for the most part. The included quickstart instructions will probably get you some of the way to your first coffee drink but I think they assume some knowledge of how to pull a shot of espresso and how to froth a cup of milk. I watched a YouTube video for some of that knowledge and talked to some friends. I wouldn't consider myself a pro at all but I do feel like I've figured out how to make a cappuccino and it's a pretty fun experience the first time you get the milk to froth sort of well. There's 4 different espresso cups depending on if you're pulling 1 or 2 shots and if you're using fresh beans or pre-ground coffee. I still haven't gotten a shot to pull as long as they recommend (20-30 seconds depending on 1 or 2 shots) but I'm sure that's more to do with my coffee and how fine it's ground. I also have trouble getting the "puck" out whole. It usually needs to be kind of dug out. The frother seems to work ok for someone who doesn't have any experience frothing milk before. I learned from someone who does have experience, hold the froth tip close to the top of the milk and use your fingers on the outside/bottom of the metal cup to stop frothing when it gets too hot to hold. I've gotten some ok froth so far but I think I still need more practice. Cleanup is pretty straight forward but also a little time consuming. You'll want to wash or prepare most of the parts to be washed right after you're done using it. The frother gets really hard to clean really quickly. I'm rarely able to clean it even if I try wiping it down right after frothing without taking the nozzle off completely and washing it in the sink (luckily it's easy to do this). The rest of the parts aren't as bad but I'd say it's easier to just take everything apart and rinse it right away than letting it sit. The bottom water tray fills up pretty quickly as well since the frother empties some water into it (from inside) any time you use it. Overall, the cups of coffee I've gotten out of this thing have been pretty tasty. There's an included cheat sheet with a dozen or so coffee drink recipes in a really simple picture format that just shows you how much of each ingredient. So, if you're new to making a "real" cup of coffee, you might need a YouTube video or some other guide to help you master this machine but getting started isn't too tough. It will probably take some practice but it feels good to put the effort into making a nice cup of coffee and it actually working out. Would recommend for a decent entry level "real" espresso maker.

This machine is surprisingly simple and effective! I didn’t think I could get “real” espresso taste from something that cost less than a grand. The build is high quality, as expected from Kitchen-Aid. Instructions are easy and flavor is wonderful! There is an added attachment for a frothed that does not come with this kit—you don’t need it. This unit steams milk beautifully for cappuccinos and is easy to clean. It’s also attractive on the counter. If you enjoy good espresso drinks, this is a no-brainer. It’s a highly regarded brand, a very reasonable price, and it makes GREAT coffee. One note—nothing tastes better than fresh ground beans! And don’t make the mistake of using heavy cream in your drinks. Plain milk is delicious and RICH made this way!

Great but need lots of time to get it just right. The product is quality built and the way it is packed in yo the box indicates it is a premium product. I not big on espresso but love my cappuccino and thus thing delivers. Much easier to make and get right the cappuccino flavor and texture as opposed the hit and miss in making ecoresso. Getting the grind and mix just right takes time and patience but still even with mistakes the unit is forgiving, the taste not always perfect but still great to do at home. With time I am becoming more skilled and love the small unit. Clean up is fairly easy and that is another reason for the 5 stars. Price on sale is a bargain so buy when on sale.

First off, this machine is Loud! The espresso it puts out is amazing though. (ensure you use quality fine ground coffee) It's got a much more professional feel to it than I expected. A generous 48 oz water tank makes for many espressos before refilling. Just don't overfill the tank or you'll have spillage. It has the option of dispensing just hot water through the milk froth nozzle, great for making water for tea, or adding it to your espresso to make an Americano. My only real complaint is the milk frother. Either I haven't figured out the proper technique, or it's overpowered. I've gotten froth everywhere when using it. Otherwise this is an A+ machine. It's fast, has plenty of option to customize your drink to you, takes up little space, is near professional grade in build. And it makes delicious espresso!

I have had other espresso makers in the past and they all felt like I needed to get Starbucks level training in order to get half way decent cup of coffee. However this one is essy to use so you get consistent results every time. Also, since it is about the same size as a Kurig, it doesn't hog up your countertop like other espresso makers.

This espresso machine is really good. Heats very quickly and has a fairly large water reservoir on the back allowing you to can make multiple cups quickly. It comes with 4 coffee baskets and a tamper to smooth it all out before brewing. You can make two espresso shots at once with the press of a button. The only issue we have had was trying to seat the coffee holder with the handle onto the machine. Sometimes it is very smooth and other times you have to use a decent amount of force to put into position. With the milk frother you can make the coffee first and then froth some milk for a latte or cappuccino after. There is also an attachment you can purchase that will froth the milk at the same time you’re using the coffee maker. This may be helpful when you are in a bit of a rush or have multiple cups you’re trying to make in a short period of time. Even though the housing is plastic, the machine feels sturdy and heavy enough to not be knocked around easily. You can adjust the water hardness for your home, it’s easy to clean the metal grate and drip tray and refilling the water is very easy as it has a handle on the reservoir. I like it and am sure we will have it for a long time.

The KitchenAid - Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine - Matte Black brings the full coffee shop experience to your kitchen or office without the cost of the full service experience. Offering all the key features of larger machines, this space-saver allows premium coffee and full flavor of your favorite espresso blend. I found this compact unit to be an excellent addition to my morning routine and after work pick me up. The espresso compacts well, the steamer heats perfectly. The water tank holds enough for one or more cups. The unit allows the user to adjust for the strength and flavor preferences to ensure each cups is perfect for your taste. My wife is a strong coffee person, while I like mine very weak - as a tea drinker. I was pleased to see I could make each exactly as we preferred the first time. PROS - KitchenAid brand recognition, quality, and reputation - Compact size, full flavor - Espresso drips strong - Steamer heats and froths well CONS - Just one step away from full-auto which would be nice.

This KitchenAid espresso maker solves 3 problems that I've had with home espresso machines in the past: 1) It's easy to clean - both the milk steamer and the press/filters are easy to clean after each use, making it much less of a chore 2) It's consistent - making shots consecutively produces the same results as your first cup. The taste and temperature of each cup are remarkably consistent. 3) It makes a case for itself on the counter by storing its parts and offering an extra feature - the measured hot water dispenser capability makes this useful for a cup of tea, too I am by no means a professional barista, but this KitchenAid espresso maker has made me feel like one. I have used several different types of coffee and every cup has been great as long as the grinder is set properly for espresso. Beautiful, creamy foam on every cup. One of these days I might even perfect latte art. I think this is a really solid espresso maker, from a well-known brand, at a great price. 5 stars.

Well right out of the box. That's easy to get it all connected. It's very well packed. Now. Full disclosure. This is not for me. This was for my lady who frequents my dwelling. She loves this thing. She swears it is the Cadillac Rolls-Royce of espresso machines. I'll have to take our word for it but it definitely smells great coming out of the kitchen and I did try a cup. All I can say is by the good stuff and the machine will do the rest. Not terribly hard to clean. We did it by hand, I didn't care if it's a dishwasher safe or not. Always best to treat your stuff brand new and it acts brand new.

This Espresso machine is what I have been looking for in a home one. The unboxing was very nice and easy to setup. The controls are easy to follow and it makes quite a few different types which I was very happy with. It isn't as large as I thought compared to looking at the initial box. The one item that could use some improvement about is how to use the little shot cups. Some have a screen and one doesn't have a screen and the directions didn't say how to use them or I may have missed that area but I looked it over very closely. Otherwise this is a great machine.

The KitchenAid espresso machine is a great device, but it’s not the easiest to get it to work the first time. The single shot wall connects to the porte-filter with a hard snap. You then add the coffee grounds in it, and connect it to the group head while the coffee grounds are in it. This can become quite messy. It’s a bit difficult to maneuver the porte-filter from the unlock position to the lock position. It’s a bit tricky and requires extra steps, but as I continue to use it it’s not that bad. I’m getting better at using it and the results are great.

Works fast very simple with great results I definitely recommend this product

I bought this for my husband since the other one he had was not as good and he loved it