Customer reviews from Kitchen Aid
KitchenAid - Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with 15 bars of pressure - Brushed Stainless Steel
Average customer rating
4.6
(162 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 162 reviews
5 Stars
131
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
6
1 Star
6
86%of customers recommend this product.
(
48 out of
56)
Customer Reviews for KitchenAid - Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with 15 bars of pressure - Brushed Stainless Steel
Customer Rating
4
A First-Time Super automatic Owner
on July 24, 2026
Posted by: CoffeeClutch
This is my first fully automatic espresso machine, so I'm not writing this as someone who's owned a Jura, Miele, or De'Longhi on the market. What I am bringing to the table is months of research before making what, for me, was a significant purchase.
Like many people considering a machine in this price range, I spent countless hours watching YouTube videos, reading reviews, comparing specifications, and following discussions on Reddit and coffee forums. By the time I finally chose the KitchenAid KF8, I felt like I knew every argument for and against it.
Now, after about a month of daily use and nearly 300 brewing cycles, I think I can offer something more valuable than a first impression what it's actually like to live with the machine every day.
Like a lot of people, I was initially attracted to the online comparisons calling the KF8 a "poor man's Jura." There was plenty of discussion about shared engineering, where the machines were assembled, and whether one production run came from Switzerland while another came from Portugal.
After owning and using the machine, I've come to realize that none of that really matters.
What matters is how well it fits into your daily routine and whether you enjoy the coffee it produces
The KF8 has become part of my morning routine, and that's probably the highest compliment I can give it.
The touchscreen is intuitive, the drinks are consistent, and after the first few days the machine simply gets out of your way. Press a button, make your drink, and move on with your morning.
The variety of drinks is excellent. Whether you enjoy espresso, coffee, Americanos, cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes, or iced coffee, there's plenty to choose from, along with enough customization to really tailor each drink to your own taste.
One thing that surprised me was how much the coffee beans themselves matter. I expected to spend my first month learning the machine. Instead, I found myself learning coffee. Different beans, roast levels, blends, and settings produce noticeably different results, and experimenting has become one of the most enjoyable parts of ownership.
One feature that influenced my decision was the removable bean hopper. My original plan was to keep one hopper filled with regular coffee and another with decaf and simply swap them as needed. Ironically, I ended up doing something completely different. I now blend regular and decaf beans together in a single hopper for a true half-caf blend, and it's worked out better than I expected.
Cleaning has also been much easier than I anticipated. The brew unit removes easily, routine maintenance is straightforward, and the machine does an excellent job letting you know when it's time for deeper cleaning.
No consumer appliance is perfect, and the KF8 has a few areas where I think KitchenAid could improve.
It's a beautiful machine, but the glossy finish shows fingerprints, water spots, and smudges very easily. If you like your appliances looking pristine, you'll probably find yourself wiping it down regularly.
The stainless steel cup tray beneath the brew spouts also develops fine scratches from normal cup use much sooner than I expected.
The milk container works well, but the lid on mine has always felt a little loose. It's never affected performance, but it doesn't have the same solid, premium feel as the rest of the machine. Be extra careful about when you reach for it!
The biggest surprise was how often I empty the drip tray and grounds container. Because of the automatic rinse cycles, I've found it easiest to empty and rinse both after every brewing session. It's not difficult, but it's something prospective buyers should know.
One area where KitchenAid could do a much better job is explaining the machine's settings. The difference between the "Body" setting and the "Flavor" (bean strength) setting, for example, isn't clearly explained in the owner's manual. Considering how customizable this machine is, I'd love to see more educational material on how those settings affect the final cup.
One feature I don't see mentioned very often is the set of rear rollers underneath the machine. By lifting slightly on the front, you can roll the unit forward for easier access to the rear water reservoir and bean hopper. It takes a little practice—you'll probably pull the drip tray out a couple of times before you get the technique down—but it's a clever design.
In my setup, I rarely need to move the machine because I can refill the water reservoir directly with filtered water and remove the bean hopper without pulling the machine forward.
Value depends almost entirely on what you pay.
At full MSRP, the KF8 faces some very capable competition.
However, KitchenAid frequently offers promotions, discounts, and bundle packages. I purchased mine during one of those promotions, and at that price I believe it represents excellent value for the quality of the drinks, the ease of use, and the overall ownership experience.
Over the past month I've spent as much time experimenting with different beans, blends, and recipes as I have learning the machine itself, and that's been one of the unexpected pleasures of owning it.
So, would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Would I buy it again?
Probably not but only because there are so many other premium super automatic machines that I'd be curious to try someday. That's the coffee enthusiast in me talking.
Would I come back to KitchenAid after trying those other machines?
Without hesitation.
Like many people considering a machine in this price range, I spent countless hours watching YouTube videos, reading reviews, comparing specifications, and following discussions on Reddit and coffee forums. By the time I finally chose the KitchenAid KF8, I felt like I knew every argument for and against it.
Now, after about a month of daily use and nearly 300 brewing cycles, I think I can offer something more valuable than a first impression what it's actually like to live with the machine every day.
Like a lot of people, I was initially attracted to the online comparisons calling the KF8 a "poor man's Jura." There was plenty of discussion about shared engineering, where the machines were assembled, and whether one production run came from Switzerland while another came from Portugal.
After owning and using the machine, I've come to realize that none of that really matters.
What matters is how well it fits into your daily routine and whether you enjoy the coffee it produces
The KF8 has become part of my morning routine, and that's probably the highest compliment I can give it.
The touchscreen is intuitive, the drinks are consistent, and after the first few days the machine simply gets out of your way. Press a button, make your drink, and move on with your morning.
The variety of drinks is excellent. Whether you enjoy espresso, coffee, Americanos, cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes, or iced coffee, there's plenty to choose from, along with enough customization to really tailor each drink to your own taste.
One thing that surprised me was how much the coffee beans themselves matter. I expected to spend my first month learning the machine. Instead, I found myself learning coffee. Different beans, roast levels, blends, and settings produce noticeably different results, and experimenting has become one of the most enjoyable parts of ownership.
One feature that influenced my decision was the removable bean hopper. My original plan was to keep one hopper filled with regular coffee and another with decaf and simply swap them as needed. Ironically, I ended up doing something completely different. I now blend regular and decaf beans together in a single hopper for a true half-caf blend, and it's worked out better than I expected.
Cleaning has also been much easier than I anticipated. The brew unit removes easily, routine maintenance is straightforward, and the machine does an excellent job letting you know when it's time for deeper cleaning.
No consumer appliance is perfect, and the KF8 has a few areas where I think KitchenAid could improve.
It's a beautiful machine, but the glossy finish shows fingerprints, water spots, and smudges very easily. If you like your appliances looking pristine, you'll probably find yourself wiping it down regularly.
The stainless steel cup tray beneath the brew spouts also develops fine scratches from normal cup use much sooner than I expected.
The milk container works well, but the lid on mine has always felt a little loose. It's never affected performance, but it doesn't have the same solid, premium feel as the rest of the machine. Be extra careful about when you reach for it!
The biggest surprise was how often I empty the drip tray and grounds container. Because of the automatic rinse cycles, I've found it easiest to empty and rinse both after every brewing session. It's not difficult, but it's something prospective buyers should know.
One area where KitchenAid could do a much better job is explaining the machine's settings. The difference between the "Body" setting and the "Flavor" (bean strength) setting, for example, isn't clearly explained in the owner's manual. Considering how customizable this machine is, I'd love to see more educational material on how those settings affect the final cup.
One feature I don't see mentioned very often is the set of rear rollers underneath the machine. By lifting slightly on the front, you can roll the unit forward for easier access to the rear water reservoir and bean hopper. It takes a little practice—you'll probably pull the drip tray out a couple of times before you get the technique down—but it's a clever design.
In my setup, I rarely need to move the machine because I can refill the water reservoir directly with filtered water and remove the bean hopper without pulling the machine forward.
Value depends almost entirely on what you pay.
At full MSRP, the KF8 faces some very capable competition.
However, KitchenAid frequently offers promotions, discounts, and bundle packages. I purchased mine during one of those promotions, and at that price I believe it represents excellent value for the quality of the drinks, the ease of use, and the overall ownership experience.
Over the past month I've spent as much time experimenting with different beans, blends, and recipes as I have learning the machine itself, and that's been one of the unexpected pleasures of owning it.
So, would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Would I buy it again?
Probably not but only because there are so many other premium super automatic machines that I'd be curious to try someday. That's the coffee enthusiast in me talking.
Would I come back to KitchenAid after trying those other machines?
Without hesitation.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
4
Look forward to my latte every morning
on May 8, 2026
Posted by: Lattegal84
from Albany, NY
Great super automatic espresso machine. I’m glad I purchased it. It does go through a lot of cleaning cycles be warned. I wish the water reservoir was larger to accommodate that built in setting. Easy to clean for the most part and easy to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
5
Incredible machine
on May 3, 2026
Posted by: KF8
from Phoenix
I've bought coffee machines before, but the KitchenAid KF8 transformed how I think about home espresso—it delivers café-style quality espresso and microfoam without requiring barista skills, and after six months of daily use, it's proven itself absolutely worth the investment. The 40+ programmable drinks, removable bean hopper for easy bean swaps, and plant-based milk setting mean my whole family uses it with personalized profiles, and we've stopped buying coffee out entirely. Yes, it's expensive and takes up counter space, but the combination of excellent espresso, ease of use, and reliability makes it the best kitchen upgrade I've made.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
1
PFAS!
on April 5, 2026
Posted by: Anonymous
I used to love this product until I learned it carries multiple PFAS warnings. Please do your research and invest in another machine that is better for your health, especially if you plan on using it everyday. KitchenAid- do better and stop slowing poisoning your consumers with toxins. At least offer replacement parts if possible to limit the toxins,
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
2
Not worth the money
on March 10, 2026
Posted by: Jim
Order mine OCT 2025 and now MAR 2026 is only works 1/3 of the time. It started out great but once we were past the return time is has gone down hill. Grind the beans and acts like it is making coffee but nothing comes out. Turn it off and back on and it might work or it might not.
Response from Kitchen AidBy KitchenAid Small Appliance, March 10, 2026
Dear Jim,
Thank you for your review. We are sorry to learn of the concern you expressed regarding your KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. We would like to inquire further about your review with you. Please respond to this email address kitchenaid_receipts_usa@kitchenaid.com, with your name, user ID #381344127 used for the review, phone number, street address, zip code, model & serial number on the appliance, and date of purchase. We look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Review Team
Thank you for your review. We are sorry to learn of the concern you expressed regarding your KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. We would like to inquire further about your review with you. Please respond to this email address kitchenaid_receipts_usa@kitchenaid.com, with your name, user ID #381344127 used for the review, phone number, street address, zip code, model & serial number on the appliance, and date of purchase. We look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Review Team
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
1
Hopefully 3rd time is the charm!!!
on March 3, 2026
Posted by: tim97901
from Idaho
This was my second KF8 as the first one had to be returned due to issues related to the water delivery system. This unit was my second one in less than 4 months and I had to make a warranty call again as this unit has similar issues as the previous one. Someone needs to review quality/reliability standards on the KF8 manufacturing. Love my KF7 had it ~1yr and not issues, so based on that I will now try my 3rd KF8
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Kitchen AidBy KitchenAid Small Appliances, March 5, 2026
Dear tim97901,
Thank you for your feedback! We see that you’ve already been in touch with our customer service team. Let us know if there’s anything else we can help with.
Thank you.
Review Team
Thank you for your feedback! We see that you’ve already been in touch with our customer service team. Let us know if there’s anything else we can help with.
Thank you.
Review Team
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
2
Grinds stuck in bypass chute
on January 31, 2026
Posted by: Ellisa
from Long Branch, New Jersey
I have only had this machine a few days and the grinds are stuck in the bypass chute so when I try to make a decaf I am getting dirty water. I can not find any trouble shooting for this issue, please advise. I really want to like this machine so I can get away from using coffee pods but the coffee is just not hot enough and I have it set to high.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Kitchen AidBy KitchenAid Small Appliance, February 2, 2026
Dear Ellisa,
Thank you for your review. We are sorry to learn of the concern you expressed regarding your KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. We would like to inquire further about your review with you. Please respond to this email address kitchenaid_receipts_usa@kitchenaid.com, with your name, user ID #377688952 used for the review, phone number, street address, zip code, model & serial number on the appliance, and date of purchase. We look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Review Team
Thank you for your review. We are sorry to learn of the concern you expressed regarding your KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine. We would like to inquire further about your review with you. Please respond to this email address kitchenaid_receipts_usa@kitchenaid.com, with your name, user ID #377688952 used for the review, phone number, street address, zip code, model & serial number on the appliance, and date of purchase. We look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Review Team
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid
Customer Rating
5
So many options
on January 15, 2026
Posted by: melissa
My husband bought this espresso machine as a gift. It is so fun to make the various different drink and so, so easy!
Written by a customer while visiting Kitchen Aid