KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6, KES8556SX, Stainless Steel

I spent a lot of time researching this purchase. We have owned a Gaggia and a Miele and didn’t want to buy either again due to some deficiencies. We are so happy with this purchase. Don’t usually write reviews but this really deserves a great one. Well designed, easy to navigate, sturdy, and a great cup of americano for me. The morning coffee is a special time of day and Kitchenaide nailed it.

Specialty coffee makers run the gambit of expense from hundred to a few thousands of dollars. I have owned the product for about 6 months and use it everyday. I makes good coffee and is very easy to use and clean. I like that I can keep my whole coffee beans in the hopper, but can add to the preground scoop for my wife's decalf (without having to remove my beans). It is super easy to clean and add water. My only negative is that the coffee is not as hot as some people may want (but I can microwave as needed). Still for the cost, taste , ease of use, and comparatively low price point, I think this is a winner. It also looks good on the counter.

It makes great coffee, is well-designed, easy to clean, quiet, and packed with all the bells and whistles.The only issue I have is with the software—it could be more intuitive. The most frustrating part is when selecting two cups of coffee. While you can choose this option in the menu, it doesn’t reset after one use. Instead, it continues making two cups for all subsequent brews, with no clear indication in the coffee selection menu. You have to go into the "advanced" settings to see or change it. We've had countless cups overflow and spill everywhere because of this.

Makes great coffee (I'm not really an espresso drinker, and no milk, just cream added later) and is a 1-touch type like my old Miele. Quieter by far when grinding. No fiddling with handles and moving containers from one part of the maker to another, just one touch. No frou-frou drinks, just good aromatic coffee. Stunningly better than a drip carafe. As usual with this type of machine you'll need to rinse and clean it. My old Miele after many years just became too dirty inside to fully clean and developed a smell like old dry soil. But 10 years is a good run, so I'm hoping the same for this one. Looks like good quality, but my Miele was twice the price so I can only hope it lasts 5. Nice bonus is it comes with its own water filter which my Miele did not, leading to a "descaling program" that took forever to run every once and a while. Overall very nice. Temperature and strength, many different new options again that my old Miele did not have, while retaining the same basic layout and function. Only minor complaint I have is that my old Miele would let me make a coffee for my wife and I with a double tap to "2 coffees" while this one you need to change the settings each time -- if you forget and leave your 1 portion at 2, watch out! Not a big deal, but double clicking on it and walking away would be easier. Also the way it makes Americano the water comes from the middle so there isn't a way to make 2 cups at once.

I bought this about 6-months ago for my sister, and as-shipped it did not include the milk hose. She called Kitchen Aid and they sent her one, and you stick it in a mason jar and it does fine. You can also get the model with the separate carafe and then stick it in the fridge when you are done. Same basic use, just nicer. For the function, it is a beautiful machine, and works wonderfully. Absolute fantastic product. Takes a moment to start up because it goes through a cleaning cycle, but then it cranks out beautiful late drinks. Foam is great, expresso is great, hot milk; just can't ask for more. If I was to buy another, I would get the model with the carafe so you don't have to bother the factory for the hose. They might have re-packaged the product, they told my sister they were still figuring out how to package the unit based on customer input. Solid built and HEAVY.

My semi-auto deLongie broke after 7years. The Kitchenaid KF6 is a well-thought-out machine. It makes excellent coffee. The foaming function does leave a little to be desired, but I bought it for the coffee, which is excellent. It took a couple of days to get it dialed in and the beans make a big difference in the taste. I like the way the screen shows the instructions for cleaning etc. but don't toss the manual. After it finishes the cleaning function it goes back to step 1 and it's very easy to start it up again instead of just exiting. This model is a good choice for those who like their coffee.

I bought this as a Christmas gift for my husband Dec '24, and it has upped our coffee game! We primarily make coffee, but we can also make lattes using the milk attachment (not included) and several other coffee drinks. We use it every day, and the operation is very straightforward. The screen prompts the user when more water is needed or if the tray should be emptied, and both are easy. My husband preformed the "cleaning" operation when prompted, and just followed the directions. Great coffee!

had an issue with it saying the tray was missing. Had to send it back to amazon but they sent me a return label and the new one works as advertised and no issues. Great product. One star missing for the inconvenience of faulty first machine they sent.