KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: two-minute overview
The KitchenAid KF6 is a completely computerized bean-to-cup espresso machine, and it does its most important job exceptionally nicely: brewing a scrumptious, wealthy espresso with one of the best crema I’ve ever seen.
It gives a large menu of espresso drinks, every of which could be custom-made and saved to a customized profile. As well as, it contains an computerized milk-frothing system for choices together with cappuccinos, caffe lattes, and macchiatos. Not like the higher-end KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 we reviewed in 2024, there’s no separate profile for plant-based milk.
As well as, it is one of many quietest espresso machines we’ve examined right here at TechRadar, with a pump that’s barely any louder than your fridge. The one important noise occurs for a second throughout grinding and milk frothing, and it’s over in a second or two.
Considerate touches embrace a brew group that purges itself routinely between drinks to make sure you all the time have contemporary beans floor to the right dimension (like a barista would purge their grinder); a chute so you can also make an occasional drink utilizing a unique bean to the one within the hopper; and a complete set of cleansing features that make sustaining the machine so simple as utilizing it.
It’s additionally inexpensive than you may count on. Absolutely computerized bean-to-cup espresso makers are by no means going to be low cost, however the KF6 prices far lower than the KF8, with only some compromises – and it’s usually out there at a reduction, too.
KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: worth and availability
- Record worth $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799
- Far inexpensive than KitchenAid KF8
- Typically out there at a reduction
The KitchenAid KF6 launched in 2024, and is available for purchase immediately from KitchenAid, or from third-party retailers. It has a listing worth of $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799, however you may usually discover it extra cheaply. For instance, on the time of writing it’s discounted to $999.99 within the US and AU$1,599 in Australia for Valentine’s Day.
It actually is not low cost, however totally computerized bean-to-cup machines by no means are as a result of their complexity; plus the KF6 delivers a lot for the cash. It’s miles inexpensive than its higher-end sibling, the KF8, which has a listing worth of $1,999.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,599. Whereas the KF6 makes just a few compromises to maintain the price down, it stays an distinctive espresso maker; in my view, it is significantly better worth than its huge brother. We’ve rounded up at present’s finest costs for you right here:
KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: specs
| Title | KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6 |
| Sort | Bean-to-cup |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 10.2 x 14.3 x 18.6 inches / 260 x 363 x 473mm |
| Weight | 28lbs / 12.7kg |
| Water reservoir capability | 77.4oz / 2.2 liters |
| Milk frother | Sure (computerized, dairy solely) |
| Bars of strain | 15 |
| Noise degree | 44dB (common) |
| Consumer profiles | 4 |
KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: design
- Smooth and trendy look
- Takes entire beans and grounds
- Computerized milk texturizing system
The KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6 is a smooth, modern-looking espresso maker, with a matt end and brushed chrome steel accents. It is out there in three colorways: chrome steel, forged iron black, and porcelain white (the latter of which launched in January 2025).
Its display measures 2.4 inches diagonally (6cm), which is smaller than that of the KF8, however it’s nonetheless shiny and clear, with loads of house for reviewing and tweaking your drink settings. You use the machine utilizing a set of touch-sensitive buttons positioned beside the show, and the facility button is situated discreetly on the left-hand facet of the case.
The bean hopper is accessed by way of a hatch on the highest, and has a central dial that twists to lock and unlock it. The hatch has a rubber seal to assist preserve your beans contemporary. Subsequent to the hopper, you’ll discover a small chute the place you may insert a scoop of pre-ground espresso if you wish to use a unique bean sometimes. That is significantly useful for many who favor to change to decaf within the night; the machine will detect if the chute has been opened and routinely give you the choice of utilizing floor espresso fairly than beans while you subsequent choose a drink (a considerate contact). The KF6 arrives with a scoop to make this simpler.
The KF6’s water tank has a capability of two.3 quarts / 2.2 liters, which is similar as the opposite espresso machines in KitchenAid’s totally computerized collection, and has a folding deal with that makes it simpler to hold it to the sink. You additionally get a water-testing strip, so you may resolve which water hardness setting to decide on, and a water filter that screws into the underside of the tank. Extra filters can be found to buy immediately from KitchenAid, or from Amazon.
The dispenser slides easily up and all the way down to accommodate different-sized cups, and might dispense espresso and milk into one or two cups.The drip-tray beneath slides out easily when lifted barely, and comprises a detachable bin the place used espresso pucks are deposited. The tray has a spout form on the again to keep away from mess when emptying and rinsing.
The KitchenAid KF6 has an computerized milk-frothing system, however not like the KF7 and KF8, it doesn’t include a devoted container. As an alternative, you simply place the top of the tube into your personal jug or cup of milk. The outcomes are the identical; the one distinction in practise is that you would be able to’t pop the closed container into the fridge between makes use of. Nonetheless, not like the higher-end KF8, the KF6 doesn’t have a separate profile for plant-based milk. You may nonetheless use it to warmth and texturize oat, soy, or almond milk, however the system is optimized for dairy.
The one draw back to the design is that I observed just a few small scratches on the chrome steel drip-tray after testing, which should have been attributable to the underside of the glass and ceramic cups I used to be utilizing. They have been noticeable solely when observing up-close, nevertheless; you’d by no means see them in bizarre use. I used to be just a bit stunned it occurred so rapidly.
KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: efficiency
- Makes exceptionally good espresso with thick crema
- Good selection of customizable drink presets
- No profile for plant-based milks
The KitchenAid KF6 may be very easy to make use of and, most significantly, makes a beautiful espresso – wealthy and scrumptious, and with exceptionally thick crema that even earned reward from group espresso aficionado and evaluations editor Josh Russell, who famous that his guide espresso machine couldn’t produce comparable outcomes.
The KF6 doesn’t have fairly such an in depth menu of presets because the KF8, however nonetheless gives loads of selection. There’s scope for customizing the power, temperature, quantity, and physique of every drink, too. The choices provided by the KF6 are:
- Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Caffe latte
- Macchiato
- Latte macchiato
- Americano
- Espresso
The KF6 may dispense sizzling water and heat milk. Nonetheless, not like the higher-end KF8, it doesn’t provide a cooler water choice for brewing inexperienced tea, or foamed milk with out espresso for a babyccino.
After I examined the KitchenAid KF8 in 2024, I discovered that the default settings for a cappuccino and latte didn’t produce as a lot milk foam as I like, and it was the identical with the KF6. Fortunately, each machines let me regulate the quantity of the drink so as to add extra milk, which resulted in thicker foam. It’s straightforward to mess around with the choices earlier than making your espresso drinks, and when you’ve set your preferences, it can save you them to one in every of 4 customized consumer profiles. The KF6 helps six profiles, however 4 might be a lot for many households.
The KF6 is Quiet Mark licensed, which means it has been designed with noise discount in thoughts. It’s positively quieter than a lot of the finest espresso machines I’ve examined. It reached 75db for a second or two whereas foaming milk (much like a vacuum cleaner) and 66dB whereas grinding espresso (concerning the noise of a standard dialog), however averaged a mere 44dB whereas the pump was in operation (a really light hum).
Typically, the comfort of a bean-to-cup espresso machine is offset by the effort of sustaining it, however this is not the case right here. All of KitchenAid’s totally computerized espresso machines provide an awesome choice of cleansing and upkeep features, and also you’ll be prompted when it’s time to run every one.
After every milk-based drink, you’ll be suggested to run the “straightforward milk rinsing” program, which makes use of water from the tank to flush the strains. To maintain issues hygienic in the long run, the “deep milk cleansing” operate makes use of a cleansing answer to present every part wash and take away proteins and micro organism.
There’s a fast choice for rinsing the brew unit, plus a deep-cleaning mode that requires you to take away the brewing unit and insert a cleansing pill to take away any build-up of oils that might begin to affect the style of your drinks.
The KF8 additionally gives a operate that purges all espresso from the hopper and brew unit (excellent if you wish to swap to a unique bean), and one which evaporates all water from the system (nice, if you happen to gained’t be utilizing the machine for some time or want to move it). You might want to make use of a fabric to soak up a bit of leftover water from the dispenser as soon as it’s accomplished, however the evaporation system works very nicely.
Typically talking, I discovered the variations between the KF6 and the KF8 to be fairly small. Though there are fewer drink choices, those I take advantage of incessantly are nonetheless out there (and customizable). The absence of a particular container for milk barely impacts the expertise in any respect, and the smaller display continues to be ample for displaying your numerous choices.
The one factor I actually missed was the plant milk choice from the KF8, which yielded significantly silky micro-foam when used with almond milk. For those who not often use plant milk, it’s nicely price contemplating choosing the KF6 as a substitute – the expertise is simply nearly as good; it handles dairy equally nicely; and it brews an distinctive espresso.
Do you have to purchase the KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | 5/5 | Absolutely computerized bean-to-cup machines won’t ever be low cost, however this one offers you an entire lot in your cash. |
| Design | 5/5 | Trendy-looking and thoughtfully designed, the KF6 is a pleasure to make use of and straightforward to take care of. |
| Efficiency | 4.5/5 | Brews distinctive espresso and gives nice customization choices, however lacks the plant milk profile of the KitchenAid KF8. |
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KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: additionally take into account
Undecided whether or not the KitchenAid KF6 is the proper espresso machine for you? Listed here are a few different choices that you simply may like to contemplate:
KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6: how I examined
I examined the KitchenAid Absolutely Computerized Espresso Machine KF6 utilizing contemporary espresso beans from native espresso store, Mokoko, and chilled entire milk. I used every of the machine’s preset drink choices, experimenting with the quantity, temperature, power, and physique settings, making a customized consumer profile.
I additionally ran the entire machine’s cleansing packages, together with the intensive profiles for cleansing the milk system and brewing group, and evaporating water from the entire system. For extra particulars, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.
First reviewed February 2025
