KitchenAid has revolutionised the way we mix, beat and knead. Now, they’re out to prove they can grind, froth and brew too. This month, Australia’s favourite stand mixer brand has made a strong debut in the espresso market, with four slick machines hitting the shelves all at once. The new espresso collection includes three fully automatic models (KF6, KF7 and KF8), that can brew up to 40 drinks at the press of a button, and a semi-automatic machine that lets you call the shots.

Why is the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine the best espresso machine?

The most important consideration when buying an espresso machine is the quality of the coffee it produces, and this machine delivers a rich, smooth-tasting espresso and a creamy, luxurious crema, comparable to what you would find in any local cafe. It’s integrated design and intuitive controls make it easy to use, whether you’re a first-time coffee maker or experienced barista.

Being semi-automatic, it offers the perfect blend of control and convenience, ideal for coffee drinkers that prefer a hands-on experience. The ability to adjust the grind size of the beans, the temperature of the water, the pressure you tamp your coffee grounds and the texture of the milk, means you can make your morning cup of Joe, just as you like it.

What features does it have?

Integrated burr grinder

This all-in-one machine has a built-in burr grinder. Simply pour your coffee beans into the chute and you’re ready to brew. The  conical burr grinder uses two rotating abrasive surfaces to ensure the beans are ground to uniform size, ensuring a clean and even extraction every time. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust the grind size using the dial on the front, depending on desired taste and flavour profile.

‘Clean me’ notification

Because I often make my coffee to go, I love the ‘clean me’ notification, that indicates when I have exceeded a certain number of brewing cycles and I can’t put off a clean any longer (alright, alright, I’ll do it). Also thoughtful, the drip tray also lets you know when it’s about to overflow and it’s time to drain and clean.

Manual and smart dosing

I find the automatic smart dosing technology produces the perfect coffee strength for me, so I don’t tamper with the dosage myself. But for those who prefer a stronger or weaker cup, there’s also a manual dosing option.

Size and design

As someone who has an open-plan kitchen, anything that is kept on the benchtop is also on display to the rest of the house. That said, I love the look of the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and it happily lives on my counter full time. The exterior is metal-clad, which looks and feels like quality. I also love the design, which is clean and minimalistic, and integrates well with other appliances. In terms of colours, there’s black, white and stainless steel which suit all interior types, but it’s the stunning ‘juniper’ – a crisp, cool shade of blue-green that interior design enthusiasts will love.

The machine is surprisingly compact (46.9 x 25.9 x 36.3 cm) and won’t overwhelm your benchtop space. I particularly love the wheels on the bottom of the machine. I often find beans or grounds can get lost underneath, which can be easily wiped away just be rolling the machine to the side. It’s also handy if you have a deep bench space, so you can roll it backward and forward with each use.

Multi-angle steam wand

Sounds like a no-brainer but so many other espresso machines have steam wands that jut out in one direction only, which can make the whole steaming business an awkward affair. This also allows you to control the milk better. It doesn’t take any fancy barista skills to get a perfect swirl going, and the result is luscious, creamy milk that lifts the whole coffee-drinking experience.

Super quiet

The KitchenAid Semi Automatic is also the quietest machine I’ve ever used, which is perfect for your fragile pre-caffeinated state. It also won’t wake up other sleeping members of the household if you’ve beaten them out of bed. The range is accredited with the Quiet Mark tick of approval, which indicates it’s one of the quietest machines in its category.

What coffee do I need to buy for it?

The KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine uses coffee beans, which are ground up in the machine’s built-in grinder. The new fully automatic models take both beans and ground coffee, perfect for those who like a decaf coffee from time to time.

How much does it cost?

The new KitchenAid Semi Automatic With Burr Grinder is priced at $999. The collection also includes the KF6 Fully Automatic for $1,799, the KF7 Fully Automatic for $2,199 and the KF8 Fully Automatic for $2,599.

Where can I buy it?

The new KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine is available to pre-order from September 3 at kitchenaid.com.au.