KitchenAid KF8 Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine Review and Comparison
For as long as I can remember, KitchenAid has been my go-to brand for anything related to kitchen appliances. Their iconic stand mixers have been a staple in kitchens worldwide, but when I heard about the KitchenAid KF8 Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine, I was immediately intrigued.
A company that’s been delivering high-quality appliances for over 100 years making an espresso machine? I knew I had to give it a go. And wow, it does not disappoint.
This machine is designed to give you the best of café-quality espresso in the comfort of your own home. From the moment I unpacked it, I could tell this was more than just an espresso machine—it was a statement piece for any coffee lover's kitchen.
With its black metal finish, dual thermoblock heating system, and 19-bar pressure, the KitchenAid KF8 is built to impress both in aesthetics and performance.
In this review, I’ll compare the KitchenAid KF8 against four top-tier machines: the De'Longhi Maestosa EPAM960.75.GLM, Sage The Oracle™ Bean-to-Cup, Siemens EQ900, and JURA J8 Coffee Machine.
Let’s explore which espresso machine offers the ultimate brewing experience.
The Contenders
When it comes to fully-automatic espresso machines, the competition is fierce. Each of the machines I’ve chosen to compare offers unique features, benefits, and price points.
Let's take a deeper look at how the KitchenAid KF8 measures up to its rivals across the key categories of price, pressure, customisation, size, and features.
De'Longhi Maestosa vs the Jura J8
Price Breakdown
Note: Prices and availability may vary based on region and promotions.
Starting with price, the KitchenAid KF8 sits at £1,899.00, positioning itself as a premium option but still more affordable than both the De'Longhi Maestosa and Siemens EQ900, which each come in at £2,499.00. These two are at the pinnacle of luxury espresso machines, offering a feature-rich experience for those willing to invest heavily in their coffee habit.
The Sage The Oracle™ Bean-to-Cup is slightly more expensive than the KF8 at £1,999.00, while the JURA J8 comes in at £1,449.99, making it the most affordable in this luxury lineup. While all these machines come with hefty price tags, they are designed for users who expect professional-grade espresso at home.
Pressure: Elevating the Brew
Espresso is all about the pressure, and the KitchenAid KF8 leads the charge with its impressive 19 bars of pressure, which is ideal for extracting rich, full-bodied espresso. The De'Longhi Maestosa and Siemens EQ900 match this with their own 19 bars, delivering a similarly powerful brew. The higher pressure ensures optimal flavor extraction, particularly for more complex roasts.
On the other hand, the Sage The Oracle and JURA J8 offer 15 bars of pressure, which is still more than capable of producing high-quality espresso but with slightly less intensity in extraction compared to the 19-bar models.
Customisation: Tailoring Your Coffee to Perfection
When it comes to customisation, the KitchenAid KF8 offers a generous range of options, allowing you to adjust temperature, shot length, and coffee strength. Whether you want a rich espresso or a lighter lungo, the KF8 remembers your preferences, making every cup tailored to your liking.
However, for those who want even more control, the De'Longhi Maestosa takes things to the next level. With its dual bean hoppers, you can mix different beans to create your own blends, and the automatic milk frother lets you customize the texture and temperature of your milk foam.
The Sage Oracle also excels here, with its fully automatic grind, dose, and tamp system. You get the precision of a barista without having to do all the manual labor yourself.
The Siemens EQ900 impresses with its full-color touch display, allowing you to easily create and customize a variety of drinks.
Lastly, the JURA J8, while still highly customizable, offers slightly fewer options compared to the other machines but remains versatile with its intuitive settings and intelligent pre-heating system.
Size: A Balancing Act
The KitchenAid KF8 is a medium-sized machine, offering a good balance between functionality and kitchen space. It’s not as bulky as some of the larger models, making it a great fit for most home kitchens without compromising on performance.
In contrast, the De'Longhi Maestosa, Sage Oracle, and Siemens EQ900 are all large machines. These models require a dedicated space in the kitchen, and they’re better suited to those who have plenty of counter real estate.
The JURA J8, while also large, is slightly more compact than the other high-end competitors, making it a good middle ground if you need a feature-packed machine that doesn’t dominate the kitchen.
Siemens TQ907GZ3 EQ900 Bean to Cup VS SageThe Oracle™ Bean-to-Cup
Features: Standout Innovations
The KitchenAid KF8 shines with its dual thermoblock heating, ensuring that both your water and steam are always at the perfect temperature for brewing espresso and frothing milk simultaneously.
I love its milk frother, which makes silky-smooth lattes and cappuccinos without any fuss. Plus, the sleek digital display is incredibly easy to use, offering a modern, stylish touch to your coffee-making ritual.
The De'Longhi Maestosa takes the crown for innovation with dual bean hoppers, which means you can store two different types of beans and switch between them seamlessly. This feature alone makes it a coffee lover's dream. The Maestosa also includes a touchscreen interface, giving you total control over your coffee with just a swipe.
The Sage Oracle offers advanced functionality with its integrated dual boiler, allowing you to extract espresso and steam milk simultaneously. Its precision steam wand gives you barista-quality milk texturing, perfect for latte art enthusiasts.
The Siemens EQ900 delivers on convenience and tech innovation with its automatic milk system and extensive cleaning features. It’s built to be intuitive, making it a great choice for those who want premium espresso with minimal maintenance.
The JURA J8 features PEP extraction technology, which pulses water through the grounds in short bursts to maximize flavour. Combined with its automatic grinder adjustment, it ensures that every shot is as fresh and flavourful as possible.
Final Verdict: Which Espresso Machine Takes the Crown?
After comparing these five powerhouse machines, it’s clear that the KitchenAid KF8 Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine offers exceptional performance, particularly in terms of pressure, customisation, and user-friendliness.
While it’s not the most expensive in this lineup, its 19-bar pressure, elegant design, and robust features make it a strong contender for anyone seeking luxury at home.
For those who are willing to splurge, the De'Longhi Maestosa and Siemens EQ900 both stand out with their cutting-edge features and customization capabilities, making them ideal for true coffee enthusiasts who want nothing but the best.
The Sage Oracle offers a hands-off yet highly precise brewing experience, perfect for someone who wants café-quality coffee without the manual work, while the JURA J8 delivers premium espresso with intelligent features at a more accessible price point.
Ultimately, the KitchenAid KF8 is an outstanding choice for those looking for a balance of luxury, performance, and style without the overwhelming complexity of some of its competitors. It’s an investment, but one that promises to elevate your daily coffee ritual.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024.
When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
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