KitchenAid - KES6551 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder

My 2 cents as a complete espresso newbie who also was looking at a Nespresso machine: I had a Keurig that I used basically every day for coffee with a reusable K Cup to avoid extra waste. I enjoyed getting cappuccinos and lattes from Starbucks and coffeehouses, so I started looking at getting the Nespresso, but the pods are pretty expensive and wasteful (unless you're able to take part in their recycling program, which I'm not due to my location). After doing a fair amount of research, I ended up buying a Kitchenaid KES6551 Semi-Automatic Espresso machine with the burr grinder. I really like it so far, but it's definitely more labour intensive than a Nespresso machine would be where you simply drop in a pod and press a button. I WFH majority of the time, but on the days that I have to go into work, making a drink isn't something that fits into my morning routine due to the time it takes. Tbh I wouldn't buy your gf the whole setup that you're thinking of without finding out first *why* she wants the Nespresso. Does she value the ease and convenience of a pod-based machine? Is she open to going down the espresso rabbit-hole? It can be a little overwhelming. My husband used to make my coffee for me sometimes when I had my Keurig, but he hasn't touched my espresso machine because it's intimidating.

We aren’t espresso pros by any means but have had the kitchen aid semi auto for almost a year now. It was $700 at the time and I used Rakuten while they had 10% cash back. We love ours. It’s easy to use and sometimes use it 3-4 times a day. Most of our friends have Breville and a few have jura (from Costco). They all seem happy with theirs as well. People do come over and say they like the look of ours better! I was leaning towards Gaggia for some time but recent reviews left me going for kitchen aid.

People in this sub just group think and most people haven't tried more machines than the one they own. For instance, a lot of people trash the Bosch 800 but I know for a fact it makes espresso as good as a zura z10 as I've tried them both side by side and in fact a few of us thought the Bosch was better and is about $4k cheaper if you get it on sale. I've also tried the top end kitchenaid but not side by side and remembered thinking it's not any better. Point being, I'm not surprised on your analysis here.

KitchenAid will make better milk then the jura e series.   The espresso is comparable to jura.  One isnt better than the other. Ka $800-1200

The KitchenAid machines on the insider pass deals is a no braner.  These machines don't appreciate with time. I wrote a long review on them a year ago.  It's 98% adjustable compared to jura being 100%. I think they killed it and 1200 or less a no brainer.  

You do if you want a larger size cup or more flavor.  It shows more if you are a black coffee drinker than milk drinker. Larger dose give you the option for a stronger drink. The grind matters too.  The different machines offer different grind quality. A poor ground doesn't extract the coffee as well giving you weaker coffee. For example the Delonghi is a 12g without the 2x but the poor grind really makes it a 10g. Philips limits their grinders at the factory while the saeco and gaggia are ok but still 11g dose. In other words you can brew a larger drink in 1 grind with a machine that had a decent grinder and larger dose.  It's the different between getting a decent 2.2oz lungo from a saeco or using the same ratios with a jura that can yield a decent 3.5-4oz lungo from a 16g jura. Lungo are essentially coffee .  By decent I mean good extraction with balanced flavor, not something lacking or muddy.   The swiss machines have a 15 or 16g dose with the best grinders for a super auto that I've tried.  I'll say this till something changes but you can not beat the KitchenAid machines at $800-$1200.  Cold extraction is a gimmick to get you to pay more for half the flavor and twice the brew time.  As a giga 10 owner I can not imagine spending $4k for a z10 or more than $1k for a Delonghi EE.  if you want a jura you can get them for 30% off after cash back from time to time. Search the sub for detailed.  I'm only on here to cut through the perceived value and high profit margins in these machines. 

I have a kitchen aid espresso machine and a milk warmer/frother from Amazon and it’s so good. I also have the ninja coffee machine which is great and got from target. Makes small or big batches and has the option to brew it for whenever you set it to.

I had the same dilemma and ultimately went with KitchenAid because it’s from the same factory that makes Jura and I liked the look of it That said, I don’t think there’s a wrong choice here. Both are reliable brands and their machines make solid drinks

I believe miele, jura and kitchen aid will have same brew unit and capacity. Delonghi is uo there but the brew unit is entirely different, it holds a lot but not the same as those 3. It's all trial and error. One thing that is counterintuitive is don't grind too fine as you will fill up less coffee grind when brewing espresso. When you go too fine, you need to increase grind time to meet that dosage, and that is where superauto kind of lacks on. Yes you do need to go fine enough, but people just crank it to finest setting and jam it.

You are right about that, but i and many people who are used to saeco, prefer the machine brewing twice function so you can get the volume without sacrificing the strength. I will say miele does the best for manual selection of preinfusion, kitchen aid has control while other brands set have preinfusion on by default. End of the day as long the machine works for the person wants it is more important. In my opinion, 14g for espresso and 16g for doppio isn't that noticeable. I do appreciate you input on this niche info

I have the KitchenAid one as I wanted the red accents with this and the mixer on each side of the fridge, but have been thinking of picking up a second one. My fiancée likes darker beans and I prefer blonde roast, so I might grab this one for the other side of the kitchen, thanks OP, good find! PS you will ABSOLUTELY love it! I go to bed excited to wake up and play barista for us in the AM lol https://preview.redd.it/rcyv2kefdybf1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e4383c363bea7d8139ef602443b644b8cdda3b5

I could have written this post. Anything you buy will be great. Just buy one, I wish I would have done this years ago. My cappuccino from home is better than the majority made out. I got the kitchen aid and love it. Never had a delonghi or jura so I don't know what I'm missing but love the KitchenAid. Already had a warranty issue and they sent me a new machine without jumping through insane hoops, talked to someone in Tennessee, went through troubleshooting and within 5 minutes she had a machine being sent out to me.

Agree. Love my KF7. I’ve also had two Juras. Both were great, but I think the Kitchenaids are a pretty great sweet spot for value and ease of use.