KitchenAid - KF7 (KES8557)

I was gifted a Breville Barista Express, which I found to be a nightmare. I spent two months where my morning coffee took 45 minutes each day (mostly cleanup), and disappointed me every time except one miraculous cup. Infuriating. If I had an enemy, I would give him a Barista Express. Then I bought a fully automatic KitchenAid KF7, which makes espresso for me. It's nice and when it dies I will go back to using only AeroPress, which delivers nice coffee for only slightly more work than the "superautomatic." On weekends I make coffee with the AeroPress because I like the ritual of hand grinding beans, heating water, and watching them steep. Also, and this will get me downvoted, with milk I don't experience any difference between concentrated AeroPress coffee and an espresso drink. I do not drink espresso "straight," and this may be why I don't taste a difference. A cappuccino from my KF7 is indistinguishable from a cappuccino made with the AeroPress and a Subminimal nanofoamer. Except I prefer the froth from the nanofoamer.

I’d just opt for the KF7. Getting double drinks and the milk option seems worthwhile, and the screens a little nicer to use. The KF8 upgrade from the KF7 is way less substantial. I think the only real difference is a better screen and it can make ristretto

The Whirlpool inside pass is friends and family pricing for the whirlpool family of products, including KitchenAid appliances. You get $700 off the kf7 and kf8 models bring them down to $1000 & &1300 instead of $1700 & $2000. People with the pass can invite others to get that pricing. You can go to the pinned discounts and deals post thread and see if someone will add you. The KitchenAid superauto is very polarizing in the sub. It seems like every DeLonghi user on here will fight you to the death on it because they are threatened by the KitchenAid in some weird way. Idk why, competition is good for all consumers. The machine cleans religiously and always reminds you (to a fault). I find myself filling the water tank slightly more often than I’d like at times. Another notable knock on the machine is the lack foam control. It produces a set amount of foam that aligns with the drink (a latte macchiato will have more foam the a latte) though you can always adjust the amount of milk and espresso and save that to a profile. I do think the KF7 is the best value pick at $1,000 and only worth it with the inside pass discount. I don’t think the superauto options get that much better in the $1-2k range until you get to Jura s8 territory, but then you’re pushing $2.5k at that point.

Both my Philips and KitchenAid had explicit instructions in their manuals on what can only be described as a break in period. What would you like to call making and dumping 10 shots, followed by not adjusting the grinder for X period of time?

I think you’d be very happy with a KF7. Excellent coffee, easy maintenance, and the additional milk capability will be nice for when you have guests over and want to serve drinks to guests. Also, I find the UI to be much better on the KF7/8 vs the KF6. The KF6 is still a great machine though.

The insider pass avenue is shut down for right now. I have one and they say the Kotchenaods are temporarily out of stock. We just bought the KF7 since- early Black Friday deal and you get 10% off if you sign up for the KA website. Only had it two days but looooove it!

I have the KF7, bought this may and im having major regrets. Milk drinks are lukewarm at best. if all you want is coffee, americanos, and espresso shots its great but for over $1000 absolutely not worth it

I love my kf7 as well. Easy to use and milk crafe easy to clean.

KF7 KF8 Edit: whoops.  Failed my copy-paste check  KitchenAid model 7 or 8. Quiet, great results at a very good price for the capabilities. 

Don't overlook Kitchen Aid KF 6, 7 or 8 that are made in the same Swiss factory as Miele and Jura. Great results for what you are looking for. Consider this post as paying it forward!

We got the KF7. My brother and I are coffee drinkers. This machine is insane amazing. We got the bundle and on sale was like $1200-1300. It’s crazy how much better this coffee tastes than our moccamaster. Highly recommend.