KitchenAid KES6403MH Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

Did not have any prior expectations from this espresso machine as I was gifted this from my parents and did not read any reviews online, however, I am in love with this machine after a few days of use! I already own an espresso machine from one of the other popular brands and I am amazed at the level of extraction, the amount of crema, and the consistency of espresso shots that I am able to achieve with this KitchenAid espresso machine. Things that I liked: – Unboxing experience is extremely satisfying. – Build quality of the machine is top-notch and the machine feels like it will last for years. – Comes with several high-quality accessories that will get you up and running straight out of the box. – Portafilter is a commercial size (58 mm) and is flat on the bottom making it easy to tamp coffee. – Remains pretty quiet when in use, compared to other machines that I have used. – Water temperature and amount of water for each dose can be adjusted and customized! – Steam wand performed decently at heating and frothing milk; the steam wand can rotate and pivot in various ways. – Drip tray is a good size and doesn’t need to be changed after every espresso is made. – There is a clean cycle button, which makes cleaning/descaling the machine easy and intuitive. There are some things that could be improved: – Plastic housing degrades the overall premium look and feel of the machine. A stainless steel finish is available but at a higher price. – Power button is situated at the back of the machine, which is slightly inconvenient to turn on/off each time. A sleep mode or auto-off feature would be great. – I can see condensation in the water tank and lid, which does not appear pleasant. – Plastic handle on the water tank takes away from the overall look and feel of the machine. – A bottomless portafilter should be included in the box to complete the full set of accessories. In conclusion, for those looking for an upgrade or a new semi-automatic espresso machine, definitely consider the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine. This machine is not inexpensive BUT I think it is fairly priced for what you are paying for. You will probably need to spend a lot more $ for a comparable machine. P.S. I would love to try out the automatic milk frother attachment and the burr coffee grinder to experience the complete coffee ecosystem that KitchenAid has to offer. I will leave a review when I do get a chance to test those out.