Living for the sippy

If you're serious about proper coffee, a good machine will eventually pay for itself. Just make sure you get the right one for your needs...

- [Words CaramelQuin]

KitchenAid KF8

What's the story? The KF8 is a large affair; its lines are clean but boxy.

It has six user profiles and comes with a promise of repairability for 10 years.

I tested the stainless steel finish but it's also available in black, white or green.

Its bean hopper can be removed but I'm not sure why. I guess it makes it easier to tip the beans out if you want to change to another variety? Milk is handled by a carafe that you store in the fridge while not in use. It's connected with a flexible tube; you can also stick this in a jug of milk.

Is it any good? First up, it was infuriatingly difficult to find the power button. I had to look in the manual and I test gadgets for a living! And when it started it was loud... just for the first few seconds. After that it's not too noisy, and in fact it's even melodic, with little tunes alerting you when your coffee is brewed.

The black coffee was good, with several options including a double shot, but the latte macchiato was a letdown. You can control the size and strength of the coffee (which was pleasingly hot) and the amount of foam, but that foam tasted dull.

After each milky drink it asks if you want to clean the milk system, and I found this laborious.

And this is an expensive machine. While it has a touchscreen, there's no app, no Wi-Fi, no smart control at all. You can do better for less.

On the plus side, my favourite thing about the KF8 is KitchenAid's commitment to long-term repairability. In an age when products often go wrong after a couple of years, and then the parts are no longer available, it's a refreshing change.

£1499/go.stuff.tv/KF8

Key specs

Bean capacity 270g, water capacity 2.2L 40+ options 15-bar 47x36x26cm,12.7kg