KitchenAid has just unveiled a new line of coffee makers that can brew 50 different hot and cold beverages, all without waking your sleeping partner. Some coffee makers can reach 70 decibels (dB) while grinding and brewing (the same as a washing machine), but all models in the KitchenAid Espresso Collection are Silent Mark certified for their low noise level.
According to Quiet Mark, coffee makers typically give your ears a rest between steps of the brewing process, but grinding beans and brewing espresso can still be an unpleasantly noisy affair.
“It is for this reason that isolating louder components, such as the grinder blades, is especially important,” the organization says. “Fluid noises outside of the coffee pouring process should also be kept to a minimum, as they create a sensation of leakage that can force the user to stop the machine and check for cracks.”
No dairy? No problem
The new KitchenAid Espresso Collection comes in three models. The KF6 can brew up to 15 different coffee drinks and has a 24-inch color touchscreen, so you can easily choose your favorite drink. The KF7 has a 3.5-inch display and offers 20 different coffee options. Finally, the KF8 (above) has a huge 5-inch screen and can make over 40 different drinks, with six customizable favorites.
Each bean-to-cup machine features a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder and a removable 9.5 oz / 270 g bean hopper. Interestingly, if you want to brew something other than your usual beans, you can use a separate chute to bypass the grinder and brew pre-ground coffee instead. This can be particularly useful if you like to brew the occasional cup of decaf, or if you have a friend who prefers a different roast than you.
All three machines feature an automatic milk frothing and heating system for drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes. The KF8 also has a special setting for plant-based milks such as almond, oat and soy, which conventional automatic coffee machines often struggle with.
The new coffee makers are available to order direct from KitchenAid in the UK from today (3 September). At the time of writing, prices for the three machines have not yet been announced, but we will update this article as soon as we have more information. International release dates are still to be confirmed.
If you’re considering replacing your coffee maker but don’t know where to start, our overview of the best coffee makers will help you make the right choice.