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KitchenAid KF4: two-minute review

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF4 is a new addition to the company’s lineup, and though it looks very similar to earlier models like the KF3 and KF6, it’s considerably smaller and a great choice for compact kitchens. It also offers particularly good noise shielding, and during my tests it proved quieter than its siblings when grinding and brewing.

It has the same Intelligrind system as KitchenAid’s larger machines, making it easy to achieve the correct dosage for your chosen coffee. With just a few manual tweaks of the grinder (which can be adjusted via a dial), you’ll soon be enjoying consistently delicious, well-extracted espresso.

The KF4’s automatic milk system lets you use that espresso in delicious lattes and cappuccinos, and while it’s optimized for dairy, it worked perfectly well with barista-style oat milk as well, producing foam that was almost as thick and creamy, and just the right temperature.

The KF4 brews a mean macchiato and works well with plant milk despite not having a dedicated mode for it (Image credit: Future)

It’s a shame, then, that the KF4’s ‘iced’ espresso and coffee options didn’t deliver the results I’d hoped. Many espresso machines offer cold extraction, which takes longer to brew but delivers a drink with a mellow flavor that’s easily turned into an iced latte or enjoyed on its own. The KF4 brews its ‘iced’ drinks at a lower temperature than usual, but the resulting coffee is still hot enough to melt ice within a minute or two, leaving you with a drink that’s diluted and lukewarm.

Otherwise, this is an excellent mid-range automatic espresso machine that’s solidly made, easy to use, and simple to keep clean. Its components aren’t dishwasher-safe, but its excellent set of maintenance programs means keeping everything hygienic (including the milk system) is a piece of cake.

KitchenAid KF4: specifications

Name

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF4

Type

Bean-to-cup

Dimensions (W x H x D)

7.68 x 6.3 x 18.7 inches / 195 x 160 x 475mm

Weight

19.8lbs / 9kg

Water reservoir capacity

1.9 quarts / 1.8 liters

Milk frother

Yes (automatic, dairy only)

Bars of pressure

15

Noise level

72dB grinding, 60dB brewing

User profiles

4

KitchenAid KF4: price and availability

• Launched April 2026
• Available in US and UK
• List price $1,299.99 / £899 (about AU$1,850)

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF4 launched in April 2026 with a list price of $1,299.99 / £899, putting it in the middle of KitchenAid’s range of automatic coffee makers. That’s about AU$1,850, but the KF4 isn’t yet available in Australia.

If you like the look of the KF4 but your budget won’t quite stretch that far, take a look at the KitchenAid KF3. It's very similar to the KF4 but has a slightly smaller range of drinks and no milk carafe. Instead, you place the end of the milk tube in a glass or cup, which is a less elegant solution, but one that cuts the price to $999.99 / £749 (about AU$1,420).

For comparison, KitchenAid’s top-end fully automatic espresso machine, the KF8, is priced at $1,999.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,599, while the lower-specced KF2 is $799.99 / £699 (about AU$1,140).

• Value score: 4/5

KitchenAid KF4: design

• Smaller than previous KitchenAid automatic espresso machines
• Milk system is easy to use and clean
• No components are dishwasher-safe

The KF4 looks very much like KitchenAid’s previous automatic coffee makers, but with one significant difference: it’s much more compact. The KF6 measures 10.2 x 14.3 x 18.6 inches / 260 x 363 x 473mm, while the new KF4 is 7.68 x 6.3 x 18.7 inches / 195 x 160 x 475mm (H x W x D). This allows it to slide into a much narrower space, making it a great option for bijou kitchens.

Otherwise, the KF4 follows the same design language as other KitchenAid machines with its boxy shape and rounded corners, and a choice of porcelain white or matt black finishes. However, the company has made a few thoughtful tweaks here. The brushed stainless steel at the top of earlier models has been replaced with plastic, for example, and the metal around the edge of the drip tray has a satin finish. The overall look is sleeker and more modern, and the area surrounding the display is no longer susceptible to gathering unsightly fingerprints.

The water tank is robust, and the KF4 is supplied with a filter (Image credit: Future)

The 3.5 inch / 8.8cm color touchscreen is supplemented by six buttons: four that provide quick access to the menu, profiles, rinsing cycles, and machine settings; one that initiates brewing; and one that cancels the current drink. The screen has a noticeably lower resolution than other espresso machines I’ve tested recently, such as the Philips Café Aromis, but it’s clear and responsive.

The bean hopper is generously sized, and unlike many other brands, KitchenAid’s designers have opted for an opaque lid with a silicone seal. This means you can’t check how many beans are left at a glance, but ensures that your coffee isn’t exposed to unnecessary light and air, thereby keeping it fresh longer. The lid is fully removable rather than hinged, which makes the hopper easier to access if you keep your coffee maker underneath a wall cabinet, and it has a chute for a scoop of pre-ground coffee if you want to mix things up. A suitably-sized scoop is provided with the machine.

The drip tray is large and deep, helping avoid spillsFutureThe bean hopper has a chute for adding a scoop of pre-ground coffeeFuture

The drip tray is deep, helping prevent spills, and has a large spout at the back for easy emptying. Used coffee grounds drop into a removable bin in the center, and during testing I was pleased to see that this was a very tidy process. Some espresso machines manage to spread wet grounds all over the drip tray and the interior of the case, but not the KF4.

The water tank is large too, and feels very sturdy. It has a hinged lid and a recessed handle, making it easy to remove, carry, and slide back into place without spilling. The KF4 is also supplied with a water-testing strip and water filter. The tank is quite narrow, so reaching inside to fit the filter can be tricky, but this doesn’t need to be done too often.

You can keep the milk carafe in the fridge between uses (Image credit: Future)

The KF4’s milk system is the same as that of the KF8, with a lidded carafe that connects to the machine via a silicone tube. Lift a small cover on the side of the KF4’s coffee dispenser to reveal a socket, push one end of the hose into place, then attach the other to the carafe. It’s not as neat as the Philips LatteGo system, where the milk carafes are made from three simple pieces of hard plastic, but the KF4’s rinsing and cleaning programs help keep everything hygienic. The milk carafe can be stored in the fridge between uses, but none of the removable parts — including the milk system, drip tray, and grounds container — are dishwasher-safe.

The height of the dispenser can be adjusted to accommodate different-sized cups, with a good range of movement that suits everything from an espresso cup to a 350ml coffee mug. The movement isn’t as smooth as with the latest machines from Philips and De’Longhi, which is a shame, but that's a minor quibble.

• Design score: 4.5/5

KitchenAid KF4: performance

• Consistently well-extracted espresso
• Good milk foaming, despite lack of dedicated plant milk mode
• Four user profiles, which can store four custom drinks each
• ‘Iced’ drinks are brewed at a lower temperature, but are still hot

Most importantly, the KitchenAid KF4 brews an excellent espresso. Its Intelligrind system selects the best dose for your coffee beans, and it’s easy to tweak the grind size for the optimum extraction. It produced very consistent results during my tests, and once I’d dialled in the best grind size for each type of coffee, I could be confident that it would always taste great.

Milk-foaming is great as well. Although there’s no option specifically for foaming plant milk, as there is with the KF8, I found it performed perfectly well using barista-style oat milk. I got the thickest, silkiest foam when using full-fat dairy milk, but plant and semi-skimmed milk were both fine as alternatives. However, it’s worth knowing that, unlike some other coffee makers I’ve tested recently (including the De’Longhi Primadonna Aromatic and Philips Café Aromis), the KitchenAid KF4 can only produce hot milk foam, so iced lattes and cappuccinos are off the menu.

Once you've dialled in the grind size, you can be confident you'll get consistent resultsFutureThe large touchscreen makes it easy to browse the menuFutureYou can adjust the brew settings and save a preset to your profileFuture

There are four user profiles, which will be plenty for most households. The downside is that each profile can only store four custom drinks. I found that the default volumes of espresso and milk were quite small, so I would have preferred to be able to create a lot more bespoke presets for quick access.

I was disappointed with the KF4’s two iced drink options (iced coffee and iced espresso). Many modern coffee makers — from the budget-friendly De’Longhi Dedica Duo through to the prosumer Jura J10 — offer cold-extracted espresso. This uses ambient temperature water direct from the tank and produces a drink with a more mellow flavor than hot espresso, which is ideal for iced drinks with or without milk.

Making an 'iced' coffee involves pouring warm espresso onto ice, which melts rapidly (Image credit: Future)

The KF4, on the other hand, takes the same approach as the Philips LatteGo 5500 Series by asking you to add a handful of ice to your cup and then pouring a shot of hot espresso over the top. KitchenAid says that the ‘iced’ espresso and coffee are brewed at a lower temperature than usual, but during my tests they were still hot enough to quickly melt the ice in my cup, leaving me with a diluted, lukewarm drink. I’ve come to expect better results from KitchenAid’s machines, and it was disappointing.

These two ‘iced’ options occupy two spots in the KF4’s menu that could be used for other drinks. The KF4 doesn’t have a preset for brewing a cortado, for example, which is a shame since it’s a favorite of mine.

The ''evaporate' option purges all water from the machine (Image credit: Future)

There’s better news when it comes to noise shielding. KitchenAid’s fully automatic coffee makers are some of the quietest on the market, and the KF4 is no exception. In fact, it’s one of the quietest machines I’ve ever used, averaging 72dB while grinding and 60dB while brewing.

Maintenance is refreshingly simple and thorough as well, with a choice of quick and deep cleaning options. The machine rinses itself upon startup and shutdown, prompts you to empty the drip tray and grounds container regularly, and asks you to rinse the milk system after each use. When it’s time for a more intensive clean, open the settings menu, and you’ll find options for washing the milk system and brewing unit with special cleaners. The KF4 is supplied with cleaning tablets for the brew unit, though you’ll need to buy descaler and milk system cleaner separately. There’s also an option for evaporating all the water in the machine, which is a brilliant feature I wish all automatic coffee machines had. It makes it easy to keep everything hygienically dry, and is particularly helpful if you’re going to be storing or shipping it.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the KitchenAid KF4?KitchenAid KF4 score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

One of KitchenAid's more affordable options.

4/5

Design

More compact than the brand's earlier auto machines, but just as smart-looking.

4.5/5

Performance

Excellent espresso and milk, but 'iced' options are disappointing and it can only store four custom drinks per user.

4/5

Buy it if

You want delicious espresso, quickly

The KitchenAid KF4 does its core job very well, brewing consistently delicious espresso quickly and quietly. It has relatively few frills compared to some other coffee makers I’ve tested recently, and that’s no bad thing.

You don’t want to pay over the odds

Automatic coffee makers are never cheap, but the KF4 is very reasonably priced for such a capable machine from a premium brand. The top-end KF8 costs twice as much.

You’re short of space

This is one of the most compact fully-automatic espresso machines on the market, and its slim case slides neatly into small spaces.

Don't buy it if

You want authentic-tasting cold-brewed coffee

The KF4’s ‘iced’ coffee options are brewed at a lower temperature than usual, but are still hot enough to melt ice and leave you with a diluted, lukewarm drink.

You want to tinker with lots of custom drinks

There are four user profiles, but the machine can only store four bespoke drinks for each one.

KitchenAid KF4: also consider

If you're not sure whether the KitchenAid KF8 is the right espresso machine for you, here are two other options to keep in mind.

KitchenAid KF8

KitchenAid's premium automatic espresso machine has dedicated modes for different plant milks, a more extensive drinks menu, more grind sizes, a much larger screen, and a higher price tag than the KF4.

Read our full KitchenAid KF8 review

Philips Cafe Aromis

This machine is about the same price as the KF4, but managed to outperform it. The Cafe Aromis has a better screen, brews proper cold-extracted coffee, can foam cold milk, and has a genuinely useful app.

Read my full Philips Cafe Aromis reviewView Deal

KitchenAid KF4: how I tested

I used the KitchenAid KF4 for two weeks, in place of my usual espresso machine. I used it to prepare a wide range of drinks with and without milk, using two different types of coffee to see how the machine would adapt, and how easy it was to dial in the grinder. I tested the milk system with barista-style oat milk, and both semi-skimmed and whole dairy milk. I ran the machine's cleaning programs as directed after each use, and used the brew unit cleaning and evaporation cycles at the end of testing.

First reviewed June 2026

KitchenAid's latest fully automatic coffee maker is extra compact and makes an excellent espresso, though its 'iced' drinks leave something to be desired.

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Majority Move M4 review

The Majority Move M4 is a huge Bluetooth speaker boasting a mighty 70W power output, a rugged design, and plentiful battery life, making it very much reminiscent of JBL’s Xtreme range.

Yes, it's clear that the Cambridge-based audio brand is coming for JBL with its Move speakers — and this model I tested is the most powerful in its line. But can Majority compete with the likes of JBL with this release? Here’s what I think after many hours of listening with the Majority Move M4.

On the face of it, the Majority Move M4 has a lot of the features you’d expect from the best Bluetooth speakers. It has Bluetooth 6.0 for long-range connectivity, IP67 dust and waterproofing enabling it to survive a good dunking underwater, and a high power output for blasting tunes at parties or gatherings.

But this model struggles to keep up with the competition in a number of regards. And crucially, that’s mostly evident in its sound quality.

I started assessing the M4’s audio quality by playing KOLTER’s What a Day. This house tune just didn’t sound as I’d hoped — I was instantly struck by compressed audio, with tinny percussion that sounded grating, even at middling volume levels. Bass also lacked the authority and punch I was looking for, and the low-end sounded distorted at higher listening levels.

It was a similar story with I’ll Be Your by RUZE. Bass lacked dynamism, meaning that drops were anti-climactic. Mids also didn’t sound very well separated or rich, and the track just lacked that full-bodied, energetic quality necessary to replicate its excitement and vibrancy.

Even with a more stripped back track like 78 Rotações by Jards Macalé, I wasn’t a big lover of the M4. It definitely handled the less demanding nature of the track more effectively, with relatively clear vocals and decent enough balance across the frequency range. However, the tonality of acoustic guitars wasn’t the most accurate or expressive, and the finer details didn’t jump out at me.

Even though the M4 can get relatively loud, in part thanks to its 70W output power, it often sounds more shouty than regimented and impactful. Bass lacks the dynamism and drive you may expect. And with compressed-sounding treble that can err on the harsh side of things, this speaker struggles to compete, sonically speaking.

(Image credit: Future)

I experienced underwhelming sound while streaming over Bluetooth, but also when I was using a wired connection via a 3.5mm cable. However, you can also use the speaker with a USB flash drive or microSD card if you’d prefer. Both of these listening methods are admittedly on the niche side of things, but hey, they’re here.

There are a few more interesting features onboard, including customizable RGB lights. You can press the light button on the speaker and personalize the color and pattern to your liking, and although I prefer the classier lights of the JBL Xtreme 5, it looks fine. You can also turn the lights off if you’d prefer, which can conserve battery life.

Speaking of battery life, you get a pretty commendable 30 hours here, which is better than budget rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Lava. Other features include a built-in mic for hands-free calling and multi-speaker pairing… though I’m not sure why anyone would want two of these.

The fatal flaw in the features department is the M4’s lack of a companion app. That means there are no EQ options — a big miss — and no way to remotely alter lighting or other useful settings. This is a basic inclusion for a lot of Bluetooth speakers at this point, and was disappointing to see.

(Image credit: Future)

Before we wrap up, I want to speak about design. This thing is definitely reminiscent of the JBL Xtreme 4, with a pseudo-cylindrical build, fabric exterior, and rubber buttons. However, it looks like a far less appealing alternative. I wasn’t a fan of the flimsy-feeling handle, the blue and gray color scheme, or the cheap-looking radiators on each side. This sort of thing is subjective, of course, but the look of the M4 definitely didn’t do it for me.

With that said, the speaker feels fairly durable, and its IP67 rating means it's well protected against dust ingress, and can be submerged under a meter of water for as long as 30 minutes — a very solid level of protection.

OK, the Majority Move M4 is hardly the most expensive model on the market. It comes in at £119.95 (about $160 / AU$225). However, rivals such as the Tribit Stormbox Lava are available for less — and while that model is a little heavy-handed in the low-end, it certainly sounds better than this Majority speaker. The JBL Xtreme 4 is also available discounted regularly for as little as $250 / £199 (about AU$350), and although that’s a decent amount more, the jump in quality is outrageous.

Would I recommend the Majority Move M4? The answer is no, sadly. Despite its relatively rugged build and commendable battery life, it offers poor, unrefined audio that lacks energy in the low-end and control in the highs. There’s a generally compressed quality here, which means that your favorite songs just don’t sound as they could. Instead, I’d recommend scooping up an on-sale Xtreme 4 if this is the kind of speaker size you're after (and the budget you've set aside for it).

(Image credit: Future)Majority Move M4 review: price & release date

• Priced at £119.95 (about $160 / AU$225)
• Released in January 2026

The Majority Move M4 released in January 2026 in the UK, although at the time of writing, the speaker — alongside its sibling models, including the Move M1, M2, and M3 — are yet to land in the US or Australia. The Move M4 is priced at £119.95 (about $160 / AU$225), making it a lot cheaper than rivals like the JBL Xtreme line, and although it's the largest in its line, it remains pretty budget-friendly.

Majority Move M4 review: specs

Weight

5.3lbs / 2.4kg

Dimensions

12.2 x 4.9 x 4.7 inches / 310 x 125 x 120mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, 3.5mm, USB, microSD

Battery life

30 hours

Speaker drivers

Not stated

Waterproofing

IP67

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Majority Move M4?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Customizable lights, number of connectivity methods, but lack of an app is restrictive.

3/5

Performance

Compressed audio lacking in dynamism and clarity.

2.5/5

Design

Decent durability and waterproofing, but design lacks flair and appeal.

3/5

Value

It may not be the most expensive, but it’s significantly outperformed by similarly priced rivals.

2.5/5

Buy it if…

You want a wide array of playback options
One of the benefits of this speaker is its broad connectivity options. There’s Bluetooth, USB flash drive support, microSD playback, and even 3.5mm. That’s a pretty good line-up if you ask me.

You want a cheap large-sized speaker
If you don’t need the best sound out there, and just want a relatively powerful speaker to bring anywhere, then the Move M4 could still fit the bill. It’s fairly cheap for its size, and is highly waterproof, making it ideal for taking anywhere you go.

Don’t buy it if…

You want great audio quality
The Majority Move M4’s biggest downfall is its sound quality, which is below average, in my view. Ideally, you’d be able to grab an on-sale JBL Xtreme 4 (or even better the new JBL Xtreme 5), but there are other budget options I’d pick over this, including the below Tribit model and the Anker Soundcore Boom 2.

You want something stylish
I’m not a fan of how the Move M4 looks. Its bright blue detailing and greyish color don’t have the most cohesive look. If you want something stylish, I’d recommend checking out the Bose SoundLink Plus, or the smaller Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 if you don’t need massive power.

Majority Move M4 review: also consider

Majority Move M4

JBL Xtreme 4

Tribit Stormbox Lava

Price

£119.95 (about $160 / AU$225)

$379.95 / £329.99 / AU$499.95

$129.99 / £111 (about AU$200)

Weight

5.3lbs / 2.4kg

4.6lbs / 2.1kg

5.1lbs / 2.3kg

Dimensions

12.2 x 4.9 x 4.7 inches / 310 x 125 x 120mm

11.7 x 5.9 x 5.6 inches / 297 x 149 x 141mm

12.2 x 5.8 x 6 inches / 310 x 147 x 152mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, 3.5mm, USB, microSD

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm

Battery life

30 hours

24 hours

24 hours

Speaker drivers

Not stated

2 x 30W woofers, 2 x 20W tweeters

2x 30W woofers, 2x 10W tweeters

Waterproofing

IP67

IP67

IP67

JBL Xtreme 4
This one’s successor came out recently, so you can expect to see some price dips on the regular. I even spotted this model selling for less than £200 in the UK while writing this review, and that’s a truly exceptional price for this speaker. With phenomenal bass, great build quality, and a wide range of features, this model has everything you need. Read my full JBL Xtreme 4 review.

Tribit Stormbox Lava
Look, the Stormbox Lava isn’t perfect — it isn’t the most exciting-looking speaker, for instance. But for its incredibly low cost, it delivers very decent quality, with big bass output, relatively clean mids, and — with some tuning — controlled treble. It’s pretty powerful and has an IP67 waterproof rating, so it’s a nice pick for parties — both indoor and outdoor. Read my full Tribit Stormbox Lava review.

How I tested the Majority Move M4

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across a week-long period
• Mainly streamed tracks via Tidal
• Compared against similarly sized rivals

I spent hours testing the Majority Move M4 across a week-long period, and tested it in our dedicate music testing space at Future Labs.

For the most part, I streamed tunes using Tidal, but I dipped into Spotify from time to time as well. To begin with, I sifted through tracks in our TechRadar reference playlist, which features songs from a wide range of genres, but I also made sure to listen to a ton of tunes from my personal library as well.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, including a huge number of portable speakers — I even curated our guide to the very best Bluetooth speakers. I compared the M4 to rivals like the JBL Xtreme 4 and Tribit Stormbox Lava, which I personally tested, so I knew exactly how Majority’s speaker stacked up against the competition.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

I quizzed people who turn to AI for reassurance and wasn't expecting their answers.

The Majority Move M4 is a large portable speaker that looks like a real JBL Xtreme rival, but can it really put up a fight?

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