Espresso Machines · Head-to-head
KitchenAid KES6503SX vs Ninja ES351
Best Metal Build for Latte Lovers
KitchenAid KES6503SX
6.8/10
$349.99 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
Ninja ES351 comes out ahead overall with 7.5/10 against 6.8/10 for the KitchenAid KES6503SX. KitchenAid KES6503SX is stronger on build & reliability and health & materials. Ninja ES351 is stronger on beginner-friendliness, espresso quality and value. At current verified prices, the KitchenAid KES6503SX costs about $100.00 less.
- Choose the KitchenAid KES6503SX if: Buyers who want a sturdy metal machine for milk drinks and can catch it at $250-$350.
- Choose the Ninja ES351 if: Total beginners who don't want to buy a separate grinder or learn to dial in, and who also want drip coffee, all for $500.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | KitchenAid KES6503SX | Ninja ES351 |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner-Friendliness | 6.5CR found it less intuitive with a heavy portafilter; TechRadar found it easy to use. | 8.6Guided grinding and weight-based dosing remove most of the dialing in (Tom's Coffee Corner, Tom's Guide headline); small tank means frequent refills. |
| Espresso Quality | 6.5Mixed: TechRadar positive, Expert Reviews 'mediocre'. | 7.0Tom's Coffee Corner found it balanced and full-bodied; Tom's Guide snippet says 'just OK'. |
| Milk Steaming | 7.6Best latte in CR's budget group. | 7.3Strong manual wand; AutoFroth is hands-free but inconsistent (Tom's Coffee Corner) and slow (Tom's Guide snippet). |
| Build & Reliability | 7.5Metal body and published parts list, but Expert Reviews reported a dripping tank valve. | 6.0Plastic sides and portafilter insert, new model with no long-term data, 1-year warranty. |
| Health & Materials | 6.5Lots of real stainless steel (CR); no PFAS or BPA disclosure; no recall found. | 5.5No PFAS, BPA or materials disclosure found; no recall found. |
| Value | 6.5$350 plus about $200 for a grinder; price-volatile and sold by a third party. | 8.2$499.99 includes the grinder and drip mode; nothing else to buy. |
Specifications
| Spec | KitchenAid KES6503SX | Ninja ES351 |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic with grinder (assisted) |
| Built-in grinder | No | Yes |
| Automatic milk frothing | No | Yes |
| Water tank capacity | 47 oz | 44 oz |
| Heating system / boiler material | — | Thermoblock |
| Manufacturer PFAS-free claim | No | No |
| Warranty | — | 1 years |
KitchenAid KES6503SX
Pros
- Mostly stainless steel construction
- Best latte in Consumer Reports' budget group
- Seven accessories included
- Repair-parts list published
Cons
- Less intuitive than others
- Heavy portafilter
- Noisy when steaming
- Reviews are mixed on espresso quality
- Price varies widely
A conditional pick for milk-drink fans who value a metal build and can find it near $250 to $350.
Full KitchenAid KES6503SX review →Ninja ES351
Pros
- Built-in burr grinder with 60 settings
- Barista Assist and built-in scale for dosing
- Manual wand plus hands-free AutoFroth
- Also brews drip coffee
- No separate grinder needed
Cons
- Plastic sides and portafilter insert
- Small 1.3 L water tank
- Auto-frothing can be inconsistent
- New model with limited long-term data
- 1-year warranty
A convenient all-in-one for total beginners, with the caveat that its track record is short.
Full Ninja ES351 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Espresso Machines Under $500 for Beginners of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.