What does semi-automatic mean here?

You dose and tamp the coffee and start and stop the shot yourself. The machine handles the pump and heating, not the timing.

Do I need a separate grinder?

Yes. The bundle includes a bean hopper but no grinder, so you need your own burr grinder for fresh espresso.

The hopper is removable, so you can swap it out and keep a second one loaded with a different bean.

It is a single-boiler machine, so you brew and then switch to steaming. Expect a short wait between the two.

It suits someone willing to learn. If you want one-touch drinks, a super-automatic or pod machine is simpler.

11 stores we checked sell it, including KitchenAid, Caftrion, Amazon, Whole Latte Love, Walmart.

At Caftrion, for $174.50, 50% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

$174.50at CaftrionChecked 13 min ago

50% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 11 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.