Smart home lovers rejoice: Your brew just got smart too
Amber Treu2026-02-05T15:29:24+02:00
The smart home dream is now a reality for countless South Africans, thanks to Xiaomi. The tech giant’s flexible approach – allowing users to build a smart home device by device at unbeatable prices – continues to gain momentum in 2026.
Xiaomi’s smart home lineup at Syntech continues to grow, with an expanded selection of smart kitchen appliances now available.
Starting with the perfect cup
This is starting, as all things should, with a good cup of coffee. South Africans can now get the Xiaomi Semi-automatic Espresso Machine to bring their caffeine game into the future.
This professional-grade coffee machine packs café-level performance into a compact design that fits effortlessly into any kitchen – or travels with you, thanks to its just-14-centimetre width. Xiaomi’s smart design and precision engineering make it powerful yet remarkably easy to use.
A robust 20-bar pump ensures stable, consistent extraction, while the 900ml removable, food-grade water tank makes refilling and cleaning simple. Completing the experience is a built-in rotary steam wand that delivers café-quality milk frothing – something usually reserved for professional setups. Designed for more than just foam, the wand also lets you try your hand at latte art, so those café-style hearts can now be made at home.
One essential smart feature here is the NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor which provides for accurate, dependable temperature control. Proper temperature control is the real difference between professional and amateur coffee, and this machine has that feature
Designed to look as good as it performs
All of the engineering inside the Xiaomi Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine is housed in a chassis that blends classic espresso-machine design with a distinctly modern edge. The stunning stainless-steel main body is rust-proof, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean – and undeniably good-looking. Black accents add contrast, while a responsive touchscreen brings all controls together in one intuitive interface.
And that’s only the beginning. There isn’t enough space here to fully unpack features like customisable cup volumes, stainless-steel cup warmers, a high-quality weighted and textured handle, an easy-clean detachable drip tray, single or double serving spouts, low-pressure pre-infusion technology, and more – all working together to deliver a truly refined home espresso experience.
Lastly, while this is an espresso machine at its core, it’s capable of so much more. Espresso is the foundation of countless coffee styles, and owning this machine opens the door to that entire world – from flat whites to americanos and beyond. Xiaomi has also built in tea-brewing functionality, making it just as versatile for tea lovers.
Any coffee – or tea – enthusiast will tell you that water matters just as much as the beans or leaves. While you can choose the water that suits your taste, achieving the correct temperature is crucial. Simply boiling water until it steams isn’t enough; true flavour extraction requires precise, controlled temperatures.
Meet the Xiaomi Smart Kettle 2 Pro
That’s where the Xiaomi Smart Kettle 2 Pro comes into play. This large, 1.7 litre kettle is made to bring water to your exact preferred temperature, and do it fast. Select precise end temperatures in one-degree Celsius increments, then let the 1800W rapid-heating system do the rest.
This kettle doesn’t just boil quickly – it does so efficiently, locking in heat once the target temperature is reached. Its specially insulated main body allows the water to maintain a consistent temperature for up to 24 hours, if desired.
And if keeping a high-wattage appliance active raises any concerns, there’s no need to worry. Xiaomi has built in multiple safety measures, including triple electrical protection at the connection between the kettle body and base, ensuring automatic shut-off in unsafe conditions. A double-layer body design also helps prevent scalding, keeping the exterior safe to touch even when the water inside is boiling.
One of our favourite features is the dual boiling modes – one for tap water and one for purified water – automatically adjusting the boiling process to suit the type of water being used. It’s ideal for coffee and tea enthusiasts who keep a dedicated supply of specialised drinking water, while still relying on the same kettle for everyday tasks that call for regular tap water.
The Xiaomi Smart Kettle 2 Pro can be controlled with the touch-enabled knob on the base of the device, or through the Mi Home App.
Great coffee, even off the grid
And while all of this convenience is perfectly at home in a modern kitchen, it doesn’t have to stay there. More South Africans are taking their daily rituals with them – whether that’s a coastal camping weekend near Cape Town, a hiking escape outside Durban, or simply time spent off-grid without giving up the things that matter.
That’s where portable power enters the picture. Paired with a capable power solution like the GIZZU Hero Pro 2048Wh UPS Power Station, both the Xiaomi Smart Kettle 2 Pro and the Xiaomi Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine can be used well beyond the reach of wall sockets. Built to handle high-wattage appliances that were once off-limits for mobile setups, this power station brings reliable energy to campsites, cabins and anywhere the grid doesn’t reach.
Thanks to modern Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery technology, it delivers high output, fast recharging and enhanced safety – making it a practical companion for off-grid living or extended getaways. In real-world use, it can power the Xiaomi Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine for up to 80 minutes of continuous operation, or keep the Smart Kettle 2 Pro running for around 60 minutes – more than enough for morning coffees, trail-side teas or sunset brews with a view.
