Jura Coffee Machine: Current Models, Comparisons & Tips

Until recently, I’ve always rolled my eyes when I heard someone mention Jura coffee machines (aka super-automatic espresso machines) during my reviews. In my mind, the Swiss were a bit snooty and sold overpriced machines — we’re talking between $800 to $6,000 a pop — that were not all that special to me.

However, each time I review a Jura coffee machine, I grow to appreciate what they have to offer more and more. In fact, I’ve found that Jura espresso machines currently deliver the best espresso and coffee that automatic coffee machines can produce.

The Jura Z8 came out on top in this regard during my review, though the Jura Z6 and Jura GIGA 6 seem to have followed suit.

That still doesn’t mean I like the price-performance ratio. There are simply no bargains to be had here. Also, a Jura coffee machine will certainly never win a prize for the best cleaning functionality, either. After all, if you can’t remove a brewing unit, that will always be a hygiene problem. 

Nonetheless, there are several Jura coffee machines that I give a clear buy recommendation, even though they didn’t show well during the price comparisons.

What Makes A Jura Coffee Machine Great?

Fact: those manufacturers that charge premium prices for super-automatic espresso machines must not only deliver the best features, design and uncompromising quality in materials and preparation but also exclusivity reflected in the entire sales concept.

An important factor of virtually all Jura coffee machines is price stability. Case in point: the price I paid for the Jura E8 hasn’t really changed in the months since I purchased it. We can interpret that as quality. Just take a look at machines from other brands. They go up and down all the time.

Whether it’s the latest model, a classic or an entry-level model, Jura coffee machines are real workhorses. They last for years, delivering consistently good espresso and suffering from very few problems that fall outside of the warranty. In other words, you’ll rarely need any significant Jura coffee machine repair.

However, I have found that this high quality depends on the series. At Jura, these series are numbered in a more straightforward way than, say, the cryptic DeLonghi super-automatic espresso machines. 

Take the entry-level class (A-series or D-series models), which typically sells for $799 – $999, for example. Other manufacturers would call coffee machines at these prices mid-range, but the advantage here is that you get outstanding, high-quality design for your money. Though the coffee is very good, it still leaves room for improvement.

Stepping up to the Z-series and GIGA series, the espresso and frothed milk are excellent, while the coffee grinding performance and setting options are superb. Even the flat white seems less outlandish in some devices.

That said, we’re talking about prices upwards of $3,000, which begs the question of whether the advantages of the machines really justify the cost. The jury’s still out on that.

Still, I can’t yet overlook the nonremovable brew group. No matter how good the taste is for me, comprehensive care means that you can remove the brewing unit and thoroughly clean the inside of the device.

Though it’s true that Jura coffee machines offer a decent cleaning program and numerous automatic solutions for cleaning the brew group, there is a downside. It’s that it drives up water consumption; thus, increasing the need for cleaning tablets and descaling.

OK, I’ll step off my soapbox now. I just don’t understand why Jura is so into this “quirk.”

Despite this “quirk,” I’ve decided that I no longer want to rely solely on my past experiences and assumptions. That’s why I started a long-term test that will yield some empirical evidence to inform my opinions. I’m gonna use a Jura coffee machine for an entire year and then completely disassemble it. Then we’ll see what the brewing chamber really looks like after regular use. Will it be as clean on the inside as Jura claims? We’ll find out!

Advantages & Disadvantages of Jura Coffee Machines

When it comes to listing the pros and cons during comparison, super-automatic coffee machines from Jura often seem to balance each other out. However, this only works when we remove prices from the analysis. With prices taken out of the equation, Jura coffee machines absolutely speak for themselves.

Advantages of Jura Coffee Machines

• Jura coffee machines prioritize their high-quality look with colors like platinum or chrome. 
• The intricate design shines in the durability and sleek feel, even if only in aluminum and plastic materials.
• The grinding capabilities of cone or disk grinders is pretty reliable — most versions now have a continuously variable grinder for your coffee beans!
• Proprietary processes such as the Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) or the Intelligent Water System (IWS) optimize the preparation — even if no one knows how.
• Customer favorites like individual coffee profiles, the one-touch function and extra-shot function are often standard.
• The most important factors (temperature, coffee grind quantity, aroma levels, coffee strength, etc.) are always adjustable, even in entry-level Jura coffee machines.
• Ideas like “fine foam technology” are not just marketing lingo at Jura — they actually work!
• The operation is almost always simple and intuitive — whether via a touch screen or smartphone.
• All machines work with an automatic milk frothing system — a cappuccinatore — except for the dairy-free Jura A1. Manual steam wands aren’t Jura’s thing.
• The descaling program and cleaning programs are very well-thought-out — they have to be.
• The service life is high even with intensive use.

Disadvantages of Jura Coffee Machines

• Price-wise, the devices are always above standard market prices, even with equivalent equipment — buying Jura coffee machines at a discount isn’t that easy to do.
• The accessory package usually makes very little sense. For example, there’s not a basic container for milk but a WLAN adapter-equipped carafe instead. Being upsold on an expensive carafe irritates me, and I can only imagine I’d balk less if they just included it with the price — it’s human nature, I guess.
• Regular maintenance and Jura coffee machine repair, though rarely needed, can be expensive and complicated — because of the fixed brew group.

In recent years, Jura has launched a quality campaign to clean up its product lines. That’s why there are far fewer zeros in model numbers today than in the past.

Take the Jura Impressa C60, for example. Back in the day, I had one of these Jura coffee machines and was more than disappointed with its performance. 

You all have left many comments for me about Jura coffee machines, which, together with my tests, provide the following important insights that should influence your individual evaluation and purchase decisions.

For starters, because Jura coffee machines rinse the coffee and milk spouts frequently, they use a lot of water. Therefore, the operation is more expensive in the long run than with other devices.

The temperature of the frothed milk is sometimes described as too cool for many users. However, I have not independently confirmed that, at least not for the Jura Z6, Z8 or GIGA 6 coffee machines.

Hobbyists have found that the fixed brew group is often cleaner than a semi-clean machine with a removable brew group because of the many rinses. Like I said before, we’ll see!

Jura coffee makers have a more “closed-in” design, so not as many coffee grounds fall into tiny crevices. Mold in the machine is still a commonly cited problem — even if you rinse it a lot with hot water.

So, for the most part, I’ll leave these statements as they are. In my eyes, these are not Jura-specific problems — well, except for the fixed brew group issue. I also hear frequent complaints that Siemens super-automatic coffee machines produce frothed milk that is cooler than people would prefer.

As for the question of how clean Jura coffee machines are inside? I will finally have the answer in a few months after my test has run its course!

Topping the Charts: The Most Important Jura Coffee Machines at a Glance

Jura coffee machines are easy to tell apart: the further back in the alphabet the letter goes, the more extensive the coffee specialties, functions and price. This is especially true of the high-quality machines marked “GIGA,” which play in the gastronomic league.

When a Jura super-automatic coffee machine bears a two-digit numerical code, it’s usually a somewhat-modified version of one from the main series. However, I haven’t quite cracked the code as to whether these modifications are more lavish or more modest.

Jura is also one of the few brands that doesn’t constantly come out with allegedly new devices to seem current and increase the desire to buy. I think this is a good attitude — you could almost call it “sustainability.”

In the meantime, I have selected one or more models from almost every line and decided clear winners. Once again, this shows that Jura coffee machines are always best when not trying to be affordable or suitable for the masses. No more is this apparent than with the A-series.

Jura A1: Pretentious Purism for Those Who Live Alone

Note: The following video is in German, but stay tuned for all the nitty-gritty on the Jura A1.

No one scratches their head anymore when a super-automatic coffee maker without a milk frother competes against other machines in the category. That’s why the is a good choice if you don’t need a milk frothing system and want to spend less money than on “real” super-automatic coffee machines.

In my test, the Jura A1 made a good impression on me with its noble purism. Available in either Piano White or Piano Black, the high-quality artisanship, intuitive operation and aroma of the espresso are all top-notch. The grinding results, coffee quantity, extraction time and pump pressure are also spot-on.

The Professional Aroma Grinder is continuously adjustable, which means you can influence the extraction process to get the results you’re looking for in the cup. Because it lacks a vessel for milk, the Jura A1 is small and slim yet impressive. Its only problem is basically the price tag. 

True, the Jura A1 has a Ristretto button, in addition to ones for espresso and coffee, but that hardly makes up for the fact that you can get the same performance from less expensive espresso machines.

In my opinion, the Jura coffee machine’s nimbus is not enough to set this particular machine apart from the competition. After all, the other options I mentioned are also chic and quality. They may not come in piano white or piano black, but colors have never been a decisive point for rating coffee machines.

The E-Series: Modern But Not Modern Enough!

Note: The following video is in German, but keep reading for all of the details on the E-series.

Before I fell in love with the E-series of Jura coffee machines, the Jura E8 captured my heart, as it was one of the first Swiss machines that convinced me of Jura’s impressive quality. The Jura E-series is in the mid-range here and sells for around $1,500 – $2,200. When you think about it, that is almost a bargain for a Jura coffee machine.

Thanks to the PEP extraction process, IWS water control and sensible setting options, a very good espresso comes out of the coffee spout. Cappuccinos, Lattes and Latte Macchiatos are also rather impressive. 

On Jura E-series coffee machines, you control everything in classic Jura form via buttons and the display. The grinder is stepless, but everything else seems a bit old school. Of course, that’s the advantage of these coffee makers: they make preparation beautifully uncomplicated!

The grinder operates quietly as well. Unfortunately, though, we have to accept the fact that the 2-cup function does not apply to milk-based drinks. 

If you don’t want to do without the virtual programming of your coffee specialties, there is also a model with an app. I like to think of it as “artificial intelligence” and joke that the ENA 8 is for nerds.

Here, “artificial intelligence” means that the most frequently used coffee presets automatically arrange themselves at the highest point in the hierarchy within the touch screen’s “homepage.” This is normal for higher-end machines, by the way, but a strong selling point for the

ENA 8.

The Jura E-series of coffee machines is generally very consistent. If there are novelties, the differences to the respective predecessors are clear. To give you an overview, I have placed the current versions next to each other in the chart below.

Meanwhile, we also know that the “multilevel” aroma grinder on the ENA 8 does not necessarily mean all that much — the grinding range of Jura coffee machines is roughly equivalent to a standard six-stage grinder. I left out the ENA 8 from my comparison because it forms its own subcategory. The pricing is based on details like the combination spout for frothing milk and light that affects output, which is why the ENA 8 sells for $2,500.

Jura Z6 & Z8: Does the Z-Series Deliver Hidden Test Winners?

Note: Unfortunately, this video is only available in German, but I’ll give you all the highlights below.

The Jura Z-series is not for the faint of heart: the Jura Z8 costs around $4,400, while the “more modest” Jura Z6 currently lists at $3,200.

With that kind of money on the line, you have to really love automatic coffee, right? Of course, the price tester in me wants to confirm that. Yet, the barista in me sees it a little differently: there’s a good reason why I called the test video “Jura Z8 Review | The Best Super-Automatic Espresso Machine on the Market?”

The exquisite frothed milk is outstanding, and the black coffee has never tasted so good to me. Plus, all the functions are easy to understand and make sense. The whole thing delivers a refined luxurious product experience. That goes for all Jura coffee machines in the Z-series.

That said, the and the are quite similar. They both have a combination spout, more than 20 pre-programmed coffee-based drinks, as well as preparation parameters that you can fine-tune. However, the Jura Z8 can prepare frothed milk and coffee at the same time — thanks to two heating blocks incorporated into the design.

The ability of the Jura Z8 coffee machine to prepare milk and coffee at the same time makes Cappuccinos and Latte Macchiatos even better — even if the average user might not recognize this fact. In any case, take my word for it, hardly anything better can happen to your coffee beans than to be run through a Jura Z-series super-automatic coffee machine!

Jura GIGA Machines: Completely Over the Top & That’s Why I Love Them!

I readily admit that I ordered and tested the Jura GIGA 6 for my own amusement. Why? Well, because this $6,000 monster is a bit excessive, even for someone with the most exquisite tastes.

The Jura GIGA 6 dances on the line between consumer and professional gastro device, offering an incredible amount of features. It comes with a Claris Smart water filter in a double pack, and there are also a lot of pointless accessories. Yet again, only the milk container for the cappuccinatore is missing.

Still, I am very enthusiastic about this coffee machine goliath. The Jura GIGA 6 doesn’t have to shy away from comparisons, even a little, and makes terrific coffee. As far as the user experience, it’s great — especially on the TFT display and not via the app! However, the coffee spout can use a height and width adjustment.

The grinder is not only infinitely variable, but there are even two independent, electronically controllable grinders. The handiwork is terrific! Even the flat white tastes almost like it’s from an espresso machine at a café — and it’s all at the touch of a button.

Everything about the Jura GIGA 6 is super, great and whatever other amazing adjectives you’d use to describe a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Even so, let’s be honest: if you absolutely have to put this Jura coffee machine in your kitchen, you’ll also spice your cocoa with platinum. By the way, the “discontinued” version, the Jura GIGA 5, isn’t any cheaper. Sorry.

Yet, this Jura coffee machine still demonstrates what we can expect from modern super-automatics. That’s why the test report is so informative.

Note: This following video is in German, but I’ve got all the highlights right here in case you don’t speak German.

Other Jura Coffee Machines: Should We Even Compare Them?

Just because a Jura coffee machine is in this section, doesn’t mean that I might not give it a chance in the future. I just don’t see any reason to test these models at this juncture.

Take the Jura D6, for example. It just hasn’t made much of an impression on me so far. If we leave out the A1, this is technically the entry-level Jura machine. You only get a digital plaintext display and a cappuccinatore system, and you control it via rotary knobs. If you buy it, just tell your friends you went retro!

A Custom button will run you $999, which is certainly OK since it offers pre-programmed beverages and surface design. However, in this area, there’s no question between the Jura or DeLonghi: the Italians deliver you a lot more machine for the same amount of money.

The Jura S8 coffee machine stands between the E-series and Z-series in the lineup, while the Jura X8 has disappeared from the manufacturer’s site altogether. However, you can still purchase it through a third-party site such as Amazon, at least at the time of writing.

If you come across older Jura coffee machines, such as those in the C-series or J-series, I recommend you steer clear of them. Jura has gone through many product cycles since making those. They are nowhere near what Jura coffee machines are today.

From the Follower to the Leader in Innovation? Jura Coffee Machines & the Competition

I actually felt some pressure to revise this section after working with the new round of Jura coffee machines in my super-automatic coffee machine comparative tests in 2021. I felt compelled by the fact that the Swiss manufacturer is currently making huge leaps forward.

Increasingly forging its own path, in the past, it was mainly about appearances, a chic look with platinum or chrome and a snobby attitude to boot. In my opinion, consumer review organizations have always been blinded by these things.

Nowadays, everything with Jura coffee machines revolves around perfect coffee from every type of coffee bean, as well as perfect consistency of the milk. The life span of Jura coffee machines is certainly not without mention, either. They last for the long haul.

Admittedly, you do have to shell out more money for this top performance and excellent user experience in comparison. Seriously, what could be more important to super-automatic coffee machine owners than coffee quality?

These changes are exciting because Jura’s competitor Miele, for example, is just as snooty, offers a super design and yet is not quite as expensive. Though Miele has yet to saturate the market like Jura coffee machines have.

Jura coffee machines are also often mentioned in the same breath as Nivona machines. The Nuremberg-based company is in the same vein, even though it focuses primarily on ease of use and super-hygienic cleaning.

Unfortunately, the Nivona brand is not as popular as Jura coffee machines. Its espressos don’t quite knock my socks off in comparison, either — though the differences in the results are based on little things that are more noticeable to the trained eye and palette of a barista like me!

Jura coffee machines rely more on the luxury aspect, especially at price points ranging between $800 to $6,000. On top of that, with nearly every test, I become more and more convinced that Jura’s cup results have winning potential.

While I tend to use a strategic approach in my comparative reviews — evaluating devices on multiple benchmarks from the user experience to the cleaning — it can pigeonhole some machines. Just like it would not be practical to compare a Ferrari to a Honda, it’s not exactly reasonable to compare Jura coffee machines to the rest.

What are your thoughts about Jura coffee machines? Join the discussion in the comments section below.