Jura Z6 Review: A Coffee Machine Without an Expiration Date?

As you know, my opinions about Jura super automatic coffee machines have changed over time. Though I’m still not a fan of the fixed brew group price tag, I appreciate the aroma, frothed milk and operation of Jura coffee machines.

The Jura Z series, in particular, seems to have the best super automatic coffee makers in the entire Swiss lineup — and quite a fanbase, too. I couldn’t even begin to count how many requests I received for a review of the $2,199.95 Jura Z6. So, here it is.

This Jura Z6 coffee machine with either a Polished Aluminum finish or Diamond Black housing has been on the market since 2018 — just like its “big brother,” the Jura Z8. Its successor, the Jura Z10, was only just released. I reviewed the Z10 already!

In terms of price-performance ratio, I think the Jura Z6 is currently the best Z choice available. That’s because the high-quality device is relatively affordable, despite having a large range of functions. Well, as long as we keep in mind the Jura framework of our 2024 super automatic espresso machine buyer’s guide.

a real stunner!

Jura Z6

The classic Jura machine is completely justifiable

High-quality processing

Successful mix of classic and modern operation

Delicious espresso and frothed milk

App has potential for improvement

Fixed brew group

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	CHECK PRICE

Jura Z6 vs Jura Z8: Which Model Should I Buy?

Though the Jura Z6 and the Jura Z8 are direct competitors within the lineup, we also have to bring the Jura Giga 6 into play to cover all of our bases for comparison. The Jura Giga 6 has all of the same basic components of the Z models, plus some extra features.

This becomes especially clear when we look at the similarities and differences of all three Jura coffee machines side by side.

In addition to the clear differences in the displays, controls and number of pre-programmed coffee options, what stands out is something we rarely see in our fully automatic espresso maker tests: a significant increase in price within the same lineup.

However, the price jump of the $4,999.99 Jura Z8 from the $2,199.95 Jura Z6 is completely justifiable because it offers two pumps and two heating elements instead of the typical one.

The two pumps are not a big deal if you’re just making espresso. However, if your drinks require hot milk, having two components that can heat and work simultaneously are a real advantage. This feature is supposed to improve both the quality and temperature of frothed milk.

That said, it’s honestly not terribly important for the average coffee drinker. I say this because we like Lattes from the Z6 just as much as we do from the Z8.

Polished Aluminum Instead of Stainless Steel

With a Z6 made of Polished Aluminum, Jura answers the age-old question of whether it’s best to use stainless steel or plastic. The Jura Z6 also has metal components, but it’s not quite as heavy and expensive as stainless steel would be to use. Incidentally, DeLonghi super automatic coffee machines in the same price range don’t have this issue — they use stainless steel like there’s no tomorrow.

The Jura Z6 is not only available in Polished Aluminum with a carbon silver look, but it also comes in black — Diamond Black as they like to call it. Big whoop-de-do! As you have probably already noticed, Black is a common color for manufacturers, which is why it costs less in stores.

Combining Old & New Operating Concepts

Both versions make a good impression with their design, though: a sleek and elegant look that’s typical of Jura. This classic style is strengthened by a user-friendly operating concept.

However, the Jura Z6 is equipped with physical buttons and a color display. Plus, there is a rotary dial that allows you to scroll through menu options by swiping your finger around the dial. The Z6 also links to an app — the Jura Operating Experience or J.O.E. — that allows you to make adjustments.

If the button-display combination had to stand alone, I’d say it was a bit old-fashioned. Still, I think the Jura Z6’s way of operating is the ultimate mix of old and new.

The buttons are more responsive — for example, more pressure-accurate — than most touch displays, too. So, those who want to swipe, slide and use smart functions can use the app as well. I’ve already heard through the grapevine that future models will have a touch display that works even more efficiently. Let’s see what comes our way!

The combination of all these factors enables the Jura Z6 to make a great impression that justifies the price tag — at least relative to other Juras.

Conversely, when evaluating coffee machines, I always take points off when image, marketing and prestige alone are the driving forces behind a higher price. That’s true for the Jura Z6 review, as well as reviews of other super automatic coffee machines.

Jura Z6 Designs: Know One Jura, Know Them All

If the similarities of the Jura Z6 and Jura Giga 6 don’t make any sense when it comes to the key aspects, then it all comes into focus when selecting one’s initial settings. The app is much the same; the parameters follow an identical pattern and cause similar problems for newcomers.

I deviated a bit from the optimum settings for this test and set the espresso to the following settings:

The fill quantity seems to best suit the aroma of my preferred coffee beans in this machine. I simply put the amount of coffee beans to be used in the middle (5 out of 10, or 3 – 4 out of 5). The coffee strength then calculates in half-bean increments.

Keep in mind that for coffee, you should turn the temperature back down a bit and simultaneously increase the fill volume to 120 milliliters (4 ounces). Otherwise, the beverage that comes out of the height-and-width-adjustable coffee spout is a bit off.

With the Jura Z6, the number of settings alone makes it incredibly easy to experiment with different roasts, coffee beans and preparations. That said, the initial settings require a bit of experience to master, especially since you first have to figure out whether you are better off using the buttons, the app or the rotary dial to control the machine.

Since the rotary dial is awkwardly installed on the top of the machine instead of directly next to the display, you’ll have to train your eyes to know where to look, at least initially. The distance between the handle and the visual confirmation of the display feels a bit awkward at first, too.

I won’t go into a lot of detail about the app in this Jura Z6 review, as I’ve already described the quirks — for example, unnecessarily hidden menus. However, since I had some experience with the app, I didn’t have any problems at all when using it on the Jura Z6 super automatic coffee machine. If you know one manufacturer’s machine, you pretty well know them all.

Espresso & Coffee: This Is How It Should Be

The grinder starts the preparation with a measured 69.4 decibels, which is exactly in the range of all other Swiss machines. None of them go into overdrive, yet none of them scored under 69 decibels. The background noise is fairly pleasant, too, even with a small rattle creeping in.

Since I’ve been drinking a lot of Jura espresso lately, I can tell you with near certainty that if you use the same coffee beans, you’ll taste little-to-no difference between the results from a Jura Z6 and a Jura Giga 6.

Practically speaking, my intensive study of Swiss machines has me convinced, yet again, that the flavor simply can’t get any better past a certain price point.

While you may be able to discover many quality leaps between mid-range and upper-range models, in my experience, you will always get the same great espresso served from any machine that costs upward of $2,000 — unless the machine is a total failure. What the added price brings is a better user experience, which we coffee lovers value as well.

One time-honored truth: despite all further developments and features added to a coffee maker, a super automatic coffee machine always remains within the limits of its machine category. Otherwise, it would be an espresso machine — or something else entirely.

Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that my assessment of the Jura Z6 is no less enthusiastic than that of the Giga 6 or Z8. The espresso tastes full-bodied and aromatic, which is how it should be.

That also applies to the coffee, by the way, even if I will probably never become a super automatic long coffee fan myself.

The frostbite sufferers among you should, once again, be pleased to know that Jura also serves you a really, really hot coffee on demand in the Jura Z6. We almost burned our noses before on the Jura A1, which doesn’t even do milk. Thankfully, this time, we knew what to watch out for during our Jura Z6 review.

Two Schools of Thought on Frothed Milk

In the coffee world, there are two mindsets when it comes to externally attachable automatic milk frothing systems. Some appreciate the hygienic advantages and option to position a flexible hose in the container of their choice. Others complain that the frothed milk is not quite as good as it is in truly integrated variants.

Here, in this respect, the Jura Z6 only offers advantages. Even if you can’t adjust anything in terms of consistency, Lattes and Cappuccinos turn out equally great.

For example, Mauricio is pleased with the thick layer of frothed milk, which is fine and homogeneous despite the volume, while I’m happy that you can adjust the milk frothing temperature. (Note: See my comment on frostbite above.)

At this point, however, I have to ask Jura, once again, why it’s so hard to include a container as an accessory. Um, hello? It’s time to realize that no one wants to buy your extravagant Bluetooth Cool Control container for $300 but would rather a simple thermal version, for example!

As I mentioned before, when reviewing the Giga 6, I paid Jura a lot of money. So, the way I see it, this “gift” would not hurt the Swiss. Plus, they could hide the costs behind other significant advantages of the machine. That said, at Jura prices, even with a Bluetooth Cool Control container included, people wouldn’t notice the difference. On its own, however, the Cool Control container definitely seems outrageous!

Since the basic controls are identical to the Giga 6, you’ll also have to deal with converting milk and milk froth from seconds to milliliters (ounces) on the Z6 to fill your glasses to an optimal level. I measured:

For a filling volume of 200 milliliters (6.75 ounces) of milk, we need about 35 seconds. Since frothed milk has a larger volume, it will be correspondingly less. Take a standard Cappuccino, for example. In that case, I set 14 seconds of froth and got the exact results I aimed to achieve.

My Ongoing Yet Reliable Complaint About Cleaning the Jura Z6

In terms of cleaning, the Jura Z6 is a coffee machine we know backward and forward. It comes from the manufacturer with:

Basically, everything that moves can be removed and cleaned properly.

That said, we are currently researching whether the automatic programs are enough to get a really clean brew group even without removal in a long-term test with the Jura A1. We’ll know more in about a year.

Not only will we open the machines but also disassemble them down to the very last circuit boards. We will definitely find out if the manufacturers have been truthful with us over the years or not about the claim that next-to-no coffee residue gets through.

Regarding the user manual, there is little-to-no reason to look at it when cleaning the Jura Z6. The display is large enough and informative enough to guide you through the process without breaking a sweat — or needing to take a peek at the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

The Jura Z6 super automatic coffee maker also reliably guides you in special cases. For example, when deep cleaning of the aroma grinder (a.k.a. the grinder).

By the way, Polished Aluminum is clearly ahead of the curve when it comes to fingerprints — you can handle the machine without leaving so much as a trace. That is also one of the most important advantages of the Diamond Black color option if you’re interested.

The Verdict on the Jura Z6: Do We Leave Out the Price Comparison?

I just realized that I inevitably want to start every conclusion of my Jura super automatic coffee machine reviews with a comment about the price. This is also true for the Jura Z6 review. However, I’m slowly coming to the realization that we sound like a broken record. So, let me try a new angle.

a real stunner!

Jura Z6

The classic Jura machine is completely justifiable

High-quality processing

Successful mix of classic and modern operation

Delicious espresso and frothed milk

App has potential for improvement

Fixed brew group

	CHECK PRICE
	CHECK PRICE

With Jura’s brand image well-known and established in both the United States and United Kingdom, in a price comparison with brands like DeLonghi, the Swiss machines always seem a bit overpriced, which will probably never change.

However, if we focus exclusively on the super automatic coffee machine itself, the Jura Z6 is practically a bargain. This is true if we look at Jura machines, in general, and the Z series, in particular. The Jura Z6 is available for $2,199.95 in the United States.

I like its successful mix of different operating concepts and love the results that flow from the coffee spout and milk frothing system. Not to mention that I celebrate the aroma as well. There really is nothing like the smell of fresh-ground coffee first thing in the morning — or any time of day really!

So, let’s not make life so difficult for ourselves in the best super automatic coffee machine test. I’m already looking forward to seeing if and how my attitude changes when the Jura Z10 shows up in our test kitchen as well as what happens after using the A1 for another year. You can obviously never rate a Jura without a footnote — or maybe that’s just me. In any case, there are a lot of positive things to say about Jura coffee makers.

I can’t wait to read your comments on the chic Jura Z6 fully automatic espresso maker in Polished Aluminum or Diamond Black. Let me know your thoughts and experiences!