Jura coffee machines are high-end automatic machines with price tags to match, ranging from around $1700 to more than $5000
CHOICE experts have tested eight currently available Jura coffee machines, assessing factors such as the flavour of the coffee they produce and how easy they are to use and clean
CHOICE members have access to our reviews of over 90 automatic, semi-automatic and manual espresso machines, as well as coffee pod machines, to help you decide which one is right for you
Swiss-engineered espresso machines that bring barista-quality coffee to the homes of even the most inexperienced coffee makers at the press of a button?
Sounds like a dream come true for caffeine lovers. Such is the promise of leading coffee machine brand, Jura, which sells a range of high-end automatic coffee machines boasting sophisticated features.
But their products also have premium price tags that may make you choke on your cappuccino, so this is one purchase you’ll want to ensure is right for you and your coffee habits.
CHOICE experts regularly test a range of automatic, semi-automatic, capsule and manual coffee machines in our labs and say that it’s important to do your research before settling on your dream coffee machine.
We weigh up some of the pros and cons of Jura machines and what to consider before you buy to help you decide whether a Jura machine is worth the investment.
Some Jura automatic coffee machines have colour touchscreen displays.
Jura sells automatic coffee machines that promise foolproof operation. They grind beans freshly for each coffee and froth your milk for you, to create a cuppa based on a style you’ve specified, such as a cappuccino, latte or espresso.
There are no pods or capsules necessary, and none of the fuss associated with learning how to use a manual or semi-automatic machine to get the perfect cup. They can therefore be an appealing option for people who want a good, customisable coffee, but who also prioritise convenience.
“Automatic coffee machines offer the same quick convenience of pod and capsule machines without sacrificing freshness, as they use freshly ground beans with their built-in grinders,” says CHOICE coffee expert Adrian Lini.
Jura machines claim to be able to grind, tamp, brew and self-clean in less than 60 seconds
Jura machines claim to be able to grind, tamp, brew and self-clean in less than 60 seconds.
While this definitely speeds up the time it takes to make a coffee and clean the machine (as compared to using a manual espresso machine, for example), Adrian says there are many factors other than speed to consider when shopping for the perfect coffee machine.
All Jura coffee machines allow users to adjust their grind settings and produce frothed milk, and each model has a different set of coffee settings and features.
However, not all models can produce the same types of coffees, and different features and functions can all affect the performance of a machine.
While Jura is a well-known name in automatic coffee machines, buying on brand alone can sometimes be a recipe for disappointment.
CHOICE testing regularly finds that the performance of different models from the same brand can vary quite significantly, so don’t assume that you’ll end up with the best product just because of the name on the box.
The $3990 Jura J10 has 42 coffee settings, including cold brew.
What are the different Jura models?
There are currently 11 models of Jura automatic coffee machines available, ranging from the Ena 4 which retails at $1699, to the Giga 10, which retails at $5750.
Which particular Jura model is right for you depends on factors such as your budget, the type of coffee you like to drink and the size of the machine, taking into account not only how much space it will take up on your bench, but how big the water tank is (which dictates how many coffees it can make before it needs refilling).
Which one is right for you depends on factors such as your budget, the type of coffee you like to drink and the size of the machine
We’ve put eight currently available Jura coffee machines to the test in our CHOICE labs and scored them based on the flavour of the coffee they produce, how consistent the temperature of that coffee is, how easy they are to use and how well they froth milk.
The Jura machines we tested vary in performance. We recommend a number of the models, but some were rated as only ‘OK’ by our experts.
$2649 17 coffee settings (no cold brew) 1.9L tank capacity Integrated cleaning program Bluetooth connectivity (Wi-Fi adaptor sold separately) Colour display with buttons
Jura Z10
$4850 40 coffee settings (including cold brew) 2.4L tank capacity Automatically adjusts grind for each coffee Integrated cleaning program Bluetooth connectivity Touchscreen display
Jura S8
$3690 27 coffee settings (no cold brew) 1.9L tank capacity Touchscreen display Integrated cleaning program Bluetooth connectivity
What do CHOICE experts say about Jura automatic coffee machines?
CHOICE coffee expert Adrian Lini says the thing that differentiates Jura from other brands of automatic espresso machines is the fact that most of the models we tested can produce a great-tasting espresso shot with maximum ease.
This makes them an attractive option for inexperienced or less confident coffee makers, or for people looking for a coffee machine for a communal office or retail space where you don’t have time to fuss around making an espresso on a manual machine.
“Most Juras have a touchscreen display that makes it easier for the user to understand the controls than machines that only have button controls,” he says.
“The downside is that not all Jura models score amazingly in our taste tests, so it’s important to check CHOICE reviews for the best ones before you buy. Also, they’re quite expensive compared to other coffee machines and can take up a lot of bench space in your kitchen.”
Keeping an automatic coffee machine clean is vital to ensure it creates the best tasting coffee, and to ensure the appliance lasts as long as possible.
But Adrian says automatic coffee machines can be tricky to clean, as many of the components that need to be cleaned thoroughly, such as the milk frother, are often built in to the machine.
One of our biggest tips to make your coffee machine last longer is to keep it clean, so the lack of control over this aspect is something to consider
“Users have to rely on the Jura’s self-cleaning prompts and function, rather than being able to take parts out themselves to clean them by hand. This can result in a lot of cleaning prompts popping up on the display,” he says.
One of our biggest tips to make your coffee machine last longer is to keep it clean, so the lack of control over this aspect is something to consider.
Jura also specifies that you must use only Jura’s own brand of maintenance products, as they’ve been specially designed to suit the programs and materials used in their machines.
Adrian advises rinsing the drip tray after each coffee and running hot water through the milk frother after you’ve used it, as well as washing out the water tank each day, in addition to using the machine’s self-cleaning systems.
CHOICE’s expert coffee taste testers blind taste espresso shots produced by Jura coffee machines to assess for the colour and thickness of its crema, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel and aftertaste.
Milk frothing
In addition to varied taste test scores, Jura models perform quite differently for milk frothing, with scores ranging from 45% to 85%.
But Adrian says generally you can’t expect cafe-quality frothed milk from an automatic coffee machine. “Their foam will always be a little bit ‘harder’,” he says.
This means it won’t pour as smoothly or enable you to create latte art like your local barista.
But, for some people, this is offset by the convenience of being able to produce foamed milk at the press of a button.
Adrian doesn’t necessarily feel the love for automatic frothing, though.
“It tends to take longer to clean the automatic milk frother compared with a manual steam wand, which is a quick spray and wipe,” he says. “So I do wonder if the convenience of having the milk frothed automatically is really worth the trade offs.”
Jura coffee machine pros and cons
Pros:
some models score well in our expert taste tests
easy to use with touchscreens or digital displays that include instruction prompts
some models can make up to 42 coffee specialities, including cold brew
milk is automatically frothed for you. Models vary in their milk frothing performance though – check CHOICE reviews for individual scoring.
internal cleaning systems don’t allow users to take out parts and have control over cleaning. This can result in a lot of cleaning prompts on the machine’s display
can take up a lot of bench space
can be expensive with models ranging in price from $1699 to $5750.
Costing anywhere from around $1700 to more than $5000, Jura coffee machines are seriously pricey. If you are purchasing it for a business, you may be able to claim it as a tax deduction. However, it’s a significant investment for personal use.
Adrian says, “You can buy a manual or semi-automatic machine that will help you make a very good tasting coffee for much less than one of these Jura machines. However, you would likely need to spend more time learning how to use the machine and master the process in order to make a great coffee.”
If you have the cash to spend and you choose the right machine based on our test results, a Jura machine can be a good buy.
Adrian Lini, CHOICE coffee machine expert
“Although they are tricky to clean and the milk frothing isn’t as good as you can get from a manual or semi-automatic machine where you froth the milk yourself, these automatic coffee machines can be good for people who just want a hot coffee fast.
“Our taste test results show that, depending on the model, Jura machines can indeed produce a good coffee.
“If you have the cash to spend, and you choose the right machine based on our test results, and one that fits with your personal needs, a Jura machine can be a good buy.”
Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.
She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.
Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.
Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Find Pru on LinkedIn.
Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.
She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.
Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.
Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Find Pru on LinkedIn.
I joined CHOICE in 2019 as a media assistant working on the 2019 Shonky Awards and have continued to write for CHOICE on all things home and living.
Working with the media team, I had the opportunity to watch our top experts share their impressive knowledge on all things consumer related. This is what drew me to CHOICE, its emphasis on providing you with trustworthy and unbiased information. I also have a bona fide passion for hunting down and sharing a good bargain.
Previously I worked as an executive producer at community radio station 2SER. LinkedIn
I joined CHOICE in 2019 as a media assistant working on the 2019 Shonky Awards and have continued to write for CHOICE on all things home and living.
Working with the media team, I had the opportunity to watch our top experts share their impressive knowledge on all things consumer related. This is what drew me to CHOICE, its emphasis on providing you with trustworthy and unbiased information. I also have a bona fide passion for hunting down and sharing a good bargain.
Previously I worked as an executive producer at community radio station 2SER. LinkedIn
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family. And our recent sunscreens test showed just how important it is to keep business claims in check.
So you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
