If you’re considering buying a Jura espresso machine, chances are good that you really enjoy a cup of coffee.
But, even for a caffeine aficionado like yourself, these automatic machines are a big investment.
While “worth it” is in the eye of the beholder, we can help you decide whether a Jura machine’s quality and ease of use are worth the high price tag.
The Company and Where It’s Made
The Jura company (Jura Elektroapparate) has been around since the 1930s but began making automatic espresso machines in 1986. Jura phased out its other home appliances in the 1990s and focused solely on espresso machines.
Its laser focus on espresso machines means Jura is serious about making its machines the best they can be. Jura currently has a team of around 50 employees dedicated to developing and improving the quality and performance of its espresso makers.
The Jura Campus even has Climate Rooms where machines can be tested in different climates and with different water qualities, ensuring that they’ll function in the many countries where they are sold.
Currently, Jura sources some parts from China, but all automatic coffee machines are developed in Switzerland and are manufactured in Switzerland and Portugal.
Super Automatic Espresso Machines
All of Jura’s espresso machines are super-automatic. Understanding the term is important because automation is part of what you’re paying for.
Brewing with a Super-Automatic
When using a super-automatic espresso maker, all of the work is in the machine’s hands (figuratively, of course). You just press a button, and the machine grinds the fresh coffee beans, tamps and pre-infuses them, and pulls the perfect espresso shot. It even froths and dispenses hot milk for beverages like lattes and macchiatos.
Some home baristas love to perfect their espresso by doing each step manually and tweaking it to their liking. A super-automatic brewer is not for them.
However, a Jura machine can be a great investment if you’re happy to hand over operations and just enjoy the finished product.
Maintaining a Super-Automatic
Cleaning a Jura espresso machine is also automated. The rinsing, cleaning, and descaling programs are integrated, so you just have to follow the machine’s prompts to take it through a simple cleaning cycle every so often.
You also won’t need to worry about whether or not your Jura is really clean on the inside. The independent organization TUV Rheinland has certified Jura coffee machines as extremely hygienic.
This is another point in favor of Jura being a worthwhile investment. It’s extremely easy to keep them well maintained and in top condition. With proper care, the average life span of a Jura machine is around nine years.
The Drinks – Variety and Quality
Jura Coffee Variety
Some of Jura’s entry-level machines make just a couple of beverages, but the top-of-the-line models can brew a huge variety of delicious coffee specialties.
You might find that a Jura espresso maker is worth the price if you frequent coffee shops for milk-based beverages that are normally hard to duplicate at home. A middle-of-the-road Jura machine will pay for itself in under a year if it can replace a $5-a-day latte habit.
Several Jura coffee makers can also brew a pot of coffee, which is a nice feature if you have guests or a large household.
Jura Coffee Quality
Jura likes to use fancy, proprietary names for its technologies, like Pulse Extraction System and Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System. However, these are more than just pretty names- they’re the keys to Jura’s espresso quality.
The Pulse Extraction System pushes short bursts of hot water through the ground coffee rather than a steady flow. This extracts the most flavor possible from the coffee grounds.
The Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System works on the concept of coffee bloom. This system dampens the grounds and allows the flavor to develop before brewing.
To top it off, Jura machines have quality built-in grinders, allowing each cup to be brewed from freshly ground beans. It’s no surprise that you get great-tasting cups of coffee when all of these elements work together.
Range of Available Machines
Jura makes quite a few premium coffee machines, ranging from the simple Jura A1, which only brews espresso and coffee, to the top-of-the-line Jura GIGA 6, which brews 28 beverages and has two grinders.
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We think the best value for your money lies in the middle of the line: consider the S8, E8, or ENA 8.
Ease of Use
We’ve touched on how easy it is to brew coffee and specialty coffee drinks with a Jura coffee maker, but it’s worth stating again.
The only talent you need to bring to the table when using a Jura is button pressing: absolutely no barista skills are required. You don’t even need to know the difference between a latte and a cappuccino (but if you do, you’ll be impressed by the way your Jura makes them).
Our Conclusions
It’s undeniable that Jura coffee makers brew up an extremely high-quality product. They’re also easy to use, simple to maintain, and made from quality materials in facilities that are focused on detail.
If a Jura automatic coffee maker is within your budget, we don’t think you’ll regret the purchase. While they come with a hefty price tag, their high regard within the coffee community is well-earned.
For some, no coffee maker is worth such a high price. We totally get that and recommend checking out some more budget-friendly options like these.
Happy Caffeinating!
