There’s a lot of choices out there when shopping for superautos and it can be a challenge narrowing down your options to find the perfect machine for you. Today we’re doing our part to help with a comparison of the Terra Kaffe TK-02 and the Jura Z10 - two machines loaded with features that you can’t really go wrong with. Let’s jump in!
Terra Kaffe TK-02
Terra Kaffe exploded onto the scene with the TK-01 several years ago. With bold, sharp lines and a screen that blends in with the face of the unit. We love the ease of use here, with very simple set up and go simplicity and a wide range of drink options for your morning caffeine fix. The TK-02 uses the very popular carafe based milk steaming option, with a tube that pulls the milk into a steaming chamber and then into your drink. These options are simple and effective, and while they are not always the easiest to clean, no superautomatic milk system is perfect in that regard.
Overall, the TK-02 is a really great option at its price point, and it competes well with similar offerings. This is going to be the best fit for someone who wants a simple shot and is looking for some solid app integration and a clear and simple interface. We will say that while the espresso tastes good and isn’t exactly disappointing it is a little thinner than what you can pull by hand from a semi-automatic machine.
Jura Z10
The Jura Z10 is a true luxury superautomatic espresso machine. This unit gives you very fine control over your coffee and offers 16 different drink options right out of the box. It uses a similar siphon system to the TK-02 but does not include the carafe like that machine. There are many very smart design elements here like the side-mounted water tank and very clear and concise user interface. What really stands out with the Z10, though, is the drink quality. Jura’s patented P.E.P. (Pulse Extraction Process) brewing is used to the fullest here on the Z10, giving it the ability to pull shots that rival what you can get from a high-end semi-automatic machine when combined with the machine’s adaptive grinding. It even has an optional Sweet Foam attachment that can add some flavor to your milk while steaming.
The features and benefits of this machine are numerous and we’d encourage you to check out the product page and our other video content made for this machine, but there are a couple of notes to make. One, this is an expensive machine, clocking in quite a bit higher than the TK-02. We think it really justifies its price point and happily recommend it to customers seeking a high end superauto, but it's important to consider. Second, to keep the Z10 operating at peak performance it does have a rigorous cleaning regimen. It’s not inconvenient or difficult as the cleaning steps are mostly automated and just require you to add cleaners and position the tools, but you should check out what’s in store and be prepared to keep up with purchasing Jura’s branded cleaners. We know needing proprietary cleaner is a pain, but Jura justifies it as their cleaners are very carefully designed to work with their specific machine internals.
Which One is For Me?
The most important question to answer, of course, is which machine is for you. This is actually easier than you think! Both of these machines are incredible options at their price points, but if you’re looking for the ultimate espresso machine and cost isn’t a concern, go with the Z10. However, if you’re looking to get started with a solid superautomatic at an easier to swallow price, pick up a TK-02, you won’t be disappointed with either!
To see these machines in action you can check out our video comparison below. Let us know in the comments which of these machines has your eye!