Jura superautomatic espresso machines make some of the best automatic coffee around. With Jura’s long history in the superauto game, their patented brew techniques, and their wide range of machines, it’s no surprise that they’re a favorite around our offices and the world. There’s just one problem, and that is with so many options it can be a challenge to decide which Jura espresso machine is right for you. They have similar visual design language, names like “ENA 4” and “E8” and prices that vary greatly, so it can be confusing. The good news is that the best Jura machine isn’t necessarily the most expensive one, it’s the one that fits your needs, and we’ll help you learn how to determine that here!
In This Article
First Things First — What All Juras Have in Common
Every Jura espresso machine is an all-in-one unit, including a grinder, brewer, and often milk frother. This means you’ll get fresh espresso with a couple of taps regardless of the model you end up with. They all use Jura’s patented Pulse Extraction Process, or P.E.P. for excellent espresso quality as well. This process uses calibrated pulses of water rather than a standard steady ramp along with a carefully designed brew chamber to brew espresso that is heads and shoulders above many automatic coffee makers. Most of these models also feature app connectivity, so you can tweak the settings without being in front of the unit. Finally, Jura’s machines use similar cleaning and water filtration systems, making them very easy to maintain compared to some machines.
Where these machines differ is in footprint, milk steaming, control, and price. Each Jura model offers distinct trade-offs with others in the lineup, which means we can be reasonably sure that there’s a machine here for you.
New to the category? Start with What’s So SUPER About a Superautomatic Espresso Machine? for a plain-English look at how bean-to-cup machines work.
How to Choose the Right Jura for You
So what is the best way to decide which Jura machine is for you? We’ve got a few questions that can help point you in the right direction.
Do You Drink Milk Drinks or Black Coffee?
This question really helps you eliminate a number of Jura’s machines as being a good fit for your kitchen. If you just want a good shot and don’t drink lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos, or other milk drinks then the ENA 4 is the machine for you. Wasn’t that easy? If you do like your milk drinks then that’s ok - it’s just a bit trickier to pick the right machine.
How Much Counter Space Do You Have?
Jura has options that can fit any countertop, but it’s important to know what sort of space you have for your machine. Be sure to measure countertop space and vertical space to make sure you can fit your new machine under cabinets.
How Many Drinks a Day — and How Many People?
If you are only brewing for a couple of people and don’t need constant drinks then most of the models below will work for you. If you do happen to brew a high volume of espresso drinks then you’ll want to give special attention to the machines that have larger bean hoppers and water tanks.
What’s Your Budget — and What Are You Paying For?
Another major fork in the road is your budget. While there are a range of pricing options here, being honest about what you’re willing to pay will go a long way towards selecting a machine that’s a good fit for you.
The Lineup: 6 Top Jura Machines
Here’s our pick of six Juras, ordered from least to most expensive. Each one earns its spot for a different kind of coffee drinker — find the description that sounds like you.
Jura ENA 4
As noted above, the Jura ENA 4 is an espresso only brewer perfect if you’re looking for a compact, no-frills option that also comes in at a lower price. While it may not have a milk system or lots of extra programming, the ENA 4 is an entrypoint to Jura’s exceptional espresso quality. As a bonus, this machine is also on the smaller side, shedding the extra space it would need to include a milk frothing system. While this won’t be a good fit for anyone who really enjoys a latte or a cappuccino, it’s the perfect option for anyone looking for espresso only brewing.
Best for solo espresso and black-coffee drinkers in tight kitchens who’d never use a milk steamer.
Black coffee only? See more options in Superautomatic Espresso Machines for Espresso Only.
Jura E6
The entry point to Jura’s full-size lineup, the E6 is also our first machine on this list that includes a milk system. The nice thing about the E6 is that it introduces the additional drink options that milk steaming provides while still being an approachable brewer for new users. It’s the perfect choice for those new to home espresso who know they want lattes and cappuccinos but don’t want too much complexity. The tradeoff here is the footprint, which does come in larger than some of the other options on this list. With that in mind, it still beats a full semi-automatic espresso setup, so it’s definitely manageable even if it’s not tiny.
Best for households new to milk drinks who want a dependable, no-fuss daily driver.
Jura ENA 8
The ENA 8 combines the smaller footprint of the ENA 4 with a milk steaming system like the E6. With this machine you get the best of both worlds, great milk steaming and a more manageable footprint than with a full size machine. The main thing that sets this machine and the E6 apart is the reservoir volume. While both machines offer milk steaming and drink customization for a comparable price, the ENA 8’s water reservoir is about half the size of the E6’s at 1 liter. If you brew lots of drinks this may be a deal breaker, but it’s a reasonable tradeoff to squeeze it into a smaller kitchen (or for those that don’t want to dedicate more counter space).
Best for apartments and design-forward kitchens that want milk drinks without surrendering the counter.
Jura E8
The E8 is Jura’s most popular machine, and for good reason. With an expanded drink menu and more customization options, an enhanced milk system, easy design, and app functionality it really is the most fully featured machine without leaning into the niches of the others on this list. While it doesn’t have some of the ultra high end features of the Z10, this is the perfect pick for the user who wants their machine to do just about everything well. It really lives up to the superautomatic ideal of a cafe on your countertop, and it’ll be a great pick for anyone who can fit it into their budget.
Best for the buyer who wants one machine that does almost everything well.
Jura J8 Twin
The J8 Twin offers two niche options for the serious home espresso enthusiast. First, with dual hoppers (where it gets its “Twin” name) you’ll be able to keep a couple of different kinds of beans loaded into the machine. This makes it the hands-down best option if you need easy decaf brewing alongside full caf. The J8 also gives you a bit more adjustability with its milk, and can even be combined with the optional syrup attachment to inject syrup directly into the milk. This makes this option the best one for the heavy milk drink enthusiast, and the twin hoppers even add some flexibility if you just like to have a couple of different bean options depending on your syrup choice.
Best for milk-drink enthusiasts and decaf-and-caf households who are fussy about foam.
Jura Z10
The Z10 is Jura’s ultimate machine. This top-of-the-line brewer gives you the breadth of customization of the E8 alongside a cold brewing option that makes some seriously good cold espresso. While this machine is large and expensive, it really does everything that it can to justify the price and footprint that it asks for. Many users won’t need the full range of customization, the cold brewing, or the sweet foam option that it shares with the J8, but for the customer who wants to know that they have one of the very best superautomatics on the market, this is the one for you.
Best for serious enthusiasts and cold-brew lovers who want the most a home Jura can do.
Weighing the flagship? See how it stacks up against a popular rival in Terra Kaffe vs Jura Z10.
Common Questions About Jura Machines
Are Jura machines worth it?
While it’s important to select a machine that fits your budget, Jura’s brewing systems, broad range of options, and easy maintenance plans do justify their pricing, even if it is on the higher end.
Which Jura is best for lattes?
While the E6, ENA 8, and E8 all produce good lattes, if you want the very best option for milk drinks then the enhanced milk systems on the J8 and Z10 can’t be beat.
Which Jura is best for espresso/black coffee?
While every Jura brews comparably good espresso, the ENA 4 cuts out the milk system to hit a lower price point and reduce its footprint. The classic Jura A1 took a similar approach as well!
What’s the difference between the E8 and the S8, or the Z10 and the GIGA 10?
The S8 is very similar to the E8, with the differences mostly being in the upgraded trim of the S8 (it’s more premium, and features expanded user profiles for customization). The GIGA 10, on the other hand, is designed for very high demand, high velocity environments like commercial settings. The Z10 is more than enough for home users.
How much maintenance do Juras need?
Every Jura machine uses shared self-rinsing technology that minimizes maintenance. This, combined with Jura’s proprietary water filters helps to keep the coffee flowing. User required maintenance is simple and easy to manage!
Keeping it clean: Our Jura Espresso Machine Cleaning and Maintenance Guide walks through the simple routines that keep any Jura running.
Found Your Match?
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