If the coffee machine has a steam wand or milk frother, we steam milk and dairy-free alternatives to see if it can create the correct textures and volumes for specific recipes. We also take a temperature reading to test whether it has reached the optimum heat for sweet, velvety milk. The main difference between Jura and Nespresso is that the former manufactures beans-to-cup machines, while the latter has a pod-based brewing system. With a Jura machine, you get to grind the coffee beans on the spot, while for a Nespresso you just put a pod in and press Start. Both methods have their pros and cons.

The A1 could be considered the "baby" of the Jura range - although it's certainly not cheap even by bean-to-cup standards. It's a stylish model with a contemporary design - and is the only Jura machine to make it onto our list of the top 10 bean-to-cup coffee machines. So what makes this model stand out? Reliable entry-level model machine: Most entry-level espresso machines are not going to be robust and last you for a lifetime. With any Jura, you’ll be able to experience excellent and consistent brewing quality for over years. The Jura A1 makes a superb milkless beverage and comes with a high level of programmability for each beverage. This is one of the main reasons why people prefer Jura machines as they are built to last you a lifetime with its automatic cleaning functions.Among Jura’s line of high-quality super-automatic espresso machines, the A1 and ENA 4 share a remarkable number of features. Both are relatively slim with a sleek, luxurious appearance.

Easy to clean and maintain: The Jura A1 comes with a CLEARYL blue filter which will filter and keep the water clean which means you won’t have to ever use a descaling solution. The Jura A1 also features a handy bypass doser, for those who may want to use pre ground coffee instead of coffee beans. Handy when you fancy a decaf. Jura will claim the D6 has 7 specialty drinks, but this includes 2x espresso, 2x coffee, hot milk, and hot water so really it’s 3 programmable coffee drinks. Espresso, coffee, and cappuccino. This kind of sleight of hand to give the impression ofmore coffee optionsis industry-wide. Always read what the drinks are, never accept the number quoted as the real number. Being able to pour 2 coffee drinks, albeit not ones with milk, at a time is a useful feature and should be mentioned as a plus over the Jura A1. Both machines are a large investment, so it’s good to know they should last at least 7-10 years with proper maintenance.

As you guessed I do really like the Jura A1 but as with anything it is not suitable for everyone. And we are talking about a significant amount of cash, so I need to let you know when this may not be the best coffee maker for you. The stainless steel G3 aroma grinder is built to last, probably about a decade of normal use. Plus, it is much quieter than most while coffee bean grinding. Thanks to the slower grind speed, heat build-up is reduced which preserves more of the delicious oils from your coffee beans. Most Jura customers have no problems with their machines well beyond the 2-year mark with some getting 10+ years out of their investment.

If you’re strictly an espresso drinker, a semi-automatic machine in the same price range might offer more control over the brewing process. Meanwhile, the additional steam wand would allow for milk drinks. However, there’s a steeper learning curve with a manual brewing process, and you’d need a separate espresso grinder. You also can’t use pre-ground coffee, this is very unusual for a super automatic coffee maker. Maybe a very minor annoyance, but an annoyance nonetheless. A1 vs D6 Result The Jura A1 control panel also has warning lights for descaling and cleaning. So you don’t need to worry about forgetting and damaging it.A bar is a measurement of pressure. When it comes to coffee machines, it’s the amount of pressure needed to push hot water through the compacted grounds to extract coffee — we found we needed at least 15 bars for optimum performance. You’ll see some coffee machines that offer more than 15 bars, but this doesn’t necessarily indicate that it’s a better machine. Crema Both Jura and Nespresso will deliver good strong espresso every day. Aside from that, the choice will be dictated by your preferences.