TL;DR? Jura is the clear winner when it comes to at-home espresso machines.
If you’re a fan of espresso, like me chances are you’ve heard of Jura or Breville.
These two big names in coffee produce some of the most sought-after, at-home brewing systems in the world.
However, how do you choose which espresso machine to spend your hard-earned money on?
Well, I’ve done the research on both these brands so that you don’t have to.
Here’s a complete rundown on Jura vs Breville for anyone ready to splurge on a great coffee maker.
Jura vs Breville: At a glance
| Jura Machines | Breville Machines |
| Conical grinder | Flat grinder |
| Paper filters | Gold tone filters |
| Automatic milk frothing spout or no frother | Manual milk frothing wand |
| Connects to the Jura app | Connects to Alexa |
| Super-automatic | Semi-automatic |
A Brief Overview of Jura Machines
Jura is a Swiss company that’s been around since the early 1930s.
The company aspires to be at the forefront of espresso technology, and they’re doing a pretty good job at it.
Focusing on super-automatic machines, their devices are easy to use. They provide you with high-quality coffee made from fresh, freshly ground beans at the touch of a button.
At the same time, they’ve developed technology that allows for extra-aromatic drinks.
The result? A cup of coffee that leaves very little to be desired.
One thing to note about the company is that Jura is dedicated to being the best of the best. What that boils down to is that they have a total of zero budget options.
Despite the fact that they don’t really have budget machines, they’re definitely good for getting a great cup of coffee. If quality is what you’re after, Jura is your man.
Let’s take a closer look at what that means in terms of the devices.
Jura Proprietary Technology
As a leader in espresso machine innovation, Jura has taken some time to develop unique technology.
It’s actually this technology that allows them to give you such great beverages!
However, if you’re new to the world of Jura, it pays to know a bit of the coffee slang they’ve come up with:
- Aroma +: The latest iteration of Jura’s Aroma stainless steel grinders. These let you get the precise grind you want.
- IPBAS: The Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System is a pre-infusion feature that makes for a super-aromatic cup of coffee.
- PEP: A pulse extraction process system that pulses hot water through the espresso. This helps give you an extra flavorful cup of Joe.
- FFT: Fine Froth Technology froths the milk twice to create a professional-quality microfoam.
- CLARIS: CLARIS is an anti-scaling technology designed to filter out minerals and prevent damage to the machine’s heating element.
- CLEARYL: These are cartridge filters designed to remove impurities from the water that is put into the espresso machine.
- ESM: Energy Saving Mode is a technical feature that allows you to customize your machine’s power output. That helps you save energy when you’re not using the espresso machine.
- IWS: The Intelligent Water System is a sensing system that tells the machine (and you) when the machine’s filter needs to be changed.
If you’re looking to purchase a new Jura coffee machine, keep an eye out for these features.
Not all machines have every one of them, so you’ll want to make sure to check which device comes with which technology.
Customization
All Jura coffee machines allow you to customize the coffee quite a bit. A few things you can typically change on your coffee drink settings include:
- The intensity of the coffee
- The desired amount of water
- The temperature
On the other hand, if you’re not into customization and would rather take the easy route out, you can do that too! Jura machines let you create a variety of drinks at the touch of a button.
Some of the simpler machines, such as the Jura A1, let you brew up ristretto or espresso shot only. Others, like the Jura GIGA 6, let you make as many cappuccinos and lattes as your heart desires.
Oh, and there’s an app, too.
Some of the more high-tech machines allow you to connect to a smartphone app via Bluetooth.
From there, you can customize your drink settings and even program coffee without getting off the couch!
Milk Foam and Frothing
Milk foam and frothing is one area where Jura machines are hit or miss.
Most Jura machines include a milk frother. However, there are a couple, such as the Jura A1, that leave this out.
If you’re wanting to make lattes and macchiatos, I highly suggest looking into your specific Jura model first. Each model has its own pros and cons, so taking a deep dive into one will help you get the right choice.
Now, if you do decide to go with a milk-steaming Jura espresso machine, you might want to look for one that has fine foam technology.
An automatic espresso machine with this technology, such as the Jura E8, allows you to make super-smooth, velvety milk foam.
Lovers of flat whites will be able to get their beverage-brewing skills down to a T with this technology.
Once again, not all Juras have fine foam technology. Make sure to read up on which one you’re getting before making a purchase. Otherwise, your favorite drinks might not be on the menu.
Machine Design
Jura models meet and exceed expectations in terms of espresso machine design. These devices feature clean, expressive lines and super high-quality materials.
Most Jura machines are made of stainless steel and come with silver or black accents.
They’re generally not overly large (unless you’re looking into the Giga 6), so won’t take up screeds of counter space.
Jura machines feature either a touchpad or a touchscreen.
The touchscreen devices allow for more customization and WiFi connectivity. On the other hand, the touchpads are simple to use and easy on the eyes.
The screens are intuitive, with everything clearly labeled. The drink options and settings are clearly labeled so you’ll have no problem finding them.
Plus, that aroma-tech grinder? Perfect for rich, aromatic coffee.
Jura’s designs are actually so great that the company has won several awards for them. If that doesn’t tell you something about their quality, I don’t know what does!
Cleaning & Maintenance
Jura machines go above and beyond with cleanliness.
For most of us coffee fanatics, cleaning the espresso maker is the one thing we don’t love about at-home espresso!
Luckily, Jura’s coffee machines make it super easy to clean and maintain the machine. This entire process is carried out by pressing a button!
When it’s time for you to clean your Jura machine, your Jura’s touchpad or touchscreen will actually notify you.
Then, you just have to pop in one of Jura’s cleaning tablets and run the 3-stage cleaning cycle. This not only cleans but also seals all the coffee ducts, thus slowing down the sedimentation of coffee fat in the long run.
On top of that, Jura machines feature CLARIS technology that purifies the water in the machine. The system also takes care of descaling so that you don’t have to.
All the machines guarantee a TÜV-certified level of hygiene. That’s the hospitality industry’s gold standard for cleanliness!
A Quick Look at Breville Machines
Founded in 1932, Breville’s espresso machines are on the wish list of most aspiring home baristas.
With a drip coffee maker like no other, Breville has provided us with, and indeed pampered us with, a high-quality coffee maker.
However, it’s not just the Breville Precision Brewer that the company makes. They’ve recently delved into the world of at-home espresso machines, too.
Although they don’t feature as many bells and whistles as Jura machines, they don’t feature the hefty price tag either.
If you’re wanting to tailor your coffee drinking experience without breaking the bank, Breville machines might be for you.
Let’s take a deeper look at a couple of key features of the machines.
Drink Customization
Breville espresso machines definitely flop in this department.
While it’s no secret that you can get a great cup of coffee with a Breville espresso machine, you’re going to have to do all the work yourself.
These machines don’t come with pre-programmed drink options. That’s true even for the latest super automatic espresso machine.
Instead, you customize your drinks using your own, manual adjustments.
If you’re not a trained barista, this is going to take quite a bit of practice.
You’ll need to learn how to get the grind size right, steam your milk without overheating it, get different types of foam, and more.
Milk Foam and Frothing
Breville espresso machines don’t include a milk frother built-in. Instead, these machines typically include your own milk steaming wand.
The milk steam wand works pretty much exactly the same way as the devices in your favorite coffee shop.
You fill a separate milk pitcher with water and dip the tip of the steaming wand into the milk. From there, you can adjust how much steam and for how long you froth your milk.
Although this can seem a bit tedious, it’s actually the best way to fine-tune steamed milk. It lets you better control the temperature and consistency of the foam.
If you’ve had previous barista experience or are super picky about your milk, you might find the Breville system works well for you.
Machine Design
Breville coffee machines are known for user-friendly designs. In fact, the company takes client feedback seriously, always trying to incorporate it into their newer designs.
The result is that some of the older machines are outdated while the newer machines have all the bells and whistles you’re looking for.
In general, however, the Breville espresso maker has a pretty simple design. It’s made of stainless steel, which is pretty easy to clean and looks sleek in most kitchens.
Breville espresso machines are much more compact than Jura. They have rounded shapes and sleek finishes that make them an elegant, minimalist device to put in your kitchen.
Now, while Jura focuses exclusively on super-automatic devices, Breville has a mix of different types of devices.
First, there are their semi-automatic machines.
These machines still require you to personally control many aspects of the preparation. For example, grinding and water control. A good example of this would be the Breville Oracle espresso machine.
Breville also has a series of fully automatic espresso machines.
These machines further automate the brewing process and control the amount and timing of water release. This makes these machines easier to use, but if you prefer to brew your espresso a certain way, these machines don’t offer you the ability to make changes.
Finally, their most recent releases include the super automatic coffee machine Breville Barista Touch.
As you might imagine, these machines provide a hot drink at the touch of a button, without the need for user intervention. They often have built-in grinders and are all-in-one systems.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Unfortunately, if you want an automatic coffee machine that doesn’t require a ton of upkeep, Breville brewers aren’t it.
In general, you’ll have to take care of the cleaning on your own.
Typically, this means flushing the machine out with either specialty cleaning products or a bit of white vinegar.
You’ll also want to have a brush on hand to clean out the milk steaming wand. That way, old milk residue won’t build up and clog the mechanism.
Although a few Breville machines have automatic cleaning systems, these are few and far between. And, they’re not as efficient as you’d expect.
Even with an automated cleaning system, you’ll still be waiting about 45 minutes for the entire cycle to complete.
And, this isn’t a one-touch experience. You’ll have to be involved in the self-cleaning process to make sure the Breville espresso machine gets rinsed and descaled properly.
Conclusion
Both Jura and Breville are great at-home coffee machines for every coffee lover looking to make an investment.
Jura is at the forefront of innovation and convenience. On the other hand, Breville gets you great coffee at a slightly more affordable price point.
When you really boil down Jura vs Breville, I’d say Jura comes out the clear winner.
Not only do they give you more customization and super-sleek designs, but they let you whip up a great cup of coffee. That’s thanks to all that proprietary technology!
Still, even though the Jura is my top pick, don’t be fooled! Both these machines are excellent devices and you’ll be happy regardless of which you choose.
