In the battle between the Jura A1 vs E6, it’s not hard to see that the E6 is the overall winner since it has more bells and whistles.
The most notable distinction between them lies in the Jura E6‘s integrated milk-steaming system, which enables the one-touch creation of milk-based beverages and results in a longer list of one-touch drinks. It can also brew two shots of coffee simultaneously, courtesy of its dual-spigot design.
The Jura A1 is super compact and packed full of features that help you craft delicious coffee. Because it lacks a milk frother, this is one of the most affordable Jura products. However, it’s still on the pricier side for a machine that exclusively brews espresso.
Jura A1 Vs E6: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura A1 Vs E6: Differences
The E6 won 4-1 against the A1. Now, you know who the final winner is, but how are they different from each other?
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Jura E6
Built-in Grinder
As bean-to-cup machines, the A1 and E6 are both equipped with integrated conical burr grinders, so you don’t have to go down the rabbit hole to research and buy one separately. Both offer five grinding settings to dictate the coarseness of the beans.
The A1 uses an AromaG3 grinder. Jura’s ingenious engineering team has refined the cutting angle, leading to a remarkable boost in efficiency. This means you can savor the full aroma and rich flavor of your coffee in just half the time it takes with standard grinders.
The E6 is even better with a Professional Aroma grinder, an advanced upgrade from the AromaG3. Jura asserts that this new grinder amplifies the aroma by an impressive 12.2%, and well, I only had the option to believe in their words and give the E6 a winning ticket.
Heating System
Both feature a thermoblock boiler system renowned for its rapid heating capabilities. Upon initial activation, the system is ready to operate in under a minute, and once it reaches the optimal temperature, the journey from bean to cup takes less than 30 seconds.
A thermoblock system works by rapidly heating a small amount of water on demand as it passes through a heated block, and that is why it heats up so quickly. This design is different from traditional boiler systems that heat a larger volume of water and maintain it at brewing temperature.
Brewing System
These machines share a two-stage espresso brewing process, including pre-infusion (Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System) and maximum pressure extraction (Pulse Extraction Process).
The Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (aka I.P.B.A.S.) essentially involves the pre-infusion process, slightly moistening the coffee grounds before the main extraction process begins. The purpose of this stage is to allow the coffee grounds to swell, which helps release more flavor and leads to a more aromatic and flavorful espresso. This sophisticated brewing technique is the norm on high-end machines, but only Jura has coined its own term to describe it.
Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) is Jura’s innovative technology for the extraction phase. Instead of a continuous flow, the water is pulsed through the coffee grounds in short intervals. This method ensures a fuller extraction of flavor by optimizing the time the water is in contact with the coffee grounds.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Jura A1
Dimensions & User Interface
| Jura A1 | Jura E6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches | 11 × 13.8 × 17.6 inches |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs | 20 lbs |
The A1 and E6 aren’t just espresso machines but also kitchen sculptures. I mean, they are quite handsome. Yet, the use of plastic in their construction is somewhat underwhelming, and they should have something more like stainless steel, considering their high price tags.
The A1’s design is more minimalist since it actually doesn’t have too many features. It’s also one of the smallest espresso machines and can fit into the tightest of nooks. This one is also light enough that you can often relocate without breaking a sweat.
The E6, on the other hand, is more modern with a TFT display (compared to the simple touchpad on top of the A1), giving you access to the menu of drinks and settings, operated by buttons on each side. And don’t worry about a steep learning curve. You’ll only need the user manual once to understand everything upon unboxing, I promise.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance
| Jura A1 | Jura E6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spigot Type | Single | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 2.5–5.5 inches | 2.6–4.4 inches |
These machines have height-adjustable spouts, but the A1’s single spout can be raised higher to fit taller cups, while the one on the E6 can brew two shots of espresso at once.
It is worth noting that both hot water and milk foam are dispensed from the same outlet on the back of the E6’s dispensing unit. So you will need to constantly replace it with a spare spigot when alternating between a milk-based drink and an Americano to prevent flavor cross-contamination.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura A1 | Jura E6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.1 liter | 1.9 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.13 liter | 0.29 liter |
Their water tanks are really easy to remove for refilling and cleaning, and they will remind you when their water tanks need to be topped up. The E6’s water tank is slightly larger (and so is its bean feeder), allowing you to savor more of your favorite brews with fewer interruptions.
Both come with water filters, which play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and taste of the coffee as well as in maintaining the longevity and performance of the machine. The Jura E6 takes this a step further with its Intelligent Water System, allowing the machine to automatically detect when a CLEARYL water filter is inserted and alert you when it’s time for a filter change.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Jura E6
The A1 doesn’t include a built-in milk frother, focusing on delivering high-quality coffee and espresso shots. And this is why it is one of the cheapest Juras (but still expensive compared to many other brands). On the flip side, the E6 has something that Jura calls HP1 professional fine foam technology, providing milk foam with decently fine bubbles, but it falls short of producing the microfoam required for flat whites and latte art.
But, and that’s a small but, you will not be given any milk jugs as part of the purchase. In years to come, I wish Jura would be more generous about this and give away their milk jug glass for free, as other big names, like Delonghi, did.
Of course, you can use anything to hold milk. It might be a glass, a container, or a carton of milk – anything in your arsenal will work well. Setting up the whole milk system is also easy enough: simply insert one end of the tube into your chosen milk holder, connect the other end to the frother, and then twist the steam knob as prompted by the on-screen instructions.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
Winner: Jura E6
| Jura A1 | Jura E6 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto | Espresso 2 × Espresso Coffee 2 × Coffee Caffè Barista Americano Macchiato Cappuccino Cappuccino Extra Shot Portion of milk foam Hot water |
The Jura A1 is a coffee purist machine and has no milk steaming function, so it only brings to the table three types of coffee-based drinks. If you want milky drinks, you must buy a frother separately, but this might not be the most practical choice, considering many machines, like the Jura E6, can offer one-touch cappuccinos and macchiatos. The Jura E6 also has a separate spout to extract hot water for a one-touch Americano or brewing tea.
Both enable you to adjust the coffee strength (the A1 has 2 levels compared to 10 levels on the E6) and the amount of water that flows into the cup. The E6 also allows you to fine-tune the amount of milk and the duration of its pour after the espresso extraction when preparing macchiato to, you know, craft visually appealing layers.
Both machines are equipped with a bypass doser for the use of pre-ground coffee, offering an alternative to using whole coffee beans. This feature comes into play when you want to enjoy a cup of coffee later in the day but want to avoid caffeine or when hosting guests with specific coffee preferences, such as a particular blend or roast that isn’t currently in the bean hopper. The A1 limits you to one dose of pre-ground coffee, while the E6 allows two.
App Connectivity
Winner: Jura E6
The E6 works with Jura’s J.O.E. app for remote control and customization of your coffee preferences. Still, it doesn’t come with built-in WiFi connectivity, and you’ll need to purchase the Jura Smart Connect device separately, which plugs straight into the machine, to utilize the remote control feature.
I have to say, I find the J.O.E. app pretty cool. It allows you to prepare drinks, adjust settings, and monitor the brewing process right from your phone. What’s more, it’s available for the Apple Watch, enabling you to make coffee with just a tap of your wrist. You can even assign Siri shortcuts to some specialty coffees, which is beneficial for anyone who prefers hands-free operation or faces mobility challenges.
Jura A1 vs E6: Similarities
Cleaning & Maintenance
As you can expect from such great super-automatic machines, the cleaning and maintenance of these models are remarkably straightforward and worry-free. The descaling process is nearly automated and completes in about 30 minutes, which isn’t bad at all. I know some coffee makers that take over an hour for the same process.
After each milk cycle, twist the E6’s steam knob to the hot water setting to clear any lingering milk residue. Don’t forget to also give the milk jug and milk pipe a thorough rinse under the tap. This specific maintenance task is exclusive to the E6, as the A1 does not come equipped with these milk-frothing components.
You still need to be prepared for a bit of hands-on work. The water tank is really easy to remove for cleaning, and so is the ground coffee bin. You will also need to rinse and dry out the drip tray after each use or spillage to keep things tidy and hygienic.
Quick Rundown Of Jura E6
- Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.): The Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) developed by Jura optimizes the extraction time. To make a short espresso, it forces the hot water through the ground coffee at short intervals. This process allows the flavors of the coffee to fully develop and deliver best results. With different intensity levels, coffee lovers can customize their coffee just the way they like it
- Intelligent Water System: CLEARYL water filters supply perfect water quality for the best possible flavor. They also protect the coffee machine against limescale and remove substances that could impair flavor and aroma (such as heavy metals or chlorine) from the water. To make maximum use of the filter and its capacity, Jura developed the Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.)
- Simple Operations: Buttons on the front of the machine and a modern TFT display make operation incredibly simple
- Hygiene: The integrated maintenance programs and interchangeable milk spout ensure maximum hygiene
- Water: CLEARYL water filters supply perfect water quality for the best possible flavor
Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura A1
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 barista quality specialties including ristretto, espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - coffee only
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURA's exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- : JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce water tank, 4. 4 ounce bean container
Last update on 2024-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Jura E6: https://shopjura.com/e6-piano-white-nac.html
- Jura A1: https://sa.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/A1-Piano-Black-13794SA
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.