Jura A1 Review

Welcome to our Jura A1 review! Join us as we take an in-depth look at what’s to love about this super-automatic espresso machine and how it can benefit your lifestyle.

This espresso machine was produced by the Swiss company JURA Elektroapparate AG, which has been developing innovative high-end household appliances since 1931.

The standout factor that makes the Jura A1 super-automatic coffee maker so special, is that it is in a league of its own when it comes to creating a delicious cup of coffee.

jura a1 grinding cone
Photo from Jura USA

Perfect for almost any coffee enthusiast, this machine sports an integrated coffee grinder that grinds and dispenses coffee beans into a rich, flavor-packed espresso, coffee, or ristretto espresso at just a touch of a button.

You can also enjoy determining the strength of each brew by programming your machine using the intuitive touchscreen control panel.

Replacing its predecessor, the Jura Ena Micro 1, the Jura A1 features an improved multi-aroma G3 grinder which allows you to go from bean to cup in about 30 seconds.

In essence, the A1 gives you access to freshly ground coffee each time you crave a bit of caffeine, without requiring any effort on your part. Just push one button, sit back, relax, and wait for your coffee to be poured!

Jura A1 Super Automatic Coffee Machine

Jura A1 Super Automatic Coffee Machine

Pros

Cons

Things to consider before buying a Jura A1 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine

Jura Giga 5 Automatic Coffee Machine N3

Although the Jura A1 is considered a top choice in the fully automatic espresso machine category, you might want to consider a few things before buying one.

If you are a coffee purist that doesn’t appreciate any additional bells and whistles that so many coffee machines sport these days, then the Jura A1 espresso machine might be a perfect match for you.

This machine is a great choice for black coffee lovers who enjoy the raw aroma of fresh coffee straight from the bean.

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The Jura A1 switches to energy mode when not in use which lowers your monthly electricity bill. It can also make your favorite coffee drink in only 30 seconds, which saves you time if you lead a commanding lifestyle.

To sum it up, this espresso machine offers a no-fuss, no-effort kind of way to make your favorite brew in a flash.

The Jura A1 does not come with a milk frother or is able to use coffee pods or capsules, so is not great for those who love a little heated textured milk in their coffee.

Consider the following questions before buying a Jura A1 espresso machine:

  • Do you need an espresso machine that has an adjustable grind setting?
  • Do you want to be able to determine the strength of your brew?
  • Do you need a 2-year warranty with your espresso machine?
  • Will your chosen espresso machine be able to quickly make your favorite coffee drink?

Features & Benefits of the Jura A1

Intuitive Design

The Jura A1 is a pretty hefty machine at almost 20 pounds, but just like its predecessor, this espresso machine is compact and slim. Currently, it is the smallest espresso machine in this Jura range and measures 20.5 inches high x 12.7 inches wide x 18.6 inches deep.

It contains lots of features, like a full brewing system, a bean hopper, and a 37-ounce water tank and still measures in at less than 13 inches in width, which is quite impressive. Jura made sure to pack every inch of this machine with all the necessities required to brew your favorite coffee beverage while making sure to stay in the bounds of what is practical.

It is available in a color scheme of either piano black or piano white, which means it complements almost any kitchen color scheme.

The wide drip tray and the height-adjustable coffee spout also minimizes messes in the kitchen and make filling any size cup a dream.

This means that the days of you rearranging your counter space to fit a large espresso machine is now over.

The minimalist sleek design of the machine will also enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen area which makes it the perfect addition if you love to entertain and impress your guests.

The intuitive drip tray and spout make those busy mornings a breeze. No longer do you have to clean up after every usage and you can now fill travel mugs with ease before you head out to the office.

The intuitive design of this espresso machine is easy enough to be used by the whole family, which means grandma and grandpa won’t need any assistance pouring a cup of joe when they come over to visit.

 

A Dream To Clean

The Jura A1 makes both upkeep and cleaning a breeze, which gives you loads of time to focus on the things that matter to you. Its three integrated maintenance programs will alert you when it is time to descale, which means you won’t have to keep track of the machine’s cleaning schedule.

After 80 switch-on rinses or 180 beverage preparations, you will be prompted to clean your Jura A1 machine. You will also be notified when the filter in your water tank has to be cleaned. This usually happens once roughly 2000 ounces of water have gone through the filter.

Compared to lots of other espresso maker which take lots of time to go through the descaling process, the Jura A1 takes just over 30 minutes to complete the process. All you will need is some fresh water and high-quality descaling tablets.

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If you are low on water, the machine will also prompt you to fill up the removable water tank which slides out from the back. You will also know when you should empty the dregs basket which is easily accessed from the front.

Furthermore, you will only need to rinse the drip tray after use and keep the external surfaces clean.

These low-hassle cleaning requirements are perfect for those that don’t want to guess when they should clean their appliances, or that are not physically able to rigorously clean complicated household items.

It also reduced your cleaning time in half if you lead a very busy life and can’t add another appliance to your cleaning list.

Lastly, the convenience of not having to scrape or scrub to remove coffee residue from your espresso maker makes the Jura A1 worth every penny.

Enhanced Brewing System & Pulse Extraction Process

coffee machine pouring coffee on a cup

The Jura A1 features an improved G3 grinder with an aroma preservation cover that allows you to preserve your coffee beans’ aroma if you end up not grinding all the whole beans that you poured into the machine. 

This manually-adjustable grinder is also significantly quieter than many of the competing models on the market and can be adjusted via a slim dial on top of the machine.

This enhanced brewing system also allows for pre-ground coffee grounds where you simply use the practical bypass compartment instead.

What makes the Jura A1 stand out is its Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System and the patented Pulse Extraction Process that are unique to the Jura range.

These new technologies were specifically designed to enhance the flavor and unlock the aroma of short specialty coffees

The bonus is that you only have to wait 30 seconds for the perfect cup of coffee, thanks to the efficiency of the stainless steel-lined aluminum boiler. The Jura A1 can heat water in no time thanks to its Thermoblock heating system.

This espresso maker also goes above and beyond when it comes to applying the right amount of pressure when brewing espresso. Although most espresso machines assert 9 bars of pressure, the Jura A1 features a whopping 15 bars of pressure.

All of these features translate into a heightened and nuanced aroma that spills out of every cup of espresso you brew.

You won’t have to throw unused coffee beans back into its packaging to preserve their flavor, you won’t have to press the espresso button twice to achieve the perfect blend, and you won’t have to worry about grinding too coarse or too fine coffee beans when you blend your favorite roast. This espresso maker truly simplifies the art of coffee making.

Energy Saving Features

Conserving energy is high on most people’s priority list, no only because it benefits the environment, but also because it limits the strain on our wallets. In short, the Jura A1 allows you to experience the taste of real coffee, whilst keeping energy conservation in mind.

This machine’s programmable automatic switch-off feature allows you to decide how long it should stay active after usage.

In other words, your Jura A1 machine switches off automatically after the preset time following the last action on the machine which means it won’t consume standby energy. You can change this switch-off time from 30 minutes to 2 hours if needed.

This espresso maker also has a patented zero-energy switch which is its energy-saving mode. This allows the machine to stop heating up after each preparation and to dim the brightness of all the symbols. The Jura A1 will have to heat up again before it can prepare the next cup of espresso.

The other amazing thing about this espresso maker is that it doesn’t use pods and K-cups, which also save you money and benefit the environment, whilst only serving real coffee.

Although this model can be a bit pricey at first, in the long term, it works out cheaper if you only ground the amount of coffee you need per cup. Its energy-saving mode and switch-off programmability make it the perfect espresso maker for someone that wants to budget their finances accordingly.

If you are passionate about the environment and want to do your bit to contribute, then this energy-efficient espresso maker might just be the perfect fit.

Touchscreen Control Panel

jura a1 top view
Photo from Jura USA

This espresso machine’s touchscreen control panel does two things. Firstly, it displays all the icons for various coffee sizes that you can choose from, and secondly, it also lets you know when maintenance is needed by flashing some of its symbols.

In other words, you have all the options to choose from and all the important warning messages centered in one place which makes maintaining and using the Jura A1 extremely easy.

Seeing as all the buttons are touchscreen, it also simplifies cleaning the machine and lessens the chances of breaking a real button, which so often happens the older appliances get.

The touchscreen interface also gives the machine a very modern finish which is perfect if you are going for a minimalist look in the kitchen.

The touchscreen panel is also very intuitive and easy to use, which means there will be no added hassle of trying to figure out what this machine is trying to communicate to you.

If you don’t like sticky buttons or are scared that muck or grime will end up in between the service area and the button of your espresso maker, then the Jura A1 could be the perfect solution.

Lastly, if you want to upgrade your kitchen and are looking for something more modern and intuitive then this espresso maker just might be what you are looking for.

Social Proof

We have analyzed what people have to say about this product and found some user reviews that seem rather positive.

According to one reviewer, the Jura A1 is rather small compared to similar espresso machines on the market, which is excellent if you are trying to fit loads of appliances on your kitchen counter.

Another viewer also commented that this machine is very easy to clean and that its intuitive interface makes it extremely easy to use.

There were also mentions that the adjustable spout can help to fill just about any cup in a jiffy, which is great if you enjoy the occasional travel mug full of premium coffee to work.

Alternative Coffee Makers

Saeco PicoBaristo Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Saeco PicoBaristo Super Automatic Espresso Machine

The Saeco PicoBaristo super-automatic espresso machine can make up to 11 different beverages thanks to its included milk carafe that can both heat and froth milk. This espresso machine also features five aroma strengths and ten grinder settings, which means you can adjust the strength and aroma of your coffee to your liking.

One of the main differences between this automated espresso machine and the Jura A1 is that the Saeco PicoBaristo is significantly more expensive. It also comes with more features and is maybe better suited to individuals that want an espresso machine with all the extra add-ons that you can expect from this price range.

  • This espresso machine can prepare 11 different beverages, where the Jura A1 can prepare only 3 drinks.
  • The Jura A1 is more affordable and provides a simpler, yet high-quality espresso experience.
  • Both espresso machines have adjustable brew-strength control, but the Saeco PicoBaristo has more options available when it comes to this feature.

Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine

Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine

The Gaggia Brera super-automatic espresso machine is a bit more affordable than the Jura A1, with both of these machines sporting a user-friendly display and illuminated icons for easy use.

The Gaggia Brera espresso machine comes with a Panarello wand that doubles as both a milk frother and a hot water dispenser, depending on what beverage you want to make.

This machine can accommodate a maximum cup height of 4.5 inches where the Jura A1 can accommodate a cup height of up to 5.5 inches. It also only has a 1-year warranty, where the Jura A1 comes with a 2-year warranty.

  • The Gaggia Brera espresso machine is more affordable.
  • This machine can make milk-based drinks, where the Jura A1 cannot.
  • The Jura A1 has a longer warranty and its spout can accommodate larger cups.

Breville BES990BSS Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Breville BES990BSS Oracle Touch Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

The Breville BES990BSS Oracle Touch fully automatic espresso machine is significantly more expensive than the Jura A1. However, both machines have a 2-year warranty.

The Breville Oracle espresso machine can pour two cups of coffee simultaneously and has 5 pre-programmed coffee beverages already saved in its system. It also allows you to create and name eight customizable coffee settings, which means you can create your own drinks.

This espresso machine is perfect for those that want more versatility and customisability when it comes to their coffee, but also doesn’t mind spending a bit more.

  • The Breville BES990BSS Oracle Touch espresso machine offers more customizability and versatility.
  • This espresso machine is more expensive than the Jura A1.
  • This espresso machine can make milk-based coffee beverages.


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Final Thoughts

These days, it can be hard to find a fully automated espresso machine that can turn high-quality coffee beans into your favorite brew in less than 30 seconds. In our Jura A1 review, we discovered that there is a coffee maker that solves this problem.

Luckily, the Jura A1 super-automatic espresso machine specializes in speed, which means you can make a great cup of coffee without having to wait around like you would if you were to visit any local coffee shop.

The patented pulse extraction process and intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System makes this a really unique coffee machine.

It also allows you to zone in on the distinct aroma of freshly brewed coffee without the distraction of added milk or cream, which means you can still get your coffee fix without having to worry about your waistline.