Jura E6 Review: Why I Love This Automatic Espresso Machine

The Jura E6 is one of the brand’s more affordable machines but still packs the right tech for a great cup of coffee.

The E6 sits proudly in the middle of the pack amongst Jura’s impressive range of bean-to-cup coffee makers. It has a few more features than the barebones models, including a milk frothing system, but it skips the bells and whistles that would push it into the next price bracket.

Is it the right coffee machine for you? Read my full review of the Jura E6 to find out.

The Jura E6 Coffee Machine Review 

The Jura E6 automatic coffee machine is part of the popular E line, aimed at coffee drinkers who value espresso quality but aren’t willing to pay the premium prices of the top-of-the-line models. 

The Jura E6 is less feature-packed than its best-selling sibling, the Jura E8, but that’s reflected in its lower price point. Depending on your needs and favorite coffee drinks, it may well be the better-value option for you. 

Sleek And Sophisticated Style

The E6 is instantly recognizable as a Jura machine, with the same modern aesthetic the brand applies to all its espresso machines. It’s available in three colors: chrome, piano black, and piano white.

It has a minimalist front panel with a 2.8” full-color TFT display, which provides access to the menu for drinks and settings. It’s operated by streamlined buttons on each side, while a rotary dial on the front switches on the milk foam and hot water. If you want a touchscreen, you’ll need to upgrade to the Jura S8.

The E6 is average-sized for a fully automatic espresso machine, with a footprint of 11 inches by 17.3 inches and a height of 13.8 inches. In this space, Jura has managed to fit a generous 64 oz water tank, a bean hopper that holds 9.9 oz of coffee, and a coffee grounds container big enough for around 16 servings.

Pros And Cons Of The Brewing System

Your drink journey with the Jura E6 starts with the grinder. The latest model was revamped in 2022 and now includes the Professional Aroma Grinder (P.A.G.), which is noticeably quicker and quieter than the older Aroma G3 (1). However, unlike the P.A.G.2 available on the higher-end machines, it doesn’t allow user adjustment of the grind size.

The new model also adds a bypass chute for pre-ground coffee, a feature I find incredibly valuable. Even though I always prefer to brew coffee with freshly ground beans, it’s fantastic to have the option to use ground coffee for an occasional cup of decaf without having to empty the hopper.

Pulsed Extraction Process

The Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) is a patented Jura brewing system. It pumps the water through the coffee grounds in short bursts, providing espresso drinks with deeper coffee flavor, more crema, and better in-cup coffee temperatures.

The PEP works hand-in-hand with the machine’s Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (IPBAS), adjusting the pre-infusion to match the amount of ground coffee (2).

Five years ago, PEP was Jura’s newest tech and only available on the top-end models. Now it is standard on the whole line, while the high-end machines have an upgraded 3D Brewing unit. Personally, I think the PEP still performs admirably. Nothing about this machine felt out of date during my testing.

Better For Black Coffee Than Milk Drinks

Let’s talk about the drink selection. The E6 has 11 specialty drinks – as compared with 17 for the E8 – but some are repeats. For example, Jura considers espresso and two espressos as two different specialties. Essentially, you can make espresso, coffee, Americano, doppio, lungo, and cappuccino, or you can dispense milk foam or hot water. As you can see from that list, black coffee drinks are the priority.

There are a range of settings for each drink, including the drink volume, brewing temperature, and coffee strength. You also can change the volume of milk foam when making a cappuccino, but I was disappointed to find you can’t adjust the milk temperature or texture.

The Milk Frothing System

Clearly, lovers of milky drinks other than a frothy cappuccino are not well served by the E6. If your drink of choice is the latte, macchiato, cortado, or flat white, you’ll want to upgrade to the E8 for making coffee at home.

The double coffee spouts mean you can make two single espresso shots or two coffees on the same grind and brew cycle. For cappuccinos, you’ll be limited to just one coffee cup at a time due to the single milk spout, though you can make the whole thing without moving your cup!

The E6 doesn’t have a steam wand or built-in frothing carafe. Instead, the milk system uses a siphon design. You drop one end of the tube in a milk vessel of your choosing, and it sucks up the appropriate amount of milk, heats and froths it, and dispenses it on your drink. It looks a little unwieldy in action, but I think it’s a really practical choice. It’s easy to switch milk types between drinks, and it virtually eliminates milk waste.

My Thoughts On Drink Quality

I have yet to meet a super-automatic espresso machine that can match the espresso quality of a shot prepared by a skilled coffee shop barista, but Juras are consistently above average.

Patented technologies like PEP and IPBAS ensure full and even extraction, and Juras allow much higher coffee doses than a lot of the competition. The brewing unit holds up to 16 grams of coffee, meaning you can get a nice full-flavored doppio. For comparison, many automatic coffee makers max out at 10 grams, and Nespresso pods hold about 5 to 7 grams.

They have a medium body, even with darker roast coffee beans. I never quite got the mouth-coating feeling of a really rich espresso. 

The cappuccino was suitably flavorful and frothy, though it lacked the dense layer of steamed milk that defines the real deal made by a pro. The black coffee drinks are certainly where this machine shines.

Easy (But Pricey) Cleaning And Maintenance

The Jura E6 espresso machine has a range of maintenance programs to make cleaning less painful. It prompts you when any are required, or you can start them at any time. The trade-off is that it is very difficult to do any manual cleaning or maintenance on a Jura. You’re essentially confined to Jura’s cleaning supplies and technicians, which can add up in price.

The rinse cycle quickly cleans the machine to remove any coffee residue, and you’ll be prompted to clean the milk system after making a milk-based drink. Honestly, I think this should be automated. After every 180 coffees (or 80 machine starts), you’ll have to do a deep clean with a Jura cleaning tablet, since the brew group is not removable.

It’s worth using Jura’s CLEARYL smart water filter to avoid long-term maintenance issues. It prevents the build-up of limescale and other crud in the plumbing (3). But again, it doesn’t come cheap.

Is The Jura E6 Good Value For Money?

Jura espresso machines are expensive. Even this relatively low-end model is around $1700. But I honestly think the value for money is there if you’re set on a super automatic espresso machine. For one, Jura machines like the E6 make notably better coffee than cheaper alternatives. 

The average $1000 super-auto is largely plastic and might last 3 to 5 years. In contrast, stainless steel Juras often last 10 or more years. They are so well made that they are often refurbished and resold – something I have never said about a Delonghi. Indeed, if you’re in the market for an affordable Jura, take a peek at the refurbished options!

Do Not Buy The E6 If…

• You want more drink options: Consider upgrading to the Jura E8 if espresso, regular coffee, and cappuccino just won’t cut it. It’s about $500 more, but you get added coffee and milk drinks like a cortado, macchiato, latte macchiato, and flat white – plus a few other perks!
• You’re on a budget: If you’ve got your heart set on a one-touch coffee machine, but the budget doesn’t quite extend to a Jura coffee maker, take a look at the Gaggia Anima Prestige or Gaggia Brera espresso machine. Both are more affordable options still backed by a quality brand.
• You don’t need a super-automatic coffee maker: If you can manage something a bit more hands-on, options abound in this price range! Check out the Breville Barista Touch for an option that is still incredibly user-friendly and includes a built-in grinder. Or take your barista skills to the next level with a prosumer machine like the Lelit Mara X.

The Verdict

The Jura E6 coffee maker is excellent for coffee lovers who favor black coffee and straight espresso shots but still want the option for an occasional frothed milk drink. It’s pricey, but you’re paying for quality drinks and a long-lasting build. That said, if milk drinks are a priority, I think you’ll be disappointed with the E6’s lack of options.

SEE ON 1ST IN COFFEE