Jura D6 Espresso Machine Review in 2021

There aren’t many popular super-automatic espresso machines. But if there is one, then it’s definitely the Jura D6. The Jura D6 is a highly competent espresso maker that combines automation with heavy saturation and energy saving. This model employs some of Jura’s most renowned technologies, such as the Aroma G2 grinder and the PEP pump.

What sets this machine aside is that it automates everything, even the cleaning and frothing process. And it’s ideal for making cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and even macchiato.

However, you’ll find that this type of machine may be too complicated for someone. You don’t get much clearance for manual frothing. And it takes up a lot of space on the counter.

But are all of these features worth the price tag? We take a closer look into the Jura D6 and answer that question in-depth.

Jura Specialty

Jura has invented a handful of technologies unique to the brand name. Here’s a list of just a few of Jura’s specialty innovations:

• Aroma G2: Through the Aroma G2 technology, Jura’s burr grinders impart a highly saturated aroma to the coffee grounds. Each blade of the grinder is angled to preserve as much flavor and aroma as possible.
• PEP: Jura uses its signature Pulse Extraction Process to extract as much flavor from the grounds as possible. The result? Evenly saturated coffee gushing from the spout.
• ESM: Jura makes use of its Energy Saving Model to prevent energy losses and keep overall usage at an all-time low. 
• CLEARYL Filter: A few of Jura’s products use a CLEARYL filter that maintains the purity of the water. This removes unwanted flavor and smell from the water and also slows scale formation.
• IWS: The special IWS technology informs you when the CLEARYL filter needs changing.

Comparison table

Features	Jura D6	Jura Z6	Jura Giga 6
Taste	PEP and AromaG2 Technology.	PEP and AromaG2 Technology.	PEP and AromaG2 Technology.
Brewing capacity	63 single, 31 double.	81 single, 40 double.	88 single, 44 double.
User friendliness	Push buttons, digital display, knobs.	Push buttons, digital display, special latte function.	Push buttons, digital display, knobs.
Design and materials	Aluminum housing, aluminum brew group.	Aluminum housing, aluminum brew group.	Aluminum housing, plastic brew group.
Cleaning and maintenance	CLEARYL filter with IWS.	CLEARYL filter with IWS.	CLEARYL filter with IWS.
Frothing	Automated frothing.	Automated frothing.	Automated frothing, separate frothing station.
Grinding	Aroma G2 grinder.	Aroma G2 grinder.	2 Aroma G2 grinders.
Additional features	ESM technology, Thermoblock heating, programmable.	HP3 milk system, compatible with JOE.	Automatic Grinder Adjustment, Smart Connect, JOE-compatible.
Value for money	Meets the value.	Meets the value.	Meets the value.

Jura D6 Espresso Machine Review:

Taste:

Espresso machines are always a menace when it comes to retaining taste and texture. But not the Jura D6. It uses a special Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) that ensures the perfect texture and aroma. 

More so, the burr grinder has been integrated with Jura’s own Aroma G2 technology. The Jura D6 also makes use of a specialized CLEARYL water filter. This filter maintains freshness and purity of the water entering the tubes. This reduces both scale buildup as well as prevents unwanted flavor and smell from reaching your coffee.

Both the Jura Z6 and the Giga 6 make use of similar technologies to preserve taste and texture. However, they also feature a special aroma preservation cover that prevents any of the sweet smells from evaporating. 

The Giga 6 also uses an intelligent preheating function that guarantees hot coffee right from the first extraction. So no flavor is lost due to the first few pulses being cold or bland.

Brewing Capacity:

The Jura D6 is a two-in-one coffee and espresso machine that controls your shots for you. You can choose between 1 or 2 shots of espresso (1-2 oz.), or coffee (4-6 oz.). You don’t have to struggle with making cappuccinos and lattes because of the optimization of the regular coffee.

It features a removable water tank with a capacity of 63.6 ounces. It means you’ll get approximately 63 single shots of espresso and 31 double shots. In terms of coffee, you can make anywhere from 15 to 10 cups of coffee if you have a standard 4 to 6-ounce mug.

The coffee grounds container can hold up to 16 ounces of grounds and the bean hopper can hold 7.1 ounces of beans. This makes it an ideal choice for use in offices and apartments where you don’t want to refill the machine too often.

As compared to that, the Jura Z6 can make up to 81 single-shot espressos. This is a larger amount, which means you don’t need to refill the tank too often. 

The Jura Giga 6 is the most capacious out of the three. It has a tank capacity of 88 ounces, with a 20-ounce max coffee ground container capacity. So you can extract more cups during a single brew cycle than other espresso machines.

User-Friendliness:

In terms of user-interface and ease-of-access, the Jura D6 leads the rest. This espresso machine features the most minimal design out of any while providing all the necessary controls. The front face features three stations.

The middle station features only the portafilter and brew group, along with a hot water dispenser. With the main unit, you also get a foaming pipe that can be attached to the side of the hot water dispenser.

On the left station, you have a large knob with an LED screen that dictates whether your machine is brewing espresso or cappuccino. The right station features a similar knob for controlling the steam output of the machine.

The Jura Z6 features a more intricate UI, one which provides more control. There is a large digital display that lets you change the mode of the machine. What’s more, is that there is a special latte macchiato setting.

As for the Giga 6, it features not one but two bean hoppers. The model has a screen that lets you control the mode. 

Design and Materials:

The choice of materials is key in providing the utmost durability and thermal retention. The Jura D6 makes use of some of the best materials that optimize both of these qualities. The brew group is made from aluminum that has been lined with stainless steel. Aluminum is a highly durable metal that is both light and reliable.

Both the drip tray and the burr grinder are made from stainless steel. Stainless steel is recommended for its durability, but it may not be as good at resisting water damage.

What’s more, is that the main housing is made from aluminum. Aluminum is a better choice than both steel and plastic. It’s highly resistant to water and dust damage. And it prevents the unit from overheating by dissipating heat to the environment.

The Jura Z6 features a similar build save for one major difference: the aluminum housing. Aluminum not only looks good but is resistant to both corrosion and impact. So it’s a better product than plastic. And it also prevents overheating by dissipating heat.

However, the Jura Giga 6 isn’t all that caught up on material choice. Everything from its brew group to the bean hopper is made from plastic. The brew group tends to get very hot, so it may melt or damage the plastic casing. But the housing is made from aluminum, so that’s a plus.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Descaling and backflushing the unit is as easy as ever. What’s more, is that this unit features a special CLEARYL water filter. This filter maintains water quality, thus preventing unwanted minerals from entering the tubes. It cuts down on scale formation and mineral deposits.

There is also an Intelligent Water System (IWS) which automatically detects the filter. All of these features when combined create a more friendly cleaning experience. The same technology is utilized in the milk system to provide TUV-certified hygiene.

Unfortunately, you don’t get any special accessories for cleaning the system. So you’ll have to buy your own descaling solutions and brushes.

At the same time, Z6 possesses the same qualities. It also monitors the drip tray and the bean hopper. You still don’t get any special brushes or descaling solutions with the unit. But the aluminum housing makes it easier to clean. 

The Jura Giga 6 also features a special CLEARYL filter and IWS technology. Both of these mean that you won’t need to descale the machine as often.

Frothing:

Everything else aside, you may struggle with frothing in the Jura D6. This is mainly due to the fact that you can’t brew and froth milk at the same time. This machine only has one boiler, so you can’t froth and brew simultaneously. 

The frothing in this machine is for the most part automatic. Simply program the Jura D6 the right way and it will automatically froth your milk for you. 

If you do want to froth your milk manually, you need to attach a separate milk pipe. This pipe is included, but it requires some degree of setup. 

The exact same design is followed in the Jura Z6. The froth/hot water dispenser is small and tightly packed between the two spouts. You can’t brew and froth at the same time, so there’s no need to keep a separate frothing station.

However, we cannot say the same for Giga 6. This model has two separate boilers, and as such two separate stations for brewing and frothing. 

Grinding:

The Jura D6 takes special care to ensure the quality of flavor during grinding. This machine makes use of the Aroma G2 grinder. This is a burr grinder that’s been cut at odd angles to ensure that the most aroma gets preserved in your grounds.

But you cannot directly feed ground coffee to the machine. This is quite a let-down as many other espresso machines will at the very least accept ground coffee.

However, one thing that does make this machine stand out is that the bean hopper does not stick out of the machine. Instead, it sits inside the housing, which gives you an ample amount of clearance at the top.

The Z6 employs the same Aroma G2 technology. Through this, the maximum aroma is extracted from your coffee beans. To be more specific, it’s able to retain up to 12% more aroma as compared to conventional burr grinders.

In this regard, the Giga 6 is quite unique. It features not one but two bean hoppers with two separate burr grinders. Why? So you can add two different types of beans to the hopper and enjoy two flavors from just one espresso machine.

Additional Features:

The Jura D6 is a highly innovative espresso machine that employs a plethora of technologies. It makes use of its special Energy Save Mode (ESM) that’s designed to keep energy costs at an all-time low. Energy cost has always been a running concern with espresso machines, so this feature is definitely a plus.

More so, the Jura D6 uses a Thermoblock heating system. Essentially what this does is that it retains as much heat as it can in the boiler. It’s not designed to preserve all heat, though, as doing so can cause overheating.

This machine lets you control the amount of water, coffee strength, and brewing temperature. You also get full control over the temperature of the hot water. 

As compared to that, the Jura Z6 employs the same set of technologies and more. It features an HP3 milk system along with automatic milk to milk-foam switch. It’s compatible with JOE, a coffee-ordering app, making it highly efficient in the commercial field.

The Giga 6, aside from everything else, features a special Automatic Grinder Adjustment function. It also includes Smart Connect and JOE compatibility. You also get active bean monitoring along with an integrated accessory storage drawer.

Value for Money:

Now the real question: Is the Jura D6 worth your money? To answer that, let’s take an in-depth look at the features.

First up, this is a super-automatic espresso machine. This means that everything, even the extraction pump, is mechanical. Along with that, it features a bean hopper and a special aroma-retaining burr grinder. 

Add that to the automatic cleaning and CLEARYL water filter technology, and you get a machine that’s worth your money. So to answer that question: yes, the Jura D6’s price definitely does justice to the actual functionality of the machine.

As for the Jura Z6, it’s a similar product with a few differences in UI and technology. The main difference is that this machine has a larger bean hopper and water tank capacity. And it’s good for commercial use too. It’s priced higher than the D6, but that is easily compensated by the number of accessories you get.

The Jura Giga 6 is the priciest of the three, and rightly so. This machine features two bean hoppers and two burr grinders. So naturally, the price will go higher than expected. Plus, the exterior is made from aluminum, which is more expensive than steel or plastic.

Who Should Buy The Jura D6?

The Jura D6 is a highly automated espresso machine that requires a lot of programming and monitoring. If you’re the type of person who works in a café, the Jura D6 is a great choice. Ultimately, all super-automatic machines are great for commercial use. However, this machine is the best as it automates almost everything, from grinding to even cleaning and frothing. 

This is a relatively higher-budget machine, especially with all the accessories you get with it. However, if you can manage it, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a great choice for lattes, macchiato, Americanos, cappuccinos, coffee, espressos, and frothing milk. You can also just dispense hot water in a cup and slip in a tea bag for instant tea.

Who Shouldn’t Buy The Jura D6?

As stated before, this is a complicated machine that requires a lot of programming. So you need to either be familiar with the configuration or be willing to learn it. It’s suggested to first look up some tutorials on how to use the machine to see if you can get a hang of it.

If you are a regular home user and don’t want to spend a lot on an espresso machine, then this machine is surely not for you. 

There are simpler models out there, and you most probably don’t need the automation in your home. A simple semi-automatic espresso machine will do the trick.

FAQs for the Jura D6 Espresso Machine:

The Verdict:

So is the Jura D6 as good as everyone says it is? The answer? Yes, definitely. The Jura D6 is one of the most innovative espresso machines. It stands close to the Z6 and the Giga 6 and employs some of Jura’s highly acclaimed technologies.

Due to the intricate nature of this super-automatic machine, we recommend using it in commercial settings. You can also use it for personal or office use, but not everyone can get around the complicated controls.

We hope you like the Jura D6 just as much as we did. There are tons of useful features and accessibility. You won’t regret buying it!