The Jura Z10 brews the best espresso of any super-automatic machine we've tested, but it costs $4,000

Automatic espresso machines are a quick, mostly hands-free way to make cafe-style coffee drinks yourself. We've tested several for our guide to the best espresso machines, and the Jura Z10 ranks as the best super-automatic espresso machine. The Switzerland-based brand has been developing automatic espresso machines for more than 50 years, and it shows in the Z10.

We've struggled to find automatic espresso machines that pass our tests, but the Jura Z10 is an enduring favorite. It brews excellent espresso and coffee, and the specialty drink menu is extensive (including cold brew). Every latte feels like it came straight from a Parisian café. To be clear, this is a nearly $4,000 machine. The Jura ENA 4 clocks in at $1,000 and is a pared-back model worth considering.

Read on to learn why the Jura Z10 espresso machine impressed us.

Testing the built-in grinder

The best burr grinder is, apart from the coffee beans themselves, the first make-or-break step in quality espresso. The Z10's "product-recognizing grinder" (PRG) has a sensor that dials grind size based on the beans and adjusts in real time to optimize brewing. Using a densitometer and the Instituto Espresso Italiano's standards, we found that the Jura produces perfect espresso grounds. (It's a total dissolved solids (TDS) between 7% and 12% TDS, if you're curious.)

This is the first of any automatic espresso machines we've tested that has actually achieved true espresso as defined by the IEI. Others have come close, and most have sadly been far from it.

If you'd like to bypass the grinder in favor of one you already have, there's a chute for pre-ground coffee in the back. We put our coffee through the best espresso grinder, the Baratza Sette 270, and sent it into the chute to see what came out. The espresso was even better, but know that the Jura's built-in grinder more than suffices.

Basic brewing

The Jura lists 16 different programmable beverages, each available as a single or double. You get an array of espressos (hot and cold), long black or Americano coffees, and milk-based macchiatos, cortados, lattes, and cappuccinos. Kitchen editor Lily Alig uses the Jura primarily for regular coffee: "While I love having lattes on command, a standard cup of coffee from the Jura brews quickly and with an amplified flavor."

We based our Jura evaluation primarily on the balance of the espresso we made using three different fresh bags of beans, but were impressed by the reliability of the milk-based beverages. Each drink had a perfect coffee-to-milk balance, and the milk was never burned.

Jura makes aCool Controlcontainer, a pricy accessory that keeps milk at 39 degrees Fahrenheit for milk-based beverages. It is shockingly pricey and takes up even more counter space. We found that you can just as easily use a jug of milk that you keep in your fridge until coffee time. Alig says she uses anything from a quart container to a lowball glass to hold milk when making lattes and never has a problem.

Cold brew espresso

One of the big standouts for the Z10 is its "cold brew" function. It doesn't exactly make cold-brew coffee — the beverage is akin to a somewhat watery nitro brew, which is impressive considering it's served up in less than a minute. Even the best cold brew makers can take eight hours or more, but fine grounds and high pressure allow for the Z10 to expedite the process.

We tried cold-brew macchiatos and lattes that were enjoyable enough for this stodgy espresso snob.If you want a proper cold brew, look elsewhere, but if you are happy with something close to nitro with minimal effort, the Z10 will serve you well.

Cleanup

The worst thing about this machine, and any automatic machine that incorporates milk, is the cleanup. Because it draws milk through tubes and into what is, in effect, the group head, you'll want to make sure you clean the machine and the accessories after every milk-based drink. Unlike with a semi-automatic espresso machine and a steam wand, the cleaning process is clunkier and more involved than a quick steam purge.

The Z10 comes with a cleaning tray and a cleaning solution that will last several cleaning cycles, but you'll want to pick up something like Urnex Cafiza Powder for future cleanings.

Cons to consider

The brand doesn't make it crystal clear, but the machine is Bluetooth- and WiFi-compatible with the addition of "WiFi Connect," a plug-in piece of hardware which you can even operate through Siri, but you'll have to buy that separately, too.The expensive accessories are our biggest complaint: for $4,000, we think these features should be included.

Also, we found dealing with Jura's customer service to be a frustrating experience.

What are your alternatives?

For real espresso aficionados, the Jura Z10 is the only super-automatic machine that aced our tests. However, we recently tested theTerra Kaffe TK-02, which came in a close second and is under $2,000. The Terra Kaffe's signature is the ability to adjust grind size, dosage, water, and brew temperature. You can dial in your shot from the app or on the machine's touchscreen without any manual effort. Read our full Terra Kaffe TK-02 review to learn more.

If you're willing to sacrifice a little in quality or customizability, there are some more affordable automatic options. The Cafe Affetto is our pick for the best automatic espresso machine under $1,000. This is a great introduction to making espresso, and it is significantly cheaper than most other automatic machines.

The bottom line

In the end, no fully automatic espresso machine we've tried competes with a quality semi-automatic machine and a perfectly dialed burr grinder. But if convenience is your primary concern and you have the budget for it, the Jura Z10 is the best automatic espresso machine on the market.

The biggest downsides of the machine are its size, price, and expensive accessories that we think should be included with the almost $4,000 base machine. Otherwise, this is an almost flawless machine that makes nearly cafe-quality espresso drinks with no plastic or aluminum waste at the push of a button.

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