I received an email a couple of weeks ago about the launch of Jura's Z10 Coffee Machine, which is available at Harrods. I almost dismissed it as just another bean-to-cup machine, nothing we haven't seen before, but then I saw the £2,500 price tag, and a promise of 51 different coffee types and a sweet foam function at the touch of a button. Okay — could this really be worth that price?
Naturally, that meant I had to get my hands on it to test for myself. And let me tell you, when this machine was delivered to the office in a crate the size of a mini fridge, I thought I'd made a huge mistake. Did I accidentally request a commercial-grade coffee machine? However, a quick peek inside the box and I realized that it was just that the Swiss-made Jura Z10 Coffee Maker comes with so many barista-quality extras.
From the whirlwind delivery and high-end price tag to the allure of any kind of coffee you could possibly want at the press of a button, this appliance certainly doesn't feel like your typical espresso machine. But is it worth the hype? Below, I've shared my honest review and all my thoughts while testing it out.
First Impressions
Full disclosure, this machine is intimidating at first. The size of the crate that it came in alone signaled this was a serious coffee-making machine.
But once I opened the box and realized that the machine itself is only slightly bigger than your typical bean-to-cup machine (like the Kitchenaid Semi-Automatic machine), and that all that extra room was just for the high-tech supplies and coffee accessories it comes with. That said, this is a machine that you will need to read the instruction manual for and follow every step.
But despite its larger size and technical abilities, this machine looks surprisingly sleek on the counter (which is a very important consideration, if you ask me). The black colorway and silver accents will match almost any kitchen design scheme, and I love the unique fluting on the water tank.
Testing the Machine
Phew! Testing this machine was quite the beast. However, with a little patience, it's not as intimidating as it seems at first. The instruction guide is clear, and the advanced technology and touchscreen guide you through each step.
The first thing that impressed me was the water filtration system. As part of setting up the machine, you are required to test your tap's water hardness level (an alkaline strip is provided for this). Once you've tested that, you insert the smart filter, and the machine will calculate and filter your water accordingly, as well as remind you when it's time to replace it. I've never experienced this with any other machine, and it will surely make your coffee machine work better (and taste better!).
Next up, put the beans in the built-in grinder. Then fill the milk carafe, which can be stored in the fridge and easily connected to the machine via a tube when in use — no milk frothers or jugs required. It also comes with multiple milk attachments so you can separate tubes based on milk types, which is a nice touch.
There's no need to worry about milk frothing techniques; this machine offers over 50 coffee brewing options using a variety of milk-based drinks to choose from, all as simple as pressing a button. It's a very automated process.
And if you like syrups in your coffee, you're in luck. The machine came with a bottle, and I quickly learned that there is a special syrup (or chocolate) attachment that lets you brew sweet foams. It's easy to fill and connect, and the milk runs through it, so it's evenly and smoothly mixed into the beverage. This was magic.
Lastly, any fans of cold brew will be pleased to hear that the Jura Z10 Coffee Machine also brews delicious iced coffee. Honestly, I got a bit buzzed testing this machine — there were so many options at the touch of a button, and it was all so easy once you got over the initial hurdle of setting it up.
Quality of Coffee
So, what does the coffee actually taste like? As a former barista, I'll admit I'm often hesitant about fully automated coffee machines. I like to have some level of control over the brew, and admittedly, with this machine, you have very little. But I was quite impressed.
The machine lets you know how strong each coffee type will be based on the style you select. From there, it's a lot about the beans you choose to use. Jura roasts its own beans, and I tested the Malabar Monsooned Pure Origin Beans and the Impressa Blend Beans (both came with the machine).
Usually, I find that fully automated machines fall short when it comes to frothing milk, but that wasn't necessarily the case here. Sure, it wasn't perfectly silky milk, but it wasn't disappointing by any means. My cappuccino had the right amount of foam.
Should You Buy the Jura Z10 Coffee Machine?
The big question: is the Jura Z10 Coffee Machine really worth £2,500? And, if it is, is it actually a worthwhile investment?
Look, I know it's a lot, but if you have the means, I absolutely think it's worth it. I had so much fun testing this one, and was continually surprised by the level of detail — both in the design and technical features. It would feel like having a luxury hotel lobby coffee machine in your own home, and you could easily never have to buy coffee from a cafe again.
To contextualize it, I did a little maths. If you're someone who usually gets on average two £4 coffees a day, you'll spend roughly £2,920 on coffee from cafes per year. Throw in a special milk or syrup, and it's probably more. So, if you substituted all that for the £2,500 Jura Z10 Coffee Machine, well... it starts to make a lot more sense.
This machine is a far cry from even your best everyday espresso maker, like Breville's Barista Sense Espresso Machine (which I also love). It's technically advanced, fully automated, and even has Roger Federer's tick of approval (he's the brand ambassador).
That said, if you prefer someone a little more hands-on, I still highly, highly recommend Smeg's Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Cold Brew Maker. Couple that with the grinder, and it'll let you connect a little more with the coffee-making experience, which I know some people love.
Other Jura Coffee Accessories
After initially thinking I might have ordered an ugly, clunky, commercial-grade machine, I left this testing experience incredibly impressed with the Jura Z10 Coffee Machine. It's a level of luxury worth saving up for.
If you're interested in all things coffee, it's worth subscribing to Livingetc's newsletter, because I regularly cover everything from machine reviews to cool new accessories, and how to make your brew taste better.
