There are a ton of different barista-quality espresso machines on the market, though it can be hard to choose the best one. One popular comparison is Gaggia vs Jura since these two brands make high-end models with similar features.
If you’re not sure of what either of these espresso machine brands has to offer, check out our comparison below.
Before we start looking at what each of these brands has to offer, let’s discuss the brands themselves, including where they excel and their limitations.
In 1938, a Milan barista named Achille Gaggia patented his first steam-free coffee machine, though the Gaggia brand wasn’t founded until 10 years later. More innovations and machines were added to the first model and were sold to various coffee bars across Milan. After gaining international appeal in 1952, Gaggia machines became the first to be imported into the U.K., with many countries soon following suit.
Gaggia’s features have made them a popular model around the world, including their ceramic built-in grinders, adjustable flavor intensity, their Quick Heat Boiler, and simple controls. There are some flaws, though, like small water tanks and poor customer services, though these are minimal.
Jura is a Swiss company that has been in business since 1931. They focus on high-end household appliances, including their automatic espresso and coffee machines. As well as home use, this brand has also developed appliances for the food services industry and offices around the world, making them a leading competitor for the other popular brands on the market.
Their espresso machines include some fantastic features, including their quiet Aroma Grinders, pre-programmed drink options, Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System, and Thermoblock Heating System. Their machines are rather expensive, though, with few customizable options available.
| Gaggia Cadorna Prestige | Jura Z8 | ||
| Type | Super-automatic | Automatic | |
| Beverage types | 14 | 21 | |
| Grinder | Ceramic burrs | AromaG3 | |
| Water tank capacity | 50.7 fl oz | 81.3 fl oz | |
| Hopper capacity | 10.5 oz | 9.9 oz | |
| Max cup height | 6.1 in | 6 in | |
| Display | TFT | TFT | |
| Dimensions | 15H x 10.2W x 17.3D in | 15H x 12.6W x 17.7D in | |
| Weight | 21.1 lbs | 29.5 lbs | |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 2-year limited | |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON AMAZON | ||
| VIEW ON JURA |
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige uses a Quick Heat Boiler, which is made of aluminum and stainless steel and heats the water fast for quick brewing. The Jura Z8 includes a Thermoblock heating system, which shortens the heating time for fast brewing on every cup.
The water tank on the Cadorna Prestige holds up to 50.7 fluid ounces, while the hopper can fit 10.5-ounces of fresh coffee beans. The Z8 has a larger water tank at 81.3 fluid ounces, though its hopper is smaller at 9.9 ounces.
Gaggia uses 100% ceramic grinders, which don’t retain heat. This helps maintain the flavor of the beans without burning them. The Jura Z8 includes an AromaG3 grinder, which is twice as fast as the grinders on Jura’s previous espresso machines to reduce brewing time.
The Gaggia model allows you to brew 13 beverages, as well as hot water for your favorite teas. The Z8 has more to offer in this area, with 21 different selections to choose from.
Both of these models are almost the same size, though the Jura Z8 is a couple of inches wider. The Z8 is also about 8 pounds heavier, so takes a bit more effort to move if needed.
The Gaggia Cadorna Prestige includes a tube of lubricant, a grinder adjustment key and measuring spoon combo tool, and an Intenza+ filter. Though the Jura model doesn’t include any accessories, you can purchase a cup warmer, milk system accessories, cups, glasses, or spoons separately as needed.
| Gaggia Babila | Jura E8 | ||
| Type | Super-automatic | Automatic | |
| Beverage types | 11 | 17 | |
| Grinder | Ceramic burrs | Aroma | |
| Water tank capacity | 50.7 fl oz | 63.6 fl oz | |
| Hopper capacity | 10.58 oz | 9.9 oz | |
| Max cup height | 6.3 in | 6 in | |
| Display | TFT | TFT | |
| Dimensions | 14.17h x 9.64W x 16.53D in | 13.8H x 11W x 17.6D in | |
| Weight | 29.5 lbs | 21.2 lbs | |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 2-year limited | |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON AMAZON | ||
| VIEW ON JURA |
The Gaggia Babila features two boilers, which reduces the time needed between brewing and dispensing steam for those milky beverages. The Jura E8 prepares its amazing brews in less than 60 seconds, using only a single button touch.
The Bablia has a water tank that holds up to 50.7 fluid ounces and a hopper with a 10.58-ounce capacity. The Jura E8 has a 63.6-fluid ounce water tank and a 9.9-ounce hopper, so you will be filling the beans more often.
Like Gaggia’s other models, the Babila uses a ceramic burr grinder that won’t overheat or burn your beans, plus has 15 grind options to choose from. The Jura model features the Professional Aroma Grinder that ensures a high-quality grind for the best flavor possible.
The Babila has 11 different drink options to choose from, 5 of which are 1-touch options while the rest are found on the drinks menu. The E8 has 17 beverage types available, which you can select with the touch of a button or you can use their J.O.E. smartphone app to choose and brew your drink.
With dimensions of 14.17 x 9.64 x 16.53 inches for the Babila and 13.8 x 11 x 17.6 inches for the E8, these two models are quite close in size. The Jure model is lighter than the Gaggia, though, so is easier to reposition if needed.
Included with the Gaggia Babila are a bottle of descaler, an AquaClean filter, a water hardness test strip, a tube of lubricant, a brew group brush, and a grinder key/coffee scoop. The Jura E8 comes with a container and some solution for cleaning the milk system.
As well as the models we’ve described above, there are a few other espresso machines from these companies worth a closer look. We’ve picked the top models to review below.
The Gaggia Brera is one of the best super-automatic espresso machines with a stainless-steel front panel and a simple interface for easy beverage selections. Other great features include the classic stainless steel Pannarello for perfect steam dispensing, a ceramic burr grinder, and a removable brew group for quick cleaning.
The brewing speed is quick with the Gaggia Brera, thanks to the stainless-steel boiler that heats fast and the Rapid Steam technology for steam in only 10 seconds, so you can brew any beverage in no time.
The water tank on the Gaggia Brera holds 1.2 liters of water, so you can make a few cups before you have to refill it. The hopper holds 8.81 ounces of beans, though you can also use ground coffee in this machine.
Beverage types
There are 3 beverage options with this model, including espresso and espresso lungo/ caffé lungo, as well hot water for tea or hot chocolate.
With dimensions of 10 x 12.4 x 17.6 inches, this isn’t a huge machine, so it can fit almost anywhere. It is also relatively lightweight at about 18.7 pounds.
Included with this model is a tube of lubricant for the removable brew group and a measuring spoon for ground coffee.
The Anima Prestige model by Gaggia is designed to fit in with any type of kitchen décor. It features a stainless steel front, 3 temperature settings, and one-touch brewing for most of the beverage options available.
Like many of the other Gaggia machines, this one uses a stainless steel Quick Heat Boiler for fast heating. There is also a pre-brewing function before the actual brewing takes place, though this doesn’t slow the process too much.
The removable water tank in the Anima Prestige holds 1.8 liters of water, giving you enough for several beverages before it needs refilling. The bean hopper has an 8.81-ounce capacity, plus it is easy to access when it needs to be replenished.
With this machine, you can make 6 different beverages. The one-touch options include espresso, espresso lungo/caffé lungo, cappuccino, and latte macchiato. You can also choose milk froth and hot water from the drinks menu.
The dimensions of the Anima Prestige are 8.7 x 13.4 x 16.9 inches, so it won’t take up a ton of space on your counter. It also weighs 15.4 pounds, which is rather light for a machine of this type.
When you purchase a Gaggia Anima Prestige espresso machine, you’ll also get a tube of brew group lubricant and a measuring spoon/grinder adjustment key.
The Jura A1 automatic coffee machine comes in both Piano White and Piano Black, so you can pick the one that matches your other kitchen décor. It features Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process for full flavors, programmable and adjustable coffee strength, and a multi-level AromaG3 grinder.
The combination of the exceptionally fast AromaG3 grinder, Thermoblock heating system, and one-touch control panel speeds up brewing time, so there is minimal waiting between cups.
The water tank on the A1 holds 1.1 liters of water, so you can make several cups before it runs out. The bean hopper holds 4.4 ounces of beans and has easy access at the top of the machine for refills.
You can make three different specialty drinks with the Jura A1, including regular coffee, espresso, and ristretto, though it has no frother for milky beverages.
The dimensions of the Jura A1 are 9.4 x 12.7 x 17.5. It has a slim design that can fit almost anywhere. It weighs about 20 pounds as well for a coffee machine that is easy to move.
Like many of Jura’s other models, this one doesn’t come with any accessories. You can purchase spoons, cups, and a cup warmer separately if needed.
This model is part of Jura’s E line, which includes some revolutionary features. These include their Pulse Extraction Process for the optimal extraction time, an Intelligent Water System for filter detection, and the modern TFT display for easy drink selections.
The E6 from Jura includes a Thermoblock heating system, which offers short heat-up times for fast brewing on every cup. The AromaG3 grinder also helps speed up this process since it grinds quickly and quietly.
The Jura E6 has a large water tank that holds up to 1.9 liters of water. The bean hopper is also a decent size with room for 9.9 ounces of your favorite coffee beans.
You can make up to 7 specialty coffees in this machine. These include espresso, coffee, cappuccino, milk foam, and hot water, plus you can make 2 espressos or coffees at the same time for even faster serving.
The dimensions for the E6 are 11 x 13.8 x 17.3 inches and it weighs about 21 pounds. It won’t take up too much space in your kitchen, though you likely won’t want to move it too often.
Jura’s E6 model works with many of its accessories, including the stainless steel vacuum or glass milk containers, cup warmer, smart connect device, cups, and spoons.
Now that you’ve read our Gaggia vs Jura comparison review, you may be leaning towards one brand over the other. Both options have amazing brewing capabilities and speeds, are built well, and have decent sizes for their water tanks and hoppers.
For those looking for simple controls, low prices, and ceramic grinders, a Gaggia model may be best. Anyone who prefers more modern features and technology, self-cleaning machines, and more drink options will likely choose a Jura model.
