Cheaper Jura Alternatives That Still Make Great Coffee

Our picks at a glance

Best overall alternativeTest score 8.5

De'Longhi Rivelia

Four profiles, two swappable bean hoppers and one-touch milk, with the easiest touchscreen I tested.

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Best for familiesTest score 8.5

Philips 5500 Series

20 hot and iced drinks, profiles for the household and a tubeless milk jug that cleans in seconds.

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Best for espressoTest score 8.4

Ninja AutoBarista

Self-adjusting grind, weighed doses and full-bodied espresso, plus real drip coffee and cold brew.

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Best compact alternativeTest score 8.4

Gaggia Magenta Prestige

Full, sweet espresso and a milk carafe that pours milk or coffee first, under 9 inches wide.

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Best for app loversTest score 8.0

Terra Kaffe TK-02

A touchscreen, a Wi-Fi app with saved recipes and schedules, and front access to the tank, tray and grounds.

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My test scores at a glance

Every machine was scored on espresso, milk drinks, ease of use and cleaning, then compared directly with the Jura it most resembles.

The Rivelia and Philips 5500 tied at 8.5. Both match or beat the Jura E8 overall and come within a few tenths of pricier Juras, for far less outlay.

The biggest gap was at the very top. Against the Jura Z10, no alternative matched its espresso or cold extraction; against mid-range Juras, the gap was small or reversed.

Our tip: Compare an alternative with the specific Jura you were considering, not with Jura in general.

What you pay for with a Jura

Jura is a Swiss brand known for polished design and excellent espresso. Its machines use the Pulse Extraction Process✕Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.)Jura’s method of pushing hot water through the coffee in short bursts for short drinks. It lengthens contact time and gives a fuller espresso. for short drinks and a sealed brew unit cleaned with tablets.

Those are real strengths. But a lot of the premium also pays for design, materials and the brand.

Where Jura is genuinely better

In my tests, a bigger dose✕Dosethe weight of ground coffee used for one brew. A classic double shot uses roughly 14 to 18 grams. helped top Juras make some of the richest espresso I’ve measured. The Z10 scored 9.1 and the GIGA 10 9.2 for espresso, and their build quality is superb.

Where alternatives match or beat Jura

Several alternatives matched mid-range Juras on microfoam✕Microfoammilk foam with bubbles so small you can’t see them. It feels silky, pours smoothly and blends into the espresso. and ease of use. The Philips 5500 beat the Jura E8 on milk by a full point, with hotter, creamier foam.

Sealed vs removable brew unit

Juras have a sealed brew unit that you never remove; you clean it with tablets. Most alternatives have a brew unit you slide out and rinse in the sink.

The Philips 5500 beat the Jura E8 on milk in my tests.

Who should buy an alternative?

Anyone who wants great one-touch drinks without paying for the Jura name. If you want the very best espresso and the most polished build, a top Jura still earns its place.

My guides to the best budget Jura machines and best Jura machines cover those.

What I measured

For every matchup, I made espresso, a cappuccino, a flat white and a long coffee on both machines, back to back, with the same beans and milk. My household rated them blind, and I measured milk temperature and timed cleaning.

Our picks in depth

Best overall alternativeTest score 8.5 · Best for most Jura shoppers

1. De'Longhi Rivelia

The De’Longhi Rivelia is the best cheaper alternative to a mid-range Jura. It does most of what a Jura S8 does, with four profiles, a clear touchscreen and one-touch milk drinks, plus something no Jura in its class offers: two swappable bean hoppers.

Its espresso is smoother and lighter than the S8’s. Its brew unit slides out for a rinse in the sink.

2Swappable bean hoppers

4Saved user profiles

9.1Ease of use

−0.3Score gap to the Jura S8

Rivelia vs Jura S8

The S8 scored 8.8 overall, the Rivelia 8.5. The Jura made a richer espresso and silkier latte milk; the Rivelia matched it on ease of use and added bean switching and profiles.

For most households, that gap was hard to notice day to day, and the outlay difference was large.

	De’Longhi Rivelia	Jura S8
Overall	8.5	8.8
Espresso	8.3	8.9
Milk	8.5	8.8
Ease of use	9.1	9.1
Profiles	4	Not listed
Bean hoppers	2, swappable	1
Brew unit	Removable	Sealed

Two bean hoppers

Swapping hoppers took about 20 seconds, and the grinder purged so the next cup wasn’t a blend. My regular-and-decaf house loved it.

Milk drinks

The LatteCrema carafe made creamy foam at about 60°C. Cappuccinos were excellent; flat whites slightly less silky than the S8’s.

The Rivelia’s two hoppers swap in about 20 seconds.

Espresso

The Rivelia’s conical burr grinder✕Conical burr grindertwo cone-shaped grinding rings, one inside the other, that crush beans to an even size. Even grounds extract evenly, so the cup tastes less bitter and less sour. pulled smooth, nutty shots with a short pre-infusion✕Pre-infusiona short soak of the coffee puck with low-pressure water before full pressure arrives. It helps water flow evenly through the coffee.. Two steps finer on the grinder made them noticeably fuller.

A week with the Rivelia

Four profiles meant my partner’s decaf cappuccino and my strong espresso were always one tap away. The tank needed refilling most days.

Who it suits best

The Rivelia suits families and couples who were looking at a mid-range Jura with profiles.

What to know before you buy

The 1.4-liter tank is small. Espresso purists will notice the S8’s richer shot.

For the best balance of features and value, the Rivelia is my top Jura alternative.

Pros

• Two swappable bean hoppers
• Four profiles
• Very easy touchscreen
• Removable brew unit

Cons

• Small tank
• Espresso lighter than Jura’s
• Carafe needs daily rinsing

Who should buy it

• Regular-and-decaf homes
• Families with different tastes
• Mid-range Jura shoppers

Who should skip it

• Espresso purists
• Heavy daily use
• Anyone set on a sealed brew unit

Choose this if you want Jura-level ease and profiles for far less. Read my full De'Longhi Rivelia review.

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Best for familiesTest score 8.5 · Best for families

2. Philips 5500 Series

The Philips 5500 is the best Jura alternative for families, and it beat the Jura E8 outright in my tests. It makes 20 hot and iced drinks, has profiles for the household and its LatteGo jug rinses clean in seconds.

Its milk was hotter and creamier than the E8’s. Its espresso is lighter than a café shot.

20Hot and iced drinks

8.8Milk, a point above the Jura E8

9.3Ease of use

+0.4Score gap over the Jura E8

Philips 5500 vs Jura E8

The 5500 scored 8.5 overall to the E8’s 8.1. It won on milk, ease of use and cleaning; the E8 made a slightly richer espresso.

	Philips 5500	Jura E8
Overall	8.5	8.1
Espresso	8.2	8.0
Milk	8.8	7.8
Milk temperature	~60°C	~50°C
Drinks	20	17
Milk cleaning	10-second jug rinse	Automatic rinse and tube clean

Easier milk cleaning

LatteGo has no tubes, so the whole milk system rinsed clean in about ten seconds. The E8’s tube system needed a daily cleaning program.

Our tip: Use the extra shot option on the 5500 for milk drinks, because it closes most of the espresso gap with Jura.

LatteGo rinses clean in about ten seconds.

A week with the 5500

A family of four made about 14 drinks a day. Profiles kept everyone’s settings separate, and the jug was rinsed after the last drink each evening.

Quiet mornings

SilentBrew kept grinding to a soft hum, quieter than the E8 in my tests.

Who it suits best

The 5500 suits families weighing a Jura E8 or a similar one-touch Jura.

What to know before you buy

Iced drinks are brewed hot. Straight espresso is lighter than Jura’s best.

For families, the Philips 5500 beats the Jura it replaces.

Pros

• Beat the Jura E8 overall
• Hotter, creamier milk
• 20 drinks and profiles
• Ten-second milk cleaning

Cons

• Lighter espresso
• Iced drinks brewed hot
• Plastic-heavy build

Who should buy it

• Families
• Latte and cappuccino drinkers
• People who hate cleaning

Who should skip it

• Espresso purists
• Cold brew fans
• Design-first buyers

Choose this if you want better milk drinks than a Jura E8 for less. Read my full Philips 5500 Series review.

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Best for espressoTest score 8.4 · Best for espresso drinkers

3. Ninja AutoBarista

The Ninja AutoBarista is the best Jura alternative for espresso drinkers. It dials in its own grind, weighs every dose and brews espresso with real body.

It also makes proper drip coffee and cold brew, which most Juras don’t. Its settings menu takes learning.

8.8Espresso score

50Grind settings it chooses from

3Dose sizes

70 ozWater tank, about 2.1 L

AutoBarista vs Jura E6 and Z10

The AutoBarista’s espresso scored 8.8, matching the Jura E6’s and close to the Z10’s 9.1. Its cold brew isn’t as smooth as the Z10’s cold extraction, but it comes for a fraction of the outlay.

	Ninja AutoBarista	Jura E6	Jura Z10
Overall	8.4	8.4	8.8
Espresso	8.8	8.8	9.1
Milk	8.2	8.0	8.9
Cold coffee	Cold brew	No	Cold extraction
Drip coffee	Yes	No	No

Weighed doses

Every shot is weighed, so espresso stayed consistent. Grind IQ settled in after a few days.

The AutoBarista’s espresso matched the Jura E6’s.

Drip and cold brew

The AutoBarista brewed a clean drip coffee and a smooth cold brew. For a household that drinks all three, it replaced two machines.

Who it suits best

The AutoBarista suits espresso drinkers who also want drip coffee and cold brew.

What to know before you buy

It’s big for one hopper, and the menu uses codes. It lacks Jura’s polish.

For Jura-level espresso for less, the AutoBarista is the one.

Pros

• Jura-level espresso
• Weighed doses
• Drip coffee and cold brew
• Self-adjusting grind

Cons

• Menu takes learning
• Big for one hopper
• Less polished than Jura

Who should buy it

• Espresso drinkers
• Drip and cold brew households
• Value hunters

Who should skip it

• Design-first buyers
• Small kitchens
• People who want simple menus

Choose this if you want Jura-level espresso, drip and cold brew for less. Read my full Ninja AutoBarista review.

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Best compact alternativeTest score 8.4 · Best for small kitchens

4. Gaggia Magenta Prestige

The Gaggia Magenta Prestige is the best compact alternative to the Jura ENA 8. It matched the ENA 8’s 8.4 overall, in a body under 9 inches wide.

Its carafe knows which drinks need milk first and which need espresso first. It asks for daily cleaning.

8.8 inWidth

12One-touch drinks

8.5Espresso score

EvenScore vs the Jura ENA 8

Magenta Prestige vs Jura ENA 8

Both scored 8.4. The ENA 8 had velvety foam and a stylish design; the Magenta Prestige had slightly fuller espresso and a removable brew unit.

	Gaggia Magenta Prestige	Jura ENA 8
Overall	8.4	8.4
Espresso	8.5	8.6
Milk	8.4	8.4
Width	8.8 in	Compact
Brew unit	Removable	Sealed

Smart milk order

Latte macchiatos pour milk first for layers; flat whites pour espresso first. It made noticeably better flat whites than machines that always add milk first.

Our tip: Use the double-shot flat white for big mugs, so the coffee stays strong under the milk.

The Magenta Prestige matched the Jura ENA 8 overall.

Espresso

Shots were full and sweet, scoring 8.5, just behind the ENA 8’s 8.6. In a flat white, I couldn’t tell them apart.

Brew unit access

The Magenta Prestige’s brew unit slides out from the side for a weekly rinse. Being able to see it was reassuring compared with the ENA 8’s sealed unit.

Who it suits best

The Magenta Prestige suits small kitchens weighing a compact Jura.

What to know before you buy

No profiles, and the carafe needs daily care.

For a compact Jura alternative, the Magenta Prestige is my pick.

Pros

• Matched the Jura ENA 8
• Under 9 inches wide
• Smart milk order
• Removable brew unit

Cons

• No profiles
• Daily carafe cleaning
• Less stylish than Jura

Who should buy it

• Small kitchens
• Couples
• Flat white drinkers

Who should skip it

• Big families
• Design-first buyers
• Plant-milk-only homes

Choose this if you want a compact machine that matches a compact Jura. Read my full Gaggia Magenta Prestige review.

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Best for app loversTest score 8.0 · Best for tech-savvy homes

5. Terra Kaffe TK-02

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 is the alternative for people who want app control. It makes espresso with real body, smooth one-touch milk drinks and proper regular coffee, with a touchscreen, a Wi-Fi app and front access to everything.

It rinses often, and its default milk is only warm.

100k+Possible drink combinations

Wi-FiApp, saved recipes and schedules

FrontAccess to tank, tray and grounds

DialPhysical foam adjustment

App control built in

Most Juras need an add-on for app control. The TK-02’s app is built in, with saved recipes and schedules.

I scheduled my first coffee for 7 a.m., and it was ready when I walked in.

Front access

Tank, drip tray and grounds bin all come out from the front. Under low cabinets, it was easy to live with.

Our tip: Raise the milk temperature in the app on day one, because the default is only warm.

The TK-02 has app control built in.

Espresso and milk

Espresso was full-bodied, scoring 8.2, with a generous coffee dose✕Dosethe weight of ground coffee used for one brew. A classic double shot uses roughly 14 to 18 grams. for its class. The physical foam dial made it easy to adjust texture.

Customization

The app lets you adjust strength, volume, milk and temperature for every drink and save recipes. It was the most customizable machine in this guide.

Who it suits best

The TK-02 suits tech-savvy homes that want app control and lots of customization.

What to know before you buy

It rinses often, so the drip tray fills fast. Milk needed a higher temperature setting.

For app lovers, the TK-02 is the Jura alternative to buy.

Pros

• Built-in Wi-Fi app
• Front access to everything
• Physical foam dial
• Full-bodied espresso

Cons

• Frequent rinses
• Default milk only warm
• Lowest score of my picks

Who should buy it

• App lovers
• Low cabinets
• Tinkerers

Who should skip it

• People who avoid apps
• Very hot milk lovers
• Minimal-maintenance fans

Choose this if you want app control and customization without a Jura add-on. Read my full Terra Kaffe TK-02 review.

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My test data: Jura vs the alternatives

These are the numbers from my head-to-head testing. They show where the alternatives match Jura and where they fall short.

Espresso: Jura still leads at the top

Espresso scores out of 10.

Milk: the alternatives close the gap

Milk drink scores out of 10.

Milk temperature

Our tip: If hot milk matters to you, check the measured temperature, because some premium machines run surprisingly cool.

Daily cleaning

My estimate of hands-on daily cleaning with milk drinks.

Compact alternatives matched compact Juras in my tests.

Which Jura each alternative replaces

If you’ve already picked a Jura, this table shows the closest alternative and what you gain or give up.

Our tip: If you love the Jura design and plan to keep the machine for a decade, the extra outlay can make sense; otherwise, an alternative gets you most of the coffee.

When to stick with Jura

If straight espresso is your main drink, the Z10 and GIGA 10 are still the best I’ve tested. If you want the most polished design and a sealed system you never open, Jura delivers that too.

What living with each alternative was like

Scores tell part of the story. This is what a typical week looked like with each alternative, compared with its Jura.

De’Longhi Rivelia vs Jura S8

Both were easy for everyone in the house. The Rivelia’s bean switching got daily use; the S8’s richer espresso was the thing I missed.

Philips 5500 vs Jura E8

The 5500 won the week. Hotter milk drinks and a ten-second rinse made it the machine my household preferred.

Ninja AutoBarista vs Jura E6

Espresso was a tie. The AutoBarista’s drip coffee and cold brew made it more versatile; the E6’s simple menu was easier for guests.

Gaggia Magenta Prestige vs Jura ENA 8

Both fit a small kitchen. The Gaggia’s removable brew unit was easier to check; the ENA 8 looked better on the counter.

Terra Kaffe TK-02 vs Jura Z10

The Z10 made better coffee, especially iced. The TK-02’s built-in app and front access were genuinely handy.

The TK-02’s built-in app was its biggest advantage.

Answer four questions, and I’ll point you to the Jura alternative that fits you best.

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What to look for in a Jura alternative

These are the features that decided how close an alternative came to Jura in my testing.

Espresso dose

Jura’s richer espresso comes largely from bigger doses, up to 16 grams. Look for alternatives with a strong setting or a double-grind option.

Our tip: Choose an alternative with a double-shot or double-grind option, because it closes most of the espresso gap with Jura.

Milk system

Brew unit

Most alternatives have a removable brew unit you rinse in the sink. If you’d rather never open the machine, Jura’s sealed system suits you better.

Build and design

Jura’s materials and design are a real strength. Alternatives use more plastic, though the best feel solid enough for daily use.

Profiles and app

The Rivelia and Philips 5500 have profiles; the TK-02 has a built-in app. Many Juras need an add-on for app control.

Size and placement

Check the height with the bean hopper lid open, and leave room beside side-loading tanks. The Magenta Prestige was the slimmest of my picks; the AutoBarista the bulkiest.

Drinks you’ll actually use

Count the drinks you make in a typical week. Most households use four or five, so a 20-drink menu matters less than how well the machine makes your favorite.

Where the money goes

This is what the extra outlay for a comparable Jura bought in my tests.

The pattern is clear. Below the flagships, extra money mostly buys design and polish, not better coffee.

At the very top, Jura’s Z10 and GIGA 10 still make the best espresso I’ve tested. If that’s what you want, they’re worth it.

A new alternative vs a used or older Jura

Some buyers consider a used or older Jura instead of a new alternative. This is how I’d weigh them.

A used Jura can be a great buy if it comes with a service record and a short warranty. Without those, a sealed brew unit you can’t inspect is a risk.

For most people, a new alternative with a warranty is the safer choice.

Our tip: If you buy a used Jura, ask when it was last serviced and whether the water filter was used, because those predict how well it will last.

Running costs compared

Running costs were similar across Jura and the alternatives: beans, milk, filters and cleaning tablets. Jura’s branded filters and tablets are often a little more expensive per pack.

How to make an alternative taste more like a Jura

These settings closed most of the gap between my alternatives and the Juras they replace.

1. Use the strongest setting for espresso

   It raises the dose, which is most of Jura’s advantage.

2. Grind one or two steps finer

   A finer grind gave fuller crema on every alternative.

3. Use double-shot options for long drinks

   Two fresh doses taste far stronger than one long pour.

4. Raise the milk temperature

   Some machines run cool by default.

5. Use fresh medium-dark beans

   They suit automatic machines best.

What closed the gap to Jura most in my tests.

Our tip: Taste side by side after each change, because the difference from one setting can be bigger than the difference between brands.

Maintenance and running costs

Alternatives are easy to maintain, and most let you see and rinse the brew unit.

1. Rinse the brew unit weekly

   On the Rivelia, 5500 and Magenta Prestige, slide it out and rinse it.

2. Clean the milk system daily

   Rinse after each drink and wash parts daily.

3. Fit a water filter

   It spaces out descaling.

4. Descale when asked

   Follow each machine’s guided program.

5. Run cleaning tablets when prompted

   Coffee oils dull flavor over time.

Our tip: Keep spare filters and cleaner on hand, because running costs on any machine are mostly consumables.

Beans that work best

Medium and medium-dark roasts suited every alternative, as they do on Jura. Avoid very oily beans, which clog automatic grinders.

Common mistakes to avoid

These caught me out when comparing Jura with alternatives.

Jura machines I compared against

These are the Jura machines I used as benchmarks. Each is excellent; the alternatives above simply get you close for less.

For the full Jura picture, see my guides to the best Jura automatic coffee machines, the best budget Jura machines and the best Jura for milk drinks.

If you’ve set your heart on a Jura, the E6 and ENA 8 are the most sensible entry points. My budget Jura guide covers them in depth.

Jura E8Benchmark for the Philips 5500

17 drinks and clear controls, but milk ran cool at about 50°C.

Jura S8Benchmark for the Rivelia

A 16 gram brew unit and a lever for latte milk or cappuccino foam.

Jura Z10Benchmark for the Ninja and TK-02

The best espresso and real cold extraction.

Jura ENA 8Benchmark for the Magenta Prestige

Velvety foam and a hot water spout in a tiny body.