The Jura E6 and Breville Barista Touch are two top contenders for high-end home espresso, but they serve fundamentally different users. The Jura E6 is a fully automatic machine prized for its one-touch convenience, Swiss engineering, and consistent results, while the Breville Barista Touch is a semi-automatic machine that offers hands-on control and easy customization via an intuitive touchscreen.
Here is a detailed comparison to help you decide which premium coffee machine is the right fit for your kitchen counter.
Jura E6
The Jura E6 is the quintessential Swiss-engineered, fully automatic espresso machine designed for those who want outstanding coffee without the work. It provides a true "bean-to-cup" experience, handling everything from grinding to brewing and frothing at the press of a button. Its core technology, like the Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.®), ensures optimal extraction for professional-quality espresso every time.
- What it is: A premium, fully automatic espresso machine that automates the entire coffee-making process.
- Key features: Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) for rich flavor, intelligent water system with self-cleaning capabilities, professional-grade ceramic grinder, and a simple button-and-display interface.
- Price: Approximately $1,700 - $1,900
- Dimensions: 11.5" W x 17" H x 14" D
- Materials/Construction: High-quality build with stainless steel components and a durable, robust internal brewing unit designed for longevity and minimal maintenance.
- Style: Sleek, minimalist, and professional with a clean design, available in finishes like Piano Black that fit well in modern kitchens.
- Pros: Unbeatable convenience with one-touch brewing. Consistently great espresso quality thanks to advanced brewing technology. Built to last with premium materials. Self-cleaning features reduce daily maintenance.
- Cons: High price point. Offers very little control for users who like to customize brewing variables. Pre-set drink options are less flexible than the Barista Touch.
The Jura E6 is for the coffee enthusiast who values convenience, consistency, and premium build quality above hands-on customization.
Shop this product: jura.com/en/homeproducts/automatic-coffee-machines/E6-Piano-Black-EB-15468
Breville Barista Touch
The Breville Barista Touch brilliantly blends automation with manual control, making it perfect for the aspiring home barista. Its defining feature is a full-color touchscreen that guides you through every step, from grinding and brewing to milk frothing. With an integrated grinder and automatic steam wand, it empowers users to create customized, café-quality drinks with ease.
- What it is: A semi-automatic espresso machine that uses a touchscreen and automated features to simplify the process of crafting custom drinks.
- Key features: Intuitive color touchscreen display with pre-programmed drinks and slots to save up to 8 of your own creations, integrated conical burr grinder, automatic milk frothing with adjustable temperature and texture, and a 3-second heat-up time.
- Price: About $1,200 - $1,500
- Dimensions: 12" W x 14" H x 16" D
- Materials/Construction: A durable stainless steel body gives it a solid feel, while high-quality plastic accents help keep it approachable and user-friendly.
- Style: Modern and slightly more casual than the Jura, with a brushed stainless steel finish and a high-tech feel dominated by its touchscreen.
- Pros: Excellent balance of automation and manual control. Touchscreen interface is extremely user-friendly. Highly customizable drink options. More affordable than an equivalent Jura machine. Integrated grinder provides great value.
- Cons: Requires more user involvement and regular cleaning than a fully automatic machine. Not as durable or robust as the Swiss-made Jura E6. The learning curve, though short, is steeper than one-touch operation.
This machine is ideal for those who enjoy the ritual of making coffee and want to craft personalized drinks with a modern, guiding interface.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes880.html
Jura E6 vs. Breville Barista Touch Comparison
Dimensions & Sizing
Both machines are compact enough for most countertops, but their profiles are different. The Jura E6 is taller at 17 inches, which could be a tight fit under some kitchen cabinets. Its footprint is slightly narrower at 11.5 inches wide and 14 inches deep, giving it a streamlined, vertical presence.
The Breville Barista Touch is shorter at just 14 inches high, easily clearing standard cabinet heights. It is slightly wider at 12 inches and deeper at 16 inches, giving it a more stout, stable footprint. Always measure your available counter space, paying close attention to height, before deciding.
Materials & Construction
Jura’s reputation for longevity is built on its materials. The E6 uses robust internal components, stainless steel, and a high-performance ceramic grinder engineered in Switzerland for precision and durability. It feels substantial and is designed for years of consistent use with minimal intervention.
Breville uses a brushed stainless steel body for the Barista Touch, which looks premium and is easy to clean. While solidly built for daily home use, its internal components are not considered to be on the same industrial-grade level as Jura's. It strikes a balance between quality construction and a more accessible price.
Price & Value
The price difference here is significant. The Jura E6 retails for around $1,700-$1,900, positioning it as a luxury appliance. The value comes from its rock-solid reliability, convenience, and superior internal engineering. You are paying for a hands-off, consistently excellent coffee experience that lasts for years.
The Breville Barista Touch, typically priced between $1,200-$1,500, offers incredible value for what it does. For a few hundred dollars less than the Jura, you get an integrated grinder, a highly interactive touchscreen, and the ability to customize drinks extensively. Here, the value is in the high-tech features and creative freedom it provides.
Style & Aesthetic
The Jura E6 features an understated, professional aesthetic. Its minimalist design, simple buttons, and clean lines blend seamlessly into high-end, modern kitchens without calling too much attention to itself. It has the look of a serious, no-nonsense European appliance.
The Breville Barista Touch has a more modern, tech-focused appearance. The large color touchscreen is the centerpiece, giving it an approachable and intuitive feel. Its brushed stainless steel finish is attractive and versatile, suiting a wide range of kitchen styles that embrace functional design.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both machines deliver fantastic coffee, but they are built for entirely different priorities and routines.
Choose the Jura E6 if:
- You want a completely hands-off, fully automatic coffee experience.
- Convenience, speed, and consistency are your most important criteria.
- You value premium Swiss engineering and are willing to pay for long-term durability.
- You prefer a simple, streamlined machine without the complexity of a touchscreen.
Choose the Breville Barista Touch if:
- You enjoy being involved in the coffee-making process and want to customize your drinks.
- You want control over grind size, brew strength, and milk foam texture.
- An intuitive, guided touchscreen interface sounds appealing to you.
- You're looking for an excellent balance of features, performance, and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Jura E6 and Breville Barista Touch?
The core difference is automation. The Jura E6 is a fully automatic "bean-to-cup" machine that does everything with one press of a button. The Breville Barista Touch is a semi-automatic machine that uses an interactive touchscreen to guide you through a more hands-on, customizable brewing process.
Which espresso machine is easier to use?
For sheer effortless operation, the Jura E6 is easier - just select your drink and press a button. The machine does the rest. However, the Breville Barista Touch is arguably more user-friendly for beginners who want to learn because its touchscreen provides clear, step-by-step instructions for crafting drinks.
How do the cleaning and maintenance compare?
The Jura E6 excels at automated maintenance, featuring integrated rinsing, cleaning, and descaling programs that run with minimal user input. The Breville Barista Touch requires more manual daily cleaning, such as flushing the group head, wiping the steam wand, and emptying the drip tray, but it also has guided cleaning cycles.
Which machine makes better milk foam?
The Breville Barista Touch offers more control. Its automatic steam wand allows you to adjust both the temperature and texture of the milk, making it capable of producing silky microfoam suitable for latte art. The Jura E6 produces a good quality, consistent froth for cappuccinos and lattes automatically but has fewer customization options.
Is the Jura E6 worth the higher price?
If your top priority is convenience combined with top-tier reliability and premium build quality, then yes. The extra cost pays for the advanced internal engineering and a truly hands-off experience. If you prioritize control and interactive features, the Breville Barista Touch offers better value.
Do I need a separate grinder for these machines?
No, both the Jura E6 and the Breville Barista Touch have high-quality conical burr grinders fully integrated into the machine.
Which one offers more drink variety?
The Breville Barista Touch offers more variety and customization. You can create and save up to 8 of your own personalized coffee recipes, with precise control over every variable. The Jura E6 has several pre-programmed specialty drinks but focuses on perfecting those classics rather than extensive customization.
Which machine is more durable?
Jura machines are widely regarded as being among the most durable in the home appliance market. Their Swiss manufacturing and focus on robust internal mechanisms mean they are built to last for many years. While the Breville is well-made, Jura has the edge in long-term durability.
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