Jura IMPRESSA Z7 Automatic Coffee Machine

The Z7 is an impressive machine. This is my second Super Automatic with my previous machine being a Delonghi ESM 3500. The first thing you notice about the Z7 is its undeniable elegant look. My unit came in with some minor damage, but a quick phone call to Jura later and a replacement machine and a shipping lable are on their way. The package comes with a bottle of decalcification fluid and the bottle appears to have leaked on the machine during shipping damaging the finish. A minor damage, but considering the $3000+ price tag, The machine should not have a scratch on it.The menu system is smart, simple and intuitive. The controls are well thought out, but the icons leave a bit to be desired. I've had the machine for a week and the only button I can recognize without consulting the manual is the latte button. I like the fact that you can change the strength of your beverage on the fly. When the machine starts brewing there are a few seconds that you can adjust your coffee strength from the preset.A huge advantage from my previous machine is the coffee is actually hot. The temperature setting is adjustable in the presets and when you choose hot, they mean hot.The water tank is large. Enough to sustain the machine for several days without a refill. The tank has a convenient carry handle that swings up making it easy to carry. I know this is not a commercial machine, but a water port would have been nice at this price point.The Z7 is setup with an automatic sensor for preground coffee and comes with its own measuring scoop. No guessing how much preground coffee to add, just use the scoop and hit the coffee button which is nice since my bean hopper is filled with espresso roast and occasionally I, or a guest might desire a nice simple cup of sumatra. Making a regular cup of coffee is simple as adding a pre measures scoop and hitting the coffee button. This function can be customized as to how much water you desire for the coffee button, up to 8 oz.I bought the refrigerated milk container and am glad I did. The unit is quiet and keeps the milk cold. No more trips to the refrigerator before making a drink. The suction system is simple and works well. My Delonghi had a series of O Rings where the milk container plugged in and they were constantly getting clogged and gunked up with dry milk. The Z7 uses a simple and effective system, no more scaping O Rings with a dental pick. My only gripe is minor, The milk container the unit comes with and the refrigerated milk container are similar, but different in size. It would have been nice if they were identical, therefore allowing the original container to be used as a spare for the refrigerated unit.Despite the High price and few issues with room for improvement, I could not be happier with both the machine and the customer service from Jura. If its in your budget, The Z7 is highly recommended.

I am completely disappointed in this product. I continues to have error messages on a weekly basis. I have had to speak with the support staff at Jura several times in the short time I have owned the machine. The machine's froth maker is substandard and only heats the milk. After calling support several times I have gotten several different stories...from use 2% milk to disassemble all the parts in the frothier soak all the parts in hot soapy water to change the settings on the dial....none of which work. This machine just DOES NOT STREAM AND FROTH MILK....do not buy this product....Out of frustration we bought a nesspresso for 1/4 of the cost and it works amazing...

Bought this capuccino maker about 7 months ago, so we know it well. The initial rationale was that we would save 8 dollars a day and countless wait time both of us stopping at starbucks every day. That has happened. I have been to starbucks twice since I bought this. It makes a pretty good cappuccino, I would say is on par with starbucks, my gold standard. The coffee setting tastes different, since it is really a cup of watered down espresso, but you aren't buying this to brew coffee.In spite of having the tallest spout on the market (at least at the time of my purchase), I still cannot fit my travel mug under it. You know the stainless steel, 16 oz mug you would want to fill up giving you a vente latte on the way out the door. Maybe they dont use these travel mugs in Switzerland, but we all do here... (In fact, I had to build my own wooden holder that holds a tilted travel mug under the spout.)Well not only does the standard version of such mug not actually fit, (most are about .5 to 1 cm off), it brings up my second point, its almost hot enough. Well if you have prewarmed your cup in the microwave, and sat down to sip you cappuccino right then, the temperature will be a barely "ok". But if you are used to ordering your starbucks extra hot, your definately going to be found wanting. And if you have to dispense your drink into a cup, and then transfer your drink to your tall travel mug because it wont fit, your really going to be dissapointed in the temperature.A few other gripes: the thing will only stay on 2 hours, IE it will always turn off, kudos to their green power saving. Problem is, it takes a solid 3 minutes or so to warm up. Then each type of drink you make only contains one shot of espresso. If you want 8 oz of milk with three shots of espresso, you have to turn it on, stand there for 3 minutes for it warm up, then push a button to put an 8 oz cappuccino in, wait another 2 or 3 minutes, then push the button for another shot of espresso, another 1-2 min, then push for another shot of espresso in, another 1-2 moinutes. Does that sound "one touch" to you? For me, it is stading next to a machine for 10 minutes, which is exactly what I am supposed to not have to do. (Not to mention, in the middle of all this you might run out of water, need to empty the tray, or add beans. The chances of one of these lottery wins in your 3 button oddessey are probably 25%)What this machine needs are:Taller spoutThe milk needs a temperature setting, its not hot enough for me.The machine needs a timer, so it can turn on in the morning and warm up.Programmable drinks with multiple shots.Larger bean bin, it probly cooks up only a dozen shots or so per bin.For three grand, these things should be a given!

I actually would give this 4.5 stars, but didn't have that option. Basically the machine makes outstanding coffee. Period. We are very pleased with the quality of the coffee and ultimately that's the important part for us. Not getting five stars is the result of a couple of features that could be improved in ease of use.1. The left side dispenser that is supposed to be travel mug size is not -- even at it's highest setting. At least not for a single travel mug we have in our possession. The videos are deceptive in the size of the mugs they use for that. So we have to use a regular large mug and transfer them to our travel mugs. You cannot remove the bottom tray either to provide more space.2. The waste tray is cumbersome at best to remove, dump and clean. This could be improved.3. The included milk thermos is too hard to clean. It states you shouldn't put in dishwasher. But the opening at the top is really too small to put a cleaning wand into to really clean it.Those nits aside, it is an EXCELLENT coffee maker. Recommended.