SUMMARY: Jura Impressa A9 One Touch
- Compact machine
- 12 pre-programmed specialty coffee drinks
- Aroma+ grinder grinds beans fast
- Fully customizable drinks
- Sleek and streamlined design
We force the water at short, precisely measured intervals through the ground coffee and, as a result, extract a maximum of aroma. The aim is a consistent coffee result at the highest possible level. – Reinhard Studer, Jura Laboratory Manager
Try to imagine your perfect espresso machine. Does it pull a professional quality espresso shot, make cappuccino at the touch of a button, and fit comfortably in a small kitchen? If yes, then, Jura Impressa A9 might be just what you need. Keep reading for our Jura A9 review, and find out where you stand.
A Quick Review of the Jura A9
The Jura Impressa A9 packs a lot of advanced technology into a small footprint and streamlined design. It features Jura’s patented Intelligent Pre Brew Aroma System (IPBAS) and Pulse Extraction Process (PEP), which together ensure a professional barista quality shot of espresso every time (1).
Pros
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IPBAS and PEP technology for high-end espresso
- Automatic milk frothing for one-touch milky drinks
- Full-color TFT touch screen display
- Compact, streamlined design
Cons
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Small water reservoir and bean hopper
- Location of display is inconvenient
A Full Review of the Jura Impressa A9 One Touch
If you think the Jura A9 is starting to sound like just what you’re looking for, keep reading. If not, check out this full list of our favorite Jura coffee machines.
Design – 3/5
Manufacturers defined Jura’s A line with two features, a full-color TFT display and streamlined exterior. For all its options, the A9 is extremely compact, measuring just 9.25″ wide by 17.25″ deep by 12.75″ high. The design of A9 is such that all exterior components are flush with the brushed stainless piano black casing. Though, aside from the drip tray and coffee spouts. Moreover, the dual spouts are height adjustable. They range from 2.2 to 5.4 inches to accommodate different mugs. Plus, they feature cool lights for dark mornings.
Perhaps the worst design decision on the A9 is the top side location of the touch screen. The touch screen on top leaves it difficult to access and control for shorter users. Thus, it precludes you from stationing this machine under upper cabinets.
User-friendliness – 4.5/5
Jura A9 is truly a “no experience needed” machine. Selecting and customizing drinks is done via the touch screen. And the screen features a swipe interface, much like a smartphone.
Cleaning also couldn’t be easier with this automatic coffee machine. Both the coffee and milk systems rinse automatically after brewing. Although the brew head is not removable, you only need to add a Jura cleaning tablet and run the one-touch cleaning cycle. Besides, if you use the included water filter, you’ll never have to descale.
Finally, when it comes to power consumption, the A9 switches automatically to low-energy standby mode after 5 minutes. After 2 hours it shuts off completely. Both features lead to savings on your power bill and better environmental stewardship (2).
Reservoir size – 3.5/5
The water tank on the A9 measures a rather small 37 ounces. This reservoir size will be plenty for a small household or light coffee drinkers. However, larger user groups may need to refill it frequently, which can be an inconvenience. Beware that unlike the slightly more expensive Jura E8, this coffee maker does not feature Jura’s intelligent water system.
Versatility – 4.5/5
The Jura A9 shines in the category of versatility. It offers nearly as much as its larger and more expensive counterparts.
There are 12 pre-programmed specialty coffee drinks including coffee, espresso, ristretto, capuccino, latte macchiato doppio (and even just plain hot water) available at one touch. You imagine a latte macchiato, click the button and there it is. Even better, you can fully customize each drink by grind size, coffee strength, coffee volume, milk temperature, and milk volume. Unfortunately, unlike the fancier Jura Z6 and E8, the A9 doesn’t offer brewing temperature control. This factor can play a significant role in the taste of your espresso (3).
Higher brewing temps lead to higher extraction yields, increased sweetness, bitterness and body while slightly reducing acidity. Lower temps result in lower extraction yields; have less body, sweetness and bitterness and more pronounced acidity.
Andrew Easthope, Five Senses Coffee
The automatic milk frother uses a pick-up tube to collect milk from any vessel. It also features Jura’s fine foam technology.
Is this really for you?
The obvious downside to this automatic espresso and coffee machine is its small capacity. Thus, small households and light coffee drinkers will find very little not to love. Its short stature makes it less expensive than the larger models. Yet it still offers premium features like the PEP system and the color TFT touch screen display. And if you’re concerned about your budget, you can easily find refurbished Jura A9 machines at a deep discount.
Don’t buy this IF
Larger households or heavy coffee drinkers might get frustrated having to fill the water reservoir frequently. Or, top off the bean hopper, and dump the grounds bin on this machine. Instead, read our Jura Z6 coffee and espresso machine review, which may offer a more convenient option. The Z6 features a high-capacity 81-ounce water tank and a 9.5-ounce bean hopper.
If you don’t need a milk frothing system, you can save money by choosing a more straightforward espresso machine. Take a look at our Jura ENA Micro 1 review. The ENA Micro 1 is Jura’s smallest and least expensive offering.
While the Jura A9 offers a fair amount of customizability, those looking for even more control over their beverages might prefer the more advanced E8 model. This stylish automatic espresso machine lets you adjust dosing over a broader range. Plus, you can choose your drink’s temperature.
The Bottom Line
Jura Impressa A9 packs enough of Jura’s high-end technologies to yield excellent espresso and premium milky drinks like, say, latte macchiato. Also, its touch screen operation and pre-programmed drinks make it simple enough for anyone to use. Though small in capacity, its compact design and more affordable price make it an excellent option for small households.
- The artistry of the world’s best baristas at the touch of a button. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://us.jura.com/en/about-jura/coffeebreak-das-magazin/pep
- ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report Coffee Makers. (2011, November). Retrieved from https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/ENERGY_STAR_Scoping_Report_Coffee_Makers.pdf
- Easthope, A. (2015, April 8). Brew Temperature and its Effects on Espresso. Retrieved from https://www.fivesenses.com.au/blog/brew-temperature-and-its-effects-on-espresso/
Coffee expert and industry insider, I’ve dedicated years to mastering the art and science of coffee making. From scrutinizing particle fineness to evaluating burr shapes, I delve into the minutiae that elevate coffee from good to exceptional. Whether it’s a complex pour-over or a robust espresso, my insights cater to those who don’t just drink coffee, but experience it.