Both the Jura C60 vs C5 are super-automatic espresso machines for budget-oriented users. To preserve their low pricing, they had to forgo certain features and advanced technologies from the Swiss brand, including high-tech screens, pulse extraction procedures, a broad array of pre-set drinks, and remote control functionality.
They are almost neck and neck, except that the Jura C60 allows the brewing temperature to be adjusted and is equipped with the Energy Save Mode. It’s these things that seem to make it pricier than the Jura C5.
Jura C60 Vs C5: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura C60 Vs C5: Differences
At the end of the day, the Jura C60 wins 4-2 against the C5. Keep reading for more information!
Coffee Flavour
Winner: Tie
Built-in Grinder
Both the Jura C60 vs C5 come with a multi-level stainless steel conical burr grinder. Unlike its blade counterpart, this type of grinder is not too loud when it operates. It’s quiet enough not to disrupt any nearby discussions and you can even brew clandestine espresso in the dead of night without disturbing anyone’s slumber.
The conical mechanism produces consistent results quickly, resulting in espresso with maximum flavor and crema in a shorter period of time. What’s more, It keeps the heat at bay during grinding, an aspect that could burn the grounds and produce a mediocre cup of Joe.
I should also talk a bit about how many grind settings they have since grind size also directly affects the taste of your espresso. Both have 6 grind settings, from coarse to fine, on par with the industry standard. “6” settings is not a really impressive number and I’ve tested some cheaper models even offer up to 10 or even more, such as the Gaggia Babila with 15 settings.
You can toggle between settings via a dial in the bean hopper and remember to only do it when the grinder is in use. Otherwise, it could get jammed and require costly repair or replacement.
Heating System
Both the Jura C60 vs C5 share a single Thermoblock boiler system. Without two boilers, they can only brew espresso and steam milk one by one and require an interval in between to heat up the water to the right temperature. If you’re after a Jura dual boiler machine for large settings, you will need to spend a lot of money on steeply-priced models, such as the Giga 6 or the Giga W3.
But that’s not the end of the world. The Professional Thermoblock boiler only heats the right amount of water for each process instead of a large batch of water as its traditional counterpart does. That way, you don’t have to wait too long to switch from brewing espresso to steaming milk or vice versa (about 15 to 20 seconds). As a bonus, it saves energy and ensures your espresso is always brewed with fresh water.
While heating water, the thermoblock boiler also warms the top panel, which can be used as a warming tray for your mug. That way, heat won’t be lost during extraction and your espresso will taste great for longer.
Brewing System
One thing that they have in common is the intelligent pre-brew system (or I.P.B.A.S.). It involves moistening the coffee grounds with hot water before extraction to pull out the maximum flavor and aroma. If you’re thinking this sounds like the pre-infusion process, you’re absolutely right. It’s essentially a standard in the super-automatic espresso machine industry, but it seems that only Jura gives it a confusing and unnecessarily complicated terminological name.
Then the extraction takes place at a pressure of 15 bars on both. If you ask me, “bars” refers to the unit of measurement used to indicate the pressure at which water is forced through the coffee grounds during the brewing process. Or in short, it is a measure of the machine’s pump pressure. Unlike traditional coffee machines, super-automatic models utilize pressure, not merely gravity, for coffee extraction. The ideal pressure for drawing out espresso is typically considered to be around 8-9 bars.
Unfortunately, they aren’t equipped with the unique pulse extraction process (P.E.P) – a Jura’s hallmark. This is a big con considering their price tag since there are many Jura models that are at the lower end of the price spectrum but still have this feature, such as the Jura A1.
Milk Frothing System
Both offer the convenience of frothing milk right in your kitchen, rendering trips to your barista unnecessary. However, their methods differ: The Jura C60 is equipped with a “Cappuccinatore” automatic frother, whereas the Jura C5 uses a Panerello frothing wand. The former manages the entire frothing process on its own, while the latter calls for some hands-on involvement and practice.
Let’s start with the Jura C60’s external fine foam frother. To set it up, you must attach one end of an included milk tube to the Cappuccinatore frother and put the other end in a milk pitcher. You can use yours or splurge on a Jura insulated jug or glass container.
The milk dispenser is on the side of the espresso dispensing spout, so you will need to move your mug from left to right after making an espresso instead of fixing it in one position during the whole process. Also, I wish the drip tray was a little bigger.
But temporarily putting aside those inconveniences, the resulting milk foam was delightfully light and creamy, festooned with a generous sprinkle of tiny bubbles on the surface. That’s exactly what I needed for my go-to cappuccino. Better yet, the frother can double as a hot water dispenser when you need hot water to brew tea or make hot chocolate.
The Jura C5, on the other hand, boasts a Dual Pannarello Frother system, and you’ll need to roll up your sleeves to steam or froth milk for your favorite drink. This can be intimidating for beginners, but trust me, once you’ve mastered it after some trial and error, you’ll find it a gem.
All you need to do is fill a pitcher (not included in the box) with your cold milk and ensure the wand is submerged in it. Then hold the pitcher until the temperature reaches 160-165 °F when you can’t hold it comfortably, and pour the steamed/frothed milk into your waiting espresso. As a rule of thumb, always use a milk container twice as big as the amount of milk used to have room for cream or froth.
With a little practice, you can create the beautifully textured foam required by a perfect cappuccino or flat white. But until that mastery is achieved, your results might not meet your expectations.
Design & Usability
Winner: Jura C60
Dimensions, Footprint, & Weight
| Jura C60 | Jura C5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11 x 13.58 x 16.14 inches | 11 x 13.6 x 16.1 inches |
| Weight | 21.2 lbs | 19.8 lbs |
Jura has a reputation for creating super-automatic espresso machines that not only satisfy the thirst for caffeine but are also visually appealing, and the Jura C60 vs C5 are clear examples. They feature a shiny black case with some chrome accents, allowing them to blend perfectly with any kitchen style.
They share a menu switch button and a steam button, which keeps things simple but I found it quite inconvenient since it doesn’t give a picture of the entire menu so you can easily forget what was selected. You will surely get used to it soon, but it would be better if they were fitted with a TFT color screen.
These machines are not bulky and have a small footprint so they fit in about any nook in your kitchen, but I recommend putting them where they can attract the most eyeballs. These handsome kitchen appliances are indeed deserving of widespread admiration. They’re pretty heavy, but that’s not a big deal. I mean, who spends all day moving an espresso machine?
Pre-programmed Coffee Options
| Jura C60 | Jura C5 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Coffee x2 Espresso x2 Hot water | Coffee Espresso Coffee x2 Espresso x2 Hot water |
As you can see, there are very few one-touch drinks – they only have coffee, espresso (and their double shot option), and hot water. To make some milky drinks, you’ll need to froth milk with their milk frother or steam wand and pour milk foam on top of your espresso.
In terms of adjustability, the Jura C60 enables you to fine-tune the coffee volume, strength (across 3 levels), and brewing temperature (across 2 levels). The Jura C5 also lets you modify the coffee amount and strength (with 3 options). They don’t allow you to choose the quantity of milk beforehand, like their pricey siblings.
The space for experimentation may not be vast, and you generally don’t have a lot of space to experiment, but half a loaf is better than none, right? These machines don’t have a user profile feature and they will remember the latest change until you make another twist.
The best espresso, no doubt, always comes from the “bean-to-cup” process. But if you temporarily run out of fresh ground beans one day, you have the option to use pre-ground coffee via a bypass chute that is on top of both. Want a quick coffee shot for rushed mornings? They have got you covered! Want to brew a decaf cup for your caffeine-intolerant guest? You will have it in a flash!
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Jura C60 | Jura C5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 2.6-4.4 inches | 2.56-4.37 inches |
Their twin coffee spouts can be vertically adjusted, but if I could make one modification, I would heighten their maximum spout clearance by at least 6 inches. That way, I have plenty of room for a taller glass and an even larger travel mug. As it stands, their spouts sit quite low, which is not a problem when brewing espresso shots but becomes a challenge when preparing milk-based beverages.
Of course, they can prepare two cups of espresso at once. As a result, you and your loved ones don’t have to impatiently wait for your favorite caffeinated beverages to kick-start the day.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura C60 | Jura C5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.9 liter | 1.9 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.2 liter | 0.2 liter |
Their water tanks are nestled on the left side and easy to refill. As long as you don’t put them in large settings or no one in your household is an excessive coffee drinker, a single refill should suffice for a day.
Better yet, they can pair with a Clearyl Blue filter cartridge to reduce the chlorine and other impurities in your tap water. That way, you’ll find you don’t have to descale the machine frequently while the taste of your espresso is kept at its best level. Even if using this filter isn’t compulsory and requires a recurring fee, I highly recommend it unless you use distilled water.
Their bean containers can house up to 200 g of beans and have aroma protector lids to preserve their aroma for the long term. They are essentially airtight lids that prevent the beans from being exposed to air – the key to preventing oxidation from happening.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
Maintaining and cleaning these super-automatic machines couldn’t be easier. The tasks that actually need to be done manually are to empty the drip tray, empty the used grounds, and wipe down the casing using a wet cloth (Avoid using abrasive sponges since they can leave scratches on the machine’s plastic finish).
Jura machines are known for easy descaling and both the Jura C60 vs C5 are no different. They will alert you when the time is right and all you need to do is drop a Jura cleaning tablet and press a button. Avoid using a cost-effective universal descaler, and as mentioned earlier, you won’t need to do this too often if you’re using the Clearyl water filter.
Cleaning the Jura C60’s milk frothing system also relies on an automatic cleaning program and you will need to use a Jura milk system cleaner for this. As for the C5, flush its wand with steam and wipe it with a damp rag after each use.
Utilities & Other Features
Winner: Jura C60
One thing that the Jura C60 has over the C5 is the Energy Save Mode (E.S.M.) to prevent the machine from consuming power wastefully. Once it is activated, the C60 will swiftly stop heating soon after the last use. Both have an auto shut-off mode, allowing them to turn off automatically after an adjustable interval.
Quick Rundown Of Jura C60
- One rotary switch operation and 15 bars of pressure
- Stainless steel and black ABS plastic
- Fine foam technology produces silky smooth milk foam
- Height adjustable spout accommodates small cups as well as large cups 64 ounce water tank capacity
- Makes coffee, cappuccinos, espresso, and other specialities
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura C5
- 1450-watt automatic coffee machine with 15-bar pump and stainless-steel ThermoBlock heating system
- Rotary dial for choosing coffee or espresso and 1 or 2 cups; Intelligent Pre Brew Aroma System
- 6-setting conical steel burr grinder; separate funnel for pre-ground coffee; 5-16-gram brewing chamber
- Adjustable-height coffee spout; Easy Cappuccino Frother or hot water nozzle; removable water tank
- Measures 15 by 11-1/2 by 13-1/2 inches
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
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References
- Jura C60: https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/assets/user-manuals/jura/jura-impressa-c60-user-manual.pdf
- Jura C5: https://www.jura-parts.com/v/vspfiles/diagrams/Jura%20C5%20Manual%20.pdf
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.