Jura GIGA 5 Automatic Coffee Center Review

Features

Variable Brewing Chamber

Don’t settle for a machine that makes you and your partner compromise on strength and flavor. With this coffee maker, you can now brew two different cups and even change the strength of each one with a few button presses. Its variable brewing chamber lets you brew two different cups at the same time.

Ceramic Disc Grinders

Made from a durable ceramic, the disc grinders on this model are exactly like those found on commercial and professional coffee makers. The discs grind coffee beans to the perfect consistency while operating much quieter than commercial machines do.

Specialty Coffee Selections

The Jura GIGA 5 comes loaded with 18 specialty coffee drinks that you can make. Use the rotary button to scroll through options like cafe latte or cappuccino. You can then make one or two drinks at the same time.

Adjustable Spout

Finish off your coffee drink with the perfect amount of foamy milk added to the top. As this model comes with an adjustable spout, you can raise or lower the spout to accommodate the size of your glass. You can add just the right amount of milk or cream on top.

Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System

Also known as IPBAS, the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System found on the Jura GIGA 5 lets you enjoy the rich and flavorful aroma of your coffee as it brews. This system increases the temperature of the beans slightly to develop a richer and fuller aroma.

Powder Option

If you don’t have beans on hand, or you don’t want to grind your own beans, you can use traditional coffee powders and brews in this machine. This is an optional feature that you’ll need to turn on, but it cuts down on the amount of time it takes to brew a cup.

CLEARYL Filter Cartridge

A common problem found with some machines is scale. Scale can build up inside the machine because of the chemicals and toxins found in your water supply. Jura includes a CLEARYL filter cartridge in this model, which keeps scale from building up and interfering with the taste of your coffee.

Innovative Heating System

The innovative Thermoblock heating system found in this model helps you brew coffee faster than ever before. It significantly cuts down on both the time it takes for the machine to heat up and the time it takes to bring your water up to temperature.

TFT Color Display

Its TFT color display makes it easy to to choose between five different temperature brewing levels and three different coffee strength levels. You can also use that display to program the aroma level, how much water you want to use and when you want the machine to shut down.

Routine Maintenance

Maintenance is an important part of owning a coffee maker, but you might forget about that maintenance. The Jura GIGA 5 comes with built-in maintenance options. Not only will it notify you when it needs maintenance, but it will also inform you via its display as to where it is in that scheduled maintenance.

Drip Tray

A built-in drip tray catches any liquid that spills over the rim of your cup and keeps that liquid from damaging the internal components. The GIGA 5 monitors that drip tray and lets you know when it needs cleaning too.

Pros

The pros associated with the Jura GIGA 5 are numerous. It’s one of the only models we found that will let you make 18 different custom blends and brews at home. Those specialty drinks are exactly like those you might get in your favorite coffee shop. We also like the built-in features that cut down on scaling to give your coffee more flavor and let you know when the machine needs cleaning or maintenance. The TFT display is another top highlight. This display helps you keep track of your settings and quickly switch between drinks. With two adjustable spouts, you can make two completely different cups, brews and even coffee strengths at the same time too. Those who visit a coffee shop a few days a week can save money with this machine though.

Cons

The only real con of this machine is that it’s a little too much for the average coffee drinker. You may not want to grind your own beans or spend a lot of money on a machine just to use ground coffee you buy from the store. Some users may find that it doesn’t give them the option of brewing their favorite specialty drinks or that the finished drinks do not taste like the ones they buy from a local shop.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy This Model?

After looking at the Jura GIGA 5, you might wonder if you should invest in one for your home. The short answer is absolutely, but the longer answer is that it depends on if you will actually use it and all its settings. As our friends and family drink a lot of coffee, we found that this model is great for our homes and even our office. With one on hand, you can let grandma have a cup of scalding hot coffee that would burn your lips, let your uncle enjoy a traditional cup and make a cup of cappuccino for yourself.

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The features on this one are nearly impossible not to love. Scaling, which can leave behind lime and calcium deposits on the internal water carafe and make your coffee taste off, is no longer a problem. The GIGA 5 does a great job of reducing scaling on its own. It also comes with built-in maintenance settings that help you save time on its overall cleaning. Let the machine descale itself. You can also use this machine with the cleaning tablets available from Jura that help you save even more time.

We also like the zero power energy switch. With other machines, you usually need to leave those machines plugged in to keep your brewed coffee hot. The GIGA 5 has a zero power energy switch that sends the machine into standby mode when you haven’t used it in awhile. It then uses its energy reserves to keep the coffee hot while not relying on your home’s electrical system.

As it works with both coffee beans and ground coffee, this is a one-stop shop coffee machine. If your family loves coffee but likes different strengths, types or flavors, the Jura GIGA 5 is the best machine for your home.

Comparable Models to Consider

Jura A9 Automatic Coffee Machine (View on Amazon.com)

If you like the GIGA 5 but can’t justify its high price tag, try the Jura A9. While it comes with many of the same features, it’s more suitable for some budgets. It comes with a new touchscreen and sliding interface that helps you find the type of coffee you want to make, add milk and switch between settings. Unlike commercial models that are often huge, this one has a smaller footprint that will take up less space in your kitchen. The A9 also comes with a professional grinding system for grinding your beans and a modern black finish.

Jura ENA 9 One Touch (View on Amazon.com)

Also from Jura is the more affordable ENA 9 One Touch. It features a simple design with an adjustable spout on the front that can accommodate most coffee mugs and cups. Adjustable features let you change the size of its grind, the strength of the finished cup or the amount of water it uses. Jura added a simple aroma boost button the top for increasing the amount of aroma produced. You’ll also find that you can make up to six different specialty drinks with the touch of a button, including cappuccino and latte drinks.

Miele CM6310 Coffee System (View on Amazon.com)

For a coffee system that lets you make coffee house drinks at home, this Miele model delivers. Its smaller footprint helps you save on counter space, but it can still brew two separate cups of coffee at once. Easy to identify push buttons across the front help you select the type of coffee drink you want too. With four user settings, everyone in your family can program the machine to make their favorite type with just of a push of a button. It also comes with a warmer that heats up your cup.