Many casual coffee drinkers do not make a great fuss over the intricate details of their drinks. What is important to these people is getting a coffee experience that will not require them to line up at the local coffee shop.
A machine that can deliver straightforward espressos is, thus, preferable in such instances. Good thing Jura has the answer.
The Jura Impressa C65 never compromises on its promise of delivering shot after delicious shot of espressos. It does not offer that many fancy drinks. However, it always does a great job of producing good quality coffee every time.
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The Jura Impressa C65 Automatic Coffee Machine
Jura products are expensive and the Impressa C65 is no different. While it sits near the bottom of Jura’s impressive array of high-quality espresso machines, the C65 remains a few hundred dollars more expensive than your average machine. We found plenty of good reasons for this price tag.
Jura is a Swiss brand that has been at the forefront of super-automatic espresso machine design since the 1980s. Their experience with coffee machines dates way back in the 1930s. Very few brands can match Jura’s excellence when it comes to designing and creating coffee machines.
The Impressa C65 carries on Jura’s tradition of fine craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and convenient functionality. It is a machine that introduces coffee lovers to the wonderful world of Jura’s espresso creation. The C65 is a good machine to up the ante of your coffee drinking adventures.
Jura created the Impressa C65 in a similar fashion to its GIGA line of professional coffee machines. However, it retains the ease of operation of the Impressa series. It allows for a bit of customization of one’s favorite beverage. The fine foam technology integrated into the C65 also makes the creation of milk-based coffees more barista-like.
The company also included several accessories to go with every purchase of this appliance. There are a pair of 3-ounce espresso cups, a glass milk container, decalcifying tablets, and a water filter. These accessories are enough to get you started on a whole new world of espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, and pressure-brewed coffee.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Easy to maintain
- Programmable auto-shutoff mechanism from 15 minutes to 15 hours
- Comes with automatic milk steaming and frothing capabilities
- Elegant European styling
- Very durable built-in conical burr grinder
- Generous water tank capacity for increased coffee production
- Can produce very fine milk froth
- Adjustable coffee spout to accommodate more cup sizes
Cons
- Not as intuitive as some people may have hoped for
- Cheap plastic casing
- Only has a single boiler
- Limited grind settings
- Still more expensive than your average coffee machine
- Aesthetics, Footprint, and Form Factor
Jura Impressa C65 Specifications
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 11 x 13.5 x 16 inches (28 x 34.3 x 40.6 cm) |
| Weight | 22 pounds (9.98 kg) |
| Power | 1450 watts |
| Voltage | 120 volts AC, 60 Hz |
| Pump Pressure | 15 bars |
| Bean Hopper Capacity | 7 ounces (200 grams) |
| Dreg Drawer Capacity | 16 servings |
| Water Tank Capacity | 64 ounces (1.9 liters) |
| Housing Material | ABS plastic and stainless steel |
| Display | TFT color display with rotary selection |
| Drink Options | Espresso, coffee, ristretto, and hot water |
| Special Features | Aroma+ grinder, pre-brew aroma system, and fine foam frother |
| Cleaning | Automatic cleaning, descaling, and rinsing programs |
Aesthetics, Footprint, and Form Factor
The C65 looks very handsome. It has sleek lines and the kind of styling that is distinctly European. It will not win the hearts of people who prefer machines with ornate details.
However, the C65 will sit nicely on the countertop of any modern kitchen.
The only issue here is that Jura uses ABS plastic in the construction of the machine. This is understandable. Using aluminum and stainless steel would have given Jura the impetus to push for a higher price tag for the C65. Nevertheless, the way the C65 is designed still gives the machine an elegant look that should complement the other décor in a modern kitchen.
One thing we like about the C65 is its relatively compact size. We said “relatively” because its size is smaller than other Jura products. This machine only measures 16.1 inches tall and has a footprint of 13.6 inches and 11 inches. Kitchens with very small or tight countertops may still have issues with the coffee machine, however.
Unboxing the machine is also very easy because of its surprisingly lightweight construction. At only 22 pounds, you can move the C65 around the kitchen or in between rooms anytime without a fuss.
Features and Functionalities
Every potential owner of the Jura Impressa C65 should pay attention to what the machine has to offer. We shall look at the different noteworthy features of the C65 in this section. Hopefully, this will give you a fair idea of what you are getting.
Simple and Easy-to-Use Control Knob
People will be surprised at the absence of buttons in the C65. On the left front panel of the machine is a large knob that looks more like the one in your stereo. There are two essential functions of this control knob. One is to cycle through the different menus of the machine. The other one is to make the appropriate selection by pressing the knob.
In a way, Jura has simplified the operation of the machine. There is only a single knob to both turn and press to make the right selection. The selected setting gets displayed on an LED screen above the control knob. You may not appreciate the display at all since it is a one-line, text-only screen. The text comes in a bright color, nonetheless.
Coffee purists may find that Jura overdid the simple controls of the C65. While the design may work in favor of novice users, veterans may not feel the same way. Turning the knob to find the correct menu is less intuitive than having a dedicated button for the same menu.
Modest Customization Options
The Jura Impressa C65 offers the option of customizing your drinks using the large control knob. There are three areas that users can customize in the machine. The first is the coffee strength. Users get to decide on the amount of coffee beans that the machine will grind and brew. The second is the amount of water to be infused into the beans. This can produce stronger brews or lighter drinks. The third is the brewing temperature, which you set to either one of two different levels.
There are other customization options on the Impressa C65 that is ideal for novice users. There is the basic maintenance cycle that can remove the hassle of cleaning and maintaining the machine. You can also customize the length of time that the machine is operational. It can be as long as 15 hours or as short as 15 minutes.
The drink options are not as robust as other models and brands. However, the C65 can provide you with consistent coffees, cappuccinos, lattes, and espressos. There is also an option for hot water and hot milk.
Modest Water Tank Capacity
The C65 was designed more for the home and small offices that have modest coffee drinkers. The water tank can only accommodate 64 ounces, a far cry from other Jura products that can hold up to 190 ounces. The capacity is generous enough to provide average coffee drinkers with enough beverage to last them a day.
The water compartment already comes with Jura’s CLEARYL Blue filter. The company gives you the option to use this to ensure the quality of water in your coffee. Such an element can make the maintenance of the machine very easy. However, it does add to the cost of operating the machine as the filter requires periodic replacement.
One way you can address this is by using only distilled water in the machine. It would also be helpful if you already have a filter somewhere in your water system.
Single Boiler System
We understand why Jura only put a single boiler in the C65. Putting two boilers would dramatically increase the machine’s price. This will go against the fundamental goal of the machine which is to provide newbie users with a machine that is within their budget.
One problem with a single boiler system is that you cannot brew coffee and steam milk at the same time. Jura addresses this by designing the boiler with Thermoblock technology. The innovation hastens the rate of heating the different ingredients in the boiler. This can reduce the amount of time needed to prepare a milk-based coffee recipe. It still lags behind machines with double boilers, of course.
Jura allows users to choose between two temperature settings. Again, this can be a real bummer for some people who require more latitude in the customization of their drinks. The coffee temperature may not be hot enough for some people.
Built-in Grinder
The grinder that is built into the C65 is the conical burr type. It is very efficient in grinding coffee beans to give you a coffee that has a rich taste and is bursting with aromas and flavors. The main issue is that Jura uses stainless steel and not ceramic. This material often heats up compared to ceramic. There is the chance that the overheating stainless steel can burn the grounds and impart an unpleasant taste in your coffee.
Going around this issue is a lot simpler than you can imagine. Make sure to let the machine rest for a couple of minutes before giving it a go again. The resting period should help cool down the stainless steel grinder and avoid burning the coffee grounds.
It is important to remember that Jura intended the C65 for novice users. As such, the grinder can only provide you with five grind levels. This can limit the way you can fine-tune the flavor of your coffee. However, the five grind levels should be enough for first-time users. It is also sufficient for those who do not have very sensitive palates.
We also would like to point out that Jura has integrated a bypass doser in the design of the Impressa C65. This allows you to concoct a hot beverage without having to go through the grinding process. It is also great for people who enjoy decaf more than brewed coffee. The bypass doser can only accommodate two scoops of decaf, however.
Automatic Milk Frothing System
The C65 is not for people with barista-level skills and confidence. These people often prefer the absolute control afforded by a frothing wand than leaving the machine to determine the characteristics of their milk froth. The auto-frothing system of the C65 is great for newbies and people who do not want the technicalities of using a frothing wand.
Unfortunately, the design of the C65 does not afford the convenience of true one-touch systems. You will have to move the cup from under the milk spout and position it under the coffee spout if you want to make a latte or cappuccino. In other words, you will have to stand in front of the unit to make the repositioning of the cup possible.
Cup Warming Tray
A cup warmer is essential to making a good cup of brew. A cold cup can reduce the ideal temperature of the drink and make the experience less enjoyable. Of course, this still depends on how hot you want your coffee to be.
The C65 already comes with a built-in warming tray at the top of the machine. It works passively, so do not expect your cup to be very warm. The feature can bump the temperature of your drink by several degrees, nevertheless.
Operation, Cleaning, and Maintenance
The Impressa C65 is best known for its ease of use. Unfortunately, some people still find its operation to be less intuitive than other brands as well as other Jura models. Assessing a device’s ease of use can be very subjective. Some people may find operating a machine fairly easy, while others may find the same process too difficult.
When it comes to the C65, the use of a control knob should make the operation of the espresso machine easy. It is like turning the dial of your stereo knob. Moreover, the control knob already integrates a one touch mechanism.
People who have been using coffee machines for a long time often find the C65 controls to be a cinch to operate. Newbies, meanwhile, may need to have the manual beside them when operating the machine. This is true for the first few days after unboxing and setting up the machine. Even self-confessed neophyte baristas will find the operation very easy once they have ‘mastered’ manipulating the control knob. It does take time and a bit of practice to get you well-acquainted with the features of any machine. The Impressa C65 is no different.
Maintaining the C65 is not a walk in the park; although, Jura promises to help you in the proper cleaning and maintenance of your machine. The company provides a very detailed instruction on how you can remove those components that require manual cleaning. There are also no worries about fixed, non-removable components. The C65 already comes with its own maintenance programs that you can set up.
The machine will notify you of the need for cleaning the different components, including the descaling of its water compartment. Here is the best part. There is no need to descale the machine if you use the CLEARYL Blue filter. The C65 also notifies you of the need for changing the filter, so you can continue enjoying great cups of coffee every time. Do take note that Jura filter replacements are also more expensive than other types of filters.
If there is one thing we wished Jura included in the C65, it would be a cleaning system for the milk frother. The device does not provide alerts about the need for cleaning the milk system. Instead, you will have to set up your own habit of taking out the milk frother system and clean it every single day.
Who this Product is For? / Should You Buy This?
The Jura Impressa C65 is for new coffee machine users who want to enjoy coffee the way coffee shops prepare them. The machine makes it relatively easy to make coffee shop-quality coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos.
For obvious reasons, this machine is not for people who prefer drinking a wide array of specialty coffees. The C65 is also not intended for coffee purists who require absolute precision in their coffees. The customization options of the C65 are far limited to appeal to these types of coffee drinkers.
On that note, you should buy the Impressa C65 if you are only beginning in your coffee drinking journey. You should also purchase this gadget if you like convenience without sacrificing the quality of your drink. Above all, buy the C65 if you do not mind shelling out at least a thousand dollars.
The Competition
Jura Impressa C65 vs. Jura E8
The Impressa C65 looks almost identical to the Jura E8. However, the latter is more ideal for those who want more barista coffee specialties like flat white, espresso doppio, and espresso macchiato. The only issue here is that you will have to add a few hundred dollars to the price of the Impressa C65.
Jura Impressa C65 vs Jura D6
Consider the Jura D6 if you want a cheaper alternative to the C65. The low price does come with tradeoffs. The D6 provides a limited number of recipes. It cannot simultaneously prepare coffee and milk. On the plus side, the D6 has a smart control app that can make its use more convenient.
Verdict of Jura Impressa C65
The Jura Impressa C65 may not be 100% perfect. However, the machine remains impressive because of its ease of use and the addition of built-in maintenance programs.
One can always rely on the quality of the coffee machine’s construction and its ability to produce cups after amazing cups of espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, and pressure-brewed coffees.
This is a machine that is great for novice coffee drinkers and for those who appreciate Swiss ingenuity at a more decent price.
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