The milk system is what separates a good espresso machine from a great one for latte and cappuccino lovers. Jura offers several milk frothing technologies across its lineup, and the differences are significant. Here is how they compare and which machines have which system.
Jura Milk Systems at a Glance
| Feature | Basic Frother (entry-level) | Fine Foam most popular | Dual Circuit (commercial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foam quality | Acceptable | Very good microfoam | Excellent microfoam |
| Foam density control | Limited | Adjustable | Fully adjustable |
| One-touch milk drinks | Manual step required | Yes - fully automatic | Yes - fully automatic |
| Cappuccino quality | Frothy (large bubbles) | Silky (small bubbles) | Barista-grade |
| Latte art possible | No | Basic (with practice) | Basic (with practice) |
| Auto-clean after use | No | Yes | Yes |
| Found in | ENA 4, D6 | E6, E8, S8, Z10 | GIGA 6 |
Basic Frother - Entry-Level Models
Entry-level Jura machines like the ENA 4 and D6 use a simpler milk frothing system. It works by drawing milk through a tube and injecting steam, producing foam with larger bubbles. The result is acceptable for everyday cappuccinos but noticeably different from cafe-quality microfoam.
What you get: Frothy milk that works for basic cappuccinos and lattes. You may need a manual frothing step on some models.
What you miss: Fine-foam microfoam texture, automatic milk cleaning, and adjustable foam density.
Fine Foam - The Most Popular System
Jura’s fine-foam technology is available on the E6, E8, S8, and Z10. It creates microfoam with tiny, uniform bubbles that produce a silky, velvety texture. This is the same basic foam principle used in specialty coffee shops, adapted for a fully automatic machine.
The fine-foam system is fully automatic - press one button and the machine dispenses espresso and frothed milk in the correct order. After each use, the system runs an automatic rinse cycle to keep the milk circuit clean.
What you get: Silky microfoam for cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites, and macchiatos. Adjustable foam density. Automatic cleaning.
What you miss: Compared to the GIGA 6’s dual circuit, the single-circuit fine-foam system needs a brief pause between consecutive milk drinks while the system resets.
Fine Foam by Model
Not all fine-foam implementations are identical:
- E6 - Fine foam with fewer drink presets (8 specialties)
- E8 - Fine foam with the widest drink menu (17 specialties), includes latte macchiato and flat white presets
- S8 - Same fine-foam quality as E8, 4.3” touchscreen interface
- Z10 - Same fine-foam quality, plus the ability to make cold foam for iced drinks
The E8 is our top recommendation for milk drink lovers because it combines fine-foam quality with the most drink presets at a reasonable price. The S8 adds a touchscreen if you prefer that interface.
Dual Circuit - Commercial Grade
The GIGA 6 uses a dual-circuit milk system with two separate heating elements. This means the machine can prepare two milk drinks simultaneously without any pause between them - essential for offices and commercial settings where multiple people are waiting.
What you get: The fastest milk drink preparation in the Jura lineup. Two drinks at once. The highest foam quality and consistency for back-to-back drinks.
What you miss: Nothing in terms of milk quality. But the GIGA 6 costs $4,000-5,500, making it overkill for home use.
Which Milk System Do You Need?
| If you… | Get this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mainly drink black coffee | ENA 4 or D6 | Basic frother is fine for occasional milk drinks |
| Love lattes and cappuccinos | Jura E8 | Best fine-foam value, most drink presets |
| Want a touchscreen | Jura S8 | Same milk quality as E8, premium interface |
| Need iced milk drinks | Jura Z10 | Only Jura with cold foam capability |
| Serve 20+ people daily | GIGA 6 | Dual circuit handles high volume without pauses |
Milk Type Matters Too
Regardless of which Jura milk system you have, the type of milk you use significantly affects foam quality. Whole milk produces the richest, most stable foam. Oat milk is the best non-dairy option. Skim milk foams well but produces thinner, less creamy results. For detailed milk frothing tips, read our milk frothing guide.
Keeping Your Milk System Clean
All Jura fine-foam models have automatic rinse cycles, but you still need to run a dedicated milk circuit clean weekly with Jura milk system cleaner. Neglecting this leads to buildup that degrades foam quality over time. See our cleaning guide for the full schedule.
Ready to choose a Jura with the right milk system for your needs? Browse our product reviews or use the Machine Finder to get a personalized recommendation.