Both the Jura E8 and DeLonghi Eletta Ultra compete in the $1,200-$1,600 premium super-automatic segment. Reddit’s r/superautomatic community discusses them frequently, often concluding that both are good machines - but for different buyers. This comparison breaks down the differences that actually matter.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Jura E8 if: Milk drink quality is a priority, you want proven 10-year reliability, or you plan to use the machine daily for 3+ years.
Buy the DeLonghi Eletta Ultra if: You want a larger touchscreen, prefer the DeLonghi ecosystem, or prioritize cold-brew cold water extraction as a specific feature.
Our Pick for Milk Drinks
Jura E8 (~$1,149-$1,399)
HP3 fine-foam technology, 17 specialties, proven 10-year reliability track record, Aroma G3 grinder. Best for daily milk drink households.
Check E8 Price →Alternative
DeLonghi Eletta Ultra (~$1,299-$1,599)
21+ specialties, 5” color touchscreen, cold extraction feature, LatteCrema milk system. Newer model, launched 2023.
Check at DeLonghi.comSide-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Jura E8 | DeLonghi Eletta Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,149-$1,399 | ~$1,299-$1,599 |
| Specialties (official count) | 17 | 21+ |
| Grinder | Aroma G3 (10-step) | 13-step conical burr |
| Milk system | HP3 fine-foam | LatteCrema Hot |
| Display | 3.5” color TFT | 5” color touchscreen |
| Cold extraction | No | Yes (LatteCrema Cold) |
| Water tank | 64 fl oz (1.9L) | 60 fl oz (1.8L) |
| Bean hopper | 10 oz (280g) | 14 oz (400g) |
| Brew group | Removable | Removable |
| Phone app | J.O.E. app | Coffee Link app |
| Launched | 2019 (current gen) | 2023 |
| Long-term reliability data | 5+ years of owner reports | ~2 years |
Coffee Quality
Both machines use conical burr grinders and produce espresso at similar quality levels when dialed in correctly. The main differentiator in black coffee is the grinder step count: the Eletta Ultra’s 13 steps allows finer tuning than the E8’s 10 steps. In practice, the difference is subtle and most home users will not notice it.
Extraction: Both machines use their own extraction optimization. Jura’s P.E.P. (Pulse Extraction Process) pulses water through the puck to optimize contact time for ristretto and espresso. DeLonghi uses My LatteArt mode and a similar optimized brewing profile. Both produce competitive espresso shots.
Winner on espresso: Tie - very close in blind taste tests. Slightly more precise grind adjustment on the Eletta Ultra; slightly better extraction optimization visibility on the E8.
Milk Foam Quality
This is the category where the machines most clearly diverge.
Jura E8’s HP3 system uses a fine-foam process that injects controlled amounts of air into the milk flow, creating consistently small, uniform bubbles. The result is silky microfoam - similar in texture to a barista’s steam wand output, though not identical. Cappuccino foam from the E8 holds structure for 5-8 minutes without collapsing.
DeLonghi Eletta Ultra’s LatteCrema Hot is a fully automatic system that also produces good foam, but Reddit owners report it runs slightly warmer and produces slightly coarser bubbles than the E8. The difference is not dramatic - both make drinks that most people would call excellent - but in direct comparisons the E8 consistently edges ahead on foam texture.
Winner on milk foam: Jura E8 - consistently rated higher by owners who switched from the Eletta Ultra or compared directly.
Display and Interface
The DeLonghi Eletta Ultra wins clearly on screen size: 5” color touchscreen vs the E8’s 3.5” TFT. If you find small screens frustrating or are placing the machine in a kitchen where visibility from a distance matters, the Eletta Ultra’s display is noticeably better.
The E8’s interface is mature and simple - 10 customizable buttons plus the touchscreen. The Eletta Ultra relies more heavily on the touchscreen for navigation, which some users find less intuitive for daily use.
Winner on display: DeLonghi Eletta Ultra - larger, more modern screen.
Specialty Drink Count
The Eletta Ultra claims 21+ specialties vs the E8’s 17. However, the actual comparison is more nuanced: the Eletta Ultra counts volume variants (regular/large espresso, regular/large coffee) as separate specialties. The E8’s 17 include genuinely distinct brewing profiles.
Both machines cover: espresso, double espresso, ristretto, coffee, lungo, flat white, cappuccino, latte macchiato, americano, and hot water. The practical overlap is approximately 80%.
Eletta Ultra-only features: Cold brew/cold extraction (LatteCrema Cold system), which is a genuine differentiator if you want cold coffee without ice dilution.
Winner: DeLonghi Eletta Ultra on count; Jura E8 on program distinctiveness. DeLonghi wins outright on cold extraction capability.
Reliability and Lifespan
Jura has the longer documented track record. The current-generation E8 was released in 2019 - over 5 years of owner reports on r/superautomatic, Coffeegeek, and owner forums show a well-understood failure pattern: brew group seals need replacement every 5-7 years at high use, otherwise rare issues.
The DeLonghi Eletta Ultra launched in 2023 - less than 3 years of owner data. Early indications are positive, but machines this new do not have the failure pattern history that buyers of 10-year machines need.
Winner on reliability: Jura E8 - stronger long-term reputation, more owner data.
Maintenance
Both machines have removable brew groups that can be rinsed manually. Both have automatic cleaning and descaling programs. The Eletta Ultra’s larger bean hopper (14 oz vs 10 oz) is a practical advantage for households that make many cups per day.
The E8’s milk system requires a tube rinse after every milk session. The Eletta Ultra’s LatteCrema system is fully enclosed and runs a cleaning cycle automatically after milk use - slightly more convenient for forgetful users.
Winner on maintenance convenience: DeLonghi Eletta Ultra (automatic milk system cleaning).
Price and Value
The price gap is typically $150-250 depending on current Amazon pricing. At that gap:
- If you primarily make milk drinks: pay for the E8’s superior foam system
- If you primarily drink black coffee: the Eletta Ultra’s extra specialty count and larger screen might tip you its way
- If cold extraction is a feature you want: Eletta Ultra only
For Most Buyers
The Jura E8 Is the Safer Long-Term Choice
Better milk foam, proven 5+ year reliability record, strong resale value, excellent parts availability. For daily milk drink households, the E8 wins.
Check E8 Price on Amazon →FAQ
Can the DeLonghi Eletta Ultra use barista oat milk?
Yes, the Eletta Ultra’s LatteCrema system works with barista oat milk (Oatly Barista, Minor Figures). Same guidance as other super-automatics - use barista-grade oat milk, not regular. The E8 also handles barista oat milk well. See our oat milk guide for details.
Does the DeLonghi Eletta Ultra hold its value better than the Jura E8?
The E8 holds resale value better due to its longer reputation and larger secondary market. Used E8 units in good condition sell for $600-800 on eBay. The Eletta Ultra is too new to have meaningful resale data.
Is the DeLonghi Eletta Ultra better for home baristas who also use a manual machine?
If you have a manual espresso machine and want a super-automatic as a convenience option, the Eletta Ultra’s more precise grind settings (13 steps) are slightly more relevant to someone who dials in espresso manually. But for a primary machine, the E8’s reliability advantage matters more.
See also: Jura E8 Full Review | Jura vs DeLonghi Comparison | Best Premium Super-Automatic Espresso Machines | E8 vs Z10 Comparison
