Of course, the assessment of any modern household appliance is always subjective and controversial due to its complexity. In contrast, a comparative analysis of specs and functionality quite objectively demonstrates the price-quality ratio, which is more important for the consumer when model choosing.
But the criteria for assessing flagship models in the premium segment are shifted towards other aspects, such as design, usability, additional options, service, etc. They are convenient for comparison in the Pros & Cons format. For ease of perception, the list of current models is limited to 4 coffee machines.
Nivona NIVO 8 (2024) and Nivona NICR 960/965/970
NIVO 8
The models of 8000 series have a new brewing unit, 5 flavor profiles and cost ~ € 1,300.
Pros:
– improved care of the new brewing unit (15-16 grams) due to its combination with a drainage valve;
– 5 flavor profiles for black coffee due to the settings of pre-wetting and the speed of water passing through the coffee tablet;
– sequence of adding coffee and milk to the cup in accordance with the classic recipe;
– makes 2 shots of milk-based coffee drinks simultaneously;
– separate programming of milk and milk foam volume;
– large color display and cup lighting;
– Bluetooth module;
– sensors for the presence of coffee beans and the use of ground coffee.
Cons:
– no user profiles, cup heating and drip tray filling sensor;
– one thermoblock;
– no program for milk-based coffee drink with separate settings for the sequence of pouring into the cup, volume of milk and milk foam.
Nivona 9 series
This flagship series with a huge 5″ touchscreen is assembled in a factory in Switzerland and costs ~€ 1,400.
Pros:
– 5-inches color touchscreen;
– sequence of adding coffee and milk to a cup in accordance with classic recipes;
– simultaneous preparation of 2 milk-based coffee drinks;
– setting the duration of pre-wetting (no / 1 sec / 3 sec);
– programming the volume and temperature for milk and milk foam;
– cup lighting and multi-colored lighting of the water container;
– Bluetooth module;
– sensors of coffee beans, filling the drip tray and using ground coffee.
Cons:
– no user profiles and cup warming;
– one thermal block.
DeLonghi PrimaDonna Soul
Bean Adapt technology makes the model ideal for coffee lovers without barista skills. PrimaDonna Soul costs ~ £ 900.
Pros:
– steel flat burrs;
– depending on the results of an interactive survey (roasting, crema coloro, desired flavor, etc) Bean Adapt automatically optimizes the grinding settings and brewing temperature;
– removable and disassemblable coffee dispenser is easy to clean;
– 4.3″ color touch screen;
– 5 user profiles;
– remote control via Wi-Fi;
– programming the sequence of adding coffee and milk to a cup;
– adjusting the milk foam height;
– two thermoblocks;
– cup lighting;
– special LONG Americano imitation program, separate classic Americano program (espresso + hot water), new Long Black recipe (Scandinavian Americano – first hot water, then espresso), ‘Coffee to Go’ and ‘Coffee Carafe’ programs.
Cons
– Delonghi Coffee Link sometimes works incorrectly;
– the model offers only total volume adjustment without separate adjustment for the proportions of coffee, water or milk;
– Bean Adapt adjustment is made via an electronic system with a delay of up to 5 cups;
– no cup heating, sensors of drip tray filling and grains in the hopper.
Jura Z10
The premium model with an innovative brewing unit called ‘eighth generation’ uses unique 3D brewing technology and makes cold coffee without ice. Extraction without hot water is achieved due to the volumetric surface of its lower piston and a special system for injecting water into a coffee tablet. Model prices range from $ 3,700 to $ 4,000.
Pros
– cold coffee without ice;
– coffee grinder with electronic control instantly changes the grind, supporting its programming for each recipe;
– the brewing unit holds up to 16 g of coffee, providing 10 levels of coffee strength;
– the built-in brewing unit is more convenient for maintenance (cleaning from coffee oils with special tablets);
– sequence of adding coffee and milk to a cup in accordance with classic recipes;
– Extra shot function makes milk-based coffee drinks with double espresso;
– programming the pause between adding milk and coffee to the cup;
– programming the volume and temperature for milk and milk foam;
– large color touch screen;
– two-color cup lighting;
– Wi-Fi control;
– horizontal adjustment of the coffee dispenser position;
– coffee beans and tray filling sensors.
Cons
– non-removable brewing unit requires maintenance at a service center every few years;
– no cup heating and user profiles;
– one thermal block;
– the end of the milk tube does not have a parking lot.
Conclusion
Of course, the list is very incomplete and can be expanded by, for example, DeLonghi Eletta Explore (~ $ 1,700), Jura Giga 10 (~ $ 5,000), etc. But in general, the presented models quite accurately characterize the technological level and prices of modern coffee machines. Basically, a coffee lover with a good budget can easily choose a model in the price segment from $ 1,000 to $ 2,000. Moreover, the Swiss Jura offers the ultra-innovative Z10 and Giga 10 for wealthy progressives with a very good budget.
The video demonstrates the frother cleaning in the coffee machines of NIVONA 8 series.