Jura A1 vs Philips 3200 has been an easy debate to decide the winner for me. After some brewing sessions, I can tell that it’s worth purchasing Philips 3200 more.
The winner Philips 3200 is a super-automatic machine with a well-rounded design. The espresso flavor and texture are excellent, and the steam wand does quite a good job at making milk foam as well. Overall, I’m impressed both by its functionality and low price. !Highly recommendable for even first-timers and users with a tight budget!
The runner-up Jura A1 is a basic and straightforward machine because it only focuses on brewing espresso or coffee. This machine doesn’t have a milk system, and users need an external milk frother to make milk-based beverages. In exchange, I’m satisfied with its tasty espresso and think that it’s good enough for users with simple needs.
Jura A1 vs Philips 3200: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura A1 vs Philips 3200: Differences
Philips 3200 wins 4 – 1 against Jura A1 thanks to its overall convenient and modern design. It makes excellent espresso, and it is equipped with a powerful Panarello wand that can froth dry microfoam. The operation is impressive. I have nothing to complain about such a cheap yet stable model.
Coffee flavor: Philips 3200
+Grinder
The ceramic burr grinder is one of the best grinders for espresso machines, and both the Philips 3200 and Jura A1 come with it. However, despite sharing more or less the same type of grinder, each one performs differently.
The grinder on Jura A1 is called Aroma G3, which is how Jura calls its ceramic burr grinder with 6 settings. This grinder is smooth and efficient at producing even coffee ground at different textures according to the brand.
From what I get so far, the brand doesn’t lie about their grinders. I have consistently gained smooth coffee ground with this one.
This is my tip for you if you decide to purchase this model: set the grinder at 5 to get more robust espressos, and avoid level 6 because that is too much work for the grinder to function with ease in the long run.
With Philips 3200, there are 12 different grinding options, and the grinder does its job well. When I want a mellower cup of espresso, I set the grinder at 6; when I want a more potent drink, I set it at 8 or 9. Grinding too finely will not be beneficial, and the reason is the same as above.
However, noise-wise, Jura A1 offers slightly more pleasant grinding sessions. Both models produce noises in this step, but A1 keeps the volume lower.
+Dosing + tamping
Neither the Philips 3200 nor the Jura A1 need manual intervention in the dosing and tamping steps, which celebrate the beauty of not having to do anything for users. Beans to cup, you can expect this from super-automatic espresso machines like these ones.
If you care a lot about the crema quality, you must already know that the dosing and tamping step affects it significantly. Judging from the crema quality, Philips 3200 applies more pressure when it tamps the pucks. The crema layers have been consistently attractive for me.
As for Jura A1, the crema is there, but it is perceptibly less creamy and thick. Thus, the espresso texture lacks a good and heavy mouthfeel.
+Heating system
Both Philips 3200 and Jura A1 use the Thermoblock heating system to heat water quickly. After about 3-4 brewing sessions, I can already tell that these devices’ speciality is making drinks that are hot enough for a winter day but warm enough for drinking right away.
On the other hand, Philips 3200 has better temperature control between consecutive brewing sessions. As a result, I can make a large quantity of espresso or coffee at a perfect drinking temperature before the water tank runs out.
From Philips 3200, I get coffees and espressos around 160-165F. I think the temperature is perfect for such an affordable machine like the 3200.
Milk System: Philips 3200
Since A1 doesn’t even have a milk system, Philips 3200 wins without question. But, I assure you that this is not the sole reason this device wins. It actually makes surprisingly good foam for its low price.
Philips 3200 is equipped with a steam wand, common among cheap machines. It needs manual intervention from users, but I have never had to shake the jug too much for it to form foam with its powerful steam.
Creamy steamed milk is straightforward. Any machine can make this. But, Philips 3200 can make dry foam for cappuccinos as well. I was pretty shocked when I first saw it because it’s infrequent for espresso makers at this price range to pull off dry foam.
Utilities: Philips 3200
Philips dominates this round thanks to its more diverse list of one-touch beverages. Jura A1 can only brew single shots, which only involve coffee, espresso, and ristretto. There isn’t any special recipe like americano or coffee barista. On the contrary, 3200 boasts of one-touch americano and lungo. It also has a milk system for milk-based drinks.
Furthermore, I can adjust my drinks temperature with Philips 3200, which is something that Jura A1 can’t do. Philips is the better choice for its value and price from all these aspects.
Cleaning & Maintain: Tie
Philips 3200 and Jura A1 tie in this aspect since both share the same standard and basic cleaning cycles. Each machine has a cleaning system that tells them when to descale or to clean so that the brew groups stay in the best shape.
And, it’s possible to clean them using the cleaning tablets sold separately by their brands. The difference is that it is easier to remove the brew group of Philips 3200. Many product lines of Jura have fixed brew groups that we can’t remove for a deeper and more thorough washing. The same goes for Jura A1.
Design & Material: Philips 3200
Jura A1 is too simple for my taste. The front of the machine only has the dispenser and drip tray, and that’s all. Furthermore, the water tank is quite small for it to be convenient. Users will have to refill more frequently with this model. Nevertheless, Jura A1 is still a good pick for users who don’t drink often or those who buy the machine for personal use instead of sharing it with other members.
Philips 3200, on the other hand, leaves a good impression. The footprint is compact, but the water tank can hold around 60oz, which is quite good, judging from its size. I also enjoy its front touchscreen display.
Jura A1 vs Philips 3200: Similarities
If you want to know if these espresso machines share any feature in common, don’t miss my review below.
Auto shut-off
Both models have an automatic shut-off setting that helps turn the machines off without requiring users’ attention. If you usually forget to turn off electronic devices, Philips 3200 and Jura A1 can handle the inconvenience and save some energy.
Thermoblock as heating system
Thermoblock is my go-to heating system, and luckily, the pair has it. Thermoblock helps bring water to boiling temperature as quickly as possible for an efficient brewing experience. From my experience, both machines do a great job at extracting hot espressos. So, there is no doubt that the Thermoblocks work smoothly.
Quick Rundown of Philips 3200
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- Enjoy 4 coffees at your fingertips, makes espresso, hot water, coffee, Americano, Espresso Lungo. The classic milk frother allows you to create a silky smooth cappuccino or latte macchiato with ease
- Intuitive touch display, frequency: 60 hertz
- Adjust aroma strength and quantity
- 12-step grinder adjustment
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of Jura A1
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 barista quality specialties including ristretto, espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - coffee only
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURA's exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- ECO FRIENDLY: JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce water tank, 4.4 ounce bean container
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Philips 3200: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/EP3221_44/series-3200-fully-automatic-espresso-machines
- Jura A1: https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/A1-Piano-Black-NA-15148/Specifications#tabs
I am a passionate coffee drinker. Since I left my job as a barista a few years back in 2012, I’ve been sharing my expertise on coffee and buying the best coffee equipment online. That’s how Wild Boar Coffee came to life.
I write about everything coffee-related under the sun. Where to buy the freshest coffee beans from? How to test coffee beans based on texture, aroma, and acidity?
I know all this from scratch – all thanks to my years and years of experience as a barista. So I’ve gotten real up-close-and-personal with coffee beans and different brewing techniques.