Jura Z8 vs Delonghi PrimaDonna S: Which is Better?

Are you unsure whether you should buy the Jura Z8 or the Delonghi Primadonna S? 

We created this guide to compare the Jura Z8 vs Delonghi PrimaDonna S. We’ll go over the ins and outs of both of these luxurious superautomatic espresso machines to make your decision easier.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Features the Z8 and PrimaDonna share

• What makes these machines different from each other

• Factors to consider before you choose

Let’s jump right in. 

Quick Summary

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What’s the bottom line?

The Z8, with a comprehensive selection of drinks and touchscreen, can work well in a high-end home looking for the largest variety of drinks.

But the PrimaDonna is a solid pick for home users looking for an affordable superautomatic espresso machine.

The Z8’s expansive 21-drink menu and robust dual boiler heating system give it the power to serve a wide range of situations, from high-end home kitchens to houses with a bunch of coffee lovers. You’ll probably find your favorite coffee shop drink on this machine.

The Delonghi PrimaDonna S is as elegant as its name implies, with a lustrous stainless steel complexion that complements other kitchen appliances. Its notably compact size makes this a superautomatic machine that can squeeze into jam-packed countertops at home without a problem.

SIMILARITIES

SUPERAUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINES

At the heart of every espresso machine is its basic type, which changes how you use it every day.

A superautomatic espresso machine, such as the Z8 and the PrimaDonna, is the king of convenience. With other types of machines, you still have to grind your espresso, tamp the grounds, and create milk foam with a steam wand.

Superautomatic machines perform each step of the drink-making process for you, even pouring the completed drink into your cup. 

Even if you have absolutely no experience making espresso, the user-friendliness of the Z8 and PrimaDonna make high-quality coffee shop beverages readily accessible.

POUR-OVER WATER RESERVOIRS 

The Z8 and PrimaDonna are both pour-over machines.

What does that mean? It just means that, instead of being connected to your water line like direct-connect machines, these models have to have their water reservoirs refilled manually.

You’ll need to pay attention to the water levels in the Z8 and PrimaDonna, but there is a major advantage to this design: they’re portable. 

Since they don’t require connection to a water line, either one of these machines can be used from anywhere.

CUP ILLUMINATION

The area beneath the beverage spout is softly lit on both the Z8 and PrimaDonna.

This lighting does more than just look pretty – it keeps your workspace illuminated, so that you can see your cup even in dim surroundings. When you’re grabbing your morning cup of joe in a dark kitchen, you’ll be able to safely see and grab your cup, reducing the risk of messy spills.

PROGRAMMABLE TEMPERATURE AND MILK FOAM

The reason why coffee shops have such expansive menus for espresso is that everyone has their own personal preferences. 

On top of offering users a variety of beloved drinks, such as lattes or cappuccinos, the Z8 and PrimaDonna allow you to make adjustments to the temperature and milk foam in each cup.

Don’t like it too hot? Then you can simply tweak the temperature on either of these machines to enjoy a cooler drink.

Want more foam in your cappuccino? You can add more or less foam easily on both the Z8 and PrimaDonna. 

These thoughtful options make it even simpler for you to tailor each cup however you see fit.

DUAL THERMOBLOCK HEATING SYSTEM

When you’re preparing a cup for the road before heading out the door, you don’t always have as much time to wait for your machine.

Some types of machines use single-boiler systems that can’t brew your espresso and steam your milk simultaneously. Obviously, a flaw in this design is that espresso drinks with milk in them take longer to make.

With the Z8 and PrimaDonna, this wait time is reduced because they each use a dual thermoblock heating system with boilers dedicated to steaming and brewing. Because you won’t need to wait in between steaming and brewing, your cup will be ready that much quicker.

DIFFERENCES

WATER TANK CAPACITY

With pour-over machines like the Z8 and PrimaDonna, the amount of water in the tank is critical. If your tank runs dry, it can damage your espresso machine.

But having to stop to refill the water tank constantly can quickly become a pain. So what’s the solution?

A larger water tank capacity. 

In a side-by-side comparison, the Z8 wins in this particular aspect. Its water tank can hold approximately 2.4 liters.

The PrimaDonna’s tank holds a little over 2 liters. 

Either way, you won’t need to stop and add more water after making just a couple cappuccinos, but refills on the Z8 will be even less frequent. 

DIMENSIONS

With any other appliance, from dishwashers to fridges, you carefully measure out the space you have in your home beforehand. 

Although espresso machines aren’t as large as dishwashers or fridges, it can be as important to ensure you have room for them before you buy. This is crucial if your countertop is quite full already.

In terms of size, the PrimaDonna is more petite. It measures at 13.6 inches high, 17.4 inches wide, and 9.4 inches long. 

The Z8 is 15 inches high, 12.6 inches wide, and 17.7 inches long. 

A couple inches might not be a big deal to you, but when you’re short on space, its more compact shape might make the PrimaDonna more preferable. 

COFFEE STRENGTH SETTINGS

There are times when you might want a stronger or weaker coffee. If you’re struggling to wake up in the early morning or fighting through an afternoon slump, you’ll probably want something strong.

But if you’re just craving an evening coffee while you relax, you’ll most likely prefer something milder.

The Z8 and PrimaDonna accommodate these preferences by allowing you to alter the strength of each cup. On the PrimaDonna, you’ll have 5 strength settings from extra-mild to extra-strong.

On the Z8, however, customization is taken to a whole new level with 10 strength settings. 

These additional options make the Z8 compatible with a range of tastes that’s twice as broad, making it exceptional for households with multiple coffee aficionados. 

GRIND SETTINGS

Making good espresso is a delicate process, and the texture of your grind is where it all begins. 

Within the Z8, there’s an Aroma G3 grinder with 6 different fineness settings. It isn’t the widest selection available, but most homes will find that this more than encompasses their tastes. 

Grind texture is where the PrimaDonna really stands out from its competition. Its grinder has 13 different grind settings, in addition to operating quietly. 

This increased level of precision means you’ll be able to tweak the flavors of your espresso with even more accuracy, highlighting your favorite flavors.

JURA Z8 TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY

Touchscreens are growing in popularity, and with good reason.

They’re easy to control, familiar, and you don’t have to look for hidden buttons. All you need to do is tap the screen.

This famous ease of use is what makes the Jura Z8’s touchscreen display to comfortable. Like with your phone, you can control it using nothing more than the tips of your fingers on the screen.

DELONGHI PRIMADONNA CUP WARMER

No one likes when their hot drinks get cold too fast. 

One way to keep the warmth of your beverages as long-lived as possible to is to make sure they’re poured into warm cups. 

While the Z8 does have an optional cup warmer you can purchase, the PrimaDonna automatically comes with one built right on top as a shelf.

Simply set your mugs right on top of the PrimaDonna, and the machine will keep them toasty for you. As an extra benefit, this cup warmer also functions as a storage space for your mugs, freeing up room elsewhere.

JURA Z8 REMOTE CONTROL 

The Jura Operating Experience (J.O.E.) app is an app that you can use to remotely order drinks using a phone or a tablet instead of having to go up to the espresso machine itself.

This feature is a bonus with the Jura Z8. It’s basically like being able to preorder drinks from a coffee shop so you don’t need to wait in line. 

You can order from your bedroom or living room without interruption. You could even order from your car when you get home from work. 

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY? 

Both the Jura Z8 and Delonghi PrimaDonna S will bring you the intuitiveness and accessibility of superautomatic machines, so you’ll need to consider other factors to determine which one to buy.

The additions of a high-tech touchscreen and a huge drink menu contribute to the Z8’s higher price. Even among superautomatic espresso machines, it’s a high-end machine.

It’s a wise decision for houses where several people will need to use an espresso machine, like in larger households. 

But at a more affordable price, the PrimaDonna is a solid selection for at-home espresso fans on a budget. This could be the perfect match for you if you’re looking a superautomatic espresso machine for your own personal use.

However, please note that prices are subject to change. If cost is a big factor for you, pay attention accordingly to the price as you look at these machines.

You can find out more details on the Jura Z8 and the Delonghi PrimaDonna S here: