Jura S8 Review – Is This Top Automatic Machine Worth It?

Jura S8 Review – My Ratings & Top Features

Who Should Buy The Jura S8?

The Jura S8 super-automatic espresso machine is best for coffee enthusiasts who want barista-quality coffee drinks without the barista-level effort.

If you’re busy and want a seamless morning routine, you’ll love pressing a button and getting a drink without any work needed.

Tech lovers will love the coffee machine’s touchscreen and innovative technology. Overall, it’s a great choice for those who want automation and for the machine to do most of the work.

Why I Decided To Review The Jura S8

My first ever coffee machine was a Nespresso, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the super-automatic espresso machines.

Jura, with all of its innovative technology, is a far cry from the simplicity of Nespresso, so as a fervent coffee aficionado, I had to give it a try.

Jura's reputation for delivering café-quality beverages at home piqued my curiosity.

I wanted to check the quality of the drinks it makes and determine how the machine operates during continuous use so fellow coffee enthusiasts can make an informed decision before investing in the Jura S8.

What’s It Like To Live With The Jura S8?

Here’s my experience using this super-automatic espresso machine, starting from the first time I pulled a shot and frothed milk.

What’s In The Box?

Jura S8 box contains:

My order was processed in under two business days, and I received it in a cardboard box with lots of bubble wrap. The machine was well-packaged and arrived undamaged.

It’d be nice if Jura offered free shipping, especially considering the high price of their espresso machines.

Instead, the shipping fee is determined by your zip code and the weight of the coffee machine.[1]

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

The first thing I did after taking the S8 out of the box was to prepare it for brewing.

This includes determining the water hardness level, filling the bean hopper, running the rinsing cycle, and inserting the filter cartridge in the water tank.

Once this was done, I pulled my first shot:

That’s it. Once the prep steps were done, the actual brewing process was incredibly simple, and I got delicious coffee in seconds.

These are the key features that Jura S8 uses to make barista-quality drinks:

First Time Frothing Milk

Jura S8 prepares various milk-based drinks. Here’s how I got milk foam using its Professional Fine Foam frother:

Jura coffee machines make various milk-based coffee beverages, and you can adjust the milk foam as you like.

Overall, the more I used the S8, the more I learned how to customize it. For example, the milk frothing system can create a fine froth for lattes or an airy froth for cappuccinos.

The machine even pauses after frothing milk for latte macchiatos, which lets the milk separate, and you get those delicious layers. Really, what more can you ask for?

Finally, I loved that the machine switches between pouring milk or coffee first, depending on your chosen drink.

Not all super-automatic espresso machines I used do this, so Jura gets props for thinking of everything.

How Much Control Do You Have Over The Jura S8?

You have a huge amount of control over the Jura S8. Generally, Jura automatic coffee machines give you a lot of control over the brewing process, and S8 is no exception. 

Here’s all the control you have over this fully-automatic coffee machine:

3 levels of water temperature

You can also choose between seven grind settings, and you can even set the time between pouring the milk and the espresso.

Overall, the level of control is impressive and much higher compared to other fully automatic espresso machines I used.

Moreover, it’s extremely easy to make these adjustments. You can do it straight from the touchscreen, both before and during the brewing process.

How Does It Handle Different Roasts?

Jura S8 handles different roasts well, thanks to the AromaG3 grinder. You can adjust the grind settings to achieve the ideal grind level, depending on the beans you use.

The machine's programming lets you tailor the extraction parameters, so Jura S8 can extract the best from each roast. The result is a balanced, rich, and nuanced cup of coffee.

Overall, whether you're a fan of the bright notes in a light roast or the deep intensity of a dark roast, the Jura S8's meticulous handling of different roasts guarantees a consistently satisfying coffee experience.

Plus, you can use pre-ground coffee, which is great when you want decaf.

Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine

Jura S8 looks and feels premium. Keep in mind this is a large machine that will dominate your kitchen counter with dimensions 11 x 13.4 x 17.3 in.

However, the machine has a modern design with clean lines and is available in silver, black, or chrome, so you can easily find a color that fits your kitchen vibe.

Even though the machine is on the large side, it has a carefully thought-out layout. Let’s start below and work our way up.

The removable drip tray is located at the bottom, with two spouts in the center of the machine. One spout is for espresso and coffee, and one is for milk-based drinks.

This means you can make a latte macchiato or a cappuccino without having to move the cup. Plus, dual spouts mean you can make two drinks at once.

The automatic milk frother is located to the right and has a dial that lets you adjust the milk texture.

The touchscreen is located above the coffee spout, and this is the design feature I liked best. I've seen some reports of users complaining about the screen's response.

However, I didn't have any issues. The screen is large and clearly shows all drink options and important notifications (such as to empty drip tray or refill the bean hopper).

The bean hopper is located at the top and has a weighty lid made of hand-polished die-cast zinc.

The lid ensures the coffee beans stay fresh for as long as possible and keeps the grinder noise to a minimum.

The 64 oz water reservoir is located in the back. I loved its ribbed design and how it enhanced the machine’s overall aesthetic. Plus, it’s large, so you won’t have to refill it multiple times a day.

Finally, the machine is made of the highest-quality materials. It’s durable, and you’ll use it to prepare drinks for years.

What Drinks Can It Make?

Jura S8 can make an impressive 15 coffee drinks:

Overall, the list of coffee and milk-based drinks is extensive, although I’d like to have an option for double espresso for a cappuccino and flat white.

Also, Jura lists hot water for tea as a separate option, but in all honesty, I didn’t notice any difference between regular water and water for green tea, so this is probably a marketing trick.

Overall, you can easily create barista-quality coffee on the Jura coffee maker.

Plus, the number of customized drinks is almost infinite when you take into account the programmability options. However, one thing the machine can’t do is make cold brew and iced coffee.

How Easy Is It To Use?

Jura S8 is very easy to use. Even if you’re transitioning from a semi-automatic espresso machine to a fully automatic one, you won’t have issues setting up and using it.

The touch screen makes the use incredibly easy. It’s intuitive and guides you through every step, so you won’t reach for the user manual.

Moreover, I liked how you can adjust the specialty coffees while the drink is being made.

You can even save your preferences using the touch screen, and the machine will remember them for future use.

You can even rename, copy, and delete each drink and even add new coffee recipes. This makes a huge difference if you’re sharing your machine with another person with different preferences.

Overall, the Jura S8 coffee machine has an easy-to-use operating system. The touch screen has large dimensions with plenty of information and easy-to-use icons.

You won’t have any issues making steamed milk, changing coffee grinds setting, or choosing coffee volume.

How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)

It takes around two minutes from heat up to the first sip, which is faster than many other coffee machines.

Jura S8 coffee machine has a Thermoblock heating system that reaches optimal brewing temperature in around a minute.

It takes around 30 to 40 seconds for the coffee machine to pull single or double shots.

If you’re making a milk-based drink, the milk system takes another minute to create hot milk. In this case, you’ll have to wait around three minutes to enjoy your first sip.

Does It Have A Water Filtration System?

Yes, Jura S8 has a water filtration system called Intelligent Water System. Jura's Intelligent Water System means there's a CLEARYL Claris smart filter in the water reservoir.

These water filters communicate with the machine using RFID technology.

The machine recognizes when the Claris smart filter is inserted into the water tank and lets you know when it's time to change it.[2]

The water filter is an excellent addition to Jura machines and ensures great-tasting coffee. The filter prevents mineral build-up and ensures the best water quality for your brews.

How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale?

Jura S8 is very easy to clean and descale. In fact, if you use the water filter, you won’t even have to descale.

You should do daily maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the milk frother after making warm milk to prevent milk curdling and ruining your espresso macchiato.

Empty the drip tray and the puck container as needed, and rinse them.

After 180 brewed drinks, the S8 will prompt you to clean it. The cleaning process takes 20 minutes, so keep this in mind.

Simply touch the “clean the machine” option on the touch screen, choose clean, and start.

Don’t forget to place the receptacle under the coffee spout and the milk spouts. The machine will prompt you when it’s time to add the cleaning tablet.[3]

Overall, the cleaning process is easy, thanks to the detailed instructions on the display.

My Favorite Parts About The Jura S8

My absolute favorite part about the Jura S8 super-automatic machine is that it’s completely programmable.

You can choose everything from high-coffee dosing, number of espresso shots, coffee temperature, and coffee strength to grind size.

I also liked that both the coffee and milk system spots are adjustable, as well as the hot water function.

The cappuccino and hot water spout have a max height of 6 in, so you can fit a taller glass. Moreover, I could lower the coffee spout to 2.8 in, which preserves the crema.

Finally, I liked the large capacity of the used puck container. I could enjoy my best espresso without having to clean the automatic coffee machine straight away.

My Least Favorite Parts About The Jura S8

My least favorite part about the Jura S8 is the fixed brew group. I can’t take it out and remove the leftover coffee grinds.

However, Jura claims this isn’t an issue, and I admit I didn’t notice any changes in my coffee even though I used this machine for a while.

Finally, I didn’t like the S8 has fewer drink options compared to other machines in the Jura lineup, including more affordable models.

Jura S8 Vs Similar Machines

Here’s how Jura S8 compares to other similar machines.

Jura S8 Vs E8

Jura S8 and E8 are extremely similar models. The E8 has a somewhat more compact footprint, but both machines have the same build quality and self-cleaning options.

Both Jura S8 and E8 have the same high-end features, such as the IPBAS, PEP, Aroma G3 grinder, and Intelligent Water System, so you won't notice a difference in coffee quality.

However, Jura E8 has more drink options — 17 compared to S8’s 15. Also, E8 doesn’t have a touchscreen display but an LCD with corresponding buttons.

Overall, the E8 is a better option in terms of value, except if you’re set on having a color touchscreen display.

Jura S8 Vs Z8

Jura Z8 is another high-end Jura coffee machine. It has the same brewing technology and programmability as the S8.

For example, the brewing system is Thermoblock with IPBAS, PEP, AromaG3 grinder, and the Intelligent Water System.

The main difference is that the Z8 is made from aluminum and has fewer plastic parts compared to the S8. Z8 also has an impressive 21 drink options.

Most of these are double shot options, and cafe barista and lungo barista so that you can be a professional barista at home.

Jura S8 Vs DeLonghi Dinamica Plus

DeLonghi Dinamica Plus is another super-automatic machine. It has a slightly more compact design than the S8, with dimensions 9.3 x 16.9 x 13.7 in.

Dinamica Plus can make 16 drinks at the touch of a button. It has a built-in LatteCrema Automatic milk frother that creates excellent foam for milk drinks using a milk carafe (there aren’t any tubes).

Most importantly, Dinamica Plus has a grinder with 13 settings, which is considerably more compared to the Jura S8.

Finally, this machine also comes with a touchscreen display that’s somewhat smaller than Jura’s.

Overall, Dinamica Plus has mostly the same features as the Jura. It creates good milk foam and a large variety of drinks at a much lower price.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is The Jura S8 Worth Your Money?

Jura S8 is worth your money if you’re looking for coffee makers that can make excellent coffee at the push of a button.

It’s also one of the best espresso machines for coffee lovers who want a large display.

It has plenty of key features that ensure quality drinks, such as the Pulse Extraction Process, high-quality grinder, and pre-infusion. Plus, it’s excellent build quality and keeps the beans fresh.

However, if a touchscreen display isn’t your main priority, my advice is to check out the Jura E8. It has the same features as the S8, plus it can make more specialty drinks.

References: 

1. https://shopjura.com/shipping-policy
2. https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/clearyl-filter-system-n
3. https://us.jura.com/-/media/global/pdf/manuals-na/Home/S8/download_short_manual