Any coffee connoisseur worth their roasted beans knows that the JURA’s coffee-making machines offer high quality, sleek design, and innovative technology. Whether an espresso’s your hot brew of choice or a flat white gets your motor running, the JURA S8 is a smart, elegant, and compact machine that’ll impress you time and time again.
Yes, this Swiss brand isn’t for the budget-conscious. But many would argue that their state-of-the-art features, high-quality output, and incomparable design make these coffee machines excellent value for money. So, if you’re serious about your coffee, read on as we spill the beans on the JURA S8 machine. This article will help you decide if this little coffee-maker is steaming hot or a bitter disappointment.
Features and Benefits
If you’re a coffee-lover, finding a trusted machine to make your favorite hot beverage at home is worth its weight in liquid gold. Since the 1980s, JURA’s reputation for high-end coffee machines has been undeniable. Let’s take a closer look at what the JURA S8 machine has to offer.
Compact and Sleek Design
For those craving a home coffee maker but with little extra space on their kitchen countertops, the Jura S8 is the answer. This compact automatic coffee machine only measures 11 inches in width, 13.7 inches in height, and 17.5 inches in depth.
Its relatively small dimensions mean that it can discreetly slot into the tightest spaces, including kitchen cabinets. Despite its compactness, the machine can hold up to 64 ounces of water. Meanwhile, the bean container can keep 10 ounces worth of coffee beans. Not bad for a small appliance.
Not only does the S8 perfectly fit into the smallest of kitchens, but it also looks good while doing so. Modern and minimal, its design is unobtrusive yet aesthetically pleasing. JURA has done well to create a coffee machine that suits any style of kitchen. You can opt for either moonlight silver or chrome. Brew-ti-ful!
Built-In Grinder
With the Jura S8, there’s no fiddling about and grinding coffee beans in a separate appliance. The S8 has its own built-in, conical burr grinder—the AromaG3—providing a consistent, fast, and precise coffee blend.
Jura claims that the AromaG3 offers 12.3% more aroma than other conventional grinders and that this superior grinding quality endures for the machine’s service life. If you’re looking for ground coffee perfection—the AromaG3 is espresso-ly for you. We’ll take a closer look at the grinder’s features a little later on.
Single-Cup Brewing
Some days, you may simply want a strong hit of espresso in the morning to get your day off to a satisfying start. In that case, the JURA S8 can be programmed to provide single-cup brewing. Fully automatic, the technologically smart machine will spontaneously grind the beans, tamp, and brew a cup of your favorite pick-me-up.
The flavor and aroma of each cup are second to none. The machine uses the Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P®), an innovative feature allowing for optimum extraction time. With P.E.P, the water is pressed through the ground coffee in a quick burst. This process means that there’s a full taste and aroma explosion even for short brews, such as espresso and ristretto.
One-Touch Brewing System
With the Jura S8, the simple touchscreen display means that making coffee at home has never been easier. With just the gentlest of touches, you can create your perfect cuppa in just a few moments. The screen’s graphics and animation guide you step-by-step through the process. Even the most fervent of technophobes will find it simple and stress-free!
Plus, this coffee maker allows you to program individual preferences—meaning less time spent at the machine and more time sipping and relaxing! The device can create 15 types of specialty coffee, all of the highest barista-style quality.
Personalized brewing
Have you ever dreamed of being your own barista or having your own barista on tap, 24-7? With the JURA S8, you’re one step closer to making this a reality. All your coffee drinks—be they for yourself, friends, or family—can be fully personalized and customized. Espresso, latte, macchiato, flat white, you name it; the JURA S8 can make it.
Create the ultimate coffee house in your own home by individualizing drinks according to brewing volume, strength, and milk foam. The coffee spout’s height is also adjustable, allowing you to double the serving sizes of the beverages. Perfect if you’re looking to take your favorite drink away from home with you.
Grinder Features
Gone are the days when the sound of the coffee machine’s grinder would wake up the whole household. The JURA S8’s grinder lid is made of sturdy metal, meaning that its noise levels are significantly reduced. Plus, you no longer have to wait for your second cup—the machine’s 10-ounce bean hopper can produce two cups side by side in one cycle.
There are some downsides, however. Some consumers have found issues with the tilted design of the S8’s grinder chute. Previous models were equipped with a straight-down design, and coffee beans rarely got stuck in the grinder. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with the S8. Another drawback is that the grinding texture has to be set while the grinding is in process, not as a setting that can be programmed and used repeatedly. Despite these minor issues, most reviewers are happy with the efficiency of the machine’s grinder.
Filtration
Are you looking for a machine requiring simple maintenance that won’t keep you guessing when to clean and empty it? In that case, the JURA S8 is a fantastic option. As you might expect from such an innovative machine, this coffee maker’s filter will alert you when it needs changing.
Generally, this filter change will need to be done once a month if you use the machine regularly. Regular use and replacement of the filter will help avoid the need for descaling. The S8’s drip tray also contains a clever feature—it’ll let you know when it needs emptying. On average, you’ll find that this has to be done every 16 brew cycles.
Milk steaming and frothing
It’s true that some people prefer their coffee straight-up and black. However, many of us also love to add touches of milky goodness to our bean brews. Whether you’re after a lovely latte, a creamy cappuccino, a majestic macchiato, or a fantastic flat white, the JURA S8 has all bases covered.
The machine’s easy-to-use touchscreen will guide you through how to customize your drink—just how you want it. The JURA S8 uses a pick-up tube to grab the milk from a milk container for your cup of Joe. There’s a selection of milk containers to choose from, including basic, glass, cooling, or thermally insulated. Whichever you opt for, your JURA-made drink will be coffee perfection. And there’s no need to move your cup to add the milk. Simple and delicious.
The journey towards your favorite coffee drink is a straightforward one. First, you select the coffee you want using the touchscreen. The milk and coffee spouts are adjustable and allow for up to 6 inches of clearance if you’re making yourself a taller drink. And then the machine will do the rest—adding either a fine or an airy foam. The JURA’s frother is a rare bonus—not many other coffee makers allow you to adjust the froth with such precision.
Plus, if flat whites are your thing, the JURA S8 makes the perfect one. Many other coffee machines make no distinction when adding the milk foam. Not the JURA S8. This machine adds the foam to the espresso last—just how it’s supposed to be done.
The JURA S8 is pre-programmed to serve up standard sizes of numerous coffee-based beverages (with or without milk). However, as we’ve mentioned, you also have the option of customizing drinks. Personalization is carried out by simply pressing down on your drink of choice in the touchscreen menu and going through the different customization settings. You can even rename your tailor-made drink or delete it at any time.
There are ten levels of coffee strength, several different volumes, and three variable temperature settings to choose from. With milk-based drinks, you can adjust the milk volume and create a delay after frothing, allowing you to create an authentic, three-layer appearance of a latte macchiato. So, with the JURA S8, you can indulge your inner barista and create the ultimate in coffee drinks according to individual tastes and preferences.
Perhaps you’re thinking that making milky coffee drinks in a coffee maker is a messy business (not to mention the cleaning out of the machine afterward). With the JURA S8, you don’t have to worry. There’s no need to move your cup to add the milk. Plus, the device will automatically rinse the frother 15 minutes after a milky drink has been made—a truly handy, convenient, and hygienic feature. Furthermore, JURA’s milk system cleaner ensures all milk fats and proteins are thoroughly removed from the machine for a deep clean and peace of mind.
The Pros And Cons of the JURA S8
As with any household appliance or gadget, the JURA S8 isn’t perfect. It comes with some minor drawbacks along with its many perks. Here’s a summary of how the S8 will mocha you happy and what you may find a bit of a grind.
The pros:
- The machine is sturdy and durable.
- It has an appealingly sleek and modern design.
- It can be operated through the J.O.E smartphone or tablet app.
- Brewing can be completed in just two minutes.
- Easy and simple to use touchscreen display, guiding you step by step to making a perfect brew.
- It works out cheaper than buying your favorite cup of coffee from a coffee shop every day.
- The temperature of coffee and milk can be adjusted to your particular taste.
- You don’t have to move your cup from the brewing to the frothing stage.
- Automatic frother cleaning is activated when you’re finished.
- The drinks are easily customizable.
The cons:
- The machine requires regular emptying, cleaning, and maintenance. This upkeep includes the milk canister, bean container, and water container. It also needs to be sanitized and descaled, and the filter changed. The cleaning products and filters can work out quite expensive.
- Although its price can be considered mid-range compared to other high-end coffee makers, the machine certainly isn’t cheap.
- The frothing platform doesn’t allow enough space for a normal-size glass.
- The machine can’t be timed to start automatically.
- As is the risk with touchscreen technology, sometimes the display’s buttons don’t react to touch as effectively as they should.
Other JURA Machines to Consider
Aside from the S8, JURA also offers other top-quality coffee machines to tickle your fancy. We’ll take a brief look at some of these now.
Jura Z8
If you’re willing to dig even deeper into your pockets and splash your cash on a fantastic coffee maker, the JURA Z8 is a great pick. Like the S8, this model pumps out high-quality coffee in various guises, including espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, and more. Where it rivals the S8 is its larger capacity.
Like the S8, the Z8 includes the P.E.P feature and the AromaG3 grinder. It offers up a whopping 21 different types of coffee at the touch of a button. The fact that it holds a larger bean hopper capacity and water reservoir means you’ll be able to make even more of your favorite beverages effortlessly.
Jura E8
The Jura E8 is the S8’s predecessor and is slightly cheaper. You’ll find that the two machines share several similarities and identical features, such as the separate spout for producing milk-based coffee beverages. However, the E8’s touchscreen display is inferior to the S8’s. This machine also doesn’t provide as many coffee strengths as the S8 (eight as opposed to ten), fewer cooking temperature settings, a shorter maximum cup height, and no intelligent app connectivity. Still, if you’re looking for a well-made, reliable, cheaper version of the S8, the JURA E8 is a sensible option.
The Takeaway
If you’re after a reliable, stylish, and compact coffee maker that offers a dazzling choice of drinks and customization, then the JURA S8 is undoubtedly a strong contender. The Swiss-based company has created a compact machine that perfectly blends style, design, and functionality. This combination allows you to create consistently tasty coffee drinks time after time.
The JURA S8 seamlessly carries on from where the E8 left off, adding incredibly innovative upgrades such as the 4.3 inches high-resolution color touchscreen for ease of use. The graphics and animation make coffee making enjoyable and straightforward, helping you produce up to 15 different coffee beverages, such as flat whites, macchiatos, espressos, cappuccinos, or lattes.
The S8 introduces special touches, such as froth variation, different water/milk temperature settings, and even the capacity to make your favorite cup of tea. And if you want to go dairy-free, the fine foam frother can whip up a tasty foam using the non-dairy milk of your choice. When you’re done using the frother, the machine will automatically clean it, taking the grind out of making coffee at home.
The Jura S8 is an awe-inspiring automatic coffee machine. Yes, you’ll be paying upwards of $2,500 for it, but that price reflects its quality. The machine’s P.E.P brewing technology and Aroma G3 grinder work together to create coffee drinks of unparalleled aroma and flavor.
So, whether you’re a coffee machine novice or aficionado, the S8 consistently serves up exquisite coffee drinks in just a few simple steps. Plus, the appliance is made of durable material and technology, so it’s guaranteed to last for years. All in all, this small yet mighty coffee maker is worth every dollar. Rise and grind—a new era of coffee making has arrived!