Jura S8 Review
Our resident coffee connoisseur Emma Challoner-Miles takes a look at this premium level coffee machine in our Jura S8 review. Read on to find out how she got on with it…
With more than 500 billion cups devoured every year, coffee ranks as one of the most popular drinks in the world. However, it’s fair to say not all coffee is equal. Instant coffee may be speedy, but why settle for an average brew when you can indulge in a superior cup from the Jura S8 Super-automatic Touchscreen Espresso Machine?
In this review, we’ll get to know the Jura S8 better. We’ll find out what it has to offer and explore its primary features. Will it do for a brew? We hope so as we’re parched! Let’s not waste any more time, raise a cup to our Jura S8 review.
Jura S8 Specs And Features
Design
The name itself conjures up images of grandeur – the Jura S8 Super-automatic Touchscreen Espresso Machine certainly sounds impressive, and it looks pretty good too. Silver and black, and boasting a stylish appearance, the Jura S8 would add a touch of class to your home or 
workplace.
Despite what you hear, size does matter, so let’s start with that. The machine measures 54.36 x 32.77 x 44.2 cm and weighs in at 9.98 kilograms. It’s a robust gadget and looks the part. The Jura S8 also has a height-adjustable and width-adjustable coffee spout (72-188mm), cappuccino spout (111-157mm), and hot water spout (111-157mm).
This would be no Jura S8 review if we judged it purely on looks though…
Operation
Jura machines are designed to be efficient and simple to use. This is good news as no one wants to spend an age trying to work out what button to press when they’re in desperate need of a morning coffee. The innovative touchscreen control panel boasts high resolution and at 4.3” it’s easy to see. You can simply touch the screen with your fingertip to choose a tasty beverage – the machine does the rest.
The screen has clear graphics and you can programme your own preferences too. There are three levels of programmable brewing temperatures and three levels of programmable hot water temperatures – try them out for size and see which you like best. You can even control the Jura S8 from your smartphone!
Choice of Beverage
You’re not short on choice with the Jura S8. Will you choose a strong and punchy espresso or a creamy latte macchiato? There are fifteen different beverages to choose from so you can try out a wide range.
Here’s the full list to get your taste buds going. You can make an espresso, coffee, cappuccino, caffe latte, macchiato, latte macchiato, and a flat white, there’s also a portion of milk foam, a portion of milk, and hot water (perfect for a refreshing tea of your choice), green is particularly good for you and very refreshing.
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Aroma Grinder
Speedy and accurate, the Jura S8 comes complete with an Aroma G3 conical burr grinder to lock in the alluring aromas of the coffee beans. Conventional grinders do the job but the Aroma G3 grinder has been designed to accomplish a well-honed curve – allowing the fine particles to gently unfurl and the taste to build. Jura has got it spot on with this, the grinder is both fast and accurate.
Capacity
With a 10oz hopper capacity and 64oz water tank, you won’t be short of what you need to treat yourself to a cup of coffee.
Fine Foam Frother
The perfect coffee has it all, and if you fancy a latte macchiato or other milky coffee you really need a fine-textured foam to top things off. The fine foam frother makes light work of adding that final touch to your coffee.
Pressure
A coffee machine with a high bar pressure (somewhere between 9 and 15 bars ideally) hits the mark. The Jura S8 impresses with its bar pressure of 15 – so you’re guaranteed a great cup of coffee.
Jura S8 Brewing Process
The Jura S8 boasts a state-of-the-art Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P) brewing system, so you get a premium cup of coffee every time. You can enjoy a steaming brew in the comfort of your own home, rather than have to trek to the expensive coffee shop a few streets away and wait in a long queue.
The pulse extraction process is unique – it enhances the extraction time and ensures a mouth-watering aroma, try an espresso or ristretto and prepare your taste buds for a mouth-watering treat.
Intelligent Water System
The Jura S8 has an Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.®) – incorporating a CLARIS smart water filter to improve the taste and quality of the 
coffee. The clever system helps to eradicate limescale and other impurities such as chlorine and tiny traces of metal.
The coffee machine connects to the water filter using RFID technology, so the Jura S8 automatically senses the presence of the filter. We should also mention the Thermoblock heating system which facilities speedy heating of water to ensure your drink is always fresh.
Energy Standards
The Jura S8 also boasts notable energy standards, including the handy energy standards save mode (E.S.M.©) and a zero-energy power switch (disconnects the machine from standby mode to cut back on energy usage). You can also make use of a programmable switch-off time.
Maintenance
We all have better things to do than clean out a coffee machine, but hygiene is important, so roll up your sleeves. That said, the Jura S8 does have a comprehensive integrated maintenance programme designed to rinse, clean, and descale.
The machine also features removable parts that you can pop into the dishwasher and the outer casing can be easily wiped over with a damp cloth.
Power
The Jura S8 has a cable length of 1.1m and voltage/power of 230V / 1450 W, with a current of 10A.
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Features Overview:
We’ve talked through some of the main features, here’s a quick overview of everything the Jura S8 has to offer:
- 15 speciality coffees
- Active bean monitoring system
- Smart connect transmitter (supplied as standard)
- Operate via the J.O.E smartphone or tablet app
- Pulse extraction process (P.E.P) brewing system
- One-Touch function
- Variable brewing unit (5-16g)
- Professional Aroma Grinder
- High-performance 15 bar pressure
- Thermoblock heating system
- Interchangeable milk spout
- Powder chute for ground coffee
- Aroma preservation cover
- 3” touchscreen display
- Programmable water, coffee strength, milk, and brewing temperature
- Ability to store and copy products
- Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.)
- CLARIS Smart water filter
- Integrated rinsing, cleaning, and descaling
- Drip tray
- JURA hygiene: TÜV-certified
- Energy standards save mode (E.S.M.©) and zero-energy power switch
Where can I use the Jura S8?
The Jura S8 will be right at home in a modish kitchen, where you can help yourself to a steaming cup of coffee whenever you like (always good to start the day with a kick). The machine is also perfect for workplace drinks – tired employees will appreciate an afternoon pick-me-up to perk up their afternoon.
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Using The Jura S8
The Jura S8 is easy to get to grips with. There is a user manual to peruse through at your leisure and don’t forget the touch-screen provides step-by-step instructions to guide you 
through the process. The coffee-making method is fuss-free, simply place a cup underneath the coffee spout.
From there, just press the on/off power button to power up the Jura S8. You should see the message “Welcome to JURA.” Followed by “Machine is heating “and then “Machine is rinsing.” After that, you should be good to go. Choose the coffee of your dreams and get ready to sit back, sip and enjoy.
Top tips for using the Jura S8
You’ll get used to your new Jura S8 coffee machine in no time, but here are a few top tips for you to help you get a handle on the day-to-day operation of your new gadget:
- You don’t need any more than two-level spoons of ground coffee, and don’t forget the filter is for ground coffee only, so no cocoa, soluble coffee or substitute coffee e.g. chicory. When it comes to coffee beans you should only use untreated, roasted beans to top up your container. It’s a big no to caramelised or treated beans.
- You need to look after your tanks and containers too. Always take the water tank from your coffee machine and fill it up with fresh water. You also need to make sure you empty the coffee ground container (do this while the machine is switched on) so the coffee ground counter is reset. On a final note, you shouldn’t remove the drip tray while the machine is running.
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The Pros And Cons Of The Jura S8
We’ve looked at the main features of the Jura S8, so now let’s discover what’s hot and what’s not about this popular machine.
The good…
The product gets a tick in the box for its chic good looks. The black and silver work well together and the machine looks stylish perched on a kitchen worktop. Take a closer look and you’ll find it’s sturdy and robust too, always a plus point as you need a coffee machine that will stand the test of time.
Performance-wise, it’s easy to understand why the Jura S8 is known for its ability to provide you with a superior beverage. The Jura S8 is also quick and efficient, you won’t be loitering for your coffee. In fact, you can get yourself a brew in just two minutes.
The bean-to-cup operation makes light work of coffee-making. Drinks are smooth and tasty, and good enough to rival your local coffee shop. We can attribute this, in part, to the inimitable P.E.P system, which brings out and heightens the taste and aroma of every cup.
It’s great that you can choose from so many options too. You get to try a range of drinks and each is easy to make. Not only can you brew what you fancy, you can also tailor your drink to suit your own tastes. I like that you can adjust the temperature of the coffee and the milk (a nice touch).
It’s also nice (call me lazy) not to have to move your cup during coffee making. The seamless move from brewing to frothing is all done in one spot, so your cup stays put (and so can you). As an added bonus the automatic frother cleaner kicks in too once you’re through with beverage making.
I like the simple things in life, so the simplicity of the operating screen is a big plus in my book. As it’s big and bright you can easily see the graphics and find what you’re looking for. I also like the fact I can input my own settings, it’s like having a personal barista (minus the friendly banter!).
I also appreciate the separate water spouts for hot water and coffee. This enables you to use the machine to make tea if you fancy a change.
I’m also a fan of the Jura S8’s connectivity. I’m not always the most tech-savvy of people but I’m impressed that the machine can be operated through the J.O.E smartphone or tablet app. If I struggle, I guess I can always shout out for one of my teens to lend a hand.
The not so good…
Despite the integrated descaling, rinsing, and cleaning system you will still have to carry out a certain amount of maintenance. You will need to empty and clean the milk canister, bean container, and water container. Filters will also need to be replaced to keep the product in tip-top condition and the water fresh.
Touchscreen tech is the norm for many gadgets, but it can be frustrating on occasion. You might find yourself tapping and swiping (especially if you’re still half asleep).
We also need to point out the price of the Jura S8, which certainly isn’t cheap. However, as coffee machines go, this would be considered a mid-range machine (there are more expensive ones on the market), so you have to weigh up if you feel it’s worth it.
You should also keep in mind that buying a Jura S8 will still work out more cost-efficient than ambling down to a coffee shop every day for an expensive latte or espresso.
Why choose a bean to cup machine?
Traditional coffee machines have long since been heralded for their coffee-making powers, but unless you’re a skilled barista you might find 
it tricky to get to grips with one. Bean to cup machines are also much easier to operate as they are fully automated – so you can enjoy a fresh and tasteful cup of coffee at the touch of a button.
Yes, they can be pricey (and we know the Jura S8 isn’t the cheapest model on the market), but if you go for a capsule machine instead you will have to go out and buy the expensive pods for it.
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Verdict
The Jura S8 isn’t exactly cheap, so you are going to have to put your hand in your pocket and dig deep if you want it! That said, it does have a lot going for it, from its cutting-edge pulse extraction process to the state-of-the-art fine foam frother.
If you are just seeking a basic machine that makes a half-decent cup of coffee then this one is not for you. But, if you like the idea of investing in the real deal, an all-singing, all-dancing coffee machine that oozes style and can rustle up no less than 15 different coffees (at speed) then this could be the perfect addition to your kitchen or workplace.