Probably the most popular Jura coffee machine is the Jura E8.
The E8 is a home-brewing work of art that makes some of the best coffee you’ll find.
Now, like most other Jura machines, the Jura E8 is a hefty investment.
So, if you’re going to buy one, it pays to know all the details. That way, you make sure you’re getting a mean machine!
Lucky for you, I’ve done the research on this machine so that you don’t have to.
Here’s a comprehensive Jura e8 review that will give you all the details you need before you buy this machine.
Let’s dive in!
- Stainless steel machine with Piano white color
- Professional aroma grinder
- 17 different specialty coffee drinks
- Dedicated hot water spout system
- Exclusive Extra Shot function
The Rundown on the Jura E8 Specs
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The Jura e8 has been around for a couple of years now. It’s a super-automatic espresso machine that hooks you up with a good variety of drinks (17 beverages).
Although it’s pretty comparable to the Jura S8, the E8 comes at a much lower price point. Still, it doesn’t sacrifice quality, giving you a silky-smooth espresso with the perfect crema.
Okay, but enough with the basic stuff.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Jura E8 worth purchasing if you’re in the market for an espresso machine.
Coffee Quality
Probably the first thing you (and I) look for in a coffee machine is the quality of the coffee. After all, we’re looking for a stand-out machine here.
The good news is that Jura takes a lot of care to make sure they get the quality down to a T.
The Jura E8 coffee machine features two pieces of proprietary Jura technology:
- Intelligent Water System (IWS): a system that keeps your coffee filter clean to ensure there are no loose grinds built-up in it. The result? A super-smooth, fresh espresso.
- Pulse Extraction Process (PEP): a brewing technology that pulses hot water through the espresso. This helps make your espresso even more aromatic.
Both these pieces of technology combine to form a rich and very delicate cup of coffee.
Aside from the IWS and PEP systems, the Jura e8 espresso machine also has a quick run-time. That means your shot doesn’t have time to expire before it finishes pouring.
What I’ve noticed about the machine is that it tends to pour a thick, dark crema. You’ll also notice that the beans are a lot more aromatic than some of the machine’s competitors.
Design & Materials
It’s not just the coffee quality that matters when it comes to a good espresso machine. You’ve also got to concern yourself with the design!
Why, you ask?
Well, the thing is, the design can actually affect how easy the machine is to clean. And, it can also affect how easy it is to squeeze into your kitchen.
While the Jura e8 espresso machine isn’t exactly a petite machine, it doesn’t take up a ton of counter space, either.
It’s a good machine for someone who doesn’t need anything as super-compact as the Jura A1 espresso machine.
Now, don’t let that fool you into thinking this is a clunker!
The machine is actually notably smaller than other bean-to-cup machines. That’s true even for those in the same price range (and offers much better quality drinks).
Another great design aspect of this machine is its chrome finish. Not only does that make it much prettier than some other coffee machines, but it also makes it last longer.
Just be aware that you’ll leave fingerprints on the machine.
My advice?
Keep a towel handy so that you can wipe the marks off your machine (and clean up spilled milk, of course).
Lastly, this machine features a touchpad (not to be confused with a touchscreen). That makes it pretty easy to program your favorite drinks and repeat them in the future.
Grinder
Going neck-and-neck with coffee quality for importance in a coffee machine is the grinder quality. A well-ground coffee bean will help you get a super smooth cup of coffee.
One of my favorite things about the Jura machines is that they come with a built-in grinder.
Not only does that guarantee fresh coffee, but it also saves time transferring beans to and from an external grinder.
The Jura e8 espresso machine is equipped with a 6-level Aroma G3 grinder, that can grind your beans two times faster than other traditional grinders. And, it does all that while still preserving the coffee’s aroma.
My one complaint with the grinder is that if you add too many beans to the hopper, they’ll lose their fragrance.
That’s true even with the aroma technology to help keep your coffee fresh.
Still, the grinder does come with a convenient plastic cap. You can place that on the bean hopper to prevent the coffee beans from losing freshness.
Related reading: Jura E8 vs S8 – Which One Is Better?
Durability
When we talk about durability there are two things we have to talk about:
- How long the machine lasts
- How long the machine should last
Sadly, with many machines, the latter is much shorter than the former.
This is where my love for Jura espresso machines comes in.
Even though they’re quite a bit more money than some of the more basic machines out there, the Jura machines are built to last.
And, the E8 specifically has a few features that make it extra durable.
For one thing, the E8 has that chrome finish I told you about. The chrome finish is a high-quality material that helps protect the inner workings of the machine.
Chrome is generally pretty scratch resistant, which helps keep you from nicking and dinging your machine either.
The grinder is also pretty durable.
The conical shape of the burrs helps prevent wear and tear. Plus, the fact that they’re made of stainless steel also helps reduce damage.
In theory, the Jura E8 should give you about five to seven years of good use. Just make sure to keep up with the maintenance.
If you do, you might even be able to extend that lifespan by a few more years.
Ease of Use
Jura machines are called super-automatic machines for a reason.
They’re super easy to use and don’t require a ton of technical knowledge. Even as a former barista, for me that’s a big plus!
Minimalist is a very appropriate word when talking about the Jura e8 coffee machine, which is part of what makes it so easy to use.
Although it’s certainly a bit more high-tech than the Jura A1, it’s not decked out to the nines like the Jura GIGA 6, either.
This super automatic espresso machine comes with plenty of drink options that are pre-programmed for you. Of course, you can customize the drinks to your heart’s content.
But, if you just want a one-touch cappuccino or latte macchiato, that’s totally an option with the Jura E8.
This machine’s functionality is also made even simpler thanks to the smartphone app. If you’re struggling with the touchscreen, just download the app and control the machine from there.
The app is slightly more user-friendly than the touchscreen, so this is a great way to get started with customizing your coffee drink.
Plus, who doesn’t love being able to order a cappuccino without leaving their bed?
Note: you need to have a WiFi connection in order to use the app.
Brewing System
Having already established that this machine produces great espresso, let’s talk about the brew system.
You already know it’s good.
But what makes it good?
Well, the real magic of the Jura e8 coffee machine lies in the PEP extraction method. This proprietary Jura technology pulses hot water through the coffee grinds at short intervals.
Those short intervals help pull the most possible flavor out of your special coffee. As a result, you wind up with super smooth, aromatic coffee.
Although the PEP technology is great for any type of shot you want to pull, it’s especially great for a ristretto.
Since it’s a short espresso shot, it’s able to pull even more flavor out of your espresso.
Cleaning & Maintenance
If only cleaning and maintenance didn’t have to be a part of the conversation.
However, until they make coffee robots that will clean your coffee maker for you, it’s definitely something we should talk about.
The good news is that the Jura E8 super automatic coffee machine actually comes pretty close to my machine-cleaning robots.
This coffee maker features a self-cleaning system that helps flush built-up grounds out of the system.
On top of that, the cleaning mechanism also alerts you when it’s time to run a cycle and change your filter. That’s thanks to the RFID chip built into the tank.
What happens is that the machine reads the chip and knows how old the filter is. If it’s time to change it, the machine will alert you.
The machine rinses and descales itself on its own. All you have to do is pop a cleaning puck in the device and set it going.
On top of that, the milk-frother also has its own cleaning mechanism.
10 minutes after making the drink, your Jura E8 will automatically flush out the frothing device.
That’s pretty nifty!
Water Tank Capacity
One of the very few downsides to the Jura e8 coffee machine is its water tank. The Jura E8 doesn’t have a very large tank.
That’s especially true if you live in a household where you are constantly making coffee drinks. If that’s the case, you’ll find yourself constantly refilling the water tank.
To give you an idea of the dimensions, the water tank holds just under 2 liters of water. It promises 64 single and 32 double espresso shorts with that amount.
However, don’t let that fool you!
Since you’ll also be steaming milk, the water goes a lot faster than that. In general, you’ll actually make about ⅓ as many drinks thanks to the steaming wand.
Even though the tank is kind of small, I wouldn’t let that put you off the machine.
It’s still an awesome machine for a few people at a time. Just don’t expect it to serve a whole café at a time.
Milk Frother
The milk frother is actually one of the crown jewels of the Jura E8. The milk frother produces super-smooth microfoam that will make your lattes and cappuccinos like a dream.
Unlike some other Jura machines, you can make flat white milk foam with the frother.
As a flat white girl myself, this is a major plus.
The Jura E8 features fine foam technology, a new addition to the Jura lineup.
The milk produced by this new technology is super-high quality. The texture is blissfully creamy while the temperature is spot on.
Speaking of the temperature, you can program the milk temperature.
If you like piping hot cortados?
No problem.
Want lukewarm lattes?
Not an issue.
The Jura E8 will also allow you to pull espresso shots at the same time as you steam your milk. That means you can be making an Americano for yourself while you whip up a latte macchiato for your best friend!
Unfortunately, however, you can’t make two milky beverages at once.
The Drinks
The number of drinks the Jura E8 can make won’t disappoint you.
Unlike some other minimalist Jura machines, the Jura E8 goes far beyond your simple espresso.
With its extra-large grinder, this Jura machine can also create a double shot of espresso as well.
For our coffee purists, this machine can whip up lungo and ristretto shots, long blacks, Americanos, and regular brewed coffee.
For those who’d rather make milk-based beverages, there are plenty of options there too.
With your E8 you’ll have no problem whipping up lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and flat whites. And brewing coffee is done with just the touch of a button!
Oh!
And before I forget, you should know that the milk frother allows you to make non-espresso drinks, too.
You can use the milk spout to dispense hot water, making it easy to brew up a cozy cup of tea.
Even with all these automatic drinks, you’ve still got plenty of customizability. The Jura E8 lets you change:
- The grind size
- The length of the shot
- The amount of coffee in each shot
- The coffee strength
- The foam thickness
- The amount of milk
There are tons of other features, too, but those are the main aspects of your beverage that you can try.
And, once you figure out your new favorite beverage? Just save it in the Jura E8 app (or touchscreen menu) so that you can make it again without re-programming anything!
Value for Money
Okay, now it’s time for the big question.
Is the Jura E8 really worth it?
If you’re a coffee drinker looking to make an investment in a well-rounded and quality coffee maker, I’d say yes.
Not only is the Jura E8 really easy to use, but it also comes with all the latest technology. It does all that at a much lower price point than some of the other super-automatic espresso machines on the market.
The Jura E8 offers a wide range of drinks with a good deal of customizability. Plus, all their drinks come out in tip-top quality.
I also love that the Jura E8 has a few pieces of technology that can actually save you money in the long run.
For example, the chrome finish lasts much longer than some of the other matte finishes on Jura machines.
So, while the Jura E8 isn’t exactly a cheap machine, it’s definitely worth the investment. You’ll get great quality coffee and plenty of nifty tech without shelling out half your wallet in the process.
The Final Verdict
Overall, the Jura E8 system is great for a coffee lover who wants a wide range of high-quality drinks at a lower price point.
The Jura E8 is a machine that will give you a great cup of coffee without bogging you down in techy details.
Better yet, the Jura E8 creates masterful macchiatos, flat whites, and milk-based drinks thanks to its fine foam frother.
So there you have it. A well-rounded Jura E8 review that should hook you up with the information you need before you buy.
With the Jura E8 you can enjoy near-perfect coffee.
Enjoy your brewing!