The Jura E8 Automatic Bean To Cup Coffee Machine
The Jura E8 coffee machine is an absolute powerhouse in the world of automatic bean to cup coffee machines as I will demonstrate in this comprehensive Jura E8 review. The coffee this machine produces will suit even the most discerning of coffee lovers. Boasting features that just make your eyes water, the Jura E8 has found that “happy ground” between simplicity-of-use and truly wonderful barista-style coffee.
You can simply, just plug the E8 into a power source, do a few simple setup procedures, and away you go. You can be enjoying your first cup of coffee (of any type you like) within minutes. If you have your own preferences then everything (and I do mean everything) is adjustable to create your insanely perfect cup of Joe!
Here is a list of the types of coffee beverages that you can make straight out of the box and these are just your starting points.
- Ristretto
- 2 x Ristretto
- Espresso
- 2 x Espresso
- Espresso doppio
- Macchiato
- Coffee
- 2 x Coffee
- Special coffee
- Cappuccino
- Latte macchiato
- Flat white
- Portion of milk
- Hot water
- Hot water for green tea
Some of the cool features which you can read about later in this review, just make this coffee machine a really good buy.
- Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.®)
- Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (I.P.B.A.S.©)
- Multi-level AromaG3 grinder
- High-performance pump, 15 bar
- JURA fine foam technology
- Integrated rinsing, milk rinsing, cleaning, and descaling program
- CLARIS Smart filter technology
- Energy Save Mode (E.S.M.©)
- Programmable and individually adjustable amount of water
- 8 Programmable coffee strength levels
- Programmable brewing temperature levels
- Programmable hot water temperature levels
- Beautiful TFT display
- Use coffee beans or pre-ground coffee
- Compatible with J.O.E® (smartphone app for remote brewing)
PROS AND CONS
Makes incredibly good espresso coffee | Some hidden expenses like new filters after a period of use |
The pulse extraction produces a fantastic crema | Simple to keep clean but does need some daily maintenance |
Versatile and simple to use | Can only use one type of beans at a time |
Huge selection of coffee drinks available | |
Really great milk foaming system | |
Easy to keep clean and maintain | |
Ability to use pre-ground coffee and beans | |
Height-adjustable spouts for any cup |
Jura E8 Design and Specifications
The Jura E8 is not only amazing at making great coffee, it also looks the part in any kitchen.
The Jura E8 is the next step up from the wonderful Jura E6 but boasts many more features. However, although the E6, is a fantastic machine and is a better fit for people who have a slightly tighter budget (but still want barista-style coffee), the E8 has more to offer, but it does come with a price tag to match.
This coffee machine has a huge coffee heart, and it does not take up a huge amount of space on a kitchen worktop, which is great. Here are some of the specifications for the Jura E8.
- Weight – 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg)
- Height – 13.6″ (34.6 cm)
- Width – 11″ (28cm)
- Depth – 17.5″ (44.4 cm)
- Water Tank Capacity – 63.6 oz (1.9 L)
- Bean Hopper Capacity – 9.9 oz (280 grams)
- Coffee Grounds (Max Servings) – 16
- Coffee Spout Adjustment – 2.6″ to 4.4″ (65 cm to 111 cm)
- Cappuccino Spout Adjustment – 4.4″ to 6.2″ (111 cm to 157 cm)
- Hot Water Spout Adjustment – 4.4″ to 6.2″ (111 cm to 157 cm)
This coffee machine is available in two different styles but both have the same functionality.
Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P)
Jura’s pulse extraction process system is available in most of their high-end coffee machines and the Jura E8 is no exception. P.E.P ensures that you always get the best extraction from your coffee grounds by pulsing the water through it. The process pulses the hot water rather than a constant flow which produces the best crema, aroma, and, taste. The reason for this being that it increases extraction time without increasing the amount of water.
Professional Fine Foam Frother G2
The fine foam frother produces a wonderful rich and creamy foam for your milk based coffee beverages. I was particularly impressed with the Latte Macchiato that I made. The fine foam spout connects to your milk container or Jura milk cooler (optional accessory) via a pipe that is included with the machine. The spout has a handle on it which if you turn counter clockwise, produces a beautiful rich micro foam. If you turn the handle clockwise then you will get a warm milk. The Latte Macchiato I made started with a milk foam base, it then delayed to allow the milk to partially settle before automatically pouring the espresso. This created a very impressive layered latte that tasted absolutely delicious.
Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (I.P.B.A.S.©)
The intelligent pre-brew aroma system is a genius addition to the Jura range of bean to cup coffee machines. It works by allowing a small amount of heated water to infuse through the coffee grounds in the grouphead. This not only produces a fantastic espresso aroma before the extraction begins, but it also works in conjunction with the pulse extraction process to make sure you get the best flavor and quality from the espresso extraction.
Clarys Smart Filter
The smart filter is very easy to install and thankfully you get a filter included with the coffee machine to get you underway. They are not particularly cheap to buy so you need to bear this in mind when you make your purchase as they do need replacing periodically. The good news is that with a smart filter installed, Jura state that you do not need to descale your E8 as the filter will remove the impurities and minerals from the water.
When you first install the filter, the setup procedure will recognize when it has been fitted and the smart bit comes in when it will constantly update the machine, wirelessly, as to its health status and inform you when you need to consider replacing it.
Read Also: The definitive Jura E6 review
Multi-level AromaG3 grinder
The Jura E8 contains a fantastic conical burr grinder that really is one of the quietest burr grinders that I have ever heard. It is also fully adjustable to create a coarse grind for normal coffee through to a fine ground for a rich espresso. The adjustment is made under a flap next to the bean hopper.
Color Display
The color display is clear and bright and well laid out with its menu options. Just click the corresponding buttons next to the display options to make your selections.
Drip Tray
The Jura E8 has a drip tray that can be removed and emptied when needed. It is very easy to remove and comes apart into 4 pieces for easy cleaning. It also has a sensor at the back of the tray which will tell the machine when it is full and also when it needs emptying. The machine cannot be used without he drip tray being fitted properly. This is great for preventing accidental spillages.
Jura E8 Setup & User Interface
In true Jura style, to set up your new Jura E8 coffee machine couldn’t be easier. It came really well packaged and could withstand the roughest treatment from unruly courier drivers I am sure. Included with the machine you will find a Clearyl smart filter and some cleaning tablets for periodic cleaning of the system. It also came with an elegant milk jug, milk pipe, and some fairly clear instructions.
Once the Jura has been placed on your worktop there are a few procedures that need to be completed first before you can enjoy your first espresso or Latte. You need to check the hardness of your water with the included test strip and then input that data into the machine’s setup interface. This was very straightforward and the instructions were quite clear about how to do it. You then need to install the water filter into its tube accessory which is then slotted into the water reservoir. Once again very easy to do. As soon as you do this, the Jura springs into life and recognizes the water filter has been fitted properly before rinsing it through. A quick empty of the drip tray and you are ready to make your first brew.
The display has several pages with all your coffee drink menu options. For all milky drinks, you use the adjustable spout to the right and for espressos and regular coffee, use the spout in the middle of the machine. The Jura is fully programmable to create the perfect drink for your taste buds. It also has all the coffee drinks already with one touch of a button. Just choose your drink of choice and the machine does the rest.
Jura E8 Performance & Functionality
I very quickly fell in love not only with the coffees that the Jura E8 could churn out but also how very easy and simple the whole process becomes. If you are used to coffee machines where you get frustrated with the need to have a certain level of skill to get the perfect coffee, then you will be relieved to use this. The Jura E8 really does make the perfect coffee every time.
The consistency of the espresso and the also of the milk foaming is what makes this machine so impressive. To make a latte, you just press the latte button and the milk will pour to the amount and temperature that you desire. It will then wait to allow the milk to settle. Once again you can adjust this waiting time to get the timings perfect for you. It will then deliver the perfect espresso shot using its pulse extraction process. What you are left with is an exquisite beautifully layered latte drink. Likewise for flat whites, it will deliver the espresso shot first and milk second which is exactly how a flat white should be made.
What I love the most is the ability to program the brew you want. You can change the temperature of the water and milk. You can adjust the time it takes to pour the milk and the coffee. You can also modify the strength of the coffee as well. This pretty much covers all the things that you can change to create the drink you like.
With the addition of the Jura smart-connect interface, you can use Jura’s smartphone app called J.O.E. this means that you can operate your coffee machine using Bluetooth from the comfort of your phone. It works seamlessly and all you need to remember is to put your cup in the right position under the spouts.
Jura E8 Build Quality
Jura are very well known for making top quality products and the E8 is no different. It looks very similar to the Jura E6 except for the addition of another spout to the right for milk based beverages.
It comes in both a gorgeous chrome finish and also a nice sleek black finish too. I was particularly impressed with the robustness of the Jura E8. It just feels like it has been made by craftsmen.
Jura E8 Maintenance
To help boost the longevity of this coffee machine, it comes with a few maintenance procedures which need to be carried out at certain times. After you use the milk system, you need to flush the system through with water. It is simply a question of selecting the milk rinsing program from the menu and it will do it for you. Also, there is a rinsing system for the water as well which needs to be done from time to time.
Every now and again it will also require you to use one of the cleaning tablets to clean the system through. You simply drop one of the tablets into the container at the back under the flap and follow the on screen instructions. The great thing is that you do not need to descale the Jura E8 when using the Clarys water filter which is a bonus.
Jura E8 Accessories
Everything you need to make a great brew is included with the Jura E8 (minus the water ). However, there are several optional accessories that can enhance your Jura experience if you buy them. To use the J.O.E. smartphone app with your coffee machine, you will need to purchase the Jura smart connect Bluetooth accessory. It really is a joy to operate and program your coffee machine from your smartphone. You can even use voice commands via Siri or equivalent for android.
One of the best accessories you can buy is the Jura milk cooler which means you can keep your milk connected to the coffee machine for as long as the milk is fresh. There are a couple of coolers available to buy, but the “cream of the crop” (sorry about the pun) is the Jura 70878 cooler.
Other accessories that are not really optional but something you need to factor into your maintenance costs for the machine is the Clearyl smart water filter and cleaning tablets as well.
Who Is The Jura E8 For?
Let’s be under no illusion here, the Jura E8 is not the cheapest bean to cup coffee machine on the market. There are plenty of other options available and some are even made by Jura themselves. However, if your budget is fairly healthy then the Jura E8 would suit you down to the ground. It would also make for a fantastic addition to an office or even a home office.
It may not be the machine for real espresso purists out there, not because it makes bad coffee, quite the opposite in fact. The reason being is that it makes it so darn easy to make great coffee and still have the control you need to adapt the brew to your taste. I am guessing this won’t sit right with baristas around the world.
Jura E8 FAQ
What is the Best Jura Coffee Machine?
Jura makes an automatic coffee machine to suit all budgets and needs. The Giga line and Z range are really excellent. For me though, the E8 gives you the best coffee bang for your bucks.
Is the Jura E8 Worth the Money?
Quite simply, the Jura E8 is worth every cent you pay for it. I love the machine!
How Long Should a Jura E8 Coffee Machine Last?
On of the great things with Jura automatic coffee machines is that they have some awesome maintenance features built in. The Jura E8 is exceptional with regard to this and so long as you follow the guides and clean and rinse regularly, there is no reason why the Jura E8 won’t be with you for many years if not a decade or two.
Jura E8 Verdict
The Jura E8 is at the high end of features and coffee taste. This is also reflected by the price of it. It is worth the money, I have no doubt about that and I am personally very happy with it.
I love the range of coffee speciality drinks that it can make straight out of the box. I also really like the ease of use and the depth of programming you can achieve from this machine.
You do need to stay on top of the regular maintenance and also remember the extra outlays you will need to make for smart filters from time to time. Would I recommend the Jura E8? Yes, most certainly!