Jura E8 Review: Compact, Stylish, and Versatile Coffee Machine

Do you dream of hiring a professional barista to live in your kitchen? Still, you don’t quite have the budget or space. No worries, Jura E8 super-automatic espresso maker is what you need. This best-selling coffee and espresso machine features many advanced technologies designed to deliver custom cafe-style drinks. Moreover, coffee drinks are of a quality you’d expect from a high-end coffee shop. Read on for our Jura E8 review of this newly updated machine, and find out if it’s the one for you.

A Quick Review of the Jura E8 Espresso Coffee Machine

Swiss manufacturer Jura is known for its wide range of top-of-the-line super-automatic espresso machines. Jura machines produce barista-quality drinks at the touch of a button. Mainly, E8 is the company’s best-seller. Yet, it’s also one of the most affordable models to feature Jura’s innovative pulse extraction process (PEP). If you didn’t know already, PEP promises the ultimate espresso.

With a built-in ceramic burr grinder and patented Fine Foam milk frothing technology, the Jura E8 offers 16 pre-programmed drinks. Moreover, all drinks can be fully customized using the intuitive color display. Whether your drink of choice is a ristretto, a flat white, or a macchiato, you’re sure to be satisfied.

A full review of the Jura Impressa E8

Jura espresso machines are durable, stylishly designed, and make high-quality espresso. After all, they are a product of Swiss manufacturing. With over 20 models on the market, there is one Jura espresso machine for everyone. You can view them in our round-up of the Jura machines. Importantly, E8 offers many of the same premium features as the most expensive models, but at a mid-range price.

Design – 4/5

If you’re spending a lot of money on an espresso machine, you want it to look the part. The E8 more than delivers on that front. Designed and built in Switzerland from high-quality materials, it comes in three versions. Either a sleek piano black, modern piano white, or black and chrome housing. Therefore, it should suit any decor. Jura’s designers are renowned for paying attention to small details. That is certainly evident here with stylish features like a ridged water reservoir and chrome-plated cup grille.

Of course, a design needs to be practical as well as attractive. Thus it’s good to know that E8’s color display is both beautiful and functional. With its thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, it’s easy to access this machine’s myriad features. Moreover, the 10-ounce bean hopper has a gasket seal to keep beans fresh. Also, a bypass shute is available for a cup of decaf or any pre-ground beans. The double espresso spouts and the milk spout are both height adjustable. Therefore, you can accommodate a variety of mugs. We all know that a proper latte or espresso deserves its appropriate serving vessel.

Note that this easy to use espresso machine is not Jura’s most compact model, measuring 11 x 14 x 17 inches, so bear in mind that it might not work in a very tiny kitchen.

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User-friendliness – 5/5

User-friendliness or ease of use is paramount when it comes to super-automatic espresso machines. If you’re buying one of these machines, you’re spending your hard-earned money on something that should act just like a home barista. The E8 doesn’t disappoint, with several smart features to make your life easier.

It features a built-in ceramic burr grinder, which has been well established as the best grinder for delicious espresso (1). It offers six grind size settings and features Jura’s new and improved G3 technology, which is twice as fast as older models and exceptionally quiet. Unlike most machines, it can dose up to 16 grams in a single grind cycle, allowing for a real double espresso.

The brewing cycle begins with a pre-infusion step, which evenly saturates and warms the grounds to ready them for the best extraction (2).

After infusion, the highlight of the E8 for espresso connoisseurs is the inclusion of Jura’s PEP technology. The PEP is, in large part, what distinguishes the less expensive Jura E6 vs E8. The 18 bar pump pulses water through the grounds, as opposed to using a steady stream. Hence, a better extraction and the sort of espresso you’d expect from an expert barista (3). A lot of the E8’s popularity is because it is the least expensive machine to include this technology. After brewing, it will shut off automatically after a period of inactivity, the length of which you can program to your preference.

Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, Jura is known for keeping things as simple as possible for the user. The machine rinses automatically at power-on and power-off. After making any milk-based beverage, it will also automatically sterilize the milk frother with hot steam. After about 80 brewing cycles, Jura recommends you give the machine a more thorough cleaning. Cleaning, again, is as simple as tossing in one of their branded cleaning capsules and running a brew cycle.

Reservoir size – 4/5

The E8’s water reservoir holds 64 ounces, not the largest in its class. However, it’s more than enough to avoid constant refilling. And when you do need to refill, the side-mounted reservoir can be easily removed from the front, which is handy if you want to position it against a sidewall.

E8’s water system is remarkable for more than just its size. It also features what Jura calls its Intelligent Water System, based around intelligent water filters. These use RFID technology to constantly monitor your water supply and stay in contact with your espresso machine. As a result, the E8 will let you know when a filter needs changing or if your water is in any way compromised. When you install a filter, it is detected automatically, and the machine updates its settings accordingly. 

Surprisingly, these next-generation smart filters are no more expensive than the older models, and using one means you will never need to descale. The only downside is that you’ll have to buy only Jura brand filters.

Versatility – 4.5/5

The latest Jura E8 model offers 50% more beverage options than previous versions. With 16 fully customizable drinks available at the touch of a button, the Jura E8 includes espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, and flat white. For each drink, you can choose the volume, temperature, and coffee strength. You can also get hot water or pure milk, both at a temperature of your choosing. 

The E8 features a single thermoblock heater. This coffee machine, therefore, heats very quickly. Still, a single heater requires it to switch between brewing the espresso and steaming the milk. This delays the process just slightly. Dual heaters would be an excellent upgrade for future models.

The Jura E8 espresso machine uses a flexible, silicone pick-up tube for milk, which you can drop into any vessel. Jura sells several insulated milk carafe options to meet this need. But it is a little disappointing that they don’t include one with the machine.

A great feature of this coffee machine, in particular, is that you can manually adjust the milk froth with a dial. Pick from fine foam for a latte to airy froth for a cappuccino. You can even change the delay time between pouring the milk and the espresso, to generate those beautiful milk layers on your latte.

Is this really for you?

If you’re a lover of cafe-style espresso beverages, you will not be disappointed with either the quality or variety of drinks available from the Jura E8. Plus, you can make them with a single touch. With the inclusion of PEP technology, this machine is best for those who genuinely appreciate an expertly pulled shot of espresso.

Though expensive, the E8 remains a best seller because the value for money is very high. And if you’re concerned about your budget, you can always opt for a less expensive refurbished option, thanks to Jura’s high-end manufacturing.

Don’t buy this IF

If your available counter space is minimal, you may find that the E8 is too large. Luckily, in recent years, Jura has set its engineers to manufacturing an entire compact line. The compact line offers the same high-quality espresso in a smaller format. Take a look at purchasing Jura ENA Micro 1 instead. Although, be aware that you’ll have to pair it with a separate milk frother if you still want milky drinks. Or if you want a compact machine with a built-in milk frother, the Jura A9 is a good fit.

If you like your cup of coffee or shot of espresso as it is with no need for a milk frother, the Jura E8 won’t be money well spent. You may wish to consider the simpler Jura A1 coffee machine, which still features Pulse Extraction Process technology for a great espresso. Without a milk system included, it’s significantly less expensive.

If you have an unlimited budget and want the best of the best, you might as well look into Jura’s most advanced offering, Jura Z6. Not only does it feature over 20 specialty drinks, it uses artificial intelligence to learn your preferences. It’s not only like having a barista at home; it’s like having a barista that knows you. Here’s our full Jura Z6 review.

The Verdict

The Jura E8 is an all-around great super-automatic espresso machine. From its ceramic burr grinder to its pulsed extraction process (PEP) technology and its entirely customizable milk foam. You will undoubtedly be satisfied with the quality of the beverage you received. And with every drink available at one touch, it couldn’t be easier. It may not be cheap, but the E8 is a great value product for the espresso lover.

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