Jura E8 Coffee Machine Review

Advantages

  • ✔️ Customisable coffee settings
  • ✔️ Self-cleaning
  • ✔️ Great coffee

Disadvantages

  • ❌ Expensive, even for entry level
  • ❌ Plastic case

Our Review

Introduction

In the realm of home coffee machines, few brands command as much respect and admiration as Jura. Synonymous with Swiss precision and top-tier performance, Jura's range has always set benchmarks in the coffee world. Enter the Jura E8 - a testament to the brand's commitment to innovation and excellence. Designed to capture the essence of café-quality brews within the confines of your kitchen, the E8 is more than just a machine; it's a statement. In this review, we'll delve deep into its features, performance, and the unique touches that set it apart, helping you determine if it's the right fit for your coffee corner.

Features

The Jura E8 has a number of features which make it a worthwhile competitor in the super-automatic coffee machine category. Let's run through some of them.

Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.)

Jura's pioneering Pulse Extraction Process, abbreviated as P.E.P., optimises extraction time by pulsing water through the coffee grounds in short intervals. This method ensures optimal development of coffee aromas, especially while preparing short specialities like espresso.

Other competitor machines do a similar process, although we're led to believe that Jura's is unique.

Integrated Fine Foam Technology

For those who enjoy their cappuccinos and lattes, the E8's integrated fine foam technology is a game-changer. This feature guarantees velvety and fine-textured milk foam, making your favourite milk-based beverages an indulgent experience.

One thing you may notice when first using the Jura is that the milk foam sometimes mixes in an unusual way with the rest of the coffee. You'll only really notice this if you're using a transparent latte glass, as it looks fine from the top. This is actually due to the fineness of the foam that it creates and nothing to be concerned about.

TFT Colour Display

I love the colour display on the Jura e8. User experience takes centre stage here. The intuitive interface ensures that selecting and customising your brew is straightforward and convenient, allowing users to craft their coffee to their specific preferences with ease.

Jura E8's screen makes maintenance easy
Jura E8's screen makes maintenance easy

It is also great for showing reminders about when the machine is due a new filter, a clean, descaling or if the milk system needs flushing. During each of these processes the machine takes you through what you need to do, step by step, on the screen itself. No need to mess about with an instruction manual, just press a button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Professional Grade Grinder

The ceramic disc grinder integrated into the E8 is both durable and precise. It grinds coffee beans uniformly, ensuring consistent brewing quality. Moreover, its design minimises noise, ensuring that your morning brew is a quiet affair.

The noise level is an important factor for me, having owned a previous version of the Jura for many years, one issue I had with it was the noise it generated when I was making a coffee in the morning. It has the capacity to wake the whole house up. Remember that Jura's are all bean-to-cup, and the beans are freshly ground from beans for every cup.

Advanced Water Filtration

Ensuring that each cup is brewed with pure, uncontaminated water, the E8 incorporates the CLARIS Smart water filtration system. This not only improves the taste but also extends the life of the machine by preventing limescale buildup.

The filters need changing, but not very frequently, and they're inexpensive to buy (with cheaper unbranded options available).

Customisable Drink Options

The Jura E8 boasts a range of customisable drink options, from the strength of your brew to the amount of water used. Whether you like your coffee strong and bold or mild and mellow, the E8 can craft it to your exact specifications.

This feature is a must-have for me. I'm a creature of habit - I have the same coffee every morning, done in the same way every time. I have a pre-programmed coffee on the Jura E8, which is simply named by my name (it's an espresso with a little more water than normal, if you were wondering). My wife has the same, although her drink is a little different. At different parts of the day I may opt for a different coffee, so we have a few different configurations set up which can be done in a single button press. For anything a little more fancy or outside the norm you can easily choose the strength, water amount, milk amount, and various other options to make the perfect coffee for you or your guests.

The Jura E8 is capable of creating lots of different coffee types
The Jura E8 is capable of creating lots of different coffee types

Design

At first glance, the Jura E8 makes an impression – and a lasting one at that. It's not just the functionality that sets it apart; the design aesthetics are equally commendable.

Sleek Aesthetics

The E8 showcases a modern, streamlined look that blends seamlessly into both contemporary and traditional kitchen designs. Its elegant chrome finish, paired with subtle curves, exudes a luxurious feel, ensuring the machine stands as a focal point on any countertop.

Compact Footprint

While some might expect a machine with such an array of features to be bulky, the E8 surprises with its compact design. It’s clear that Jura has put thought into creating a product that offers maximum functionality without dominating kitchen space.

User-friendly Interface

Beyond the visual appeal, the design of the E8 emphasises user-friendliness. The TFT colour display is strategically positioned for easy access, and the clear, labelled buttons mean you don't have to fumble around looking for the right option. Every element, from the water tank to the drip tray, is designed for easy access and straightforward maintenance.

Robust Build Quality

The E8 doesn’t just look premium; it feels it too. The use of high-quality materials in its construction ensures durability. Touchpoints like the bean hopper, water reservoir, and milk frother are sturdy, giving the assurance that the machine is built to last.

Although largely plastic, the build quality on the Jura E8 is sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, and luxurious
Although largely plastic, the build quality on the Jura E8 is sturdy, aesthetically pleasing, and luxurious

Attention to Detail

Jura's commitment to excellence is evident in the smaller details of the E8's design. Features like the illuminated coffee spout, which ensures you pour without spillage even in dim lighting, and the adjustable spouts for varying cup sizes, showcase the brand's dedication to user-centric design.

In essence, the Jura E8 encapsulates a design philosophy where style meets substance. It’s a machine that promises to be as much a talking point for its looks as for the quality of coffee it brews.

The Facts

Brand Jura
Dimensions 28W x 35.1H x 44.4D cm cm
Water tank capacity 1.9 litres
Milk support
Digital display
Adjustable strength
Adjustable grind
Coffee types Beans, Ground

The Ratings

Design

9/10

Features

9/10

Price

7.5/10

Summary

The Jura E8 stands as a beacon of innovation and style in the bustling landscape of home coffee machines. One of its most defining features is the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System, which ensures every cup boasts a full-bodied aroma by refining the extraction process. Alongside this, the Pulse Extraction Process, commonly known as P.E.P., enhances the aroma, particularly in shorter specialties like espresso. Milk-based beverage lovers will appreciate the Integrated Fine Foam Technology that crafts velvety milk foam, while the intuitive TFT Colour Display simplifies the brewing journey for all.

On the design front, the E8 captivates with its modern, streamlined look, adorned with a luxurious chrome finish. Despite housing an array of rich features, its design is compact, ensuring it doesn’t dominate kitchen spaces. The interface is a joy to navigate, with clear labels and a strategically placed display, and the machine’s overall robust build, crafted from high-quality materials, assures longevity.

Having spent considerable time with the E8, it's evident that Jura has not only delivered a machine of technological brilliance but also one of artful design. The coffee brewed is consistently delightful, and the experience, from bean selection to the final sip, is seamless. It's a machine that truly encapsulates the essence of what Jura stands for: perfection, precision, and passion. For those seeking to enrich their coffee journey at home, the Jura E8 is a stellar choice, merging functionality with elegance.

The real only issue is the price. The E8 is an entry-level machine from Jura, but with a price tag in the 4 figures it can be a difficult machine to swallow the price on. Most coffee machines from other manufacturers are 3 figures, often less than half this price of this entry level model. But, as they say, you get what you pay for and Jura's quality and craftsmanship is clear from the off.