What is the Jura S8?
Jura's mid-range machine with a big screen and the milk drinks done for you.
Jura makes only fully automatic machines, and the S8 sits in the middle of the range, between the E line and the flagship Z10. Like every Jura it grinds, tamps, brews and froths from one button. What lifts it above the E line is the 4.3 inch colour touchscreen, Sweet Foam, which flavours the milk foam as it is made, and a Wi-Fi transmitter in the box for Jura's J.O.E. app. It is made in Switzerland and sold in Chrome and Dark Inox.
Our Jura coffee machine page compares the whole range side by side.
Key specs
| Drinks | 27, including Sweet Foam and Extra Shot versions |
| Grinder | P.A.G.2, 7 settings |
| Brewing unit | 5 to 16 g, 10 strength levels, 3 temperatures |
| Pump and heating | 15 bar, 1 thermoblock |
| Milk | HP3 / CX3 spout, automatic one-touch cleaning |
| Pre-ground | Powder chute |
| Water tank | 1.9 litres (64.2 oz) |
| Bean hopper | 280 g (9.9 oz) |
| Grounds container | About 16 servings |
| Spout height | 65 to 111 mm |
| Screen and app | 4.3 in touchscreen, Wi-Fi Connect supplied |
| Size and weight | 280 x 348 x 446 mm, 9.8 kg (22 lb) |
| Power | 1,450 W at 120 V |
| Price | $3,299 on shopjura.com |
The drinks
Every everyday coffee and milk drink, plus a sweet version of most.
Jura's list runs espresso, double espresso, coffee, double coffee, americano, lungo, espresso doppio, cortado, espresso macchiato, cappuccino, flat white and latte macchiato, with portions of milk, milk foam and hot water. Twelve of the 27 are Sweet or Extra Shot versions: Sweet Foam runs a syrup into the foam as it is made, and Extra Shot adds a second shot to the milk drinks. You can change the coffee strength across ten levels, the grind across seven and the brew temperature across three, and save your own versions on the touchscreen.
Living with it
Jura automates the cleaning; you supply the tablets.
The HP3 milk spout cleans itself at the touch of a button, and the machine runs integrated rinsing, cleaning and descaling programmes. The CLEARYL Smart+ water filter is detected automatically. Our record lists no removable brew unit, which is normal for Jura and is the main difference from machines such as the Miele CM 6360, whose brew unit lifts out to be rinsed. Cleaning a bean-to-cup machine explains what each routine involves. The 280 g hopper and the 16 serving grounds container are the same size as the E8's.
Jura S8 vs Jura J8
The question Jura's own price list raises.
On 11 October Jura's US store listed the S8 at $3,299 and the Jura J8 at the same $3,299, marked down to a special price of $2,599. The J8 has the same size tank and hopper, the same 4.3 inch touchscreen, Sweet Foam and Wi-Fi, and makes 31 drinks to the S8's 27. It also has a second, higher spout range of 107 to 153 mm for milk drinks, which the S8's 65 to 111 mm cannot match. At those prices the J8 is the better buy. The S8 makes sense only if the J8 offer ends or you find the S8 discounted.
Jura S8 vs Jura E8
The screen, the app and the sweet drinks, for the difference.
The Jura E8 is $2,599 at an authorised dealer and shares the S8's P.A.G.2 grinder, 7 grind settings, HP3 milk spout, 1.9 litre tank and 280 g hopper. It makes 17 drinks, has no Sweet Foam, and our record lists no touchscreen. If you want cappuccinos and flat whites at one touch, the E8 does that for less. The S8's extra money buys the screen, Wi-Fi in the box and the sweet and extra shot drinks.
Is the Jura S8 worth it?
It is a well equipped machine at the wrong price this month.
Nothing about the S8 is weak: it has the full set of milk drinks, automatic milk cleaning, a powder chute, a big screen and the app. The problem is its neighbour. With the J8 on special at $2,599 in the same store, the S8 costs $700 more for fewer drinks. Check both prices before you buy. If cost matters more than the screen, our list of the best bean-to-cup machines under $1,500 covers machines from De'Longhi and Philips that make the core drinks for half as much, and the bean-to-cup category ranks them all.
Who should buy it (and who should not)
Buy it if
- You want Jura's touchscreen, Sweet Foam and app, and find it below the J8's price.
- Several people in your house drink different milk drinks.
- You want a powder chute for an occasional decaf.
Skip it if
- The J8 is still on special; it makes more drinks for less.
- You drink tall lattes in big glasses.
- You want a brew unit you can take out and rinse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks does the Jura S8 make?
Jura lists 27 specialties, including Sweet Foam and Extra Shot versions of the milk drinks, portions of milk and milk foam, and hot water.
Does the Jura S8 have Wi-Fi?
Yes. A Wi-Fi Connect transmitter is supplied as standard, for the J.O.E. app.
What is the difference between the Jura S8 and J8?
The J8 makes 31 drinks to the S8's 27 and adds a taller 107 to 153 mm spout range for milk drinks. Both have a 4.3 inch touchscreen, Sweet Foam, Wi-Fi and the same tank and hopper.
Can I use ground coffee in the Jura S8?
Yes, through the powder chute for ground coffee.
Where is the Jura S8 made?
In Switzerland, according to Jura's US specification sheet.
