Jura S8 review: a big touchscreen, ten strength levels and a one-lever choice between latte and cappuccino foam
The Jura S8 15653 Automatic Espresso Machine combines a large 4.3-inch touchscreen, a 16-gram brew unit and a milk spout with a simple lever for silky latte milk or airy cappuccino foam. It's polished and easy to live with, but app control needs an add-on and milk is set by time rather than volume.
Michael Reynolds
Hands-on review
Hands-on testing, research, specs
4 weeks
28 minutes
Jargon helpNew to espresso? Tap any dotted term to see what it means.
In this review
Yes, if you want a polished, easy machine that makes excellent espresso and milk drinks. The Jura S8 has one of the clearest touchscreens I've used, ten strength levels and a 16-gram brew unit that gives real body. Its milk spout has a simple lever for silky latte milk or airy cappuccino foam, and the cappuccino comes milk-first so the foam keeps it hot. App control needs an optional adapter, and milk is set in seconds rather than milliliters.
Jura S8 at a glance
Jura S8 pros and cons
- Very clear 4.3-inch touchscreen
- Rich espresso with ten strength levels
- One lever switches between latte milk and cappuccino foam
- App control needs an optional adapter
- Milk amount is set in seconds, not milliliters
- Brew unit isn't removable for rinsing
Who should buy the Jura S8?
- Households that drink a mix of espresso and milk drinks
- People who want the easiest possible touchscreen
- Tea drinkers who want green-tea-temperature water
- People who want built-in Wi-Fi
- Coffee fans who want two beans on tap
- Anyone who wants to rinse the brew unit by hand
First impressions of the Jura S8
The Jura S8 makes a strong first impression.
Mine had a chrome front with black sides, a large color touchscreen and a tall milk spout beside the coffee outlet.
It looked like a café machine that had been tidied up for a home kitchen.
The touchscreen is the first thing you notice.
At 4.3 inches, it's large, bright and very clear, with eight drinks on the main screen.
The second thing is the heavy lid on the bean hopper.
It seals tightly, keeps the beans fresh and noticeably softens the grinder's noise.
My first drink was a cappuccino.
The S8 poured the milk first, then the espresso through the foam, leaving a thick, insulating cap that kept the drink hot to the last sip.
The S8's chrome front and large touchscreen give it a polished café look.
What the Jura S8 actually is
The S8 is a premium, fully automatic, bean-to-cup espresso machine with a milk system.
It grinds fresh beans for every drink, doses them into the brew unit, brews and ejects a dry puck.
For milk drinks, it draws milk through a tube and froths it in the spout.
Inside is a thermoblock✕ThermoblockA compact heater that warms water as it flows through, instead of keeping a whole boiler hot. It heats up fast and uses less standby energy. and a full-size brew unit✕Brew unitThe chamber inside an automatic machine that receives the ground coffee, presses it into a puck, pushes hot water through it and then ejects the used grounds. that takes up to about 16 grams of coffee per brew.
The S8 is made in Switzerland and feels it.
Panels fit tightly, the spouts glide smoothly and nothing rattled in four weeks of use.
Jura S8 design and setup
The Jura S8 measures 28 × 34.8 × 44.4 centimeters, or 11 × 13.8 × 17.3 inches.
It fits under standard wall cabinets, with a little room needed to lift the heavy hopper lid.
The water tank sits on the side, holds about 1.9 liters, and can be filled in place or lifted out.
The bean hopper holds about 280 grams.
A separate chute takes pre-ground coffee✕Pre-ground bypassA separate chute that sends already-ground coffee straight to the brew unit, skipping the grinder. Handy for decaf without emptying the bean hopper., so decaf doesn't mean emptying the hopper.
The coffee spout slides up and down, and the tall milk spout fits large mugs and travel glasses.
Two coffee outlets let you make two cups at once.
Filter setup
The S8 recognizes the CLEARYL Smart filter automatically through a chip in the cartridge.
It tracks the filter's use and tells you when to change it.
With the filter changed on time, regular descaling✕DescalingRunning a mild acid solution through the machine to dissolve mineral scale left by hard water. Scale slows heating and can block pipes. usually isn't needed.
Our tip: Fill the side tank in place with a jug, so you never have to lift it out on a busy morning.
Its tall milk spout fits big mugs and travel glasses.
The touchscreen
The S8's 4.3-inch touchscreen is the best part of using it.
Eight favorite drinks sit on the main screen, with more in a carousel.
Icons are large and clear, and the text is easy to read from a step away.
Settings for each drink
Press and hold a drink to open its settings.
Ten strength levels is a lot, and it's genuinely useful.
I used level 8 for espresso and level 6 for long coffee.
Out of 10.
Our tip: Save your settings on each drink you use, so the S8 makes it your way every time without any tapping.
The grinder
The S8 uses Jura's multi-level Aroma G3 grinder.
It grinds fresh for every drink, and the heavy, sealed hopper lid keeps the noise down.
A finer grind slows the water and adds resistance, and a coarser one lets water pass more easily.
The right setting depends on your beans, the roast level and your taste.
As with every Jura grinder, only change the setting while the grinder is running.
Bars show how much resistance the coffee puts up and how long the water stays in contact with it.
With a medium-dark blend, I settled a little finer than the middle.
Our tip: After any grind change, wait two or three drinks before judging, because some old coffee is still in the chute.
Jura S8 espresso performance
The S8 uses Jura's Pulse Extraction Process✕Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.)Jura's method of pushing hot water through the coffee in short, rapid bursts instead of one steady stream. It lengthens contact time for short drinks, giving a fuller flavor. for espresso and ristretto.
Short pulses of water improve contact with the grounds for small, concentrated drinks.
For long coffee, it uses a different, steady brew for a larger, lighter cup.
How it tasted
The espresso had a thick, golden-brown crema✕CremaThe golden-brown foam on top of an espresso. It forms when pressure pushes gases and oils out of freshly ground coffee. and a full body.
I tasted cocoa, toasted hazelnut and a little dried fruit, with low bitterness.
The ristretto was even better: short, syrupy and sweet.
With up to 16 grams per brew and ten strength levels, there's plenty of room to make it as strong as you like.
| What you taste or see | Likely cause | First change |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, thin | Under-extraction | Grind finer or raise strength |
| Bitter, harsh | Over-extraction | Grind coarser or lower strength |
| Pale crema | Stale beans or grind too coarse | Use fresher beans, grind finer |
| Lukewarm shot | Cold cup or low temperature | Warm the cup and set temperature to high |
| Weak long coffee | Volume too high for the strength | Lower volume or raise strength |
The milk system
The S8 uses Jura's second-generation automatic milk frother.
The best part is a small lever on the milk spout.
One position gives finely textured milk for lattes.
The other gives airy foam for cappuccinos.
Drink order
The S8 makes each drink in the order that suits it.
For a latte, it pours espresso first, then silky milk.
For a cappuccino, it pours milk first, then espresso, so the foam forms a thick top layer that keeps the drink hot.
Setting the milk amount
Milk is set by time, not volume.
I raised my cappuccino's milk time from 13 to 16 seconds to fill my favorite cup.
It takes a few tries, but once it's saved, you never touch it again.
Milk time in seconds for my cups.
| Drink | Lever position | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Latte | Fine milk | Espresso, then milk |
| Cappuccino | Airy foam | Milk, then espresso |
| Espresso macchiato | Airy foam | Espresso, then a little foam |
| Hot milk | Fine milk | Milk only |
| Milk foam | Airy foam | Foam only |
The microfoam✕MicrofoamMilk foam with bubbles so small you can't see them. It feels silky and blends into the coffee instead of sitting on top like froth. in the latte position was silky and glossy.
The cappuccino foam was taller and lighter, as it should be.
Keeping milk cold
Jura sells an optional milk cooler that holds about 1 liter at around 4°C, or 39°F.
There's also a glass milk container that goes from the fridge to the machine.
The optional milk cooler keeps milk cold right next to the machine.
Hot water and tea
The S8's hot water is set to a temperature that suits green tea.
Green tea came out sweet and grassy rather than bitter.
For strong black tea, I still preferred a kettle.
Our tip: Use the S8's hot water for green and herbal tea, and a kettle for strong black tea.
The app
The S8 works with Jura's app through an optional Bluetooth adapter.
With it, you can change strength, volume, temperature and milk quantity from your phone.
The app also shows maintenance status and drink statistics.
You can name custom drinks and queue several orders in a row, which is handy for guests.
It also works with a compatible voice assistant once set up.
I enjoyed it, but the touchscreen is so good that I rarely needed it.
Iced drinks and extras
The S8 doesn't have a cold brew program, but it handles iced drinks well with a little planning.
Iced americano
Brew a double espresso into a small jug and pour it over a tall glass of ice.
Top it up with cold water to taste.
Iced latte
Brew a strong ristretto or espresso, let it cool for a minute and pour it over ice and cold milk.
For a creamier version, add cold milk foam made with very cold milk on the foam setting.
Hot chocolate and chai
Stir cocoa powder into a mug and add hot milk from the fine milk setting.
For a chai latte, steep a chai tea bag in hot water, then top it with milk foam.
Affogato
Pour a fresh ristretto over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It's the simplest dessert you'll ever make, and the S8's syrupy ristretto is perfect for it.
| Drink | S8 part | Extra you need |
|---|---|---|
| Iced americano | Double espresso | Ice and cold water |
| Iced latte | Strong espresso | Ice and cold milk |
| Hot chocolate | Hot milk | Cocoa powder |
| Chai latte | Hot water and foam | Chai tea bag |
| Affogato | Ristretto | Vanilla ice cream |
Cleaning and maintaining the Jura S8
Milk system
After milk drinks, the S8 reminds you to clean the milk system.
You start the clean from the touchscreen or the app, and the machine guides you through it.
Brew unit
The brew unit is cleaned automatically with cleaning tablets.
When prompted, you drop a tablet into the designated compartment and follow the steps on screen.
You don't take the brew unit out to wash it.
Drip tray and grounds
Used grounds go to a removable container behind the drip tray, which holds about 16 pucks.
Electronic contacts monitor the drip tray, and the machine tells you when either needs emptying.
| When | Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| After milk drinks | Run the milk clean when reminded | Clears milk from the spout |
| Daily | Empty drip tray and grounds container | Prevents odors |
| Every few days | Rinse the milk spout parts | Removes dried milk |
| When prompted | Tablet cleaning program | Strips coffee oils |
| When prompted | Filter change or descaling | Controls mineral scale |
My estimate of hands-on daily cleaning time.
Daily use
My weekday mornings were an espresso and, later, a latte.
The touchscreen made every drink a single tap, and the machine was ready quickly after switching on.
Rough maths from a 1.9 L tank, allowing for rinse water.
The S8 is quick enough for back-to-back drinks on busy mornings.
Recipes I made on the S8
Strong latte
Set the lever to fine milk, choose latte and raise the strength to 8.
The milk blends into the coffee for a creamy, balanced drink.
Classic cappuccino
Set the lever to foam, choose cappuccino and set the milk time to fit your cup.
The milk-first order gives a tall, insulating foam cap.
Iced latte
Brew a ristretto at strength 10 into a small jug, let it cool, then pour it over ice and cold milk.
Green tea
Use the hot water option and steep green tea for about two minutes.
| Recipe | Key settings | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Strong latte | Fine milk, strength 8 | Use cold whole milk |
| Classic cappuccino | Foam, milk time to fit | Milk-first keeps it hot |
| Iced latte | Ristretto, strength 10 | Cool the shot first |
| Green tea | Hot water | Steep about two minutes |
How the S8 fits different households
I tried the S8 with a few different routines to see where it fits best.
The mixed household
The S8's big touchscreen and saved settings make it ideal when people drink different things.
Everyone can find their drink at a glance, and nobody needs instructions.
In my home, one person drank ristretto, one drank lattes and one drank green tea.
The S8 handled all three, one tap each.
The latte and cappuccino lovers
The lever and the correct drink order make the S8 one of the best machines I've used for milk drinks.
A latte tastes like a latte and a cappuccino tastes like a cappuccino, which isn't true of every machine.
The tech fan
If you want built-in Wi-Fi out of the box, the S8 needs the optional adapter.
Once it's fitted, the app adds remote orders, custom drink names and statistics.
The bean collector
If you like switching between two beans, the S8 has one hopper, so you'd use the pre-ground chute for a second coffee.
It works well for decaf, but it's not the same as a second grinder.
| Household | Is the S8 a fit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed espresso and milk drinkers | Excellent | Clear screen and saved drinks |
| Latte and cappuccino lovers | Excellent | Lever and correct drink order |
| Tech fans | Good | App with optional adapter |
| Two-bean enthusiasts | Fair | One hopper plus pre-ground chute |
Our tip: Keep a small jar of ground decaf by the machine, so evening coffee through the chute takes seconds.
Upgrading from a basic machine
Many people looking at the S8 already own a simpler automatic machine or a capsule machine.
Here's what changes when you step up.
The screen
The jump from small buttons or a small display to a 4.3-inch touchscreen is the most obvious change.
Finding drinks, changing settings and following cleaning steps all become easier.
The milk
Basic machines often make one style of foam for every drink.
The S8's lever gives you proper latte milk and proper cappuccino foam.
It also pours each drink in the right order, which makes a real difference to taste and temperature.
The control
Ten strength levels, three temperatures and volumes from 0.5 to 8 ounces give far more room to tune each drink.
The build
The S8 is made in Switzerland, and the solid panels and smooth spouts feel built for years of daily use.
| Area | Typical basic machine | Jura S8 |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Buttons or a small display | 4.3-inch touchscreen |
| Strength | 3–5 levels | 10 levels |
| Milk | One foam style | Lever for latte milk or foam |
| Drink order | Often fixed | Right order for each drink |
| Pre-ground chute | Sometimes | Yes |
Our tip: If you're coming from capsules, start with a medium-dark espresso blend, because it shows off fresh-ground flavor most clearly.
My four weeks with the S8
Week one: dialing in
I spent the first week finding my grind and strength levels.
By day four, espresso was at level 8 and long coffee at level 6.
Week two: milk drinks
In week two, I experimented with the lever and milk times.
Changing the cappuccino milk time from 13 to 16 seconds filled my favorite cup perfectly.
Week three: the app
In week three, I added the app adapter.
Queuing drinks for guests was useful, but I mostly went back to the touchscreen.
Week four: maintenance
In week four, I changed the filter and ran a tablet cleaning cycle.
The machine recognized the new filter automatically, and the cleaning took a few minutes of my time.
Long-term ownership
The S8 is built to last, and its Swiss build quality shows.
Over time, you'll buy filters, cleaning tablets and milk cleaner.
The milk spout parts and tube are the pieces most likely to need replacing.
Keep a cloth handy for the chrome front, which shows fingerprints.
| Consumable | When | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water filter | When the machine asks | Recognized automatically |
| Cleaning tablets | When the machine asks | For the brew unit |
| Milk cleaner | When the machine asks | For the milk system |
| Milk tube | Every few months | Keeps the milk path hygienic |
Beans and milk
Use fresh whole beans within a few weeks of the roast date, and avoid oily ones.
| Bean or milk | How it worked | Settings I used |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-dark blend | Rich espresso, great in milk | Strength 8, a little fine |
| Medium roast | Balanced long coffee | Strength 6 |
| Light roast | Bright, can be sharp | Strength 9–10, finer |
| Whole milk | Silkiest latte milk | Cold from the fridge |
Common mistakes to avoid
The Jura S8 is easy to use, but a few habits make a difference.
| Mistake | What happens | Better habit |
|---|---|---|
| Forgetting the milk lever | Latte with foam or flat cappuccino | Check the lever before each milk drink |
| Setting milk by guesswork | Cups overflow or come out short | Adjust milk time in small steps |
| Skipping the milk clean | Milk residue builds up | Clean when reminded |
| Changing the grind with the grinder stopped | Beans jam the burrs | Adjust only while it grinds |
| Using boiling-hot water for green tea | Bitter tea | Use the S8's hot water |
What I would change
Built-in Wi-Fi and milk settings in milliliters would make the S8 even easier.
Is the Jura S8 worth the money?
The S8 is a premium machine at the upper end of Jura's mid-range.
It earns its price with build quality, the touchscreen and excellent milk drinks.
Ask yourself three questions before you buy.
Do you drink a mix of espresso and milk drinks? Do you value simple, clear controls? And are you happy with one bean at a time?
If the answers are yes, the S8 is one of the easiest premium machines to live with.
If you need two beans on tap, a two-grinder flagship makes more sense.
If you only drink black coffee, a simpler machine without a milk system will save you money and cleaning time.
Check what's included where you buy, because filters, cleaning tablets and the app adapter vary between bundles.
How it compares with other espresso setups
The most useful comparison is with the types of machines you're likely choosing between.
The Jura S8 stands out for its touchscreen and its simple milk lever.
| Feature | Jura S8 | Entry automatic with milk | Two-grinder flagship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | 4.3 in, very clear | Small screen or buttons | Large touchscreen |
| Strength levels | 10 | Often 3–5 | Many |
| Milk | Lever for latte milk or foam | Often one foam | Fully adjustable |
| Beans on tap | One | One | Two |
| App | Optional adapter | Rare | Often built in |
| Build | Swiss-made, solid | Varies | Premium |
An entry automatic machine is simpler and cheaper, with fewer strength levels and less milk control.
A two-grinder flagship adds more flexibility, at a higher price and with a bigger footprint.
The S8 hits the sweet spot for most households.
| You mostly drink | Is the S8 a fit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso and ristretto | Excellent | 16 g dose, ten strength levels |
| Latte | Excellent | Fine milk, espresso first |
| Cappuccino | Excellent | Airy foam, milk first |
| Green tea | Very good | Suitable water temperature |
| Two different beans | Fair | One hopper plus pre-ground chute |
The S8 in full: big touchscreen, coffee outlet and milk spout.
Other Jura machines I tested
The Jura E8 is the button-based alternative, with smart filter tracking.
Step up to the Jura J8 for Sweet Foam and the cup-spotting Coffee Eye.
If cold coffee matters to you, my Jura Z10 review covers true cold extraction.
Which one is right for you: is the Jura S8 your match?
4 quick questionsJura S8 specifications
From manufacturer data and my own testing.
How I tested and scored the Jura S8
For four weeks, I used the Jura S8 as my everyday machine for ristretto, espresso, coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and green tea water.
I worked through all ten strength levels, all three temperatures and the grind range, and tried both positions of the milk lever with several milks.
I adjusted milk times, followed the milk and brew unit cleaning prompts, changed the filter and tried the optional app adapter.
I then checked my notes against Jura's specifications and owner documentation.
- Espresso (8.9): crema, body, flavor and the ten strength levels.
- Milk drinks (8.8): latte milk, cappuccino foam and drink order.
- Ease of use (9.1): touchscreen, settings, saved drinks and setup.
- Cleaning (8.4): milk cleaning, tablet cleaning, drip tray and filter tracking.
The overall score of 8.8 is an editorial rating that reflects those four areas.
Jura S8 FAQ
Is the Jura S8 worth it?
Yes, if you want excellent espresso and milk drinks with very simple controls. If you need built-in Wi-Fi or two beans at once, look at a different model.
How many drinks does the Jura S8 make?
It has 15 drinks, including ristretto, espresso, coffee, latte, cappuccino, espresso macchiato, hot milk, milk foam and hot water.
What does the lever on the milk spout do?
It switches between finely textured milk for lattes and airy foam for cappuccinos.
Why does the S8 pour milk first for a cappuccino?
The foam forms a thick top layer that insulates the drink, so the cappuccino stays hot longer. For a latte, it pours espresso first and then silky milk.
How do I change the milk amount?
Milk is set by time in seconds. For example, I raised my cappuccino milk from 13 to 16 seconds for a larger cup.
How many strength levels does the Jura S8 have?
Ten, plus three temperatures and coffee volumes from about 0.5 to 8 ounces.
Does the Jura S8 have Wi-Fi or an app?
It works with Jura's app through an optional adapter. Without it, you control everything on the touchscreen.
Can I use pre-ground coffee?
Yes. There's a separate chute for pre-ground coffee such as decaf, so you don't need to empty the bean hopper.
How big is the water tank?
About 1.9 liters, or 64 fluid ounces. It sits on the side and can be filled on or off the machine.
How do I clean the Jura S8?
Run the milk cleaning when prompted, empty the drip tray and grounds container regularly, and run the tablet cleaning program when the machine asks.
Is there a fridge for the milk?
Not built in. Jura sells an optional milk cooler that holds about 1 liter at around 4°C, or you can use a glass milk container that goes in the fridge.
Kitchen & coffee tester
Michael spent six years as a line cook in restaurants in Chicago and New York, and he has tested kitchen appliances for HouseholdMe since 2018, from air fryers to coffee makers. He holds an SCA certificate in barista skills and used the Jura S8 as his everyday coffee machine for four weeks for this review.
- Four weeks of hands-on testing of the Jura S8 15653
- Jura product specifications and owner documentation
- General espresso brewing and maintenance guidance