Jura W8 Review: The Best Fully Automatic Machine for Offices?

Under normal circumstances, the best Jura coffee machines deliver more features, functions and coffee specialties with each new generation. However, during my Jura W8 review things looked a little different. The Jura W8 has a color display with buttons, long-established specialty drinks and a standard range of menu functions. What sounds incredibly boring is one of its greatest strengths:

Instead of offering a “unique” coffee experience, it aims to impress as a compact, professional-grade fully automatic coffee machine for the office that is extremely easy to use. Keep reading my Jura W8 review to see if this new model is a success or abject failure!

Fantastic Professional Machine

Jura W8

Simplicity meets high capacity

Easy to use

Large water tank

Makes great espresso and milk foam

Quiet and fast operation

Payment system capabilities

Waste container rather unstable

Rather expensive

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Jura W8
Manufacturer	Jura
Model number	15650
Product category	Super automatic espresso machine
Removable brew group
Housing material	Plastic with stainless steel parts
Color options	Dark Inox
Milk frother	Cappuccinatore
User interface	Color TFT with buttons
App
User profiles	Memo function only
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l
Number of boilers	1
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	2.2 in / 5.6 cm
Minimum cup height	6.0 in / 15.2 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	7
Bean hopper capacity	17.6 oz / 500.0 g
Pre-ground coffee bypass
Grounds discard container capacity	25
Specialty drinks	17
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Adjustable milk foam temperature
Adjustable milk temperature
2-cup function	Yes (non-milk drinks only)
Pot function
Hot water function
Hot milk function
Milk foam only option
Water filter
Power consumption	1450 W
Weight	24.3 lb / 11.0 kg
Dimensions	17.4 x 11.6 x 17.6 in 44.2 x 29.5 x 44.7 cm
Warranty	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual, cleaning supplies, coffee scoop, water filter
Current price on Amazon	$3,295.00
All specifications

Jura W8 Review Overview

The Jura W8, successor to the WE8, is the first fully automatic coffee machine I’ve tested that I couldn’t purchase from the usual sources in Europe. Instead, I had to get the thing from a professional supplier. However, in North America you can buy the Jura W8 on Amazon and Seattle Coffee Gear.

Costing $3,295.00, the W8 is Jura’s entry-level “professional” machine. A price tag of over $3,000 doesn’t exactly sound like an entry-level model, even for Jura’s already expensive fully automatic machines. However, we immediately see this positioning when we compare it to a similarly priced machine from Jura’s consumer segment.

At $3,799.00, the Jura J8 Twin costs even more, but at first glance, it justifies the investment more convincingly:

The Jura W8 only reveals its class as a commercial fully automatic coffee machine at second glance – but then it really shines:

The daily capacity of 50 cups may sound somewhat modest compared to other fully automatic coffee machines for businesses. However, in an office with five employees, for example, everyone would have to drink ten espressos or flat whites to reach that number.

Essentially, it’s all about simple functionality and a user-friendly experience, allowing for top-quality coffee even if you have no idea what you’re doing.

Of course, classic brand standards and marketing terms are also a must for this Jura model. These include, among others:

As always, you don’t have to know what P.E.P. actually does. You just have to know that this function really does improve the quality of the coffee.

Jura W8 Features

Let’s continue this Jura W8 review by taking a closer look at the machine’s most notable features.

Build Quality and Design

The Jura W8 is slightly larger than the WE8 overall, but it’s still surprisingly compact for a commercial machine. That’s not to say this baby doesn’t have a generous bean hopper capacity, though. Plus, the water tank is absolutely huge, which is certainly a bonus.

As with all Jura coffee machines, the W8 features plastic housing with a few metal components here and there. And while I’m not a fan of plastic construction, the Jura W8 feels very durable and well-made. As you’d expect, the Jura W8’s design is sleek, stylish and modern. Overall, the machine looks and feels incredibly premium, which is a relief given its asking price.

User Interface

At first glance, it might seem strange that the brand new Jura W8 is equipped with a color display screen surrounded by buttons. But for the most part, a Jura machine with a display and buttons is easier to use than a touchscreen model. In my opinion, the manufacturer still hasn’t figured out how to design a user-friendly touchscreen UI.

With the Jura W8 I find this all the more important, because in a commercial environment you can be certain that a tech novice will show up in front of the machine from time to time. And when they do they should be able to easily select a drink without having to make adjustments.

The Jura W8 certainly succeeds here. Its menu navigation is very intuitive and it only asks straightforward questions regarding things like the amount of milk foam (output in seconds) or the correct position of your espresso cup or coffee glass.

Double Walled Thermo Coffee Glasses

Enjoy your coffee drink hot for longer

Keeps your coffee warm longer

Made of robust borosilicate glass

To the Coffeeness Shop

Specialty Drinks

It’s par for the course that an updated Jura model will include more specialty drinks on its menu. So, I wasn’t surprised to see that the Jura W8 comes with 17 specialties to choose from, which is seven more than the WE8. There aren’t any surprises on the W8 menu, which includes all the crowd-pleasers like cappuccino, flat white and espresso macchiato.

As I already mentioned, it’s really easy to tweak a few settings from the main menu. Still, you are able to go deeper and adjust your drink with more precision. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget to mention that the Jura W8 features a one-touch americano function. That’s not always a given with a fully automatic machine, so I was pleased to see that the Swiss manufacturer had gone the extra mile.

Coffee Eye

Like many other models, the Jura W8 has two separate spouts – one for black coffee specialties and one for anything with milk. Because this can quickly lead to glasses being placed in the wrong position (even for me), Jura has now widely introduced the Coffee Eye cup sensor:

Depending on which spout you place your coffee glasses or cups under, the display will only show the coffee specialties that can be dispensed from that spout.

That said, there is rarely any reason to consult the operating instructions for Jura machines. However, you should have at least one fully automatic machine expert in your company who can set up the coffee specialties. They will literally become a key figure.

P.A.G.2 Grinder

To get to the P.A.G.2 grinder, the bean container or the 100-ounce (3-liter) water tank, you need to use the Allen wrench supplied with the machine.

This detail alone makes it clear that we are dealing with a professional Jura machine. I do think that such precautions are somewhat excessive in the appropriate environment for the W8. But there are always going to be experts who fill the water tank incorrectly or throw things into the bean container that don’t belong there.

In any case, when it comes to adjusting the grind setting, experienced users of fully automatic machines will have to rethink their approach. Jura no longer labels the settings from 1 for fine to 7 for coarse, but the other way around: the higher the number, the finer the grind.

If this confuses you, stick to the text scale from “mild” to “intense.” I moved the slider toward “intense” and ended up at level 5.

Producing just 63.6 decibels during operation, the grinder is not only pleasantly quiet, but the grinding process is also noticeably faster than with many other fully automatic coffee machines.

Milk Foam

Perfect milk foam at the touch of a button is one of the main reasons why fully automatic coffee machines are so successful. And Jura fully automatic coffee machines are currently setting the standard in this area.

It was therefore clear in advance that the W8 would also deliver sensational results with lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos and the rest. This time, I was particularly impressed by the latte macchiato.

Not only was it perfectly heated at 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius), it also displayed excellent layers. You can influence these yourself by programming the waiting time between the foam and coffee being dispensed. In my opinion, 20 seconds is ideal.

There’s nothing wrong with the cappuccino at 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) either. Except perhaps that, as with most fully automatic machines, it’s basically just a smaller latte.

Commercial Functions

As I pointed out earlier, you can use this commercial fully automatic espresso machine with various payment systems. That way, you’re able to recoup the cost of supplying coffee beans. However, in my opinion, free coffee specialties should be a matter of course in work environments where the Jura W8 makes sense.

Besides, it’s not just the fully automatic coffee machine that you can write off. Beans can also be claimed as a business expense. So, high quality coffee beans may also mean a better bottom line!

The Jura W8 in Use

As befits a skillfully boring fully automatic coffee machine, you set the Jura W8 to the usual values for coffee and espresso in the menu.

The ideal fill volumes are 1.4 ounces (40 milliliters) for espresso and 4 ounces (120 milliliters) for coffee. As far as temperature settings go, I set my espresso to the highest value, while coffee was best coming out of the spout at level 1 of 3.

As always, Jura’s favorite quirk – milk foam in seconds – is not so easy to determine, but you should find a good average for all cups or coffee glasses in your kitchen.

For my Coffeeness coffee glasses, 21 seconds for a cappuccino and 39 seconds for a latte macchiato are ideal settings. For a change, I added an extra shot for the optimal balance between overall volume, milk content and coffee punch.

How Does Espresso From the Jura W8 Taste?

Even if every team member has a different coffee preference, the Jura W8 has something for everyone. Guaranteed. As we have come to expect from Jura, the W8 prepares coffee drinks to the highest standard.

The espresso steams at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) just as pleasantly as the coffee at a whopping 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius). In terms of taste, all the flavor facets you could wish for from high-quality beans are on the menu here.

Of course, I used my Coffeeness Signature Espresso Roast during my Jura W8 review, and was pleased by the espresso’s deep chocolate and hazelnut notes. What’s more, both the coffee and espresso were full-bodied and well-balanced.

Ultimately, you owe it to such a good fully automatic machine (and your employees) to invest in the best espresso beans. After all, most companies invest a bunch of money in the machine, but only buy bland, mass-produced beans to fill it.

Best Coffee for the Jura W8

Coffeeness Medium Roast Espresso

Well-balanced with chocolate & hazelnut notes

Freshly roasted in Brooklyn

Very low acidity

To the Coffeeness Shop

After 10 years reviewing super automatics and espresso machines, and over 15 years reviewing coffee beans, we’re proud to offer our own Coffeeness Espresso Blend. Comprising ethically farmed and sourced coffee beans, our Espresso Blend is expertly roasted in small batches to guarantee freshness.

This premium blend of direct trade Brazilian coffee beans produces rich, bold and complex espresso that’s ideal straight or paired with milk. Featuring notes of chocolate and hazelnut, our Espresso Blend is particularly low in acidity, making it easy on the stomach.

Here’s how we recommend setting up your Jura W8 for the perfect cup of coffee:

How Do I Clean the Jura W8?

Coffee maker cleaning and descaling is much more complicated in offices and businesses than at home. After all, often no one feels responsible when something needs to be cleaned, emptied, rinsed or filled.

Fortunately, the Jura W8 meets you halfway, at least when it comes to the brewing unit. This permanently installed part cleans itself via rinsing programs instead of having to be removed daily. The milk system cleaning also works automatically to a certain extent.

However, the water tank, coffee grounds container and bean container still need to be cleaned by hand. This is where the “key security” system bites its own tail a little. Whoever has the key is not only responsible for refilling, but also, logically, for cleaning.

If the W8 becomes dirty or no longer functions properly, it is certainly not Jura’s fault. Even though cleaning is automated as much as possible, the more intensively the machine is used, the more you will have to do yourself in the end.

Most people can probably manage to empty the coffee grounds container. But when it comes to thoroughly cleaning the milk system or running a descaling cycle, even the most dedicated coffee lovers suddenly develop an allergy.

The W8 can’t provide an answer to that conundrum – you’ll have to figure it out for yourself. If you don’t, you’ll be faced with limescale, mold and defects all the sooner.

Jura W8 vs Other Super Automatics

Jura W8 vs WE8

As you already know, the W8 is the successor to the Jura WE8. To be honest, the machines are very similar both in the way they look and in the functionality on offer. However, the W8 is equipped with an updated Jura grinder with a couple more settings. What’s more, the Coffee Eye is a new addition and there are more specialty drinks on the menu.

While Jura has removed the WE8 from its website, you can still pick one up on Amazon for $2,799.00. In my opinion, that’s a pretty great deal.

See Also: Jura WE8 Review

Jura W8 vs Z10

Regular Coffeeness readers will know that I consider the Jura Z10 to be one of the best fully automatic espresso machines out there. If not the very best. Still, you’ll have to shell out a whopping $4,299.00 to get hold of the Z10.

So, what do you get for all that money? In a nutshell, the best Jura has to offer. For starters, the Jura Z10 is equipped with the incredible Product Recognizing Grinder (P.R.G.), which automatically adapts to the drink being prepared. On top of that, the Z10 has wonderful cold extraction capabilities as well as a sweet foam function. Oh, and this machine produces some of the most delicious espresso I’ve ever tasted.

While the Z10 wouldn’t make the best office coffee maker, it can’t be beat if you’re looking for an incredible home coffee machine.

See Also: Jura Z10 Review

Jura W8 vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Jura W8 Review

Fantastic Professional Machine

Jura W8

Simplicity meets high capacity

Easy to use

Large water tank

Makes great espresso and milk foam

Quiet and fast operation

Payment system capabilities

Waste container rather unstable

Rather expensive

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Jura W8
Manufacturer	Jura
Model number	15650
Product category	Super automatic espresso machine
Removable brew group
Housing material	Plastic with stainless steel parts
Color options	Dark Inox
Milk frother	Cappuccinatore
User interface	Color TFT with buttons
App
User profiles	Memo function only
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	101.4 fl oz / 3.0 l
Number of boilers	1
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	2.2 in / 5.6 cm
Minimum cup height	6.0 in / 15.2 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	7
Bean hopper capacity	17.6 oz / 500.0 g
Pre-ground coffee bypass
Grounds discard container capacity	25
Specialty drinks	17
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Adjustable milk foam temperature
Adjustable milk temperature
2-cup function	Yes (non-milk drinks only)
Pot function
Hot water function
Hot milk function
Milk foam only option
Water filter
Power consumption	1450 W
Weight	24.3 lb / 11.0 kg
Dimensions	17.4 x 11.6 x 17.6 in 44.2 x 29.5 x 44.7 cm
Warranty	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual, cleaning supplies, coffee scoop, water filter
Current price on Amazon	$3,295.00
All specifications

As a professional fully automatic machine, the Jura W8 offers numerous advantages – from the ability to connect to different payment systems to foolproof operation and a nice range of features.

But is it really worth the money as a fully automatic coffee machine for the office? That’s never an easy question to answer when it comes to Jura fully automatic coffee machines.

When I think about suitable machines from other manufacturers, the W8 does seem to cost a tad too much.

However, this only plays a minor role in my evaluation. Because what comes out of the spout here is sure to significantly increase productivity in your company.

Jura W8 FAQ