Wondering if the Jura Z8 or Jura X8 is the right espresso machine for you?
We’ve created this guide to compare the Jura Z8 vs X8. We’re going to shed some light on the features of both these high-end superautomatic machines to help you decide which one is best for you.
Here’s what we’ll examine:
- Similarities shared by the Z8 and X8
- Differences between these machines
- How to decide which one is best for you
Let’s get started.
QUICK SUMMARY
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Attribute | Jura Z8 | Jura X8 |
---|---|---|
Image | ||
Machine Type | Superautomatic | Superautomatic |
Plumbing | Pour-over | Pour-over |
Water Tank Capacity | 2.4 liters | 5 liters |
Heating System | Dual thermoblock | Dual thermoblock |
Drink Choices | 21 | 21 |
Hopper Capacity | Approximately .5 pounds | 1 pound |
Ideal Uses | Home | Home, office |
Pricing |
Here’s our advice:
The Jura X8 is the better choice for homes that will put it through extended periods of heavy use due to its more robust water tank and hopper. Get this machine if you're going to need a lot of espresso, and often.
Alternatively, those looking to add a superautomatic espresso machine to their homes will love the user-friendliness of the built-in touchscreen on the Jura Z8.
Boasting 21 different drink options to choose from, the Jura Z8 is a little like having your own personal barista right at home. Its dual thermoblock system allows it to steam your milk and brew your espresso at the same time, so you’ll enjoy your favorite drinks even faster.
A large hopper and water tank capacity make it so the Jura X8 can power through lines of drinks. This machine is ideal for homes where multiple people will want espresso, or where you'll need cups frequently.
SIMILARITIES
SUPERAUTOMATIC MACHINE TYPE
The Jura Z8 and X8 are superautomatic machines, which equates to them being some of the easiest to learn machines on the market.
With other types of espresso machines, such as automatic or semiautomatic, you still need to grind the espresso and froth the milk yourself. Superautomatic machines simplify the process by doing all of this for you.
This type is often called bean to cup, because a superautomatic machine really does everything from grinding your beans to frothing your milk and pouring the drink for you.
Basically, this design is excellent for everyone, from novices to tried and true experts alike.
JURA OPERATING EXPERIENCE (J.O.E.) APP COMPATIBILITY
Have you ever ordered your coffee ahead of time using an app so you could skip the line?
This same concept is brought to you with the Jura Operating Experience (J.O.E.) app, which both of these models are compatible with.
You could order a drink from your couch or room. You can even create a queue of drinks, so the Z8 or X8 will make them back-to-back.
All you need to do is have your cup in place, and you can tell the machine to start making your drink for you right from your smart phone. You could even operate it completely from your phone without using the display on the front of the Z8 and X8 at all.
DUAL THERMOBLOCK HEATING SYSTEM
Sometimes, you need a drink fast, especially if you’re in a rush to get ready to leave in the morning.
Many home espresso machines use single-boiler systems that can’t froth your milk and brew your espresso at the same time. This increases the amount of time it takes for your cup to be ready.
The Jura Z8 and X8 eliminate this issue by having a dual thermoblock heating system. That means they can create frothy milk and creamy espresso simultaneously, pouring them together into your cup.
With this increased speed, you can be on your way far more quickly.
NUMBER OF DRINK PRODUCTS
You’ll get pretty comprehensive 21-drink menus integrated in either the Z8 or X8.
This includes all the beloved coffee shop classics, such as lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. You’ll probably find your favorite café staple built into either one of these espresso machines.
But you’ll also have some additional options that you may not have considered, such as whole jugs of coffee or Americanos. The huge drink menu is great for serving a number of guests who may have different tastes from your own.
ENERGY SAVE MODE
Have you ever been shocked by an increase in your electricity bills after purchasing a new appliance?
The good news is, Jura planned for this when they added an energy save mode to both the Z8 and X8.
These machines will cool down after each drink when you toggle the energy save mode on, reducing their energy consumption when they don’t have to stay heated.
Once you decide you want to make another beverage, they’ll need a little time to bring themselves back up to temperature. Of course, if you just don't have the time to wait through these heat-up periods, you can simply toggle the energy save mode off.
PROGRAMMABLE SWITCH OFF TIME
We’ve all accidentally left something on long after it was supposed to be turned off.
With the Jura Z8 and X8, you’ll never run this risk. You can program either one to shut off at specific times, so that you won’t accidentally leave them running for hours on end.
Not only is this energy-efficient, but it also protects your espresso machine. If it ever runs while the water level is too low, it can be damaged.
Either way, you won’t need to wonder at work if you turned your espresso machine off.
DIFFERENCES
WATER TANK CAPACITY
Both the Jura Z8 and X8 require you to manually refill the water tank as they deplete from use.
Predictably, this can become a hassle when you need to stop what you're doing to pour water in after just a few drinks.
The Z8’s water tank can hold up to approximately 2.4 liters. Visually, this a little larger than a big bottle of soda, and is ample to get homes through their morning drinks or to serve guests uninterrupted.
Nearly double the size of the Z8, the water tank in the X8 can hold up to just under 5 liters. With this kind of size at your disposal, you won’t need to worry about frequent stops for refills.
HOPPER SIZE
Hopper size translates to how many coffee beans you can store in your machine at once.
A larger hopper will be just the ticket for you if you're going to use your machine often. They allow you to make back-to-back drinks without as many pauses to pour more beans into the hopper.
On top of the X8, you’ll find a hopper that can hold about a pound of coffee beans. That's a pretty generous size for use at home, and you'll be able to go for awhile without a refill.
With the Z8, the hopper can hold a bit over half a pound. This isn’t quite as substantial as the X8, but many prosumers at home will discover that this amount is more than a match for their needs.
DIMENSIONS
If you’re an at-home coffee lover with limited room, you’ll want to pay attention to the size of any potential espresso machine.
In this comparison, the Z8 is just a bit smaller. It’s 15 inches tall, 12.6 inches wide, and 17.7 inches deep.
At 18.5 inches tall, 14.7 inches wide, and 18.1 inches deep, the X8 is slightly larger.
These variations in size may not mean all that much, but can become important when you have a limited amount of space you need to account for. You won’t want to invest in an espresso machine, only to find that you didn’t have a place for it.
JURA Z8 TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY
There’s a good reason why touchscreens are everywhere these days:
They’re so easy to use. Instead of searching for hidden buttons or using an easily lost stylus, you can control any device with a touchscreen using nothing more than your fingertips.
The Jura Z8 takes advantage of this trend by having a 4.3-inch touchscreen display on the front of the machine. Swiping through its interface is as simple as using your phone.
The front of the X8 is adorned with a TFT color display. You can interact with it using two simple columns of button either side of the screen or a radial button right on top.
Of course, if you dislike using buttons, you can also just use the J.O.E. app on your phone to operate the X8.
JURA Z8 WATER TANK ILLUMINATION
When you’re in the middle of making delicious drinks, it can be all too easy to forget any maintenance, like filling the water tank.
The Z8’s solution to this problem is built-in blue lights at the bottom of the tank that illuminate the water within. This makes visually monitoring the level of water in the tank a simple affair.
As a bonus, these blue lights add an extra layer or beautiful décor to the Jura Z8.
WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single espresso machine that would be the best for every kitchen across the board. Even among these Jura superautomatic espresso machines, there are particular factors that would make one better for you than the other.
If you’re going to be brewing drinks for hours at a time, you won't want to have to stop so often to dump more beans into the hopper. The larger capacity in the tank and hopper on the X8 is a wise selection for that kind of situation.
You can also consider your own personal preference when it comes to navigation. Would you be more comfortable using a touch screen that’s similar to most smartphones used today?
Then you’ll probably like the Z8’s central touchscreen display. You can also use the J.O.E. app on a phone to control the X8 using your phone’s touchscreen, but if you don’t want this extra step, you may appreciate the touchscreen already built into the Z8.
Got a cramped countertop? You won’t need to struggle to fit in the Z8’s more compact size.
But if it’s your budget that’s a bit more restrictive, and not necessarily your counter space, then you may opt for the more economical X8.
Prices may change, though, so make sure you confirm the price before you buy.
Want to learn more? Take a look at the Jura X8 and the Jura Z8 here: