Espresso machines can be convenient too. The Jura Z8 Vs Saeco Xelsis is ideal for home use and for coffee drinkers who want a quick and tasty espresso without much effort. These machines are convenient and can brew from bean to cup or make ready-to-drink coffee beverages. If you also wonder which machine to buy, let’s see what else they can offer below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What is Semi-Automatic and Automatic Espresso Machine
- What are Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis
- How are the Machines of Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis
- What are the Drinks in Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis
- What are the Features in Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis
- How is the Brewing Process of Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis
- Jura Z8 Vs Saeco Xelsis
Semi-Automatic and Automatic Espresso Machine
Coffee is tasty, and this beverage is trendy in modern days where people drink it not only for the caffeine but also for the flavors. Coffee drinks vary based on the brewing method and the additional ingredients besides plain water. One of them is espresso which you often find in a small cup serving about 28-30 mL of liquid. The concentrated liquid is also used in various espresso-based drinks like Cappuccino, Americano, Latte, and Flat White or enjoyed as it is.
To make espresso, you have to use an espresso machine, whether manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic. In modern days espresso machines are also designed for home use, but usually, they are semi or fully automatic. This is great to improve user experience, knowing that not everyone has extensive experience brewing the beverage. The difference between semi-manual and fully automatic machines is in the workflow. We only need to press a few buttons or dials on a fully automatic machine, and your drink will be done.
On the other hand, semi-automatic may need you to manually put the coffee ground in the filter, dosing it, and tampering it before brewing. This will require more time and work because the taste and result will be affected by the process we have done before, including whether we pack the coffee ground too much, too little, or accidentally don’t tamper the surface evenly. But, this type of machine offers higher freedom for enthusiasts who know what they want and how to do it.
| Jura Z8 | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 12.6"x 15" x 17.7" inches | 23.43 x 14.49 x 20.47 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 29.5 lbs | 25.8 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
About Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis
Your buying decision should match what type of machine you would like to use. If you prefer to tailor the brewing process more precisely according to your taste, the semi-manual devices give higher freedom. But, if you want the drink fast and not be too picky about personalization, a fully automatic machine like Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis will be two ideal options to consider. These machines are highly convenient ideal for casual espresso and coffee drinkers.
The best thing about fully automatic machines is that everyone can use them, or you don’t need to have any knowledge and experience brewing espresso. They are ideal for home use with coffee drinkers who want to have their favorite coffees anytime. While similarly a fully automatic machine, the Jura Z8, and Saeco Xelsis are not identical. The main difference between these machines is workflow and features such as built-in drinks. These drinks are available on their menu and are very convenient to choose from.
If you choose a semi-automatic machine such as Breville Oracle Vs DeLongho La Specialista, there will be no drink options but espresso or simple coffee. You can still make a cappuccino or latte, but we will need to manually adjust the espresso and milk. A fully automatic machine removes this process because they don’t use a dedicated portafilter. Everything from brewing espresso to steaming milk is done inside the machine or by the automated system.
Another main difference between Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis is their price because Xelcis is far more affordable. The machine also comes with similar features or brew from bean to cup and make ready-to-drink beverages. We think they are equally good options, but if you want to optimize the budget, we will recommend the Xelsis because it can offer the same functionalities, but you can buy it at a lower price.
Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis Machines
Both machines are very compact, so they will fit in many kitchens, including a modern compact apartment. The height of Xelsis is higher than Z8, which is measured at 15.5-inch compared to 13.7-inch. To access the water compartment of Jura, you will need a wider clearance because the water tank is as tall as the unit itself. You can find it on the left panel, and it contains 63.6 ounces. The Xelsis is easier to refill because the tank is low and is accessible from the front.
This water tank capacity is 67 ounces and should last for 14 cups or serving, so depending on how many people are enjoying the drink at home, we may have to refill it every 3 to 4 days. The spouts are adjustable from 2.8 to 4.6-inch or 2.9 to 5.8-inch for Xelsis, which is great if you also brew directly to a taller cup or tumbler. You will also receive a milk carafe in the box and a small hose to connect the steaming system.
Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis Drinks
Both espresso machines are very convenient, and the reason is you can dial the drink instead of brewing it manually. In semi-manual machines, usually, we can only choose from the single or dual shot, but here you can select espresso and milk-based beverages just by pressing an icon. For the Jura S8, the menu we can choose is single or double ristretto, single or double espresso, single or double coffee, cappuccino, café latte, macchiato, flat white, a portion of milk foam, portion or milk, and hot water.
On the other hand Xelsis also offer similar menu with espresso, coffee, Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, café latte, espresso macchiato, café au lait, espresso lungo, ristretto, and hot milk with foam. These drinks come in preset doses or amounts, but users can adjust the size according to their taste because the machines are programmable.
Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis Features
Next, we want to see the features in Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis. The first feature is a built-in grinder with size adjustment. A grinder is necessary to let you have freshly ground and brewed coffee every time. But, they also have a bypass filter which is useful when you need to use pre-ground coffee or decaf, but it is suggested to avoid flavored coffee for fear it will harm the machine. Second, they also have an integrated milk-steaming system with a separate carafe.
If you buy a semi-automatic machine, the steaming system will be done manually or at least semi-manually, where you have to manually put the milk jug and submerge the steaming wand. With these machines, the milk carafe is connected to the machine. The steaming process is done automatically, and when it is done, the Z8 and Xelsis will also pour the amount of milk into the cup. The main difference here is Xelsis milk spout is located along with the coffee spout, which adds convenience.
The milk portion or steaming is adjustable on both machines to personalize the drink further. Users ‘ profiles are not available in S8 because Xelsis offers six different programmable users. This feature is handy if more than one person uses the same machine at home. Each user can make their profile with the drink settings they like for espresso and milk steaming parts. But, if you only use the machine alone, we don’t think this feature will be so valuable.
Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis Workflow
The brewing or workflow of Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis is very similar, with a slight difference. We notice that if you want to brew coffee and milk-based beverages, we need to put the cup under the milk spout of Jura since there are two spouts here. The Xelsis only have a group of spouts with the milk dispenser located behind the coffee spout, so regardless of the drinks, we will place the cup under the same point.
The overall brewing process is rapid and easy. Users will need to connect the milk container to make milk-based drinks and choose the drink they want. We press the drink to make such as a cappuccino, and hear the grinder start working. The machines will brew the espresso according to your program and automatically add the milk to get a ready-to-drink beverage. It is also recommended to flush the machine, especially the milk system, to maintain hygiene and performance.
Jura Z8 Vs Saeco Xelsis
The Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis are good automatic espresso machines for your home use. They have the same abilities and work really well at creating delicious espresso and other coffee-based drinks. The difference between the Jura Z8 and Saeco Xelsis is only slightly on the features because Xelsis has profiles that extend its programmability. There is only one group of spouts, so it is easier to use. We also think the display of Xelsis is more responsive when you use it along with an easy-to-understand menu.
Conclusion
The decision is all yours because the two are great machines, but we will recommend the Xelsis here. This machine is more affordable and offers many programming and cleaning features. It can create plenty of drinks and is very user-friendly.