If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of Jura fully automatic coffee makers, you might be considering some of their more entry-level options, like the Jura ENA 4 and the Jura ENA 8.
These two machines have many similar features, but their function has distinct differences. Which of these super-automatic espresso machines deserves a place on your counter? Let’s take a look!
| Jura ENA 4 | Jura ENA 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in |
| Weight | 18.5 lb | 20.7 lb |
| # of Beverages | 4 | 10 |
| Milk Frother? | No | Yes |
| Hot Water? | No | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes- Wifi | Yes- Bluetooth |
| Display | Symbol Display | TFT Color Display |
| Brew Strengths | 3 | 10 |
| Brewing Temperatures | -- | 3 |
Overview of the Jura ENA 4
The Beverage Options
The Jura ENA 4 is a luxury machine for black coffee purists. With no milk frothing system, this machine has 4 brew options: coffee, espresso, coffee doppio, and espresso doppio.
Though the menu is limited, it’s worth noting that the Jura ENA 4 produces flavorful espresso and coffee. We can credit a few elements of the machine for this accomplishment.
AromaG3 Grinder and P.E.P.
First, we have the AromaG3 Grinder, which is a stainless steel conical burr grinder. Beans are ground immediately before brewing, which coffee lovers will know is quite important when it comes to flavor.
As well, the ENA 4 is equipped with Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process, which is a process that brews the coffee or espresso using short bursts of pressurized water rather than a steady stream. This helps to extract the maximum flavor from the grounds.
Design
The design of the Jura ENA 4 is sleek and minimal. It comes in white or black and has a clear, crystal-patterned water tank. The display screen is basic, showing only symbols, and is operated with 4 buttons.
The buttons-and-symbols interface seems very basic, especially in today’s touch-screen world. However, it is easy to use. You can also operate the machine through the J.O.E. app on your smartphone or with Siri.
Note that if you do want to use Siri or your phone app to operate the ENA 4, you’ll need to buy a separate transmitter. It isn’t required, but you might find it helpful if you need more input than the coffee bean symbols on your display screen.
Capacity
Large households or people who drink entire pots of drip coffee at a time may be frustrated by the capacity limits of the water tank and bean hopper.
The water tank holds 37 oz, and that capacity is reduced when a water filter is installed, and the bean hopper can hold 4.4 oz of coffee beans.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Coffee grounds are organic material and can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Luckily, the ENA 4 is easy to clean and maintain.
The rinsing, cleaning, and descaling processes are all integrated. The machine will rinse itself automatically at every switch on and shut off. It will also prompt you when you need to run the cleaning or descaling program.
Who Is the ENA 4 Best For?
The Jura ENA 4 might be a good choice for you if you prefer your coffee and espresso straight up. With no milk frother, this machine will deliver great-tasting black coffee and espresso, but can’t serve up a latte.
Pros
- Relatively small footprint
- Flavorful coffee and espresso
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- Expensive
- No milk frother
- Small water tank and bean hopper
Overview of the Jura ENA 8
While far from Jura’s most feature-rich machine, the ENA 8 adds several additional features to what was included with the ENA 4. Let’s take a look at the upgrades you can expect in the ENA 8 vs the ENA 4.
The Beverage Options
If black coffee isn’t your thing, you’ll be happy to know that the Jura ENA 8 does have a built-in milk frother.
As a result, it has 10 brewing options: ristretto, espresso, coffee, espresso doppio, macchiato, cappuccino, flat white, latte macchiato, a portion of milk foam, and hot water.
The Jura ENA 8 also allows quite a bit of customization. You can choose from 10 brewing strengths, 3 brewing temperatures, and 3 hot water temperatures.
The amount of water and amount of milk foam in your beverage is also programmable and adjustable.
Design
The ENA 8 looks a little fancier than its sibling the ENA 4 with a chrome front panel. The side panels come in black, white, or red. Like the ENA 4, the ENA 8 has a cylindrical, crystal-patterned water tank on the side.
As well, the display on the ENA 8 is upgraded. It is a 2.8″ TFT screen featuring text and a color image of each beverage that can be brewed. However, it’s still operated with buttons- you have to go farther up the Jura food chain if you want a touch screen.
Similarities to the ENA 4
Like the Jura ENA 4, the ENA 8 also features an AromaG3 grinder and Pulse Extraction Process, which we discussed in more detail above. The cleaning processes on the ENA 8 are integrated, just as they were on the ENA 4.
The water tank size and bean hopper size are the same in both machines-37 oz and 4.4 oz, respectively.
Who Is the ENA 8 Best For?
If you make frequent trips to the coffee shop for specialty beverages like cappuccinos and flat whites, you might consider the ENA 8. There are no barista skills required to operate this machine, making it easy to brew your favorites at home.
Pros
- Built-in milk frother
- Small footprint
- Adjustable strength, temperature, and water/ milk volume
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons
- Expensive
- Small water tank and bean hopper
Which Jura Espresso Machine Belongs on Your Counter?
If you have the budget for it, the Jura ENA 8 offers significantly more coffee brewing options than the ENA 4. The built-in milk frother and the greater ability to customize the brewing strength, temperature and volume make the ENA 8 a more versatile option.
However, if both of these options are out of your budget, you might consider another quality brand like Philips or a more beginner-friendly machine like Mr. Coffee.
