The Jura A1 vs Ena 8 are both Jura’s middle-range super-automatic espresso machines that are easy to use and can brew barista-standard espresso with ease. The Jura Ena 8 undoubtedly offers more features, such as a milk frother and a longer list of drinks, so it is the winner, but the Jura A1 is a great option for those wanting to save some money while still getting quality espresso shots.
Jura A1 Vs Ena 8: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura A1 Vs Ena 8: Differences
The Ena 8 defeated the A1 with a score of 4-1. Let’s jump right into all the differences and similarities between them!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Jura Ena 8
Built-in Grinder
Both the A1 and Ena 8 come with an Aroma G3 grinder, which is one of the best built-in grinders an espresso machine can have. It is fast, quiet, and efficient, and it produces really even ground coffee. And better yet, it has different levels of grinding. Whether you prefer a fine grind for a strong, intense espresso or a coarser grind for a lighter brew, the grinder accommodates your preferences.
The A1 only has 5 different grinding settings, and switching between them is as simple as turning a knob on top of the machine. On the other hand, the Ena 8 offers 7 settings, and changing the grind size on this one involves turning the grind wheel that encircles the bean feeder – pay attention to this and don’t try to find any knobs.
Heating System
Both have a single thermoblock system so they can only do one thing at a time. So, if you’re making a milk-based drink like a latte or cappuccino, these machines will first brew the espresso and then switch to steaming milk. It does mean a bit more waiting time than a dual-boiler machine if you’re preparing milk-based drinks.
Still, thermoblock is designed to quickly heat water to the optimal temperature for brewing coffee. Unlike a traditional boiler, it is essentially a block of metal with a water channel inside. When the machine is turned, the block heats up rapidly, ensuring that the water flowing through it reaches the desired temperature swiftly, minimizing the waiting time for your coffee.
Brewing System
Both utilize the manufacturer’s Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System and revolutionary Pulse Extraction Process technology. This combination indeed results in what can be described as the most “espresso-like” espresso.
The Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System is all about optimizing the extraction of flavors from the coffee grounds. Before the actual brewing begins, the IPBAS moistens the grounds, allowing them to swell. This pre-infusion step is crucial because it helps to release the oils and aromas from the coffee, ensuring a more flavorful and aromatic brew.
The Pulse Extraction Process is a revolutionary approach to espresso brewing. Instead of a continuous flow, this technology pulses the hot water through the coffee puck in short intervals. The result is a fuller, more balanced flavor.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Jura A1
Dimensions & User Interface
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches | 10.7 x 12.7 x 17.5 inches |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs | 22 lbs |
My A1 is dressed up in a picturesque white casing called Piano White, making it a wow factor in the kitchen. When viewed from the side, you can see that it is tilted forward. I’m uncertain if there’s a functional purpose behind this design choice, but it’s undeniable that this machine is visually captivating despite the fact that it has a minimalist design. By the way, it is also one of the most compact and lightest Juras.
On the flip side, the Ena 8 stands out with the diamond pattern on the water tank, giving it a kind of faux crystal look. Compared to the simple touchpad on the A1, it is a bit more modern with a larger, brighter TFT screen with buttons. My Ena 8 comes with a “Nordic White” housing, complemented by a sleek, neutral aluminum front panel. Well, Jura does seem to have a knack for naming things.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spigot Type | Single | Single |
| Cup Clearance | 2.5–5.5 inches | 2.2–5 inches |
Their dispensing spouts can easily go up and down to fit cups of various sizes. This is important for espresso preparation since moving the spout closer to the cup will preserve that rich, luxurious crema on top of the espresso. Still, having a single spout means they can’t brew two cups at once.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Jura Ena 8
The A1 doesn’t have a milk frother, focusing solely on delivering high-quality, straightforward coffee. Meanwhile, the Ena 8 has one that enables you to prepare some kinds of milk-based drinks without any hard-earned skills: Just attach the milk tube to the frother, then put the other end in a milk holder.
The Ena 8 doesn’t come with its own milk container. Jura does have some brand-name milk containers that are designed to work seamlessly with the machine, but they’re sold separately. This means you either have to make an additional purchase or use what you have at home. While it’s not a deal-breaker, it does feel like a bit of a letdown. It’s like getting a new toy and then realizing the batteries aren’t included.
You can only adjust the volume of milk foam, not the texture, for each beverage, so the texture of the foam basically remains constant across different beverages. In my opinion, the Ena 8 can produce perfect foam for a latte macchiato or a cappuccino, but it’s a bit frothy for a flat white or a latte.
The Ena 8 also excels at making a latte macchiato. It produces foam first, waiting for it to settle, followed by extracting espresso on top, and ends up with a multi-layered drink. You can even adjust the waiting interval to your liking.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
Winner: Jura Ena 8
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena 8 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto | Ristretto Espresso Coffee Espresso Doppio Macchiato Cappuccino Flat White Latte Macchiato Portion of Milk Foam Hot Water |
The A1 can only brew 3 specialty coffees without milk, whereas the Ena 8 takes the lead with a longer list of 10 one-touch drinks, including a few milk-based ones.
The Ena 8 has a separate outlet for hot water. So if you’re in the mood for tea or someone in your home prefers an Americano, having hot water ready at the press of a button is super convenient. There’s no need to boil water separately.
When it comes to customization, the A1 offers two levels of brew strength and enables you to change the shot length. Meanwhile, the Ena 8 gives you endless opportunities to create the caffeinated drink exactly to your liking with up to 10 levels of coffee strength, variable brewing shot length, customizable milk amount, and 3 temperatures.
Other Features
Winner: Jura Ena 8
App Connectivity
The Ena 8 is compatible with the JOE app, transforming it from a coffee machine into a smart, connected part of your home ecosystem.
Imagine you’re sitting in your living room, and you suddenly crave a drink. Instead of getting up and manually starting the machine, you can just order your drink from your phone. By the time you reach the kitchen, your coffee is ready and waiting for you. This is especially great in the morning when every extra minute in bed feels precious. It also allows you to tweak the settings of your drink remotely.
The app is also compatible with your Apple Watch so you can control the machine right from your wrist. Being able to use Siri for voice control is another fantastic feature. It’s perfect for those times when your hands are full or you’re in the middle of something. Just a quick voice command and your coffee starts brewing. It also makes the machine more accessible for people who may have difficulties with manual controls.
Intelligent Water System
The Ena 8 features something called the Intelligent Water System (or I.W.S. for short), adding a bit of ‘smart’ technology to the coffee-making experience.
So, what is the I.W.S. all about? The Ena 8 uses RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology to automatically recognize when a filter is inserted. This is pretty cool because it means the machine can adjust itself accordingly to work optimally with the filter. You don’t have to remember when to change the filter or manually adjust settings to ensure your machine is using the filter correctly. The I.W.S. takes care of all that.
Jura A1 Vs Ena 8: Similarities
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.1 liter | 1.1 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.125 Kilograms | 0.125 Kilograms |
Their water tanks are honestly on the small side, meaning they need more frequent refilling, which can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’ve got a bunch of coffee enthusiasts around. Still, those are really easy to remove from the side, somewhat making up for their smaller size.
You also have the option to use a water filter. It helps ensure that the water you’re using is clean and free of impurities, which not only benefits the machine’s maintenance but also the taste of your coffee. Using the filter is a good move, but the price to pay for its benefits is that the tank holds less water, and there is a recurring cost involved since the filter needs to be replaced periodically.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Now, I think we can agree that cleaning an espresso machine might never be the most exciting part of the day, especially after you’ve just enjoyed a great cup of coffee. But, I must say, Jura did a good job of making the cleaning process surprisingly simple, which is a huge relief.
One of the things I appreciate is how these machines alert you to let you know when it’s time to clean or descale, taking the guesswork out of maintenance. The steps involved are quite straightforward: just a matter of adding a Jura’s cleaning tablet and letting the machine run an automatic cleaning cycle.
Also, the parts that do need occasional manual cleaning, like the drip tray or the coffee grounds container, are designed to be easily removable. This means you can just take them out, empty them (or give them a quick wash), and pop them back in without any complicated procedures.
The Ena 8’s milk system also needs to be cleaned after a steaming cycle. It doesn’t have a one-touch cleaning mechanism, but cleaning is almost completely automated. Of course, you will need to use Jura’s milk cleaner for this.
Bypass Doser
Both have a bypass for pre-ground coffee, allowing you to bypass the machine’s main grinder and use pre-ground coffee. Why is this so cool? Let me count the ways.
For those moments when life’s in the fast lane, the bypass doser is a time-saver. Skip the grind, scoop in the pre-ground coffee, and voila – your coffee is ready in no time. It’s perfect for those mornings when every second counts.
Hosting a dinner party, and your guests have different coffee tastes? No problem. The bypass doser allows you to tailor each cup to each guest’s preference. Everyone gets their coffee just the way they like it, and you get to bask in the glory of being an awesome host.
Quick Rundown Of Jura Ena 8
- Design: A particular highlight of the design is the round water tank. Its pattern combined with its cylindrical shape is inspired by premium crystal carafes
- Simple And Easy to Use: The Jura ENA 8 features a 2.8-inch TFT display and the clearly defined operating panels make it extremely easy to use
- Freshly Ground, Not Capsuled: Ten different specialities are available at the touch of a button. The first VC compact brewing unit ensures that the coffee always flows into the cup under ideal conditions
- Technology: Fine foam technology creates airy, feather-light milk foam for cappuccino or other specialties
- Pulse Extraction Process: The Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) optimizes the aroma of a short ristretto or espresso
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura A1
- Coffee, espresso or ristretto
- Pulse extraction process - P.E.P.
- Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System
- Aroma Grinder
- High-performance pump, 15 bar
Last update on 2024-04-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Jura Ena 8: https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA-8-Metropolitan-Black-NA-15281
- Jura A1: https://sa.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/A1-Piano-Black-13794SA
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.