The Jura A1 Vs Ena Micro 5 are very similar machines. They wholeheartedly focus on brewing high-quality espresso and bypass the milk system, so they are significantly cheaper than the other Juras.
At the end of the day, I couldn’t recommend one over the other. They are similar in appearance and features and have a minimalist menu of one-touch beverages. The Jura A1‘s grinder is considered an upgrade of the one on the Jura Ena Micro 5, while the Micro 5 has a smart spout and can brew two shots at once.
Jura A1 Vs Ena Micro 5: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura A1 Vs Ena Micro 5: Differences
This battle ended up with a tie. Keep reading for more information!
Built-in Grinder
Winner: Jura A1
When beans are ground, they release volatile compounds that were previously encapsulated, directly impacting the coffee’s overall flavor and aromatic qualities. The thing is that while some machines require an additional external grinder, others, like the A1 and Ena Micro 5, come with built-in grinders, so you don’t need to buy one separately.
The ENA Micro 5 houses the Aroma+ grinder, whereas the Jura A1 ships with the Aroma G3 grinder. Both are stainless steel conical grinders, and the Aroma G3 is an upgrade that is claimed to be faster and quieter. I personally don’t confirm or deny this, but I’m happy to trust the manufacturer.
Their grinders also have five levels of adjustment. Considering their price tags, they should offer a broader range of grind settings. Don’t trust me? The Gaggia Velasca Prestige offers up to 10 different grind settings at a more affordable price point.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Tie
Dimensions & User Interface
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10 × 12.4 × 17.6 inches | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches |
| Weight | 18.7 lbs | 19.6 lb |
At first glance, they are sleek, box-shaped machines with a minimalist appearance. Both have an icon-based touch control panel located on top of the machine, saving unused space and preserving the minimalistic outlook. And as among the Jura’s less expensive machines, their housing material is mainly plastic.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spigot Type | Single | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 2.5–5.5 inches | 1.2–4.4 inches |
Compared to a single spout on the A1, the Ena Micro 5 uses a double-spout system, brewing two cups of espresso at the same time.
Instead of going with the normal spout, the Ena Micro 5 features a rotatable one that can switch between single and double shots. I really love this one, and frankly, I haven’t seen this design on any other espresso machine.
As for the A1, this one has only one coffee dispensing outlet, so it’s unable to brew double shots simultaneously. Still, its spout can be raised higher to fit taller cups.
Jura A1 Vs Ena Micro 5: Similarities
Heating System
Both have a single stainless steel thermoblock boiler. It is essentially a block of metal with a water passage drilled through it, and the surrounding metal heats the water as it flows through this passage. That way, the thermoblock boiler is designed to heat only the amount of water needed for brewing coffee or steaming milk rather than keep a larger volume of water heated constantly like traditional boilers.
But what does that mean, actually? That means the thermoblock system can heat water quickly, reducing the wait time between espresso and milk froth, not to mention that it is more energy-efficient.
Brewing System
The A1 and Ena Micro 5 really brew espresso in the same way. Firstly, they moisten the coffee grounds with a little hot water at low pressure, called pre-infusion or the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (IPBAS), as Jura calls it.
Then, during the extraction process at a pressure of 15 bars, the machine pulses the hot water through the grounds in short intervals, called the Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.). It’s specifically designed to optimize the extraction time for short specialty coffees, such as espresso and ristretto, to enhance their flavor and aroma.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.1 liter | 1.1 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.13 liter | 0.13 liter |
The water tank and bean hopper leave something to be desired on both of these Juras. I mean, they are pretty smaller than expected. If you share the machine with heavy coffee drinkers, you’ll find yourself constantly refilling the water container, especially with the Ena Micro 5, considering that it can generate two shots at once. And believe me, my friends, constantly refilling the tank is not fun at all.
If you’re not using bottled or pre-filtered water, it’s natural for calcium to deposit inside your coffee machine. But this isn’t much of an issue with the A1 and Ena Micro 5, as both ship with a water filter, removing the impurities from the water. That way, this can lead to a noticeable improvement in the taste and quality of the coffee. After all, impurity-free water is always best.
Their bean feeders feature airtight lids, keeping the coffee beans fresh for a longer period of time. Exposure to air can quickly degrade the quality of coffee beans, affecting their flavor and aroma. By sealing out air, these lids maintain the beans’ freshness.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 5 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto | Coffee Espresso Ristretto |
These two Jura machines have just three types of coffee-based drinks, including coffee, espresso, and ristretto, and you can choose them via the three-button system on the top control panel. Additionally, you can choose from two brewing temperatures and change the water volume.
They are specialty black coffee machines, so they focus on brewing coffee and have no frothing system. Hence, if you’re looking for a bean-to-cup machine that can prepare drinks like cappuccino, latte, or other milky beverages, they won’t be suitable for you.
Cleaning & Maintenance
I love sipping great cups of coffee without ever having to clean my coffee machine at the end of the day, but you and I both know that it is a vain dream. Fortunately, cleaning and maintaining these machines are pretty easy.
Descaling these machines is based on automatic cycles, and they will alert you when it’s the right time. One important thing to note is that you should only use Jura descaling tablets. What’s more, using a water filter will reduce the frequency of descaling. It sounds like you have to purchase something extra, but since it really takes away a lot of manual labor, I’d recommend using it.
What’s more, you need to occasionally wash the water tank, empty the dregs basket, and rinse the drip tray. It’s also advisable to occasionally wipe down the exterior housing to keep the machine looking clean and well-maintained.
Bypass Doser
Both have a bypass doser for pre-ground coffee, but the capacity is limited to just one scoop of grounds (less than the two-scoop capacity found in other Juras). Anyway, this is convenient when you want to make a different type of coffee that’s not in the bean hopper, like a decaffeinated espresso for late evenings.
Quick Rundown Of Jura A1
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 barista quality specialties including ristretto, espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - coffee only
- PERFECT ESPRESSO: Ultimate coffee quality thanks to JURA's exclusive Pulse Extraction Process
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Fast and precise AromaG3 grinder grinds whole beans to the optimum fineness
- : JURA is always freshly ground, not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce water tank, 4. 4 ounce bean container
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura Ena Micro 5
- Unique rotating coffee spouts automatically control selection of one or two drinks
- Height adjustable coffee spout ranges from 1.2" to 4.4" high
- 4 oz. Bean Hopper has air tight aroma preservation cover to keep beans fresh
- Boiler Design - Stainless Steel ThermoBlock
- Powerful pump rated to produce 15 bars of pressure
Last update on 2023-11-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Jura A1: https://sa.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/A1-Piano-Black-13794SA
- Jura Ena Micro 5: chrome-extension://mhnlakgilnojmhinhkckjpncpbhabphi/pages/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fus.jura.com%2F-%2Fmedia%2Fglobal%2Fpdf%2Fmanuals-na%2FHome%2FENA-Micro-5%2Fdownload_manual_jura_ena_micro5_ul.pdf
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.