Jura ENA Micro 1 vs 90: Which one is the overall winner? The Jura ENA line represents a series of automatic coffee machines designed to offer convenience, quality, and compactness. And without further ado, the Jura ENA Micro 90 gets my vote.
One notable edge the Jura ENA Micro 90 has over the Jura ENA Micro 1 is its incorporation of Jura’s innovative P.E.P. technology, allowing the Micro 90 to brew espresso better. Additionally, it is also equipped with an automatic milk steaming system, while the Micro 1 doesn’t have one.
Jura ENA Micro 1 Vs 90: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura ENA Micro 1 Vs 90: Differences
The Micro 90 outperformed the Micro 1, scoring a 3-0 win. Let’s jump into my comparison to dissect all the differences between them and understand what sets them apart!
Brewing System
Winner: Jura ENA Micro 90
Both have the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (I.P.B.A.S.). Well, this terminology might confuse you a bit. But what if I say that it is essentially related to the pre-infusion process? Well, I bet that clears things up for you.
Pre-infusion is the process of gently soaking the coffee grounds in hot water before full-pressure brewing. The primary goal of pre-infusion is to help reduce channeling, leading to a more uniform extraction, and to allow the coffee grounds to swell and degas, releasing carbon dioxide. After all, it results in a more balanced flavor, reduced bitterness, and a fuller body in the espresso shot.
One thing that the Micro 90 has over the Micro 1 is P.E.P. (Pulse Extraction Process), Jura’s key technology, allowing the Micro 90 to brew espresso better.
P.E.P. involves forcing hot water through the coffee grounds in short intervals (or pulses) rather than in a continuous flow. Pulsing the water allows more time for the water to interact with the coffee grounds, leading to better extraction of complex flavors and aromas. It can enhance the intensity and depth of the espresso, resulting in a more flavorful and balanced shot.
Milk System
Winner: Jura ENA Micro 90
There’s no milk frothing system with the Micro 1, while the Micro 90 has a milk frother attachment plugged straight into the coffee dispensing spout. The Micro 90 doesn’t come with any milk jugs, so you’ll need to supply your own. With any milk container at hand, you can effortlessly whip up a cappuccino or latte at the touch of a button.
The Micro 90 isn’t the ideal choice for intricate latte art, but it can produce the above-average microfoam for a good cappuccino or latte macchiato. As for the latte macchiato, you can program the interval after the milk froth is poured. This allows for the milk and coffee layers to separate effectively, creating the distinct layered effect characteristic of a latte macchiato.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
| Jura Ena Micro 1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto | Espresso Long Coffee Cappuccino Latte Macchiato Hot water Milk foam |
The Micro 90 is equipped with a decent milk system, so its list of pre-programmed drinks includes a couple of milky options, including cappuccino and latte macchiato. Meanwhile, the Micro 1 only focuses on three classic coffee-based specialties, catering to traditional coffee enthusiasts.
The Ena Micro 90 even has a separate hot water outlet, a capability that is absent in the Micro 1. It’s silly to include hot water in the list of specialty drinks, but this feature is especially useful for brewing tea, for example.
Both have a one-scoop bypass chute, allowing you to use pre-ground coffee instead of whole beans. This is great for those times when you might want to enjoy a different type of coffee that’s not in the bean hopper, like a decaf or a specialty blend.
You can modify some settings on both, including brew strength, water volume, and water temperature (and water volume on the Micro 90). By experimenting with these settings in various combinations, you can craft a beverage that is uniquely tailored to your taste.
Jura ENA Micro 1 Vs 90: Similarities
Built-in Grinder
Both have a multi-level AromaG3 grinder with a total of 5 grind settings, which you can adjust via a knob on top of the machine.
The grinder itself is a great addition since it’s quieter and twice as fast as Jura’s older grinders, and it uses burrs with enhanced cutting angles for a more uniform grind every time.
My only gripe was the limited number of grind settings offered, which fell short of my expectations. In the same price bracket, or even lower, it’s quite common to encounter automatic machines boasting up to a dozen different grind settings. Let the Breville Barista Touch be an example!
Heating System
Both of these Juras feature only one aluminum boiler lined with stainless steel, necessitating a brief pause as the machine transitions between milk steaming and coffee brewing. The thing is that they use thermoblock rapid-heating technology, so your wait time is measured in seconds rather than minutes.
The delay certainly isn’t a significant concern for most homeowners. But if you need something for larger settings, such as a bar or an office, where the demand for milky drinks is continuous and high, a machine with dual boilers is indeed more suitable.
Design & Convenience
Dimensions & User Interface
| Jura Ena Micro 1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs | 20.7 lbs |
As implied by the “Micro” part in their names, these elegantly designed machines are designed to have small footprints and don’t take up too much counter space, but be careful since they’re heavier than they look.
They are made almost entirely of sturdy plastic. The Micro 1 has a classic black finish, almost identical to the Jura A1, whereas the Micro 90 sports a matte silver look that cleverly wards off fingerprints. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think they are charming and somewhat futuristic allure machines.
Speaking of the control panel, the Micro 1 has an icon-based control panel compared to the vintage-style digital display on top of the Micro 90. Both of them are remarkably intuitive and, crucially, extremely user-friendly.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Jura Ena Micro 1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spigot Type | Single | Single |
| Cup Clearance | 2.5–5.5 inches | 2–5.4 inches |
Like most other super-automatic espresso machines, these Juras’ coffee spigots can move up and down to accommodate cups of varying sizes. But if you’re fond of using an extra-large, jumbo-sized mug, you might find it challenging to fit it under their spouts. They also can’t brew two shots at the same time, of course.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura Ena Micro 1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.1 liter | 1.1 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.13 liter | 0.13 liter |
Their water tanks have a capacity of 1.1 liters, which is quite enough for moderate coffee drinkers. But if you aren’t, then you’ll quickly find the frequent need to refill the tank a bit bothersome. Their reservoirs also have space to accommodate a water filter, which you can use to cut down on your need to descale the machine if you are using tap water.
But if you’re using filtered water, you can just keep the filter inside the box. The downside is the fact that filters are expensive, and if you make use of them, your total cost of ownership will increase significantly over time. Additionally, using a filter reduces the water tank’s capacity, meaning more frequent refills.
Both feature airtight lids to help maintain the freshness and aroma of the beans by preventing exposure to air. As we all know, when coffee beans are exposed to oxygen, they can start to oxidize, which degrades their flavor and aroma over time.
Cleaning & Maintenance
I wish I could say that these machines require minimal cleaning and maintenance, but that wouldn’t be accurate. There is some upkeep involved, but the good news is that these machines are designed to make the maintenance process much less of a chore.
To descale these machines, just toss a Jura’s cleaning tablet into the bypass chute when the machine tells you. As previously mentioned, you can use the water filter if you don’t want to do this often, swapping it out roughly once a month.
Once you’ve prepared a milky beverage with the Micro 90, the machine’s display will suggest a rinse cycle. Simply press the button, and the machine will automatically rinse the frothing component with water. For a more thorough cleaning, you can use the Jura milk system cleaner along with the two-chamber container that comes with the machine.
Quick Rundown Of Jura ENA Micro 90
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 6 barista quality specialties including espresso, coffee, cappuccino and latte macchiato at the touch of a button
- 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
- ECO FRIENDLY: 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 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura ENA Micro 1
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 Barista quality specialties including Ristretto, Espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - Coffee only
- COMPACT: Slim design, perfect for small spaces
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Multi-level grinder will perfectly grind whole beans to the optimum fineness
- ECO FRIENDLY: JURA is always freshly ground, Not capsuled - fresh taste with very limited waste - single serve machine
- CAPACITY: 37 ounce water tank, 7 ounce bean container
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Jura ENA Micro 90: https://us.jura.com/en/customer-care/products-support/ENA-Micro-90-MicroSilver-UL-15116
- Jura ENA Micro 1: https://sa.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA-Micro-1-Black-13710SA
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.