Jura ENA 8 Review: Is This Coffee Machine a Good Buy?

Jura ENA 8 Review – My Ratings & Top Features

Who Should Buy The Jura ENA 8?

The Jura Ena 8 is a great machine for the coffee fan with no barista experience who wants convenient coffee fast. This is also good for the barista with no time who does not care about doing latte art at home.

This is not the best choice for control freaks who love micromanaging each step of the coffee process or espresso purists.

Why I Decided To Review The Jura ENA 8 Espresso Machine

My parents recently replaced some of their cafetiere collection with the Jura Ena 8, and I was incredibly curious. Once I gave it a spin, I knew I had to put it through its paces for you.

What’s It Like To Live With The Jura ENA 8

What's In The Box?

The Jura ENA 8 coffee maker arrived in a hefty yet sturdy box with plenty of cushioning to protect it in transit.

The materials used were about as sustainable as you can expect but can always be improved.

Unlike my other reviews of espresso machines in the $2000 range, the accessories and manual were all seated on top of a layer of protective cardboard rather than in a box.

The setting up process was incredibly simple. Once I plugged it in and turned on the switch at the back, I just had to fill everything up and follow the instructions on the TFT touchscreen. 

The water tank was really easy to remove, and I managed to get about a quarter pound of coffee beans into the hopper.

I highly recommend going through the water hardness test and set-up immediately as it helps Jura machines last longer.

With that data, they can properly calculate when you need to change your filter and how often you need to descale your machine.

You get the following accessories with the Jura ENA 8:

If you want a sleek milk container or to connect your machine to the JOE app, you will need to buy certain items separately, which I dislike.

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

Once I got done being impressed by the compact and sleek design of the new coffee maker, I could get to the point of this Jura ENA 8 review - testing its specialty coffee drinks.

As always, I started with a humble espresso.

I do not love that the power button is placed at the back of the machine, but we make do. When you turn your machine on, I recommend placing a jug or container under the spout, as the coffee maker always does an auto rinse to ensure the best possible results.

There are four buttons on either side of the small high-definition TFT color display. The bottom left and right ones are there to scroll, while the upper two help you select your coffee and settings.

I found the menu easy to navigate, if a bit small, but it was overall a user-friendly experience.

There are various elements you can control, but I first decided to stick with the default as a base test.

Before I got to it, I did test the adjustable spout and found it easy to adjust - things were looking good for my latte fix.

The built-in burr grinder crafted some really consistent grounds and was both fast and efficient.

There was a distinct pause in the crafting process as the PEP (Pulse Extraction Process) preinfusion and 3D brewing tech got to work properly infusing the grounds before extraction. 

Once the drink was ready, an orange light lit the dripping coffee in an aesthetic way that will be helpful in my crack-of-dawn brewing.

The first default espresso was pretty good, with a decent crema, but it was a little too weak for me. Once I fiddled with the strength volume and water ratio, I ended up with featherlight luxurious crema and a strong Italian espresso that tasted great.

If you are a fan of double espresso shots, I recommend going with the espresso doppio option. Americano fans will get great use out of the separate hot water spout.

Overall, this machine produces great-tasting coffee. In terms of other automatic espresso machines, the Jura ENA 8 crafts quality coffee that easily outranks something like a Nespresso Vertuo pod machine. 

A professional barista or a select few picky coffee drinkers may not rate it as highly as something you can get from your local coffee shop, but it suits me just fine.

First Time Frothing Milk

I admit, the idea of frothing milk with the milk siphon was a little intimidating.

For other super-automatic espresso machines I have reviewed in the past, the milk system is internal with little prompting from me. Still, I was curious about how this milk pipe worked.

The milk system works by adding some milk to a container and screwing the milk tube onto the corresponding siphon part.

Once you select your milk-based beverages, the tube will draw milk through the fine foam tech and out through the coffee dispenser into your coffee.

I understand that the milk system, just like with the smaller hopper and water tank, being separate is to keep the design compact, but I wish you did not have to buy a matching milk container separately.

However, on to the foamed milk itself.

I love how my cappuccino came out. The frothed milk was creamy and light, and I loved how the mouthfeel added to the espresso base. 

I also love how the milk drinks you choose affect what order the espresso and milk come out in - you can even get aesthetic layers on a latte or macchiato.

It is worth noting that if you want to create multiple milk-based drinks back to back, you will need to wait about 10 seconds for the machine to be ready; the single Thermoblock needs a little time to keep up.

Overall, I love how the milk foam turned out on each of my milky drinks. My old automatic milk frother does not even hold a candle to this milk frothing system.

However, I do wish that you could adjust the milk consistency or temperature alongside the volume.

How Much Control Do You Have Over The Machine?

You get a fair amount of control when it comes to this Jura coffee maker. Coffee lovers will love that you have control over:

That being said, I do wish you could control a few other elements. In particular, the milk texture and milk temperature.

How Does It Handle Different Roasts?

In all my rigorous testing, I found that anything goes with the Jura ENA 8. Coffee quality does not seem to matter once it gets brewing. 

Whether you use cheaper coffee beans or shell out for the specialty stuff, the bean hopper and grinder can handle it.

None of my specialty espresso drinks tasted bitter or sour, thanks to the PEP infusion and 3D brewing espresso system.

You can even use store ground to brew espresso, and the Jura ENA 8 will still make excellent coffee.

That being said, I think artisan and specialty blends particularly shine in the Jura ENA 8. I especially recommend the Starbucks Breakfast Blend and Stumptown Hair Bender Medium Roast blends.

You can use pre-ground flavored coffee or decaf without emptying the hopper, which may be useful to some households.

Look, Feel, and Size Of The Machine

This espresso machine makes a statement no matter which color you pick. The ENA 8 is arguably the slickest-looking espresso machine I have reviewed to date.

It is all sleek lines and modern style that come together to bring an almost sports car-like design into your kitchen. 

The chrome touches on the vents, drip tray, and other areas help it stand out from the crowd. The sleek elegance covers everything from the crystal-style carafe to the TFT menu.

With dimensions of 10.7 x 17.5 x 12.7, compact size is the name of the game. At 19 pounds, it is not as heavy as some semi-automatic espresso machines I have reviewed in the past, making it perfect for tiny top-floor apartments and sprawling open-plan kitchens.

Nothing about the Jura ENA 8 feels cheap - its build is sturdy and well-constructed, and I love all of its features. 

I do wish that the screen, hopper, and water tank were bigger and that it came with certain tools, but it is a formidable opponent on the scene.

What Drinks Can It Make?

You can make a range of coffee beverages and milky drinks using the Jura ENA 8, including:

I even managed to make enough iced coffee to sink the Titanic once it got hotter out.

How Easy Is It To Use?

This Jura coffee machine is really easy to use, if a bit fiddly to customize at times. You do not need to be a highly experienced coffee lover to start preparing drinks with the ENA 8.

There are plenty of customization and one-touch options to suit a range of tastes. The screen instructions are easy to follow and read while providing a range of one-touch drink options.

Anyone can get the proper coffee flavor from freshly ground coffee with the Jura ENA 8 sitting on their counter space.

How Long Does It Take? (From Heat Up To First Sip)

The Jura ENA 8 super automatic espresso machine only takes a minute or two to heat up and a couple of minutes for coffee preparation.

Exactly how long your coffee maker takes to brew your hot coffee will vary depending on what settings you picked and the drink you chose, as well as if you need to top anything up or make on-the-fly changes.

Does It Have A Water Filtration System?

There is an optional water filtration system available with Jura coffee machines, including the ENA 8. 

These coffee makers typically use CLEARYL smart filters with advanced technology that tracks your usage and when it needs to be replaced.

These filters are great at ensuring that you properly maintain your automatic machine and reduce the number of times you need to run the descaling program.

However, it does take up valuable space in the already small water tank.

How Hard Is It To Clean and Descale?

You tend to expect that super-automatic espresso makers come with certain elements that make life easier, including automatic cleaning cycles and descaling systems.

The ENA 8 reminds you to clean your super-automatic espresso machine every 300 uses or so and reminds you when to switch the filter or clean the milk frothing unit.

The Jura's cleaning instructions are really easy to follow, and the machine tracks your usage and water hardness to guide you properly.

Jura provides your first round of cleaning and descaling tablets with your purchase, and you can see on-screen progress bars and symbols to help you along.[3]

Performing a regular cleaning cycle and intermittent descaling alongside daily maintenance tasks will help your machine last.

Some daily tasks to do include:

I also recommend replacing your milk hose every few months if you are regularly froth milk like I do.

My Favorite Parts About The Jura ENA 8

My Least Favorite Parts About This Jura Model

Jura ENA 8 Vs Similar Machines

How does the ENA 8 compare to other coffee makers?

Jura ENA 8 Vs E8

The ENA 8 and E8 are both Jura machines, but how do they compare?

The E8 is slightly wider and taller than the ENA 8 and features both a larger bean hopper and water tank.

It can craft up to 17 specialty drinks like a macchiato and cortado. Unlike the ENA 8, it easily brews double shots and features both a smart mode and an intelligent preheating system.

Overall, I would say that the E8 automatic espresso machine is more suitable for the picky home coffee lover who wants it all.

Jura ENA 8 Vs E6

The Jura ENA 8 and E6 are often featured on best automatic espresso machines lists - but how do they compare?

The E6 is a much heavier model that crafts fewer specialty beverages and has no pre-ground bypass system. However, fans do love its classy design and larger water tank.

Overall, these are pretty similar, but the ENA 8 edges out when it comes to variety and style.

Jura ENA 8 Vs ENA 4

The ENA 4 and ENA 8 are siblings constantly pit against each other - how will they fare today?

The ENA 4 is a much better option for espresso lovers due to its emphasis on providing all the features that the ENA 8 does without wasting time on milk-based drinks.

They have a very similar size and aesthetic but are meant for slightly different coffee lovers.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Conclusion - Is The Jura ENA 8 Worth Your Money?

The Jura ENA 8 fully automatic espresso machine could be an excellent choice for coffee lovers looking for convenience, style, and high coffee quality in their morning routine.

If you are okay with having some compromise and customization alongside convenience, this could be the coffee maker for you.

References: 

1. https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA-8-Metropolitan-Black-NA-15281
2. https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA-8-Metropolitan-Black-NA-15281/Manuals#tabs
3. https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/ENA-8-Metropolitan-Black-NA-15281/Care-Products#tabs