Jura ENA 4 Review: Compact Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine

Jun 15, 2023 4:19 AM

Jura's compact ENA line has long been the brand's answer for people who want bean to cup espresso without giving up half the counter. The older ENA Micro 5 is no longer sold new on Amazon, and the model that now fills its place is the Jura ENA 4: a small, fully automatic machine built for espresso and black coffee rather than milk drinks.

This review looks at what the ENA 4 offers, who it suits, and where it falls short, based on Jura's published features and what buyers report. It sells for around $1,200 on Amazon, which puts it at the entry point of Jura's range but well above most home espresso machines.

Best suited for: one or two people who drink espresso, doppio shots or plain coffee, have limited counter space, and would rather press a symbol than learn to tamp. If you want lattes and cappuccinos from the same machine, look at Jura models with a milk system instead; our guide to Jura coffee machines compares the range.

Pros:

Compact automatic design: Jura describes the ENA 4 as a compact automatic coffee machine, so it fits kitchens and offices where a full size super automatic will not.
Fresh grinding: the built in Professional Aroma Grinder grinds whole beans for each cup.
Simple to run: a symbol display keeps the controls easy to follow.
Adjustable cups: coffee strength and volume are programmable, so each drink can be set the way you like it.
Real double shot: the Doppio function brews a true double espresso.

Cons:

Coffee only: the ENA 4 is aimed at espresso and coffee; milk drinks need a separate frother or a different Jura model.
Price: at around $1,200 it costs a lot for a machine without a milk system.
Mixed feedback: buyer ratings are decent but not outstanding, based on a few hundred ratings.

Jura ENA 4 Review

Grinder and Beans

The heart of the ENA 4 is Jura's Professional Aroma Grinder, which grinds fresh whole beans right before each brew. That is the main reason to buy a bean to cup machine over a pod brewer: ground coffee starts losing aroma within minutes, and grinding on demand keeps more of it in the cup.

If you want a decaf in the evening without emptying the bean hopper, the machine also accepts optional preground coffee.

Brewing: Pulse Extraction and Doppio

Jura uses its Intelligent Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) on the ENA 4. Instead of pushing water through the puck in one continuous flow, the machine pulses the water, which Jura says optimizes extraction time for short specialties like espresso.

The Doppio function brews a true double shot rather than simply running more water through a single dose, so a double espresso keeps its strength instead of tasting stretched.

Controls and Customization

A symbol display handles navigation. You pick a drink, and you can program coffee strength and volume so the machine repeats your preferred cup every time. For a household where one person likes a short, strong espresso and another a larger coffee, saved settings save a lot of fiddling.

Size and Everyday Use

The ENA 4 is one of the most compact fully automatic machines Jura sells, which makes it a good match for apartments, small kitchens and office break rooms. Like other Jura machines, it is designed to grind, tamp and brew at the push of a button, so there is no portafilter to clean and no grind size to dial in every morning.

What Buyers Say

Buyer feedback on Amazon is generally positive about the coffee quality and the small footprint, but the overall rating is more mixed than the top super automatics, across a few hundred ratings. Read recent reviews before buying, and keep in mind that support and warranty service are simpler when the machine comes from an authorized seller.

Jura ENA 4 vs the ENA Micro 5

Owners of the older ENA Micro 5 will recognize the idea: a slim, coffee focused Jura with no milk system. The ENA 4 keeps that formula and is the compact Jura you can still buy new, with P.E.P. extraction and the Doppio function for stronger double shots.

Verdict

The Jura ENA 4 is a good choice if you want fresh ground espresso and coffee from a small, simple machine and do not need milk drinks. It is expensive for what it does, so it makes the most sense for buyers who value Jura's compact design and push button convenience. If you want lattes too, step up to a Jura with a milk system, and if budget matters more than the brand, a semi automatic machine with a separate grinder costs far less.

Jura ENA 4 Key Features

Type: compact automatic coffee machine for espresso and coffee.
Grinder: Professional Aroma Grinder for whole beans; optional preground coffee.
Extraction: Intelligent Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.).
Doppio: true double shot function.
Controls: symbol display; programmable coffee strength and volume.
Price: around $1,200 on Amazon.