If you’re a pure fan of Jura, but your wallet doesn’t allow you to spend more than two grand, the Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 might win your heart. But which one is better?
If you are a budget-oriented guy, the Jura Ena Micro 90 is your best bet. This one only offers four preset drinks and but not good enough to let a barista out to play. But it does allow for convenient one-touch brewing, and you can dig deeper into each preset with an assortment of settings. In addition, it boasts some of Jura’s top-tier technology, adding to its appeal.
The Jura A1, on the other hand, is a budget-friendly model for a coffee purist. It can only make coffee, espresso, and ristretto and is not capable of making milk-based drinks. Whether it’s value for money or not is up to you. But, for me, considering it is equipped with an Aroma G3 conical burr grinder and the Pulse Extraction Process, it is a steal!
Jura A1 Vs Ena Micro 90: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura A1 Vs Ena Micro 90: Differences
The Jura Ena Micro 90 knocks out the Jura A1 with a score of 4-1. Does that mean the second one is bad? Well, it’s not exactly! Keep reading to see more!
Coffee Flavour
Winner: Jura Ena Micro 90
Built-in Grinder
Both the Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 house the Aroma G3 conical burr grinder, which is considered a big step up from the older generation Aroma grinder. First, the Aroma G3 grinder grinds at twice the speed of the Aroma G2 grinder without sacrificing quality and consistency. This one doesn’t overheat like stainless steel grinders, so it doesn’t burn coffee grounds and ruin the taste of espresso.
In addition, the Aroma G3 grinder is super quiet when operating. According to my meter, it registered at 55 decibels, putting it on par with the noise levels of a washing machine or a dishwasher. Hence, you can rest assured about the noise level, although it doesn’t exactly operate in a hushed whisper.
It would be remiss not to mention the available grind settings provided. Small changes in the grind settings are enough to make a big difference in the flavor of the finished espresso. Both have five different grind sizes, which can be adjusted via a control dial. Five settings, to my mind, may not be enough to cater to everyone’s tastes in your household. But I can’t be too demanding on a mid-range super-automatic.
Heating System
Another thing that the Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 have in common is a single aluminum Thermoblock boiler. The Thermoblock technology heats only the required amount of water, allowing for rapid heating. My tests showed that the Jura A1 managed to heat the water in roughly 12 seconds, whereas the Ena Micro 90 required about 14 seconds. Although they may not quite reach the quoted 10-second heat-up time, they still outpace numerous competing models.
Including a single boiler presents no obstacles for exclusively coffee-brewing machines like the Jura A1, but the picture is completely different for the Ena Micro 90. This one can’t simultaneously brew coffee and steam milk, or vice versa, as models with double boilers. That said, a slight lag time is inevitable when switching between tasks. Nevertheless, thanks to the Thermoblock technology, this idle period is counted in seconds, not minutes, making it a negligible issue for home use.
Brewing System
The days when espressos were made using drip-brew systems, relying on gravity to transfer the coffee from the grounds compartment to a waiting cup or mug, have been left behind. In contrast, modern espresso machines utilize pressure for the process. The pressure required to brew an espresso is 9 bars, but the Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 go above and beyond with 15 bars of pressure.
Adding a cherry on top to these machines is the integration of Jura’s hallmark – the Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P). I can affirm that this technology represents the most significant breakthrough in the coffee industry in recent decades, and I’m delighted that these models incorporate it. Does this scientific term make you sleepy? Yes, I know. Let’s make it easier to understand.
This technology basically involves sending heated water through the coffee grounds in some short — audible — bursts. The benefits? It results in maximum flavor extraction, and you will get the fullest aroma and best flavor possible coffee. God bless the Jura engineers!
Milk Frothing System
As previously noted, the Jura A1 is strictly a coffee machine and doesn’t come equipped with a milk frother. Thus, if lattes and cappuccinos are also your beverages of choice, it will be essential to buy a milk frother independently. But who does that? It is a smarter move to buy an all-in-one espresso machine like the Ena Micro 90 without breaking the bank.
The Ena Micro 90’s milk options are very limited but don’t forget that it is a mid-range super-automatic machine. It would be unfair to compare it with high-end models like the Jura Giga 6.
Instead of being equipped with a steaming wand, the Jura ENA Micro 9 features an automatic milk frothing system. All you need to do is connect the frothing attachment and a milk carafe via a plastic tube – There is no learning curve associated with its use.
Unfortunately, the initial package doesn’t include a milk container, and you’ll have to use what you have to store milk or purchase one separately. Also, the foam was merely above average.
Temporarily ignoring those cons, it allows you to self-serve milk-based drinks at home at the push of a button conveniently. Better yet, you can set a pause time (0 sec – 60 sec) after frothed milk is dispensed to let the milk separate. That way, you can create a cappuccino with very distinct layers.
Design & Usability
Winner: Jura Ena Micro 90
Dimensions, Footprint, & Weight
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs | 20.7 lbs |
Both the Jura A1 and Ena Micro 90 easily stand out as some of the most stylish mid-range super-automatic espresso machines available. These minimalist yet elegant box-shaped machines could elevate the aesthetics of any modern kitchen.
Those who like the minimalist aesthetic will surely love the look of these espresso machines. However, those who anticipate a sci-fi-inspired machine with a flashy digital display and an array of complex buttons might find them a tad underwhelming. At the end of the day, that beauty depends on the viewer’s perspective.
These Jura “one-to-cup” espresso machines are on the lower end of the price spectrum, with the housing material being mainly plastic paired with a chrome spout and drip tray. Despite the material, they don’t feel fragile or low-grade at all. They like sturdy appliances built to last for years. Who knows? Time will be the ultimate arbiter!
They’re not mammoth-sized machines, but they’re heavier than they seem. Anyway, given that they’re designed to be placed in one place, I think the weight issue seems inconsequential. I think they’re compact enough to fit comfortably on all types of kitchen countertops, including the limited-space ones.
Pre-Programmed Coffee Options
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto | Espresso Long Coffee Cappuccino Latte Macchiato Hot water |
The Jura A1 is ideal for coffee purists. And when I say coffee, I mean black coffee. This one has no milk-frothing system. so its capabilities are confined to delivering the classic trifecta of no-milk coffees: coffee, espresso, and ristretto – you can easily select one from these using the buttons situated on top of the unit. If you want to enjoy a cappuccino, latte, or other special milky-based drinks from time to time, you will need to use a separate milk frother or spend extra bucks on the Ena Micro 90.
On the other hand, the Ena Micro 90 can make 4 types of beverages: 2 no-milk drinks and 2 milk-based ones. Of course, considering the price Jura calls for this model, don’t expect to get the same long list of one-touch drinks as its premium siblings.
While the Jura A1 only allows you to adjust the coffee strength of each preset by two levels (normal and strong), the Ena Micro 90 allows you more freedom to play around with pre-programmed options with the amount of water, 10 levels of coffee strength, 2 levels of temperature (normal & high), amount of milk foam (in secs), and interval. That way, you can create hundreds of different combinations to find your favorite recipe.
After some trial and error, you will get the settings the way you like. Then you can save your recipe, and thereafter, preparing your favorite drink is a bona fide one-touch operation.
In addition, it is possible to use pre-ground coffee powder with these machines through a bypass dose chute. This feature is a boon for decaf-loving members of your family or during those frantic mornings when you oversleep and don’t have time for the full “bean-to-cup” process.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Single | Single |
| Cup Clearance | 2.5 – 5.5 inches | 2 – 5.4 inches |
Unlike most Jurassic super-automatic machines., both the Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 only have a single spigot, which is only capable of making espresso cups one by one. They are also incompatible with some of my largest mugs, but if you are a casual drinker, their limited cup clearance shouldn’t be a big deal.
The Ena Micro 90 features a milk spout that is attached to the coffee spigot, but I found them quite far apart from each other. Thus, to avoid milk being sent straight down the dip tray or moving the cup between the two processes, choose one that’s wide enough.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura A1 | Jura Ena Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.1 liter | 1.1 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.13 liter | 0.13 liter |
The Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 share a 1.1-liter (37.2-ounce) water tank. This capacity is enough to serve a family of one to two people and provided you’re not a heavy coffee drinker. However, they won’t effectively serve an entire office’s coffee needs unless frequently interrupting your work to refill the tanks doesn’t bother you.
Their water reservoirs are compatible with a Claris blue filter, which is specifically designed to reduce water hardness by removing minerals. This help prevents scaling in the machine and ensures the espresso’s delightful taste. It is worth noting that this filter is an option, and it is quite expensive. So if you use them, your total cost of ownership will increase dramatically over time.
When is it not necessary to use this filter? That’s when there is a water filter on your kitchen sink’s faucet or you use distilled water. It’s best to test your water’s hardness level first (using the Aquadur test strip) and use the filter if it is not less than 10 ppm.
Regarding the bean hopper, both sports a 0.13-liter recessed bean hopper which can hold up to 125 g of coffee beans. Once again, this is the right size for home use. I was glad that these machines have aroma preservation covers. What is the importance of such a lid? Well, if the bean hopper isn’t hermetically sealed, the beans are left vulnerable to air exposure, leading to rapid oxidation, which can cause them to become rancid. Needless to say, this results in disappointing or even downright distasteful espressos.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
Decades ago, cleaning and maintaining an espresso machine was tedious and time-consuming. Honestly, who likes to spend hours cleaning it up? Fortunately, the Jura A1 vs Ena Micro 90 almost automates the entire process. However, it doesn’t mean you have nothing to do.
You will need a cleaning tablet to descale the machine and a cleaning solution, and an included two-chamber container to clean the milk system. Also, I highly recommend replacing the milk tube every 6 to 9 months to prevent clogging. These tasks don’t need to be done daily, and the machine will remind you when the time is right. The machine may need to be descaled every 180 drinks, but you can decrease this by using the Claris blue filter.
However, there is a certain amount of work that needs to be done every day, such as emptying the dip tray, emptying the coffee grounds basket, refilling the water tank, wiping the machine’s casing, and more.
Utilities & Other Features
Winner: Jura Ena Micro 90
User Interface
These machines have no Ironman-style digital screen. Instead, the Jura A1 has a simple touchpad and some buttons, while the Ena Micro 90 features a LED display, a control knob, and some buttons. These displays will remind you when you need to pay attention to the machine, such as the water tank that needs to be filled, the machine that needs to be descaled, the filter that needs to be replaced, etc. If you want a model with an eye-catching and convenient touchscreen, ensure you can spend more than three grand.
Energy Save Mode (ESM) & Automatic switch-off
Both share an Energy Save Mode, which can be toggled on or off. If this mode is on, the machine switches its heating element off after 5 minutes from last use, and it will need to heat back up to brew a drink. That way, you can help protect the environment and reduce your monthly electricity bill by consuming less electricity. Of course, you can choose to keep the Energy Save Mode switched off. In this case, the machine remains ready for on-demand brewing until it is manually turned off.
In addition, these models can also be timed to turn off from 15 minutes to 9 hours automatically. This feature is very useful for absent-minded people, allowing them to leave the house every morning without worrying about whether they have turned off their machines.
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 2024-04-17 / 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 2024-04-17 / 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 90: https://www.juracoffeeplus.co.nz/jura-ena-micro-90-one-touch/
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.