The amazing Jura ENA 8 coffee machine is affordable and makes a delicious blend
The tagline for the Jura ENA 8 coffee machine is “small, stunning, and simple” and that about sums up my experience — with a few little caveats.
I’ve been a fan of all Jura machines for some time, mostly because the coffee tastes similar to or even better than what you will find at a coffee shop. Several high-end machines from Jura have a high capacity for water and beans, so they are really commercial grade.
At $1,699, the ENA 8 is different — it is made for people who don’t need a high capacity machine for an office or a big family of coffee drinkers, but still want to have that coffee-shop taste and speed of brewing. I can’t remember testing a coffee machine by Jura that was this low in price, and yet has all the features I love. Namely, the machine can grind and brew quickly, and the method of pulse extraction to make your fine cup is quick and efficient. (Essentially, the hot water is pulsed quickly and evenly through the ground coffee to make a smooth and delicious blend.)
Saying $1,700 is affordable might seem like a stretch, but the reality is that this is a price point where you will want to start at if you are after a brew that tastes like a restaurant or Starbucks. There’s just no way to do a shortcut on that.
The Jura ENA 8 has all the features I’d expect, minus the high capacity that I’ll go over in a moment. You can select one of several options to brew an espresso, light roast, or a cup of hot water for tea. The bean capacity is 4.4-ounces and for water it’s 37-ounces.
Like many Jura coffee machines, you can use the app to configure the machine, although the Wi-Fi option for this machine is an add-on. I found the water tank to be easy to lift off of the machine and fill, and there’s some ridges along the outside to make sure you have a good grip. As with all Jura machines, the real test is how the coffee tastes, and it is wonderful. I could customize the strength of my coffee easily, although with my bigger fingers I found it had to tap a little more precisely than usual. (My wife had no problems tapping.)
Now, about the capacities. I feel it is a good compromise, because with the lower price the coffee is just as tasty as ever. It just means you will have to fill the water tank a bit more often, and refill the beans. Ironically, that is also an advantage — with a smaller bean capacity, you can experiment with different blends when you refill. I found I had to empty the grounds more often as well, but each time I was doing that, I thought — but the price for the machine is fair.
That means the decision is all about convenience, not quality. I loved the taste of the coffee. At times, I missed having a higher capacity. (Some Jura machines like the X8 even let you connect to a water supply so you don’t ever have to fill the water tank.) Another great perk of the smaller capacity is that the overall machine is smaller and fits under a kitchen cabinet or nook. It’s light enough to transport to another area of your home on a whim as well, such as a den by the TV.
Overall, the ENA 8 is a favorite pick of mine. Knowing the lower cost means a few less conveniences, but in the end, it’s all about the coffee, right?
