If there’s one thing Jura excels at, it’s producing minimalist espresso machines, and the is pretty solid proof of that. Jura might not mind skipping the milk system, but I don’t intend to leave out anything in this Jura ENA 4 review.
If there’s one thing Jura excels at, it’s producing minimalist espresso machines, and the is pretty solid proof of that. Jura might not mind skipping the milk system, but I don’t intend to leave out anything in this Jura ENA 4 review.
If you’re already familiar with the discontinued Jura A1, then the ENA 4 will probably look like its smaller, more compact sibling. Aesthetically, you might not even be able to tell them apart – aside from the ENA 4’s faux diamond water tank, that is. Don’t worry, I’ll be getting into that later.
Of course, the additional couple of hundred bucks that puts the ENA 4 at $999.46 is right about where the family resemblance ends.
Ideal for espresso purists
Jura ENA 4
What a beauty
Beautiful and compact machine
High quality grinder
Easy to operate
Makes great espresso
Expensive for what you get
No milk frothing capabilities
Table of Contents
- Overview
- FeaturesColorsSizeUser InterfaceAroma G3 GrinderPre Ground CoffeeWater ReservoirIntelligent Water System – I.W.S.Pulse Extraction Process – P.E.P.Spout HeightSpecialty CoffeesJ.O.E. AppSiri
- How to UseBest Coffee for the Jura ENA 4
- Cleaning
- Specifications
- vs Other Super Automaticsvs Jura E4vs Jura ENA 8Comparison Chart
- Verdict
- FAQ
Jura ENA 4 Coffee Machine Overview
As far as looks go, the sleek exterior on the ENA 4 is almost stylish enough to make me forget it’s just black plastic. It’s not as eye-catching as the glossy finish on some machines. Still, it doesn’t hurt the minimalist vibe that Jura is trying to achieve.
You could probably argue that Jura takes its minimalistic approach too far by leaving out the milk system, but that’s up to interpretation. Considering the price point of this machine, it’s definitely a bold move.
That said, if you’re someone who loves black coffee and wants an espresso machine that excels at making it, the ENA 4 might just be your perfect match.
However, for coffee drinkers that always need a latte macchiato or cappuccino option, I don’t see it working out long-term. There are far too many other machines in the sea that’ll treat you right (and feature milk systems). Check out my best automatic coffee machine guide 2024 if you need proof!
Anyway, if the absence of a milk system hasn’t scared you off, keep reading my Jura ENA 4 review.
Jura ENA 4 Features
I’ve mentioned that the A1 and ENA 4 feel like twins, and that comparison goes beyond their looks. Feature-wise, these two aren’t identical. Still, it’d be hard to tell them apart in a lineup.
With that in mind, I could just stop my Jura ENA 4 review here and direct you to my A1 review, but it’s no longer available. Besides, there’s a lot to love about the ENA 4, so let’s get into it!
Colors
I could tell you that the ENA 4 is available in black or white, but instead, I’ll use the same fancy vocabulary Jura does. With this machine, you get your pick between Metropolitan Black and Nordic White. I’m not sure what exactly makes black “Metropolitan,” but it certainly does sound sophisticated!
Considering its minimalist approach to fully automatics, I’m not surprised that Jura only offers two color choices. Between the two, I think the white one pairs better with the crystal water tank, but that’s just my humble opinion. Either way, it’s hard to argue with the classics. I mean, both black and white go with almost any kitchen decor.
Size
Bigger is not always better, especially when you don’t have a palatial kitchen. The ENA 4 is far from the most compact super automatic I’ve seen, but it’s smaller than you might think. In fact, Jura totes this as their most compact machine.
It doesn’t look completely compact, but I think most of that has to do with the ENA 4’s overall design. It’s got the same sharp geometric angles that most of Jura’s products do, but it’s not quite as sleek or glossy.
Other machines keep important components under the hood. However, with that round water tank stuck to its side, the ENA 4 doesn’t seem as worried about saving space. Still, this espresso machine shouldn’t end up hogging too much real estate on your kitchen counter.
Jura compares the size of the machine to the length and width of loose-leaf paper. So, if you’ve got room for a sheet of paper on your counter, then you’ve also got space for the ENA 4!
User Interface
If there’s one thing that a stripped-down fully automatic can brag about, it’s being easy to use. There’s no tampering with milk foam settings or fiddling with a steam wand. In fact, it only takes the press of a few buttons to have liquid gold flowing into your cup. Or, as close to liquid gold as black coffee can get.
The ENA 4 is no exception. The barebones digital interface is impossible to miss on the front of the machine. There are only four buttons, and while that may seem limiting, they offer more versatility than you might think.
One button allows you to adjust the strength of your coffee, measured by coffee bean symbols that flash across the screen. Three coffee beans is the strongest setting, translating to a higher dose of ground coffee.
Another button allows you to pick between brewed coffee and espresso, and there are settings that allow you to tinker with the amount of coffee dispensed.
The most the machine will dispense at once is 8 ounces (237 milliliters). That might be a bit of a letdown if you’re someone who likes to brew eight or twelve cups at once. Then again, this isn’t your grandma’s drip coffee maker by any means.
Now, if you’re looking to make specialty drinks or fiddle with advanced settings, you can pair the ENA 4 with the Jura app on your smartphone. Using the app is an entirely different conversation, so I’ll cover that later in my Jura ENA 4 review.
Aroma G3 Grinder
The Jura ENA 4 comes equipped with the manufacturer’s awesome Aroma G3 grinder.
The design of the Aroma G3 grinder allows for a lot of variation in grind size, and I’d really expect nothing less from Jura. It’s another way they’ve packed countless adjustment settings into a minimalist package.
One important thing to note is that you should only adjust grind settings while the grinder is actively working. Sort of like riding a bike – you can only switch gears when the bike is already in motion.
There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles on the Aroma G3 grinder, but it handles everything it needs to. It’s hard to argue with a grinder that’s efficient and won’t wake the entire house up in the morning. Plus, the bean hopper lid is clear, so you can see the magic at work whenever you want.
As far as capacity goes, you can store up to 4.4 ounces (124 grams) of your favorite coffee beans in the hopper.
Pre Ground Coffee
While I’m on the subject of coffee beans, let’s talk about pre ground coffee. These days, most manufacturers include a bypass doser for ground coffee. I suppose that’s good for preparing the odd decaf drink, but I find that ground coffee chutes tend to clog up too easily.
The ENA 4 does include a separate slot for adding pre ground coffee, so you don’t always have to brew with whole beans. Of course, you’ll probably want to stick with fresh beans most of the time. Still, it never hurts to have the option for an evening decaf coffee.
Water Reservoir
OK, it’s time to talk about the ENA 4’s crowning jewel – its faux diamond cylindrical water tank. It might come as a surprise considering the price, but this baby isn’t a real diamond. Still, Jura has made a big point of showing it off. Rather than stick it under the lid like most water tanks, they’ve connected it to the side.
Jura says the inspiration for the water reservoir comes from those fancy crystal carafes you store alcohol in. Now, I’m all for making Irish coffee. In this case, though, I don’t think adding whiskey or bourbon to the water reservoir is going to work out well. It’s probably best we stick to water and keep the alcohol in an actual crystal carafe.
Jokes aside, I’ve got mixed feelings about the water tank. While I can’t deny how pretty the reservoir looks, I’m not sure it justifies the machine’s high price tag.
Then again, if you’re all about aesthetics, the crystal-like tank might be worth the extra dough. Either way, it’s probably the most unique water tank I’ve ever seen on a coffee maker. Anyway, the manufacturer liked it enough to stick it on the Jura ENA 8 too.
Functionally, the tank works just like any other water reservoir. You can pop the top open to fill it up or just remove it – dealer’s choice. It’s still small enough to fit in one hand, so that’s a plus.
Intelligent Water System – I.W.S.
While we’re on the subject of water tanks, I don’t want to gloss over the Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.). Once again, Jura tries to impress us with important-sounding features.
By the sound of that name, you’d think it could do basic math or read you a book while it brews your espresso. I mean, I can’t be the only one who’s been waiting for a coffee manufacturer to roll out those features!
However, at its core, the I.W.S. is a clever feature that notifies the system when you’ve changed the water filter and lets you know when it needs to be replaced. With some super automatics, you have to go through the trouble of recalibrating the coffee machine whenever you change the filter.
Here, there’s no need for programming new water filters in, and Jura is confident you won’t have to worry about regular descaling. Personally, I take that last part with a large grain of salt.
Pulse Extraction Process – P.E.P.
Like the Intelligent Water System, Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) brewing technology is another feature you’ll find on a lot of Jura coffee machines. In fact, I’d go so far as to say P.E.P. is Jura’s bread and butter. It’s the main reason why this machine excels at making plain espresso.
Essentially, P.E.P. works by soaking the coffee grounds with short bursts of water rather than with a constant flow. So, you get maximum extraction and flavor, regardless of the drink you’re pumping out. Some other super automatics might have their own versions of this feature, but none are as successful and effective as Jura’s brewing technology.
Spout Height
Here’s some good news: if you were worried that your travel mug wouldn’t fit comfortably under the ENA 4 spout, you can give a sigh of relief. While the standard spout height is set low to accommodate espresso cups, you can adjust it upward with a single push.
Adjusting the spout height is a seamless process, and a lot easier than trying to remove the drip tray every time you want a little extra room.
Specialty Coffees
With a machine that specializes in black coffee and espresso, I can’t be too surprised that the ENA 4 is limited in the specialty drink department. There’s no espresso macchiato, cappuccino or most of your other coffee shop favorites.
Besides a standard espresso shot and brewed coffee, the ENA 4 does allow you to brew two shots back to back or a long shot. These customizations don’t really fall under the specialty coffee umbrella, but it’s about as fancy as the ENA 4 gets.
J.O.E. App
I said I’d come back to smartphone compatibility in my Jura ENA 4 review, didn’t I? If you want to get the most out of your ENA 4, Jura does have an app you can sync up to your machine.
Incidentally, the Swiss brand says smartphone connectivity isn’t an essential feature, which may explain why you have to buy the WiFi Connect transmitter separately.
Personally, Jura and I may have different definitions of essential. Sure, you don’t need to sync the coffee maker up to your phone to operate. However, there are also certain features and settings you won’t be able to access unless you’re controlling the coffee maker remotely.
It’s also just a lot easier to navigate the machine’s settings in the app versus the user interface. The ENA 4’s display interface talks in flashing coffee bean symbols, but the app uses English.
Siri
While we’re on the subject of smartphones, I don’t want to miss talking about another one of the ENA 4’s add-ons: Siri. That’s right, I’m referring to everyone’s favorite virtual assistant. If you thought controlling a fully automatic from your phone was easy, using Siri simplifies the coffee making equation even more.
Once you’ve got the WiFi Connect plugged into your machine and you’ve downloaded the Jura Operating Experience (J.O.E.) app, you should be able to control your ENA 4 with voice command.
It’s sort of like having your own personal barista in your pocket – although this one won’t try to make small talk about the weather.
How to Use the Jura ENA 4 Coffee Machine
If there’s one thing I’ll compliment Jura on, it’s that you’ll probably never touch the ENA 4 user manual. Unless you’re trying to fiddle with advanced settings or don’t have access to the app, the ENA 4 should be incredibly easy to use. No rocket science involved here, folks.
As with any fully automatic machine, you’ll need to fill up the bean hopper and the water reservoir first.
Turn on the machine and place your cup under the spout. If you’re using a larger cup or glass, you can adjust the dispensing spout upwards.
Pro tip: if you’re making espresso, try running your cup under a little hot water. A warm cup makes all the difference.
Here’s where you’ll start messing with the user interface. On the far right, there’s a button with a coffee bean symbol. This controls the strength of your drink, as well as whether you’ll be using pre ground coffee. Since you have three strength settings, you can use the coffee bean button to cycle through them.
To dispense your espresso, press the button with the demitasse cup icon until the coffee beans on the screen start flashing. This is where the machine enters its programming mode and allows you to change the volume of coffee to be dispensed.
You can stick with a standard shot, but the machine will dispense up to 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of coffee or espresso at once. Just press the button again when you’ve got the desired amount. Next time, the machine will remember your settings, which is a nice feature.
That’s all there is to it! It’s so simple I’d say you could trust a well-trained dog to do it. You probably shouldn’t for safety reasons, but you see my point.
Best Coffee for the Jura ENA 4
We have developed a coffee blend for all super automatic espresso machines, including the Jura ENA 4. We tested espresso and black coffee, both of which displayed tangy, chocolatey notes.
It all depends on the beans: if you put something good in at the top, something good will come out at the bottom!
Coffee for Fully Automatic Espresso Machines
Our famous coffee beans are finally available in the US!
Freshly roasted
Notes of Chocolate
Quick delivery
Low acidity
Here are the ideal settings for our coffee with the Jura ENA 4:
Grind setting: Second finest
Attention: Only adjust when the grinder is running!
Espresso volume: 1.4 ounces (40 milliliters)
Coffee volume: 4 ounces (120 milliliters)
Temperature: Not adjustable
Coffee strength: 3
Jura ENA 4 Coffee Machine Cleaning
I know cleaning and descaling is everyone’s favorite part of owning a coffee machine. Just kidding. Still, rest assured; the ENA 4 is far from high-maintenance.
There’s a separate compartment hidden on the side of the machine that holds your used coffee grounds. I recommend emptying it after every use and giving the compartment a quick rinse afterward.
I’ve mentioned that the I.W.S. eliminates the need for regular descaling, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never have to do it. You won’t need to descale the coffee machine as often as some fully automatics, but you shouldn’t ignore this step of the process completely.
For those deep cleaning programs that happen once in a blue moon, I’ll refer you to Jura’s user manual.
That’s about as gritty as cleaning the ENA 4 gets. You’ll still need to regularly empty the drip tray and wipe down the exterior of the machine, but a damp cloth and a mild cleaner will get the job done.
As with all Jura coffee machines, the brewing unit can’t be removed. That means you’ll need to use Jura cleaning tablets to rinse the coffee circuit. Don’t worry, though – the machine will let you know when that’s necessary.
I’m sure Jura includes this somewhere in the fine print, but I’ll leave a disclaimer here too. This coffee machine isn’t safe for the dishwasher and you should avoid submerging it in water.
Jura ENA 4 Coffee Maker Specifications
| Jura ENA 4 | |
| Manufacturer | Jura |
|---|---|
| Model number | 15374/15351 |
| Product category | Super automatic espresso machine |
| Removable brew group | |
| Housing material | Plastic with stainless steel parts |
| Color options | Metropolitan Black, Nordic White |
| Milk frother | None |
| User interface | Color TFT with buttons |
| App | |
| User profiles | Memo function only |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 37.2 fl oz / 1.1 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.1 in / 10.4 cm |
| Minimum cup height | 3.0 in / 7.6 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | Infinitely variable |
| Bean hopper capacity | 4.2 oz / 120.0 g |
| Pre-ground coffee bypass | |
| Grounds discard container capacity | 10 |
| Specialty drinks | 2 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | |
| Adjustable milk temperature | |
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) |
| Pot function | |
| Hot water function | |
| Hot milk function | |
| Milk foam only option | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 1450 W |
| Weight | 21.0 lb / 9.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: Instruction Booklet. App connectivity with optional Jura Smart Connect (not included). |
| Current price on Amazon | $999.46 |
| All specifications | |
Jura ENA 4 vs Other Super Automatics
I know I’ve been gabbing about the ENA 4 for this entire article, but it’s time to drop some other espresso machines into this Jura ENA 4 review. Let’s see how this machine measures up in comparison to a couple of its stablemates.
Jura ENA 4 vs Jura E4
Let’s start by considering the . This is another Jura coffee machine sans milk system, yet it’ll set you back $1,279.00.
So what gives? Why is the E4 so much more expensive than the ENA 4? Well, it’s a much bigger machine for starters, which isn’t necessarily a good thing. More importantly, the E4 is equipped with Jura’s eighth generation brewing unit, which gives the machine an edge in terms of espresso quality. Ultimately, there isn’t much to choose between the two machines. If it were me, I’d go for the ENA 4 every time.
See Also: Jura E4 Review 2024
Jura ENA 4 vs Jura ENA 8
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that the Jura ENA 8 is a step up from the ENA 4. Essentially, it’s the same machine but with milk frothing capabilities. And with that comes the option to choose from a much wider selection of specialty drinks.
Of course, you’ll pay more for the Jura ENA 8, which currently retails for $1,799.95 on Amazon. Whether or not you feel like that’s good value isn’t for me to say. However, given its compact size and sleek design, I’m sure it’ll appeal to a lot of folks.
See Also: Jura ENA 8 Review 2024
Jura ENA 4 vs Other Super Automatics Comparison Chart
| Jura ENA 4 | Jura ENA 8 | |
| Manufacturer | Jura | Jura |
| Model number | 15374/15351 | 15281/15282/15284, 15451 |
| Product category | Super automatic espresso machine | Super automatic espresso machine |
| Removable brew group | ||
| Housing material | Plastic with stainless steel parts | Plastic with stainless steel parts |
| Color options | Metropolitan Black, Nordic White | Full Nordic White, Metropolitan Black, Nordic White, Sunset Red |
| Milk frother | None | Cappuccinatore |
| User interface | Color TFT with buttons | Color TFT with buttons |
| App | ||
| User profiles | Memo function only | Memo function only |
| Removable water reservoir | ||
| Water reservoir capacity | 37.2 fl oz / 1.1 l | 37.2 fl oz / 1.1 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 | 1 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.1 in / 10.4 cm | 5.4 in / 13.7 cm |
| Minimum cup height | 3.0 in / 7.6 cm | 2.6 in / 6.6 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | Infinitely variable | Infinitely variable |
| Bean hopper capacity | 4.2 oz / 120.0 g | 4.2 oz / 120.0 g |
| Pre-ground coffee bypass | ||
| Grounds discard container capacity | 10 | 10 |
| Specialty drinks | 2 | 8 |
| Pre-infusion | ||
| Adjustable coffee temperature | ||
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | ||
| Adjustable milk temperature | ||
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) | No |
| Pot function | ||
| Hot water function | ||
| Hot milk function | ||
| Milk foam only option | ||
| Water filter | ||
| Power consumption | 1450 W | 1450 W |
| Weight | 21.0 lb / 9.5 kg | 21.0 lb / 9.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: Instruction Booklet. App connectivity with optional Jura Smart Connect (not included). | Included Accessories: Instruction Booklet, Filler funnels for ground coffee, Measuring spoon, Milk system cleaning container. App connectivity with optional Jura Smart Connect (not included). |
| Current price on Amazon | $999.46 | $1,799.95 |
| Jura ENA 4 | Jura ENA 8 | |
| Manufacturer | Jura | Jura |
| Model number | 15374/15351 | 15281/15282/15284, 15451 |
| Product category | Super automatic espresso machine | Super automatic espresso machine |
| Removable brew group | ||
| Housing material | Plastic with stainless steel parts | Plastic with stainless steel parts |
| Color options | Metropolitan Black, Nordic White | Full Nordic White, Metropolitan Black, Nordic White, Sunset Red |
| Milk frother | None | Cappuccinatore |
| User interface | Color TFT with buttons | Color TFT with buttons |
| App | ||
| User profiles | Memo function only | Memo function only |
| Removable water reservoir | ||
| Water reservoir capacity | 37.2 fl oz / 1.1 l | 37.2 fl oz / 1.1 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 | 1 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.1 in / 10.4 cm | 5.4 in / 13.7 cm |
| Minimum cup height | 3.0 in / 7.6 cm | 2.6 in / 6.6 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | Infinitely variable | Infinitely variable |
| Bean hopper capacity | 4.2 oz / 120.0 g | 4.2 oz / 120.0 g |
| Pre-ground coffee bypass | ||
| Grounds discard container capacity | 10 | 10 |
| Specialty drinks | 2 | 8 |
| Pre-infusion | ||
| Adjustable coffee temperature | ||
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | ||
| Adjustable milk temperature | ||
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) | No |
| Pot function | ||
| Hot water function | ||
| Hot milk function | ||
| Milk foam only option | ||
| Water filter | ||
| Power consumption | 1450 W | 1450 W |
| Weight | 21.0 lb / 9.5 kg | 21.0 lb / 9.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in | 12.7 x 10.7 x 17.5 in |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: Instruction Booklet. App connectivity with optional Jura Smart Connect (not included). | Included Accessories: Instruction Booklet, Filler funnels for ground coffee, Measuring spoon, Milk system cleaning container. App connectivity with optional Jura Smart Connect (not included). |
| Current price on Amazon | $999.46 | $1,799.95 |
Verdict: Jura ENA 4 Coffee Machine
Ideal for espresso purists
Jura ENA 4
What a beauty
Beautiful and compact machine
High quality grinder
Easy to operate
Makes great espresso
Expensive for what you get
No milk frothing capabilities
Okay, moment of truth. I know I’ve given this coffee machine a bit of a hard time in my Jura ENA 4 review. Still, it’s hard to really diss anything that the Swiss manufacturer pumps out. Jura’s reputation for great, full bodied espresso is something to keep in mind when considering the ENA 4 – or any of its other super automatics.
With that said, the ENA 4 is not a one-size-fits-all kind of coffee maker. It’ll fall flat for some coffee drinkers, yet hit the bullseye with a specific group.
If you’re someone who loves straight espresso and wants a pretty coffee machine for guests to fawn over, the ENA 4 will be a perfect match. It’ll be hard to find another super automatic that makes black coffee as well or looks as gorgeous on your counter.
However, if you’re ready to spread your figurative coffee-making wings and try new drinks, the ENA 4 probably won’t be versatile enough. The Jura ENA 4 is great at making espresso and black coffee.
But beyond that, there’s not much to write home about. Anyway, lovers of milk based specialties shouldn’t have any trouble finding a machine that’s well within the same price point while offering more diversity.
That’s a wrap for my Jura ENA 4 review. What’s your experience using this machine? Feel free to leave a comment below!
Jura ENA 4 Coffee Machine FAQ
If you’re someone who loves black coffee and plain espresso, the Jura ENA 4 might well be worth the investment.
Yes, you can program your Apple Watch to brew coffee with the ENA 4 if you’ve got the Jura app.
Siri will understand basic commands for the Jura ENA 4, like brewing a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso.
You can refer to the user manual included with the machine for specific directions about plugging in the Jura ENA 4 and brewing your first cup.
