The Jura ENA Micro 1 vs 90 are suitable for those who want to get a super-automatic espresso machine without spending an arm and a leg. These Jura models fall on the more affordable side of the pricing scale, and this does come with some trade-offs, such as fewer cutting-edge features, a shorter list of preset drinks, and a smaller water tank.
These super automatics are generally on par, except that the Jura ENA Micro 90 is equipped with a milk frothing system. That said, if you’re a coffee purist, you’ll be better off with the Jura ENA Micro 1, which saves you some bucks.
Jura ENA Micro 1 Vs 90: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jura ENA Micro 1 Vs 90: Differences
The Jura ENA Micro 90 triumphs over the ENA Micro 1, securing a score of 4-2. The only thing that the former has over the latter is the ability to make a few milk-based drinks. But if your go-to drinks are just coffee or espresso, it is wise to choose the ENA Micro 1.
Coffee Flavour
Winner: Jura ENA Micro 90
Built-in Grinder
One of the things that make the Jura ENA Micro 90 stand out is the fact that it comes with a multi-level Aroma G3 grinder, whereas the ENA Micro 1 sports an Aroma + grinder. It is marketed as providing a 12% increase in aroma compared to its predecessor. I don’t believe that’s an overstatement, but I must admit, I’m unsure about how Jura precisely quantifies this number.
One thing I clearly observed was that the grinder of the ENA Micro 90 operated at a notably faster pace than Jura’s previous grinders without compromising on grind consistency. Combining this with other features, the ENA Micro 90 is capable of crafting a delightful espresso in a flash. Furthermore, I was also impressed with how quiet the ENA Micro 90 was. Emitting just about 56-60 dB of noise, it was sufficiently subdued to avoid disrupting anyone’s early morning slumber.
I would also like to discuss the grind settings a bit, as the selection of the appropriate grind size is a crucial element in brewing a delicious espresso. As a general guideline, a coarser grind suits regular coffee, while a finer grind is preferable for espresso and milk-infused beverages.
They have a total of five grind settings, and you can toggle between them via a control dial located on top of the machine. That’s under the industry average (6 settings), limiting your room for experimentation. There are other models I’ve encountered, such as the Gaggia Velasca, that are even cheaper but offer up to 10 grind settings. But I don’t consider it a con, considering the limited number of preset drinks and these machines’ reasonable pricing.
Heating System
Jura ENA Micro 1 vs 90 share a single aluminum boiler lined with stainless steel. Some of the more expensive models are equipped with dual boiler systems that facilitate brewing espresso and steaming milk at once – but this is just a game-changer for models capable of making milk-based drinks like the ENA Micro 90. The ENA Micro 1 has no frothing milk system, so having two boilers, to my mind, seems overkill.
The absence of a double boiler resulted in a delay between brewing and teaming. However, unlike traditional boiler machines that need a few minutes to heat up, the ENA Micro 90 employs Thermoblock technology and takes a mere 12 seconds to reach the optimal temperature. This substantially shortens the waiting time for your favorite day-starting beverage.
What makes the Thermoblock boiler different? Well, rather than heating a whole boiler’s worth of water, it only heats the exact quantity needed, resulting in reduced not only waiting times but also less energy use. Doesn’t it sound like a solution that kills two birds with one stone?
Brewing System
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to regard the brewing system as the lifeblood and spirit of an espresso machine. Once the coffee grounds make their way into the extraction chamber, they are soaked with the right amount of hot water. This pre-infusion phase enables the coffee grounds to expand, liberating their full aroma as the real extraction process sets in. Almost all super-automatic espresso machines include this step, and for Jura models like the Jura ENA Micro 1 vs 90, it’s termed the Intelligent Pre-Brew Aroma System (IPBAS).
However, what the ENA Micro 90 has over the ENA Micro 1 is the pulse extraction process (or P.E.P.) – a proprietary and advanced brewing process from Jura. All right, it’s another confusing term, but it basically involves jetting the heated water into the coffee grounds in several pulses instead of a constant flow of pressurized water to extract more aroma and flavor. Initially seen in the more costly Jura models, the presence of this feature in the ENA Micro 90 represents a great bargain.
Milk Frothing System
The Jura A1 has no milk frothing system or steam wand at all, implying that it cannot make cappuccinos, flat whites, or any milk-based beverage on its own – you will need a milk frother if needed. On the flip side, the Jura ENA Micro 90 boasts an automatic milk frothing system. Although it may not offer the same level of control as a steam wand, it enables whipping up milk-based drinks without any skill or steep learning curve.
Using it is a breeze: fill a pitcher with milk (which needs to be purchased separately), then connect the pitcher to the machine’s frothing attachment via an included milk tube. Then press the latte or cappuccino button, wait a little, and voila! Your drink is ready! I found the Micro 90 could produce a fine microfoam, which is ideal for cappuccinos and latte macchiatos, though it may not be suitable for intricate latte art (ask a barista).
I particularly appreciated that this machine offers a delay function after frothing the milk (from 0 sec to 60 sec), which facilitates milk separation. This lets you produce a latté macchiato with appealing layers. Even better, it provides the option to adjust the volume of milk foam (3 – 120 sec), and it may take a little experimentation to find the perfect recipe.
Design & Usability
Winner: Jura ENA Micro 90
Dimensions, Footprint, & Weight
| Jura ENA Micro 1 | Jura ENA Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9.0 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches | 9 × 12.7 × 17.5 inches |
| Weight | 19.6 lbs | 20.7 lbs |
Jura ENA Micro 1 vs 90 are primarily built from durable ABS plastic with some metal elements like the spout and drip tray for added accents. These cube-shaped machines have a minimalist look without any high-tech digital displays or bells and whistles. So if you are a techie and seeking a perfect addition to your smart home, these machines might not live up to your expectations. However, as a minimalist at heart, they really captivated my attention.
As the name “Micro” implies, these models are designed not to take up too much space on the kitchen counter. Hence, finding the right spot for these in your kitchen should be a breeze. However, they are quite heavy, and you’ll likely need an extra pair of hands to maneuver them into position.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options
| Jura ENA Micro 1 | Jura ENA Micro 90 |
|---|---|
| Coffee Espresso Ristretto | Espresso Long Coffee Cappuccino Latte Macchiato Hot water Milk foam |
The ENA Micro 1 offers only three black coffee drinks, whereas the Jura ENA Micro 90’s list is more extensive, with 6 drinks. Including hot water in the ENA Micro 90’s menu of specialties has sparked divergent views. Some people think this is a gimmick to stretch the ENA Micro 90’s list of one-touch drinks, but I don’t think so. From my perspective, it’s entirely worthwhile – it opens up avenues for tea brewing, hot chocolate, and transforming an espresso into a Caffè Americano, among others.
Offering just two levels of coffee strength for each preset beverage, the Micro 1 offers limited scope for experimenting. Conversely, the Micro 90 is a haven for beverage creativity with ten different coffee strengths, two brewing temperatures, adjustable milk foam, water quantity, and more. Your favorite recipes can also be saved for future one-touch servings.
And if someone in your family avoids caffeinated drinks for some reason, these machines also have got their cover. Via a bypass grinder chute, you can make a quick decaf using pre-ground coffee powder, a lifesaver when your coffee bean stash is depleted.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Jura ENA Micro 1 | Jura ENA Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Single | Single |
| Cup Clearance | 2.5–5.5 inches | 2 – 5.4 inches |
Like most other super-automatic espresso machines, both the Jura ENA Micro 1 vs 90 have an adjustable coffee spout. But it’s not a dual-spout system – so expect a friendly queue with your loved one for that delightful brew! Thankfully, the Thermoblock technology ensures that your wait will be relatively brief. Their spouts can’t be raised 6 inches like many of their siblings, but unless you tend to use giant cups, you’ll be fine.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Jura ENA Micro 1 | Jura ENA Micro 90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 1.1 liter | 1.1 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.13 liter | 0.13 liter |
Their 1.1-liter water reservoir is sufficient only for crafting 4-5 espresso shots. So if you are a power coffee drinker or part of a large family, regular water tank refills will be part and parcel of your routine.
Their water tanks are also designed to contain a CLARIS blue filter, which is optional. It serves to extract minerals from your water and keep the machine free from deposits, thereby reducing maintenance needs and ensuring the espresso’s taste remains pristine. I typically recommend it even though it results in a recurring fee that adds to the machine’s lifetime cost, but not this time – it worsens the situation with the already limited water supply.
So what is the alternative solution? You can … do nothing and live with regular descaling, which necessitates buying Jura cleaning tablets – Another option is to switch to using distilled water.
Their 0.13-liter bean container has the capacity to store up to 125 grams of beans. The coffee beans can remain there for an extended period without any loss of aroma or quality, courtesy of their completely sealed top lids.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
If you were to ask older coffee aficionados, their biggest nightmare might have been cleaning their manual espresso machines. But those days are long gone! Modern super-automatic machines, such as the Jura ENA Micro 1 and 90, are engineered to make maintenance and cleaning a breeze. Both have integrated cleaning, rinsing, and descaling programs, and they will tell you when it’s time to activate them or do some general maintenance tasks, such as emptying the drip tray or dregs box.
Ordinarily, the machine requires descaling every couple of months, but if you opt to use a filter, the need for descaling will diminish. The entire descaling cycle is fully automated, and all you need to do is drop a Jura descaling tab into the bypass dose chute. I know there are many cheap descaling solutions available out there, but just use the Jura offers to ensure the machine’s longevity, or at least that’s what they want us to believe in. As for the ENA Micro 90, its milk system also demands cleaning each time its screen displays “READY / M-RINSE.” Like the others, this process is automated, and you’ll need the Jura milk system cleaner for it.
Utilities & Other Features
Winner: Tie
The Ena Micro 1 sports a simplistic touchpad, while the Ena Micro 90 houses a vintage 1980s-style user interface comprising an LED display and some control knobs. I reckon that Jura’s choice to keep their control panels minimalist is quite wise. Brightly illuminated TFT or LCD screens would be overkill on these functionally straightforward machines.
Both the Jura ENA Micro 1 and 90 include a programmable energy-saving mode. When activated, the machine’s heating element will switch off after five minutes, reducing unnecessary power consumption. They can also be programmed to turn off after a certain period of time automatically. Additionally, both machines can be programmed to automatically shut off after a designated timeframe. The ENA Micro 1 has a fixed auto-shutdown interval of two hours, while the ENA Micro 90 provides the flexibility to set this interval anywhere from 15 minutes to 9 hours.
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 2024-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Jura ENA Micro 1
- ONE TOUCH: Prepare 3 Barista quality specialties including Ristretto, Espresso and coffee at the touch of a button - Coffee only
- COMPACT: Slim design, perfect for small spaces
- CONICAL BURR GRINDER: Multi-level grinder will perfectly grind 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, 7 ounce bean container
Last update on 2024-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Jura ENA Micro 90:
- Jura ENA Micro 1:
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.