When you think of high-end coffee makers, Jura is a stalwart brand. I’ve encountered their machines in friends’ homes, coworking spaces, and high-end cookware stores over the years, and what I remember about them is their ease of use and consistently exceptional coffee. I specifically tested the Jura ENA8 because it’s the least expensive model they offer with smart connectivity, and I was particularly surprised at how different it felt from other machines from the brand. While it was an attractive machine, and certainly better priced than other options I’ve tried ($1569.95 currently), I was ultimately disappointed with the UX of the interface, the temperature of the drinks, the lack of some obvious drink options, and the lack of usability in the smart app. While I don’t want this impression to carry over to the entire brand, I wasn’t a fan of the ENA8, which we were loaned in the brand new Metropolitan Black model specifically for testing.

Top-quality coffee makers tend to have a high-end look, with metal and hard lines. The ENA8 had some of that signature detailing in the dispensing head, but instead offers rounded edges in a beautiful matte black. While I liked the black, I wasn’t a fan of how heavy the machine felt, considering how small the water tank was. At only 37 ounces, I often had to refill the tank daily. While your drink likely only uses 18 ounces or less, routine cleaning of the machine will use up a lot more. This also means you’ll need to empty the drip tray at least once a day. The drip tray comes out easily, and the machine insisted on emptying it early enough that I didn’t constantly spill it as I made my way back and forth to the sink.

The ENA8 comes with a sturdy glass container for milk and a number of connecting hose options to go between the siphon of the cup and the dispenser head. While there was a silky smooth metal hose option that certainly looked more high-end, it didn’t seem to work well, so I just used the included silicone hose. (As an aside, it’s easier to ensure the hose is clean if it’s clear.) You also get cleaning materials and an extra plastic container with a siphon for the cleaning solution. The machine came out of the box basically ready to use; the only part that needed installing was the Wi-Fi module, which I’ll cover in more detail below.

It’s worth noting that I specifically asked for the ENA8. I was hoping to find a great coffee maker for a lower price than the Miele we reviewed last month , which made spectacular drinks but was rather confusing and difficult to use. I expected fewer problems with the ENA8 because it offered a touchscreen. The screen itself was already quite small, but the bigger problem was that you switch between screens by touching three small dots on the bottom right-hand panel rather than, say, swiping. This was often imperfect. The ENA8 offers ten drinks, which is a more concise menu than many machines, so there were only three screens to switch between – but doing so was often annoyingly painful and left you feeling like a butterfinger.