This letter explores the growing trend of deliberative citizen forums and their role in democratic systems. It critiques the idea that strong empowerment of these forums will enhance democratic legitimacy. Through a conjoint experiment with a representative sample of non-participating German citizens, the study reveals that the general population prefers deliberative forums that are advisory in nature, work with existing institutions, and include provisions like large sizes or clear majorities. Disaffected citizens are more receptive to empowered and decoupled deliberative forums compared to loyal citizens, but overall, they show indifference towards these design features. The findings suggest that while deliberative forums are valued, their design should consider practical and collaborative aspects to effectively address democratic engagement.