#1: Breville Oracle
- Dual boiler system for simultaneous brewing and steaming
- Automatic grinding, dosing, and tamping
- Precise temperature control for consistent espresso
#2: Breville Oracle Touch
- Touchscreen for easy, customizable drink selection.
- Automated milk texturing for perfect froth.
- Fully automatic espresso process with user-friendly interface.
If you're anything like me, coffee isn't just a beverage—it's a passion. The process of making that perfect cup of coffee can be a daily ritual, and having the right tools makes all the difference. Today, I'll walk you through my journey comparing two premium espresso machines from Breville: the Breville Oracle and the Breville Oracle Touch. Spoiler alert: while both machines are impressive, one truly stole my heart. PRODUCT 1 is better—let me tell you why.
First Impressions of the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
The Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch are both top-of-the-line espresso machines that promise cafe-quality coffee right in your kitchen. But even at first glance, they offer different experiences. The Oracle is known for providing a more traditional, hands-on approach, while the Oracle Touch brings the convenience of a modern touchscreen to simplify the process.
For me, unboxing these machines was the start of a thrilling comparison. The build quality on both is impeccable—heavy stainless steel construction that feels built to last. The aesthetic is sleek and would look right at home in any modern kitchen.
But it wasn't just about the looks; it was about making great espresso and having fun doing it.
The Convenience of Automation: Oracle Touch Shines
When comparing the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch, the most obvious difference is the touchscreen interface of the Oracle Touch. The Oracle Touch is designed to be user-friendly with its bright, intuitive screen. You can select from a variety of coffee styles—cappuccino, latte, flat white—all at the touch of a button.
I was a bit skeptical at first. Would this touchscreen gimmick really add value, or was it just a flashy upgrade? But I was pleasantly surprised. The Oracle Touch's interface takes you through each step with ease. It even lets you adjust strength, milk texture, and temperature, and it remembers your custom settings.
In contrast, the Oracle has manual dials and buttons, which, while functional, don't quite offer the same streamlined experience. While the Oracle gives you more control, it doesn't match the ease of use that the Oracle Touch offers—and for someone with a busy lifestyle, that matters.
Making Espresso: Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch Brewing Experience
When making espresso, both machines use automatic grinding, dosing, and tamping. This feature is a game-changer, eliminating the need for a separate grinder and tamper, and providing consistency every time.
With the Breville Oracle, you're still responsible for dialing in your grind settings and manually adjusting for that perfect shot. This part of the process was enjoyable but required a lot of tinkering. I found myself making several trial shots before I got it just right.
On the other hand, the Oracle Touch automates more of this process. It keeps a lot of the grind and dose consistent, which means fewer adjustments are necessary, and the results are more predictable. When I was in the mood to experiment and play around with my coffee, I enjoyed using the Oracle. But for everyday use, the Oracle Touch's straightforward interface simply made my life easier.
Customization: Traditional Approach vs Modern Convenience
One aspect that stands out in the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch debate is customization. With the Oracle, you have complete control over almost every aspect of your shot—grind size, extraction time, pressure—you name it. For coffee enthusiasts who enjoy the craft of perfecting a shot, this machine offers that hands-on experience that you crave.
However, the Oracle Touch is surprisingly customizable for a machine that automates so much. You can tweak settings like temperature, grind, and even milk froth levels. Plus, you can save your favorite settings under custom names. So, if I want "John's Morning Latte" ready at the press of a button, it delivers.
For me, the Oracle Touch wins here because it allows for customization without the learning curve. The interface makes adjusting settings easy to understand and implement, which means fewer bad shots of espresso while experimenting.
Frothing Milk: Oracle vs Oracle Touch Milk Frothing Performance
Milk frothing is an area where the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch comparison really comes to life. The Breville Oracle uses a steam wand, which you can manually operate if desired or set to automatic mode. In automatic mode, the Oracle froths milk to a pre-set temperature and texture, which is consistent, but it still requires a bit of practice to perfect.
In contrast, the Oracle Touch makes milk frothing effortless. With the Oracle Touch, you select your desired texture and temperature, and it does the rest for you, perfectly every time. The touchscreen even walks you through the process, which is particularly helpful for those who are new to frothing.
I found that the milk frothing capabilities of the Oracle Touch gave me more consistent results, and its convenience couldn't be beaten. I could walk away and let the machine do its thing—perfect when I was multitasking in the morning.
Cleaning and Maintenance: Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
When it comes to cleaning, the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch are similar. Both machines need regular cleaning cycles, descaling, and wiping down after each use. They both come with indicators that remind you when it’s time for maintenance, which is a useful feature to ensure the longevity of these high-end machines.
The Oracle Touch, however, edges ahead slightly due to its intuitive guidance on the touchscreen. It visually walks you through each cleaning step, which makes it less daunting for a beginner or someone like me who doesn't want to sift through a manual.
With the Oracle, you do get prompts for cleaning, but there’s more manual intervention required. While this isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, I found the simplicity of the Oracle Touch much more enjoyable for day-to-day maintenance.
Price: Are the Added Features Worth It?
One of the key considerations when evaluating the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch is the price. The Oracle is the cheaper of the two machines, which makes it a more budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a premium espresso experience without the bells and whistles.
The Oracle Touch, being the more advanced model, does come at a higher cost. But for me, the extra investment was worth it—especially for the convenience, the touchscreen interface, and the additional automation. For someone who values the traditional process of espresso making, the Oracle could be more appealing. But if you want the best of both worlds—customization and convenience—the Oracle Touch is hard to beat.
Personal Experience: Daily Use of the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
One thing I want to highlight in this Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch discussion is how these machines fit into everyday life. I typically make two to three cups of coffee a day, and I often have friends over who appreciate a good cup as much as I do.
Using the Oracle, I enjoyed having full control over my espresso, but sometimes it became a bit much—especially when I was in a rush. There’s something beautiful about the art of crafting coffee, but not when you’re already late for work! With the Oracle, I also noticed that dialing in the perfect grind took some practice, and there were times I wasted good coffee beans trying to get it just right.
The Oracle Touch, in contrast, streamlined everything. On a busy weekday morning, I could simply tap the screen, let the machine work its magic, and enjoy a perfectly crafted latte. The simplicity of having my favorite drinks saved meant that even my friends could operate it without needing a tutorial—just pick their drink and hit start. I didn’t realize how much I would appreciate that small convenience until I had it.
Performance Consistency: Oracle Touch Takes the Lead
Consistency is a major factor when it comes to making espresso at home, especially if you’re investing in a premium machine like these. After all, if you’re spending a significant amount of money, you want each shot to be perfect.
While both machines did deliver impressive results, I found the Oracle Touch more consistent over time. With the Oracle, there were times when the shots weren’t exactly the same—sometimes due to slight variations in grind size or tamping pressure. As someone who loves espresso but doesn’t always want to spend time troubleshooting, the Oracle Touch’s ability to deliver similar results day after day really won me over.
Who Should Buy Which Machine?
If you’re still wondering which one suits you best, let me share my thoughts on who each machine might be ideal for. The Breville Oracle is perfect for someone who loves the craft of making espresso and enjoys a hands-on experience. If you have the time and patience to experiment with grind settings, shot times, and manual adjustments, the Oracle will be incredibly rewarding. It brings that authentic barista experience into your home, and for many coffee enthusiasts, that’s worth the effort.
The Oracle Touch, on the other hand, is ideal if you want a top-notch machine that requires less input. If you appreciate great coffee but don’t always have the time to adjust settings or perfect your shot, then the Oracle Touch is the way to go. It’s great for households where multiple people use the machine—especially if they have different coffee preferences. The ability to save custom drinks makes it convenient and a joy to use.
Product Review Conclusion: Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
After extensively comparing the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch, I can confidently say that the Oracle Touch is the better option—at least for my needs. It makes incredible espresso with less hassle, and the touchscreen interface simplifies every aspect of the process.
While the Oracle is a fantastic machine that allows for a more hands-on approach, the Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between convenience and quality. It's a game-changer for anyone who wants cafe-quality coffee at home without the stress and guesswork. So, if you're on the fence, my advice is to invest in the Oracle Touch—you won't regret it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
1. Which machine is easier to use, the Breville Oracle or the Oracle Touch?
The Oracle Touch is easier to use due to its intuitive touchscreen interface. The screen guides you through each step of making a coffee, from grinding to frothing. The Oracle, on the other hand, requires more manual adjustments and control, making it better for those who enjoy a hands-on experience.
2. Does the Breville Oracle Touch allow customization of coffee settings?
Yes, the Oracle Touch allows you to customize settings like strength, milk texture, and temperature. You can even save your favorite coffee recipes under custom names for easy access, which is a great feature for households with different preferences.
3. Is the frothing experience different between the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch?
Yes, the Oracle offers both manual and automatic frothing using a steam wand, which is great if you like to control the frothing process. The Oracle Touch, however, fully automates milk frothing, making it perfect for beginners or those who prefer consistency without the effort.
4. Which machine is better for someone who enjoys being hands-on?
The Breville Oracle is the better choice if you enjoy a hands-on approach to making espresso. It allows for more manual adjustments, such as controlling the grind size, extraction time, and tamping pressure, giving you the ability to craft your espresso to your liking.
5. How does cleaning and maintenance compare between the two machines?
Both machines require regular cleaning cycles and descaling, but the Oracle Touch makes the process easier by guiding you through cleaning steps on the touchscreen. The Oracle also provides cleaning prompts, but there’s more manual intervention required, making the process a bit more involved.
6. Is the Breville Oracle Touch worth the extra cost?
If you value convenience, automation, and the ability to consistently make great coffee with minimal effort, the Oracle Touch is worth the extra investment. The touchscreen interface, saved custom settings, and automated processes make it a convenient option, especially for those with a busy lifestyle.
7. Do both machines come with a built-in grinder?
Yes, both the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch come with a built-in conical burr grinder that automatically grinds, doses, and tamps the coffee for you, ensuring a consistent shot every time.
8. Can I manually adjust the grind settings on both machines?
Yes, both machines allow you to adjust the grind settings. The Oracle gives you more manual control, which is great if you enjoy dialing in the perfect shot. The Oracle Touch also allows for grind adjustments but automates more of the process to ensure consistency.
9. Which machine is better for a household with multiple coffee drinkers?
The Oracle Touch is better for households with multiple coffee drinkers. Its ability to save multiple user profiles and favorite drinks makes it ideal for accommodating different tastes. Each person can easily select their preferred drink, which the machine will prepare automatically.
10. How consistent are the espresso shots from each machine?
The Oracle Touch generally provides more consistency in espresso shots due to its automation features that reduce human error. The Oracle can also produce great shots, but achieving consistency may require more trial and error as it involves more manual adjustments.