Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch

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Having been an avid coffee lover for years, I’ve tried my fair share of espresso machines. But when I was looking for something that could truly elevate my home brewing experience, I came across two machines that immediately caught my attention: the Breville Oracle and the Breville Oracle Touch. Both are highly praised for their performance, quality, and features, but after using both machines extensively, I can confidently say that the Oracle Touch is the better option. Here’s why, from my personal perspective.

Design and User Interface

When I first unboxed both the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch, the difference in their user interfaces was immediately apparent. The Oracle has a traditional LCD display with buttons and dials, which feels somewhat dated, especially when compared to the modern touchscreen of the Oracle Touch. While the Oracle provides plenty of control, I found navigating through the options to be a bit cumbersome. Adjusting settings during a busy morning was time-consuming, and I often found myself second-guessing the selections I made.

On the other hand, the Oracle Touch’s touchscreen interface is a game changer. The display is large, responsive, and intuitive, allowing me to select different coffee drinks with just a swipe and a tap. The ease of navigating through the settings and adjusting the brewing parameters was a big improvement for me. Whether I’m in the mood for a quick espresso or a creamy cappuccino, the Oracle Touch makes the process seamless and quick. In my experience, it feels far more user-friendly than the Oracle’s older design.

Customization and Personalization

Customization is another area where the Oracle Touch outshines its counterpart. The Oracle allows for manual adjustments to things like grind size, extraction time, and milk temperature, but you can’t save your personal settings. For someone like me, who likes to experiment with different recipes, this meant I had to manually adjust everything every time I used the machine. While this could be a positive for someone who enjoys absolute control, it did feel a little tedious for my daily routine.

The Oracle Touch, however, lets me save up to eight personalized coffee settings. This feature was incredibly helpful for me since I often have different preferences depending on the day or the type of coffee I’m in the mood for. Whether I want a strong espresso shot or a smoother, milder coffee, I can save my exact settings and easily recall them whenever I want. For anyone who shares their machine with others or just enjoys having coffee tailored to their taste, this feature is invaluable.

Grinding and Dosing Performance

One of the most crucial aspects of a good espresso machine is the grinder, and both the Oracle and Oracle Touch perform admirably in this department. Both machines come with integrated conical burr grinders that automatically grind the coffee beans to the desired consistency. The grind settings are adjustable, with 45 different options available for both machines, so you can fine-tune your brew for the perfect shot of espresso.

For me, the most significant advantage of these grinders is the automatic dosing and tamping. This feature ensures a consistent coffee puck, which is vital for achieving a high-quality espresso shot. I used to struggle with tamping and dosing manually, but both the Oracle and Oracle Touch remove that stress. However, I did notice that the Oracle Touch is slightly quicker at grinding and dosing, and it generally feels a bit more consistent in delivering a perfectly ground shot each time.

Milk Frothing and Steaming

If you’re a fan of milk-based drinks, you’ll appreciate the quality of the milk frothing and steaming in both machines. Both come with an automatic steam wand, which takes the guesswork out of frothing milk. The texture is creamy and smooth, perfect for making lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites.

I’ve always enjoyed making a good cappuccino, and both machines have allowed me to do so with ease. However, after using the Oracle Touch, I found the automatic milk texturing to be a bit more reliable. The steam wand consistently created fine, velvety microfoam that was perfect for latte art. While the Oracle’s milk frothing abilities are also great, the additional consistency and ease provided by the Oracle Touch have made it my go-to for milk-based beverages.

Heating System and Performance

Both the Oracle and Oracle Touch come with dual stainless steel boilers, which means you can extract espresso and steam milk at the same time without waiting for the machine to reheat. This is an excellent feature for someone like me, who is always in a rush in the morning and wants my coffee quickly.

In terms of performance, I’ve found both machines to be incredibly fast. The dual boilers allow for seamless brewing and steaming, without any lag or interruptions. The PID temperature control also ensures that the water is heated to the optimal temperature for extraction, which means I don’t have to worry about under or over-extracting my espresso.

Ease of Maintenance

One of the aspects I didn’t expect to appreciate as much as I do is how easy it is to clean both machines. Both the Oracle and Oracle Touch feature automatic cleaning cycles that help maintain the machine and prevent any buildup from affecting performance. Additionally, the steam wands self-purge after every use, which eliminates the need for extra cleaning after each frothing session.

Although both machines are relatively low-maintenance, I do find the Oracle Touch to be slightly easier to keep clean due to its streamlined design. It’s also easier to navigate through cleaning cycles using the touchscreen interface, making maintenance feel less like a chore. With the Oracle, the cleaning process requires a bit more manual intervention, which can be a bit of a hassle if you’re looking for a quick, convenient experience.

Price and Value

When it comes to price, the Oracle Touch does come with a higher price tag compared to the Oracle. However, in my experience, the additional features, ease of use, and consistency make it a worthwhile investment. For someone like me who uses the espresso machine daily, the convenience and automation of the Oracle Touch make it more than just a luxury—it’s a time-saver.

If you're on a tighter budget, the Oracle is still an excellent choice, offering a fantastic coffee-making experience, just with a bit more hands-on involvement. It’s perfect for someone who enjoys more manual control over their coffee-making process and doesn’t mind spending a little extra time adjusting settings.

Final Thoughts

Having used both the Breville Oracle and the Oracle Touch, I can confidently say that the Oracle Touch offers a more user-friendly, convenient, and consistent brewing experience. The touchscreen interface, customizable settings, and streamlined design have significantly improved my coffee-making routine. It has made crafting everything from espresso shots to cappuccinos a simple, quick, and enjoyable process.

That being said, the Oracle is still a fantastic machine for those who want control over every aspect of their brewing. If you’re someone who enjoys being hands-on and values customization, the Oracle is a great option. But for those seeking a more automated, user-friendly experience, the Oracle Touch is the way to go. Ultimately, it all comes down to your preferences and how you like to enjoy your coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the main difference between the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch?
A: The main difference is the user interface. The Oracle has a traditional LCD screen with buttons and dials, while the Oracle Touch features a modern, intuitive touchscreen that simplifies the brewing process and allows for easy customization and saving of personal coffee settings.

Q: Can I save my coffee preferences on both machines?
A: No, only the Oracle Touch allows you to save up to eight personalized coffee settings. The Oracle requires manual adjustments each time you brew, which might be inconvenient for those who prefer consistency.

Q: Which machine is better for milk-based drinks?
A: Both machines are excellent for milk frothing, but the Oracle Touch provides more consistent and reliable milk texturing, thanks to its automatic steam wand. It's easier to create velvety microfoam with the Oracle Touch, making it ideal for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites.

Q: Are the Oracle and Oracle Touch easy to clean?
A: Yes, both machines have automatic cleaning cycles and self-purging steam wands. However, the Oracle Touch is slightly easier to clean, with a more streamlined design and simpler cleaning interface.

Q: How important is the dual boiler system?
A: The dual boiler system is important for reducing wait times. It allows you to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously, which is a significant time-saver for anyone who needs their coffee quickly in the morning.

Q: Is the Breville Oracle Touch worth the higher price?
A: While the Oracle Touch is more expensive, its features like the touchscreen interface, custom settings, and ease of use make it a valuable investment for those who want convenience and consistency in their daily coffee routine. However, the Oracle offers great performance at a lower price if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

Q: Can both machines make professional-quality espresso?
A: Yes, both the Oracle and Oracle Touch can make professional-quality espresso, thanks to their integrated grinders, precise temperature control, and automatic tamping. The key difference is in how easily and consistently these features are implemented on each machine.

Q: Which machine is better for beginners?
A: The Oracle Touch is better for beginners due to its easy-to-use touchscreen interface and automated features. It requires less effort in terms of adjustments and personalization, making it more approachable for someone just getting into espresso making.

Q: Does the Breville Oracle Touch have any pre-programmed coffee options?
A: Yes, the Oracle Touch has pre-programmed coffee options, such as espresso, cappuccino, latte, and more. This makes it simple for users to select their preferred coffee with just a tap, while still allowing for customization if needed.

Q: How long does it take for each machine to heat up?
A: Both the Oracle and Oracle Touch heat up quickly due to their dual boiler systems. They’re ready to use within a minute or two, which is great for fast-paced mornings when you need your coffee without the wait.