#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.
When it comes to crafting the perfect espresso at home, I’ve always been a firm believer that the right machine can truly transform your coffee experience. Over the years, I’ve experimented with a variety of espresso makers, ranging from simple stovetop Moka pots to high-end machines. But when I first encountered the Breville Oracle and the Breville Oracle Touch, I knew I was dealing with something special. As someone who values both quality and convenience in my morning brew, I quickly became intrigued by these two machines. After using both, I found myself gravitating toward the Oracle Touch for several reasons. While both machines share many similarities, I believe the Oracle Touch delivers a more refined, user-friendly experience that suits my lifestyle and coffee preferences better.
In this article, I’ll share my experience with the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch, highlighting the key differences that helped me make my decision. If you’re looking to step up your espresso game, keep reading to see why I think the Oracle Touch is the better machine.
A Quick Overview of the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
To kick things off, let me give you a brief rundown of what each machine offers. Both the Breville Oracle and the Oracle Touch are high-end espresso machines designed to bring professional-quality coffee into your home. They both boast dual boilers, integrated grinders, and automatic milk frothing systems—features that are typically found in commercial machines. While the Oracle has a more traditional user interface with buttons and knobs, the Oracle Touch is equipped with a sleek touchscreen that provides a more modern and intuitive experience. Both machines are designed for serious coffee enthusiasts, but the Oracle Touch takes things a step further by offering greater automation and customization options.
User Experience: Touchscreen vs Traditional Interface
One of the first things I noticed when using both machines was the difference in their interfaces. The Breville Oracle, while still intuitive, relies on buttons and an LCD screen to navigate through settings. At first, I appreciated the hands-on approach—it felt like I had more control over every aspect of my coffee-making process. However, after a few weeks of use, I found myself longing for a more streamlined, effortless way to adjust settings and brew coffee.
That’s when I switched over to the Oracle Touch. The touchscreen display is a game-changer. It’s incredibly responsive and easy to navigate, and it provides a visual representation of the various coffee options available. Swiping through the different drink presets felt intuitive, and adjusting the grind size, shot temperature, or milk texture was as simple as a tap on the screen. I quickly appreciated the level of customization the Oracle Touch offers without the need for complicated button combinations or manual tweaks.
Customization and Convenience: Why I Prefer the Oracle Touch
The more I used the Oracle and Oracle Touch, the more I realized how much I valued convenience in my coffee-making routine. Don’t get me wrong—there’s something satisfying about manually adjusting every element of a shot of espresso, but on busy mornings, I wanted something that could deliver the perfect cup with minimal effort.
That’s where the Oracle Touch really shines. While the Oracle also offers automated grinding, tamping, and milk frothing, the Oracle Touch takes things further by offering a more complete automation experience. Once I selected a drink—whether it was an espresso, latte, or cappuccino—the machine took care of everything. It ground the beans, tamped the coffee, brewed the shot, and steamed the milk, all without me lifting a finger. The machine even has a memory feature, so I could save my preferred settings and enjoy the same perfect cup every single time.
Consistency and Performance: Is the Oracle Touch Really That Much Better?
Now, I know what you might be thinking: "Do the performance and consistency really differ that much between the two?" In my experience, yes—there’s a noticeable improvement with the Oracle Touch. With the Oracle, I had to adjust the grind size and milk frothing manually, which sometimes resulted in minor inconsistencies. Sometimes the milk wouldn’t froth perfectly, or the shot wouldn’t pull with the right amount of crema. While these were small issues, they did require a bit more attention.
On the other hand, the Oracle Touch's automatic milk frothing and precise temperature control meant that I could expect the same high-quality results every time, without much intervention. The milk foam was always silky smooth, ideal for latte art, and the espresso had a rich crema. I can’t stress enough how much this consistency has elevated my at-home coffee routine. Whether I’m making a quick morning espresso or a leisurely weekend latte, I know I can trust the Oracle Touch to deliver excellent results each time.
Maintenance: Keeping Things Simple
Another factor that plays a big role in my decision to choose the Oracle Touch is the ease of maintenance. While both machines feature automatic cleaning cycles for the steam wand and group head, the Oracle Touch makes the entire process more intuitive. The touchscreen not only guides you through the cleaning cycles but also alerts you when it’s time to perform maintenance tasks like descaling or emptying the drip tray. I don’t have to worry about remembering when to clean the machine because the Oracle Touch does it for me.
In comparison, the Oracle requires a bit more manual involvement. While it’s still relatively easy to maintain, I found that I had to pay more attention to the machine’s maintenance needs. For example, I would sometimes forget to clean the steam wand after frothing milk, which led to some residue buildup. With the Oracle Touch, this is no longer an issue because the machine prompts me when to take action.
Price: Is the Oracle Touch Worth the Investment?
I’ll admit, when I first looked at the price tags for both the Oracle and Oracle Touch, I was hesitant. Both machines are pricey, and I had to ask myself if the extra investment in the Oracle Touch was really worth it. After using both machines for an extended period, I can confidently say that the Oracle Touch is worth every penny.
Yes, the Oracle Touch is more expensive, but the added convenience, customization, and consistency made the higher price tag more justifiable. It’s a machine that fits seamlessly into my daily routine and makes crafting café-quality coffee a breeze. If you’re someone who enjoys high-quality coffee but doesn’t want to spend too much time fine-tuning settings every morning, the Oracle Touch will likely be a game-changer for you.
Product Review Conclusion: The Oracle Touch Is My Go-To Espresso Machine
Looking back at my experience with both the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch, I can confidently say that the Oracle Touch is the better choice for me. It offers the perfect balance of automation, consistency, and customization, allowing me to make the perfect cup of coffee every time without unnecessary fuss. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, the performance is reliable, and the maintenance is a breeze. While the Oracle is a solid option for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, the Oracle Touch has become my go-to espresso machine for its convenience and high-quality results.
If you’re someone who loves great coffee but doesn’t have the time or patience to manually adjust every setting, the Oracle Touch will make your life much easier. It’s the kind of machine that elevates your daily coffee ritual without overwhelming you with complex features. In the end, the Oracle Touch offers a more modern, efficient, and enjoyable coffee experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade their at-home coffee setup.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch
1. What’s the main difference between the Breville Oracle and the Oracle Touch?
The main difference lies in the interface. The Oracle uses a traditional LCD screen with buttons and knobs for navigation, while the Oracle Touch has a sleek, intuitive touchscreen that simplifies selecting drinks and adjusting settings. The Oracle Touch also offers more automation, making the coffee-making process more convenient.
2. Can both machines make espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos?
Yes, both machines can make espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and other popular coffee drinks. However, the Oracle Touch has more preset drink options and allows you to save customized drink settings, which makes it easier to replicate your preferred coffee every time.
3. Are the Oracle and Oracle Touch easy to clean?
Both machines are designed with easy maintenance in mind. They have automatic cleaning cycles for the steam wand and group head. The Oracle Touch has a more user-friendly interface that guides you through maintenance procedures and notifies you when it’s time for a cleaning cycle, while the Oracle requires more manual intervention.
4. Does the Oracle Touch have better milk frothing than the Oracle?
Yes, the Oracle Touch offers automatic milk frothing with better consistency and ease. It produces silky, microfoam that’s ideal for latte art. The Oracle also froths milk automatically, but you have to manually adjust the settings, which can sometimes result in slight inconsistencies.
5. Is the Breville Oracle Touch worth the higher price?
For many users, yes. While the Oracle Touch is more expensive, the added convenience, automation, and consistency make it a worthwhile investment. The intuitive touchscreen, customizable drink settings, and seamless operation make it a more modern, user-friendly choice for those who value convenience.
6. Can I customize the drinks on both machines?
Yes, both machines offer customization options. The Oracle allows you to adjust grind size, shot time, and milk temperature manually. The Oracle Touch, on the other hand, gives you the ability to save up to 8 personalized coffee settings, offering more flexibility and ease when preparing your drinks.
7. How long does it take to make a cup of coffee with the Oracle Touch?
The Oracle Touch typically takes just a few minutes to make a cup of coffee. Thanks to its automation, it quickly grinds the beans, tamps the coffee, brews the espresso, and froths the milk. The exact time depends on the drink you’re making, but it’s generally quicker than manually adjusting settings on the Oracle.
8. Can I use pre-ground coffee with these machines?
While both the Oracle and Oracle Touch have built-in grinders, you can use pre-ground coffee if you prefer. However, using fresh ground coffee from the built-in grinder usually provides the best results in terms of flavor and crema. Both machines have adjustable grind sizes, so you can customize the grind to suit your preference.
9. Do both machines come with a warranty?
Yes, both the Breville Oracle and Oracle Touch come with a warranty, typically one year. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. It’s always a good idea to check the specific terms of the warranty in your region, as they may vary.
10. Which machine is better for a beginner?
The Breville Oracle Touch is a better choice for beginners due to its user-friendly touchscreen interface and automation. The machine takes care of most of the steps, which makes it easier for someone new to espresso machines. The Oracle requires a bit more hands-on involvement and manual adjustments, which may be more challenging for beginners.