Barista Express Vs Oracle: Exciting Competition Of 2 Espresso Machine

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It is no surprise that both the Barista Express Vs Oracle are elegant espresso machines for aspiring espresso makers. But the Breville Oracle is more capable of preparing espresso than the Barista Express. This super-automatic unit is super-automatic. Therefore, you can save valuable time and effort when operating this unit.

The Breville Barista Express offers a barista-like experience that you won’t find elsewhere if you want to learn about coffee. It features intuitive features that will help you learn how to brew espresso more easily. As a product with various features and high-quality and durable parts, it can hold up to a wide range of daily tasks.

Barista Express Vs Oracle – Comparison Chart

Image
The Winner (#1)
Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Runner-Up (#2)
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Black Sesame, BES870BSXL
Model
Breville Oracle 980XL
Breville Barista Express BES870
Dimensions (LxWxH)
14.5 x 14.7 x 17.6 Inches
12 x 11 x 13.5 Inches
Weight
37.26 Pounds
23 Pounds
Color
Brushed Stainless Steel
Brushed Stainless Steel
Power/Voltage
1800 W/ 110–120 V
1600 W/ 110–120 V
Material
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Water Tank Capacity
84 ounce
67 ounce
Pressure Gauge
Interface
LCD Display, Button Control
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Temperature Controls
Dual Boiler
Thermoblock
Shot Dose
22g
19-22g
One-Touch Functionality
Automatic Milk Temperature
Bean Hopper Capacity
270g
250g
Built-in Grinder
What I Like
  • Efficiencies are maximized with an automatic shutoff timer.
  • Easily make a double espresso with the easy-to-use Americano function.
  • Consistently produces espresso shots.
  • Perfect for lovers of straight espresso.
  • Enhanced espresso flavor with nuance and complexity
  • Compact and sleek design.
  • Extraction pressure gauge for precise coffee extraction.
  • A stainless steel milk frother with a strong design.
  • A fast and robust built-in grinder.
  • Shooting volume experience on a real-world basis.
Price
$2,199.95
$749.95
The Winner (#1)
Image
Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
Model
Breville Oracle 980XL
Dimensions (LxWxH)
14.5 x 14.7 x 17.6 Inches
Weight
37.26 Pounds
Color
Brushed Stainless Steel
Power/Voltage
1800 W/ 110–120 V
Material
Stainless Steel
Water Tank Capacity
84 ounce
Pressure Gauge
Interface
LCD Display, Button Control
Temperature Controls
Dual Boiler
Shot Dose
22g
One-Touch Functionality
Automatic Milk Temperature
Bean Hopper Capacity
270g
Built-in Grinder
What I Like
  • Efficiencies are maximized with an automatic shutoff timer.
  • Easily make a double espresso with the easy-to-use Americano function.
  • Consistently produces espresso shots.
  • Perfect for lovers of straight espresso.
  • Enhanced espresso flavor with nuance and complexity
Price
$2,199.95
More Info
The Runner-Up (#2)
Image
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Black Sesame, BES870BSXL
Model
Breville Barista Express BES870
Dimensions (LxWxH)
12 x 11 x 13.5 Inches
Weight
23 Pounds
Color
Brushed Stainless Steel
Power/Voltage
1600 W/ 110–120 V
Material
Stainless Steel
Water Tank Capacity
67 ounce
Pressure Gauge
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Temperature Controls
Thermoblock
Shot Dose
19-22g
One-Touch Functionality
Automatic Milk Temperature
Bean Hopper Capacity
250g
Built-in Grinder
What I Like
  • Compact and sleek design.
  • Extraction pressure gauge for precise coffee extraction.
  • A stainless steel milk frother with a strong design.
  • A fast and robust built-in grinder.
  • Shooting volume experience on a real-world basis.
Price
$749.95
More Info

Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Barista Express Vs Oracle – Differences

When choosing between the Breville Oracle and Barista Express, Oracle comes at a higher price. Paying more money would allow you to get better, integrated features, such as automatic tamping, a dual boiler, and a quicker grinder.

Because of this, the Breville Oracle might be the best option. For a functional yet classy choice for beginners and intermediates, it outperforms the Barista Express 4-2!

1. EASE OF USE

The winner: Oracle

Using a fully automatic espresso maker is easier and faster than using a manual one. The superior brewing technology of these machines also makes them readily available to baristas.

Buying a fully automatic brewer is the best way to ensure that you make cup after cup of coffee. With the Oracle, you’ll get a fully automatic burr grinder. The machine allows you to grind the beans into small pieces and then brew them in minutes, all by pressing a button.

There is perfect control over the volume, the amount of time, and the size of the grind. Depending on which drink you choose, for instance, latte, cappuccino, Americana or a flat white, the Oracle will adjust the variables accordingly. While the settings are automatically applied to each drink, they are not the same.

On the other hand, the Breville Barista Express may be a bit of a challenge to use. Because it is not as simple as the Oracle, users will need to exercise a bit of guesswork, experiment, and customize it to their liking to make it work for them.

Even so, the program’s performance is smooth and consistent, just like in the Oracle program. Furthermore, you can adjust the amount of water that passes through the grounds. Here is one difference between the Oracle and Barista Express, controlling the amount of water to deliver better results than the latter.

2. HEATING ELEMENT

The winner: Barista Express

Barista Express uses a Thermocoil heating system
Barista Express uses a Thermocoil heating system

The Breville Oracle has a stainless steel dual boiler that heats up quickly and maintains a constant temperature, making brewing easier.

It may sound odd, but espresso machines initially used stainless steel boilers to create heat!

You have two boilers in the Oracle, one used for steaming milk and another for making espresso. If your beverage is a latte or flat white, this will save you a lot of time during the brewing process and in between the brewing process and steaming period.

After the machine has brewed espresso, it will not lower the temperature. And the steam heater used in this machine ensures that the milk is heated up to the perfect temperature so that you can froth it up perfectly!

Because of this, the Oracle is a little heavier and less energy efficient than it would otherwise be. That might be because of the higher power consumption required to keep the temperature stable.

A Thermoblock heating element powers the Barista Express. As compared to stainless steel boilers, using Thermoblock has fewer advantages.

It keeps the water warm for a short time but cannot keep it at a higher temperature for brews and steamers. It can slightly affect the temperature of the milk, keeping it a little less warm.

Nevertheless, several advantages come with using Thermoblock, such as higher energy efficiency, lighter weight, and longer-lasting performance.

3. SIZE

The winner: Oracle

A Breville Oracle has a larger size than a Barista Express. The Barista Express weighs 23 pounds, compared to 34.5 pounds for the Oracle.

Aside from being heavier, it also has a larger water reservoir capacity of 2.5L versus 2L for the Barista Express. It is broader and taller than Barista Express because of the stainless steel dual boilers.

In general, both espresso machines are solidly built. In addition, the Oracle offers the unique feature of having access to the water reservoir from the back, and it includes an indicator for water level so you can accurately measure when to add water.

In the Barista Express, the water tank is accessible from the back. This machine offers a durable, space-saving, and compact design.  

4. COFFEE GRINDING

The winner: Oracle

Breville Oracle: Grinding function
Breville Oracle: Grinding function

The Oracle also comes with a larger bean hopper capacity of 270 grams. The container is lockable. You can keep them for the longest time without worrying about spoiling them.

This machine is equipped with automated grinding, dosing, and tamping processes. You will not have to add the coffee beans (of your choice) into the machine’s hopper, and the device will take care of the rest.

Oracle grinds and tamps precisely 22g of coffee using conical burr technology, making it the perfect espresso grinder. As a result, it produces a rich and delicious flavour for drinking straight, hot with water, or with milk steamed.

Portafilters are made of high-quality stainless steel and are 58mm in diameter, which, according to baristas, is the minor diameter for the professional range.

With the Barista Express, you can use a bean hopper that holds 250g of beans. You can remove it for cleaning or refilling the coffee beans if you wish. However, this is a removable lid, so it is not very secure. If you are going to add coffee beans to your cup, I suggest you only add the amount necessary for each cup you wish to prepare.

You can use the slider to quickly and easily change the size of the grind. You don’t need to do anything else except let the machine grind the coffee into the portafilter for you. As it is not a fully automatic machine, it takes some time to determine the right amount of coffee for the perfect espresso flavor.

5. INTERFACE

Breville Oracle: Interface
Breville Oracle: Interface

The winner: Barista Express

An LCD display on the Breville Oracle allows users to pick between certain variables. They can toggle between shot volumes and the manual mode. You see all the information needed to prepare your espresso.

The Barista Express has a more basic but still helpful interface with an analogue gauge and button control. The pressure gauge is beneficial because it appears to display the actual pressure levels of the espresso machine. You can maximize flavour extraction by tamping the coffee to the correct amount.

6. STEAM WAND

The winner: Oracle

Each of the espresso machines has a fantastic steam wand on the side. Among them, Oracle comes with an integrated steam system that features automatic and manual controls. The wand’s tip contains a sensor with a thermostat that touches the milk to reach the correct steaming temperature.

You will see on the LCD display when the milk temperature reaches the high temperature needed for optimal frothing results. Alternatively, you can also set the temperature by hand if you like your coffee at a specific temperature, whether it is very hot or warm.

As a final note, the steam wand has a function to clean itself when used automatically, making everything a lot easier! After use, it self-cleans as soon as it’s placed in its original position, along with its original settings.

In the Barista Express steam wand, you will find traditional design and power. If you use it in conjunction with a hot water dispenser, you can control how much foam is dispensed. With the help of a damp cloth and some purging, you can clean the steam wand easily. 

After being used for a while, the device automatically lets out several hot bursts to clean itself. The use of this auto-purge feature makes cleansing more effective and lasting.

Barista Express Vs Oracle – Similarities

Similarities between Barista Express Vs Oracle
Similarities between Barista Express Vs Oracle

1. PRE-INFUSION TECHNOLOGY

When it comes to home brewing coffee, pre-infusion espresso can be a game-changer. In fact, these espresso machines both come with pre-infusion technology.

The machine pre-infuses the coffee grounds during the pre-infusion process and then passes hot water through the puck. When the grounds are soaked inside the machine’s portafilter itself, they are ensured to be fully immersed in hot water before brewing. In this way, as the hot water permeates through the coffee, it triggers a richer taste, a better crema, and a more robust aroma.

2. DOSE CONTROL

An espresso with creamy crema requires lower pressure and pre-infusion as well as proper dose control. Fortunately, both the Breville Oracle and Barista Express have these features.

The perfect dose for espresso is between 19 and 22 grams. Baristas follow this dose standard for espresso. Consequently, their espresso will be the richest you’ve ever tasted.

An espresso that is less or more than what’s recommended will be watery, and an espresso that is too much will cause a powdery, bitter taste.

Quick Rundown of Breville Oracle 980XL

Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted

Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Efficiencies are maximized with an automatic shutoff timer.
  • Easily make a double espresso with the easy-to-use Americano function.
  • Consistently produces espresso shots.
  • Perfect for lovers of straight espresso.
  • Enhanced espresso flavor with nuance and complexity.
Cons
  • Counter space is required for it.

Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Express BES870XL

Sale
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel, BES870XL
  • Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use

Last update on 2023-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Compact and sleek design.
  • Extraction pressure gauge for precise coffee extraction.
  • A stainless steel milk frother with a strong design.
  • A fast and robust built-in grinder.
  • Shooting volume experience on a real-world basis.
Cons
  • Learning the program requires some effort.
  • It has a limited capacity.

Product Video

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