Barista Express vs Oracle: This is a battle between two Breville espresso machines that sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum. And the old saying “you get what you pay for” rings true in this matchup.
The Breville Oracle is equipped with a bunch of bells and whistles to make home-brewing espresso a hands-free experience. Yes, this machine automatically grinds, doses, tamps, froths, and cleans – you will be really impressed by the free time you have during the process. With a staggering 45 grind settings, a double boiler system, and the ability to precisely control the temperature of your milk froth, this machine is truly a barista’s dream.
The Breville Barista Express is the older model and at the lower end of the price spectrum, so it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the winner. But this one isn’t bad at all. It comes with high-quality accessories and can heat up rapidly with the thermocoil heating system. Its steam wand is a bit weak, but it is still a good tool for latte art.
Barista Express Vs Oracle: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Barista Express Vs Oracle: Differences
The Breville Oracle takes the cake over the Barista Express with a 4-1 scoreline. Intrigued by their differences? Keep reading to delve deeper!
Coffee Flavour
Winner: Barista Oracle
Built-in Grinder
Right off the bat, these Breville semi-automatics boast a stainless steel conical burr grinder. Hence, unlike non-grinder machines such as the Breville Duo Temp Pro, these machines offer an all-in-one solution. This saves you not only the cost of a separate grinder but also the kitchen space it would occupy.
Also, the conical burr grinder crushes the beans between two burrs as opposed to merely slicing them (like its blade counterpart). This results in a more consistent grind size, leading to optimal flavor extraction from your coffee and, ultimately, a more balanced and full-bodied cup of espresso.
In addition to providing a high-quality built-in grinder, they also provide a wide range of grind sizes, so you can make tiny changes until you dial in the size that suits your brewing method best. The Barista Express has 16 grind settings, while the Oracle offers a whopping 45 settings. Compared to the industry average of 6, that’s ample room for experimentation.
Most entry-level espresso machines come with a poor-quality plastic tamper that coerces you into an inevitable upgrade, but that’s not the case for the Barista Express. This one comes with a stainless steel tamper that can be attached to the storage slot via magnet. Although this tool is not flawless, it is heavy enough to make it effective.
Manual tamping can be a lot of fun and a way to hone your barista skills, but not everyone finds themselves interested in this odyssey of precision and is willing to spend time on it. That’s why the Barista Oracle’s automatic dosing and tamping station is so appealing.
Yes, the Oracle requires no manual tamping effort. Instead, just choose your desired grind size, have the portafilter inserted into the grinding cradle, and then the machine will grind, dose, and tamp on its own. Everything is automatic, rapid, and mess-free. You can even change the pressure and length of this process.
The Barista Express comes with a 54-mm portafilter, whereas the Breville Oracle leans towards the commercial-grade side with a 58-mm tool for better extraction. Both feel well-made and are firmly in my hand. In turn, Breville includes four filter baskets with the Breville Oracle, including single- and double-shot versions of both the pressurized and non-pressurized baskets. In contrast, you will only get two pressurized portafilter baskets with the Barista Express.
For those who don’t know, the pressurized basket (or double-wall basket) is meant for beginners and non-technical drinkers because it helps pull a good-looking espresso shot even with an inconsistent grind size or uneven tamping. But for a perfect shot, I recommend ditching it in favor of the non-pressurized basket (or the single-wall basket), though it takes dedication and time to hone your technique.
Heating System
The Breville Oracle boasts two boilers, while the Breville Barista Express uses a single thermocoil heating system. Without thinking, the former has the advantage over the latter in terms of its ability to simultaneously brew espresso and steam milk, saving time and making the process more efficient. Moreover, each boiler is set to the ideal temperature for each function, ensuring each heat-up process is accurate and consistent.
Having just one heating system means the Barista Express can’t multitask at once, but that’s not the end of the world. This one uses thermocoil technology that heats up water on the fly in just 30 seconds, cutting the wait time between brewing and steaming. All right, it’s not the newest, fastest heating technology (this title belongs to the thermojet), but it still represents a substantial leap forward from the conventional boiler, which requires approximately 20 minutes to reach the optimal brewing temperature.
Both have a cup warming tray on top to pre-heat your cups to maintain the temperature of the espresso once it’s poured, ensuring that the flavors and aromas are retained. But the Oracle’s cup warming tray has a separate heating element instead of relying on heat from the boiler like the Barista Express’s warmer. This ensures a stable and consistent temperature, independent of the activities of the boiler.
Brewing System
Pre-infusion! Right! This function is available in all Breville models, including the Barista Express vs Oracle and most espresso machines. In layman’s terms, this involves a small amount of hot water being introduced into the coffee grounds before the brewing process kicks in at full pressure, making the grounds expand or “bloom” and allowing for a more even extraction. Even better, both allow you to tweak the amount of time you want to spend in this stage based on the type of coffee you’re using or the specific flavor profile you’re aiming for.
After this low-pressure process, their 15-bar pumps will slowly increase to the maximum pressure to extract espresso. This is quite impressive, especially considering a pressure of 9 bars is typically considered the gold standard for espresso brewing. And the results? Just one word: scrumptious! Both could produce a nice shot crowned with a gleaming golden layer of crema. It’s the perfect kick-start that any coffee purist, including myself, craves before stepping out the door every morning.
Milk Frothing System
These Brevilles are steam wand-fitted machines, but they’re really not the same. While the Barista Express has a professional-style wand, the Oracle features an upgraded hybrid wand.
The Barista Express‘s manual wand features a one-hole tip. So, it is quite weak in comparison to others, such as the 4-hole wand on the Barista Pro, making the frothing process somewhat slow. Nevertheless, it didn’t hamper my ability to create lovely, silky microfoam for latte art with it. Just remember, it doesn’t handle everything for you. If you’re a first-timer, be prepared to invest some elbow grease and practice your milk-texturing technique.
On the flip side, the 2-in-1 wand is among the biggest selling points of the Breville Oracle. Why? It is the first wand that I know of that can both automatically and manually froth milk. Well, I think it’s definitely designed so anyone can use it, spanning from skilled baristas to novices exploring the art of espresso craftsmanship.
In auto mode, this acts like a Pannarello wand. I mean, all you need to do is set the desired temperature (from 104 to 167°F), immerse the wand in your milk pitcher, and then go about your other kitchen tasks. The machine will take care of frothing the milk and purging the steam when it’s done.
This automatic function is a game-changer for beginners since perfecting the milk steaming technique takes time and effort – even a lot of effort. There is a minor temperature sensor on the tip of the wand that will prompt you when the milk has reached the destination temperature so that you can turn it off. If you want to release your inner latte artist and take control of the whole frothing process yourself, just flip a lever on the right side of the machine and show off your skills.
I loved that both came out of the box with a stainless steel milk carafe as part of the package, which I strongly urge other manufacturers, like Jura, to emulate. Also, these wands can freely rotate 360 degrees, simplifying the task of positioning your pitcher.
Design & Usability
Winner: Barista Oracle
Dimensions, Footprint, & Weight
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Oracle | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 13.5 x 16 inches | 14.7 x 16.1 x 17.8 inches |
| Weight | 26 lbs | 36 lbs |
These handsome Baristas are very heavy, especially the Barista Oracle, which is even the heaviest espresso machine I’ve ever grappled with. However, once they’re ensconced on your kitchen countertop, they not only look chic but also occupy minimal space. The Oracle comes with the added perk of a roller bearing system: just twist a knob under the drip tray, and you can effortlessly access its rear-positioned water tank.
Talking of the control panel, the Barista Express only has some clearly labeled buttons and knobs and a pressure gauge, which are easy to use but might feel like a throwback in our touch-screen-centric world. The Barista Oracle, on the other hand, even has three LCD displays, including two sub-displays on either side and the main one in the center: the left one shows the current grind size, whereas the other shows the milk’s temperature.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Oracle |
|---|---|
| Espresso Hot Water | Espresso Americano Hot Water |
These units offer high levels of programmability, covering everything from grind size to pre-infusion time. You can also adjust the volume of coffee grounds, the length of your espresso shot, and the brewing temperature. The Barista Express takes it a step further, offering you pinpoint control over the frothiness and temperature of the milk froth as well as the tamping process, both in terms of length and pressure.
Whenever you run out of coffee beans or need to entertain no-caffeine guests, you can use pre-ground coffee with the pressurized filter basket to brew some cups of decaf. Both have a separate hot water spout, enabling you to whip up an Americano free from milk residue. The Barista Oracle even has an Americano button with three customizable size and strength settings.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Oracle | |
|---|---|---|
| Spout Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4 inches | 4 inches |
They have no height-adjustable dispensing spout, but that is not a big deal. There is a generous amount of room under their portafilters, so you can even put a travel mug under there. To fit taller insulated coffee mugs, you can remove the drip tray to have more clearance. I’d also recommend somehow elevating your espresso cups to minimize any splashing and safeguard that heavenly crema layer.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Barista Express | Breville Oracle | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2 liter | 2.5 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.24 liter | 0.24 liter |
Their rear-positioned, sizable water tanks save you from the hassle of frequent refills throughout the day, ensuring that the machine can operate for extended periods without intervention.
Adding an extra layer of convenience, the Barista Oracle has a roller-bearing system, enabling easy and effort-free access to its water reservoir. Not to mention, this one has a unique refill slot located on top, so you can even replenish the tank without seeing it. There’s also a handy water level window located at the front of the machine, enabling you to know when a fresh water supply is needed. This is a nice-to-have addition, but I think it’s a bit redundant since the display will alert you both when it’s time to refill the tank and when to change the water filter.
Right, they come with a water filter as an option, and, of course, you can bypass it if you’re using pre-filtered or even bottled water. However, if your water source is less than pristine, I’d highly recommend utilizing this feature. It serves a dual purpose: not only does it enhance the flavor of your brewed espresso by eliminating impurities, but it also contributes to the longevity of the machine itself.
Their bean hoppers are airtight, ensuring your precious coffee beans are stored in an element-free environment. That way, it can maintain the oils and aromas in coffee beans, which are essential for flavor and aroma. So you leave a significant amount of coffee there.
Cleaning & Maintenance
When it comes to upkeep, Breville has your back by providing all the essentials for cleaning and maintenance. I always appreciate such thoughtfulness. The machines’ control panels even send out reminders for cleaning or emptying tasks. If in doubt, just refer to the user manual.
Both have some parts that can be removed as easily as pie to empty or clean (under the tap), such as the drip tray, the used coffee grounds box, the bean hopper, the water tank, the portafilter, etc. There is a built-in charming floaty indicator that will float and become visible when the drip tray fills up to tell you when it is ready to be emptied. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but this thing is irresistibly cute to me.
Unlike others, their built-in grinders are also detachable for deep cleaning, ensuring no residual oils accumulate. Just lift the conical bean hopper to unveil the stainless steel conical burrs, remove the inner burr, and you’re all set for a no-fuss cleaning experience. It would be nice to be able to do the same thing with their brewing groups.
After preparing a milk-based drink, just clip the Breville Oracle’s wand back into place, and it will automatically initiate a blast of steam to purge milk residue. As for the Breville Barista Express, you will have to turn the steam knob for a quick flush. Everything is easy peasy lemon squeezy! Well, don’t forget to give them a wipe with a damp rag.
Regarding descaling, Breville also includes a dedicated descaler in the package, and all you need to do is drop it into the water tank and start an automatic cleaning cycle. If you use the water filter, you will rarely have to do this.
Utilities & Other Features
Winner: Barista Oracle
Auto On/Off
While the Breville Barista Express is programmed to automatically shut down after 30 minutes of inactivity, the Breville Oracle elevates your customization by allowing you to adjust this automatic shutoff timer to your personal preference. Better yet, this one can also be programmed to automatically turn on at a fixed time of day, adding a level of convenience to your morning routine or any time you prefer to have your coffee.
Quick Rundown Of Breville Oracle
- AUTOMATIC MICROFOAM MILK TEXTURING: Self-cleaning steam wand, powered by a dedicated boiler, automatically textures milk to your liking and delivers barista quality microfoam that enhances flavour and is essential for creating latte art at home
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Dual stainless steel boilers and heated group head controlled by digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: The Over Pressure Valve limits the maximum pump pressure throughout extraction, helping prevent bitter flavours; Low pressure pre infusion gradually increases water pressure to gently expand grinds for an even extraction
- SHOT CONTROL AND LCD DISPLAY: Choose between one shot, two shots or manual control on the LCD display to control how much espresso ends up in your cup to make the perfect coffee/espresso every time
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Barista Express
- Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription when you purchase a selected Breville espresso machine. Valid Aug 1, 2023 until Jun 30, 2024
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References:
- Breville Oracle: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes980.html
- Breville Barista Express: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
I’m Floyd J. Alcock, an experienced barista with a deep love for coffee. I curate personalized coffee experiences, guiding customers through diverse flavor profiles and suggesting ideal brewing methods. My extensive knowledge of espresso machines enables me to recommend the best equipment to match specific needs and budgets. Sharing my expertise and passion with coffee enthusiasts brings immense satisfaction. I look forward to continuing my journey of coffee discovery with every customer I serve, fostering connections over a shared love for this magical beverage.