You guys already know how much I love Breville espresso machines. So, whenever I catch wind of a new release I get pretty excited. As it happens, the Australian powerhouse released the Breville Oracle Jet last year, and it's available for purchase from Seattle Coffee Gear.
You guys already know how much I love Breville espresso machines. So, whenever I catch wind of a new release I get pretty excited. As it happens, the Australian powerhouse released the Breville Oracle Jet last year, and it’s available for purchase from Seattle Coffee Gear.
As you might expect, the Oracle Jet was sold out for quite some time, so I wasn’t able to buy one right away. However, the box finally arrived on my doorstep last week and I’ve been putting the Oracle Jet through its paces ever since.
In my updated review I’ll discuss the ins and outs of the new addition to Breville’s Oracle line and give you plenty of insight into what it’s all about. Let’s dive right in!
New release
Breville Oracle Jet
This could be Breville’s best yet
Sleek design
Awesome touchscreen
Improved milk system
58mm portafilter
Many adjustable settings
Not suitable for true espresso nerds
Table of Contents
- Overview
- FeaturesSize and DesignColorsUser InterfaceConical Burr GrinderDosing and TampingPortafilterThermoJet HeatingMilk IQ SystemSpecialty Drinks & Cold Espresso
- How to UseDrink PreparationMy Observations
- Cleaning
- Specifications
- vs Other Espresso MachinesBarista Touch ImpressOracle TouchComparison Chart
- Verdict
- FAQ
Overview: Breville Oracle Jet Review
I’ve always admired Breville, seeing as the manufacturer is constantly improving its home espresso machines.
For example, I was a little disappointed by the Breville Barista Express Impress. However, a few months later the Breville Barista Touch Impress came out and really blew me away. It was obvious that the Aussies had recognized some of the limitations of the Touch Express and worked hard to improve the subsequent model.
With all that said, is there really a need for another machine in the Oracle series? I mean, the Breville Oracle Touch is almost perfect in every way, from its intuitive controls to its dual boilers and professional portafilter.
So, I guess I approached this Breville Oracle Jet review with a touch of cynicism. I mean, I was fairly confident it’d deliver the goods, but was far from convinced it was necessary.
Moving on, there is a lot to get excited about here. For example, the Oracle Jet has an updated touchscreen interface that looks super cool. What’s more, the manufacturer has again put a Baratza grinder in one of its products.
That said, I was also skeptical about the decision to go with a ThermoJet heating system rather than a dual boiler setup. To me, this seemed like a big step down from the Oracle Touch.
Anyway, none of this stopped me from buying the Breville Oracle Jet as soon as I could. Besides, at around $2,000, it’s a good deal more affordable than the Oracle Touch. I’ll share my thoughts and experiences throughout this review, but I’ll give a little spoiler right away: I absolutely love this machine!
Breville Oracle Jet Features
Let’s continue this initial Breville Oracle Jet review by checking out the many features on offer.
Size and Design
Upon first impression, the new Breville Oracle Jet looks almost exactly the same as the Oracle Touch. However, look a little closer and it’s clear that Breville has made a few tweaks.
The most obvious difference is that the touch screen is clearer and has a dark background. What’s more, the machine looks a little more compact and streamlined.
Still, clocking in at almost 27 pounds (12 kilograms), the Breville Oracle Jet is pretty bulky. Plus, you’ll need plenty of counter space in your kitchen. With that said, at least you won’t need additional space for a burr coffee grinder. Anyway, Breville has included a really neat locking wheel system that allows you to easily move the machine around.
At this point I should also mention the Breville Oracle Jet’s huge 77-ounce (1.3-liter) water reservoir. It pulls out from the rear of the machine, but you’re also able to add water via a neat little door at the front.
Overall, the Oracle Jet is immediately recognizable as a Breville product. That says a lot about how well the company’s design team has created a unique design language for its machines.
Colors
As you guys probably know, I’m always partial to Breville machines in Brushed Stainless Steel. However, for those of you with more extravagant tastes, Breville has you covered. The Australians have never shied away from using “interesting” colors, so you won’t be surprised to learn that the Oracle Jet is also available in the following hues:
Black Truffle
Sea Salt
Damson Blue
Olive Tapenade
Why Breville felt the need to use “Olive Tapenade” rather than “Green” is beyond me. Still, I’m sure plenty of folks will appreciate the evocative nature of the manufacturer’s color choices.
User Interface
I’ve long been a fan of Breville’s touchscreen user interfaces. Still, there’s no getting around the fact that they’re often rather sluggish and glitchy.
Well, the manufacturer has most definitely addressed that particular problem with the Oracle Jet. The machine’s beautiful 5-inch (12.7-centimeter) Android-based screen features a much higher refresh rate and a smoother experience overall. Plus, the high-definition dark background looks very snazzy indeed.
Oh, and the Breville Oracle Jet can connect to WiFi, so you can make sure the machine is always up to date with any new features.
During my testing I found that navigating the menus was about as intuitive as it gets. Breville’s Touch machines offer an amazing experience if you’re willing to let the machine guide you. Plus, more experienced baristas can tweak various settings, including temperature and preinfusion time.
Conical Burr Grinder
Until fairly recently I was unaware that Breville had purchased Baratza in 2020. Even though the Barista Touch Impress was equipped with a Baratza grinder.
Like the Barista Touch Impress, the Breville Oracle Jet is equipped with a brand new Baratza grinder. Offering 45 grind adjustment settings, this grinder offers extreme precision and control, which is very exciting. In fact, the grinding adjustment felt pretty much stepless when I was making changes.
If you turn the side adjustment dial, the display shows you the grind setting. This is always represented by whole numbers. Still, I’m sure that the conical burrs work continuously, so a value with decimal places would have been great.
During my test I used a very freshly roasted bag of my Coffeeness Espresso Blend, so I set the grinder a little coarser:
At a grind setting of 32 I got the best results for ristretto espresso
At 37 I was able to get a pleasant lungo with a medium body
If the Oracle Jet decides that your grind wasn’t right, according to the extraction time, it’ll suggest a different setting afterward. And I found that it’s always right.
Dosing and Tamping
Given that this is a member of the Oracle series of machines, I wasn’t surprised to see that the manufacturer has gone with the same style of dosing and tamping. Rather than the “one-armed bandit” tamping involved with the Barista Touch Impress, this system involves simply placing the portafilter in the grinder cradle and letting the machine do the rest.
My main complaint about this in regards to the Oracle Touch was that it was really difficult to adjust the dose when I wanted to. However, I found that the Oracle Jet dosed the correct amount of coffee (22 grams) every time. Then again, most people who buy this machine will be doing so for the amount of automation it offers.
Portafilter
While some folks will tell you that portafilter size doesn’t matter, there’s a reason pros always use those with a 58-millimeter diameter. For starters, you can dose the portafilter with more coffee, thereby achieving a greater extraction yield. What’s more, your puck will be thinner with a larger surface area, so you’ll get a more even extraction.
All that to say I’m very happy to see that the Breville Oracle Jet comes equipped with a 58mm portafilter. Oh, and this awesome espresso machine only comes with single wall filter baskets. That’s how you know Breville means business with the Oracle Jet!
ThermoJet Heating
As I mentioned earlier, I’m a little disappointed by Breville’s decision to abandon the dual boiler system in favor of its ThermoJet heating.
I encountered the ThermoJet system when I tested the Breville Barista Touch Impress, and while it’s super quick and energy efficient, there are drawbacks. For starters, you have to purge the group head several times before it’s at the correct temperature for extraction. What’s more, you’re often dealing with a cold portafilter.
Fortunately, Breville has installed a second dedicated ThermoJet heater in the group head itself. During my testing I found that my espresso always arrived at optimal temperature, so we can call that a success!
Of course, you can’t make espresso and steam milk simultaneously like you can with the Oracle Touch.
With all that said, the Oracle Jet consistently delivers water at 199.4 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius), which is optimal for espresso extraction. Plus, the machine’s PID controller allows you to adjust the brewing temperature in 1-degree increments, which is rather impressive.
Milk IQ System
I’ve never been able to find fault with Breville’s automatic milk frothers, although I remember being skeptical at first. However, all the machines that can steam milk for you have really delivered the goods. And by that I mean they can create silky microfoam that’s probably better than what I can do by hand.
So, I can confidently say that the Breville Oracle Jet’s Milk IQ system is a joy to use. Naturally, the manufacturer has included an improvement or two, including a temperature sensor in the wand tip rather than on the drip tray. Apparently, this ensures milk foam with a better texture for latte art, but I was happy enough with what came before.
By the way, Breville has included the same non-dairy milk settings that I tested on the Barista Touch Impress. So, if you’re using oat milk for example, the steam wand will adjust itself accordingly and perform differently.
As with my previous experience, I was left feeling like it’s just a sales gimmick. In fact, the regular setting worked best for all types of milk.
Specialty Drinks & Cold Espresso
The Breville Oracle Jet offers a specialty drink menu that’ll be familiar to Breville fans. All the usual culprits like latte and cappuccino make an appearance, as well as hot chocolate and the dreaded babyccino.
Interestingly enough, the Oracle Jet includes cold brew as one of its specialty drinks. I’ve actually experienced very tasty cold extractions from machines like the Jura Z10 and the Spinn Coffee Maker, and I expected a similar approximation of cold brew here. Who knows? Maybe the Oracle Jet would make it onto my list of the best cold brew coffee makers.
After testing the cold brewing capabilities, I’m just saying this: the coffee is extracted more slowly during the brewing process, the brew group isn’t heated and the water pressure is slightly reduced. And what arrived in my cup was an “interesting” brew that you can drink black, with cold milk or various milk alternatives. In my experience, it’s best brewed directly over ice cubes.
How to Use the Breville Oracle Jet Coffee Machine
At this point in my Breville Oracle Jet review, I should remind you that this machine is about as user friendly as it gets. Sure, the Oracle Jet might look a little intimidating, but believe me when I tell you the machine will do most of the hard barista work.
Before first use, make sure to rinse all removable parts then let them dry fully. That way you’ll get rid of any lingering factory dust as well as nasty plastic smells.
Once that’s done, attach the bean hopper, lock it into place and fill it with your best espresso beans. Now’s the time to install the filter in the water tank and add cold water. And there’s a test strip included to measure your water’s hardness.
After switching the machine on for the first time, you’ll be guided through a setup menu. This is where you’ll set the time, default milk and water hardness. And if you’re feeling a little nervous, there’s a helpful tutorial where the machine walks you through all its features.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
Drink Preparation
If you’ve never used an espresso machine, I’d recommend checking out the user manual. However, for those with a modicum of experience, I say throw caution to the wind and play around!
After selecting your desired drink from the menu, you’ll be taken to the drink screen. Here, you can adjust numerous settings for espresso and milk foam. You’ll also see your grind size, which you can adjust using the dial on the side of the machine. Breville recommends starting with a grind size of 15.
Next, insert the portafilter into the grinder cradle and press the portafilter icon.
Take a moment to enjoy the fact that your machine is grinding and dosing 22 grams of coffee, then tamping without you having to lift a finger.
I recommend flushing the group head for a few seconds before inserting the portafilter into the group head and locking it into place. That way you’ll bring it up to the correct temperature for brewing.
If you’re making a milk-based drink, now’s the time to add milk to the pitcher and set it in place on the sensor with the steam wand submerged. You can also input the type of milk you’re using, your desired temperature and preferred texture.
Finally, tap the espresso icon to start brewing. You can also tap the milk pitcher icon to enable the Auto Queue feature. Once your espresso is ready, the machine will automatically start steaming milk. Oh, and the Barista Guidance System will give feedback on your espresso shot in case it feels like you should change your grind for next time.
My Observations
According to Breville, you only have to adjust the grind; the machine will take care of the rest automatically. You can rely on that, but I still think it’s important to be able to tweak settings for the perfect drink.
Adjusting volume is (of course) as simple as can be. Just go to the drinks menu and adjust the parameters to your taste.
As usual, I set my espresso to 1.2 ounces (35 milliliters). I’d also recommend reducing the lungo volume to around 4 ounces (120 milliliters).
As for brewing temperature, the Breville was remarkably consistent. Still, I’d go ahead and increase the temperature for lighter coffee roast profiles.
Of course, I used my Coffeeness espresso beans for this test and found that the Breville Oracle Jet immediately found the best settings for optimal extraction. My espresso shots were full-bodied, with prominent notes of dark chocolate, caramel and almond. What’s more, there was a thick layer of luxurious crema.
As for the Breville lungo, it featured a medium body, pleasant freshness and a touch of nutty chocolate.
For both drinks I obediently followed the machine’s instructions, which included preheating my Coffeeness espresso glasses. At 149 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius), the espresso was simply perfect, while the lungo also had a perfect coffee temperature of 174 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius).
Breville Oracle Jet Cleaning
I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that cleaning and maintaining the Breville Oracle Jet is a piece of cake. Seriously, every deep cleaning task, from group head backflushing to descaling is automated.
And as you’d imagine, the machine guides you through every step of the process via its touchscreen display.
With all that said, you will have to perform a few daily tasks to keep the Oracle Jet in good working order. For starters, make sure to empty and rinse the portafilter after each espresso shot. Oh, and give the filter screen a quick wipe off too.
As for the automatic steam wand, it has a nifty self-rising feature that kicks in after every steaming cycle. Still, I’d recommend always wiping it off with a damp cloth to prevent nasty buildup.
Breville Oracle Jet Technical Specifications
| Breville Oracle Jet | |
| Manufacturer | Breville |
|---|---|
| Model number | BES985 |
| Product category | Hybrid espresso machine |
| Housing material | Stainless steel with plastic parts |
| Color options | Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue, Olive Tapenade, Sea Salt |
| Milk frother | Steam wand |
| User interface | Touchscreen |
| App | |
| User profiles | Memo function only |
| Portafilter size | 58 mm |
| Tamping | Automatic |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 77.8 fl oz / 2.3 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.0 in / 10.2 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | 45 |
| Bean hopper capacity | 12.0 oz / 340.0 g |
| Specialty drinks | 10 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | |
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) |
| Hot water function | |
| Hot milk function | |
| Milk foam only option | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 1500 W |
| Weight | 26.7 lb / 12.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 16.7 x 15.0 x 14.5 in |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, milk steaming pitcher, knock box, 2 x filter baskets, cleaning / maintenance supplies |
| All specifications | |
Breville Oracle Jet vs Other Espresso Machines
Breville Oracle Jet vs Barista Touch Impress
Although the Breville Barista Touch Impress is only mid-range in terms of equipment and automation, it has long been one of my favorites. Costing $1,482.00, it achieves the perfect mix of Breville’s automated “4-key formula” and manual barista vibes.
The automatic steaming system and the temperature control are identical, and the Barista Touch Impress also guides you along the way. Still, not to the same extent as the Oracle Jet.
Nevertheless, I am still a Touch Impress fan. For a significantly lower price you get a user-friendly and reliable machine with tons of adjustable settings and decent accessories.
Plus, you can decide for yourself whether you want to test your barista skills or let the machine do most of the work. On the other hand, the Oracle Jet almost demands that you sacrifice control.
See Also: Breville Barista Touch Impress Review
Breville Oracle Jet vs Oracle Touch
In my opinion, the $2,799.95 Breville Oracle Touch will either receive a major update soon or disappear from the Oracle lineup altogether. And if the manufacturer decides to update, ThermoJet technology should become the standard system for upper class machines.
If everything stays the same with the Oracle Touch, there aren’t too many reasons to buy it since the release of the Oracle Jet.
Sure, the central elements (grinder, Auto MilQ system, tamper) are identical, and the touchscreen and accessories are similarly high-end.
However, as a dual boiler machine, the Oracle Touch has so far played in its own league. Thanks to separate boilers for brewing and steaming, you can brew coffee and froth milk at the same time.
The Oracle Jet is “only” a single boiler espresso machine, but thanks to the ThermoJet heating system and AutoQueue function it feels almost as fast as a dual boiler. So, my recommendation can only be to buy the Oracle Jet.
See Also: Breville Oracle Touch Review
Breville Oracle Jet vs Others Comparison Chart
| Breville Oracle Jet | Breville Barista Touch Impress | Breville Oracle Touch | |
| Manufacturer | Breville | Breville | Breville |
| Model number | BES985 | BES881BSS1BNA1 | BES990BST1BUS1/BES990DBL1BUS1/BES990BTR1BUS1/BES990BSS1BUS1 |
| Product category | Hybrid espresso machine | Hybrid espresso machine | Hybrid espresso machine |
| Housing material | Stainless steel with plastic parts | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Color options | Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue, Olive Tapenade, Sea Salt | Brushed Stainless Steel | Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue |
| Milk frother | Steam wand | Steam wand | Steam wand |
| User interface | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| App | |||
| User profiles | Memo function only | 1 | Memo function only |
| Portafilter size | 58 mm | 54 mm | 58 mm |
| Tamping | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Removable water reservoir | |||
| Water reservoir capacity | 77.8 fl oz / 2.3 l | 67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l | 84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.0 in / 10.2 cm | 3.9 in / 9.9 cm | 4.0 in / 10.2 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | 45 | 30 | 45 |
| Bean hopper capacity | 12.0 oz / 340.0 g | 12.0 oz / 340.0 g | 8.1 oz / 230.0 g |
| Specialty drinks | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Pre-infusion | |||
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |||
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | |||
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) | Yes | Yes |
| Hot water function | |||
| Hot milk function | |||
| Milk foam only option | |||
| Water filter | |||
| Power consumption | 1500 W | 1750 W | 1800 W |
| Weight | 26.7 lb / 12.1 kg | 30.5 lb / 13.8 kg | 37.2 lb / 16.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 16.7 x 15.0 x 14.5 in | 13.5 x 16.4 x 13.1 in | 17.8 x 15.4 x 14.7 in |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, milk steaming pitcher, knock box, 2 x filter baskets, cleaning / maintenance supplies | Included Accessories: User manual, Milk pitcher, Trimming tool, Cleaning kit, 4 x filter baskets, Water filter and holder | Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Mini grinds bin, Stainless steel milk jug, Steam wand spare parts, Cleaning kit, Water filter and holder. |
| Current price on Amazon | BUY NOW ON AMAZON | $1,482.00 | $2,799.95 |
| Breville Oracle Jet | Breville Barista Touch Impress | Breville Oracle Touch | |
| Manufacturer | Breville | Breville | Breville |
| Model number | BES985 | BES881BSS1BNA1 | BES990BST1BUS1/BES990DBL1BUS1/BES990BTR1BUS1/BES990BSS1BUS1 |
| Product category | Hybrid espresso machine | Hybrid espresso machine | Hybrid espresso machine |
| Housing material | Stainless steel with plastic parts | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Color options | Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue, Olive Tapenade, Sea Salt | Brushed Stainless Steel | Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue |
| Milk frother | Steam wand | Steam wand | Steam wand |
| User interface | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| App | |||
| User profiles | Memo function only | 1 | Memo function only |
| Portafilter size | 58 mm | 54 mm | 58 mm |
| Tamping | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Removable water reservoir | |||
| Water reservoir capacity | 77.8 fl oz / 2.3 l | 67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l | 84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.0 in / 10.2 cm | 3.9 in / 9.9 cm | 4.0 in / 10.2 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | 45 | 30 | 45 |
| Bean hopper capacity | 12.0 oz / 340.0 g | 12.0 oz / 340.0 g | 8.1 oz / 230.0 g |
| Specialty drinks | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Pre-infusion | |||
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |||
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | |||
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) | Yes | Yes |
| Hot water function | |||
| Hot milk function | |||
| Milk foam only option | |||
| Water filter | |||
| Power consumption | 1500 W | 1750 W | 1800 W |
| Weight | 26.7 lb / 12.1 kg | 30.5 lb / 13.8 kg | 37.2 lb / 16.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 16.7 x 15.0 x 14.5 in | 13.5 x 16.4 x 13.1 in | 17.8 x 15.4 x 14.7 in |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, milk steaming pitcher, knock box, 2 x filter baskets, cleaning / maintenance supplies | Included Accessories: User manual, Milk pitcher, Trimming tool, Cleaning kit, 4 x filter baskets, Water filter and holder | Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Mini grinds bin, Stainless steel milk jug, Steam wand spare parts, Cleaning kit, Water filter and holder. |
| Current price on Amazon | BUY NOW ON AMAZON | $1,482.00 | $2,799.95 |
Verdict: Breville Oracle Jet Review
New release
Breville Oracle Jet
This could be Breville’s best yet
Sleek design
Awesome touchscreen
Improved milk system
58mm portafilter
Many adjustable settings
Not suitable for true espresso nerds
If you’ve made it this far, you won’t be surprised to hear me say that the Breville Oracle Jet is one of the best home espresso machines I’ve ever tested. I’m giving the Oracle Jet a top rating for its ease of use and superb performance. Seriously, if you’ve been afraid of espresso machines, this one will give you professional results with almost no effort.
Of course, you’ll have to drop quite a bit of cash for the privilege. So, if you can’t stretch to the Oracle Jet’s asking price, consider the Barista Touch Impress. It’s still a fantastic machine, but requires a wee bit more input from the user.
That’s it for my Breville Oracle Jet review. Are you as excited about this new machine as I am? Let’s discuss in the comments section!
Breville Oracle Jet FAQ
If you’re looking for a home espresso machine that’ll help you achieve excellent espresso and sublime milk foam, the Oracle Jet is very much worth the financial investment.
Both machines share many of the same features. Still, in my experience, the Oracle Jet feels like a step up from the Oracle Touch, even though it doesn’t have dual boilers.
While the Oracle Jet doesn’t have drip coffee capabilities, the machine makes espresso and lungo. Plus, you can use the hot water spout to make an americano.
