Breville Oracle Review 2023: Absolutely Fabulous!

My rating:

A powerful and versatile hybrid

Written by Arne Preuss (Coffee Expert)

Last updated: 23 May 2023

Written by people for people

Last updated: 23 May 2023

Written by people for people

Hi! My name is Arne. After a few years as a barista, I've dedicated myself to a mission: To bring more good coffee to the people. To this end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.

Our review process | Our team

I'm a completist by nature, so it's a relief to finally write this Breville Oracle review. As it happens, this particular machine is one of the Australian manufacturer's most popular – it's currently sold out on the Breville website. However, I feel like the Oracle often gets overshadowed by its siblings.

I’m a completist by nature, so it’s a relief to finally write this Breville Oracle review. As it happens, this particular machine is one of the Australian manufacturer’s most popular – it’s currently sold out on the Breville website. However, I feel like the Oracle often gets overshadowed by its siblings.

While machines like the Barista Express and Oracle Touch get all the attention, the Breville Oracle stays out of the limelight. With that in mind, I aim to give this espresso machine the attention it deserves in my Breville Oracle review.

I can tell you right away that this is an absolutely incredible hybrid espresso machine that’s definitely worth considering. In fact, the Oracle might just be the best home espresso machine Breville produces.

So, am I going to have to change up the top entries in my home espresso machine guide 2023? Let’s take a closer look at the Oracle to find out!

Truly Magnificent!

Breville Oracle

A powerful and versatile hybrid

Solid and durable construction

Many adjustable settings

Makes superb espresso

Auto-frothing steam wand

Huge water tank

Very expensive

	CHECK PRICE
	CHECK PRICE

Breville Oracle Review Overview

I recently updated my Breville Oracle Touch review, which gave me a chance to revisit the Australian manufacturer’s most expensive espresso machine. At $N/A, the Breville Oracle isn’t quite as pricey, but it still requires a substantial financial investment.

So, are we just looking at an “Oracle Touch Lite” here? Most certainly not. In fact, I’d go as far as to say the Breville Oracle offers a more well-rounded experience for aspiring home baristas. Sure, there’s no fancy touchscreen with preset specialty drinks. However, the Oracle allows you to get much deeper into adjusting variables for espresso preparation.

With that said, the majority of those buying this machine aren’t looking for an immersive experience. Instead, they want a machine that takes all the variables out of the equation, while offering high-quality espresso and milk foam.

Well, I can confidently say the Breville Oracle delivers on that front. Thanks to its built-in grinder, automated dosing/tamping station and sophisticated auto-frothing wand, there’s actually very little for the user to do. And from what I can gather, the Breville Oracle is capable of producing very good espresso.

What’s more, if you feel like getting more involved in what’s happening, you’re able to make an impressive amount of adjustments to temperature, pre-infusion and much more.

Still, let’s be realistic; if you’re looking for an espresso setup worthy of a pro barista, the Breville Oracle isn’t for you. In that case, you’d be better off with the Breville Dual Boiler and a standalone burr coffee grinder. You’ll have the same commercial-grade components and 58 millimeter portafilter, and be in full control of every variable.

Breville Oracle Features

As you’ve probably guessed, there are a lot of features to discuss in this Breville Oracle review. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what we’re dealing with!

Size and Design

There’s just no getting around it: the Breville Oracle is an enormous machine. Weighing 35 pounds (16 kilograms), and with an overall height of just under 18 inches (46 centimeters), the Oracle is going to take up a lot of space in your kitchen.

With that said, Breville is known for producing sleek, stylish espresso makers, and the Oracle is no exception.

There’s tons of durable stainless steel in evidence, as well as an attractive aluminum cup warmer up top. What’s more, features like a retractable power cord and front filling port for the water tank show that the manufacturer put a lot of thought into this machine.

Incidentally, perhaps the most ingenious feature is a roller bearing system activated by twisting a knob under the drip tray. By doing so, you’re able to move the machine around without putting your back out. That’s always a plus, right?

User Interface

On first inspection, the Breville Oracle’s user interface looks kind of intimidating. There’s a lot going on, including plenty of dials and buttons as well as three LCD screens. However, allow me to reassure you that operating the Oracle is very straightforward.

Everything is well laid out, and making coffee is only as complicated as you want it to be. On the grinder side of the machine there’s an LCD screen that displays your current grind size.

In the middle, a larger screen displays temperature and various menu settings, as well as a handy shot timer. Finally, a small screen by the steam wand displays information relevant to milk temperature and texture.

The surrounding buttons and dials are all self-explanatory, making the whole process very intuitive. As I mentioned earlier, there’s an impressive amount of adjustable settings on board, but you can get by just fine without ever changing a thing.

Conical Burr Grinder

I’ve had mixed results using the built-in grinders on Breville espresso machines. Then again, it’s my job to push these things to the limits of their capabilities!

While I’m not the biggest fan of built-in grinders, I totally get why someone might want an all-in-one machine. After all, the convenience factor of having an espresso machine and grinder in one package can’t be overstated.

Anyway, Breville has been making these machines for quite some time and selling them by the boatload, so they must be doing something right!

The Oracle is equipped with a stainless steel conical burr grinder that’s been calibrated for espresso. You’ve got 40 settings to choose from, and making adjustments is as simple as turning the dial on the side of the machine.

Thanks to the enclosed dosing/tamping station, mess is kept to a minimum, although I do worry about heat transfer from the boilers. Still, that might just mean you’ll need to adjust your grind setting slightly as the machine heats up.

Portafilter

What’s fascinating about Breville’s premium espresso machines is their use of commercial-grade components. Sure, the Breville Oracle gets close to fully automatic coffee maker levels of user friendliness and convenience. However, its professional elements ensure you’ll achieve espresso that’s almost as good as it gets.

The 58 millimeter portafilter is a prime example. This portafilter size is what the hipster baristas at your local cafe are using with their fancy La Marzocco machine.

You’re able to fit a dose of around 22 grams of coffee in the filter basket, which means you’ll get a higher extraction yield. Plus, there’s greater surface area thanks to that wider diameter, so you can achieve a more even extraction into the bargain.

Dosing and Tamping

The Breville Oracle’s automated dosing and tamping function is key to its success as a machine that does the hard work for you. I mean, taking those variables out of the equation means you should get consistent results with the minimum of fuss.

Of course, seasoned baristas will turn their noses up at the idea of sacrificing so much control. But the Oracle isn’t meant for them.

Essentially, you’re able to dial in your shots by adjusting the grind size only. Then, it’s simply a case of inserting the portafilter into the grinder cradle and twisting it to the right.

By the way, I’m very impressed by the Oracle’s tamper, which comprises a pair of blades rather than a flat surface. This fan-like design helps distribute the ground coffee, preventing the dreaded channeling that leads to sour espresso shots.

While you aren’t really able to manually adjust the dose, the Oracle allows you to program tamping pressure and polishing duration via the settings menu. That’s pretty cool, although I doubt many users will feel the need to experiment too much.

Dual Boilers

Here’s another feature that helps justify the Breville Oracle’s steep asking price. There are two boilers on board, one for espresso and a dedicated steam boiler for milk foam. That means you can pull shots and steam milk at the same time, rather than having to wait for the machine to adjust itself in between.

The main downside to a dual boiler machine, compared to an espresso maker with a thermocoil heater, is the wait time as it comes up to temperature. To give you an idea, I’d say the Breville Oracle will take around half an hour to heat up sufficiently. Fortunately, the Oracle has a programmable auto-start feature, so it’ll be ready to go when you stumble out of bed in the morning. What a relief!

PID Temperature Control

Temperature stability is one of the most important factors when it comes to preparing espresso. Ultimately, you can forget about pulling consistent shots if the machine’s boiler temperature is constantly fluctuating.

That’s where PID temperature control comes in. The Breville Oracle’s boilers are equipped with digital PID controllers that constantly monitor and maintain precise temperature. Plus, you’re able to adjust the espresso brewing temperature via the settings menu. That’s a really cool feature to have, especially once you start experimenting with different coffees.

Pre-Infusion

For me, one of the biggest sticking points with the Breville Oracle Touch came from the fact that I couldn’t adjust the pre-infusion settings. Given the machine’s price tag, I expected a little more.

That’s why it’s a relief to see that the manufacturer has equipped the Oracle with programmable pre-infusion. You’re able to quickly and easily set the amount of pressure applied during this vital first stage of extraction, as well as the duration.

I have to say that’s really awesome, seeing as pre-infusion is so vital in determining how your shots will taste. Plus, I’ve found that Breville’s factory-set pre-infusion time is too long.

Milk Foam

The Breville Oracle’s auto-frothing wand is one of its most outstanding features. In fact, this thing is so well-designed and effective that it makes me wonder whether steaming milk by hand could become redundant.

I mean, manipulating and pouring steamed milk to create beautiful latte art is a hard-won skill. But this machine creates sumptuous, perfectly textured milk foam all by itself. All you have to do is put the wand in the milk pitcher, pull a lever and walk away.

Best of all, you’re able to tell the machine exactly how you’d like your milk. You can adjust the temperature between 104-167 degrees Fahrenheit (40-75 degrees Celsius), and the texture on a scale running from latte to cappuccino foam.

Of course, there’s a manual override mode, wherein you can do everything yourself. However, the steam wand only moves up and down, making it kind of awkward. Anyway, when the machine is so successful at frothing milk, why would you get in its way?

Specialty Drinks

Unlike the Oracle Touch, the Breville Oracle doesn’t have a specialty drink menu. However, that’s not to say you can’t whip up all the classics. It’s just that the machine doesn’t guide you through every step of the process as you’re making a flat white or espresso macchiato.

One notable exception is the dedicated americano function. There’s a dial on the front of the machine for this, making an americano the only one-touch beverage available. Once the espresso is ready, the machine adds hot water via an awesome dedicated spout. I guess this is a cool function, although it seems kinda forced to me. After all, there’s a hot water button right next to the americano dial.

Accessories

If you’ve never owned a Breville espresso machine, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Seriously, Breville showers its customers with gifts, and I’m surprised other manufacturers haven’t started following suit. Check out what comes with the Breville Oracle:

Mini espresso knock box
2 x filter baskets
Stainless steel milk pitcher
Steam wand spare parts
Cleaning kit
Water hardness test strip
Water filter and holder

Seeing as the machine takes care of tamping you won’t need an espresso tamper. However, Breville always includes one if it’s needed. And it’s actually fairly effective!

How to Use the Breville Oracle Espresso Machine

As I’ve mentioned throughout this Breville Oracle review, the machine is very intuitive and easy to use. Honestly, I’d say most people would be able to start getting good results from the Oracle right off the bat.

With that said, there are tons of programmable options if you want to go deeper. To keep my Breville Oracle review from getting out of control, I’ll leave it to the user manual to explain all that stuff.

When you’re using the machine for the first time you’ll need to install the charcoal water filter and input your water hardness. Fortunately, Breville has included a test strip for that.

Next, fill the water tank and add coffee beans to the hopper. Seeing as this is a big dual boiler machine, you’ll need to wait for it to come up to temperature. Still, remember that you’ll be able to program the auto-start feature for next time.

Anyway, the final step to setting up the machine is flushing the group head, steam wand and hot water outlet two or three times. And now you’re ready to go!

Drink Preparation

I usually just give a quick overview of how to pull a shot during my espresso machine reviews. However, the auto-frothing feature on the Breville Oracle is so cool that I just have to include it! So, let’s go through the steps for preparing a latte:

Start by adding milk to the pitcher. Then, place the pitcher under the steam wand before selecting your desired temperature and consistency.
Pull down on the steam lever to start frothing. The LCD screen will display the temperature as the milk is heated and frothed.
Meanwhile, insert the prewarmed portafilter into the grinder cradle. Press to the right and grinding will commence, followed by automatic tamping.
Next, lock the portafilter into place in the group head and press either the single or double shot button. Oh, and don’t forget to put a latte glass under the spouts beforehand!
As espresso begins making its way into the glass your milk should almost be ready. Once it’s done, wipe off the steam wand with a damp cloth and lower it back to the down position. You’ll notice the auto-purge function kicks in to flush the wand.
Your espresso shot will stop automatically, and now it’s a matter of swirling the milk to bring it together, then pouring a delicious latte!

Breville Oracle Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning and descaling, a machine like the Breville Oracle espresso maker makes it easy on you. There’s nowhere near as much to do as there is with a super automatic espresso machine. Still, don’t think you can get away without putting in a little work here and there!

Make sure to rinse the filter basket and shower screen on the daily. Running them under warm water and giving a little scrub will do the trick. As for the steam wand, make sure you keep it nice and clean by wiping it with a damp cloth after each use.

Every once in a while you’ll need to backflush the machine using the included blind basket and cleaning powder. Don’t worry, the Oracle will let you know when it’s time. As for descaling, the machine will flash an alert on the screen when it’s time to go there. The process is quite involved and takes over an hour, but the Oracle will guide you through the process.

Oh, and don’t forget about the grinder! To keep it functioning well, I’d recommend removing the upper burr and brushing it off once a month or so.

Breville Oracle Specifications

Breville Oracle
Manufacturer	Breville
Model number	BES980XL
Product category	Hybrid espresso machine
Housing material	Stainless steel
Color options	Brushed Stainless Steel
Milk frother	Steam wand
User interface	Monochromatic LCD with buttons and dials
App
User profiles	Memo function only
Portafilter size	58 mm
Tamping	Automatic
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l
Number of boilers	2
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	4.5 in / 11.4 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	45
Bean hopper capacity	8.1 oz / 230.0 g
Specialty drinks	1
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	1800 W
Weight	34.5 lb / 15.6 kg
Dimensions	17.6 x 14.5 x 14.7 in 44.7 x 36.8 x 37.3 cm
Warranty	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: Stainless steel milk jug, Water filter holder, Filter basket, Mini grinds bin, Cleaning supplies, Allen key, Steam wand spare parts, User manual.
Current price on Amazon	$2,199.95
All specifications

Breville Oracle vs Other Espresso Machines

I’m pretty blown away by how cool this machine is. Still, my Breville Oracle review wouldn’t be complete without throwing a couple of other machines into the mix. Let’s continue by seeing how the Oracle compares to a couple of other awesome semi-automatic espresso machines.

Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch

I’ve already mentioned the Breville Oracle Touch a couple of times in this review. After all, the two machines are similar in many ways. Costing $2,784.99, the Oracle touch isn’t that much more expensive, and it comes equipped with a color touchscreen display.

Personally, I prefer the user interface on the Breville Oracle – it just feels more hands-on and intuitive. Still, many folks will love the Oracle Touch for how similar it is to a fully automatic machine. Essentially, you’ll get the same quality of espresso and milk foam from both machines. However, those looking for more customizable options are better off going with the Breville Oracle.

See Also: Breville Oracle Touch Hands-On Review 2023

Breville Oracle vs Barista Touch

Costing $799.95, the Breville Barista Touch is significantly more affordable than the Oracle. Plus, it has a color touchscreen display that’s a joy to navigate. With that said, the Barista Touch is quite different from the Breville Oracle in terms of features and components.

For starters you’ll be using a 54 millimeter portafilter and tamping the coffee grounds yourself. What’s more, the Barista Touch is a single boiler machine, so you can’t make espresso and steam milk simultaneously. With all that said, the Breville Barista Touch is a fantastic espresso machine that delivers excellent espresso and milk foam. Personally, I loved using the thing and I can recommend it most highly.

See Also: Breville Barista Touch Hands-On Review 2023

Breville Oracle vs Others Comparison Chart

	Breville Oracle	Breville Oracle Touch	Breville Barista Touch
Manufacturer	Breville	Breville	Breville
Model number	BES980XL	BES990BST1BUS1/BES990DBL1BUS1/BES990BTR1BUS1/BES990BSS1BUS1	BES880BSS1BUS1/BES880BTR1BUS1/BES880DBL1BUS1/BES880BST1BUS1
Product category	Hybrid espresso machine	Hybrid espresso machine	Hybrid espresso machine
Housing material	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel
Color options	Brushed Stainless Steel	Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue	Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue
Milk frother	Steam wand	Steam wand	Steam wand
User interface	Monochromatic LCD with buttons and dials	Touchscreen	Touchscreen
App
User profiles	Memo function only	Memo function only	Memo function only
Portafilter size	58 mm	58 mm	54 mm
Tamping	Automatic	Automatic	Manual
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l	67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l
Number of boilers	2	2	1
Pump pressure	15 bar	15 bar	15 bar
Maximum cup height	4.5 in / 11.4 cm	4.0 in / 10.2 cm	3.9 in / 9.9 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	45	45	30
Bean hopper capacity	8.1 oz / 230.0 g	8.1 oz / 230.0 g	8.1 oz / 230.0 g
Specialty drinks	1	5	8
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	1800 W	1800 W	1680 W
Weight	34.5 lb / 15.6 kg	37.2 lb / 16.9 kg	26.8 lb / 12.2 kg
Dimensions	17.6 x 14.5 x 14.7 in 44.7 x 36.8 x 37.3 cm	17.8 x 15.4 x 14.7 in 45.2 x 39.1 x 37.3 cm	16.0 x 12.5 x 12.7 in 40.6 x 31.8 x 32.3 cm
Warranty	2 years	2 years	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: Stainless steel milk jug, Water filter holder, Filter basket, Mini grinds bin, Cleaning supplies, Allen key, Steam wand spare parts, User manual.	Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Mini grinds bin, Stainless steel milk jug, Steam wand spare parts, Cleaning kit, Water filter and holder.	Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Milk jug, Cleaning supplies, Cleaning brush, Trimming tool.
Current price on Amazon	$2,199.95	$2,784.99	$799.95

	Breville Oracle	Breville Oracle Touch	Breville Barista Touch
Manufacturer	Breville	Breville	Breville
Model number	BES980XL	BES990BST1BUS1/BES990DBL1BUS1/BES990BTR1BUS1/BES990BSS1BUS1	BES880BSS1BUS1/BES880BTR1BUS1/BES880DBL1BUS1/BES880BST1BUS1
Product category	Hybrid espresso machine	Hybrid espresso machine	Hybrid espresso machine
Housing material	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel
Color options	Brushed Stainless Steel	Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue	Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue
Milk frother	Steam wand	Steam wand	Steam wand
User interface	Monochromatic LCD with buttons and dials	Touchscreen	Touchscreen
App
User profiles	Memo function only	Memo function only	Memo function only
Portafilter size	58 mm	58 mm	54 mm
Tamping	Automatic	Automatic	Manual
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l	67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l
Number of boilers	2	2	1
Pump pressure	15 bar	15 bar	15 bar
Maximum cup height	4.5 in / 11.4 cm	4.0 in / 10.2 cm	3.9 in / 9.9 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	45	45	30
Bean hopper capacity	8.1 oz / 230.0 g	8.1 oz / 230.0 g	8.1 oz / 230.0 g
Specialty drinks	1	5	8
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	1800 W	1800 W	1680 W
Weight	34.5 lb / 15.6 kg	37.2 lb / 16.9 kg	26.8 lb / 12.2 kg
Dimensions	17.6 x 14.5 x 14.7 in 44.7 x 36.8 x 37.3 cm	17.8 x 15.4 x 14.7 in 45.2 x 39.1 x 37.3 cm	16.0 x 12.5 x 12.7 in 40.6 x 31.8 x 32.3 cm
Warranty	2 years	2 years	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: Stainless steel milk jug, Water filter holder, Filter basket, Mini grinds bin, Cleaning supplies, Allen key, Steam wand spare parts, User manual.	Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Mini grinds bin, Stainless steel milk jug, Steam wand spare parts, Cleaning kit, Water filter and holder.	Included Accessories: Instruction booklet, Milk jug, Cleaning supplies, Cleaning brush, Trimming tool.
Current price on Amazon	$2,199.95	$2,784.99	$799.95