The Breville Oracle Touch and the DeLonghi Prima Donna are both premium one-touch espresso machines, but they cater to very different users. The Oracle Touch is a tech-forward, semi-automatic hybrid with a large touchscreen and a high degree of customization for the home barista, while the Prima Donna specializes in being a fully automatic, convenience-focused machine wrapped in a classic Italian design. Breville focuses on bringing commercial-style features to the home, whereas DeLonghi emphasizes reliable, effortless espresso with a more traditional feel.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these high-end machines belongs on your coffee bar.
Breville Oracle Touch
The Breville Oracle Touch automates the most difficult parts of making cafe-quality espresso - grinding, dosing, and tamping - while still giving you control over the final product. Its standout feature is the large, full-color touchscreen that simplifies the process of creating and saving custom drinks, making it feel like a professional cafe machine built for a modern kitchen.
- What it is: A premium, semi-automatic espresso machine that automates grinding, dosing, tamping, and milk texturing via a touchscreen interface.
- Key features: Full-color touchscreen with 8 pre-programmed and 8 customizable drink settings, automatic grinding and tamping, dual boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming, PID temperature control, and a steam wand that creates automatic micro-foam.
- Price: Around $2,500 - $2,700
- Dimensions: Approximately 12" x 12" x 16"
- Materials/Construction: The body is made from high-quality brushed stainless steel, with a commercial-grade conical burr grinder and a robust overall build.
- Style: Sleek and professional with a modern, high-tech aesthetic dominated by its large touchscreen.
- Pros: Excellent customization for shot volume, milk temperature, and froth level. Dual boilers allow for fast operation without waiting. The automated tamping is very consistent. Feels like a commercial-grade machine.
- Cons: High price point. The larger footprint requires significant counter space. May have a steeper learning curve for users completely new to espresso, despite its automated features.
This machine is for the aspiring home barista who loves technology and wants precise control over their coffee without the manual hassle of grinding and tamping.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes990.html
DeLonghi Prima Donna
The DeLonghi Prima Donna is a classic Italian super-automatic espresso machine focused on delivering great coffee with maximum convenience. It handles everything from grinding the beans to frothing the milk and pouring it directly into your cup, all at the touch of a button. Its elegant design and straightforward operation make it a perfect fit for anyone who wants fantastic specialty coffee drinks with zero effort.
- What it is: A fully automatic, bean-to-cup espresso machine designed for ease of use and consistent results.
- Key features: One-touch operation for a variety of drinks. The LatteCrema system automatically delivers milk-based drinks. Features a digital display with tactile buttons for intuitive control, and an integrated ceramic burr grinder.
- Price: Around $1,800 - $2,300
- Dimensions: Approximately 11" x 14" x 16"
- Materials/Construction: Sleek stainless steel body panels combined with quality plastics, highlighting a focus on reliability and elegant European design.
- Style: Classic and refined Italian aesthetic with polished metal surfaces and a more compact, streamlined profile.
- Pros: Extremely easy to use - truly one touch for most drinks. The LatteCrema system is efficient and simple to clean. Its slightly more compact size saves counter space. Generally costs less than the Oracle Touch.
- Cons: Offers less customization over drink parameters compared to the Breville. The more traditional button interface can feel less advanced. Build quality has more plastic components than its competitor.
The Prima Donna is ideal for someone who prioritizes convenience and quality but doesn't need to fine-tune every variable of the brewing process.
Shop this product: delonghi.com/en-us/primadonna-s-evo-fully-automatic-espresso-machine-with-lattecrema-system-ecam51055m/
Breville Oracle Touch vs. DeLonghi Prima Donna Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
The visual difference between these two machines is immediately clear. The Breville Oracle Touch boasts a modern, professional kitchen appliance look. Its brushed stainless steel finish and dominant touchscreen are designed to impress and suggest high performance, fitting perfectly in contemporary and high-tech kitchens.
In contrast, the DeLonghi Prima Donna embodies classic Italian elegance. With its polished surfaces, compact form, and familiar button layout, it has a timeless and sophisticated feel. It blends seamlessly into a variety of kitchen styles, from traditional to modern, without calling too much attention to its technology.
Materials & Construction
Both machines are built to last but with different philosophies. Breville uses heavy-duty brushed stainless steel for a very solid, robust feel. It incorporates a commercial-grade steel conical burr grinder designed for precision and durability.
DeLonghi also uses polished stainless steel in key areas but integrates more high-quality plastic components in its construction, which helps keep the machine lighter and more affordable. It often features a ceramic burr grinder, known for running cooler and quieter than steel counterparts, protecting the beans from excess heat during grinding.
Price & Value
The Oracle Touch sits at a higher price point, typically fetching $2,500 to $2,700. This cost reflects its premium technology, dual boilers, advanced automation features, and extensive customization options. For coffee enthusiasts who want to experiment and perfect their technique, the price delivers significant value through control and quality.
The Prima Donna is generally more accessible, priced between $1,800 and $2,300. Its value comes from its sheer convenience and reliability. It delivers consistently good to great espresso and milk drinks with almost no effort, making it a valuable time-saver for busy households that don't want to compromise on coffee quality.
Who Each One Works Best For
The matchup between these two machines really comes down to user preference: customization versus convenience.
The Breville Oracle Touch is made for the tech-savvy home barista who enjoys the process of making coffee and wants deep control over their drink’s final taste, texture, and temperature. If you find joy in tweaking settings and appreciate having professional-grade tools at your fingertips, the Oracle Touch is an investment in your coffee hobby.
The DeLonghi Prima Donna is better for the person who simply wants a delicious latte, cappuccino, or espresso delivered perfectly every time, without any fuss. If your priority is getting out the door in the morning with a cafe-quality drink in hand, and you value turnkey operation over hands-on control, the Prima Donna is the clear winner.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Oracle Touch and Prima Donna are exceptional machines, but they serve two very different types of coffee lovers.
Choose the Breville Oracle Touch if:
- You enjoy personalizing every aspect of your coffee, from grind size to milk texture.
- You appreciate a modern, tech-forward interface and professional aesthetic.
- You want the precision of a semi-automatic machine with the convenience of an automatic.
- You are willing to invest a premium price for top-tier features and control.
Choose the DeLonghi Prima Donna if:
- You prioritize speed and push-button simplicity above all else.
- You prefer a classic, elegant Italian design for your kitchen.
- You need a machine that everyone in the family can use easily without instruction.
- You are looking for excellent, reliable performance at a slightly more accessible price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Oracle Touch and Prima Donna?
The biggest difference is the level of automation and the user interface. The Breville Oracle Touch automates the technical steps (grind, tamp, froth) but operates like a traditional semi-automatic machine using a portafilter and a touchscreen. The DeLonghi Prima Donna is a classic "bean-to-cup" machine - everything happens internally at the push of a button for a fully hands-off experience.
Which machine is easier to use for a beginner?
The DeLonghi Prima Donna is unequivocally easier for a complete beginner. Its one-touch functionality means you only need to press a button for your desired drink. The Oracle Touch is easy for an automated machine, but it still involves more steps like moving the portafilter from the grinder to the brew head.
How is the milk frothing on these machines?
Both offer excellent, automated milk frothing. The Breville's steam wand allows for customization of temperature and texture to create true micro-foam suitable for latte art. The DeLonghi's LatteCrema system produces a consistently thick and creamy foam and dispenses it directly into the cup, which is more convenient but less customizable.
Is the Breville Oracle Touch worth the extra money?
If you genuinely plan to use its deep customization features to dial in different coffees and milk textures, then yes. Its dual boilers and automated tamping provide a level of performance that justifies the cost. If you're likely to just use the default presets, you could get similar-tasting drinks from a less expensive machine.
Do these machines require much maintenance?
Yes, all high-end espresso machines require regular maintenance. This includes daily rinsing, weekly deeper cleaning of the brew group or portafilter, emptying the drip tray and grounds container, and periodic descaling. Following the manufacturer's cleaning schedule is essential to keep them running well.
Which machine has a better grinder?
Both have high-quality grinders. Breville uses a stainless steel conical burr grinder praised for its consistency, similar to those in standalone specialty grinders. DeLonghi typically uses a ceramic burr grinder, which is prized for its longevity and for not heating the beans. The performance difference for most users will be negligible.
How long do these espresso machines typically last?
With proper care and regular maintenance, machines in this premium category can easily last 5-10 years. Both Breville and DeLonghi have strong reputations for durability and offer support for service and repairs.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in these machines?
Most super-automatic machines, like many DeLonghi models, include a "bypass doser" that allows you to use a scoop of pre-ground coffee, which is great for the occasional decaf. The Breville Oracle Touch is designed to be used with whole beans for its automated workflow and does not have a bypass doser.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
