The Breville Oracle and Oracle Jet are top-tier espresso machines from Breville that turn your kitchen into a cafe, but they target different users. The main difference is control: the original Oracle is a fully automatic workhorse for consistent, one-touch espresso, while the Oracle Jet adds advanced customization and semi-automatic controls for enthusiasts who want to fine-tune every shot.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which high-performance espresso machine is right for your home coffee bar.
Breville Oracle
The Breville Oracle is a flagship super-automatic espresso machine that automates the most difficult parts of espresso making. It’s designed to deliver professional-quality results with minimal effort, handling the grinding, dosing, tamping, and milk texturing for you. Its dual boiler system allows it to brew espresso and steam milk simultaneously, making it ideal for busy mornings.
- What it is: A high-end, fully automatic espresso machine designed for convenience and consistency.
- Key features: Integrated conical burr grinder, automatic grinding and tamping, dual boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming, automatic milk frothing, Auto Purge temperature control.
- Price: Around $2,000
- Dimensions: Approximately 13″ deep x 12″ wide x 16″ high.
- Materials/Construction: Premium stainless steel housing and professional-grade components for durability.
- Style: Classic, sleek stainless steel design that fits into any modern kitchen with a simple, intuitive interface.
- Pros: Delivers fantastic, consistent espresso with a single touch. Extremely user-friendly for beginners. Dual boilers offer impressive speed. Built to last with a robust, premium feel.
- Cons: Lacks fine-tuned manual controls for coffee hobbyists. Large footprint requires significant counter space. Premium price point.
The Oracle is an excellent choice for anyone who prioritizes barista-quality coffee at home but doesn't want the steep learning curve of a manual machine.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes980.html
Breville Oracle Jet
The Breville Oracle Jet builds on the original Oracle's success by adding a layer of precision and control for the more discerning home barista. It maintains all the convenient automatic features but introduces an enhanced digital interface, customizable shot parameters, and a semi-automatic mode. This machine bridges the gap between full automation and manual brewing, offering the best of both worlds.
- What it is: An advanced super-automatic espresso machine that provides both automated convenience and semi-automatic control.
- Key features: All the features of the Oracle, plus a refined user interface, adjustable shot parameters, improved temperature stability, and a semi-automatic operation mode.
- Price: Around $2,200
- Dimensions: Approximately 12.5" deep x 11.5" wide x 15.5" high.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality stainless steel build with slightly refined materials for the control interfaces.
- Style: Modern and slightly more high-tech than the original, with a detailed numeric display for granular control.
- Pros: Offers both one-touch operation and manual flexibility. Allows for deep customization of shots. More compact than the original Oracle. Top-tier build quality.
- Cons: Higher price point. The advanced features may be unnecessary for casual users who just want a quick, easy coffee.
The Oracle Jet is made for the coffee enthusiast who loves to experiment with extraction and wants the power to dial in the perfect shot while still having an automatic option available.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes870.html
Breville Oracle vs. Breville Oracle Jet Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
Both machines are substantial and require dedicated counter space, but there's a slight difference in size. The original Oracle measures approximately 13″ x 12″ x 16″, making it a prominent feature in any kitchen.
The Oracle Jet is marginally smaller at around 12.5″ x 11.5″ x 15.5″. While not a huge reduction, this slightly more compact footprint could make a difference in smaller kitchens where every inch of counter space counts. Ultimately, both are large, premium appliances that make a statement.
Materials & Construction
Breville has built its reputation on quality, and both the Oracle and Oracle Jet live up to it. Each machine features robust, high-grade stainless steel construction that feels durable and looks impressive. All key components are professional-grade, ensuring long-term reliability for daily use.
The main construction is essentially identical. The difference lies in the interface, the Oracle Jet incorporates more refined controls and a detailed digital display, adding to its high-tech, precise feel. Both come with a standard 1-2 year warranty, reflecting Breville’s confidence in their build quality.
Price & Value
The Oracle typically costs around $2,000, while the Oracle Jet comes in at about $2,200. The $200 price difference is directly tied to the Jet’s added customization features. For someone who simply wants excellent, automated espresso drinks, the regular Oracle delivers outstanding value.
The Oracle Jet’s higher price is justified for coffee enthusiasts who will actively use the semi-automatic mode or tweak brewing parameters. If you love the idea of experimenting with grind size, temperature, and extraction time to achieve the perfect shot, the Jet is well worth the investment. If those features sound unnecessary, the original Oracle offers nearly identical core performance for less.
Style & Versatility
Visually, both machines share a modern, minimalist stainless steel aesthetic that fits effortlessly into contemporary kitchens. The standard Oracle has a simpler, more straightforward interface with an easy-to-read LCD display and clean dials.
The Oracle Jet has a more sophisticated look, thanks to its advanced control panel. It provides more detailed brew information, giving it a tech-forward appearance. In terms of versatility, the Jet is the clear winner. While both machines can produce a variety of espresso drinks automatically, the Jet’s semi-automatic mode opens new doors for manual-brew experiments, making it a more adaptable machine for a home barista.
Who Each One Works Best For
Choosing between these two models comes down to how involved you want to be in your coffee-making process. They are both designed for someone who wants premium, cafe-style coffee at home daily.
The Breville Oracle is perfect for the busy professional, the family that entertains often, or anyone new to home espresso who wants consistently delicious drinks without any fuss. Its genius is in its simplicity and automation. If your goal is a perfect latte with the push of a button before you run out the door, the Oracle is designed for you.
The Breville Oracle Jet is tailored for the aspiring or experienced home barista. If you get satisfaction from tweaking variables to achieve a sublime shot of espresso and want to understand the art behind the craft, the Jet provides the necessary tools. It gives you room to grow your skills while still offering full automation on days you don't feel like experimenting, making it a more versatile long-term partner for a coffee hobbyist.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Oracle and Oracle Jet are top-of-the-line machines that outperform most competitors, but they serve different coffee philosophies.
Choose the Breville Oracle if:
- Convenience is your absolute top priority and you want perfect results every time.
- You have no desire to manually control shot parameters.
- You want to make lattes and cappuccinos quickly without a learning curve.
- You prefer to save a couple of hundred dollars and the core automatic functionality is all you need.
Choose the Breville Oracle Jet if:
- You are a coffee enthusiast who enjoys experimenting with the brewing process.
- You want the flexibility to switch between a fully automatic and a semi-automatic machine.
- You value precision and want to fine-tune variables like shot volume and temperature.
- You see home espresso as a hobby and want a machine that allows your skills to grow over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Oracle and Oracle Jet?
The primary difference is the level of user control. The Oracle is a fully automatic espresso machine designed for consistency and ease of use. The Oracle Jet adds a layer of manual control, allowing users to fine-tune shot parameters and use it as a semi-automatic machine, making it better for enthusiasts.
Is the Oracle Jet worth the extra money?
It depends on your priorities. If you plan to experiment with brewing variables and want the flexibility of a semi-automatic mode, then yes, the extra cost is justified. If you prefer a "set it and forget it" machine that delivers excellent drinks automatically, the original Oracle offers better value.
Can a beginner use the Oracle Jet?
Absolutely. The Oracle Jet has fully automatic modes that are just as easy to use as the original Oracle. It’s an ideal machine for motivated beginners who want to start with automation and gradually learn the craft of pulling a manual shot.
Do both machines automatically tamp the coffee?
Yes, both models feature Breville's integrated grinding and automatic tamping system. It doses the perfect amount of coffee from the built-in grinder and tamps it to the right pressure, ensuring a consistent puck every time.
What is a dual boiler and why is it useful?
A dual boiler system means the machine has two separate boilers: one for brewing espresso at a precise temperature and one for creating steam for milk frothing. This allows you to brew your coffee shot and steam milk simultaneously, dramatically speeding up the workflow for milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Do I need a separate grinder for these machines?
No, both the Oracle and Oracle Jet feature an integrated conical burr grinder that grinds fresh beans directly into the portafilter before brewing. A standalone grinder is not required.
Are these machines hard to clean?
Both machines have guided cleaning cycles to help with maintenance. Descaling and backflushing are required periodically, and the machine will prompt you when it's time. Daily maintenance involves wiping the steam wand, rinsing the portafilter, and emptying the drip tray - all of which are relatively straightforward.
Which machine makes better tasting espresso?
Out of the box on their automatic settings, both can produce identical, excellent-tasting espresso. However, an experienced barista will likely be able to extract a better shot from the Oracle Jet by using its advanced manual controls to perfectly dial in the coffee beans they are using.
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.
