The Breville Precision Brewer and the OXO On Barista Brain are two Goliaths of drip coffee makers, but they serve very different audiences. The Breville is a highly customizable, tech-forward machine for the coffee enthusiast who wants to control every variable, while the OXO focuses on delivering a consistently great pot of coffee with simple, one-touch operation.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which coffee maker belongs on your kitchen counter.
Breville Precision Brewer
The Precision Brewer is for the home barista who wants ultimate control over their coffee. It’s packed with features that allow you to fine-tune everything from water temperature to bloom time, effectively giving you a sophisticated brewing lab in a single, sleek appliance.
- What it is: A highly customizable 12-cup (60 oz) drip coffee maker designed for coffee aficionados.
- Key features: Six brewing modes (Gold, Fast, Strong, Over Ice, Cold Brew, and My Brew), adjustable bloom time and flow rate, precise and adjustable temperature control (197-204°F), and a pour-over adapter.
- Price: Typically $250 - $300
- Dimensions: 6.7" W x 12.7" D x 15.7" H
- Style: Sleek, modern, and high-tech, with a brushed stainless steel finish that makes a statement on the counter.
- Materials/Construction: Premium brushed stainless steel body with durable, high-quality plastic components and a thermal carafe.
- Pros: Unmatched customization lets you dial in the perfect brew. Multiple presets cover everything from cold brew to SCA Gold Cup standard coffee. The build quality is exceptional and feels durable. It can brew anything from a single cup to a full 12-cup pot.
- Cons: A steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with brewing variables. The high price point is a significant investment. It has a larger footprint than many drip machines.
This brewer is ideal for the coffee lover who enjoys experimenting and wants to replicate coffee shop quality at home with complete command over the brewing process.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/coffee/bdc450.html
OXO On Barista Brain 9-Cup Coffee Maker
The OXO On Barista Brain is designed with one main goal: to brew a fantastic, well-balanced pot of coffee as simply as possible. It foregoes complex settings and menus in favor of an intelligent, automated system that manages temperature and brew time for you, making it perfect for busy households that prioritize convenience and consistency.
- What it is: A user-friendly, automated 9-cup (45 oz) drip coffee maker that prioritizes simplicity and consistent results.
- Key features: Microprocessor-controlled brew cycle for optimal temperature (SCA certified), single dial interface to select number of cups, "Rainmaker" shower head for even grounds saturation, and a pause-and-pour feature.
- Price: Typically $150 - $200
- Dimensions: 7" W x 13.5" D x 16" H
- Style: Clean, practical, and functional with an emphasis on ergonomic design. It features a black and brushed metal finish that's unobtrusive.
- Materials/Construction: A mix of sturdy plastic and stainless steel accents, with soft-touch grips and a comfortable, ergonomic handle on the thermal carafe.
- Pros: Incredibly easy to use - just add coffee and water and press a button. Consistently brews high-quality, delicious coffee. Its compact size works well in smaller kitchens. More affordable than premium competitors.
- Cons: No ability to customize brew settings like temperature or strength. Smaller 9-cup capacity. The build, while solid, relies more on plastic than the all-metal Breville.
This coffee maker suits anyone who wants a dependably excellent cup of coffee every morning without the hassle of navigating complicated settings.
Shop this product: oxo.com/oxo-on-9-cup-coffee-maker.html
Breville Precision Brewer vs. OXO On Barista Brain Comparison
Brew Customization & Features
This is the biggest distinction between the two machines. The Breville Precision Brewer is all about control. Its "My Brew" mode allows you to adjust bloom time, brew temperature, and flow rate to create a custom profile. Presets for "Gold," "Fast," "Strong," "Over Ice," and even "Cold Brew" offer immense versatility right out of the box.
The OXO On Barista Brain operates on the opposite principle: simplicity. It makes all the decisions for you. Its intelligent microprocessor ensures water is heated to the optimal temperature range (197.6-204.8°F) and maintains it throughout the brew cycle. You simply tell it how many cups you're making via a single dial, and it handles the rest. There are no other variables to adjust.
Materials & Construction
Breville's coffee maker has a noticeably more premium feel, with its brushed stainless steel body and high-quality parts that justify its higher cost. It's built to be a durable centerpiece appliance in a modern kitchen.
OXO prioritizes functional, ergonomic design. While it uses more plastic in its construction, it feels sturdy and well-made. Features like the soft-grip handle and intuitive controls are a testament to OXO’s focus on user experience. Both machines feature double-walled stainless steel thermal carafes that keep coffee hot for hours.
Price & Value
With a price difference of around $100, these machines cater to different budgets. The Breville's higher price tag buys you extensive features, premium materials, and professional-grade customization. For the serious coffee enthusiast, this represents excellent value as it replaces multiple brewing devices (like a cold brewer or pour-over kettle).
The OXO offers tremendous value for a different reason: it’s an SCA-certified brewer that produces consistently outstanding coffee for under $200. It brings café-quality fundamentals to your home without the complexity or cost of more advanced machines, making it a perfect balance of performance and price for the average user.
Style & Footprint
The Breville Precision Brewer is a slightly larger, more visually impressive machine that looks right at home next to other high-end kitchen appliances. Its stainless steel finish is sleek and modern.
The OXO On Barista Brain is more compact and utilitarian. Its clean lines and black-and-silver color scheme allow it to blend easily into most kitchens without taking up excess counter space. For those with smaller kitchens or limited room, the OXO's slightly smaller footprint might be a better fit.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both coffee makers are fantastic options, but they are built for entirely different people.
Choose the Breville Precision Brewer if:
- You are a coffee hobbyist who loves experimenting with extraction, bloom times, and temperatures.
- You want one machine that can make excellent drip coffee, strong brews, iced coffee, and even cold brew.
- A premium, stainless steel aesthetic that matches other high-end appliances is a priority for you.
- You are willing to spend more upfront for unparalleled versatility and control.
Choose the OXO On Barista Brain if:
- You just want a consistently delicious, well-brewed pot of coffee with zero fuss.
- You value simplicity and an appliance that is incredibly easy for anyone in the household to use.
- You need a machine with a slightly smaller footprint to save counter space.
- You're looking for the best possible automatic drip coffee maker for under $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Precision Brewer and the OXO coffee maker?
The core difference is customization vs. simplicity. The Breville coffee maker offers total control over brewing variables like temperature and bloom time, while the OXO On Barista Brain automates the process for foolproof, consistent coffee with one-touch operation.
Are both machines certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)?
Yes, both the Breville Precision Brewer (in "Gold" mode) and the OXO On Barista Brain meet the Specialty Coffee Association's rigorous standards for home brewers. This certification ensures they brew coffee at the proper temperature, for the correct amount of time, to create a well-extracted cup.
Which coffee maker is easier to clean?
The OXO On Barista Brain is generally considered easier to clean due to its simpler design. The carafe, brew basket, and showerhead are all easily removable. The Breville has more small parts (like the cone filter insert) but is still straightforward to maintain.
Can I brew a single cup with these machines?
The Breville is better suited for single-cup brewing. It includes a specific filter basket insert for cone filters (like a Hario V60) and can adapt its brew cycle for smaller volumes. The OXO is designed to brew a minimum of 2-4 cups for best results.
Is the Breville Precision Brewer worth the extra money?
It depends entirely on your needs. If you will use the extra features like cold brew, over-ice, or custom brew settings, then it's absolutely worth the investment. If you just want a great classic cup of drip coffee every day, the OXO provides similar extraction quality at a much lower price.
Does the OXO feel cheap compared to the Breville?
While the Breville's materials are more premium (more metal, less plastic), the OXO does not feel cheap. It feels solid, durable, and thoughtfully designed, consistent with the OXO brand's reputation for quality construction.
Which one has a better thermal carafe?
Both brewers come with high-quality, double-walled stainless steel thermal carafes that keep coffee hot for several hours without a hot plate, which would otherwise 'cook' the coffee. Both perform very well, so this shouldn't be a major deciding factor.
What kind of coffee filters do they use?
The Breville provides flexibility, offering both a cone filter basket and a flat-bottom basket. The OXO On Barista Brain uses standard basket-style #4 filters, easily found in any grocery store.
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