Breville Dual Boiler vs Breville Oracle Espresso Machine

Here is a comparison table between the Breville Dual Boiler and the Breville Oracle espresso machines:

Feature Breville Dual Boiler (BES920XL) Breville Oracle (BES980XL)
Boilers Dual Stainless Steel Boilers Dual Stainless Steel Boilers
Grinder No built-in grinder (requires a separate grinder) Integrated Conical Burr Grinder
Steam Wand Manual steam wand Automatic steam wand with temperature sensing
Portafilter 58mm stainless steel portafilter 58mm stainless steel portafilter
Pre-Infusion Yes, low-pressure pre-infusion Yes, adjustable low-pressure pre-infusion
Pump Pressure 15 bars 15 bars
Auto Tamping No Yes, automatic tamping system
Programmable Shot Volume Yes Yes, with automatic shot control
Temperature Control PID temperature control PID temperature control
Automatic Milk Frothing No (manual frothing only) Yes, automatic milk frothing with adjustable texture
Size (Dimensions) 15 x 14.7 x 15.3 inches 18 x 16.7 x 15 inches
Water Reservoir 2.5 liters 2.5 liters
Pressure Gauge Yes Yes
Display LCD LCD
Auto Start/Off Yes Yes
Descaling & Cleaning Alerts Yes Yes
Weight 30 lbs 35 lbs
Price Lower (~$1,500) Higher (~$2,500)
Ideal for Espresso enthusiasts who want more manual control Those seeking convenience and automation in espresso making

Key Differences:

  • Grinder: The Oracle includes an integrated grinder and auto-tamping, while the Dual Boiler requires a separate grinder.
  • Steam Wand: The Oracle’s steam wand is automatic, while the Dual Boiler’s is manual.
  • Automation: The Oracle offers more automation, such as auto-tamping and milk frothing, while the Dual Boiler is more manual, giving the user full control over the espresso-making process.
  • Price: The Oracle is more expensive due to its additional features and automation.

This should help you decide which machine better suits your needs, depending on your preference for manual control vs. automation.