Breville BES980XL Oracle Espresso Machine Review

The Ultimate Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

The Breville BES980XL Oracle is not just an espresso machine—it’s a revolution in the world of home espresso brewing. As one of the few fully automated machines that still gives the user a hands-on experience, the Breville Oracle blurs the lines between traditional manual espresso-making and the convenience of an automatic system.

From its precision temperature control to its dual boiler system and automated features, the Oracle offers a unique blend of professional-grade performance and user-friendly technology.

In this in-depth review, we’ll break down the key features, performance, pros, cons, and overall value of the Breville Oracle BES980XL to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home espresso setup.

Brand Overview: Breville’s Vision of Coffee Innovation

Breville is a brand well-known for pushing the boundaries of coffee machine technology. Based in Australia, Breville has earned a strong reputation among home baristas for developing innovative appliances that deliver café-quality drinks with ease and consistency.

The Oracle, as part of Breville’s lineup, represents the pinnacle of its coffee expertise, combining professional-grade components with automated convenience.

While Breville offers several models that cater to different levels of espresso-making experience, the Oracle BES980XL stands out for those who want the control and quality of a manual machine, but with the added help of automation to make the process smoother and more efficient.

Key Features of the Breville Oracle BES980XL

The Breville Oracle BES980XL is packed with high-end features that set it apart from other machines in its category. These features make it an ideal choice for both espresso enthusiasts and those who want a seamless brewing experience.

1. Dual Boiler System

One of the most notable features of the Oracle is its dual boiler system. Unlike single boiler machines that require time to switch between brewing and steaming, the Oracle allows for simultaneous extraction and milk steaming.

This means you can pull a shot of espresso and steam milk at the same time, making the process faster and more efficient—perfect for those who often prepare milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos.

Each boiler operates independently, with one dedicated to maintaining precise brewing temperatures and the other ensuring optimal steaming pressure. This setup provides temperature stability, which is crucial for consistently high-quality espresso shots.

2. PID Temperature Control

The PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control is a game-changer for espresso brewing, and the Oracle comes equipped with this technology. The PID controller ensures that the brewing temperature is stable and consistent, allowing for precise temperature adjustments within one degree.

This level of control helps prevent fluctuations that can negatively impact the extraction process and flavor of the espresso.

For serious espresso lovers, this precision is essential. Temperature control is one of the critical factors that affect the balance of flavors in espresso, and the Oracle ensures that your water temperature remains at the ideal level for extraction every time.

3. Automated Grinder and Tamping

A standout feature of the Breville Oracle is its automatic grinder and tamping system, which eliminates two of the most challenging aspects of espresso-making for beginners: grinding and tamping. The machine is equipped with a conical burr grinder, known for delivering consistent and precise grinds.

It automatically doses and grinds the exact amount of coffee needed for each shot, based on your selected settings.

Once the coffee is ground, the Oracle’s automated tamping system applies the perfect amount of pressure for even extraction, eliminating human error in the tamping process. This ensures that the coffee bed is perfectly compressed, leading to better shot consistency.

While this automation takes away some of the manual aspects of espresso-making, it’s perfect for those who want great results without the trial and error that comes with manual tamping.

4. Hands-Free Milk Frothing with Steam Wand

The Oracle BES980XL features an automatic steam wand that takes the guesswork out of milk frothing. The machine can steam and texture milk to your desired temperature and froth level, allowing you to create silky microfoam for lattes or frothy milk for cappuccinos with ease.

The automatic frothing feature is a huge plus for users who struggle with manual steaming or want a more consistent result.

What’s even better is that the steam wand includes an integrated temperature sensor, allowing the machine to stop steaming once the milk reaches the optimal temperature—generally around 150°F to 155°F for lattes.

This means you won’t have to worry about under or overheating your milk, which can negatively affect the taste and texture of your drink.

5. Programmable and Customizable Settings

The Oracle is highly programmable, allowing users to adjust and fine-tune various parameters according to their preferences. You can customize settings like water temperature, shot volume, milk texture, and steam temperature to create a personalized brewing experience.

For example, you can program the machine to produce a double shot at 200°F with exactly 25 seconds of extraction time, then save those settings for future use.

In addition to the programmable features, the Oracle also offers pre-infusion—a feature that lightly wets the coffee grounds before full pressure extraction. This process helps to ensure a more even extraction, reducing the risk of channeling and improving shot consistency.

6. One-Touch Americano and Hot Water Dispenser

If you enjoy an Americano or need hot water for tea, the Oracle makes it incredibly easy with its dedicated hot water dispenser. With the press of a button, the machine can brew a shot of espresso and automatically add the perfect amount of hot water to create an Americano.

This feature adds convenience for those who enjoy both espresso and traditional coffee drinks.

Espresso Quality and Performance

While the Breville Oracle is packed with convenient features, the true test of any espresso machine is its ability to produce high-quality espresso consistently. The Oracle shines in this regard, delivering rich, flavorful shots with excellent crema thanks to its precision control and automated features.

1. Grind Consistency and Tamping

The conical burr grinder and automatic tamping system ensure a consistent grind size and tamp pressure, two of the most important factors for even extraction. By automating these steps, the Oracle takes much of the guesswork out of espresso preparation, allowing users to achieve consistently great results with minimal effort.

The automatic tamper applies a precise 30 pounds of pressure, ensuring that the coffee is evenly compressed. This level of precision is difficult to achieve manually, especially for those new to espresso-making.

2. Shot Consistency and Flavor

Thanks to the PID temperature control and dual boiler system, the Breville Oracle maintains excellent temperature stability, which translates into consistently well-extracted espresso shots.

The machine’s ability to pull shots at a stable 9 bars of pressure—the ideal extraction pressure for espresso—ensures that the flavors are balanced, with a rich body and smooth crema.

Whether you prefer a bold and intense ristretto or a more balanced lungo, the Oracle’s precision control allows for flexibility in the brewing process. The result is espresso that rivals what you’d get at a professional café.

3. Milk Steaming and Frothing

The Oracle’s automatic steam wand is one of the best features for those who enjoy milk-based espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The machine automatically textures the milk to your desired level of frothiness and stops steaming once the milk reaches the perfect temperature.

Whether you prefer a silky smooth latte or a frothy cappuccino, the Oracle makes it easy to achieve café-quality results at home.

While the steam wand is automatic, it doesn’t sacrifice quality. The microfoam it produces is smooth and velvety, perfect for latte art and adding a luxurious texture to your drinks.

Build Quality and Design

The Breville Oracle BES980XL is built to last, with a brushed stainless steel exterior that not only looks sleek on your countertop but also provides durability. At 35 pounds, the machine is quite hefty, which is a testament to its high-quality components and build.

The heavy-duty materials used in the Oracle’s construction ensure that it can withstand regular use without compromising performance.

Despite its size, the Oracle’s design is intuitive and user-friendly. The LCD screen and control knobs are easy to navigate, allowing you to access the machine’s various settings with ease. The drip tray and water reservoir are also easy to remove and clean, making maintenance straightforward.

Comparisons: Breville Oracle vs. Competitors

When comparing the Breville Oracle BES980XL to other high-end espresso machines, it’s important to consider a few key competitors:

1. Breville Barista Express: A more affordable option, the Barista Express offers built-in grinding and manual operation but lacks the dual boiler and automated features of the Oracle.
2. De’Longhi La Specialista: This machine also offers automated features but lacks the dual boiler and PID temperature control of the Oracle, making it slightly less precise in espresso brewing.
3. Rocket Appartamento: For those looking for a more traditional manual machine, the Rocket Appartamento is a compact, prosumer-level machine that offers excellent build quality and performance but lacks the automation of the Oracle.

Final Verdict: Is the Breville Oracle BES980XL Worth It?

The Breville Oracle BES980XL is one of the most advanced and capable espresso machines available for home use. It combines the control and quality of a professional machine with the convenience of automation. This makes it an ideal choice for serious home baristas who want great results with less effort. Its dual boiler system, PID temperature control, and automated features make it a standout option for those who value precision and consistency in their espresso drinks.

While the price may be steep for some, the Oracle’s performance and features justify the investment for those who are passionate about coffee. If you’re looking for a machine that can deliver café-quality espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos with ease, the Breville Oracle is well worth considering.