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I have plenty of great reasons to get out of bed. But, as a night owl, it’s still usually a struggle. Recently, though, my mornings got a lot easier when I received Breville’s new Oracle Jet espresso machine.
Released last year, the Oracle Jet is Breville’s latest and greatest superautomatic espresso machine. Like Breville’s other best-selling espresso makers, the primary goal of the Oracle Jet is to deliver barista-quality drinks no matter the user’s experience level. It’s packed with features, all operated using an advanced touchscreen that provides step-by-step instructions.
As a coffee snob who’s too lazy (especially in the morning) to practice any kind of espresso-making craft, the Oracle Jet has been a miracle — and a convincing reason to get out of bed.
At a Glance: Breville Oracle Jet
Pros: Consistently excellent coffee, volumetric grinder w/ auto tamping, good looks, clever design features
Cons: Steep price, hot water spout can be messy, no simultaneous brewing and steaming
Buy Now on bloomingdales $1,999.95
Buy Now on breville
Buy Now On Amazon
If you don’t have espresso-making skills — or just don’t want the hassle in the morning (like me) — I think the Breville Oracle Jet is perhaps the best espresso machine on the market. The only real reason to think twice about it is the $2,000 price tag.
After using the Oracle Jet for three months, here’s my full review.
Operation: How Does the Breville Oracle Jet Work?
The Oracle Jet works similarly to other automatic espresso machines (like Breville’s Barista line), but there’s a little less work at every step.
To start, you select the drink you want to make on the touchscreen (more on these options further down). Next, insert the portafilter into the grinder chute and tap the grind icon on the touchscreen. The machine will automatically measure a dose and tamp (press down) the grounds. You can adjust grind size and dose using a dial on the side. The machine will detect a pull that’s too fast or slow and suggest a different grind size accordingly.
After a jingle, move the portafilter into the grouphead and press another icon on the touchscreen to pull the espresso. The screen shows a countdown and a live graphic, so you can tell if your grounds need resizing. After pulling the espresso, you can add hot water that shoots diagonally into the same spot where the coffee lands.
If you’re making a milk drink, place the included pitcher under the steam wand with whatever milk you like; the machine has settings for both animal and plant-based milks. You can also select how much heat and foam you want on the touchscreen.
Capabilities & Features
The Oracle Jet is loaded with too many features to list out here, so I’ll go over some of the highlights.
Volumetric grinder & auto tamping: One of the Oracle Jet’s biggest upgrades over Breville’s other espresso machines is a volumetric grinder that dispenses the perfect amount of grinds. Even with a timer, like you find on the Breville Touch Impress, I’d find myself under- or over-filling the puck and needing to remove some grinds and level out the puck. Annoying and messy. That never happens with the Oracle Jet, and it automatically tamps the grinds after dispensing.
Drink options: The Oracle Jet comes with 10 drink options: flat white, latte, cappuccino, espresso, americano, babyccino, hot chocolate, tea, cold brew, and cold espresso. It also has built-in recipes for things like espresso martinis.
“Cold” settings: One of the most interesting features of the Oracle Jet is its cold extraction capabilities, letting you make cold brew and cold espresso. Cold brew coffee takes three minutes, and cold espresso takes one minute. It’s not exactly cold-brewed coffee (and not quite as good as the real thing, like the hot drinks), but it’s still delicious and convienent to have at home in the same machine.
Connectivity: Another key feature on the Oracle Jet is WiFi connectivity — a first from Breville. This allows the machine to get software updates for its sensors and troubleshoot better than most. The feature is still largely in development, but it makes me even more optimistic about long-term use.
Design
All of Breville’s espresso machines make great coffee, but I think the key to the brand’s success —the reason it’s all over designTok — is the sleek stainless steel build. Like the other machines, the Oracle Jet looks fantastic. It’s not too big (although the hopper might not fit under your cabinets), and the full steel design works with any kitchen decor style.
But the Oracle Jet’s design also hides some clever features. Cleaning is easy, and there’s a handy alert flat that pops up when the tray needs to be emptied. One of the best design features is front-facing access to the water tank, which lets you pour in more water without scooting the machine out and removing the rear water tank. It might sound minor, but it’s a great example of the user-friendliness of this machine.
Drink Quality
The Oracle Jet pulls delicious espressos. That’s not new for Breville. What’s better, compared to other models, is the Oracle Jet’s level of consistency. Thanks to all the sensors and automation, the machine is able to create the same fantastic drinks every time. This consistency, in my opinion, is what sets the Jet apart from any other espresso machine I’ve used. I want my espresso to taste the same every day — whether I’m sleepy or off my game — and the Jet does exactly that.
Dialing in the grind size takes a few tries when you first set up the machine, but you’ll be walked through adjustments until you’ve hit the sweet spot. Once it’s set up, expect the same great cup every morning.
Verdict: Is the Breville Oracle Jet Worth It?
If you’re a coffee lover who wants barista-level espresso with almost no work, the Oracle Jet will make your life better. Here’s the catch: it’s $2,000. If you are willing to spend that much on a new espresso machine, however, this is the one to get. It’s cleverly designed, looks amazing, and pulls delicious coffee.
At a Glance: Breville Oracle Jet
Pros: Consistently excellent coffee, volumetric grinder w/ auto tamping, good looks, clever design features
Cons: Steep price, hot water spout can be messy, no simultaneous brewing and steaming
Buy Now on bloomingdales $1,999.95
Buy Now on breville
Buy Now On Amazon
I’ve also used the Breville Barista Express and the Touch Impress. Both of those are good options too if you’re looking for something at a lower price point (specifically, the Barista Express), but the Oracle Jet’s grinder, upgraded touchscreen, and small design tweaks make it well worth the upgrade.
