Breville recently launched the $2,000 Oracle Jet, the company’s most advanced espresso machine by some stretch, hitting the market in September after being announced at the spring 2024 SCA Trade Show. We’ve had two models of the machine since early August – the first unit we got had some early production issues, so Breville sent a replacement model – and I’m ready to share some initial thoughts on this neoteric machine.
The Oracle lineup has been Breville’s flagship since 2013, starting with The Oracle, followed by the Oracle Touch. The goal for Breville has always been to combine the ease and convenience of a super automatic – bean to cup machine – with the construction, features, and abilities of a traditional espresso machine. All the detriments of super autos, from smaller doses, less capable grinders, and often difficult and expensive maintenance, are removed in the design and concept of Breville’s Oracle lineup.
The Oracle machines automate many of the steps and procedures in building espresso based drinks, but do so with traditional 58mm portafilters, 19-21g coffee doses, precise volumetric controls, PID temperature stability and fantastic steam performance. The original Oracle tackled these things with automated grinding, dosing, tamping, and steaming functions. The Oracle Touch took it further with a touchscreen, automating more drink building steps. You just had to move the portafilter and add milk, while the machine handled the rest.
However, at $2,800, the Oracle Touch is a serious investment. And it wasn’t without some detriments, including a long heat up time (those big boilers need time), and the fact some owners wanted more flexibility in the automated, programmable drink recipes.
This is where the new Oracle Jet machine comes in. It is still based around Breville’s 58mm portafilter and grouphead system, but is otherwise a completely new machine and design when compared to the older two Oracle models. It also comes in at $2,000 MSRP, a $800 savings over the Oracle Touch. Let’s get into what this machine offers.
The Breville Oracle Jet
The Oracle Jet shares a few features with the previous Oracle models, like the 58mm portafilter and grouphead system, allowing for 21g doses, and the automated dosing and tamping system. But almost everything else has been improved, upgraded, or re-engineered.
This new Oracle’s heating system is now based on Breville’s Thermojet technology, used in many of Breville’s current lineup, from the Bambino right on up to the Barista Touch Impress. Unlike all those machines, the Oracle Jet has two Thermojets: one for brewing and steaming, and one to rapidly heat the grouphead. It’s not a dual boiler system like the older Oracle models, so you can’t brew and steam at the same time, and that has been a sticking point for some who believe the flagship machines from Breville should have dual boilers and the ability to brew and steam at the same time.
However, the Jet switches from brewing to powerful, dry steam performance within seconds thanks to the Thermojet’s abilities, minimizing the loss of the second boiler feature. It is also $800 cheaper than the Oracle Touch, so some of those savings come from the removal of a dedicated steam production system.
The first unit Breville sent us had some temperature issues (it was literally one of the first units off the production line, and it had come up from Mexico), but the replacement has been working well, and we’re pulling great espresso shots with it.
I’m still dialing in the grinder, which has seen a complete overhaul in the new Jet. It now features the advanced Baratza M2 burrset with stepless grind adjustments, and a brand new cage and more rigid all metal structure, giving the machine far more precision and consistency in the grind output.
The Oracle Jet also looks different when compared to the older two Oracle models. It more closely follows Breville’s latest design language, with more curves, smoother surfaces and a more polished overall look. The drip tray and the hidden accessories drawer have been revamped. Breville even redesigned the nifty lever and lift system that lets you easily move and maneuver the machine around on your counter.
The milk frothing system has had a complete upgrade over older Oracle models, now featuring Breville’s MilQ system, capable of handling plant-based milks and offering precise temperature control within 2°F. Early pundits are claiming it’s the best frothing system Breville’s ever made. The early unit we had also had some issues with the milk system so I have not been able to confirm that, but my initial tests with the replacement unit show it’s at least on par with the milk system on the Barista Touch Impress, which previously was Breville’s most advanced milk system.
We will cover all these aspects a lot more in our First Look, coming in about a month.
The Brains
Now, let’s talk about the coolest part of the Oracle Jet: its operating system and user interface. Breville really went all out here, packing in powerful hardware, plenty of memory, and – finally – it’s a machine that can connect to the Internet and get OTA firmware updates.
Thank the stars! I’ve been begging Breville to add this feature to all their touchscreen machines, especially since some really need it (looking at you, Barista Touch Impress). The Jet has already received two firmware updates, fixing some issues and adding new features like drink recipes and automations. One update I love is that double-tapping the steam pitcher or shot glass now triggers a quick purge of the steam wand or grouphead.
The operating system has different modes, too. If you’re an advanced barista, you can disable most of the assists and fine-tune your drink builds exactly how you like. But if you’re new to home espresso, the full-assist mode guides you through every step and can even correct mistakes and suggest improvements. It’s basically like having an AI barista live coach.
Almost every aspect of every drink build can be fine tuned, something I really appreciate. For instance, unlike the Barista Touch Impress, you can actually set the proper volume of hot water for a traditional 150ml americano on the Oracle Jet (the factory setting is still too high, but you can change that). The control of milk foam levels and temperatures is also a lot more customizable.
The machine even has new “cold drink” options, with more appearing in recent firmware updates. We’ll be diving into all of this in our First Look and Full Review.
I’ve tested the Oracle Jet against both the Oracle Touch and the Barista Touch Impress, and it feels like a two-generation leap forward. The screen is gorgeous—smooth scrolling, super responsive, and the rich detail videos showing different processes are a brilliant touch.
And One More Thing
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Oracle Jet’s packaging. If you are a regular reader of our reviews and first looks, you know we will call out companies for using environmentally unfriendly packaging like styrofoam, styrene and plastics. Breville in the past was particularly bad at this.
Well I am beyond happy to see that the Oracle Jet ships in very eco friendly packaging. They use reinforced plant-based packaging inside the box, and have eschewed their previous ink and gloss coating heavy external packaging. The machine is still wrapped in plastic (they could go to biodegradable materials here) but regardless, this is a very welcome move by Breville, and needs to be recognized.
Wrap Up
At $2,000, the Oracle Jet is definitely pricey, no doubt about that. It’s $500 more than the Barista Touch Impress, but the tech inside justifies the cost: dual Thermojets, 58mm portafilter, an upgraded grinder, automated dosing and tamping, an advanced milk system, and a much-improved UI and operating system.
We’ll be diving deeper into all the details in our First Look. So far, Breville seems to have made a lot of smart choices with the Oracle Jet. The early results in my limited testing have been excellent, and once it’s fully broken in, I will put it through its paces for our patented First Look, and the Full Review to come after.
The Oracle Jet is available direct from Breville right now, with free shipping, and can also be purchased at 1st in Coffee (call for availability), or via Amazon. If you buy direct from Breville, you get extended warranty options priced at good rates, and they often have promotions going on with Beanz including a $200 cashback option and free coffee.
NB, we make a small commission if you buy direct from Breville or Amazon. This income makes our website possible.
Mark has certified as a Canadian, USA, and World Barista Championship Judge in both sensory and technical fields, as well as working as an instructor in coffee and espresso training. He started CoffeeGeek in 2001.
