From automatic grind adjustments to single-degree brew control, the new Oracle Dual Boiler aims to please both ends of the home barista spectrum.
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Breville has pulled the curtain back on its new flagship espresso machine, theOracle Dual Boiler, a model that builds on over a decade of iteration within the Oracle line.
Since the original launched in 2014, Breville has steadily expanded the series with machines like theOracle Touchand, more recently, theOracle JETEach has pushed further into balancing convenience with performance, and the Oracle Dual Boiler is clearly the most direct (and premium) expression of that goal so far.
The premise is simple: this is a machine that can work on autopilot for quick, consistent results, but it also leaves the door open for users who want the ability to fine-tune their shots.
It feels intended as a tool for households where one person might want a cappuccino without fuss, while another may prefer to experiment with temperature curves and milk texture.
Coffee Cruise Control
On the surface, the Oracle Dual Boiler is one of Breville's most approachable premium machines to date.
The centerpiece is a 5.7-inch high-definition touchscreen, the largest the brand has put on an espresso machine, which serves as a central hub for drink selection, setup, and feedback.
From here, users can choose among 15 preset recipes—the most Breville has ever included in a machine. The list covers cafe staples like espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos, but also stretches into iced lattes, shakeratos, and even an espresso martini for those who want something different.
Breville has also added a new Auto Dial-In system that tackles one of the most common frustrations for home users: grind size. The system monitors extraction and automatically adjusts the grind for future shots, gradually honing in on a more consistent result without requiring constant user intervention.
Inside the machine, a set of Baratza European precision burrs offers 45 grind settings, providing a wide range of flexibility whether the machine is operating in automatic or manual mode.
Milk preparation has received similar attention. The Auto MilQ steam wand is designed to produce silky microfoam, but it also features refined settings for oat, almond, soy, and dairy, tailoring the steaming process for different milk types. Combined with the Oracle's dedicated steam boiler, the system is capable of producing texture suitable for latte art at the touch of a button.
Connectivity completes the convenience aspect. Like Oracle Jet, built-in Wi-Fi allows for software updates. But now it also connects the machine with Breville's companion app, which can turn the machine on or remotely bring it to temperature.
It's a small touch that means the Oracle Dual Boiler can be ready to brew before a user walks into the kitchen.
Leaving Room for Tinkering
While automation is a big part of the appeal, the Oracle Dual Boiler isn't locked into push-button simplicity.
Beneath, it features components more commonly found in prosumer-level semi-automatics.
As with previous flagship Breville machines, its dual boiler system ensures temperature stability, allowing it to pull an espresso shot and steam milk simultaneously. A heated group head adds further consistency, keeping brewing temperatures stable across back-to-back shots.
For users who want to push further, a manual mode allows adjustments across nearly every stage of the brewing process. Pre-infusion, blooming, brew time, and even temperature can be tweaked, with single-degree increments available for dialing in a shot.
Milk steaming can also be switched to manual operation for those who prefer to handle texturing themselves. The machine comes with a 58mm stainless steel portafilter, the same size used in commercial machines, ensuring compatibility with standard accessories and tools.
This combination makes the Oracle Dual Boiler unusual in the home market: it can mostly mimic a superautomatic machine for speed and consistency, but it can also cosplay as a classic espresso machine for those who want hands-on control.
For users who want to push further, a manual mode allows adjustments across nearly every stage of the brewing process. Pre-infusion, blooming, brew time, and even temperature can be tweaked, with single-degree increments available for dialing in a shot. Milk steaming can also be switched into manual operation for those who prefer to handle texturing themselves. The machine ships with a 58mm stainless steel portafilter, the same size used in commercial machines, ensuring compatibility with standard accessories and tools.
With Cost Comes Competition
At a retail price of $2,999.95, the Oracle Dual Boiler is the most expensive model in Breville's current lineup, edging out the Oracle Touch by $200.
That pricing puts it in a curious position. It's still "affordable" compared to elite espresso machines from Slayer and others.
But it's also expensive enough to now match a roster of respected semi-automatic machines from Rocket Espresso, LELIT, Rancilio, Profitec, ECM, and LUCCA.
Those competitors are known for mechanical simplicity and longevity, which many enthusiasts see as advantages over machines with touchscreens and software updates.
At the same time, they require a level of skill and attention to coffee-making that not every household with financial means is looking to invest.
Super-automatic models from Jura and Saeco occupy the other end of the spectrum. Excellent versions sit in the same cost ballpark as the Oracle Dual Boiler and allow owners to prepare a drink at the push of a button without even transferring a portafilter. But while they excel at speed and simplicity, they leave little or no room for tweaking and refinement.
Breville is aiming for a middle ground, a machine that provides accessibility for beginners while still giving enthusiasts a sandbox to work with.
The Oracle Dual Boiler's balances and compromises are bound to turn off many who are already firmly entrenched on either side of the coffee-making aisle. Still, it's also easy to see how this unique feature set will appeal to many affluent consumers who like the idea of wandering somewhere in between.
Pricing and Availability
The Breville Oracle Dual Boiler is available now for$2,999.95throughBrevilleandWilliams Sonoma. If past launches are any indication, additional retailers will follow in the months ahead.
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