Breville Oracle Touch Vs Delonghi La Specialista

Torn between the Breville Oracle Touch and the Delonghi La Specialista? When compared directly, the Oracle Touch clearly stands out, while the La Specialista, though impressive, falls short in a few areas.

The Breville Oracle Touch is a semi-automatic espresso machine that closely rivals the super-automatic category. Why? It automates essential processes such as grinding, dosing, tamping, frothing, and cleaning the wand. All you need to do is add beans, select your drink, press start, and the machine handles the rest, delivering barista-quality coffee with minimal effort.

However, the Delonghi La Specialista has its own set of advantages that are worth considering. It heats up faster, offers generous cup clearance, and is significantly more affordable than the Oracle Touch. For those who value speed and budget-friendliness, the La Specialista presents a compelling option.

Ultimately, while the Oracle Touch excels in automation and ease of use, the La Specialista’s quick heat-up time and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking a high-quality espresso machine without breaking the bank.

Breville Oracle Touch vs. Delonghi La Specialista: Specs & Features Comparison

The Breville Oracle Touch and Delonghi La Specialista are both high-end espresso machines, but they cater to different preferences and needs. The Breville Oracle Touch is a semi-automatic machine that closely approaches the super-automatic category, automating key processes such as grinding, dosing, tamping, frothing, and cleaning the wand. It measures 14.7 x 15.4 x 17.9 inches and weighs 37 lbs. The Oracle Touch features a touch display with 8 one-touch drink options, a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder with 45 settings, and dual boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming. It operates at 15 bars of pump pressure and includes pre-infusion. The machine has an auto-frothing wand, dual spigots with a 4-inch cup clearance, and a 2.5-liter water reservoir with a 0.3 kg bean hopper. It also offers optional filters and compatibility with pre-ground coffee.

On the other hand, the Delonghi La Specialista is slightly larger at 15 x 14.5 x 17.5 inches and weighs 29.7 lbs. It features a button-operated interface with 4 one-touch drink options, a built-in stainless steel conical burr grinder with 6 settings, and dual thermoblocks for heating. Like the Oracle Touch, it operates at 15 bars of pump pressure and includes pre-infusion. The advanced Latte System features a Pannarello steam wand for hands-on milk frothing. The dual spigots offer a 5-inch cup clearance, suitable for various cup sizes. The La Specialista includes a 2-liter water reservoir and a 0.25 kg bean hopper, with optional filters available.

Breville Oracle Touch: 45 grind settings, dual boilers, 58-mm commercial-grade portafilter, automatic dosing and tamping system, 2-in-1 milk steam wand.
Delonghi La Specialista: Dual thermoblocks, automatic tamping, easy to use and clean, foldable cup raiser, upgraded Panarello steam wand.

While the Breville Oracle Touch excels in automation and offers a wide range of customization options with its multiple grind settings and dual boilers, the Delonghi La Specialista is notable for its quick heat-up time, generous cup clearance, and more affordable price point. Both machines have their unique advantages, catering to different user preferences.

Breville Oracle Touch vs. Delonghi La Specialista: Differences

The Breville Oracle Touch outperformed the Delonghi La Specialista with a decisive 5-1 score. Let’s dive into an in-depth comparison between these two impressive espresso machines!

Coffee Flavor & Brewing System

Winner: Breville Oracle Touch

Built-in Grinder:

Both machines are equipped with built-in conical burr grinders, eliminating the need for pre-ground beans or a separate grinder. The Oracle Touch boasts 45 grind settings, while the La Specialista has only 6. This vast range of settings on the Oracle Touch allows for exceptional precision in dialing in your espresso shots.

Dosing & Tamping:

Both the Oracle Touch and La Specialista feature automatic tamping systems, making the process mess-free. The Oracle Touch has an automatic tamping station, while the La Specialista features a smart tamping lever. The Oracle Touch also uses a 58mm commercial-grade portafilter, compared to the La Specialista’s 51mm portafilter. Both machines include single-wall baskets for an authentic barista experience.

Heating System:

Both machines have dual boilers, enabling simultaneous steaming and brewing for better thermal stability. However, the La Specialista’s thermoblock technology allows it to heat up faster, taking around 40 seconds for the first shot, compared to the Oracle Touch’s 15-minute warm-up time.

Brewing System:

Pre-infusion is a key feature in both machines, ensuring even and full extraction of flavors. This low-pressure step dampens the coffee grounds with hot water before extraction. Both machines also have powerful 15-bar pumps for proper espresso extraction.

Design & Convenience

Winner: Tie

Dimensions & User Interface:

The Oracle Touch measures 14.7 x 15.4 x 17.9 inches and weighs 37 lbs, while the La Specialista measures 15 x 14.5 x 17.5 inches and weighs 29.7 lbs. The Oracle Touch features a modern touchscreen interface, while the La Specialista has a more traditional control panel with knobs and a pressure gauge. Both machines are visually appealing with stainless steel housings.

Spout Type & Cup Clearance:

The La Specialista offers a 5-inch cup clearance and includes a drop-down tray for smaller cups. The Oracle Touch has a 4-inch clearance but allows for removing the drip tray to accommodate larger cups.

Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper:

The Oracle Touch has a 2.5-liter water reservoir and a 0.3 kg bean hopper, while the La Specialista has a 2-liter reservoir and a 0.25 kg hopper. The Oracle Touch’s tank can be filled from the top and includes a water filter for enhanced coffee quality and reduced scale buildup.

Milk Frothing System

Winner: Breville Oracle Touch

Steam Wands:

Both machines feature automatic steam wands. The La Specialista’s Pannarello wand allows for switching between “flat” and “foam” settings, creating microfoam for latte art. The Oracle Touch’s wand allows you to pre-select milk foam temperature (104-167°F) and texture (9 levels). It includes a sensor to monitor milk temperature and can froth automatically or manually.

Drink Options & Programmability

Winner: Breville Oracle Touch

Drink Options:

The Oracle Touch offers a range of one-touch drinks, including Espresso, Americano, Long Black, Latte, Flat White, Cappuccino, Hot Milk, and Hot Water. The La Specialista offers Espresso, Coffee, Americano, and Hot Water.

Programmability:

Both machines allow for customization of coffee strength, temperature, and milk foam texture. However, the Oracle Touch does not allow direct dosage modification through the control panel but requires adjustments in the auto-tamping station.

Other Features

Winner: Breville Oracle Touch

User Profile:

The Oracle Touch allows you to save up to eight personalized beverages, ensuring variety and satisfaction for all users.

Auto On:

The Oracle Touch can turn on automatically based on a preset schedule, skipping the initial warm-up period and allowing for immediate brewing.

Breville Oracle Touch excels in automation, customization, and user-friendly features, making it the superior choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking a seamless and high-quality espresso experience. The Delonghi La Specialista, while offering quick heat-up times and affordability, falls short in comparison but remains a solid choice for those who prefer manual intervention in their coffee-making process.

Quick Overview of Breville Oracle Touch

Breville the Oracle Touch Automatic Espresso Machine with Grinder & Milk Frother, BES990BSS

The Breville Oracle Touch is an advanced semi-automatic espresso machine that automates key processes to deliver barista-quality coffee with ease. It features a built-in grinder, automatic milk frothing, and a touchscreen interface for effortless operation.

Key Features:

45 Precision Grind Settings: Allows for exceptional customization of grind size.
Dual Boilers: Ensures simultaneous brewing and steaming for better thermal stability.
58-mm Commercial-Grade Portafilter: Larger portafilter for improved extraction.
Automatic Dosing and Tamping System: Streamlines the process and reduces mess.
2-in-1 Milk Steam Wand: Automatically froths milk to your desired texture and temperature.

Pros:

45 grind settings.
A pair of boilers.
58-mm commercial-grade portafilter.
Automatic dosing and tamping system.
2-in-1 milk steam wand.

Cons:

Costly.
Bulky.

The Breville Oracle Touch is an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts who want a high-quality, user-friendly machine that automates many of the steps involved in making espresso. Its advanced features and customizable settings make it a standout option for those seeking the perfect cup of coffee at home.

Quick Overview of Delonghi La Specialista

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Sensor Grinder, Dual Heating System, Advanced Latte System & Hot Water Spout, Stainless Steel, EC9335M

The Delonghi La Specialista is a high-quality espresso machine that combines advanced technology with ease of use, making it perfect for coffee enthusiasts. It features a sensor grinder, dual heating system, advanced latte system, and a hot water spout for Americano coffee or tea.

Key Features:

Dual Thermoblocks: Enables simultaneous brewing and steaming for efficient coffee preparation.
Sensor Grinder: Ensures precise and consistent grinding for optimal flavor extraction.
Advanced Latte System: Includes an upgraded Panarello steam wand for versatile milk frothing.
Hot Water Spout: Convenient for preparing Americanos and tea.
Automatic Tamping: Streamlines the coffee-making process for consistent results.
Foldable Cup Raiser: Allows for accommodating various cup sizes with ease.

Pros:

Dual thermoblocks.
Automatic tamping.
Easy to use and clean.
Foldable cup raiser.
Upgraded Panarello steam wand.

Cons:

No single-wall basket.
Feels cheap.

The Delonghi La Specialista is ideal for those who appreciate a balance of advanced features and user-friendly design. Its dual heating system and automatic tamping make it a reliable choice for crafting delicious espresso drinks, while the foldable cup raiser and upgraded steam wand add to its versatility and convenience.

Conclusion:

In the showdown between the Breville Oracle Touch and the Delonghi La Specialista, the Oracle Touch emerges as the clear winner with a decisive score of 5-1. Both machines offer advanced features and impressive technology, but the Oracle Touch’s superior automation, customization, and user-friendly design make it the ultimate choice for coffee enthusiasts.

The Breville Oracle Touch stands out with its 45 grind settings, dual boilers, and automatic dosing and tamping system. It features a 58-mm commercial-grade portafilter and a 2-in-1 milk steam wand that allows for precise control over milk frothing. The touchscreen interface provides an effortless operation, offering a variety of one-touch drink options and the ability to save up to eight personalized beverages. Additionally, the Oracle Touch’s auto-on feature ensures that you can skip the initial warm-up period and brew your coffee right away.

On the other hand, the Delonghi La Specialista offers notable advantages such as quick heat-up times, generous cup clearance, and a more affordable price point. It features dual thermoblocks, a sensor grinder, and an advanced latte system with an upgraded Panarello steam wand. The La Specialista’s automatic tamping and foldable cup raiser add to its convenience and versatility. However, it falls short in terms of grind settings, drink options, and overall ease of use compared to the Oracle Touch.

Ultimately, while both machines have their unique strengths, the Breville Oracle Touch excels in delivering a seamless and high-quality espresso experience, making it the superior choice for home baristas. The Delonghi La Specialista remains a solid contender for those who appreciate manual intervention and seek a reliable espresso machine at a more affordable price.