Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine BES990BSS, vs Smeg NEW BCC11WHMUS Fully Automatic Espresso

Design and Aesthetics

The Smeg NEW BCC11WHMUS Fully Automatic Espresso Machine features a striking retro design, while the Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine boasts a modern brushed stainless steel finish. The Smeg machine is crafted with a solid brushed aluminum front panel and drip tray, adding a stylish touch to any kitchen. In contrast, the Breville's sleek design is complemented by a touch screen interface, making it visually appealing and user-friendly. With its unique aesthetic qualities, Smeg's machine stands out as a fashion statement, while Breville focuses on functionality without sacrificing style.

Brewing Performance

When it comes to brewing performance, the Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine excels with its professional dual boiler construction, allowing for simultaneous extraction and steaming. This ensures that users can achieve optimal water temperature and pressure for a balanced espresso every time. The Smeg machine, while also providing quality espresso, features a high-performance 19 bar pump and a fast thermoblock heating system that gets ready to brew in seconds. Although both machines are designed for quality coffee, Breville's advanced brewing technology provides a more café-like experience at home.

Ease of Use

The Breville Oracle Touch offers an intuitive touch screen that makes selecting your coffee preferences seamless, allowing users to choose from espresso, latte, or cappuccino with just a swipe. In comparison, the Smeg machine utilizes LED-lit buttons for simple operation, preprogrammed for various coffee types including ristretto and Americano. While both machines are user-friendly, the Breville's automation at every stage allows for a more personalized experience, making it easier to craft a coffee tailored to individual tastes.

Grinding Capabilities

Breville’s Oracle Touch incorporates an integrated precision conical burr grinder that automatically grinds, doses, and tamps 22 grams of coffee, maximizing flavor. This feature is essential for those who prioritize freshness in their coffee. Conversely, the Smeg machine also features a stainless steel burr grinder but does not specify the capacity. While both machines provide grinding capabilities, Breville's precision and automation offer a more consistent and flavorful result, appealing to coffee enthusiasts.

Milk Texturing

The Breville Oracle Touch stands out with its automatic microfoam milk texturing, powered by a dedicated boiler that creates barista-quality microfoam. This feature is crucial for crafting lattes and cappuccinos that require a velvety milk texture. The Smeg machine, while capable of making cappuccinos and lattes, does not emphasize its milk texturing capabilities to the same extent. For users who appreciate the art of milk frothing, the Breville machine offers a significant advantage.

Customization Options

Customization is one of the key features of the Breville Oracle Touch, allowing users to adjust coffee strength, milk texture, and temperature to their liking. Additionally, it supports saving up to eight personalized coffee profiles, making it easy to cater to different tastes. On the other hand, the Smeg machine features three preset buttons for espresso, cappuccino, and coffee, which limits customization. For those who enjoy tailoring their coffee experience, the Breville Oracle Touch provides a more comprehensive solution.

Price Comparison

The Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine is priced at $2,799.95, whereas the Smeg NEW BCC11WHMUS is significantly more affordable at $860.96, making it about 69% cheaper. This stark price difference reflects the advanced features and technology found in the Breville machine, which justifies its higher price tag. While the Smeg machine offers good value for a stylish automatic espresso maker, those seeking premium features may find the investment in Breville worthwhile.

Which should you buy?

Choosing between the Breville Oracle Touch and Smeg NEW BCC11WHMUS ultimately depends on your coffee preferences and budget. If you prioritize advanced features like precision grinding, automatic microfoam milk texturing, and extensive customization options, the Breville Oracle Touch stands out as the superior choice. However, if you’re looking for a stylish and more budget-friendly option that still brews quality coffee, the Smeg machine is a solid contender. Both machines have their strengths, so your decision should align with what you value most in your coffee-making experience.