The Breville Oracle Touch vs Saeco Xelsis are both super-automatic espresso machines worth considering, but there is always only one winner, and that is the Saeco Xelsis, for good reasons.
The Saeco Xelsis offers a longer list of coffee specialties and higher customization. It can also make two milky drinks at the same time and has 6 user profiles available to personalize family members’ settings.
The Breville Oracle Touch, on the other hand, is one of the finest Brevilles ever created. It features a good 2-in-1 steam wand and a nice ceramic grinder with up to 45 grind adjustment settings.
Breville Oracle Touch Vs Saeco Xelsis: Specs & Features Comparison Chart
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Oracle Touch Vs Saeco Xelsis: Differences
The Saeco Xelsis won 4-2 against the Breville Oracle Touch. Let’s find out how they differ from each other!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Built-in Grinder
One of the big reasons we want to spend our hard-earned money on an automatic espresso machine is to minimize manual labor, particularly in tasks such as grinding beans. Luckily, both machines have a beautiful built-in grinder with a range of grind settings, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of finding a separate grinder that matches the quality and consistency required for a perfect espresso.
First off, the Oracle Touch uses a stainless steel conical burr grinder with up to 45 grind adjustment settings. Yes, you read that right – 45 settings! That means the sky’s the limit for your experimentation! If there were ever a Guinness World Record for “The Espresso Machine with the Most Grind Settings,” the Oracle Touch would surely be taking a victory lap.
The Saeco Xelsis, on the other hand, features a ceramic flat burr grinder with 12 adjustment settings, which can be easily adjusted via a small knob in the hopper. The ceramic-made grinder is naturally resistant to heat – the nemesis of fresh coffee beans – so it doesn’t get overheated during operation. Furthermore, the ceramic grinder is known for its durability and ability to maintain sharpness over time.
It is worth noting that when unboxing the Oracle Touch, you will receive a 58-mm commercial-grade portafilter and two filter baskets. Where’s the tamper? Did the manufacturer forget it? Fear not – there’s no oversight here. The Oracle Touch comes with its own little party trick: an automatic grinding and tamping system. It’s consistent, mess-free, and, let’s be honest, pretty cool to watch.
Heating System
Both have two heating systems to handle both tasks at once – one for brewing espresso and one for steaming milk. Why is this important, you ask? Speed and efficiency, my friends. Gone are the days of standing around waiting for your machine to switch gears from brewing to steaming.
Still, the Saeco Xelsis is equipped with dual thermoblocks rather than traditional boilers like the Oracle Touch. The thermoblock heats water on demand as it passes through the system, which can mean faster heat-up times and potentially more energy efficiency.
Brewing System
Both have a pre-infusion function, an element of espresso extraction that’s as crucial as it is often overlooked. During the pre-infusion phase, water is gently introduced to the puck of ground coffee at low pressure for a few seconds before the full pressure of the extraction kicks in, allowing carbon dioxide to escape and the coffee to “bloom.” What’s more, it allows for a more even saturation of the coffee puck, resulting in perfect espresso extraction.
The Saeco Xelsis allows you to change the length of the pre-infusion by sliding the “taste” bar. Well, it’s all about tailoring the brewing process to match the specific characteristics of your coffee beans and your personal taste preferences.
Both then extract espresso at a pressure of 15 bars, while the standard for a quality espresso shot is generally around 9 bars of pressure. This high-pressure extraction can result in a more robust, full-bodied shot of espresso with a beautiful, creamy crema on top – the hallmark of a well-made espresso.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
Dimensions & User Interface
| Breville Oracle Touch | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.7 x 15.4 x 17.9 inches | 11.1 x 15.5 x 19.3 inches |
| Weight | 37 lbs | 25.8 lbs |
Both Breville and Saeco clearly understand that we eat (or drink, in this case) with our eyes first. I mean, they know looks matter, and that is evident through the Oracle Touch and Saeco Xelsis.
The glinting stainless steel housing of both gives these machines a look of sophistication and durability. It’s like they’re saying, “I’m not just here for a good time; I’m here for a long time, and I’ll be making countless cups of coffee while looking fabulous.”
Both of these machines are also equipped with an advanced touch screen. This is indeed a nod to the modern, tech-savvy world we live in, where the ease and intuitiveness of a touch interface are highly appreciated, even in our kitchen appliances.
The Oracle Touch is especially heavy, while the Saeco Xelsis is quite tall, so I’d say the unboxing and initial setup would be like a mini-workout session in your kitchen. I also want to add that the Oracle Touch has a wheel system so you can easily glide your machine across the counter to do something like remove the water tank.
Spout & Cup Clearance
| Breville Oracle Touch | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
| Spigot Type | Dual | Dual |
| Cup Clearance | 4 inches | 3-6 inches |
Compared to the Oracle Touch’s fixed cup height, the Saeco Xelsis has a variable height dispensing unit, fitting different cup heights, from a stout espresso cup to a tall travel mug. That way, it can be as close to the rim of the cup as possible to ensure a gentle landing for your espresso, avoiding the risk of disrupting the delicate crema layer. Oh, the Saeco Xelsis can prepare two cups at the same time, whether it’s espresso or a milky drink, while the Oracle Touch can only brew two shots of espresso at once, by the way.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper
| Breville Oracle Touch | Saeco Xelsis | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Reservoir | 2.5 liter | 1.7 liter |
| Bean Hopper | 0.28 Kilogram | 0.45 Kilogram |
The Oracle Touch boasts a larger water tank, while the Saeco Xelsis takes the lead with a bigger bean container. Anyway, their water tanks are enough to serve your whole family during the day without refilling, and I recommend changing the water the next morning.
The Saeco Xelsis’s tank easily slides out from the front, so you won’t experience any inconvenience when filling it with fresh water. As for the Oracle Touch, its tank is on the back, but there is a slot on top so you can top it up without removing it from the machine.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Oracle Touch
The Oracle Touch has a 2-in-1 steam wand, whereas the Saeco Xelsis has an automatic milk system called LatteDuo. Anyway, they are designed to simplify your journey to some milk-based drinks.
Right off the bat, both ship with a milk jug. It’s especially notable when considering that some manufacturers (I won’t name any names here, but cough, Jura, cough) charge premium prices for their machines and still leave you jug-less.
Let’s start with the Oracle Touch’s hybrid steam wand. I call it “hybrid” because it can automatically froth milk or it can be used as a manual wand, giving you the best of both worlds.
In automatic mode, you just need to fill the included jug with your milk, choose a temperature between 104-167 °F, dip the wand into the milk and leave. The sensor on the tip of the wand will recognize when the milk has reached the set temperature and stop the entire process! For those who love the art of manual frothing, you can deal with the whole process by hand.
As for the Saeco Xelsis’s built-in milk system, it can create elegant and delicious foam at the push of a button but fails to produce the superfine powder needed for a barista-standard flat white. It’s just perfect for the everyday coffee lover who craves convenience instead of the die-hard fans of flat white or latte art. Just press a button, and voilà, you have your frothy milk!
Ah, the Saeco coffee’s automatic post-milk delivery steam flush is both a blessing and a slight nuisance, depending on how you look at it. The steam flush is fantastic for hygiene – no argument there. This self-cleaning feature ensures the milk system is fresh and ready for the next use. But I just wish the machine would hold off for seconds to avoid a blast of steam getting into a meticulously prepared drink.
Pre-programmed Coffee Options & Programmability
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
| Breville Oracle Touch | Saeco Xelsis |
|---|---|
Espresso Americano Long Black Latte Flat White Cappuccino Hot Milk Hot Water | Coffee Espresso Ristretto Espresso lungo Americano Flat white Latte macchiato Cappuccino Caffe latte Cafe au lait Cortado Milk froth Warm milk Hot water |
The Oracle Touch offers up to eight one-touch drinks, which is quite impressive, but the Saeco Xelsis can even turn your kitchen into a veritable mini refreshment station with a list of 14 specialties. Both have a hot water option, which is perfect for those non-coffee moments when you might want a cup of tea or need hot water for other drinks or even cooking.
Speaking of adjustability, the Oracle Touch allows you to change shot length and the temperature of water and milk – coffee dosage can’t be changed. As for the Saeco Xelsis, it offers a broader spectrum of customization options, including the strength of the coffee, the amount of milk, and the brewing temperature. The Saeco Xelsis even lets you decide whether milk or espresso is poured first.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Saeco Xelsis
These machines are designed to make your life simpler, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do anything. The descaling process on both is essentially automatic, and their milk systems are also automatically cleaned after each use. But there’s a bit of upkeep involved, such as emptying the drip tray, cleaning the coffee grounds basket, rinsing the portafilter, etc.
The brew group of the Saeco Xelsis is removable, and I especially appreciate this. Think of the brew group as the heart of the espresso machine. Being able to remove it allows for thorough cleaning, which is essential for maintaining the machine’s performance and ensuring the longevity of your investment.
Other Features
Winner: Breville Oracle Touch
User Profile
The Saeco Xelsis offers up to six user profiles. Imagine this: six different people, each with their own specific coffee desires – from the strength of the brew to the temperature of the milk and even the order in which the milk and espresso are poured. The Saeco Xelsis caters to this variety seamlessly. The Oracle Touch has no user profile, but it allows you to save and personalize up to 8 different recipes. Well, half a loaf is better than none!
Auto On/Off
The Oracle Touch can be programmed to turn on automatically. It’s like having a coffee butler who’s attuned to your schedule, ensuring that your machine is ready when you are. Similarly, the automatic off feature is a nod to both safety and energy efficiency.
Breville Oracle Touch Vs Saeco Xelsis: Similarities
Water Filter
Well, the only thing these beasts have in common is that they both come with a water filter. The water filter in these machines is like the unsung hero of the coffee-brewing process. It works to remove impurities and any unwanted tastes or odors from the water, ensuring that the espresso you’re tasting is as good as possible.
Having a built-in water filter also extends the life of the machine. By filtering out minerals and particles that can build up over time, these filters help prevent scale buildup, which is a common issue in coffee machines. This is especially important in areas with hard water. It is like a protective barrier, guarding the inner workings of your espresso machine against the gradual wear and tear caused by unfiltered water.
Quick Rundown Of Saeco Xelsis
- With Philips Saeco Xelsis easily make up to 15 coffee varieties from common Espresso and Capuccino to specialty coffees like Flat White or Americano. Simply swipe the touchscreen to select the drink and customize it with our intuitive Coffee Equalizer.Filter type:Reusable.Power consumption stand-by : 0.5W, Drip tray capacity : 500 ml
- 15 Coffee Varieties at Your Fingertips: Explore the world of coffee - Espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and a range of specialty drinks
- Personalized Preferences: Everyone’s custom coffee favorites can be saved in up to 6 user profiles for instant selection. Personalize each profile down to the finest detail
- LatteDuo Milk System: Prepare and enjoy single or double serving of any coffee recipe with one touch, including Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato
- Double Thermo Blocks: Dedicated for both brewing and steaming offer accurate temperature controls for every drink in your recipe book
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown Of Breville Oracle Touch
- Please refer to user guide or user manual or user guide (provided below in PDF) before first use.Grind Settings : 45 precision grind settings. Portafilter : Commercial grade 58mm portafilter.Portafilter : Commercial grade 58mm portafilter
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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References
- Saeco Xelsis: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-ho/coffee/saeco-automatic-espresso-machine#triggername=saeco_black
- Breville Oracle Touch: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/espresso/bes990.html
Felix Hendricks is a skilled barista with over 12 years of experience. He excels in crafting coffee and has a strong foundation in coffee machine mechanics. Felix holds a Coffee Machine Maintenance Certification from the Coffee Equipment Technical Institute, showcasing his ability to diagnose and repair coffee machines. He’s also worked as a quality control specialist, selecting premium coffee beans for optimal flavor. Felix has a diverse work history, including stints at renowned coffee spots like Café Euphoria & Starbucks. His expertise in both brewing and machine maintenance makes him a respected figure in the coffee industry.