Breville and Jura are the two heavyweights in the coffee machine manufacturing sphere. Both brands focus solely on making ultra-modern automatic espresso machines. Although they make automatic espresso machines, Jura and Oracle apply very different design and implementation philosophies. But whichever brand you choose between them, you’ll end up a winner.
If you browse the internet, you’ll find Jura’s E-series and Breville’s Oracle series are the most recommended for the super-automatic price range. Thus, we bring you the sweethearts among their series, the Jura E8, and the Breville Oracle Touch comparison guide.
Jura E8 VS. Breville Oracle Touch: Focusing On Their Key Differences
Build Quality
It all starts with the design. Jura always goes with an abstract, futuristic exterior design for its machines, and the Jura E8 is no different here either. But to bring overall balance, Jura applies ABS plastic to make the exterior, and the same goes for the E8. Thus, it weighs less than the Oracle Touch.
Breville also focuses a lot on innovative designs, but they keep a distinctively classy touch to their machines’ designs. On top of that, Breville applies stainless steel to its exterior components. This is why Breville machines have a shiny exterior and weigh more than their competitors.
If we get right down to specifications, the Jura E8 has a smaller footprint with dimensions of 11 × 13.8 × 17.6 inches and weighs 21 lbs., whereas the Breville is a much bigger machine with the dimensions of 15.4 x 17.8 x 14.7 and weighs 37 lbs.
Drink Options
They have different purposes when it comes to their targeted consumers. The Jura E8 was built to be a one-for-all full-automatic espresso machine. On the other hand, the Oracle Touch was built to satisfy espresso lovers. That’s why you’ll see a massive difference in this regard between the two.
The Jura E8 offers way more drink options—17 to be exact. You’ll be able to make espresso (2x), espresso doppio, coffee (2x), Americano, caffè barista, cortado, macchiato, cappuccino (with an extra shot), flat white (with an extra shot), latte macchiato (with an extra shot), a portion of milk foam, and hot water with the Jura E8.
On the other hand, the Oracle Touch has 5 recipes: espresso, latte, long black or Americano, flat white, and cappuccino. As we’ve already mentioned, all of these options are ideal for espresso lovers. Please note that the Oracle Touch has a hot water dispenser as well, but it’s only for warming a cup and making an Americano or a lungo.
Dosage
Due to their different brewing philosophies and the combination of different arrays of drinking options, it’s obvious that these two models will come with different dosage amounts.
Since the Breville Oracle Touch was made for espresso aficionados, the dosage amount must comply with that. Thus, it only ranges from 19 to 22 grams per shot. But the Jura E8 caters to a broader consumer range, and its preprogrammed 17 recipes are made to match that ambition. This is exactly why the E8 has a dosage range of 5 to 16 grams per shot.
Grinder Settings
The Oracle Touch has an advantage in this matter. It comes with a steel conical burr that works with 45-grind settings. The Jura E8, on the other hand, only has 10 grind settings. Like the Oracle Touch, it also comes with steel-made conical burrs. It’s worth noting that both machines have the same capacity in terms of bean hopper size. Both have a 10 oz. bean hopper with a safety lid.
Heating And Pumping Systems
This is where these two models show where their hearts are in terms of mechanical philosophy. If you want a classic-styled, powerful espresso machine for your home, the Oracle Touch is the ideal machine. But if you want an uber-modern home espresso system, the Jura E8 has got you covered.
The Jura E8 does not have a boiler system. Jura engineers have implemented their very own single Thermoblock heating system. It’s fast and less noisy.
The Oracle Touch has gone with tried-and-true double steel boilers: one dedicated to brewing and the other for steaming milk. Like all the other dual-boiler machines, it takes time to heat up and is noisier.
The Jura E8’s strength is that it offers you more speed, even though you wouldn’t be able to steam and brew simultaneously. The Oracle Touch’s dual boilers are slow to heat up but offer simultaneous steaming and brewing.
Brewing Principles
Breville Oracle Touch uses a proprietary 4-key formula with proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers.
The 4-key formula includes using the right dose of 19–22 grams of freshly ground beans to bring out the incredible aroma, intense flavors, and distinctive characteristics of the coffee. To create an opulent, creamy, caramel-colored, sweet, and viscous espresso shot, Breville applies a low-pressure pre-infusion to soak the grinds before the 9-bar pressure extraction process. The 3rd key is its digital temperature control (PID) technology. It precisely controls water temperature for a perfectly balanced coffee extraction at 200 Fahrenheit. And the 4th key is to make velvety milk microfoam at 266 Fahrenheit. Doing so enhances the flavor and mouthfeel of the steamed milk.
The Jura E8 is equipped with Jura’s top-notch Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) combined with PID, 3D brewing, and variable brewing unit technology. The PEP causes the hot water to pass through the coffee pucks in short bursts to extract the most flavor and aroma. The PEP also optimizes the extraction time for each recipe to guarantee a professional-quality, barista-style cup of coffee. The 3D brewing technology releases hot water into the grounds in multiple layers for optimal pre-infusion. And the variable brewing unit monitors and adjusts the dosage quantity according to the selected recipe.
Milk System
The Oracle Touch’s milk system is truly one of the best on the market. Its steam wand has both an automatic and a manual mode to work with. You can program the milk temperature and froth level using the automatic mode. At the end of each session, the wand will stop and auto-purge. All in all, this milk system is ideal for your high-grade barista and latte art skills.
The milk system relies on the advanced HP3 system. It draws milk from a separate milk carafe and pumps out frothed milk into the cup. Each recipe has its own milk froth level that the E8 follows. So, you’ll be able to adjust the milk temperature but not the froth levels. And unlike the Breville Oracle Touch, it doesn’t have an auto-purge function. Jura’s milk system is perfect for those who prefer a hands-free latte or cappuccino experience.
Ease Of Use
The Jura E8 is one of the best bean-to-cup machines to use. Since Jura machines work without a portafilter and a tamper, making drinks can’t become any easier and hassle-free. On top of that, it has its own mobile app (JOE) so that you can control the espresso machine from your other home devices. The E8 doesn’t have a touchscreen, but it has a very clear and concise user panel with one-touch controls, such as the one-touch Americano. Another advantage of the E8 is its height-adjustable spout, which is ideal for tall mugs and glasses. You can also connect the Jura E8 to your home Wi-Fi network.
The Breville mode works with a portafilter and tamper. Note that the grinding, dosing, and tamping are all automated steps. All you need to do is clean them sometimes. Selecting drinks or adjusting settings is also made easy as it has a full touchscreen user interface. When compared to the Jura E8, the grinder is more difficult to adjust.
For decaf lovers, the Jura E8 comes with an integrated powder chute. Unfortunately, the Breville Oracle Touch doesn’t have any option for using decaf grounds with it.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Similar to most high-end automatic machines, Oracle Touch has auto-cleaning capability but requires heavy manual monitoring and assistance. Exterior components like the touchscreen, grinder, and backflush require full human assistance.
On the other hand, cleaning the Jura E8 is easier. But it requires a lot of Jura cleaning products (tablets and powder). The milk system has a nifty one-touch cleaning function as well. Jura can run all the cleaning cycles with its cleaning agents. The E8 also requires you to replace its HP3 milk pipe and spout every three months.
Similarities Between The E8 And Oracle Touch
- Both the Jura E8 and the Oracle Touch are equipped with a 15-bar Italian pump
- Their bean hopper capacity is the same; each can hold up to 10 oz. of fresh beans
- The PID and pre-infusion technologies are both essential with these machines
- Both of these two machines provide the hot water option and allow their users to program different milk temperatures
Overview The Of Jura E8
The Jura E8 is part of Jura’s E-series. It’s the successor to the E6 model. The E-series has earned a reputation for its broader recipe catalog and ease of use. Following that footstep, the E8 is packed with 17 different recipes, ranging from a simple espresso to a delicious cortado. With Jura’s finest brewing technologies, like the pre-infusion, 3D brewing, and PEP technology, the E8 can consistently churn out absolutely flavorsome cups of coffee for years.
The E8 automatic coffee machine is the bastion of utmost convenience, compactness, and aesthetic suitability for all spaces. It‘s capable of performing all the cleaning and maintenance cycles by itself. You can hook it up to your home Wi-Fi, control it through its own mobile app, or use Bluetooth. Not only does it have one-touch functions, but it also offers plenty of storage for water, fresh beans, and used coffee pucks.
The only drawback is that the milk system doesn’t offer milk texturing to its users. And yet, this incredible machine demands a steep learning curve from its users.
Overview Of The Breville Oracle Touch
The Breville Oracle Touch is the successor of the Oracle automatic espresso machine. The Touch is packed with Breville’s premium features and a full touchscreen user interface (hence the name “Oracle Touch”).
It has all of its predecessor’s features and much more. To begin, the Oracle Touch has 5 pre-programmed drinks: espresso, long black, latte, flat white, and cappuccino, as well as 8 different customizable user profiles. With its dual steel boilers, low-temperature pre-infusion, PID technology, a heated group head, and adjustable milk and foam functionalities, it’s a rare, high-grade home espresso machine. Though it’s a heavy machine, it still has a space-friendly footprint.
FAQs
Where the Jura E8 is made?
The E8 is made at Jura’s facility based in Portugal.
Is the Jura E8’s smart filter required if I apply filtered water?
The Jura smart filter not only cleans the water but also softens the water. It’s not sure whether filter water eliminates the need for a smart filter.
How do I use decaf grounds with Oracle Touch?
The Breville Oracle Touch doesn’t have an integrated pre-ground powder chute. So, if you like to brew decaf (with decaf beans), use a separate bean hopper.
Where the Oracle Touch is made?
All Breville products, including the Oracle Touch, are designed and engineered in Sydney, Australia. But it’s manufactured in various locations and assembled in China.
Can Oracle Touch’s milk wand be used manually?
Yes, as there’s a manual setting (switching to the ‘up’ position). If you switch it to the ‘down’ position it’ll turn to temperature-controlled automatic mode.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you must understand their main purpose before choosing one for yourself. Jura E8 is better for varied drinkers as it offers quick recipes and a broader pre-programmed drink list. Some may even use it in small office environments for this reason.
The Breville Oracle Touch, on the other hand, is designed for the most ardent espresso enthusiasts. This is perfect for espresso and espresso-based home drinkers. This is also why it offers just 5 specialized recipes.
But its milk microfoam and texturing are just unbelievably top-tier. If you’re looking to hone your barista and latte art skills, this is your go-to machine. Fortunately, both of these models, share a similar price range.
Over the years, both of these machines have become very reliable among high-end models. With these points of view in mind, we can confidently say that either of them is an ideal long-term investment for your home barista setup.
