For most coffee lovers and enthusiasts, the best coffee machine for their home kitchen is a semi-automatic model. These models offer much more control than automatic ones, without the need for rigorous training like manual coffee machines. And in today’s market, the Breville Dual Boiler 900 vs 920 is a hot topic for debate.
After trying both machines myself, I found the Breville Dual Boiler 920 to be the better option between the two. The 920 is definitely an upgrade on the 900 and offers more advanced features such as an adjustable steam boiler, so you can control your frothing, shot duration timers, and quick and easy descaling features that make it much easier to pull cafe-quality shots at home.
While the 920 was the obvious pick in my eyes, it was a very close fight. The 900 is one of the first models in the Dual Boiler series and was groundbreaking upon release. This model features dual boilers to give you quality espresso shots and steamed milk simultaneously and is still a great pick for home kitchens.
Breville Dual Boiler 900 vs 920: Comparison Chart
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Breville Dual Boiler 900 vs 920: The Differences
So, now that you know that the 920 is simply an upgrade on the 900, what are the exact differences? While the Dual Boiler 900 was a favorite amongst many coffee-lovers upon its release, there were some customer complaints that Breville fixed when they released the 920.
Since the 920 is a definite upgrade, it takes the cake in this comparison, beating out the 900 model 4-0 due to the fact that it improved upon all the complaints customers had with the original Dual Boiler.
1. Adjustable Steam Temperature
The Winner: Breville Dual Boiler 920
The first upgrade Breville gave the 920 is an adjustable steam boiler. The common complaint that customers had with the 900 models was that the steam output was lackluster, to say the least. But with the 920, you can adjust the steam output as you need, giving you more control over the density of the froth in your milk.
So, if you enjoy making milk coffee drinks, the 920 is the better option as you have more control over the output. Many coffee-lovers enjoy making milk drinks, which is why the 920 gets the point here.
2. Shot Control
The Winner: Breville Dual Boiler 920
If you want to brew high-quality espressos, you need to have as much control as possible. And with the 920, you get to choose whether the water in your shot is measured by volume or by time. Different brewers have different preferences when it comes to shot control, and at the end of the day, it all comes down to how you pull your shots.
If you prefer using volumetric measurements in your coffee, then the 900 would serve you fine. However, since the 920 offers both volumetric and duration shot control, it offers much more versatility for coffee drinkers.
3. Accessories
The Winner: Breville Dual Boiler 920
The accessories that come with the 900 and 920 are almost identical. They both come with filters, cleaning tools, a 750ml stainless steel carafe, and an Allen key. However, the 920 comes with an extra tool called the Razor Trimming Tool.
This is basically a tool you can use to shave off excess coffee when pulling a shot. This isn’t exactly a necessary feature, but it’s a great extra benefit to choosing the 920 models.
4. Warranty
The Winner: Breville Dual Boiler 920
Yet again, the 920 model beats out the 900. Since it’s supposed to be an upgrade to the original model, it should come as no surprise that the 920 even has a better warranty. On the original Dual Boiler 900, customers had access to a limited 1-year warranty to protect against factory defects. This worked fine, especially since Breville has great quality control and customers rarely had complaints about manufacturing issues.
However, to give you an even wider safety net, the Breville Dual Boiler 920 comes with a 2-year limited warranty. You can never tell when something might go wrong with intricate espresso machines, so having a longer warranty is a huge plus. So, if you want a machine that’s protected against defects for a longer period, the 920 easily beats out the 900.
Breville Dual Boiler 900 vs 920: The Similarities
You might have noticed from the comparison table that these two coffee machines share a fair amount of similarities. The reason for this is that the 920 is actually a replacement for the 900. While the Dual Boiler 900 quickly took the market by storm, it was eventually discontinued when the 920 models were released.
Before we dive into the differences between the two, we first need to look at the qualities they share.
For starters, we need to take a look at the heating system. After all, the triple heating system is where the Dual Boiler Coffee Machines get their name. Both machines have two built-in boilers, one is dedicated to pulling espresso shots and the other is solely used for milk. The group head that these machines come with is actively heated and measures in at 58mm, which provides thermal stability when extracting your shot. The more stable the temperatures are when you pull an espresso shot, the better the coffee will taste.
Both machines also have a regulated extraction pressure. With a 15 bar Italian pump, the machine keeps the water pressure at a precise 9 bar-maximum, which is the ideal pressure for pulling an espresso shot.
These are semi-automatic espresso machines, so that means they offer more control than standard automatic ones without the hassle of manual espresso machines. So, you can program the temperature just to your liking and use the commercial steam wand to create lattes and cappuccinos!
Quick Rundown of the Breville Dual Boiler 920
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew. 2)It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted
- The Breville Dual Boiler with commercial features delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula; It has a professional Dual Boiler construction that delivers unparalleled temperature control and simultaneous extraction and steaming
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Achieve a consistent and balanced espresso using the right amount of ground coffee; The 58mm porta-filter with 19-22 grams is the key for full flavor and third wave specialty coffee
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: The Over Pressure Valve limits the maximum pump pressure throughout extraction, helping prevent bitter flavors; Low pressure pre infusion gradually increases water pressure to gently expand grinds for an even extraction
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Dual stainless steel boilers and heated group head controlled by digital temperature control (PID) brings water to precisely the right temperature (+/- 2⁰F) to extract maximum flavor potential every time
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Quick Rundown of the Breville Dual Boiler 900
- Dual stainless steel boilers and dual Italian pumps for simultaneous espresso extraction and steaming
- Over-Pressure Valve (OPV) limits extraction pressure
- Electronic PID temperature control for precise water temperature, plus actively heated group head and heat exchanger (HX) to maintain thermal stability
- Backlit LCD displays brew temperature, shot clock or time. Assists with programming shot temperature and volume, pre-infusion duration and power, and auto-start time
- Drop-down swivel foot lowers a wheel that lifts the machine upwards for convenient access to the water tank (both rear and top-fill)
Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Product Videos
References
- Breville Dual Boiler BES920XEL from Breville https://www.breville.com.ph/the-dual-boiler
I am a passionate coffee drinker. Since I left my job as a barista a few years back in 2012, I’ve been sharing my expertise on coffee and buying the best coffee equipment online. That’s how Wild Boar Coffee came to life.
I write about everything coffee-related under the sun. Where to buy the freshest coffee beans from? How to test coffee beans based on texture, aroma, and acidity?
I know all this from scratch – all thanks to my years and years of experience as a barista. So I’ve gotten real up-close-and-personal with coffee beans and different brewing techniques.