The Breville BOV860 Smart Oven Air and the BOV900 Smart Oven Air Plus are both high-performance countertop ovens, but they differ primarily in capacity, power, and price. The BOV900 is larger with a 1.0 cubic foot interior and a more powerful convection system, while the smaller BOV860 has a 0.8 cubic foot capacity and is a more budget-friendly option.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right countertop oven from Breville for your kitchen.
Breville BOV860 Smart Oven Air
The Breville BOV860 is designed to be a versatile workhorse for the modern kitchen, combining multiple appliances into one sleek unit. It's known for its Element IQ technology, which intelligently directs heat where it's needed for precise cooking results. With functions for toasting, roasting, baking, and air frying, it’s a popular choice for home cooks who want premium features without paying the highest price.
- What it is: A multi-function countertop oven with convection and dedicated air fry capabilities.
- Key features: Element IQ technology, 10 cooking functions including Air Fry and Roast, 0.8 cubic feet capacity, fits a 13-inch pizza or a small roast.
- Price: Around $300
- Dimensions: Approximately 21.5" x 17.5" x 12"
- Materials/Construction: Durable stainless steel exterior with easy-to-clean interior surfaces.
- Style: Modern and minimalist aesthetic with a brushed stainless steel finish and an intuitive digital display.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Versatile all-in-one functionality replaces multiple appliances. Powerful air frying function produces crispy results with less oil. Compact footprint fits most kitchen countertops. User-friendly interface with preset modes.
- Cons: Smaller capacity may not be sufficient for large families or batch cooking. Convection is powerful but not as robust as the BOV900's system. Fewer cooking presets than the more expensive model.
The BOV860 is an ideal choice for small-to-medium households looking for a powerful, all-in-one countertop appliance that delivers consistent results across a range of cooking tasks.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov860.html
Breville BOV900 Smart Oven Air Plus
The Breville BOV900 is the larger, more powerful sibling in Breville's countertop oven lineup. It builds on the success of the BOV860 by offering increased capacity, a super convection system for faster cooking, and additional preset functions like "Dehydrate" and "Proof." This model is aimed at serious home chefs and larger families who need the extra space and performance for more demanding cooking projects.
- What it is: A large-capacity, premium countertop oven with advanced convection and air frying technology.
- Key features: 1.0 cubic foot capacity, super convection system with two fan speeds, multiple preset functions including dehydrate and proof, large enough for a 14 lb turkey or a 9" x 13" baking pan.
- Price: Around $350
- Dimensions: Approximately 21.5" x 17.5" x 13"
- Materials/Construction: High-quality stainless steel construction with a robust build designed for frequent, heavy-duty use.
- Style: Similar sleek and modern design to the BOV860, with a premium feel and a slightly larger profile.
- Pros: Expansive capacity is great for large meals and entertaining. Super convection system cooks and crisps more efficiently. More versatile with additional functions like dehydrating and proofing. Fits standard 9"x13" pans and large roasts, acting as a true second oven.
- Cons: More expensive than the BOV860. Larger footprint requires more counter space. May offer more features than the average user needs.
The BOV900 is suited for those who frequently cook for a crowd or want a high-performance countertop oven that can truly replace a traditional wall oven for many tasks.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov900.html
Breville BOV860 vs. BOV900 Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The most significant difference between these two ovens is their size. The BOV860 offers a 0.8 cubic feet interior, which is spacious enough for a 13" pizza, six slices of toast, or a small chicken. It strikes a good balance between internal capacity and external footprint.
The BOV900 expands this to a generous 1.0 cubic foot interior, making it one of the largest countertop ovens available. This extra space allows it to handle a standard 9"x13" baking pan, a 14 lb turkey, or a 12-cup muffin tray. While only slightly larger on the outside, this bigger interior makes the BOV900 a legitimate second oven for big holiday meals or weekly meal prepping.
Performance & Features
Both models use Breville's intelligent Element IQ system to distribute heat precisely. However, the BOV900 includes a "Super Convection" setting with two fan speeds. The higher speed maximizes air circulation, which leads to faster roasting and crispier air frying compared to the already excellent performance of the BOV860's single-speed convection fan.
Additionally, the BOV900 comes with more cooking presets, including dedicated modes for dehydrating fruit or proofing dough, adding a layer of versatility that the BOV860 lacks. For most everyday tasks like baking, toasting, and regular air frying, both ovens perform exceptionally well, but the BOV900 has the edge for specialty tasks and cooking efficiency.
Price & Value
The Breville BOV860 typically costs around $300, while the BOV900 is priced around $350. The $50 difference gets you the larger capacity, the enhanced super convection system, and a few extra cooking functions. For a small family or an individual who wants a great all-around countertop oven, the BOV860 offers fantastic value and brings almost all of the same core technology.
However, if you have a large family, love to entertain, or plan to use your countertop oven for batch cooking and meal prep, the extra $50 for the BOV900 is a worthy investment. The ability to use standard bakeware and cook larger quantities of food at once provides long-term value that easily justifies the higher price.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville BOV860 is perfect for individuals, couples, or small families. It excels as a daily-use appliance for making toast, reheating pizza, baking small batches of cookies, and air frying weeknight dinners. Its smaller footprint makes it a better fit for kitchens with limited counter space.
The Breville BOV900 is built for larger households and serious home cooks. If you find your primary oven is often full or you want the flexibility to cook a family-sized casserole without heating up the entire house, the BOV900 is the clear choice. It's the go-to for anyone who prioritizes capacity and maximum cooking performance.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both countertop ovens from Breville are excellent choices, but they are designed for slightly different users and kitchen needs.
Choose the Breville BOV860 if:
- You're cooking for one to four people.
- Your kitchen has limited counter space.
- You want excellent all-around performance and air frying capabilities on a budget.
- You primarily need a countertop oven for everyday tasks like toasting, baking, and reheating.
Choose the Breville BOV900 if:
- You often cook for large groups or a big family.
- You want to use standard 9"x13" baking pans in your countertop oven.
- You need maximum performance, especially for roasting and air frying with super convection.
- You plan to use specialty functions like dehydrating or proofing bread dough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville BOV860 and BOV900?
The main differences are capacity and convection power. The BOV900 has a larger 1.0 cubic foot interior compared to the BOV860's 0.8 cubic feet. The BOV900 also features a more powerful two-speed "Super Convection" fan for faster and more even cooking.
Can the Breville BOV900 fit a standard 9x13 inch baking pan?
Yes, and this is one of its biggest advantages. The ability to fit standard-sized bakeware, including 9"x13" pans (without handles) and 12-cup muffin tins, makes it function like a true secondary oven.
Which model is better for air frying?
Both models have excellent air frying capabilities, but the BOV900's Super Convection system provides a slight edge. Its higher fan speed circulates hot air more aggressively, resulting in slightly crispier and more evenly cooked food.
Is the extra cost for the BOV900 worth it?
Whether the extra cost is worth it depends entirely on your needs. If you will take advantage of the larger capacity for big meals or use the extra cooking functions, then absolutely. If you just need a reliable oven for daily basics, the BOV860 Smart Oven Air offers better value.
How much counter space do these ovens need?
The BOV860 measures approximately 21.5" x 17.5" x 12". The BOV900 is slightly taller, at roughly 21.5" x 17.5" x 13". Both require several inches of clearance around the top and sides for ventilation.
Are these Breville ovens easy to clean?
Yes, both models feature non-stick interior walls that make cleaning straightforward. They also have a pull-out crumb tray at the bottom that is easy to remove and wipe down.
Can these replace a regular oven?
For many cooking and baking tasks, yes. The BOV900, in particular, comes very close to replacing a regular oven due to its size and power. However, for extremely large items or for running multiple stovetop burners at the same time as the oven, a traditional range is still necessary.
Does Breville offer a warranty?
Yes, both the Breville BOV860 and BOV900 come with a 1-year limited product warranty, protecting against defects in materials and workmanship.
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