The Breville Combi Wave and the Smart Oven Air are premium countertop appliances from Breville that serve very different functions despite their similar price point. The Combi Wave is a 3-in-1 hybrid that acts primarily as a microwave but also includes convection oven and air fryer capabilities, ideal for saving space. The Smart Oven Air is a large, powerful countertop convection oven designed to bake, roast, air fry, and dehydrate, completely replacing the need for many full-sized oven tasks.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which high-performance Breville appliance belongs on your kitchen counter.
Breville Combi Wave
The Combi Wave is a multifunctional appliance designed for ultimate countertop convenience. It combines a microwave, convection oven, and air fryer into a single compact unit, making it an excellent choice for those who want versatility without sacrificing space. Its core strength is its powerful microwave feature, enhanced by the ability to brown, crisp, and bake small items.
- What it is: A combination microwave that integrates convection cooking and air frying technology.
- Key features: Element IQ technology for smart heat distribution, Fast Combi function for accelerated cooking, Power Smoothing Inverter microwave for even reheating, and preset functions for popular items.
- Price: Typically ranges from $399 to $499.
- Dimensions: Approximately 20" Depth x 17" Width x 12" Height.
- Materials/Construction: Sleek brushed stainless steel housing with sturdy plastics and a modern touchscreen interface.
- Style: Clean, modern, and compact, designed to fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchen designs with limited counter space.
- Pros: Excellent space-saver by combining three appliances into one. Cooks food faster than conventional ovens using the Fast Combi mode. Intuitive smart presets simplify cooking various dishes. More energy-efficient for smaller tasks than a large oven.
- Cons: Smaller internal capacity than a dedicated countertop oven. Convection and air fry functions are not as powerful or spacious as a dedicated unit like the Smart Oven Air. Higher price point for a microwave.
The Combi Wave is perfect for apartment dwellers, small households, or anyone who primarily uses a microwave but wants the added flexibility to bake, roast, and air fry without buying separate appliances.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/microwaves/bov845.html
Breville Smart Oven Air
The Breville Smart Oven Air is a versatile and powerful countertop convection oven that functions as a smaller, more efficient alternative to a traditional wall oven. It is engineered for precision cooking and comes loaded with numerous functions, including air frying, dehydrating, roasting, and slow cooking. Its generous capacity and intelligent heating system make it a favorite among serious home cooks.
- What it is: A large-capacity, multi-functional countertop convection oven.
- Key features: Element IQ system with 6 independent quartz heating elements for precise heat, 11 cooking presets, Super Convection for faster and more even cooking, and a dedicated air fry setting.
- Price: Typically ranges from $399 to $499.
- Dimensions: Approximately 18.5" Depth x 21.5" Width x 12" Height.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality brushed stainless steel construction with a durable non-stick interior coating and a large, clear viewing window.
- Style: Professional and modern, its size gives it a substantial presence that fits well in kitchens where cooking is a priority.
- Pros: Large interior can accommodate a 14-lb turkey, a 13-inch pizza, or 9 slices of toast. Highly effective air frying and dehydrating functions. Superior convection performance provides incredibly even results. Can completely replace a full-size oven for most daily tasks.
- Cons: Has a large footprint and takes up significant counter space. Does not have a microwave function. Preheating can take a few minutes, unlike an instant-on microwave.
This appliance works best for families, passionate cooks, and anyone looking for a high-performance oven that offers extensive cooking functions and a large capacity, without needing a microwave.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/ovens/bov860.html
Combi Wave vs. Smart Oven Air Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most immediate difference between these two appliances is size. The Smart Oven Air is a large appliance at 21.5" wide, demanding a dedicated spot on your countertop. It's designed for users with ample space who can treat it as a primary cooking tool. Its size allows for a significant interior capacity, something you'll notice when fitting in multiple dishes or a large Dutch oven.
In contrast, the Combi Wave is considerably more compact at 17" wide, designed to have a similar footprint to a standard microwave. This makes it the obvious choice for smaller kitchens, apartments, or dorm rooms where every inch of counter space is valuable. It excels at saving space by consolidating functions, whereas the Smart Oven Air excels at providing expansive oven capability.
Materials & Construction
Breville is known for its premium build quality, and both appliances reflect this standard. They each feature a beautiful brushed stainless steel exterior that is durable and easy to clean. The construction feels solid and reliable, with thoughtful details like tightly sealed doors and intuitive controls. Both products come with Breville's standard 1-year limited warranty, demonstrating the company's confidence in their longevity. You can't go wrong with either in terms of build quality and material excellence.
Price & Value
With both the Combi Wave and Smart Oven Air hovering around the same $399–$499 price point, the better value depends entirely on your needs. The Smart Oven Air's value comes from its ability to act as a powerful, feature-rich alternative to a full-sized wall oven. If you plan to bake, roast, and air fry often, its performance and capacity provide tremendous value.
The Combi Wave's value proposition is rooted in a different place - in its multi-functionality and space efficiency. If you need a high-quality microwave anyway, the additional convection and air fry features for a modest price increase represent great value. It saves you from having to purchase and store a separate air fryer and oven, making it an economically smart choice for simplified kitchens.
Style & Aesthetics
Both models share Breville’s signature modern aesthetic, characterized by clean lines and a premium stainless steel finish. The Smart Oven Air has a more professional, workhorse appearance due to its size, control knobs, and large viewing window, making it look like a piece of serious culinary equipment. It commands attention on the counter.
The Combi Wave presents a sleeker and more minimalist look with its digital touchscreen interface and compact dimensions. It blends more subtly into a modern kitchen, serving as a functional yet stylish appliance without overwhelming the space. Your choice here depends on whether you prefer the look of a dedicated oven or a modern, streamlined microwave.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Smart Oven Air is made for the dedicated home cook. It’s ideal for families who need a secondary oven, bakers wanting precision, or anyone excited about specialized functions like dehydration and air frying on a larger scale. If you see yourself cooking a whole chicken, sides, and baked desserts regularly, and you do not need a microwave, this is your appliance.
The convenience-focused individual or small household will prefer the Combi Wave. It is for those who live in smaller spaces and prioritize efficiency. If your daily routine involves more reheating, defrosting, and quick meals but you still want the ability to bake a small batch of cookies or crisp up leftovers without a full-blown oven, the Combi Wave is the perfect fit.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville appliances are leaders in their class, but they are designed for different kitchens and cooks.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven Air if:
- You have ample counter space for a larger appliance.
- You bake, roast, or air fry frequently and want the best possible performance.
- You need a large capacity to cook for a larger family or for meal prepping.
- You already have a microwave or you don't need one.
Choose the Breville Combi Wave if:
- You are trying to save counter space in a smaller kitchen or apartment.
- The primary function you need is a high-quality microwave.
- You want the convenience of an occasional convection oven and air fryer without buying multiple appliances.
- You typically cook for just one or two people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Combi Wave and Smart Oven Air?
The core difference is their primary function. The Combi Wave is fundamentally an advanced microwave that includes convection oven and air frying capabilities. The Smart Oven Air is a dedicated, large-capacity countertop convection oven that bakes, roasts, and air fries with high precision but has no microwave function.
Does the Smart Oven Air have a microwave function?
No, the Smart Oven Air does not have any microwave technology. It is designed to cook with heating elements, making it a true oven replacement for tasks like baking, roasting, and broiling.
Which appliance is better for air frying?
While the Combi Wave can air fry, the Smart Oven Air is the superior choice for this function. It has a dedicated Super Convection setting, a larger capacity basket, and an optimized airflow design that produces more consistently crispy and evenly cooked results for larger batches of food.
Can the Combi Wave completely replace my oven?
For some people, yes. The Combi Wave is perfect for baking small batches of cookies, reheating a pizza, or roasting a few chicken thighs. However, its smaller interior capacity means it cannot handle large items like a roasting pan, a full-size turkey, or multiple sheets of food at once.
Which model takes up more counter space?
The Smart Oven Air is significantly larger, measuring 18.5" x 21.5" x 12". The Combi Wave is more compact, with dimensions around 20" x 17" x 12". Always measure your counter depth and height before purchasing.
Do both appliances use Breville's Element IQ technology?
Yes, both units feature Breville's signature Element IQ technology. This system uses smart algorithms and sensors to direct heat to where it's needed most, ensuring stable and precise cooking temperatures for better and more consistent results.
Can I toast bread in both appliances?
The Smart Oven Air has a dedicated toast function capable of toasting up to 9 slices at once and allows you to select your desired level of darkness. The Combi Wave does not have a dedicated toast function, as its primary purpose is microwaving, although you could use the convection setting to achieve a similar result.
What kind of warranty does Breville provide?
Both the Smart Oven Air and the Combi Wave typically come with a 1-year limited product warranty from Breville, covering defects in materials and workmanship.
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