The Breville Mini Smart Oven and its slightly larger sibling, the Compact Smart Oven, appear similar but serve very different kitchen needs. The Mini Smart Oven prioritizes countertop space with a smaller footprint and essential cooking functions, whereas the Compact Smart Oven offers greater capacity and added features like convection cooking for more versatility. Both come from Breville, a brand known for high-quality, intelligent appliances.
Here's everything you need to know to decide between these two popular countertop ovens and find the right one for your cooking style.
Breville Mini Smart Oven
The Breville Mini Smart Oven is the ideal solution for anyone with limited countertop space, such as those in small apartments, dorm rooms, or RVs. It packs Breville's signature Element IQ technology into a small package, ensuring that heat is distributed intelligently and evenly for consistent results on toast, small casseroles, and reheating tasks.
- What it is: A compact countertop oven designed for essential cooking tasks in small kitchens.
- Key features: Element IQ technology, multiple cooking functions (toast, bake, broil, reheat, warm), digital controls with a clear LCD screen, and room for up to four slices of toast.
- Price: Around $200 – $250.
- Dimensions: Approximately 16 inches wide, making it one of the most space-efficient smart ovens available.
- Pros: Extremely compact footprint perfect for tight spaces. Heats up quickly. Delivers precise and even cooking thanks to Element IQ. Affordable entry point into the premium Breville ecosystem.
- Cons: Limited capacity is not suitable for small families or large meals. Fewer cooking functions compared to the Compact model. Can't fit larger bakeware like a 9" pie pan.
This oven is for the individual or couple who need a reliable, space-saving appliance for everyday cooking basics without the bells and whistles.
Shop this product: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov450.html
Breville Compact Smart Oven
The Breville Compact Smart Oven strikes a perfect balance between size and functionality. While still relatively small, its larger interior and added features - most notably a convection fan - make it a far more versatile cooking tool. It's designed for users who want to do more than just toast and reheat, handling everything from roasting a small chicken to air frying crispy snacks.
- What it is: A versatile and space-efficient countertop oven with advanced features for more ambitious cooks.
- Key features: Element IQ technology with a convection fan for faster cooking, additional presets like air fry and convection bake, a slightly larger interior that fits up to six slices of toast, and more-advanced digital controls.
- Price: Around $250 – $350.
- Dimensions: Approximately 17-18 inches wide, providing more cooking room while remaining manageable on a countertop.
- Pros: Convection feature drastically improves cooking speed and evenness. More functions for a wider variety of recipes. Larger capacity suits small families. Balances performance and size effectively.
- Cons: Higher price point than the Mini. Takes up more counter space. Requires a bit more of a learning curve to use all its features.
This is the better choice for home chefs and families who want a multi-purpose countertop oven that can nearly replace their full-sized model for many daily tasks.
Shop this product: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov820.html
Breville Mini Smart Oven vs. Compact Smart Oven Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The biggest physical difference is size. The Mini Smart Oven measures about 16 inches wide, designed explicitly for minimal countertop impact. It can handle four slices of toast, a small personal pizza, or a small baking dish. This size is ideal for solo cooks or couples in apartments where every inch of counter space matters.
The Compact Smart Oven is about an inch or two wider, at approximately 17-18 inches. That extra space is meaningful, allowing it to toast six slices of bread, accommodate larger food items, or even fit some standard 9-inch pans. While still compact compared to a full-sized appliance, it serves the needs of small families or those who entertain occasionally.
Features & Functions
Both ovens feature Breville's fantastic Element IQ technology, which intelligently directs power to the heating elements for precise results. However, the Compact Smart Oven has a serious advantage: a built-in convection fan. This feature circulates hot air, resulting in faster and more evenly cooked food. It also unlocks functions like air frying, which the Mini lacks.
The Mini excels at the basics: toasting, baking, broiling, and reheating. The Compact does all of that and adds more specialized presets, making it a much more capable and flexible kitchen appliance. If you see yourself cooking more than just the fundamentals, the advanced features of the Compact are hard to ignore.
Materials & Construction
Both ovens are built to last, featuring Breville's signature brushed stainless steel finish that looks sharp in modern kitchens. They use high-quality materials, feel sturdy, and come with durable racks and pans. The internal non-stick coating makes cleaning relatively easy on both models. When it comes to build quality and durability, you can expect the same premium feel from either oven, as the main differences are in size and internal technology, not construction.
Price & Value
The Mini Smart Oven’s price tag of around $200-$250 makes it a more accessible choice. For those price-conscious buyers whose needs are simple, it provides outstanding value by delivering premium performance for basic tasks. You're paying for quality construction and precise heating technology in a small package.
The Compact Smart Oven's higher price of $250-$350 is justified by its greater capacity and, most importantly, its convection capabilities. For anyone who cooks often, the time-saving and quality-of-life improvements from convection and air frying functions offer excellent long-term value, making the upfront investment worthwhile.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these Breville ovens are excellent, but they cater to very different needs and spaces.
Choose the Breville Compact Smart Oven if:
- You have a small family or regularly cook for more than two people.
- You want the versatility of convection cooking and air frying for faster, crispier results.
- You have a little extra counter space to spare for a more capable appliance.
- You view this as a potential replacement for your large oven for many everyday meals.
Choose the Breville Mini Smart Oven if:
- Countertop space is extremely limited in your kitchen, apartment, or dorm.
- You primarily need an oven for basic tasks like toasting, reheating, and cooking small meals.
- You are cooking for just one or two people.
- Your budget is tighter and you want Breville quality for the lowest price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Compact and Mini Smart Oven?
The primary difference is size and the convection feature. The Compact Smart Oven is larger, can hold more food, and has a convection fan for faster, more even cooking and functions like air frying. The Mini Smart Oven is smaller and designed for basic cooking tasks without convection.
Which Breville oven can fit a 12-inch pizza?
Neither the Mini nor the Compact model can fit a standard 12-inch pizza. You would need to step up to one of Breville's larger models like the Smart Oven Pro or Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for that capacity.
Is the convection feature on the Compact Smart Oven worth the extra cost?
Absolutely, if you value speed and versatility. Convection cooking reduces cooking times by up to 30% and produces crispier, more evenly browned results, making it great for roasting vegetables, chicken, and air frying. If you only plan to toast bread and reheat leftovers, it may not be necessary.
Which oven is better for a small apartment kitchen?
The Mini Smart Oven is purpose-built for extremely small kitchens. Its compact footprint is designed to take up as little counter space as possible while still offering excellent performance for its size.
Are both ovens difficult to clean?
Both models are relatively easy to clean. They feature non-stick interiors and a pull-out crumb tray that simplifies the process. Wiping down the interior after it cools is usually sufficient for most messes.
Do these ovens get hot on the outside?
Like any countertop oven, the exterior, particularly the top and the glass door, will get hot during operation. It's important to ensure there is adequate clearance around the unit (typically a few inches on all sides) for ventilation and safety.
What accessories come with each oven?
Both typically come with a wire rack and a baking pan. The specific accessories can vary by retailer, so it's always a good idea to check the product listing before purchasing.
Can the Compact Smart Oven completely replace a regular oven?
For many daily cooking tasks for a small household, yes. It can roast vegetables, bake fish, make small batches of cookies, and handle most things a large oven can, just on a smaller scale. However, it cannot accommodate large items like a Thanksgiving turkey or multiple large sheet pans at once.
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