The Breville Compact Toaster Oven and its slightly larger sibling, the Breville Mini Toaster Oven, both promise premium performance in a small footprint, but they differ primarily in size, functionality, and price. The Compact focuses on essential cooking tasks for smaller spaces, while the Mini adds more capacity and a convection feature for greater versatility at a higher cost.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which powerful countertop appliance from Breville is the right fit for your kitchen.
Breville Compact Toaster Oven
The Breville Compact Toaster Oven packs the brand's signature smart cooking technology into a space-saving design. It’s built for those with limited counter space - like apartments, dorms, or smaller kitchens - who still want high-quality performance for everyday cooking tasks like toasting, baking, and broiling.
- What it is: A small-footprint toaster oven with advanced, even-heating technology.
- Key features: Element IQ technology adjusts heat distribution for precise cooking, digital controls, 8 preset cooking functions including toast, bake, broil, pizza, and reheat.
- Price: Around $150–$200
- Dimensions: Approximately 15" W x 12" D x 10" H
- Capacity: Fits four slices of bread or a 9-inch pizza.
- Materials/Construction: Sleek brushed stainless steel housing with a non-stick interior and a removable crumb tray.
- Pros: Excellent for small spaces with its minimal footprint. Element IQ technology provides incredibly even results. Intuitive digital interface is easy to use. More affordable than the Mini model.
- Cons: Smaller capacity is not ideal for cooking for more than two people. Lacks a convection setting for faster cooking. Fewer cooking functions compared to larger models.
This oven is perfect for individuals or couples who need a reliable, high-performing appliance for daily tasks but don't want to sacrifice a lot of counter space.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/toaster-ovens/bov650/
Breville Mini Toaster Oven
The Breville Mini Toaster Oven offers more cooking power and interior space while still maintaining a relatively compact form factor. It includes a key upgrade - a convection fan - which circulates hot air for faster, more even cooking results, making it a step up for avid home cooks who need more versatility.
- What it is: A larger and more feature-rich compact oven with a convection setting for enhanced cooking performance.
- Key features: Element IQ for precise heating, a built-in convection fan for faster cooking times, and additional functions like roast and slow cook.
- Price: Around $200–$250
- Dimensions: Approximately 17-18" W x 14" D x 11" H
- Capacity: Fits up to six slices of bread or a 12-inch pizza.
- Materials/Construction: Durable brushed stainless steel body, an easy-to-clean non-stick cavity, and a front-access crumb tray.
- Pros: The convection feature speeds up cooking and browning. Larger capacity accommodates small family meals. More versatile cooking functions handle a wider range of recipes. Can handle larger casseroles or a whole chicken.
- Cons: Takes up more counter space than the Compact model. Higher price point reflects its added features. May be more appliance than someone with basic needs requires.
The Mini is suited for avid home cooks, small families, or anyone who wants the versatility of a larger oven in a convenient countertop package.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/toaster-ovens/bov800/
Breville Compact vs. Mini Toaster Oven Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The most noticeable difference is size. The Compact model measures roughly 15 inches wide and is a true space-saver, ideal for tiny kitchens. Its interior can handle four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza, perfect for one or two people.
The Mini oven is slightly larger, at about 17 to 18 inches wide, which makes a big difference inside. It fits six slices of toast or a 12-inch pizza, making it far more practical for serving a small family or cooking small-batch casseroles. While still compact, you'll need to dedicate a bit more counter real estate to it.
Cooking Functions & Performance
Both ovens feature Breville's signature Element IQ technology, which intelligently distributes heat for consistent, even cooking, eliminating the hot spots common in lesser toaster ovens. This ensures your toast is perfectly browned and your pizza crust is crisp edge-to-edge in both models.
The key performance differentiator is the Mini's convection fan. This feature circulates hot air within the oven, which can reduce cooking time by up to 30% and produces beautifully roasted vegetables or more evenly baked cookies. The Compact model lacks this, relying solely on its heating elements, which is perfectly sufficient for basic tasks but falls short for more advanced cooking.
Price & Value
The Compact Toaster Oven typically costs between $150 and $200, representing Breville's entry-level premium option. Its value lies in delivering smart, even heating technology in a small, well-built package that outperforms cheaper competitors.
The Mini Toaster Oven is priced higher, around $200 to $250. That extra ~$50 investment gets you significantly more interior space and the highly useful convection fan. If you plan to use your toaster oven for more than just toast and reheating, the Mini offers better overall value through its expanded capabilities.
Style & Versatility
Aesthetically, both models are nearly identical, sharing the sleek, brushed stainless steel finish and minimalist digital interface that Breville is known for. They fit seamlessly into modern, contemporary, or industrial kitchen styles. The main visual difference is their physical presence on the counter.
In terms of versatility, the Mini is the clear winner due to its larger capacity and convection setting. It can realistically handle tasks you'd delegate to a full-size oven, like roasting a small chicken or baking a batch of muffins. The Compact is a master of the basics - an exceptional toaster, broiler, and pizza maker for small portions.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Breville models offer excellent performance, but they cater to different kitchen needs, counter spaces, and budgets.
Choose the Breville Compact Toaster Oven if:
- Your counter space is very limited and every inch matters.
- You primarily plan to toast, reheat, and handle small baking tasks.
- You are cooking for just one or two people on a daily basis.
- You want Breville quality and performance but are on a tighter budget.
Choose the Breville Mini Toaster Oven if:
- You want the speed and evenness of convection cooking.
- You frequently cook larger items like 12-inch pizzas or small roasts.
- You need a versatile appliance that can serve as a backup to your main oven.
- You have slightly more counter space and budget for a more capable machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Breville Compact and Mini?
The two main differences are capacity and the convection feature. The Mini is larger, fitting a 12-inch pizza compared to the Compact's 9-inch pizza capacity, and it includes a convection fan for faster, more even cooking, which the Compact does not have.
Does the Breville Mini’s convection feature make a big difference?
Yes. The convection fan circulates hot air, which helps eliminate hot spots, roasts food more evenly, and can reduce cooking times significantly. It's especially useful for baking, roasting, and achieving crispy textures.
How much counter space do I need for each model?
The Compact model is about 15 inches wide, making it great for tight spots. The Mini is wider at around 17-18 inches, so you’ll need a bit more clear space on your countertop to accommodate it.
Can I bake a cake in these ovens?
Yes, both ovens can handle baking. However, the Mini’s larger capacity and convection setting will provide a more even bake for cakes and other baked goods, more closely mimicking a conventional oven.
Is Breville’s Element IQ technology worth it?
Absolutely. Element IQ intelligently directs power to different heating elements as needed, ensuring food is cooked evenly without burnt edges or cold spots. It's a key feature that sets Breville ovens apart from standard toaster ovens.
How easy are these Breville ovens to clean?
Both models are designed for easy cleanup. They feature non-stick interior walls and a removable front-access crumb tray that slides out for quick discarding of debris.
Which model is the better value for the money?
The better value depends on your needs. The Compact is an excellent value if all you require is a high-quality machine for basic tasks in a small space. The Mini offers better value if you plan to use it frequently for more varied cooking and see it as a true supplement to your main oven.
Can these toaster ovens replace a full-size oven?
For individuals, couples, or small families, the Mini can often replace a full-size oven for many weeknight meals like roasting chicken, baking fish, or cooking casseroles. The Compact is more of a high-performance helper for smaller tasks but is less likely to replace a larger oven entirely.
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