The Breville Joule Sous Vide White and the Joule Stainless models share the exact same internal technology, performance, and price. The only difference is the exterior finish: the White model has a sleek plastic casing great for modern kitchens, while the Stainless model offers a more durable, professional-looking brushed steel body.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right finish for your Breville sous vide.
Breville Joule Sous Vide (White)
The Breville Joule in white is designed for the modern home cook who values a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Its smooth white plastic body fits perfectly with contemporary, light-colored kitchen decor, offering a sleek look that actively resists fingerprints and smudges, keeping it looking pristine with minimal effort.
- What it is: A compact, high-performance immersion circulator controlled entirely through the powerful Joule app, ideal for precise sous vide cooking.
- Key features: Extremely small footprint, magnetic base for secure pot placement, powerful heater, and circulator for consistent water temperature.
- Price: Typically around $199 to $249.
- Style: Clean, modern, and minimalist. Perfect for Scandinavian or all-white kitchen styles.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality, BPA-free white plastic casing on the upper body with a stainless steel base.
- Pros: Excellent at hiding fingerprints and smudges. Blends seamlessly into light and modern kitchen environments. Maintains a clean look easily. The lightweight plastic gives it a very sleek and tech-forward feel.
- Cons: While durable, the plastic casing is theoretically less scratch-resistant than stainless steel over the long term. Could be prone to staining if not cleaned properly after contact with potent spices like turmeric.
The white Joule is ideal for cooks who prioritize a clean aesthetic and want a device that blends perfectly into a modern kitchen without drawing too much attention.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/small-appliances/joule-sous-vide.html
Breville Joule Sous Vide (Stainless)
The Stainless Steel Breville Joule offers a more traditional, professional kitchen appliance look. Its brushed stainless steel finish is designed to match other standard kitchen equipment like refrigerators, ovens, and mixers, providing a cohesive and sophisticated appearance while offering superior durability and scratch resistance.
- What it is: The same compact, app-controlled immersion circulator as the white model, but with a robust stainless steel finish.
- Key features: Identical performance specs including compact size, magnetic base, precise temperature control, and app integration.
- Price: Typically around $199 to $249.
- Style: Professional, industrial, and classic. Complements kitchens with stainless steel or dark-themed decor.
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel body and base for a premium look and feel.
- Pros: Highly durable and resistant to scratches and dings. Matches most standard kitchen appliances for a coordinated look. Has a premium, weighty feel. Less susceptible to staining.
- Cons: More likely to show fingerprints, water spots, and smudges than the matte white version. Requires more frequent wiping to maintain its shine.
This stainless steel model suits home chefs who prefer a high-end, industrial look and value the long-term durability that metal provides.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/products/small-appliances/joule-sous-vide.html
Breville Joule White vs. Joule Stainless Comparison
Materials & Durability
The core difference between these two models comes down to the exterior shell. The Joule White uses high-quality BPA-free plastic, which feels sleek and modern and does an outstanding job of hiding fingerprints. It is durable enough for regular home use but could be susceptible to deep scratches or staining over time.
Conversely, the Joule Stainless features a brushed stainless steel body, which is inherently more robust. It resists scratches, dings, and staining better than plastic, ensuring it looks good even after years of use in a busy kitchen environment. Its only downside is its tendency to show water spots and fingerprints more readily.
Style & Aesthetics
Your choice here depends entirely on your kitchen's design. The white Joule is the clear winner for contemporary, minimalist, or Scandinavian kitchens. It blends into the background, complementing light-colored countertops and cabinets for an unobtrusive, clean look.
The stainless steel Joule is a classic. It fits seamlessly into kitchens that already feature other stainless steel appliances, creating a cohesive, professional aesthetic. It feels more industrial and sophisticated, making it a good fit for traditional, transitional, or darker-themed kitchen decors.
Price & Value
Both the white and stainless versions of the Breville Joule are priced identically, so there is no cost advantage to choosing one over the other. The value is subjective and based entirely on your personal preference. If you value a clean, modern look, the white model provides better value for you. If longevity and a professional appearance are your main criteria, the stainless model offers more value from a durability standpoint.
Dimensions & Footprint
There is absolutely no difference in size. Both the White and Stainless models measure approximately 11.5 inches long and 2.4 inches in diameter, weighing around 2.2 pounds. Both versions are impressively compact, making them easy to store in a drawer or slip into a busy cooking pot without taking up much space. This is not a deciding factor between the two.
Which One Should You Choose?
Since both Joules deliver the exact same cooking performance, the right choice depends on your kitchen style and personal priorities.
Choose the Breville Joule White if:
- You have a minimalist, modern, or Scandinavian-style kitchen.
- You can't stand seeing smudges and fingerprints on your appliances.
- You want a tech-forward device that blends in with light countertops and backsplashes.
- Your primary concern is a clean aesthetic over ultimate material toughness.
Choose the Breville Joule Stainless if:
- Your kitchen is equipped with other stainless steel appliances.
- You prioritize durability and scratch resistance for a long-lasting finish.
- You prefer a professional, high-end, or industrial look.
- You don’t mind wiping down your appliances to keep them looking shiny and new.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Joule White and Stainless?
The only difference is the exterior material. The Joule White has a high-quality white plastic casing, while the Joule Stainless has a brushed stainless steel body. All internal components, heating power, app functionality, and dimensions are identical.
Is there a performance difference?
No, there is zero performance difference. Both models are powered by the same 1100-watt heater and circulator, meaning they heat water at the same rate and maintain temperature with the same level of precision.
Does the stainless steel version get hotter on the outside?
The part of the device submerged in water will be hot on both models. However, the upper portion that remains out of the water is designed to stay cool enough to handle safely. The stainless steel may feel slightly warmer to the touch than the plastic, but not dangerously so.
Which one is easier to clean?
The white plastic model is easier to keep looking clean because its matte finish naturally hides fingerprints and water spots. The stainless steel version is also easy to wipe down, but it will show smudges more easily and may require a designated stainless steel cleaner for a perfect polish.
Is the price different between the two models?
No, the Breville Joule White and Stainless are consistently priced the same by Breville and major retailers. You will typically find them for between $199 and $249.
Are they the same size?
Yes, both finishes come in the exact same compact size: approximately 11.5 inches tall by 2.4 inches wide. Storage and use are identical for both.
Which finish is more durable?
Stainless steel is inherently more durable and resistant to scratches, impact, and heat than plastic. For maximum long-term resilience in a heavily used kitchen, the stainless steel model is the superior choice.
Does one work better with the Joule app?
No, both models connect to the same Breville Joule app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and offer identical functionality. The user experience for controlling the device and following recipes is exactly the same, regardless of the finish you choose.
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