The Breville Joule and the Anova Precision Cooker Pro are two of the best sous vide immersion circulators available, but they cater to very different types of home cooks. The Joule by Breville is a sleek, app-controlled device, an excellent match for tech-savvy users and those with limited space, while the Pro model from Anova Culinary is a powerful, professional-grade tool built for performance and durability. The choice comes down to power, user interface, and kitchen footprint.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which sous vide machine deserves a spot in your kitchen.
Breville Joule Sous Vide
The Breville Joule is known for its incredibly compact and minimalist design, making it the smallest sous vide device on the market. It relies entirely on its polished companion app for control, offering guided recipes and a seamless cooking experience perfect for beginners and anyone who enjoys smart home technology.
- What it is: A compact, smart immersion circulator that delivers precise cooking results entirely through a sophisticated mobile app.
- Key features: App-only control via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, voice control compatibility (with Amazon Alexa), 1100 watts of heating power, visual progress tracking in the app, magnetic base and versatile clip.
- Price: Around $199
- Dimensions: 11 inches tall, weighs only 1.28 lbs, making it extremely easy to store.
- Materials/Construction: Sleek, durable polycarbonate body with a seamless, water-resistant build. Typically available in white or black finishes.
- Style: Modern, minimalist, and high-tech. Its small, unobtrusive design blends well into contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Extremely compact and lightweight for easy storage. Powerful 1100W heating system heats water quickly. Intuitive and feature-rich app with guided cooking. Sleek, premium aesthetic. Magnetic base offers placement flexibility.
- Cons: No physical controls or onboard display - you must use your phone to operate it. Might be less suitable for users who aren't comfortable with app-driven devices. Smaller water capacity limit (10 gallons) compared to the Anova Pro.
The Breville Joule is an excellent choice for home cooks who prioritize style, smart features, and space-saving design without compromising on precision.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/sous-vide/cs30001.html
Anova Precision Cooker Pro
The Anova Precision Cooker Pro is a high-performance workhorse designed for serious home chefs and even professional kitchen settings. It's built for power, durability, and a high-volume capacity, boasting a robust motor, a 1200-watt heating element, and both onboard and app controls for ultimate flexibility.
- What it is: A professional-grade sous vide immersion circulator designed for power, durability, and high-capacity cooking.
- Key features: Hybrid control system (onboard digital display and app control over Wi-Fi). High-power 1200-watt heating element and a flow rate of 12 liters/minute. Certified water and splash resistant. Adjustable and detachable clamp.
- Price: Around $299
- Dimensions: 13.8 inches tall, weighs 2.9 lbs, making it larger and heavier than the Joule.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a rugged combination of metal and stainless steel, designed to withstand the demands of heavy use.
- Style: Utilitarian and industrial. Its design prioritizes function and durability over sleek aesthetics.
- Pros: Professional-level power gets large water baths to temperature quickly. Huge capacity - can handle up to 26 gallons (100 liters) of water. Onboard controls provide functionality without relying on a phone. Extremely durable and built to last.
- Cons: Significantly larger and heavier than the Joule, requiring more storage space. More expensive upfront. Its industrial design may not appeal to everyone.
This Anova model is ideal for anyone who regularly cooks for large groups, values sheer performance, or wants a durable device that offers both manual and app-based controls.
Shop this product: anovaculinary.com/products/anova-precision-cooker-pro
Joule vs. Anova Pro Comparison
Heating Power & Performance
While both are powerful, the Anova Pro leads in raw performance. It has a slightly higher wattage (1200W vs. the Joule's 1100W) and a much more powerful circulation pump with a flow rate of 12 liters per minute. This allows it to heat bigger water baths faster and maintain precise temperature stability for huge batches - up to 26 gallons.
The Joule is no slouch, its 1100 watts and efficient design heat standard household pots quickly and accurately. However, its performance is optimized for typical home use (up to 10 gallons), whereas the Anova Pro is designed to handle near-professional volume without breaking a sweat.
Design & Usability
This is where the two products differ the most. The Joule is a masterclass in sleek minimalism. It’s tiny, lightweight, and completely button-free, which looks fantastic in a modern kitchen. The entire experience is managed through a visually appealing and intuitive app. This makes it incredibly easy for beginners to follow guided recipes.
The Anova Pro takes a practical, function-first approach. It's larger, heavier, and features a dual-control system. You can set the time and temperature directly on its crisp LCD screen or use the Anova app. This flexibility is a huge plus for cooks who don't want to be tied to their phones. Aesthetically, it's more industrial and less discreet than the Joule.
Price & Value
The Breville Joule typically costs around $199, while the Anova Pro is priced at approximately $299. The $100 price difference clearly separates their target markets. The Joule offers outstanding value for most home cooks, providing premium design, smart features, and reliable precision for a reasonable price.
The extra cost of the Anova Pro is justified by its superior power, massive water capacity, rugged construction, and dual control system. If you take your sous vide cooking seriously and need a machine that can handle large cuts of meat or batch cooking, the Anova Pro represents a long-term investment in performance and durability.
Who Each One Works Best For
The choice ultimately hinges on your cooking style and priorities. The Breville Joule is an excellent match for the design-conscious home cook who values a small footprint and a modern, app-driven experience. It’s a smart, capable device that perfectly handles everyday sous vide tasks.
The Anova Pro is built for the enthusiast or semi-professional. Its unmatched power, capacity, and ruggedness make it the clear choice for anyone who cooks in large volumes, hosts frequent dinner parties, or simply wants the most powerful, flexible tool they can get. The onboard controls add another layer of practical convenience professional chefs appreciate.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both devices deliver excellent results, but they serve different users and cooking styles.
Choose the Breville Joule if:
- You have limited kitchen storage and need a compact device.
- You appreciate a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that complements a modern kitchen.
- You are comfortable with tech and prefer an app-driven, guided cooking experience.
- You mostly cook for yourself or a small family in standard-sized pots.
Choose the Anova Precision Cooker Pro if:
- Power, speed, and performance are your top priorities.
- You need to cook large quantities of food for parties or meal prepping.
- You want the flexibility of both on-device manual controls and app connectivity.
- You value heavy-duty construction and durability for frequent use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Joule and Anova Pro?
The main difference is in their design philosophy and target user. The Joule is a compact, stylish, app-only device for modern home cooks, while the Anova Pro is a larger, more powerful, industrial-grade device with both on-device and app controls for serious chefs.
Do I need an app to use the Anova Pro?
No. The Anova Pro has a full set of manual controls and a digital display on the device itself, so you can set time and temperature without ever using your phone. The app functionality is an added convenience.
Can I use a Joule without my phone?
No. The Breville Joule has no buttons or screens and relies entirely on the companion app for all its functions, from setting temperature to starting and stopping the cooking process.
Which one heats water faster?
The Anova Pro, with its 1200 watts and powerful circulation, will generally heat a large pot of water faster than the Joule's 1100 watts. The difference will be most noticeable in larger water baths.
Which sous vide is better for a small kitchen?
The Breville Joule is much better for a small kitchen. Its slim, compact profile makes it incredibly easy to store in a drawer, whereas the Anova Pro requires more dedicated space.
Is the Anova Pro worth the extra money?
It is worth the extra money if you need its specific features. If you plan to cook for large groups, use oversized cooking containers, or value durable, professional-grade equipment, the investment in the Anova Pro is justified by its superior performance and capacity.
How much water can each device handle?
The Joule can handle a maximum water capacity of 10 gallons (about 40 liters). The Anova Pro can handle a massive 26 gallons (100 liters) of water, making it suitable for professional catering use.
Are both devices suitable for beginners?
Yes, both are suitable, but the Joule's app, with its step-by-step "Visual Doneness" feature and guided recipes, offers a slightly more user-friendly onboarding experience for someone completely new to sous vide.
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