The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven are two of the most popular options for an all-in-one countertop appliance, but they target different users. The Breville is a premium, large-capacity oven praised for its precise heating and extensive cooking functions, making it a favorite for serious home cooks. The Cuisinart, on the other hand, is a more compact, budget-friendly workhorse that delivers reliable performance and great value for everyday use.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which countertop oven is the right fit for your kitchen and cooking style.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a high-performance multitasker designed for those who want the power and precision of a full-size convection oven in a countertop-friendly package. Its standout feature is the Element IQ system, which uses smart algorithms to deliver precise heat exactly where it's needed for perfect results. With functions ranging from air frying and dehydrating to proofing bread, it aims to replace several other kitchen appliances.
- What it is: A premium countertop convection oven with 13 cooking functions, including air frying, slow cooking, and dehydrating.
- Key features: Element IQ system for smart heat distribution, two-speed Super Convection fan for faster cooking and air frying, large interior capacity of 1 cubic foot, and an intuitive LCD display.
- Price: Ranges from $399 to $449, placing it in the premium tier.
- Dimensions: Approximately 21.5" W x 17.5" D x 12.7" H. Fits a 9"x13" pan, 12-cup muffin tin, or a 14-lb turkey.
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel body for a sleek, modern look and excellent durability.
- Pros: Unmatched cooking versatility with 13 functions. Exceptionally even heating and precise temperature control. Large capacity is great for families or entertaining. The super convection setting produces incredibly crispy air-fried food. A premium, durable build with an intuitive interface.
- Cons: A significantly higher price point. Its large size takes up a lot of counter space. The complexity of its features might be overkill for casual users.
This oven is for the serious home cook who wants best-in-class performance and is willing to invest in a versatile appliance that can handle nearly any cooking task thrown at it.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/sov900.html
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a practical, value-driven appliance that combines the core functions of a toaster oven with the popular feature of air frying. It is designed for simplicity and reliability, offering a straightforward user experience through its classic dial controls. While it lacks the advanced smart technology of the Breville, it consistently delivers good results across its main functions, making it a household staple for everyday meals.
- What it is: A versatile and affordable toaster oven with a built-in air fryer.
- Key features: Seven functions including Air Fry, Convection Bake, Bake, Broil, Warm, Toast. A 0.6 cubic foot interior can air fry up to 3 lbs of food. Simple analog controls.
- Price: Averages $199 to $299, offering excellent value.
- Dimensions: Typically 15.5" W x 16" D x 14" H, making it more compact. Can toast 6 slices of bread or cook a 12-inch pizza.
- Materials/Construction: Stainless steel exterior with durable internal components designed for longevity.
- Pros: Highly affordable compared to premium models. Its compact footprint is ideal for smaller kitchens. Straightforward controls are very easy to use. Delivers solid, reliable cooking and air frying performance for daily tasks.
- Cons: Less precise temperature regulation results in less consistent cooking than the Breville. Smaller interior capacity is not ideal for large families. Fewer cooking functions. The exterior can get very hot during use.
This Cuisinart oven is perfect for anyone seeking a dependable, multi-function appliance without a high price tag or a steep learning curve, especially if counter space is a concern.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/toaster_ovens/
Breville vs. Cuisinart Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
There is a significant difference in size between these two ovens. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a large appliance, measuring close to 22 inches wide and taking up a lot of counter space. However, this big footprint enables its massive 1 cubic foot capacity, which is large enough to roast a 14-lb turkey, perfect for family dinners or holidays.
In contrast, the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is noticeably more compact at around 16 inches wide. Its 0.6 cubic foot interior is large enough for daily tasks like toasting six slices of bread, baking a 12-inch pizza, or air frying wings for a small family. Its smaller size makes it much better suited for kitchens where counter real estate is at a premium.
Performance & Features
Performance is where the Breville truly sets itself apart. Its Element IQ technology and two-speed convection fan provide incredibly precise, even heat, leading to superior results in baking, roasting, and air frying. With 13 distinct functions - including dehydrate, proof, and slow cook - it functions more like a secondary primary oven than just a toaster oven.
The Cuisinart toaster oven performs its core functions - baking, air frying, and toasting - very well. It's a reliable workhorse for everyday needs. However, it lacks the intelligent heating of the Breville, so it may have more hot spots and less even cooking, particularly for delicate baked goods. Its seven functions cover all the basics but don't offer the specialty modes found in the premium-priced Breville.
Materials & Construction
Both ovens are built with stainless steel, but the Breville feels more substantial. Its components - from the smooth-gliding rack to the soft-close door - feel premium and heavy-duty. It’s an appliance built for serious, frequent use. Breville typically offers a 1-year warranty on their ovens.
Cuisinart offers a solid and durable build for its price point. While the knobs and door might not feel as luxurious, the unit is known for its durability. A huge point in its favor is Cuisinart’s frequent 3-year limited warranty, showcasing the brand's confidence in its product's longevity and offering better peace of mind.
Price & Value
This is the clearest distinction. The Breville Smart Oven often retails for close to $400, a significant investment for a countertop appliance. The value comes from its stellar performance, versatility, and large capacity, which can genuinely replace multiple gadgets and rival a full-size wall oven for many tasks.
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven typically costs half as much, around $200. For that price, it offers remarkable value. You get a reliable toaster oven, a capable air fryer, and a small convection oven in one user-friendly package. For most people who just want better toast and crispy fries without cluttering their kitchen, the Cuisinart is a huge value.
Style & Aesthetics
The Breville features a sleek, modern aesthetic characterized by brushed stainless steel and large, intuitive LCD screen. Its clean lines and design-forward look make it a statement piece that fits well in high-end, contemporary kitchens.
The Cuisinart oven has a more traditional, utilitarian design. With its classic shape and mechanical dial controls, it has a timeless look that is focused on function over form. It's designed to blend in rather than stand out.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both models are excellent choices, so your decision will come down to your cooking needs, budget, and kitchen size.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro if:
- You are a passionate home cook who values precision and top-tier performance.
- You need a large-capacity oven for cooking for a family or for hosting guests.
- You want maximum versatility and plan to use advanced functions like dehydrating or proofing.
- You are prepared to pay a premium price for a sleek appliance that could become the centerpiece of your countertops.
Choose the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven if:
- You're shopping on a budget and want the best functionality for your money.
- You have limited counter space and need a more compact oven.
- You prefer simple, no-fuss analog controls over digital menus and presets.
- You primarily want an all-in-one appliance for simple everyday tasks and occasionally air fry meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville and the Cuisinart?
The primary difference is performance and price. The Breville oven offers superior, even heating, a larger capacity, and more cooking functions for a premium price. The Cuisinart provides reliable, multi-functional performance in a more compact and budget-friendly package.
Is the Breville Smart Oven worth the extra money?
For avid home cooks who will use its advanced features and large capacity to their full potential, the Breville is absolutely worth it. It performs like a small professional oven. For casual users who just want to toast and air fry, the extra cost may not be justified.
Which oven is better for a small kitchen?
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is the clear winner for small kitchens. Its compact footprint saves precious counter space compared to the much larger Breville.
Which one is a better air fryer?
Because of its two-speed super convection fan, the Breville offers more powerful and even air circulation, which results in extra-crispy food. However, the Cuisinart also does a very effective job for its smaller size. Both are great air fryers, but the Breville offers a bigger basket size and has a performance that can't be beat.
Can the Breville replace a full-size oven?
For many households, especially those who tend to cook for just a few, the Breville Smart Oven's large capacity and high precision baking and roasting is enough and can easily replace a conventional oven. It is more energy-efficient to cook on the countertop which gives it an extra advantage.
Which one is easier to clean?
Both models are relatively similar to clean, featuring pull-out crumb trays and non-stick interiors. Their stainless steel exteriors wipe down easily. The larger interior of the Breville can make it more comfortable to reach and clean its insides when compared with the Cuisinart.
What's the warranty difference?
Cuisinart typically offers a more generous 3-year limited warranty, which adds significant value and peace of mind. Breville usually provides a 1-year limited warranty, which is standard for high-end appliances but shorter than the competitor.
Are these ovens hot to the touch?
Like all high-powered countertop ovens, the exterior surfaces and glass doors on both of these two ovens can get very hot, so proper clearance from walls and caution during use, especially for houses with kids or pets, must always be in mind.
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