The Breville Smart Oven Air and a Breville Microwave serve fundamentally different purposes in the kitchen: one cooks with versatile dry heat, while the other reheats with incredible speed. The Smart Oven is a multi-function countertop oven designed to bake, roast, and air fry for crisp, browned results, whereas a microwave uses microwave energy to quickly reheat leftovers and defrost food without browning.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which Breville appliance is the right fit for your countertop.
Breville Smart Oven Air
The Breville Smart Oven Air is a premium, all-in-one countertop oven that does much more than just toast. It’s designed for home cooks who want the performance of a full-size oven in a more compact and efficient package, with added functions like air frying, dehydrating, and proofing dough.
- What it is: A countertop convection oven with 13 different cooking functions, including air fry and dehydrate.
- Key features: Element IQ system for precise temperature control, two-speed convection fan for even cooking, large capacity that fits a 9x13-inch pan or a 14-lb turkey.
- Price: Typically costs between $300 and $400.
- Dimensions: Approximately 18.5" x 21.5" x 12.7", requiring significant counter space.
- Materials/Construction: Features a sturdy brushed stainless steel housing, a robust glass door, and interior oven light for monitoring cooking progress.
- Style: Sleek and modern with an intuitive LCD screen and simple control dials that align with a high-end contemporary kitchen aesthetic.
- Pros: Extremely versatile and can replace multiple appliances (oven, toaster, air fryer, dehydrator). Delivers excellent, even cooking results. Preheats much faster than a conventional oven. Premium look and feel.
- Cons: A significant investment compared to standard toaster ovens or microwaves. Slower at reheating food than a microwave. Takes up a large footprint on the counter.
This oven is ideal for avid home cooks, small households that want to avoid heating a large oven, and anyone who values versatility and performance in a single countertop appliance.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov900.html
Breville Microwave
Breville microwaves bring the brand's signature design and intelligent features to the world of quick heating. Models like the Smooth Wave are not just for reheating, they incorporate inverter technology for more even cooking and sensor-based functions to perfectly pop popcorn or soften butter without guesswork.
- What it is: A high-performance countertop microwave oven focused on speed, efficiency, and precise heating.
- Key features: Sensor iQ for detecting and adjusting cook time, Power Smoothing Inverter Technology for even power delivery, and smart presets for common tasks.
- Price: Ranges from $200 to $400 depending on the model and its features.
- Dimensions: Varies by model, but a typical size is around 20" x 15" x 12".
- Materials/Construction: Built with a sleek stainless steel exterior and a high-quality interior coating that is easy to clean and resists corrosion.
- Style: Modern and minimalist design featuring touch controls, neat digital displays, and materials that match other Breville appliances for a cohesive look.
- Pros: Incredibly fast for reheating, defrosting, and cooking. Advanced sensor and inverter technologies prevent hot spots. Quiet operation. Easy to clean and maintain.
- Cons: Limited to microwave cooking and cannot brown, roast, or crisp food. Price point is higher than basic microwave models. Doesn't offer the multi-functionality of a smart oven.
This appliance works best for those who prioritize speed and convenience for reheating leftovers, snacks, and defrosting ingredients while appreciating premium build quality and advanced features.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/microwaves.html
Breville Smart Oven Air vs. Breville Microwave Comparison
Cooking Function & Versatility
This is the most significant difference between the two appliances. The Breville Smart Oven Air is a true multi-cooker. It uses heating elements and convection fans to bake, roast, broil, toast, and air fry. This dry heat method is what creates browned exteriors and crispy textures, making it a smaller, more efficient alternative to a full-size wall oven.
The Breville Microwave excels at one thing: speed. It uses microwaves to excite water molecules in food, heating it from the inside out in a fraction of the time. While Breville's inverter and sensor technology make it far more precise than a basic microwave, it can't create the Maillard reaction needed for browning. It's built for reheating, defrosting, and steaming - not for "cooking" in the traditional sense.
Dimensions & Scale
Countertop real estate is precious, and both appliances demand a decent amount. The Smart Oven Air is generally larger and taller (around 18.5" x 21.5" x 12.7") to accommodate its large interior capacity, which can fit items like a whole chicken or a 9x13-inch baking dish. You'll need to ensure you have enough vertical clearance beneath your cabinets.
Breville microwaves typically have a more standard countertop footprint (around 20" x 15" x 12"). While they take up space, their dimensions are what most people expect from a microwave and fit into standard kitchen layouts or designated microwave shelves easily.
Materials & Construction
Both product lines reflect Breville's commitment to quality. Each features a durable, attractive brushed stainless steel exterior that looks premium and is easy to wipe down. They feel solid and well-built, from the doors to the control dials and buttons.
The Smart Oven is constructed to handle sustained high temperatures with features like a double-paned glass door for insulation. The microwave is engineered for containment and easy cleaning, with a smooth, coated interior designed to be wiped clean of splatters.
Price & Value
Breville positions both as premium appliances. The microwave typically runs from $200-$400, while the Smart Oven Air is priced at the higher end of that range, around $400. The best value depends entirely on your needs. For $400, the Smart Oven provides the functionality of an oven, toaster, air fryer, and more. If you plan to use those functions, its value is exceptional.
If you already have a great oven and just need a high-performance reheating device, spending $250-$300 on a Breville microwave offers value through its speed, precision cooking features, and superior durability compared to cheaper models.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Smart Oven Air is the perfect appliance for dedicated home cooks who want to expand their cooking capabilities without a full kitchen renovation. It’s ideal for small families or apartment dwellers who might:
- Have a subpar primary oven
- Want to avoid heating a large oven for smaller meals
If you love to experiment with baking, roasting, and air frying, this is for you.
The Breville Microwave is for busy households that prioritize efficiency and convenience. It's for people who reheat leftovers daily, defrost frozen items frequently, and want a sophisticated appliance that does these jobs better than a basic model. If your main goal is speed and you won't be using it to cook-from-scratch, the Breville microwave is the superior choice.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both are excellent appliances, but they are designed to perform very different tasks in your kitchen.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven Air if:
- You want to bake, roast, air fry, and toast with results comparable to a traditional oven.
- You value crispy, browned food and don't mind waiting a few extra minutes for reheating.
- You want an all-in-one appliance to save space or energy compared to your main oven.
- You enjoy cooking and want a versatile tool for preparing meals from scratch.
Choose the Breville Microwave if:
- Your primary need is quickly reheating leftovers, beverages, and frozen meals.
- Speed and convenience are your top priorities in the kitchen.
- You want smart features like sensor reheating and even power distribution for better results.
- You already have a full-size oven you're happy with and just need a dedicated reheating device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville Smart Oven and Microwave?
The main difference is the cooking method and result. The Smart Oven uses dry heat from heating elements to cook and brown food like a conventional oven. The microwave uses microwave radiation to heat food quickly but cannot brown or crisp it.
Can the Breville Smart Oven Air replace a microwave?
Partially. It can reheat food, often with better texture (e.g., crispy pizza), but it takes much longer (5-10 minutes) compared to a microwave (1-2 minutes). It cannot replace the sheer speed of a microwave.
Can a Breville Microwave air fry or bake?
No. Standard microwaves do not have the heating elements or convection fans required to create the dry, circulating heat needed for baking, roasting, or air frying.
Which one is better for reheating leftovers?
The microwave is better for fast reheating. The Smart Oven Air is better for reviving the texture of leftovers like pizza, fried chicken, or roasted vegetables, making them crispy again instead of soggy.
How much counter space do they need?
The Smart Oven Air is a large appliance, roughly 18.5" x 21.5" x 12.7", and requires good clearance. A typical Breville Microwave is smaller, around 20" x 15" x 12", and fits more standard kitchen spaces.
Are these Breville appliances worth the higher price?
Generally, yes. Their premium price reflects their durable construction, intelligent features (like Element IQ and Sensor iQ), accurate performance, and sleek design. They are built to last longer and perform better than bargain-brand alternatives.
How do you clean the Breville Smart Oven vs. the Microwave?
A microwave is easier to clean, its sealed, coated interior can be quickly wiped down. The Smart Oven requires more effort, involving scrubbing an internal drip tray and wire racks, as well as carefully cleaning around the heating elements.
Which is more energy-efficient?
For reheating a single plate of food, a microwave is more energy-efficient because it completes the task so quickly. For cooking a full meal, the Smart Oven Air is more efficient than a full-size conventional oven because it's a smaller space to heat.
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