The Breville Smooth Wave and Compact Wave microwaves both deliver on the quality and performance expected from Breville, but they target different needs. The Smooth Wave is a larger, more powerful model with advanced Sensor iQ technology for precise, automated cooking, while the Compact Wave is a smaller, more budget-friendly unit designed for essential tasks and tight spaces.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which microwave is the right fit for your kitchen.
Breville Smooth Wave Microwave
The Smooth Wave is a premium microwave designed for home cooks who want a blend of power, capacity, and smart technology. It features Sensor iQ that automatically adjusts cooking time for optimal results and a Power Smoothing inverter that delivers even heat, eliminating the hot and cold spots common in other microwaves.
- What it is: A mid-size, feature-rich microwave with intelligent sensor technology for automated cooking and reheating.
- Key features: Sensor iQ measures humidity to automatically adjust power and time. Includes 12 smart presets for items like seafood, bacon, and rice. The Power Smoothing inverter ensures consistent, even heating. Features a soft-close door and child lock.
- Price: Around $250 - $300
- Dimensions: Approximately 20.5" W x 16" D x 12" H with a 1.2 cu. ft. capacity.
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality brushed stainless steel finish for durability and a modern look.
- Style: A sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a smooth, rounded exterior and a tidy control panel that complements contemporary kitchens.
- Pros: Sensor cooking takes the guesswork out of reheating. Large capacity fits family-sized dishes. Power inverter provides exceptionally even heating. The premium soft-close door reduces noise. Sleek design looks great on the countertop.
- Cons: Higher price point compared to basic models. Its larger footprint takes up significant counter space.
This model is ideal for families or individuals who frequently cook larger meals and value the precision of advanced sensor technology to get perfect results every time.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/microwaves/bmo735.html
Breville Compact Wave Microwave
The Compact Wave offers Breville's signature quality and design in a more space-efficient and wallet-friendly package. While it forgoes the advanced sensor tech, it retains key convenience features like the soft-close door and simple one-touch presets, making it perfect for essential reheating, defrosting, and cooking tasks.
- What it is: A compact yet high-quality microwave for smaller kitchens and simpler needs.
- Key features: Comes with 8 convenient cooking presets for common tasks like popcorn, soup, and reheating pizza. Includes a soft-close door, instant-start function, and a child lock.
- Price: Ranges from $180 - $220
- Dimensions: Approximately 17" W x 14.5" D x 10.3" H with a 0.9 cu. ft. capacity.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a durable stainless steel exterior to match other premium appliances.
- Style: A modern, straightforward look that is versatile enough to fit into any kitchen decor without drawing too much attention.
- Pros: Small footprint is perfect for apartments and limited counter space. More affordable price point. Still includes the premium soft-close door. Very easy and intuitive to use.
- Cons: Smaller 0.9 cu. ft. capacity can be tight for large dinner plates. Lacks the sensor technology and inverter found in the Smooth Wave, meaning heating may be less precise.
This microwave is an excellent choice for individuals, couples, or anyone in a smaller living space who needs a reliable machine for daily tasks and values quality over advanced features.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/microwaves/bmo650.html
Breville Smooth Wave vs. Compact Wave Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The most immediate difference is size. The Smooth Wave has a 1.2 cubic foot interior and a wide 20.5-inch footprint, making it suitable for larger casseroles, family-sized containers, and multiple dishes. It demands more counter space, which is a key consideration for smaller kitchens.
The Compact Wave is significantly compact, as its name suggests, at 0.9 cubic ft and 17 inches wide. While perfect for reheating a dinner plate or making popcorn, its small interior may be restrictive for bigger items. It's the clear winner for anyone dealing with limited counter real estate in an apartment or dorm.
Features & Technology
Technology is the defining differentiator. The Smooth Wave's Sensor iQ technology automatically detects humidity levels released from food to calculate the perfect cook time and power level. Paired with its Power Smoothing inverter, it ensures that dishes are heated evenly without cooking the edges while the middle remains cold. This is a big advantage for anyone who hates rubbery or overcooked leftovers.
The Compact Wave operates like a traditional microwave, relying on manual time and power settings along with its convenient shortcuts. It lacks sensor technology, so you'll need to monitor your food more closely to prevent overcooking. However, its simple interface makes it a breeze to use for quick and simple jobs.
Style & Aesthetics
Both models feature Breville's signature brushed stainless steel finish, delivering a modern and professional look. The Smooth Wave has a sleeker, more rounded design with a slightly more minimalist control panel that feels premium. The Compact Wave is more straightforward and utilitarian in its appearance but remains clean and unobtrusive.
Price & Value
With an average price of $250-$300, the Smooth Wave is a mid-range investment. The extra cost goes directly into its larger size and advanced sensor technology, providing value for those who want better cooking results and more convenience. The Compact Wave, priced between $180 and $220, offers excellent value for shoppers who prioritize build quality but don't need automated features. You're paying for the durable Breville construction and key convenience features like the soft-close door in a smaller, more affordable package.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Breville Smooth Wave is built for busy families, home chefs, and anyone frustrated with poorly reheated meals. Its larger capacity can handle the demands of a full household, and its sensor technology is perfect for people who want consistent, walk-away results.
The Breville Compact Wave is aimed at apartment dwellers, students, or small households with limited kitchen space. It's also a great option for people who primarily use a microwave for straightforward jobs like defrosting meat, heating up soup, or making popcorn, and don't feel the need to pay for extra technology.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both microwaves are excellent appliances, but they cater to very different needs and spaces.
Choose the Breville Smooth Wave if:
- You have a family or frequently cook and reheat large meals.
- You want smart sensor technology that prevents overcooked or unevenly heated food.
- You appreciate the premium feel of a soft-close door and even heating via an inverter.
- You have ample counter space and a budget for a more feature-rich appliance.
Choose the Breville Compact Wave if:
- You have limited counter space in an apartment or smaller kitchen.
- Your main microwave use is for simple tasks like defrosting and reheating.
- You're on a tighter budget but still want superior build quality.
- You prefer a simple, no-fuss interface over smart cooking modes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Smooth Wave and Compact Wave?
The primary difference is size and technology. The Smooth Wave is larger and has Sensor iQ for automatic, precise cooking, while the Compact Wave is smaller and designed for manual control of essential microwave functions.
Is the Sensor iQ on the Smooth Wave worth the extra money?
For many, yes. The Sensor iQ technology virtually eliminates guesswork by automatically adjusting time and power to perfectly reheat food without drying it out, which elevates it beyond a basic reheating tool.
Are both models easy to clean?
Yes, both models feature a brushed stainless steel exterior and a sealed interior that can be wiped down easily with a damp cloth.
Can you fit a standard dinner plate in the Compact Wave?
Yes, the 0.9 cu. ft. interior and 10-inch turntable on the Compact Wave are designed to accommodate most standard 10-inch dinner plates.
Which Breville microwave is quieter?
Both models feature a soft-close door, which dramatically reduces the loud slamming noise common with other microwaves. Overall sound levels during operation are comparable for both.
Does the Compact Wave feel cheap compared to the Smooth Wave?
No. While more affordable, the Compact Wave maintains Breville's reputation for high-quality construction. It feels solid and durable, just in a smaller form factor.
How big is the turntable on each model?
The Smooth Wave has a 12.4-inch turntable, while the Compact Wave turntable measures 10 inches.
Do both microwaves have child lock features?
Yes, both the Smooth Wave and Compact Wave include a child lock feature to prevent accidental operation.
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