The Breville the Smart Oven Air and the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven are two leading countertop appliances, but they cater to very different needs and budgets. The Breville is a premium, feature-rich powerhouse with superior build quality and a higher price tag, while the Cuisinart is a practical, budget-friendly workhorse that excels at core cooking tasks without the extra frills. The main distinctions come down to their construction, range of functions, and overall cost.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right countertop oven from Breville or Cuisinart for your kitchen.
Breville the Smart Oven Air
Breville's Smart Oven Air is a top-of-the-line countertop oven designed for home chefs who want precision, versatility, and a high-end experience. It's built to replace multiple kitchen gadgets, boasting advanced features like dehydration and slow cooking, all wrapped in a sleek, modern stainless steel package. Its sophisticated technology and premium materials justify its position as one of the leading models on the market.
- What it is: A multifunctional countertop convection oven with an extensive set of pre-programmed cooking functions.
- Key features: Element iQ® system for precise and stable heat, 2-speed convection fan (regular and super), and 13 cooking functions, including air fry, bake, roast, slow cook, dehydrate, and proof. Features an intuitive LCD display and fits a 14-lb turkey or 9x13 inch pan.
- Price: Around $350 - $400
- Dimensions: Approximately 21.5" W x 17.5" D x 12.7" H.
- Materials/Construction: Brushed stainless steel casing, sturdy dual-wall glass door, and a durable non-stick interior. The build quality is exceptional and designed for longevity.
- Style: Modern, sleek, and high-tech. Its polished look and digital interface fit perfectly in contemporary kitchens alongside other premium appliances.
- Pros: Replaces multiple kitchen appliances, offers incredibly even and precise cooking, large interior capacity, high-quality durable materials, and is intuitive to use despite its many functions.
- Cons: High price point, takes up considerable countertop space, and its wide array of features may be overkill for users who only need a basic toaster oven.
The Breville Smart Oven Air is ideal for passionate cooks who need a reliable, high-performance appliance and plan to use its advanced features for everything from air frying to dehydrating.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov900.html
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a practical and popular appliance known for its reliability and excellent value. It focuses on mastering the core functions that most households use daily - toasting, baking, and air frying - at an accessible price point. While it lacks the premium finish and extensive features of the Breville, it delivers consistent results and is praised for its straightforward, no-fuss operation.
- What it is: A versatile and budget-friendly countertop appliance that combines a traditional toaster oven with a powerful air fryer.
- Key features: Seven functions: air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, warm, and toast. Simple analog dial controls for temperature, function, and timer. Large enough to toast 6 slices of bread or air fry up to 3 lbs of food.
- Price: Around $150 - $250
- Dimensions: Approximately 15.5" W x 16" D x 14" H.
- Materials/Construction: A mix of metal and durable plastic components with a non-stick interior. The construction is solid and practical for its price.
- Style: Utilitarian and functional. It has a classic appliance look with straightforward knob controls that are easy for anyone to understand immediately.
- Pros: Excellent value for money, performs core functions especially air frying exceptionally well, easy-to-use manual controls, and a generous 3-year warranty often provides extra peace of mind.
- Cons: Exterior can get very hot during use, lacks advanced features like slow cooking or dehydrating, materials don't feel as premium as Breville's, and the fan can be louder.
This Cuisinart oven serves households looking for a dependable and affordable all-in-one appliance for daily cooking needs like making toast, heating leftovers, and air frying party snacks.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/toa-60/
Breville the Smart Oven Air vs. Cuisinart Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The Breville is noticeably larger and wider at 21.5" x 17.5" x 12.7", demanding a significant chunk of counter space. This size grants it a massive interior capable of handling a 14-lb turkey, a 5-quart Dutch oven, or a 9x13 inch pan, making it a viable replacement for a full-sized oven on many occasions. You'll need to measure your counter carefully to ensure it fits comfortably, especially under cabinets.
The Cuisinart toaster oven is more compact in width but taller at 15.5" x 16" x 14". It's better suited for smaller kitchens where counter width is at a premium. Its capacity is still generous, fitting a whole chicken (up to 4 lbs), a 12-inch pizza, or six slices of bread, which covers most daily cooking needs for a small family.
Materials & Construction
There is a clear difference in the materials and finish between the two. The Breville Smart Oven Air features a heavy-duty brushed stainless steel body, a robust door, and high-quality components inside and out. It feels like a luxury appliance and is built to last. The overall fit and finish are precise, radiating durability.
Cuisinart uses a combination of metal and plastic to achieve a more approachable price point. The build is perfectly functional and reliable for everyday use, but it doesn't have the same premium, solid feel as the Breville. While it's a sturdy machine, its materials are aligned with its value-focused positioning.
Features & Performance
The Breville is packed with technology designed for serious cooks. Its 13 pre-set functions, powered by the Element iQ® system that intelligently distributes heat, deliver exceptionally accurate and even cooking. The digital LCD and simple controls make navigating its many options surprisingly easy. It truly excels at specialty tasks like dehydrating fruit and slow-cooking roasts, functions the Cuisinart doesn't offer.
Cuisinart focuses on doing a few things extremely well. Its analog dials are an advantage for those who dislike digital menus - just turn the knobs to your desired settings and go. While it lacks the precise temperature control of the Breville, its air frying function is powerful and cooks food to a crispy finish rapidly. It's a workhorse for the basics, delivering consistent results for everyday baking, broiling, and toasting.
Price & Value
Budget is the biggest differentiator. At around $400, the Breville is a significant investment. The value comes from its versatility, if you use its dehydration, slow-cooking, and proofing functions, you're getting three or more appliances in one, which can justify the cost. It's a purchase for someone who sees cooking as a serious hobby.
Costing nearly half as much, the Cuisinart at around $200 offers tremendous value. It provides toaster, oven, and air fryer functionality in a single, dependable unit. For the vast majority of people who primarily want to heat pizza, make toast, and enjoy air-fried wings, the Cuisinart represents a much more practical financial decision.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both ovens provide fantastic cooking capabilities, but they are clearly designed for different users and kitchens.
Choose the Breville the Smart Oven Air if:
- You are an avid home cook who will take advantage of its many functions.
- You want to replace multiple appliances like a dehydrator, slow cooker, and proofer.
- Your budget allows for a premium appliance, and you prioritize build quality.
- You have ample counter space for a larger machine and need the extra interior capacity.
Choose an Air Fryer Toaster Oven from Cuisinart if:
- You're looking for the best performance and versatility at a reasonable price point.
- Your main cooking needs are air frying, baking, toasting, and reheating.
- You prefer simple, straightforward analog controls over digital menus.
- You want a reliable, daily-use appliance and value practicality over premium aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville and a Cuisinart countertop oven?
The primary differences are price, features, and build quality. The Breville is a high-end, multifunctional appliance with a premium stainless steel build and many cooking modes, including slow cooking and dehydrating. The Cuisinart is a more affordable, practical workhorse focused on essential functions like air frying and toasting, with simpler controls and construction.
Which oven is better for air frying?
Both are highly effective air fryers. The Breville may produce slightly more even results due to its advanced convection system, while the Cuisinart is known for its sheer power and speed in making foods extra crispy. For most users, the Cuisinart's air frying performance is more than sufficient and a major selling point.
Is the Breville Smart Oven Air worth the extra money?
It's worth it if you will regularly use its extensive features beyond basic toasting and baking. If you are passionate about making your own jerky, proofing bread dough, or slow-cooking, the all-in-one convenience is unmatched. If not, the extra cost is likely not justified, and Cuisinart offers better value.
How much counter space do these ovens take up?
The Breville needs more width, measuring roughly 21.5 inches wide, so it's a better fit for larger kitchens. The Cuisinart is more compact in width at 15.5 inches but is slightly taller, which may work better for kitchens with limited horizontal space.
Can the Breville Smart Oven replace my main oven?
For many households, especially smaller ones, it absolutely can. With a capacity large enough to roast a 14-lb turkey or fit a standard 9x13 inch baking pan, it handles most tasks a conventional oven does, often more efficiently and with more even cooking.
How easy are they to clean?
Both are relatively easy to clean. They each feature a pull-out crumb tray and non-stick interiors. Breville's housing and interior materials feel a bit more robust and may hold up better aesthetically over time, but both are designed for straightforward maintenance.
Does the Cuisinart get hot on the outside?
Yes, this is a common piece of feedback from users. The top and sides of the Cuisinart can get quite hot to the touch during operation. It's important to ensure there is adequate clearance around the appliance and use caution when it's on.
Which brand has a better warranty?
This is a major win for Cuisinart. They typically offer a limited 3-year warranty on their toaster ovens, which is exceptional for a small appliance. Breville's Smart Ovens usually come with a limited 2-year warranty. Both are solid, but Cuisinart offers an extra year of coverage.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
