The Cuisinart Toa-60 and the Breville Smart Oven Air are two of the most popular countertop ovens on the market, but they cater to very different users and budgets. The Cuisinart Toa-60 is a compact, affordable, and straightforward air fryer toaster oven ideal for everyday tasks, while the Breville Smart Oven Air is a premium, feature-rich appliance with superior build quality and precise digital controls for serious home chefs.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which oven from Cuisinart or Breville is the right choice for your kitchen countertop.
Cuisinart Toa-60 AirFryer Toaster Oven
The Cuisinart Toa-60 is a versatile workhorse that combines the functions of an air fryer, convection oven, toaster, and broiler into one compact and user-friendly appliance. It's known for its powerful air frying capabilities and simple, no-fuss analog controls, making it a popular choice for quick weeknight meals and reheating leftovers.
- What it is: A multi-functional countertop oven that excels at air frying, baking, broiling, and toasting with simple analog dial controls.
- Key features: Seven cooking functions (AirFry, Convection Bake, Convection Broil, Bake, Broil, Warm, Toast), an adjustable thermostat, and a 60-minute timer.
- Price: Around $150 to $200.
- Dimensions: Approximately 15" D x 16" W x 14" H.
- Capacity: 0.6 cubic foot interior can toast 6 slices of bread, air fry up to 3 lbs of chicken wings, or bake a 12-inch pizza.
- Style: Utilitarian and classic with a brushed stainless steel finish and traditional, easy-to-use dials.
- Materials/Construction: Durable stainless steel body with a non-stick coated interior for easy cleaning.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Simple analog controls are intuitive and easy to use. Compact footprint fits well in smaller kitchens. Strong air frying performance.
- Cons: Analog controls offer less temperature precision than digital models. The exterior can get hot during use. The fan can be louder than on some premium models.
This oven is for the home cook who wants reliable, all-in-one functionality for everyday cooking without a steep learning curve or high price tag.
Shop this product: cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/airfryers/toa-60/
Breville Smart Oven Air
The Breville Smart Oven Air is a high-performance countertop appliance designed for those who take their cooking seriously. It combines premium materials, a sleek design, and advanced technology like its Element IQ system to deliver precise, even cooking across a huge range of functions, including toasting, air frying, dehydrating, and slow cooking.
- What it is: A premium, large-capacity convection oven with smart features for precise and versatile cooking.
- Key features: Element IQ system with 6 independent quartz heating elements for precise heat control, a two-speed super convection fan, 13 preset cooking functions, and a large, intuitive LCD display.
- Price: Typically costs $300 to $400.
- Dimensions: Approximately 17.5" D x 21.5" W x 12.7" H.
- Capacity: 1.0 cubic foot interior can toast 9 slices of bread, fit a 13-inch pizza, a 9"x13" pan, or even a 14-lb turkey.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a brushed stainless steel finish and a sophisticated digital interface.
- Materials/Construction: High-quality, robust stainless steel construction with a non-stick cavity and reinforced rack stability.
- Pros: Exceptional cooking precision and performance. Huge capacity can handle large meals. Versatile functions like dehydrating and proofing. Premium build quality and sleek aesthetic. Quieter operation.
- Cons: A much larger footprint requires significant counter space. High price point. Digital interface has more of a learning curve compared to simple dials.
The Smart Oven Air is ideal for culinary enthusiasts who want a versatile, high-end appliance that can act as a second oven and are willing to invest in superior performance and design.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov900.html
Cuisinart Toa-60 vs. Breville Smart Oven Air Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
There is a significant difference in size here. The Cuisinart Toa-60 is more compact at 15" x 16" x 14", making it a better fit for smaller kitchens or apartments with limited counter space. Its 0.6 cubic foot interior is ample for everyday tasks like toasting, reheating, or cooking for one to four people.
The Breville Smart Oven Air is a larger appliance, taking up nearly 22 inches of width on your counter. This size comes with a benefit: a massive 1.0 cubic foot capacity that can genuinely serve as a secondary oven. You can roast a small turkey or bake a full 9"x13" casserole, making it much more suitable for families or those who entertain.
Performance & Features
While both are excellent air fryers, their overall performance and features differ greatly. The Cuisinart Toa-60 uses straightforward convection technology and analog dials. It's effective and powerful, especially for air frying, but temperature control is less exact.
The Breville stands out with its Element IQ technology, which intelligently distributes heat where it's needed for precise cooking. Its two-speed super convection fan provides greater control, delivering faster and more even results for roasting and air frying. The 13 preset functions, including niche options like "Dehydrate" and "Proof," offer versatility that the Cuisinart can't match.
Materials & Construction
Both ovens are built with stainless steel, but the Breville feels more substantial. Its construction feels heavier and more robust, with a higher-end fit and finish on the door, buttons, and display. Cuisinart offers a solid, durable construction for its price point, but it feels more like a standard mid-range appliance.
Price & Value
This is the clearest distinction. At around $150-$200, the Cuisinart Toa-60 offers outstanding value. It delivers multiple cooking methods effectively in a compact unit at a highly accessible price. It's a great purchase for anyone looking to get into air frying without a huge investment.
The Breville Smart Oven Air, at $300-$400, is a premium investment. The higher price is justified by its superior build quality, larger capacity, precise cooking technology, and extra features. For those who cook frequently and demand the best performance, the Breville provides excellent long-term value and capability.
Style & Aesthetic
The Cuisinart Toa-60 has a functional, classic kitchen appliance look. Its straightforward dials and timeless stainless steel finish will fit into most traditional kitchens without issue. The Breville Smart Oven Air features a modern, minimalist design with a sleek LCD screen and elegant profile. It’s designed to be a centerpiece appliance in contemporary, high-end kitchens.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these countertop ovens are popular for a reason, but they serve different needs and homeowners.
Choose the Cuisinart Toa-60 if:
- You're working with a budget under $200.
- You have limited counter space and need a compact appliance.
- You prefer simple, intuitive analog controls over digital menus.
- Your main goal is to have a reliable appliance for daily toasting, air frying, and reheating.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven Air if:
- Cooking performance and temperature precision are your top priorities.
- You need a larger capacity to cook for a family or entertain guests.
- You will use advanced features like dehydrating, proofing, or slow cooking.
- You are looking for a premium, stylish appliance to match your modern kitchen and are willing to invest in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Cuisinart Toa-60 and Breville Smart Oven Air?
The primary differences are price, size, and technology. The Cuisinart is a smaller, budget-friendly oven with simple analog controls. The Breville is a larger, premium appliance with advanced digital controls, more cooking functions, and superior heat precision thanks to its Element IQ system.
Which one is better for air frying?
Both are highly effective air fryers. The Cuisinart Toa-60 is well-known for its powerful and crisp results. However, the Breville's two-speed super convection fan offers more control and can produce slightly more even results on larger batches of food.
Is the Breville Smart Oven Air worth the extra money?
For serious home cooks, yes. If you value precise temperature control, an extra large capacity, and additional functions like dehydrating and proofing, the Breville’s superior performance and build quality justify the higher cost.
How much counter space do these ovens require?
The Cuisinart Toa-60 is relatively compact, at approximately 16 inches wide by 15 inches deep. The Breville is much larger, requiring roughly 21.5 inches of width and 17.5 inches of depth, so be sure to measure your space before buying.
Can the Breville replace a full-sized oven for small meals?
Absolutely. Its large 1.0 cubic foot capacity and precise cooking functions make it perfectly capable of handling everything from a 14-lb turkey to a 9"x13" casserole, making it an excellent secondary oven or even a primary oven for smaller households.
Which oven is easier to clean?
Both models feature non-stick interiors that are relatively easy to wipe down. They also come with removable crumb trays. Neither is dramatically easier to clean than the other.
How difficult are controls to use?
The Cuisinart Toa-60 is extremely user-friendly with its four tactile dials for function, temperature, time, and toast shade. The Breville's LCD screen and multi-function knob are intuitive but have a slight learning curve to navigate all the presets and customize settings.
Which one is more beginner-friendly?
The Cuisinart Toa-60 is more beginner-friendly due to its simple, straightforward analog controls. There are no menus to navigate, making it incredibly easy to start cooking right out of the box.
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