The Ninja Combi and Breville Smart Oven are two of the most popular countertop cookers, but they serve very different needs. The Combi from Ninja is a versatile, all-in-one appliance designed to save space and time at a mid-range price, while the Smart Oven from Breville is a premium, high-precision appliance known for its superior build quality, precision cooking, and higher price tag.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which countertop cooker is the right fit for your kitchen.
Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker
The Ninja Combi is a workhorse appliance designed for busy households that need versatility without sacrificing countertop space. It combines cooking functions like steaming, baking, air frying, and more into a compact, user-friendly unit, making it a go-to for quick weeknight meals and streamlined meal prep.
- What it is: A versatile all-in-one countertop appliance that functions as a multi-cooker, oven, and air fryer.
- Key features: Combines multiple cooking functions in one device, features a "Combi Meals" mode for cooking proteins, starches, and vegetables simultaneously, and an intuitive control panel.
- Price: Typically ranges from $250 to $300.
- Style: Modern and functional, with a focus on practicality over high-end aesthetics. Features bold branding and simple controls.
- Materials/Construction: Built with durable plastics and metals designed for frequent, everyday use. Components are generally easy to clean.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price, saves significant counter space by replacing multiple appliances, highly versatile for a wide range of meals, user-friendly interface is great for beginners.
- Cons: The construction prioritizes function over form, and it lacks the premium feel of higher-end appliances. While versatile, it may not perform single tasks like baking as precisely as a dedicated oven.
The Ninja Combi is ideal for busy families, apartment dwellers, or anyone who wants an affordable, space-saving cooker that handles many different tasks well.
Shop this product: ninjakitchen.com/products/ninja-combi-all-in-one-multicooker-oven-air-fryer-zidSFP701
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville Smart Oven is a premium countertop oven designed for serious home cooks who demand precision, consistent performance, and high-end design. It excels at tasks like baking, roasting, and air frying, using its Element IQ technology to deliver heat exactly where it's needed for perfect results.
- What it is: A high-end countertop convection oven with advanced cooking technology.
- Key features: Element IQ system with 6 independent quartz heating elements for precise temperature control, 13 pre-programmed cooking functions, spacious interior, and a two-speed convection fan.
- Price: Ranges from $400 to $600, depending on the model.
- Style: Sleek and minimalist, with a brushed stainless steel finish that complements modern kitchens. Its LCD display and refined control knobs add to its premium aesthetic.
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality brushed stainless steel exterior, well-insulated interior, and durable components built for longevity and performance.
- Pros: Superior build quality and materials provide a premium look and feel. Offers extremely precise and consistent cooking results, especially for baking. The spacious interior can handle a 13-inch pizza or a small turkey.
- Cons: A significantly higher price point. It's a specialized oven, not a multi-cooker that can steam or pressure cook. Its larger footprint takes up more counter space.
The Breville Smart Oven is perfect for culinary enthusiasts and design-conscious consumers who are willing to invest in a durable, high-performance appliance for specialized oven tasks.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov900.html
Ninja Combi vs. Breville Smart Oven Comparison
Capacity & Sizing
Both appliances are designed for countertop use, but they differ in capacity and footprint. The Ninja Combi is built to be a compact, all-in-one solution, making it a great fit for smaller kitchens or those looking to consolidate gadgets. Its design prioritizes versatility over sheer volume.
The Breville Smart Oven is physically larger and offers a more spacious interior. It can accommodate a 13-inch pizza, a 9x13 inch baking pan, or up to nine slices of toast, making it a true secondary oven for larger meals, baking projects, and family cooking.
Materials & Build Quality
This is one of the most significant differences between the two. The Ninja Combi is constructed from durable plastics and metal components suitable for daily wear and tear. It feels sturdy and reliable but is clearly a mid-range, functional appliance.
Breville is known for its premium build quality. The Smart Oven features a brushed stainless steel shell, high-quality knobs, and a generally more robust construction. It's designed to not only perform well but also look and feel like a high-end appliance, justifying its higher cost.
Price & Value
The Ninja Combi is the clear winner on price, typically costing around $250-$300. It provides incredible value by rolling a steamer, air fryer, and oven into one affordable package, making it highly accessible for many budgets.
The Breville Smart Oven is a premium investment, typically priced between $400 and $600. Its value comes from its precision, longevity, and superior performance as a dedicated countertop oven. While more expensive, it delivers consistent, bakery-quality results that dedicated cooks will appreciate.
Style & Aesthetics
The appliances target different design sensibilities. The Ninja Combi has a practical, contemporary look with bold branding, a functional interface, and a mix of finishes. It's designed to be utilitarian and easily fit into most modern kitchens.
The Breville Smart Oven offers a more refined, sophisticated aesthetic. Its sleek stainless steel finish, minimalist controls, and clear LCD display give it a professional look that can elevate a kitchen's decor. It's the appliance you'd want to leave out on the counter.
Who Each One Works Best For
Choosing between the two ultimately comes down to your cooking style and priorities. The Ninja Combi is an excellent choice for individuals or families who cook frequently but need to save time and space. If you want a single machine that can air fry chicken wings, steam vegetables, and bake a quick dinner all at once, the Combi's versatility is unmatched for its price.
The Breville Smart Oven is geared toward the passionate home chef who needs a reliable, precise secondary oven. It’s perfect for those who love to bake bread, roast vegetables perfectly, or need consistent toast. If performance in traditional oven functions is your top priority and you're willing to invest in a durable, well-made appliance, the Breville is the superior choice.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both countertop appliances are excellent, but they are built for entirely different users.
Choose the Ninja Combi if:
- You want to save counter space by combining multiple appliances into one.
- Budget is a key consideration, and you want maximum versatility for your money.
- You need an appliance that simplifies weeknight cooking for a busy family.
- Convenience and all-in-one functionality are more important than specialized precision.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven if:
- You are a serious home cook or baker who needs precise and consistent oven performance.
- You are willing to invest in superior build quality and long-term durability.
- The aesthetic of your kitchen appliances is important to you.
- You need a reliable, high-capacity secondary oven for roasting, baking, and toasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Ninja Combi and Breville Smart Oven?
The main difference is their core function. The Ninja Combi is a multi-cooker designed for versatility - it steams, air fries, and bakes to create complete meals at once. The Breville Smart Oven is a premium, high-precision countertop oven focused on excelling at traditional oven tasks like baking, roasting, and toasting.
Is the Breville Smart Oven worth the extra money?
For serious cooks who value precise temperature control, even heat distribution, and durable build quality, the Breville is often worth the investment. If you primarily bake, roast, or need a reliable second oven, its performance is hard to beat.
Which is better for small kitchens?
The Ninja Combi is generally better for small kitchens because its all-in-one design replaces multiple appliances (like an air fryer, steamer, and small oven), saving valuable counter space.
Which one offers better cooking performance?
The Breville Smart Oven offers better performance for specific oven functions due to its Element IQ technology, which provides precise and even heat. The Ninja Combi is a strong performer across many different cooking modes but may not be as precise as the specialized Breville.
Can the Ninja Combi completely replace a regular oven?
For many daily cooking tasks and smaller households, the Ninja Combi can serve as a primary cooking appliance. However, for large roasts, multiple trays of cookies, or anything requiring a large interior capacity, a traditional oven is still necessary.
Does the Breville Smart Oven air fry?
Yes, many models, including the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, include a dedicated air fry function with high heat and a super convection fan to deliver crispy results.
Which one is easier to use?
The Ninja Combi is designed to be very user-friendly with straightforward controls and preset programs designed for complete meals, making it ideal for beginners. The Breville Smart Oven is also easy to use with its LCD screen and presets, but its advanced customization options cater to more experienced cooks.
How does the build quality compare?
The Breville Smart Oven has superior build quality, featuring a brushed stainless steel body and high-end components. The Ninja Combi is built with durable but more cost-effective plastics and metals, prioritizing practicality and affordability over a premium feel.
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