The Ninja Flip Oven and Breville Smart Oven are top countertop ovens, but they differ significantly in design, performance, and price. The Ninja Flip is known for its ingenious space-saving design that folds up and away, its rapid preheating, and its budget-friendly price, while the Breville Smart Oven is a premium appliance focused on precision cooking technology, superior build quality, and a larger cooking capacity.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right countertop oven from Ninja or Breville for your kitchen.
Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven
The Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven is a versatile workhorse designed for cooks who want maximum functionality without sacrificing counter space. Its signature feature is the ability to flip up and store vertically against your backsplash, making it an excellent choice for smaller kitchens, apartments, or anyone tired of countertop clutter.
- What it is: A multi-functional countertop oven with a unique space-saving, flip-away design.
- Key features: 8-in-1 functionality (Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Bagel, Toast, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm), 60-second preheat time, and a flip-up hinge for easy storage and cleaning access.
- Price: Around $150 to $200.
- Dimensions: 19.7" W x 15.1" D x 7.5" H (takes up ~50% less space when flipped up). Can fit a 13" pizza or up to 9 slices of toast.
- Materials/Construction: Metal and durable plastic construction designed for everyday use and easy cleaning.
- Style: Modern and utilitarian, with clean lines and a digital interface that's practical and user-friendly.
- Pros: Unique flip-away design saves a huge amount of counter space. Preheats in just one minute. Excellent air frying performance delivers crispy results. Very budget-friendly for its feature set.
- Cons: Smaller interior height limits what you can roast (no whole chickens). External surfaces can get quite hot during use. Plastic components feel less premium than the all-metal Breville.
This oven is perfect for anyone living in a small space who wants the convenience of an air fryer and toaster oven without dedicating permanent counter space to it.
Shop this product: ninjakitchen.com/exclusive-offer/SP101/ninja-foodi-digital-air-fry-oven/
Breville Smart Oven Pro
The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a premium countertop oven built for the serious home cook who demands precision and performance. It uses Element IQ technology to intelligently transfer heat across five quartz heating elements, ensuring your food cooks perfectly evenly, whether you're baking a delicate cake or roasting vegetables.
- What it is: A high-performance convection countertop oven with smart cooking technology.
- Key features: Element IQ technology for precise and stable heat, 10 preset cooking functions (including slow cook), interior oven light, and non-stick cavity coating.
- Price: Around $300 to $350.
- Dimensions: 18.5" W x 15.75" D x 11" H. Larger footprint, but can accommodate a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a standard 9"x13" baking pan.
- Materials/Construction: A robust, high-quality brushed stainless steel housing with a reinforced glass door and premium internal components.
- Style: Sophisticated and minimalist, with a sleek stainless steel finish that complements high-end kitchen appliances and modern decor.
- Pros: Superior and even cooking results thanks to Element IQ technology. Durable, premium build quality that feels built to last. Larger interior capacity can handle more complex recipes. Quiet operation and an interior oven light are convenient touches.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive. Takes up a larger, permanent spot on your countertop. Slower preheat time compared to the Ninja model.
This is the right choice for dedicated home cooks who will use it for more than just toast and will value its precision, build quality, and versatility for years to come.
Shop this product: breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov845.html
Ninja Flip Oven vs. Breville Smart Oven Comparison
Dimensions & Footprint
The most obvious difference is the design for counter space. The Ninja Flip Oven is a game-changer for small kitchens, reclaiming about half its footprint when you flip it up vertically. While it has a wide and shallow profile, its brilliance lies in its storage convenience.
The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a substantial appliance intended to be a permanent countertop fixture. It's taller and deeper, giving it more cubic interior space for larger items like Dutch ovens or small roasts, but it demands significantly more dedicated counter real estate. If space is your primary concern, the Ninja wins hands-down.
Cooking Performance & Technology
This is where Breville shines. Its Element IQ system provides incredibly even and precise heat, resulting in perfectly baked goods, consistently browned roasts, and accurate toasting. It’s a tool for cooks who notice the subtleties in heating patterns. It also includes functions like Slow Cook that are missing from the Ninja model.
The Ninja's strength is speed and power. It preheats in about 60 seconds and excels at air frying, producing crispy golden-brown results quickly. While it's great at baking and toasting, it lacks the fine-tuned heat management of the Breville, which can sometimes lead to less even cooking for more delicate tasks.
Materials & Construction
The Breville Smart Oven has a premium look and feel with its all-brushed stainless steel exterior. The door feels solid, the dials are responsive, and it feels like a high-end appliance designed for longevity. It's heavy and feels exceptionally well-built.
The Ninja Flip Oven is still well-constructed but uses a mix of metal and durable plastic to keep it lightweight and affordable. While perfectly functional, it doesn't have the same high-end feel as the Breville. Its focus is more on clever design and function rather than premium materials.
Price & Value
At nearly half the price, the Ninja Flip Oven offers incredible value. For around $200, you get a highly competent toaster, a powerful air fryer, and a baking oven that also saves you a ton of counter space. It's a fantastic multi-purpose appliance for the price.
The Breville Smart Oven Pro is an investment. You are paying for superior build quality, precision cooking technology, and a longer potential lifespan. For those who cook frequently and rely on an oven for consistent results, the added cost is justified by its performance and durability.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both countertop ovens are excellent, but they are built for entirely different users and kitchens.
Choose the Ninja Flip Oven if:
- You have limited counter space and the flip-up storage feature is a major benefit.
- You are on a budget and want the best functionality for under $200.
- Fast air frying and quick preheating are your top priorities for daily meals.
- You need a versatile appliance for everyday tasks like toasting, reheating, and weeknight dinners.
Choose the Breville Smart Oven if:
- Cooking precision and perfectly even results are more important than speed.
- You have plenty of counter space and see this as a permanent kitchen appliance.
- You are a passionate home cook who bakes, roasts, and will use advanced features like Slow Cook.
- You are willing to invest in superior build quality for a machine that will last a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Ninja Flip and Breville Smart Oven?
The biggest difference is their core design philosophy. The Ninja prioritizes space-saving and speed with its unique flip-up design and ultra-fast preheating. The Breville prioritizes cooking precision and build quality with its Element IQ technology and premium stainless steel construction.
Which one is better at air frying?
The Ninja Flip Oven generally has the edge for air frying. It was designed with a powerful convection system specifically for this function and gets food crispy and golden very quickly.
Is the Breville Smart Oven worth the extra money?
If you are a serious home cook who values even temperatures for baking, better insulation, and a more robust build, then yes, the Breville is worth the investment. Its performance and durability can justify the higher cost for those who will take advantage of its capabilities.
Is the Ninja Flip Oven easy to clean?
Yes. When flipped into its vertical storage position, the bottom of the oven opens up, providing direct and easy access to wipe down the interior floor and the glass door, which is often the hardest part to clean in a traditional countertop oven.
How much counter space does the Ninja Flip really save?
It can reclaim up to 50% of the space it would otherwise occupy. When flipped up, its depth is only about 7.5 inches, allowing you to have a nearly full-sized countertop for meal prep while the oven is not in use.
Can the Breville Smart Oven replace a regular oven?
For many daily cooking and baking tasks, yes. The Breville Smart Oven is large enough to handle a 9"x13" pan, roast small chickens, and bake with incredible accuracy. For small households or those who don't want to heat up their full-size kitchen oven, it can serve as the primary oven for most meals.
Which oven preheats faster?
The Ninja Flip Oven preheats much faster, often reaching the desired temperature in just 60 seconds. The Breville Smart Oven takes several minutes to preheat, similar to a traditional oven.
How many slices of toast can each one make?
The wider Ninja Flip Oven can toast up to 9 slices of bread at once. The Breville Smart Oven Pro can toast up to 6 slices, but its Element IQ often results in more even browning across all slices.
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.
