Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Review 2026: Still Worth It?

Are you thinking about upgrading your kitchen with an all-in-one countertop oven? The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer has been a top pick among home cooks for years.

But in 2026, with so many new options on the market, does it still hold up? I spent weeks testing this oven to find out.

From air frying crispy wings to baking golden cookies, I pushed this appliance to its limits. This review covers every detail you need before spending your hard-earned money.

Key Takeaways

• The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) offers 13 cooking functions including air fry, bake, roast, broil, toast, dehydrate, proof, slow cook, pizza, reheat, cookies, bagel, and warm. This makes it one of the most versatile countertop ovens you can buy right now.
• It uses Element iQ technology to direct heat exactly where and when it’s needed. This means even cooking results every single time, whether you’re toasting bread or roasting a chicken.
• The 1 cubic foot interior is spacious enough to fit a 13-inch pizza, nine slices of toast, or a full 9×13 baking pan. It’s large enough to replace your full-size oven for most daily cooking tasks.
• The preheating time is significantly faster than a traditional oven. Most users report it heats up in about 3 to 5 minutes, saving you time and energy on every meal.
• Build quality is premium with brushed stainless steel construction and an easy-to-read LCD display. The knobs and buttons feel solid and responsive.
• The price point sits at the higher end of the countertop oven market. However, most reviewers and users agree the performance and durability justify the investment over cheaper alternatives.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: Overview and First Impressions

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) arrives in a well-padded box with all the accessories neatly packed. Inside, you get the oven itself, two wire racks, a broil rack, an enamel roasting pan, a 13-inch pizza pan, and an air fry/dehydrate basket.

The first thing you notice is the build quality. The brushed stainless steel finish looks premium and feels solid on the countertop. It measures 21.5 inches wide, 17.5 inches deep, and 12.7 inches tall, so make sure you have enough counter space.

The LCD display sits at the center of the front panel. It shows the cooking function, temperature, and time clearly. The control knobs are smooth and click into each function with a satisfying feel. Setting up the oven takes less than five minutes. You simply remove the packaging, wipe down the interior, and run an empty cycle to burn off any manufacturing residue.

13 Smart Cooking Functions Explained

This oven packs 13 cooking functions into a single appliance. These include toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook, and dehydrate. Each function has preset temperatures and times, but you can adjust them manually.

The air fry function uses a powerful convection fan called Super Convection. This fan circulates hot air at high speed around food. The result is crispy, golden food with little to no oil. The dehydrate function works at lower temperatures for drying fruits, jerky, or herbs.

The proof setting keeps a gentle, low heat that’s perfect for rising bread dough. The slow cook function turns this oven into a slow cooker, letting you prepare stews and soups over several hours. Having all these options in one machine means fewer appliances on your counter and less clutter in your kitchen.

Element iQ Technology: How It Works

Breville’s Element iQ system is the brain behind this oven’s consistent cooking results. It uses six independent quartz heating elements. Each element can be controlled separately to deliver heat where it’s needed most.

For example, when you toast bread, the top and bottom elements activate at the right intensity. When you bake cookies, the system shifts heat distribution to match the needs of that particular recipe. This smart heat management reduces hot spots and cold zones inside the oven.

The quartz elements also respond faster than traditional metal heating elements. They heat up and cool down quickly. This allows for more precise temperature control throughout the cooking process. Many users notice the difference right away, especially with baked goods that come out evenly browned on all sides.

Air Frying Performance: Crispy Results Every Time

The air frying capability is one of the biggest selling points of this oven. The Super Convection fan pushes hot air around food at increased speed and higher temperatures. This creates a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender.

I tested it with french fries, chicken wings, and frozen mozzarella sticks. The fries came out golden and crunchy in about 20 minutes at 400°F. The chicken wings had perfectly crispy skin without deep frying. The air fry basket provides enough space to cook a full batch without overcrowding.

Compared to standalone air fryers, the Breville offers a larger cooking area. You don’t have to cook in small batches. The results are comparable to or better than most dedicated air fryers. The only downside is the slightly longer preheat time compared to a compact air fryer.

Top 3 Alternatives for Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer

If the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is outside your budget, or you want to compare it against the competition, here are three strong alternatives worth considering.

1. Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven (TOA-70)

The Cuisinart TOA-70 offers 8 cooking functions and 1800 watts of power. It includes a reversible grill/griddle plate, which the Breville lacks. It’s a solid mid-range option with reliable air frying results.

2. Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Oven (DT201)

The Ninja DT201 has 10 cooking functions and uses True Surround Convection technology. It fits two 12-inch pizzas on two levels and offers a budget-friendly price compared to the Breville.

3. KitchenAid Dual Convection Countertop Oven (KCO224BM)

The KitchenAid KCO224BM features dual convection heating, air fry capability, and a built-in temperature probe. It’s a great premium alternative with a slightly different design approach.

Baking and Roasting Capabilities

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer handles baking with impressive accuracy. I baked chocolate chip cookies, a batch of muffins, and a frozen pizza. Every batch came out evenly cooked with consistent browning across the tray.

The roast function performs well for chicken, vegetables, and small cuts of meat. A whole 4-pound chicken roasted beautifully in about an hour at 375°F. The enamel roasting pan included with the oven catches drippings and makes cleanup easy.

The four rack positions give you flexibility to adjust the distance between your food and the heating elements. This is useful for broiling, where you want food closer to the top heat. The consistent temperature control means you can trust the oven to match your recipe settings without constant adjustments.

Size, Capacity, and Counter Space

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro has a 1 cubic foot interior. This is large enough for most daily cooking needs. You can fit a 13-inch pizza, a full 9×13 casserole dish, or nine slices of bread for toasting.

However, this oven is not small. At 21.5 inches wide and 17.5 inches deep, it requires dedicated counter space. Smaller kitchens may struggle to find room. The oven weighs around 23 pounds, so it’s not something you’ll want to move around frequently.

If space is a concern, Breville also offers the Smart Oven Air Fryer (BOV860BSS), a slightly smaller model with 11 cooking functions. It sacrifices the dehydrate and proof functions but takes up less room. For apartments or small kitchens, the compact version may be a better fit.

Build Quality and Design

Breville has a strong reputation for premium appliance design, and this oven reflects that. The brushed stainless steel exterior resists fingerprints better than polished steel. The interior coating is nonstick, which helps with cleaning.

The door opens smoothly and has a slow-close mechanism. The interior light turns on automatically when the door is open, making it easy to check on food. The control panel layout is intuitive. Even first-time users can select a function and start cooking within seconds.

The LCD screen displays all necessary information at a glance. It shows the selected function, current temperature, target temperature, and remaining time. The knobs have a weighted feel that adds to the premium experience. This oven feels built to last, and many users report years of daily use without issues.

Energy Efficiency and Preheat Speed

One of the practical advantages of a countertop oven is energy savings. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer uses 1800 watts, which is significantly less than a full-size oven. You can cook most meals using less electricity and without heating up your entire kitchen.

The preheat time is another major benefit. Most users report the oven reaches target temperature in 3 to 5 minutes. A traditional oven can take 10 to 15 minutes or more. Over the course of a year, this time savings adds up. It also means less wasted energy during preheat.

During summer months, this oven keeps your kitchen cooler compared to firing up a large oven. The compact design contains heat efficiently. Many users have replaced their full-size oven with the Breville for everything except large holiday meals.

Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is straightforward. The nonstick interior wipes clean with a damp cloth for light messes. The crumb tray slides out from the bottom for easy emptying. All included accessories like the wire racks, roasting pan, and air fry basket are dishwasher safe.

For stubborn grease or baked-on food, a paste of baking soda and water works well. Apply it to the interior, let it sit for 15 minutes, and wipe it away. The quartz heating elements can be carefully wiped with a dry cloth once the oven has cooled completely.

Regular cleaning after each use extends the life of the oven. The removable crumb tray is the most important piece to clean often, as built-up crumbs can cause smoke during high-temperature cooking. Overall, maintenance requires minimal effort.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer BOV860BSS vs BOV900BSS Pro

Breville offers two main versions of the Smart Oven Air Fryer. The BOV860BSS has 11 cooking functions. The BOV900BSS Pro has 13 cooking functions. The two extra functions on the Pro model are dehydrate and proof.

The Pro model also has a slightly larger interior and accommodates more food at once. The price difference between the two typically ranges from $50 to $100. If you plan to make jerky, dried fruits, or homemade bread, the Pro model is worth the upgrade.

If you only need basic air frying, baking, toasting, and roasting, the standard BOV860BSS saves money and counter space. Both models share the same Element iQ technology and build quality. Your choice depends on how many cooking functions you actually need.

Pros and Cons of the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer

Every appliance has strengths and weaknesses. Here’s an honest look at both sides. The biggest pros include the 13 versatile cooking functions, excellent Element iQ heat distribution, fast preheat times, premium stainless steel build, and spacious 1 cubic foot interior.

The air frying results rival dedicated air fryers. The LCD display is easy to read. The included accessories cover most cooking needs right out of the box.

On the con side, the price is higher than most competitors. The oven is large and heavy, so it demands permanent counter space. Some users report the exterior gets hot during extended cooking sessions. The cord is relatively short, which may require a specific outlet location. The door can collect grease around the gasket area, requiring extra attention during cleaning.

Who Should Buy the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer?

This oven is ideal for home cooks who want one appliance to handle multiple cooking tasks. If you air fry, bake, toast, roast, and broil regularly, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer consolidates all those functions into a single machine.

It’s a great fit for couples, small families, or anyone living in an apartment with a small or limited oven. People who value build quality and long-term durability will appreciate the premium construction. If you cook daily and want fast, reliable results, this oven delivers consistently.

However, if you only toast bread and reheat leftovers, this oven may be overkill. Budget shoppers may find better value with the Cuisinart or Ninja alternatives listed above. Large families who regularly cook for six or more people may still need a full-size oven for bigger meals.

Final Verdict: Is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Worth It in 2026?

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro remains one of the best countertop ovens you can buy in 2026. It delivers consistent cooking results across all 13 functions. The Element iQ technology sets it apart from cheaper competitors. The build quality feels premium and durable.

Yes, it costs more than most alternatives. But the performance, versatility, and longevity justify the price for serious home cooks. Multiple review sites including Serious Eats and RTINGS continue to rank it as the top air fryer toaster oven. Users on Reddit report years of daily use with no decline in performance.

If you want a reliable, high-performing countertop oven that can replace multiple kitchen appliances, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a smart investment. It does what it promises and does it well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer worth the price?

Yes, for most home cooks, the investment pays off quickly. The oven replaces a toaster, air fryer, dehydrator, and even a slow cooker. The build quality ensures it lasts for years, and the consistent cooking performance saves you from wasted ingredients and failed recipes.

Can the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer replace a regular oven?

For everyday cooking, absolutely. It handles baking, roasting, broiling, and air frying with excellent results. The only limitation is capacity. Very large dishes, like a full Thanksgiving turkey, still require a traditional oven. But for daily meals, it works perfectly as a primary oven.

How loud is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer during air frying?

The convection fan produces a noticeable hum during air frying. It’s similar in volume to a standard kitchen exhaust fan. Most users find it acceptable and far from disruptive. The noise level is lower than many standalone air fryers on the market.

How long does the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer last?

Many users report 5 or more years of daily use without major issues. Breville offers a 2-year limited warranty. The quartz heating elements and stainless steel construction contribute to its long lifespan. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance help extend its durability further.

Does the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer get hot on the outside?

Yes, the exterior can get warm to hot during long cooking sessions at high temperatures. Breville recommends keeping at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides. Avoid placing anything on top of the oven while it’s in use. This is normal for any countertop oven of this size and wattage.

What is the difference between the Breville BOV860BSS and BOV900BSS?

The BOV900BSS Pro has 13 cooking functions, while the BOV860BSS has 11. The Pro adds dehydrate and proof modes. The Pro also has a slightly larger interior. Both share the same Element iQ technology and build quality. Choose the Pro if you want the extra functions and capacity.

Last update on 2026-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API