Breville Combi Wave vs Smooth Wave: Which Smart Microwave Wins My Counter Space?

Microwave ovens used to be a one-trick pony—pop in leftovers, press start, and hope for the best. Breville has changed that game with two premium countertop models: the Combi Wave 3-in-1 and the Smooth Wave. I spent the past month swapping these two units in and out of my kitchen to see how they handle everything from weekday reheats to weekend baking projects. Here’s my full, real-world breakdown to help you decide which one deserves a permanent place on your counter.

Key Difference in a Nutshell: Breville Combi Wave vs Smooth Wave Smart Microwave Oven

The Combi Wave is a multitasking powerhouse that blends microwave, convection oven, and air fryer functions in one unit. The Smooth Wave, on the other hand, focuses purely on being the most precise and quiet microwave you can buy, with no air-frying or baking ambitions. If you’re after versatility, the Combi Wave is the Swiss army knife; if you want the best possible microwave experience, the Smooth Wave aims to be the specialist.

Quick Comparison Table: Breville Combi Wave vs Smooth Wave Smart Microwave Oven

Feature	Breville Combi Wave	Breville Smooth Wave
Capacity	1.1 cu. ft.	1.2 cu. ft.
Dimensions	20.08″D x 20.47″W x 12.6″H	19″D x 20.43″W x 12.44″H
Power	1200 W microwave / 1400 W convection / 1100 W grill	1250 W microwave
Key Functions	Microwave, Air Fry, Convection Bake, Grill, Fast Combi, Cook from Frozen	Microwave with Sensor iQ, Smart Cook, Smart Reheat, Smart Defrost
Special Tech	Element IQ, Power Smoothing Inverter	Sensor iQ, Power Smoothing Inverter
Accessories	Combi Crisp Pan, Trivet	None
Noise	50% quieter operation, soft-close door	50% quieter operation, soft-close door
Price Range	Higher	Slightly lower
Check Latest Price & Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Hands-On Comparison

Design & Build Quality

Unboxing both side by side, the family resemblance is obvious. Each sports Breville’s brushed stainless-steel shell and a large, easy-to-read LED display. The Smooth Wave is just a hair wider but shallower, while the Combi Wave is deeper to accommodate its convection hardware. Both doors close with that signature Breville “soft-close” thud that’s almost addictive compared to the sharp slap of budget microwaves. If counter depth is limited, the Smooth Wave’s slightly trimmer profile could matter, but visually they’re equally premium.

Ease of Use

Despite packing more features, the Combi Wave surprised me with a friendly interface. The shortcuts panel inside the door is genius—quick taps for melting chocolate or softening butter save time. Switching between air-fry, bake, and microwave modes does require a couple of extra button presses, but the large dial and crisp display make it simple.

The Smooth Wave feels like a luxury sedan: smooth, quiet, and dead simple. Fifteen built-in presets handle everyday tasks without any guesswork. I especially liked the one-touch Smart Reheat; it sensed steam and adjusted power so my leftover pasta came out hot but not rubbery.

Cooking & Heating Performance

Here’s where they diverge sharply.

• Breville Combi Wave: Using the convection and air-fry modes, I baked a tray of chocolate chip cookies and air-fried sweet-potato fries. Results were crisp and evenly browned, and the Fast Combi mode (microwave + convection + grill) cut cooking time dramatically. Frozen pizza went from rock-solid to bubbly perfection in under 12 minutes.
• Breville Smooth Wave: As a straight microwave, it’s simply the best I’ve tested. The Sensor iQ technology nailed defrosting chicken breasts—edges never dried out, and the center wasn’t icy. Reheating soups, sauces, and even delicate fish fillets yielded consistent, moist results.

If you regularly cook full meals or want to ditch a separate toaster oven or air fryer, the Combi Wave easily outperforms. But for pure microwave precision, the Smooth Wave edges ahead.

Smart Technology

Both share Breville’s Power Smoothing Inverter, which delivers steady power rather than the on-off surges of basic microwaves. You can literally taste the difference in reheated leftovers—no hot spots or cold patches. The Combi Wave adds Element IQ, routing power intelligently across convection, grill, and microwave elements for multi-stage cooking. The Smooth Wave counters with Sensor iQ, which automatically detects steam and humidity to set ideal times and temperatures. In daily use, these smarts really reduce babysitting.

Noise & Everyday Touches

Both models are refreshingly quiet, with Breville’s Sound Suite and a soft-close door that’s 80 % quieter than standard units. I often cook late at night, and being able to mute the beeps is a small but appreciated feature.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Smooth Wave’s single-purpose interior wipes clean in seconds. The Combi Wave needs a little more effort if you’ve been air-frying greasy foods, but the included crisp pan and trivet are dishwasher safe, which helps.

Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1

Pros:

• Combines microwave, convection oven, and air fryer
• Element IQ + Fast Combi save serious time
• Accessories (crisp pan, trivet) included
• Excellent for small kitchens that need multi-functionality

Cons:

• Larger footprint and heavier build
• Slightly lower microwave wattage (1200 W) than Smooth Wave
• Pricier than many countertop microwaves

Buy on Amazon

Breville Smooth Wave

Pros:

• Exceptional microwave performance with Sensor iQ
• Slightly larger interior despite smaller depth
• Quiet, sleek, and incredibly easy to use
• Higher 1250 W power for faster, even heating

Cons:

• No air-fry or convection functions
• Limited to microwave cooking only
• Fewer accessories included

Buy on Amazon

Conclusion & Recommendation:

After weeks of side-by-side use, I see these two as different solutions for different kitchens.

• Pick the Breville Combi Wave if you want a true all-in-one. It replaces a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer in one stylish box. Apartment dwellers or anyone with limited counter space will love its ability to do it all.
• Choose the Breville Smooth Wave if you already own other cooking appliances and just want the quietest, smartest, most consistent microwave available. It’s the specialist that does one job brilliantly.

For my own setup, the Combi Wave stays. I love baking small batches of cookies and crisping leftovers without turning on the big oven. But if microwave precision is your top priority, the Smooth Wave remains unmatched.