My countertop has hosted a lot of appliances over the years, but few have impressed me like Breville’s ovens. After months of switching between the Breville Smart Oven Pro and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, I can confidently share what it’s like to live with both. They look similar at first glance—same brushed stainless steel finish and the same 1800-watt Element iQ heating system—but daily use reveals some clear differences that matter if you cook for a crowd or love experimenting with new methods.
Key Difference at a Glance: Breville Smart Oven Pro vs Smart Oven Air Fryer
The Smart Oven Pro is a powerful, versatile convection oven with a slow-cook option, while the Smart Oven Air Fryer takes things further by adding air-fry and dehydrate modes plus a larger interior. If you regularly air fry, dehydrate fruit, or roast big batches, the Air Fryer model earns its extra counter space and price tag. If you mainly bake, toast, and slow-cook family meals, the Pro gives you nearly everything for a bit less money.
- The Breville Smart Convection Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high performance countertop oven; Home cooks can...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer countertop oven's power where and...
- The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System is a versatile countertop oven allowing you to roast,...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: With 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer oven's power where and when it's...
Quick Comparison Table: Breville Smart Oven Pro vs Smart Oven Air Fryer
| Feature | Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) | Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer (BOV900BSS) |
| Capacity | 1 cu. ft. | 1 cu. ft. (wider & taller interior) |
| Dimensions | 15.9″D × 18.9″W × 10.9″H | 17.5″D × 21.5″W × 12.7″H |
| Weight | 22.8 lbs | 30.2 lbs |
| Wattage | 1800 W | 1800 W |
| Cooking Functions | 10 | 13 (includes Air Fry & Dehydrate) |
| Convection Fan | Single speed | Two-speed “Super Convection” |
| Accessories | Oven rack, 12″x12″ baking & broiling pans, 13″ pizza pan | Two oven racks, 13″ pizza pan, 9″x13″ broil/roast pan, mesh air-fry basket |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review
Before diving into the individual categories, here’s an overview of how I approached testing. I spent several weeks rotating these ovens for daily meals—baking bread, roasting vegetables, slow-cooking stews, and air-frying snacks—so the insights below reflect real kitchen use. Let’s break it down by design, ease of use, cooking performance, and cleaning.
Design and Build
Both ovens look sleek with their brushed stainless steel bodies and sturdy knobs. The Pro is more compact and lighter, which made it easier for me to slide under cabinets or move for cleaning. The Air Fryer feels like its bigger sibling—heavier, deeper, and a couple of inches taller. That extra bulk is worth noting if your countertop space is tight. The LCD screens are nearly identical: bright, easy to read, and responsive.
- The Breville Smart Convection Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high performance countertop oven; Home cooks can...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer countertop oven's power where and...
- The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System is a versatile countertop oven allowing you to roast,...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: With 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer oven's power where and when it's...
Ease of Use
Breville’s controls are delightfully straightforward. Turning a knob to select a function and temperature is intuitive on both units. The Air Fryer adds a two-speed fan option (regular or super convection). At first, I had to remind myself to choose the correct fan speed, but it quickly became second nature. Preheat times are short on both thanks to the 1800-watt Element iQ system; my pizzas usually hit the ready-to-cook temperature in under five minutes.
Cooking Functions and Performance
Breville Smart Oven Pro:
I rely on its 10 functions—Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, Warm, and Slow Cook. The slow-cook feature is a real standout. I’ve left a 4-quart Dutch oven of beef stew inside for eight hours, and the oven automatically switched to “Keep Warm,” delivering perfectly tender results without babysitting.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer:
This model includes everything above plus Air Fry, Dehydrate, and Proof for dough. The super convection fan is powerful: fries and wings come out golden and crispy without a drop of oil. Dehydrating apple slices overnight worked flawlessly using the mesh basket—something the Pro simply can’t do. I even roasted a 14-pound turkey inside, proving its larger interior really does handle big holiday meals.
- The Breville Smart Convection Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high performance countertop oven; Home cooks can...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer countertop oven's power where and...
- The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System is a versatile countertop oven allowing you to roast,...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: With 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer oven's power where and when it's...
Cleaning and Maintenance
Removable crumb trays slide out easily on both units, and the enamel baking pans wipe clean with minimal effort. After a month of air-frying chicken wings, the Air Fryer’s mesh basket needed a good soak to remove baked-on bits, but that’s expected with any air-fry setup. The stainless steel exterior resists fingerprints better than I anticipated.
Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro
- The Breville Smart Convection Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high performance countertop oven; Home cooks can...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer countertop oven's power where and...
Pros:
- Compact footprint for a 1-cubic-foot oven
- Excellent slow-cook mode for stews and braises
- Even heat distribution with 5 quartz elements
- Integrated oven light and clear LCD controls
- Accessories included for baking and roasting
Cons:
- Only one convection speed
- No air-fry or dehydrate functions
- One-year warranty shorter than Air Fryer model
Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer
- The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System is a versatile countertop oven allowing you to roast,...
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: With 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer oven's power where and when it's...
Pros:
- Larger interior fits 9 slices of bread or a 14-lb turkey
- Air fry and dehydrate modes expand recipe possibilities
- Two-speed super convection fan for extra-crispy results
- Generous accessory pack with mesh basket and two racks
- Two-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Heavier and requires more counter space
- Higher price point
- Mesh air-fry basket needs more scrubbing after greasy foods
My Recommendation and Final Verdict:
After cooking with both for weeks, here’s my honest take:
If you love versatility and plan to air fry regularly or dehydrate fruits, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is absolutely worth it. I used it to replace my stand-alone air fryer and dehydrator, which freed up more storage in the long run despite the oven’s larger size. It’s also ideal for bigger households or anyone hosting frequent dinners, thanks to the extra capacity and two-year warranty.
If your kitchen is smaller or you rarely air fry, the Breville Smart Oven Pro remains a fantastic all-rounder. It handles baking, roasting, and slow cooking with precision, and its smaller footprint is a real plus in tight spaces. I’d pick the Pro for apartments, small families, or cooks who primarily need an efficient, high-quality convection oven.
Bottom line:
- Go with the Smart Oven Air Fryer if you crave crispy air-fried meals, want to dehydrate produce, or cook for a crowd.
- Stick with the Smart Oven Pro if you prefer a slightly smaller, simpler, and more budget-friendly countertop oven that still performs like a champ.
Either way, Breville delivers the kind of build quality and cooking consistency that makes you forget it’s “just” a countertop appliance. After living with both, I can say they’re among the most reliable kitchen helpers I’ve ever tested.
