Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is best for cooks who want a premium countertop oven with true air frying and 11 cooking functions. Its 0.8 cu ft interior suits family meals, while larger alternatives offer more space or extra presets.
On this page (9 sections)
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer review: the quick verdict
- How well does the Breville air-fry?
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer capacity and daily use
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer controls and heat system
- Standard Breville Air Fryer vs Pro
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer alternatives
- Which countertop oven should you choose?
- Setup, cleaning and care
- Is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer worth buying?
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is a strong choice for versatile countertop cooking, with true air frying, super convection, 11 cooking functions and a 0.8 cu ft interior. It suits households that want one appliance for toast, pizza, roasted food, baked food and crisp air-fried meals.
The appeal is breadth of use rather than one special trick. Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Pizza and Air Fry cover the jobs that many separate appliances usually share.
That can simplify a small kitchen, where one countertop unit needs to earn its space every day.
The 0.8 cu ft interior is the practical middle ground in this comparison. It fits 6 slices of bread, a 13 inch pizza, a roast chicken, a 9 cup muffin tray and a 4.4 qt Dutch oven, so full meals are realistic.
Smaller basket designs rarely give that range for baking and roasting.
Super convection is meant to cut cooking time by up to 30% by moving hot air around food. In daily use that helps with crisping and more even browning, but it also means food can finish faster than a conventional recipe suggests.
Check delicate items early.
The Element iQ system uses 5 independent quartz elements with digital temperature control. The idea is steadier heat with fewer cold spots, which matters for baking and for air frying, where hot spots can scorch edges before the centre cooks through.
Its main trade-off is size. The Breville takes more counter space than a small basket air fryer, while the Emeril alternative offers a larger interior and the Chefman focuses on presets and vertical cooking.
Measure the space first, since the stainless steel body needs room to work safely.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer review: the quick verdict
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer earns a 9.7 score because it combines broad cooking coverage with a dedicated air-fry setting and a family-friendly interior. Its Element iQ system uses 5 independent quartz elements and digital temperature control to direct heat where it is needed.
The oven has an 1800-watt output and a maximum temperature of 450°F. Super convection raises hot air and moves cooler air away, which Breville says can reduce cooking time by up to 30%.
This is the standard Air Fryer model, not the Pro. If you're comparing the two, read our Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro review and check the exact model details before deciding.
What makes the standard model different?
The standard model focuses on 11 useful cooking functions: Toast, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Air Fry, Reheat, Cookies and Slow Cook. That range covers everyday breakfast, dinner and snack tasks without requiring separate countertop appliances.
The LCD display shows the selected function and indicates when preheating is complete. It also counts down the cooking time, while the interior light lets you check food during a cycle.
The stainless steel construction gives the oven a substantial countertop presence. Its outer dimensions are 15.9 in deep, 18.9 in wide and 10.9 in high, so measure the space and leave the clearance required by the instructions.
How well does the Breville air-fry?
The Breville is designed for crisp air-fried foods, including French fries, chicken wings and similar foods that benefit from high heat and strong airflow. The dedicated Air Fry function combines higher temperatures with super convection.
The included Air Fry basket gives air more room to circulate around food than a solid pan. For better results, arrange food in a fairly even layer and avoid blocking airflow with a crowded basket.
Air frying in a countertop oven works best when you match the food quantity to the basket and allow space around the appliance. A larger batch may need more than one cycle, even when the oven interior is large enough for other cooking tasks.
The 450°F maximum temperature gives the Breville a broad cooking range, although the best setting depends on the food and the instructions for that recipe. Watch the first cycle closely because pieces can brown at different speeds.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer capacity and daily use
The 0.8 cu ft interior is large enough for 6 slices of bread, a 13 in pizza, a roast chicken, a 9 cup muffin tray or a 4.4 qt Dutch oven. For a pizza-focused alternative, see our Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo review.
That makes it more flexible than a small air fryer built mainly around a single basket.
Capacity matters most when you cook a full meal. A pizza pan, roasting pan or muffin tray may use the available space differently from an air-fry basket, so think about your most common meals rather than the largest item you might cook once.
The included accessories are an Air Fry basket, enamel roasting pan, 13 in non-stick pizza pan, wire rack and broiling rack. You can use the right surface for the cooking mode instead of adapting every recipe to one basket.
The interior light turns on at the end of a cycle and can be turned on during cooking. That helps you check browning without opening the door and releasing heat.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer controls and heat system
The Element iQ system uses 5 independent quartz elements and smart algorithms to direct power through the oven. Digital PID temperature control is designed to reduce cold spots and maintain a more controlled cooking environment.
The controls are accessed through the built-in LCD display and touch control method. The display helps you choose one of the 11 functions, set the cooking time and follow preheating.
The oven's 1800-watt output is suitable for its broad range of functions, but it also means you should use an appropriate 120-volt outlet and follow the electrical instructions. Don't place other heat-sensitive items directly against the oven.
Super convection can help food cook faster, but faster cooking still requires attention. Check delicate food before the full recipe time ends, especially when converting instructions from a conventional oven.
Standard Breville Air Fryer vs Pro
The standard model is the better fit when you want a 13 in pizza capacity, 11 functions and a more focused countertop footprint. The Pro deserves a separate comparison because its name does not make the two models identical.
Start with the food you cook most often. If you mainly toast, bake, roast and air fry for a small household, the standard model may offer enough range without paying for a larger design.
If you need a bigger cooking chamber or different accessories, compare the exact measurements and included items for the Pro. Our guide to Breville Smart Oven Pro vs Air Fryer lays out the choice by cooking style.
For setup and controls, see how to use the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. The guide can help you think through rack position, cooking modes and routine use, even though the standard model is a different product.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer alternatives
The Breville is the most balanced pick here, but alternatives make sense for different countertop needs. The Chefman offers more preset choices, while the Emeril provides substantially more interior capacity and cooking functions.
Breville BOV860BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer: Best for versatile countertop cooking
- 0.8 cu ft capacity
- 11 cooking functions
- 1800 watts
- 13 in pizza pan
- True air frying
A versatile stainless steel countertop oven with true air frying, super convection and enough room for a 13 in pizza or 6 slices of bread.
Pros
- True air-fry setting
- 11 cooking functions
- Large interior for family meals
- Includes air-fry basket and pizza pan
Cons
- Larger footprint than a compact toaster oven
- Fewer functions than some extra-large alternatives
Choose the Breville if you want one stainless steel oven for air frying, toast, pizza, baking and roasting. Its 13 in pizza pan and 0.8 cu ft interior give it a useful middle ground between a small air fryer and a full-size countertop oven.
CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie
CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie: Best for preset-led cooking
- 10 qt capacity
- 17 touch-screen presets
- 1700 watts
- Rotisserie function
- 3 air-flow racks
A compact vertical air-fryer oven for cooks who value preset controls, rotisserie cooking and a 10 qt family-size interior.
Pros
- 17 touch-screen presets
- Rotisserie and dehydrator modes
- Includes 3 air-flow racks
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Less room than the Emeril model
- Maximum temperature is 400°F
The Chefman is best for preset-led cooking. Its 10 qt interior, 17 touch-screen presets and 1700-watt output suit cooks who prefer selecting a mode instead of adjusting every setting manually.
It also includes 3 air-flow racks, a stainless steel rotisserie oven spit with retrieval tool and a drip tray. The appliance can air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie cook or roast.
Its maximum temperature is 400°F, which is lower than the Breville's 450°F and Emeril's 500°F. The vertical design may work well when counter depth is limited, but measure the 12 in depth, 12 in width and 15 in height before buying.
Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Multi-Function Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Multi-Function Air: Best for large family meals
- 24.6 L capacity
- 24 cooking functions
- 500°F maximum temperature
- French doors
- Dual-speed fan
An extra-large French-door air fryer toaster oven for families that need more capacity, more cooking functions and room for large meals.
Pros
- Largest capacity here
- 24 cooking functions
- French-door access
- Includes rack, bake pan, drip tray and crisper basket
Cons
- Largest countertop footprint
- May be more oven than a smaller household needs
The Emeril is best for large family meals because its 24.6 L capacity is the largest of these three products. It has 24 cooking functions, a dual-speed fan and a maximum temperature of 500°F.
Its French doors open with a single pull, which can make access easier when you are loading a wide pan. The interior light helps you monitor food without leaving the door open.
The included items are a rack, bake pan, drip tray, crisper basket, rotisserie spit and fetch tool. Its 16.8 in depth, 15.8 in width and 14.8 in height require more counter space than the Breville or Chefman.
Which countertop oven should you choose?
Choose the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer if you want the best mix of air frying, baking, roasting, toast and pizza in a 0.8 cu ft oven. It is the most natural fit for a household that wants broad use from one countertop appliance.
Choose the Chefman if 17 touch-screen presets, rotisserie cooking and dishwasher-safe parts matter more than maximum temperature or oven capacity. Its 10 qt format is useful for cooks who want a vertical air-fryer oven.
Choose the Emeril if you regularly cook for a larger household or need 24.6 L of space. Its 24 functions and French doors add flexibility, but the larger footprint needs a dedicated counter area.
You may also want to compare the best Breville countertop ovens if you are deciding between several Breville models. For a different brand and format, see the best Ninja air fryer toaster ovens.
Setup, cleaning and care
Place the oven on a stable, heat-safe surface with the required clearance around it. Keep the door, vents and controls unobstructed, and make sure the 120-volt outlet is easy to reach.
Leave space above and beside the unit so heat can disperse. The oven works at up to 450°F and draws 1800 watts, so nearby items that dislike heat should stay clear.
Use the rack, pan or basket suited to the cooking mode. The Air Fry basket, enamel roasting pan, 13 inch pizza pan, wire rack and broiling rack each suit different jobs, and using the right one helps airflow and cleanup.
Avoid covering airflow openings, overfilling the basket or placing materials inside the oven that are not designed for high heat. Crowding can block the super convection movement that the oven relies on.
Set the food on the correct level before you start. Rack position changes how heat reaches the top and bottom, so match it to the food and keep an eye on browning during early use.
Allow the oven and accessories to cool before cleaning. Remove crumbs and grease with the cleaning method recommended for the appliance, and avoid harsh tools that could damage surfaces.
The Breville has replaceable componentry like a traditional large oven. That does not remove the need for regular cleaning, especially after air frying foods that release grease.
A short wipe after cooking is easier than a deep clean later. Pay attention to the basket and drip areas, since that is where residue tends to build up.
Is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer worth buying?
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is worth buying when you want one countertop oven to handle air frying and several traditional oven tasks. Its 11 functions, 0.8 cu ft interior, 1800-watt output and included accessories give it a broad daily-use range.
Pick the Breville for balanced versatility, the Chefman for preset-led cooking and rotisserie use, or the Emeril for larger meals and more cooking functions. If counter space is tight, our Breville Compact Smart Oven review is a useful next comparison.
For a clear decision, choose the standard Breville when air frying and everyday oven work matter equally. Choose the Pro or a larger alternative only when its specific capacity and functions solve a need the standard model cannot.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer worth it?
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is worth considering if you want true air frying, 11 cooking functions and a 0.8 cu ft interior in one stainless steel countertop oven. Its higher score reflects broad cooking use, but a larger model may suit families that need more room.
What is the difference between the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer and the Pro?
The standard Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer has a 0.8 cu ft interior, 11 cooking functions and room for a 13 in pizza. The Pro is a separate model, so compare its exact capacity, functions and accessories before choosing between them.
Can the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer replace an air fryer?
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer can cover many air-frying tasks while also handling toast, baking, roasting, broiling, pizza, reheating, cookies and slow cooking. Its larger oven shape may suit full meals better than a small basket air fryer.
How big is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer?
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer measures 15.9 in deep, 18.9 in wide and 10.9 in high, with a 0.8 cu ft interior. It fits 6 slices of bread, a 13 in pizza, a 9 cup muffin tray or a 4.4 qt Dutch oven.
