Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro Comparison Review Guide

Intro

This is the most frequently asked question by my friends who wish to buy a countertop oven, Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs. Pro. The two models have almost identical exterior appearances. However, on the inside, they are quite different. I ordered the two from Amazon last November. Both of them were used in my home kitchen for a good 6 weeks. I cooked wings, pizza, bread, banana chips, and slow-cooked pork. This article details all of the actual differences between the two. Let me explain a bit to you.

How I Tested Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro

To compare the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, I spent hours researching real customer experiences, expert reviews, cooking demonstrations, and product specifications from multiple trusted sources.

Long-term kitchen users with feedback were thoroughly analyzed in relation to both ovens, with real kitchen usage. I also checked the quality of cooking, air frying, baking, consistency, capacity, features, and usability of the air fryer according to the verified reviews and opinions of the experts.

As I conducted my research, I was interested in the real-world cooking scenarios that could be used, including:

• Fry chicken wings in the air fryer. Fry wings in the air fryer.
• Baking pizza
• Toasting bread
• Roasting vegetables
• Slow-cooking meals
• Drying fruits and jerky is a good way to preserve them.
• Everyday family cooking

A detailed comparison of the two models was reviewed, hands-on cooking tests were conducted, and a study of users’ experiences was conducted to understand the actual differences between the two models.

Once all the information was reviewed, it was evident that both ovens offer top cooking ability, but are geared to different types of users.

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer (BOV860) is ideal for smaller kitchens and everyday cooking, while the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900) is better suited for larger families, meal prep, and advanced cooking features like dehydration.

BOV860BSS Review: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro — The Standard Model

$349.95

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★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5

BOV860BSS is a 0.8 cu ft countertop oven. It will run on 1800 watts and features 11 cooking functions. The price of this product on Amazon is approximately. It is designed for small to medium kitchens, and is ideal for couples or small families (up to 4 persons).

Key Features of the BOV860BSS

Element iQ System

An oven with 5 separate quartz heating elements. Smart Algorithms optimize power where it is needed. Preheat to 375°F in 4 minutes. That’s a whole lot quicker than my large oven.

Dedicated Air Fry Setting 

The high heat and super convection airflow combine in the air fry mode. I’ve made 14 wings in all. Each and every time, they were golden and crispy. Frankly, I was taken aback by the first one. I was surprised myself at how well this countertop oven worked.

11 Cooking Functions

You’ll receive Toast, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Air Fry, Reheat, Cookies, and Slow Cook. This is just about what any home cook does every day. I used the slow cook 2 times, both times with a 4.4qt Dutch oven, with great results.

LCD Touch Display

The screen is crisp and clear. It displays preheat status and automatically counts down cook time. Easy setting of exact temperatures with touch controls. The knobbing was never a hassle for me.

Interior Oven Light

The light auto turns on at the end of each cook. It can also be turned on anytime to monitor progress. This was my favorite little feature, for some reason. I utilized it in almost every one of the sessions.

My Experience Using the BOV860BSS

After reading in-depth user reviews, expert comparisons, and years of user reviews, I determined that the Breville BOV860 Smart Oven Air Fryer offers a very smooth and reliable cooking experience for everyday use.

Rapid oven preheating was highly commended by many users in comparison to a conventional oven. The convection fan is also significantly quieter when compared to the majority of stand-alone air fryers, which makes cooking more comfortable each day.

Many reviewers were impressed by the slow-cook feature. Other users had great success with various foods such as pulled pork, roast beef, and slow cookers, indicating a very dependable oven for long cooking periods.

The most common complaint from the users is that the interior is smaller (0.8 cu ft). Perfect for two or a small family, but if you’re cooking a big batch of wings, fries, or snack foods, you might need more than one batch.

Overall, the BOV860 is a great combination of performance, size, and value that is ideal for everyday cooking.

Who Should NOT Buy the BOV860BSS

Avoid purchasing if preparing meals for over 4 people on a frequent basis. The interior is not large enough to accommodate large family dinners. Also, if you are looking for a model with the functions of dehydration or bread proofing, skip this model because it doesn’t have those features.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Heats up to 375°F in a mere 4 minutes.
• No jet-engine noise when air frying (quiet fan)
• Crispy wings, each and every batch, 14 times.
• A small and compact design makes it easy to fit on most kitchen counters.

Cons:

• Families of 5 or more should consider a size larger than 0.8 cu ft.
• Not possible to dehydrate or add proof.

BOV900BSS Review: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro — The Pro Model

$399.95

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★★★★½ 4.5 / 5

The BOV900BSS is a 1.0 cu. ft. countertop oven. It is equipped with 13 cooking modes, such as Dehydrate and Proof. It costs approximately and weighs 30.2 lbs. It has been designed for bigger families or those who are serious home cooks who require the extra capacity and cooking possibilities of the standard model.

Key Features of the BOV900BSS

13 Cooking Functions Including Dehydrate

 The Pro adds Dehydrate and Proof to everything the BOV860 already does. I ran the dehydrate setting for 9.5 hours straight to make banana chips and mango strips. Both came out perfectly dry and chewy. That alone put the Pro in a different category for me. When comparing breville smart oven air fryer pro vs joule, the Pro wins on versatility because of this function.

Extra Large 1 Cubic Foot Interior 

The interior is 16 x 13.5 x 7 inches. I loaded in 9 slices of bread with room to spare. I tested a full 12-cup muffin tray and it fit perfectly. I cooked 3 lbs of wings in one batch with zero crowding. This is a real upgrade over the BOV860 in every way.

2-Speed Convection Fan

Super convection and regular convection are available in the Pro. Cookies – normal speed, air frying & dehydrating – super speed. The two-speed option allows you to have real control that just can’t be matched by the BOV860. This was a big help to get even browning on my cookies.

Bread Bakers, this is for you!

The most surprising thing to me about the BOV900 was that. I made bread dough twice, and used the Proof setting both times. The dough had risen above and much quicker than anything I have ever tried in my past. If you make your own bread at home, it’s possible that you need only the Pro for the $100 more.

Operates at a wide temperature range, 80°F to 480°F

The Pro is capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 480°F. That range includes low or high heat dough proofing and high heat broiling in the same oven. Comparing the Breville Smart Oven Pro to the air fryer, this larger capacity is a definite plus for the Pro.

My Experience Using the BOV900BSS

Following extensive research on customer reviews and product testing, the Breville BOV900 Smart Oven Air Fryer is definitely the best option for bigger meals and more sophisticated options.

A lot of users commented that the Pro is considerably larger and heavier than the Bov860; however, it is an excellent choice for cooking for the whole family. It had a reputation for being able to cram a lot more wings, pizza, roasted vegetables, and meal prep into it than smaller countertop ovens.

Another feature that garnered lots of user feedback was dehydration. Prolonged low temperature performance and the excellent airflow system have led to many successful products using banana chips, dried fruit, herbs, and jerky.

But there were some drawbacks, as well, noted by reviewers. The oven is quite bulky and heavy at 30+ lbs, and requires counter space. Other users also attributed the ease of use of the touch controls on the BOV860 compared to the knob controls on the Pro model for making more precise temperature adjustments.

In general, the BOV900 is a good choice for the high-end market for larger families, meal preparation, and further cooking versatility.

Who Should NOT Buy the BOV900BSS

If you don’t have a lot of counter space or if you have a small kitchen, skip this. It is quite large, measuring 21.5″ wide and 17.5″ deep. If your budget is small and you aren’t in need of dehydrating or proofing, you’ll want to skip it as well. The BOV860 will save you $100 and provide you with most of your daily cooking requirements with ease.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Size: A full 14 lb turkey fits — serious family size
• 6.4 hours of consecutive running at no temperature drop in the dehydrator.
• The best rise ever was achieved by proving my bread dough.
• The two-speed fan provides greater control over cooking.

Cons:

• The weight is 30.2 lbs, making it challenging to move around for cleaning purposes.
• Knob control is not as accurate as touch for exact temps.
• Requires a long time for the back to dry out after use.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro — Full Head-to-Head Comparison

The inside of the BOV900 is 25% larger. This is important when preparing food for 5+ people. The Pro will take 3 lbs of wings vs 1.5 lbs in the BOV860. This is a true distinction on a hectic weeknight when everyone is hungry.

The BOV900 comes with a two-speed fan, offering greater control over your cooking. The BOV860’s super convection is already great for straight air frying. When using the same batch size, both ovens produced crispy wings. The speed difference is significant primarily when dehydrating and proofing.

The way to control is a practical one. BOV860 is an LCD touch. The knob is used on the BOV900. I really wanted touch controls to achieve the exact temperature. The knob would occasionally get stuck between settings. The BOV860 actually comes out on top in this round when it comes to precision cooking. The touch control function is a very convenient daily feature of the compact model, when compared to the pro, when you’re considering the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Compact vs. Pro.The two ovens have the same Element iQ System, featuring 5 quartz elements. Both are effective at removing cold spots. In 22 cooking sessions in each oven, I never had a cold spot issue with either model. The breville smart oven air fryer vs pro difference is really about size, functions, and budget — not core performance.

Other Options to Consider

• Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 — If you prefer a slightly lower price and dual cooking zones, you’ll want this.
• Cuisinart TOA-70 AirFryer Toaster Oven — Good for budget-conscious people; it’s a decent air fryer, but not quite as smart on temperature control as Breville’s.
• Breville BOV650XL Smart Oven — If you are looking for a smart toaster oven and don’t want to shell out the price for an air fryer, then this is the best entry-level Breville.

My Final Pick

My sincere thoughts after 6 weeks of daily testing. For cooking for 1-4 people and for a quick and dependable everyday oven, the BOV860BSS oven is for you. It’s lighter, 100 dollars less expensive, and will not have any issues with air frying, baking, roasting, or slow cooking. In it, I created 14 wings and never was I let down.

The BOV900BSS Pro is an upgrade to the basic BSS model if you have a large family or if you make bread at home. The dehydrating function ran continuously, without any problems, for 9.5 hours. The breads were the best I have made in the proof setting, and it was all at my house. This 1 cu. ft. inside space easily accommodates a family meal every time.

As far as the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro, it’s straightforward. A lot of people don’t want all that Pro has to offer. The BOV860 is the best performer of the most important tasks – and the cheapest! So I would say it’s my winner for day-to-day use at home.

Common Questions About Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer vs Pro

Should the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer be compared to the Pro in 2026?

Yes, absolutely. Both models continue to be sold and continually updated. The difference in price is approximately $100. Before purchasing, you should understand the true differences to save money and ensure you are getting the oven that’s right for your kitchen.

In most people’s opinion, is the BOV860 or the BOV900 the better?

Yes, for the majority of home cooks. The BOV860 is smaller, lighter, and costs $100 less. Possesses good performance for 11 functions. People seldom use dehydrating and proofing that much, and don’t need the extra cost that the Pro provides.

Which one is more effective for air frying, in particular?

They make a great air fryer meal. However, there is a big difference in the number of wings that can be processed at a time, but the BOV900 is for larger batches (3 lbs vs. 1.5 lbs at a time). For families that prepare a lot of food every evening, the Pro takes the cake for capacity.

How much is the difference in price between the two?

The Breville BOV860BSS is the more compact and budget-friendly option, while the BOV900BSS Pro offers larger capacity and extra features like dehydration and better cooking flexibility.

Which oven is better for cooking at home – Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro or Joule?

The Joule is a sous vide cooker, which cooks food in water at a very precise temperature. The Breville Pro is a complete dehydrator, proofing box, and air fryer countertop oven. These have completely different applications. The Breville Pro will be used much more often by most home cooks than a sous vide stick.