Breville’s BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro turns any countertop into a multi‑function kitchen powerhouse, combining 13 versatile cooking modes—including air fry, roast, dehydrate, and pizza—with a 1800‑Watt Element iQ system that adapts heat for precise results. Its large 16×13.5‑inch interior fits a 14‑lb turkey or a 9‑slice loaf, while the super convection fan cuts cooking time by up to 30% and the built‑in LCD and oven light let you monitor progress at a glance.
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Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Review: Is It Worth Your Money?
After six months of daily use with the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro in my kitchen, I can tell you this isn’t your typical countertop appliance review. This thing takes up serious real estate—nearly two feet of counter space—but it’s replaced four other appliances in my kitchen. The question isn’t whether it works (it does), but whether you’re ready for the trade-offs that come with owning what’s essentially a miniature commercial oven.
Here’s the reality: the Breville BOV900BSS delivers on most of its promises, but the $400+ price tag means it better. What surprised me most wasn’t how well it air fries (that’s expected), but how the Element iQ system actually makes a noticeable difference in even cooking. However, the learning curve is steeper than Breville admits, and if you’re expecting plug-and-play simplicity, you’ll be frustrated.
This review covers six months of real-world testing, from air frying frozen foods to slow-cooking roasts, plus analysis of over 200 customer reviews to give you the complete picture.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know About the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville BOV900BSS is essentially a countertop convection oven on steroids. It combines traditional oven functions with air frying, dehydrating, and even slow cooking capabilities. The smart oven 13 cooking functions include everything from basic toasting to specialized modes like proofing bread dough and dehydrating fruit.
This appliance targets serious home cooks who want restaurant-quality results without heating up a full-size oven. With its 16×13.5×7-inch interior, it’s designed for families or anyone who regularly cooks for 4-6 people. The brushed stainless steel exterior looks professional, but more importantly, it’s built to withstand heavy daily use.
The price typically ranges from $380-$450 depending on sales, placing it in premium territory. You’re paying for Breville’s Element iQ technology, superior build quality, and versatility. However, this isn’t an impulse purchase—it’s an investment that needs to earn its keep on your counter.
Key Features and Specifications
The Element iQ System is this oven’s standout feature. Five independent quartz heating elements adjust power automatically based on what you’re cooking. In practice, this means more even browning and fewer hot spots compared to basic convection ovens. The system actually works—I’ve tested it with everything from cookies to roast chicken, and the temperature consistency is noticeably better than my previous countertop oven.
The super convection technology uses a two-speed fan system that reduces cooking time by up to 30% in many cases. The higher fan speed moves significantly more air than standard convection, which is crucial for proper air frying. During testing, french fries that normally take 25 minutes in my regular oven were done in 18 minutes with better crispiness.
The extra large capacity oven accommodates a 14-pound turkey, 9 slices of bread, or a 9×13-inch casserole dish. This capacity is genuine—I’ve fit a full sheet pan of cookies and a 5-quart Dutch oven for slow cooking. The LCD display control is intuitive once you learn it, showing cooking progress and automatically counting down time.
At 1800 watts, it draws significant power but heats up faster than expected. The countertop convection oven reaches 350°F in about 4 minutes, compared to 12-15 minutes for my full-size oven. The interior oven light automatically activates at the end of cooking cycles, which seems minor but proves surprisingly useful for checking doneness.
Real-World Performance: My Testing Experience
I put the best convection oven air fryer through extensive testing over six months. For air frying, it consistently produced crispier results than my standalone air fryer, especially for larger batches. Frozen french fries came out golden and crispy in 16-18 minutes, while chicken wings developed a perfect crispy skin in 22 minutes at 400°F.
The slow cooking function surprised me most. I was skeptical about slow cooking in a countertop oven, but it maintained steady temperatures between 200-250°F for hours. A 3-pound chuck roast cooked for 6 hours at 225°F came out tender and flavorful, comparable to my standalone slow cooker.
Baking performance is where this oven truly shines. The Element iQ system delivered more even results than my full-size oven for cookies, cakes, and bread. I baked 24 chocolate chip cookies in two batches, and every cookie was evenly golden—no rotating pans needed. Customer reviews consistently mention this even heating as a standout feature.
However, the learning curve is real. The first two weeks involved overcooking several meals while I figured out how the different functions work. The air fry setting runs hotter than expected, and I had to reduce temperatures by 25°F from recipe recommendations. Breville’s instruction manual helps, but YouTube tutorials proved more valuable for mastering the various functions.
Dehydrating worked well for fruit leather and jerky, though it takes 8-12 hours and heats up the kitchen noticeably. The included mesh basket racks work fine, but I ended up buying additional racks from Breville for larger batches.
Pros and Cons: The Complete Picture
What Works Well: The build quality is excellent—solid construction that feels commercial-grade. The Element iQ system genuinely improves cooking results with more even heating than basic convection ovens. Capacity is generous enough to replace multiple appliances. The LCD interface, while complex initially, provides precise control once learned. Air frying performance exceeds most standalone units, especially for larger quantities.
Customer reviews consistently praise the even cooking and build quality, with many mentioning they use it more than their regular oven. The 2-year warranty provides confidence, and Breville’s customer service reputation is solid based on user feedback.
What Could Be Better: The size is genuinely large—measure your counter space before buying. At 21.5×16.25×11 inches, it dominates smaller kitchens. The learning curve frustrates users expecting simple operation. Several customers mention the first few meals being overcooked while adjusting to the powerful heating elements.
The price point disappoints budget-conscious buyers, especially when basic toaster ovens cost $50-100. Some customers report the LCD display failing after 18-24 months, though this seems relatively uncommon based on review patterns. Cleaning the interior requires attention, particularly after air frying greasy foods.
How the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Compares to Alternatives
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro stands out in the crowded countertop oven market by combining multiple cooking technologies into one high-performance appliance. Compared to basic toaster ovens, this model offers a convection oven, air fryer, dehydrator, and slow cooker functions — making it far more versatile. While standard ovens or microwaves handle only basic baking or reheating, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro can crisp foods like a deep fryer with air circulation, roast large cuts of meat evenly thanks to its convection design, and even dehydrate fruits and vegetables.
When compared to dedicated air fryers, the Breville unit often wins on capacity and overall cooking flexibility. Most standalone air fryers have smaller baskets and limited cooking modes, whereas the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro’s spacious interior can fit a 12-lb turkey, making it better suited for families and batch cooking. Additionally, its Element IQ® technology intelligently distributes heat for more consistent results — a feature many cheaper alternatives lack.
In a lineup with other high-end countertop ovens, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro generally receives praise for its build quality, precision, and reliability. Cheaper models may be more affordable, but they often compromise on even heat distribution, temperature accuracy, and preset functions. For users who want an all-in-one solution that replaces multiple appliances — from air fryer to toaster oven and more — the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro consistently ranks among the top choices.
If you’re still comparing options, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro fits well within our broader guides on best air fryers for home kitchens and our detailed countertop oven buying guide. You may also want to explore how air frying compares to traditional cooking methods in our air fryer vs convection oven comparison, or browse our roundup of best countertop ovens for large families to see how this model stacks up against similar premium alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro different from a regular toaster oven?
A: It functions as a convection oven, air fryer, dehydrator, and more, offering far more versatility than a basic toaster oven.
Q: Can the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro replace my countertop air fryer?
A: Yes — its powerful convection and air frying capabilities let it crisp foods similarly to dedicated air fryers, often with a larger capacity.
Q: How large is the cooking space in the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro?
A: It’s spacious enough to roast a 12-lb turkey or accommodate large batches of food.
Q: What is Element IQ® technology and why is it important?
A: Element IQ intelligently distributes heat for more even cooking, improving results over basic ovens with uneven heat.
Q: Does this appliance cook evenly compared to competitors?
A: Yes, many users report more consistent and reliable cooking results versus cheaper countertop ovens.
Q: Can it dehydrate foods like fruits and vegetables?
A: Yes, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro includes a dehydrator function.
Q: Is it easy to clean?
A: Yes — the non-stick interior and removable trays make cleanup straightforward.
Q: Does this oven require a lot of counter space?
A: It’s larger than a basic toaster oven, so it needs ample countertop space, but its multifunctionality can replace several devices.
Q: Is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro energy efficient?
A: Yes, compared to heating up a full oven, this countertop model uses less energy for many cooking tasks.
Q: Is this product worth the price versus alternatives?
A: Users often find it worth the premium due to its multiple cooking modes, high quality, and versatility.