When you’re in the market for a high-quality Breville microwave, the choice often narrows down to two feature-rich models: the Breville Combi Wave and the Breville Smooth Wave. Both have a premium stainless-steel build and advanced inverter technology, but they serve very different cooking needs. In this guide, we’ll explore their key differences, real-world performance, and what makes each better suited for your kitchen.
Quick Summary Table
| If You Want… | Buy This Model |
|---|---|
| To replace 3 appliances | Combi Wave 3-in-1 |
| The quietest microwave ever | Smooth Wave |
| Even heating for delicate foods | Smooth Wave |
| To cook frozen pizza or nuggets | Combi Wave |
Breville BMO850BSS Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave Oven, Brushed...
- The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave takes the guesswork out of cooking with Sensor iQ...
- SENSOR iQ TECHNOLOGY: Automatically adjust power to precisely cook or reheat; Countertop...
- POWER SMOOTHING INVERTER: Microwave automatically adjusts power intensity and delivers...
- SMART COOK, REHEAT & DEFROST: Featuring 15 in-built smart presets putting all the power at...
- QUIET MICROWAVE WITH SOFT CLOSE DOOR: Countertop microwave has 80% quieter soft close door...
Main Difference Between Breville Combi Wave and Smooth Wave
The main difference is functionality: the Combi Wave is a 3-in-1 appliance (microwave, convection oven, air fryer), while the Smooth Wave is a dedicated high-performance microwave optimized for even heating and quiet operation.
What Is the Breville Combi Wave?
The Breville Combi Wave (model BMO870, including the BMO870BST variant) is a multifunction kitchen appliance that doesn’t just microwave — it also convection cooks and air fries. According to its manual, the unit has a 1.1 cu ft (32 L) capacity.
Power-wise:
- Microwave input: 1,200 W
- Convection heating element: 1,400 W
- Grill: 1,100 W
- Output microwave power: ~1,100 W
- Turntable: 12.4-inch glass
Standout features:
- Element iQ® System: algorithms steer power between microwave, convection, and grill.
- Fast Combi mode: combines all elements to cook faster than a conventional oven.
- From-Frozen preset: stages microwave, grill, and convection for frozen foods.
- Air Fry: uses the Combi Crisp pan to crisp food inside the cavity.
- Smart Cook / Smart Reheat / Smart Defrost: built-in presets simplify tasks.
- Soft-close door & quieter operation: engineered for smooth, quiet use.
- Accessories: Combi Crisp pan, trivet/rack for convection cooking.
What Is the Breville Smooth Wave?
The Breville Smooth Wave (model BMO850BSS1BUC1) is a refined, dedicated microwave for precise reheating, defrosting, and cooking small meals quietly.
Key specifications:
- Capacity: ~1.2 cu ft / ~34 L
- Wattage: ~1,200 W
- Turntable: 12.4-inch diameter
Core technologies:
- Sensor iQ® Technology: adjusts cooking based on steam released by food.
- Power Smoothing Inverter™: avoids hot spots by adjusting power smoothly.
- 15 Smart Presets (Smart Cook, Smart Reheat, Smart Defrost, etc.)
- Shortcuts Panel for quick tasks (melt chocolate, reheat pizza, soften butter)
- Soft-close door & quiet operation (~50% quieter than typical microwaves)
- “A Bit More” button for quick 30-second increments
- Child Lock and mute options for safety
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Combi Wave (BMO870) | Smooth Wave (BMO850) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Functions | Microwave + Convection Oven + Air Fryer | Dedicated Microwave |
| Capacity | 1.1 cu ft / 32 L | 1.2 cu ft / ~34 L |
| Power (Microwave) | Microwave 1,200 W; convection 1,400 W; grill 1,100 W | ~1,200 W |
| Heating Technology | Element iQ®, Power Smoothing Inverter | Sensor iQ®, Power Smoothing Inverter |
| Smart Presets | ~19 (air fry, fast combi, oven, etc.) | 15 (Smart Cook, Reheat, Defrost, etc.) |
| Accessories | Combi Crisp pan, trivet/rack | Turntable only |
| Door & Noise | Soft-close door, quieter design | Soft-close door (80% quieter), 50% quieter operation |
| Special Modes | Air Fry, Fast Combi, From-Frozen, Oven, Grill | Smart Reheat, Defrost, Cook, +30, A Bit More, Shortcuts Panel |
| Ideal For | Versatile cooking: crisping, roasting, reheating small meals | Precision reheating, defrosting, one-touch tasks |
Breville BMO850BSS Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave Oven, Brushed...
- The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave takes the guesswork out of cooking with Sensor iQ...
- SENSOR iQ TECHNOLOGY: Automatically adjust power to precisely cook or reheat; Countertop...
- POWER SMOOTHING INVERTER: Microwave automatically adjusts power intensity and delivers...
- SMART COOK, REHEAT & DEFROST: Featuring 15 in-built smart presets putting all the power at...
- QUIET MICROWAVE WITH SOFT CLOSE DOOR: Countertop microwave has 80% quieter soft close door...
What We Loved vs. What to Watch Out For
Combi Wave – What We Loved
- Multi-function: replaces microwave, oven, and air fryer.
- Fast Combi mode: combines cooking methods efficiently.
- Element iQ® ensures smart power distribution.
- Soft-close door and child lock for safety.
- Versatile cooking: crisp, roast, bake, reheat in one appliance.
Combi Wave – What to Watch Out For
- Air fry limitations: not as fast or crispy as a dedicated air fryer.
- High power draw: may trip a 15-amp circuit with other appliances.
- Preheat & condensation: oven mode is slow; heavy steam may build inside the door.
- Error codes: E-08 is common (door-latch related), resolvable by support.
- Larger footprint and complex interface: learning curve is steeper.
Smooth Wave – What We Loved
- Even heating: Power Smoothing Inverter™ prevents hot spots.
- Sensor iQ® adjusts cooking based on food steam for precision.
- Quiet operation: soft-close door and low noise.
- User-friendly shortcuts panel for common tasks.
- “A Bit More” / +30 functionality for incremental reheating.
Smooth Wave – What to Watch Out For
- Popcorn setting: often leaves 40–50% of kernels unpopped.
- Single-function: no oven or air-fry capabilities.
- Clock visibility: some versions lack backlit display.
- Limited flexibility: fixed Smart presets.
- Minor reliability issues: usually resolved under warranty.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Combi Wave: Best for multitaskers who want microwave, convection, and air-fry in one appliance. Watch out for slower preheat, condensation, power draw, and air-fry limits.
- Smooth Wave: Ideal for precise reheating, defrosting, and small meals. Be aware of the popcorn setting, single-function design, and limited display visibility.
- Space & Maintenance: Combi Wave is larger and requires cleaning of extra accessories; Smooth Wave is compact and easy to maintain.
- Daily Use: Smooth Wave excels at consistent reheating and delicate tasks, while Combi Wave offers versatility for larger meals.
Final Thoughts
Both Breville models are premium, intelligently engineered appliances, but they cater to different cooking realities:
- Combi Wave: Versatile and powerful, ideal for those who want one appliance to handle multiple cooking tasks. Great for roasting, baking, crisping, and air frying, but slower preheating and high power draw are trade-offs.
- Smooth Wave: A quiet, precise microwave, excellent for daily reheating and delicate tasks. Limited in functions, but highly reliable for its core strengths.
Ultimately, your choice depends on cooking style, kitchen space, and how much you value real-world practicality over marketing claims.
Breville BMO850BSS Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave Oven, Brushed...
- The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave takes the guesswork out of cooking with Sensor iQ...
- SENSOR iQ TECHNOLOGY: Automatically adjust power to precisely cook or reheat; Countertop...
- POWER SMOOTHING INVERTER: Microwave automatically adjusts power intensity and delivers...
- SMART COOK, REHEAT & DEFROST: Featuring 15 in-built smart presets putting all the power at...
- QUIET MICROWAVE WITH SOFT CLOSE DOOR: Countertop microwave has 80% quieter soft close door...
