The Breville countertop oven lineup is well known for combining precision heating, versatility, and smart cooking features. Among their most popular models are the Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS). While they look similar at first glance, these two ovens are designed for quite different use cases. In this article, we’ll compare them in depth — from capacity and cooking modes to performance and real-world pros and cons — so you can choose the right Breville oven for your kitchen.
Main Difference Between Breville Smart Oven Pro and Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The primary difference lies in **cooking versatility and airflow**: the Smart Oven Pro is a high-quality convection toaster oven built for everyday baking, toasting, roasting, and even slow cooking. In contrast, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro adds a *super-convection fan* and more cooking functions, including **air fry** and **dehydrate**, making it more of a multi-purpose appliance that can mimic an air fryer, a dehydrator, and a full oven all in one.
Model Overview
Here’s a quick look at what each model is:
- Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS): A convection toaster oven with 10 preset functions, interior light, Element iQ heating, and slow cook mode.
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS): A 13-in-1 countertop oven that includes air fry, dehydrate, proof, slow cook, and more – powered by super convection and six quartz heating elements.
Technical Specifications Comparison
| Specification | Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) | Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) |
|---|---|---|
| Model Number | BOV845BSS | BOV900BSS |
| Power / Wattage | 1,800 W | 1,800 W |
| Heating Elements / Technology | 5 Quartz Elements, Element iQ | 6 Quartz Elements, Element iQ, PID control |
| Convection / Fan | Regular convection, single-speed fan | Super-convection with 2-speed fan |
| Cooking Functions / Presets | 10 presets: toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm, slow cook | 13 functions: Toast, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Proof, Air Fry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cook, Dehydrate |
| Temperature Range | 120°F – 450°F (per manual) | 80°F – 480°F (per spec) |
| Interior Capacity / Size | 0.8 cu ft (fits 13″ pizza, 6 slices bread) | 1 cu ft (fits 9 slices toast, 9″ ×13″ pan, 14 lb turkey) |
| Accessories Included | Enamel baking pan, broiling rack, pizza pan, oven rack | 13″ pizza pan, two oven racks, 9″×13″ broil rack, enamel roasting pan, mesh basket for air fry / dehydrate |
| Display / Controls | LCD + knob / dial | LCD + Select / Confirm dial + rotating knob |
| Warranty | 1 year (in some regions) |
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Performance & Cooking Quality
Smart Oven Pro: Thanks to its Element iQ system, this model delivers precise, even heat by distributing power intelligently across 5 quartz heating elements. The convection fan helps speed up cooking and reduces hot spots. It’s ideal for baking cookies, roasting chicken, toasting bread, and slow-cooking at low temperatures (up to 10 hours).
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: The standout here is super-convection: a high-speed fan circulates hot air very aggressively, allowing for crisp air-fry-style cooking with less oil. Thanks to six quartz elements and PID temperature control, heat is very stable, which is especially important for functions like dehydrate and proof.
Capacity & Usability
If you have limited countertop space or don’t cook very large meals, the Pro (BOV845) offers a compact footprint and a 0.8 cu ft interior that still accommodates a 13″ pizza or a 6-slice toaster load. For many users, it’s more than enough for daily tasks without hogging space.
The Air Fryer Pro (BOV900), on the other hand, has a full 1 cubic foot of interior space. This extra room makes it possible to air fry large batches of fries, roast a 14-lb turkey, or dehydrate multiple trays at once. For users who cook bigger or want multi-rack flexibility, this capacity is a big advantage.
Cooking Functions – Which One is More Versatile?
- Smart Oven Pro has the essentials – toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm, and slow cook.
– The slow cook mode is especially useful for long, low-heat cooking.
– Its more basic control scheme is very intuitive for everyday oven tasks. - Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro takes it further with 13 functions, including:
– **Air Fry**: For crisp, “fried” food without deep oil.
– **Dehydrate**: Use up to four trays to dry fruit, jerky, or herbs.
– **Proof**: Maintain low temperatures to proof dough.
– **Slow Cook**, **Reheat**, **Cookies**, etc., just like the Pro.
Preheating & Heat-up Speed
Because both ovens use powerful heating elements, preheating is relatively fast. However, in practice, Air Fryer Pro may take slightly longer due to its larger cavity and the time needed to reach stable convection. At the same time, once heated, the high-speed fan helps maintain a consistent airflow and temperature more aggressively than the single-speed fan in the Pro.
Temperature Stability & Precision
The Air Fryer Pro benefits from PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control, which helps minimize fluctuations in temperature throughout cooking cycles. This precision is especially useful for functions like dehydrate and proof, where consistent low heat is critical.
The Pro model doesn’t use a two-speed super-convection fan, but its Element iQ system still ensures good heat distribution.
Build Quality & Design
Both ovens are built using brushed stainless steel, giving them a premium and durable finish. The control interfaces are similar: a digital LCD plus knobs/dials make them user-friendly and accessible. The Air Fryer Pro includes a mesh basket for air-fry/dehydrate, while the Pro comes with a pizza pan, enamel baking pan, rack, and broiling rack.
Energy Efficiency & Utility
With both models operating at 1,800 W, energy consumption is similar. However, the choice of mode and usage frequency affect overall energy usage:
– Using the Air Fryer Pro in air-fry or dehydrate mode may run the fan at high speed, which could slightly increase power draw.
– The Pro model in slow-cook mode can run for hours, but at a lower internal temperature, balancing energy usage over time.
Strengths & Weaknesses: Pros and Cons
Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS)
**Pros:**
– Compact footprint suitable for small to medium kitchens.
– Reliable convection cooking with Element iQ for even heat.
– Includes slow cook function for set-and-forget meals.
– Easy to clean interior with non-stick coating. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
– Simple controls, durable build.
**Cons:**
– Lacks air fry and dehydrate modes.
– Fan is single-speed, may not offer the same crisping as super-convection.
– Temperature top limit is 450°F, which may constrain some high-heat tasks.
– Warranty may be shorter in some markets (1 year).
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS)
**Pros:**
– Extremely versatile with 13 cooking modes (air fry, dehydrate, proof).
– Super-convection fan delivers crispier results with less oil.
– High-precision heating with six quartz elements and PID control.
– Large capacity for bigger meals or multi-tray cooking.
– Longer warranty (2 years per certain retailers).
**Cons:**
– Larger external and internal dimensions, takes more countertop space.
– Can get very hot on the outside; users report the top surface becoming quite warm.
– Preheating can take longer due to bigger volume.
– Higher price point compared to simpler models.
Real-World User Feedback
Feedback from users gives insight into daily experience:
– Some users of the BOV900BSS mention that the **top of the oven becomes very hot**, even scalding, especially when set to high temperatures.
– A few note that **toast takes longer** in the Air Fryer Pro than in a basic toaster, since the heating elements are farther from the bread.
– On the Pro model, some users mention a **rattling or fan noise** when convection is active, which may be due to looseness or design.
Which One Should You Choose?
– 🚪 **Choose the Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS)** if:
– You want a reliable, compact convection toaster oven.
– You mostly bake, toast, roast, or slow cook.
– Counter space is limited or you don’t need air-frying or dehydration.
– Simplicity, durability, and good value matter more than multi-functionality.
– 🍟 **Choose the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS)** if:
– You want one appliance that can air fry, dehydrate, proof dough, and cook large meals.
– You cook in bulk, like to make snacks, or want the crisp texture of fried food without using a separate air fryer.
– You’re okay with a larger footprint and are willing to pay more for added versatility and power.
Conclusion
In summary, the **Breville Smart Oven Pro** and the **Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro** serve different but overlapping needs. The Pro is a straightforward, high-performance convection toaster oven — perfect if you want dependable daily cooking without overcomplication. The Air Fryer Pro, meanwhile, is a powerhouse of versatility, combining super-convection, multi-mode cooking, and a generous interior capacity.
If you’re after crisp air-fried foods, dehydration, or proofing dough, or you regularly cook large items, the Air Fryer Pro is well worth the investment. But if you’re just looking for a smart, compact oven that handles the baking, roasting, and toasting basics, the Pro may be ideal for you.
