There is a specific kind of kitchen heartbreak that occurs when you realize your countertop oven is just an inch too small for your favorite roasting pan, or when a “convection” setting turns out to be little more than a decorative fan. I’ve spent the last month living with the Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS), essentially turning my kitchen into a high-heat laboratory to see which of these brushed stainless steel heavyweights earns its keep.
While both machines share the legendary Breville “Element iQ” DNA, they occupy very different tiers of the culinary world. One is a refined, precise replacement for your toaster and a supplement to your range; the other is a full-blown “Super Convection” monster that seeks to make your full-sized oven entirely obsolete. Here is my unfiltered take on how they actually perform when the timer is ticking.
The Key Difference: Breville Smart Oven Pro vs. Smart Oven Air Fryer
The fundamental divide between these two models comes down to Super Convection and Internal Real Estate.
- The Smart Oven Pro: This is a classic, high-performance convection oven. It uses a single-speed fan to circulate heat, reducing cook times by about 30%. It’s optimized for baking, roasting, and slow cooking, with a 0.49 cu. ft. capacity that comfortably fits a 13-inch pizza.
- The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: This is a significantly larger machine (1.0 cu. ft.) equipped with a two-speed fan. The “Super Convection” mode moves a massive volume of air, enabling true Air Fry and Dehydrate functions that the Pro simply cannot match. It can swallow a 14-pound turkey or a 9×13 inch baking pan with ease.
Technical Comparison Table: Breville Smart Oven Pro vs. Smart Oven Air Fryer
| Feature | Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845) | Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900) |
| Power | 1800 Watts | 1800 Watts |
| Capacity | 0.49 Cubic Feet | 1.0 Cubic Feet |
| Cooking Functions | 10 | 13 (Adds Air Fry, Dehydrate, Proof) |
| Convection Tech | Single Speed | Two-Speed (Super Convection) |
| Max Pizza Size | 13 Inches | 13 Inches (Better pan clearance) |
| Rack Positions | 3 | 4 (Adjustable) |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited | 2 Year Limited |
| Dimensions | 15.9″D x 18.9″W x 10.9″H | 17.5″D x 21.5″W x 12.7″H |
| Slow Cook Max | 10 Hours | 10 Hours |
| Buy On Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: My Personal Experience
Design: The “Countertop Footprint” Reality Check
I’ll be honest: the first thing you notice about the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is its sheer size. When I cleared space for it, I realized it demands respect (and clearance). At 21.5 inches wide, it’s a presence. However, that extra size translates into a 16 x 13.5 x 7-inch interior. I was able to slide a standard 9×13 inch Pyrex dish (with handles!) inside without a struggle.
The Smart Oven Pro is the “Goldilocks” of the two. It fits under standard kitchen cabinets much more comfortably. Its brushed stainless steel finish is identical to its bigger brother, and it feels just as premium. The magnetic auto-eject rack – which pulls the middle rack out halfway when you open the door – is a small touch that I found myself missing whenever I switched back to a different oven.
Ease of Use: Precision Dial vs. Digital Logic
Both ovens utilize Breville’s signature LCD screen, which changes from blue (standby) to orange (preheating/cooking). I found the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro to be slightly more intuitive for complex tasks because it offers more granularity. It uses PID temperature control, which effectively eliminates the “swing” in heat.
The Smart Oven Pro is slightly faster to navigate because it has fewer functions to scroll through. If you just want to toast 6 slices of sourdough or reheat a slice of pizza, the Pro feels like a more streamlined tool. However, the Air Fryer Pro includes an “Air Fry” basket and two oven racks, which allowed me to cook a main and a side simultaneously – something the smaller Pro simply can’t do.
Functions: The “Air Fry” Factor
This is the heart of the debate. I tested both with frozen French fries and fresh chicken wings.
- The Smart Oven Pro: Even on the convection setting, the wings were “roasted.” They were delicious and moist, but they didn’t have that shattered-glass crunch.
- The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: When I engaged “Super Convection,” the sound of the fan increased, and the air velocity was incredible. The wings came out looking like they’d been deep-fried.
The Proofing function on the Air Fryer Pro was also a surprise winner for me. I used it to rise a batch of cinnamon rolls in a chilly kitchen, and the consistent low heat (around 85°F) gave me a perfect rise that the Pro model (which only goes down to “Warm”) couldn’t quite replicate.
Maintenance: Crumb Trays and Componentry
Both ovens feature a front-access crumb tray, which is a blessing. You don’t have to tilt the machine to clean it. One thing to note: the Air Fryer Pro moves a lot of air. This means if you’re air-frying something fatty, you’ll get more aerosolized grease on the interior walls.
I found the Smart Oven Pro easier to keep pristine simply because it’s smaller and doesn’t circulate air with the same violent force. However, both units have replaceable interior lights (standard oven style) and high-quality quartz elements that don’t seem to collect the same “baked-on” gunk that traditional metal elements do.
Breville Smart Oven Pro
Pros:
- Compact Power: Fits under most cabinets while still handling a roast chicken.
- Slow Cook Mode: The 10-hour slow cook function is genuinely comparable to a Crock-Pot.
- Magnetic Rack: The middle rack auto-ejects, preventing burnt fingers.
- Fast Preheat: 1800W in a smaller cavity means it’s ready in about 3-4 minutes.
Cons:
- No Air Fry: Lacks the high-velocity fan needed for true crisping.
- Warranty: Only 1 year compared to the 2 years offered on the larger model.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Pros:
- Massive Capacity: Fits 9×13 pans and 12-cup muffin tins.
- Super Convection: The gold standard for air frying and dehydrating.
- Versatility: Replaces a toaster, oven, air fryer, dehydrator, and proofer.
- PID Control: Digital sensing ensures no cold spots in the oven.
Cons:
- Large Footprint: Requires significant counter space and overhead clearance.
- Price: It is a major investment for a countertop appliance.
Conclusion & My Recommendation: Which One Wins?
After a month of back-to-back testing, the winner depends entirely on your kitchen’s “Job Description.”
I recommend the Breville Smart Oven Pro if:
You already have a dedicated air fryer or you simply don’t care about air frying. If you want a world-class toaster oven that can also slow-cook a pot roast or bake a perfect tart, this is the most balanced choice. It’s powerful, aesthetically beautiful, and doesn’t hog the entire counter.
I recommend the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro if:
You want to retire your full-sized oven for 90% of your meals. The “Super Convection” is a game-changer for textures, and the ability to fit a 9×13 inch pan makes it a legitimate primary cooking appliance. Plus, the 2-year warranty gives you extra peace of mind for such a high-tech machine.
My Personal Choice: I am sticking with the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. The ability to Dehydrate fruit for snacks and Proof bread dough makes it a five-in-one tool that justified the extra space it took up on my counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I air fry in the Smart Oven Pro?
Not effectively. While the “Convection” setting on the Pro moves air, it doesn’t have the high-speed fan (Super Convection) necessary to create the “fried” texture. You’ll get great roasted vegetables, but not crispy fries.
Is the Air Fryer Pro too loud?
In “Super Convection” mode, you can definitely hear the fan – it’s roughly as loud as a hairdryer on a low setting. However, in “Regular Convection” or “Bake” mode, it’s nearly as quiet as the Pro model.
Do I need a special pan for the Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer Pro comes with a mesh basket that allows air to circulate 360 degrees around your food. You don’t need to buy anything extra to start air frying immediately.
Can the Smart Oven Pro fit a Dutch oven?
Yes! It can accommodate up to a 4.4 qt Dutch oven for slow cooking. The Air Fryer Pro can go even larger, fitting a 5 qt model easily.
Is the exterior of these ovens hot to the touch?
Yes. Like all high-performance toaster ovens, the stainless steel housing gets very hot during use. Always ensure you have a few inches of clearance on all sides for ventilation.
