Breville Smart Oven Air vs Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven vs Breville Smart Oven Pro
Choosing the best air fryer or countertop convection oven can make a big difference to your everyday cooking. With so many models offering similar features, it is worth comparing cooking performance, versatility, capacity and price before making a decision.
In this comparison, we look at three popular countertop appliances: the Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air, the Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven, and the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro. All three offer more than basic toasting, but they have some important differences, particularly when it comes to air frying and overall value for money.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS)
Best for versatility and premium performance
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the most feature-packed appliance in this comparison. With 13 cooking functions, it is designed to do much more than simply air fry.
Its standout feature is Breville's Element IQ technology, which intelligently distributes heat through six independent heating elements to help achieve consistent cooking results. It also features Super Convection technology, which increases airflow to improve crisping and can reduce cooking times by up to 30%.
The dedicated air fry function is particularly useful for preparing crispy chips, chicken wings and vegetables, while the additional dehydrating setting makes it suitable for preparing dried fruit and other snacks. Other functions include baking, roasting, slow cooking, proofing dough, reheating and making pizza.
Capacity is another major advantage. Its spacious one-cubic-foot interior can accommodate a 14-pound turkey, nine slices of toast or a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. It also comes with several useful accessories, including an air fry basket, pizza pan and roasting pans.
The main drawback is its size and price. It takes up considerable counter space, and its premium features come at a higher cost than the other two appliances. However, for households wanting a versatile countertop oven that can replace several kitchen appliances, it offers excellent functionality.
Cuisinart TOA-70 Convection Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Best for value and everyday cooking
The Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer Toaster Oven offers an appealing combination of air frying, grilling and traditional oven functions at a more accessible price.
This 1800-watt appliance features eight cooking functions, including air fry, convection bake, regular bake, convection broil, broil, grill, toast and warm. Its AirAdvantage technology uses a top-mounted fan and heating element to circulate hot air around food, helping produce crispy results without requiring large amounts of cooking oil.
One of its biggest selling points is its versatility. The included reversible grill and griddle plate makes it possible to prepare everything from grilled sandwiches to breakfast favourites, while the air fry basket is useful for chips, chicken wings and other popular air-fried foods.
The 0.6-cubic-foot interior provides enough room for a 12-inch pizza, six slices of toast or a four-pound chicken. Although smaller than the Breville BOV900BSS, it should be sufficient for most everyday family cooking requirements.
Unlike the more expensive Breville models, the Cuisinart uses straightforward dial controls rather than a sophisticated digital interface. Some people may actually prefer this simpler approach, although it offers less precision and customisation.
For shoppers looking for a capable air fryer toaster oven without spending a fortune, the Cuisinart represents particularly good value. Its combination of cooking functions, grill accessories and generous capacity makes it a practical choice for everyday kitchens.
Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS)
Best for traditional oven cooking
The Breville Smart Oven Pro is an excellent middle-ground option for people who want premium cooking performance without paying for all the additional features of the Air Fryer Pro.
Like its more expensive sibling, the Smart Oven Pro uses Breville's Element IQ technology to distribute heat intelligently throughout the cooking chamber. It offers ten cooking functions, including toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm and slow cook.
Its convection fan helps circulate hot air for more even cooking, making it particularly useful for baking, roasting and preparing pizzas. The interior can accommodate six slices of toast, a 13-inch pizza or a roast chicken, making it a useful alternative to a full-sized oven for smaller meals.
One important distinction is that the BOV845BSS does not have a dedicated air fry function or the specialised air fry basket included with the BOV900BSS. While its convection cooking can produce some similar results, anyone specifically looking for an air fryer should consider one of the other two models.
It does, however, offer excellent build quality, an easy-to-read LCD display, an interior oven light and a convenient slow-cooking function. It is also more compact than the larger Air Fryer Pro.
For shoppers who prioritise baking, roasting and everyday oven cooking over air frying, the Smart Oven Pro offers a good balance of performance and price.
Which Air Fryer Offers the Best Value for Money?
All three appliances have their strengths, but their prices reflect quite different levels of functionality. Based on indicative US retail pricing, the Cuisinart generally sits around $150–$190, the Breville Smart Oven Pro around $250–$280, and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro around $320–$400. Actual prices will vary depending on retailer and promotions.
The Cuisinart is arguably the best budget-friendly option. It provides genuine air frying, grilling and conventional oven cooking at a relatively affordable price. For most households, it offers plenty of functionality without unnecessary extras.
The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a worthwhile upgrade if you enjoy baking and roasting and appreciate Breville's more refined cooking technology. However, its lack of a dedicated air fry function makes it less suitable for someone specifically shopping for an air fryer.
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the clear winner for overall versatility. Although it costs considerably more, its larger capacity, additional cooking functions, superior airflow and extensive accessories make it a compelling long-term investment.
Our verdict:
If budget is your priority, choose the Cuisinart TOA-70. If you want a premium countertop oven for everyday baking and roasting, the Breville Smart Oven Pro is a strong contender. But if you want one appliance that can handle air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating and much more, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the best all-round choice.