Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Toaster Ovens

Breville Compact Smart Oven vs Breville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Breville Compact Smart Oven comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.0). Breville Compact Smart Oven is best for: Cooks with limited counter space who value customizable presets but can tolerate uneven heating. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Breville Compact Smart Oven
Higher ratedRanked #5 in Best Toaster Ovens
Breville Compact Smart Oven
1 source$199.9as of Oct 24

WIRED found that smart presets for wings, fries, and bacon offer granular control but struggle to match the aggressive crisping of dedicated basket air fryers due to less intense airflow. TechGearLab explained that Element iQ technology precisely concentrates heat across five elements, creating stable thermal output ideal for baking pizzas without drying out toppings. However, the unit suffers from uneven temperature distribution compared to larger Breville models and lacks an interior light, forcing users to open the door to check progress. The broiler function generates intense heat that can easily scorch food if not closely monitored, requiring constant vigilance during use. This appliance fits cooks who value customizable presets for common foods and have limited counter space, but those seeking maximum crunch or hands-off convenience should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Includes smart presets specifically optimized for wings, fries, and bacon with helpful customization options.
  • — Features Element iQ technology to concentrate heat precisely based on the selected cooking mode.
  • — Comes equipped with an air fry basket, roasting pan that doubles as a grease catcher, and a broiler rack.
Watch-outs
  • — Produces uneven temperature distribution and airflow compared to larger Breville oven models.
  • — Lacks an interior light to monitor food without opening the door.
  • — The broiler function generates intense heat that can easily scorch food if not closely monitored.
Breville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Ranked #4 in Best Toaster Ovens
Breville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
3 sources$549.95as of Oct 24

The Breville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro utilizes Element IQ technology and six quartz elements to deliver precise, even heating across its 13 preset functions. WIRED found that the companion app’s Autopilot mode automates complex recipes like whole-roasted chicken by cycling through temperatures exceeding 450 degrees Fahrenheit and low warming settings without manual intervention. Bon Appétit noted that this system adjusts heat sources automatically, resulting in reliable performance that often surpasses full-size residential ranges despite occasional software recipe errors. However, the appliance lacks an integrated food probe thermometer, requiring users to rely on external devices for meat doneness checks. Its premium pricing reflects high-end build quality and smart features, making it a strong fit for tech-savvy cooks with limited counter space who value automation over basic functionality.

Strengths
  • — The Breville+ app features an Autopilot mode that automatically adjusts temperature and cooking modes during recipes, such as cycling through broil and warming settings for a whole chicken.
  • — Element IQ technology uses built-in sensors to intelligently distribute heat across six quartz elements for precise and stable cooking results.
  • — The oven includes 13 preset functions including toast, bake, roast, air fry, dehydrate, slow cook, proof, and keep warm.
Watch-outs
  • — Lacks an integrated food probe thermometer, requiring users to rely on external thermometers for meat doneness checks.
  • — The appliance is relatively expensive.

How they stack up

Breville Compact Smart Oven

Unlike the Breville Mini Smart Oven BOV450XL, which offers superior thermal consistency and an interior light, this model suffers from uneven temperature distribution and lacks a light to monitor food. It also differs from the Ninja Flip SP151 by lacking a space-saving flip-up design, though it provides more vertical clearance for taller items than the shallow Ninja models.

Breville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

This model distinguishes itself from the Breville Compact Smart Oven by offering an app-controlled Autopilot mode for complex recipes, whereas the Compact relies on manual presets. It also provides more precise heat distribution via six quartz elements compared to the four independent elements in The Smart Oven BOV800XL, though it lacks the integrated food probe found in some competitors.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBreville Compact Smart OvenBreville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Capacity0.5 cu ft—
Dimensions15.7 x 16.9 x 10 in21.4" W × 17.3" D × 12.7" H
MaterialbambooStainless Steel
Functions—13
Heating Elements—6 Quartz Elements
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