Breville Smart Oven Pro vs Smart Oven Air Fryer: Which Model Is Worth It?

The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer is the better choice for most home cooks. It does everything the BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro does, but adds a true air fry function, a larger capacity, and more cooking presets — all for roughly $50–$80 more. If you already own an air fryer or rarely fry, the Pro is a solid, slightly more compact option that still delivers excellent results.

Safety First: Both the BOV845BSS and BOV900BSS reach internal temperatures up to 480°F and their exterior surfaces get hot during use. Never place either model under cabinets or against walls — maintain at least 4–6 inches of clearance on all sides. Keep children away from the unit while it’s operating, and always use oven mitts when removing racks or pans. Never leave either oven unattended on high-heat settings like broil or air fry.

Key Takeaways

• The BOV900BSS (Smart Oven Air Fryer) adds a dedicated air fry function and a larger 1 cubic foot capacity over the BOV845BSS.
• The BOV845BSS (Smart Oven Pro) is slightly more compact and costs less — a good pick if counter space is tight and you don’t need air frying.
• Both models use Breville’s Element IQ system and reach up to 480°F with nine or more cooking functions.
• The BOV900BSS comes with a dedicated air fry basket; the BOV845BSS does not include one.
• For the price difference, the BOV900BSS offers significantly more versatility and is the better long-term investment for most kitchens.

What You’re Actually Comparing Here

Breville makes a lot of smart ovens. It gets confusing fast. The BOV845BSS and BOV900BSS sit right next to each other in their lineup, and from a distance they look almost identical. Same stainless steel shell. Same style of knobs and LCD display. Same general idea.

But the differences matter. The BOV900BSS isn’t just a BOV845BSS with an air fry sticker slapped on it. There are genuine hardware differences — more heating elements, a larger interior, a more powerful fan system — that affect how these ovens actually cook your food day to day.

Both are genuinely excellent appliances. That’s not just marketing fluff — Breville’s Smart Oven line consistently earns its reputation, and outlets like Serious Eats have praised this series for consistent, even cooking. But “excellent” doesn’t mean “the same,” and which one belongs on your counter depends on how you actually cook.

Side-by-Side Specs: BOV845BSS vs BOV900BSS

Let’s put the numbers next to each other. This is where the real story starts.

Feature	BOV845BSS (Smart Oven Pro)	BOV900BSS (Smart Oven Air Fryer)
Wattage	1800W	1800W
Interior Capacity	0.8 cubic feet	1.0 cubic feet
Heating Elements	5	6
Max Temperature	480°F	480°F
Cooking Functions	10	13
Air Fry Function	No	Yes
Convection Fan	Single speed	Super Convection (2-speed)
Included Accessories	Wire rack, baking pan, broil rack	Wire rack, baking pan, broil rack, air fry basket
Pizza Capacity	13-inch	14-inch
Approximate Price	$279–$319	$349–$399

The wattage is identical. But the BOV900BSS uses that power differently — its six-element setup with a two-speed Super Convection fan moves heat around more aggressively. That’s what makes air frying actually work. Blasting hot air at high velocity is the whole mechanism. A single-speed fan just doesn’t do the same job.

Where the BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Shines

The Pro isn’t the lesser product just because it came first. It’s a genuinely refined oven that handles a huge range of cooking tasks extremely well.

Consistent Baking and Roasting

The five-element Element IQ system does a great job of distributing heat. Cookies come out even across the pan. Roasted vegetables get properly caramelized without burning on the edges. If you’re mostly baking, reheating, or roasting, the Pro does all of that at a very high level. You can check out our tips on reheating food in a toaster oven for ideas on getting the most out of this kind of setup.

Slightly More Compact Footprint

The Pro measures about 18.5 x 16.3 x 11.4 inches. The Air Fryer is a bit larger at 18.5 x 16.3 x 12.7 inches. That inch-plus of extra height doesn’t sound like much, but if you have low-hanging cabinets or a tight under-cabinet space, it can be the deciding factor. Small kitchens are real. Counter real estate is precious.

Lower Price Point

At $50–$80 less depending on where you buy, the Pro makes sense if you already have a dedicated air fryer or you just don’t plan to use that function. Paying for features you’ll never use isn’t smart shopping — it’s just spending more money.

Where the BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pulls Ahead

Here’s the thing: the BOV900BSS isn’t just better at air frying. It’s a more capable oven overall. That sixth heating element and that two-speed fan don’t only matter when you’re making chicken wings.

True Air Frying That Actually Works

Air frying at 400°F with the included air fry basket produces legitimately crispy results. Frozen fries come out with crunch on the outside and soft inside — in about 15–18 minutes. Chicken thighs at 400°F for 22–25 minutes get skin that’s actually crisp, not just browned. This is the function most people buy the BOV900BSS for, and it delivers.

Super Convection for Faster, More Even Cooking

The two-speed Super Convection fan isn’t just for air frying. When you’re roasting a chicken or dehydrating fruit, having that higher fan speed cuts cooking time and improves crust formation significantly. A whole chicken that might take 75 minutes in the Pro can be done in 60–65 minutes in the Air Fryer on Super Convection. And the skin is better.

More Presets, Bigger Interior

Thirteen cooking presets versus ten. A full 14-inch pizza fits versus 13-inch. If you cook for a family or you batch cook on weekends, that extra capacity matters. And the additional presets — including a dedicated dehydrate function — mean you’re not manually dialing in temperatures as often. According to Food Network, convection cooking is one of the most underused features in home ovens, and the BOV900BSS makes it accessible without any guesswork.

Real-World Cooking: Which One to Use for What

Both ovens handle everyday tasks well. But some scenarios lean toward one over the other.

Choose the BOV845BSS if: You already own a standalone air fryer. You bake frequently and want a focused, lower-profile oven. Counter space is genuinely limited. You’re on a tighter budget and want the best baking/roasting performance for the money.

Choose the BOV900BSS if: You want to replace both a toaster oven and an air fryer with one appliance. You cook proteins often and want crispier results. You batch-cook or cook for more than two people regularly. You want the most future-proof, multi-function option in this price range.

For people upgrading from a basic toaster oven to something in this tier, check out our picks for the best mini toaster ovens if you’re not ready to commit to a full-size model — sometimes a smaller unit fits your life better than either of these will.

And if you want to get the best performance from either oven, using a quality toaster oven baking pan makes a real difference. The included pans are fine, but a heavier gauge nonstick pan improves browning and cleanup.

The Verdict: Which Is Actually Worth Buying?

The BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer is the better buy for most people. The price gap between these two models is real but not huge. And you get a genuinely more capable oven for it — not just one extra button.

But “better for most people” doesn’t mean “better for you specifically.” If you’re replacing a worn-out countertop oven and you already have air frying covered, the BOV845BSS is an outstanding appliance that will serve you well for years. It’s not a compromise. It’s just a more focused tool.

The BOV900BSS wins on versatility, capacity, and the quality of its air fry and convection results. If you’re buying one Breville oven and you want it to do everything, spend the extra $60 or so. You won’t regret it. Understanding how hot a toaster oven gets and how that heat is managed makes it clear why that two-speed fan system in the BOV900BSS is such a meaningful upgrade — heat management is everything in countertop cooking.

?Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Breville BOV900BSS worth the extra cost over the BOV845BSS?

Yes, for most buyers the BOV900BSS is worth the $50–$80 price difference. You get a sixth heating element, a two-speed Super Convection fan, a true air fry function, and a larger interior capacity. If you’d otherwise buy a separate air fryer, the BOV900BSS replaces both appliances and saves counter space.

Can the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro air fry?

No, the BOV845BSS does not have a dedicated air fry mode. It has a convection setting that circulates hot air, but it uses a single-speed fan that doesn’t move air with enough force to replicate true air frying results. For real crispiness, you need the BOV900BSS’s Super Convection system.

What is the difference between Breville BOV845BSS and BOV900BSS cooking capacity?

The BOV845BSS has 0.8 cubic feet of interior space and fits a 13-inch pizza. The BOV900BSS has 1.0 cubic feet and fits a 14-inch pizza. That may sound small, but it translates to fitting a larger baking sheet, a bigger roasting pan, or a larger whole chicken — which matters if you cook for a family.

How long does the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer take to preheat?

The BOV900BSS typically reaches 350°F in about 5–6 minutes and 400°F in roughly 7–8 minutes from a cold start. Higher temperatures like 450°F take closer to 10 minutes. Breville’s Element IQ system speeds this up compared to conventional ovens, but you should still preheat for best results, especially when baking.

Which Breville toaster oven is best for baking?

Both the BOV845BSS and BOV900BSS perform well for baking, but the BOV900BSS has a slight edge thanks to its six-element setup and superior heat distribution. For cookies, bread, and cakes, both produce even results — but the BOV900BSS’s larger interior and more precise heat control give it the advantage when baking at high volume or with larger pans.