Buying guide for best Breville air fryer
Breville is a high-end brand known for its reliable, high-performing home appliances, including coffee machines, blenders, toasters and toaster ovens. In recent years, it has also entered the air fryer market, offering several premium air fryer ovens that can air-fry foods to perfection and perform other cooking functions.
To help you sort through the options, the BestReviews Testing Lab put these models to work in a quest to find the best Breville air fryer.
During testing, we prepared several commonly air-fried foods, including french fries, chicken wings and bacon, in the Breville models to see how crispy the food got in each appliance and how long the cooking process took. We also tested the other cooking functions, including baking, toasting, pizza and cookies, to see how well the ovens performed other cooking tasks. We also paid attention to how easy the air fryers were to use and clean to help us better understand the user experience. Additionally, we researched the Breville models we haven’t yet tested so we knew exactly how all the ovens stacked up
Ultimately, we found the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro to be the best choice for its crispy, efficient air-frying, versatile cooking functions and extra-large capacity. But if you’re on a budget, have a smaller kitchen or have different cooking needs, we have some other models to recommend, too.
Which Breville air fryer is best?
Product specifications
Type: Oven air fryer | Capacity: 1 cu ft | Dimensions: 17.3” L x 21.5” W x 12.8” H | Weight: 22.8 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob | Number of Functions: 13 | Temperature Range: 80 to 480 degrees
The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro is a countertop air fryer oven with 12 additional functions besides air-frying. However, we were particularly impressed with its air-frying performance during testing. It air-fried delicious frozen french fries that were crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy and tender on the inside in just 13 minutes, which was the fastest cooking time of all the Breville air fryers we tested. We also made tasty chicken wings with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat in just 20 minutes. We had success air-frying hot dogs, Brussels sprouts and bacon as well, so the Joule’s air-frying results were on par with the stand-alone basket-style air fryers we’ve tested.
We were also pleased with the Breville Joule’s other cooking functions. We toasted two slices of bread to a perfect golden brown on the “6” darkness setting in 4 minutes. The Cookie setting allowed us to make chocolate chip cookies from refrigerated dough that were crispy on the outside and slightly chewy in the center in just 11 minutes. We also used the Reheat setting to fully warm a chicken parmigiana hero in only 10 minutes. The Joule’s capacity made it especially versatile — it can hold a turkey up to 14 pounds, and during testing we easily fit a 2-pound bag of frozen french fries in the air-frying basket with additional room to spare. Still, we had no trouble finding a spot for the oven in our testing area and even had enough room for 4 inches of clearance on each side and 6 inches on top.
Perhaps one of the Joule’s most interesting features is its Wi-Fi connectivity. The oven easily connected to our Wi-Fi network during testing, and we had no issue downloading the Breville+ app. The app provides access to hundreds of recipes, as well as the oven’s AutoPilot feature. It walks you through the steps for multistage recipes and changes the oven’s settings as needed. We used it to prepare the Extra-Crispy Bar-Style Tortilla Pizza, which was delicious and easy to make.
Best budget Breville air fryer
Product specifications
Type: Oven air fryer | Capacity: 0.8 cu ft | Dimensions: 18.9” W x 10.9” L x 15.9” H | Weight: 28.7 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob | Number of Functions: 11 | Temperature Range: 120 to 450 degrees
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is similar in design to the Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro, but it has a smaller footprint and capacity. As with the Joule, we had no issue fitting it in our testing area. However, it is 3 inches taller than the Joule, so we only had 3 inches of clearance on top compared to 6 inches with the Joule. The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is large enough to cook a whole chicken, but not a turkey — we fit a 2-pound bag of frozen french fries in its air-frying basket, but there wasn’t as much spare room as in larger Breville models.
The oven’s temperature range is also more limited than the Joule’s: it offers just 10 additional cooking functions besides air-frying. We also found that its air-frying performance wasn’t quite as efficient. It needed 15 minutes to air-fry french fries compared to 13 minutes in the Joule and 21 minutes for chicken wings compared to 20 in the Joule. However, we were pleased that its other cooking functions also performed well. We cooked a frozen pizza on the Pizza setting, and it had a nice, crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese in just 15 minutes. The chocolate chip cookies needed 12 minutes to cook and were crispy on the outside and slightly soft in the center.
We found that the Smart Oven Air Fryer made a low humming noise during cooking, which was quieter than the basket-style air fryers we tested. It didn’t noticeably heat up our testing area while cooking either, so it’s an ideal option for use in warm weather.
Best non-Wi-Fi-connected Breville air fryer
Product specifications
Type: Oven air fryer | Capacity: 1 cu ft | Dimensions: 17.1” L x 21.5” W x 12.7” H | Weight: 38.9 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob | Number of Functions: 13 | Temperature Range: 80 to 480 degrees
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is nearly identical to the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro except it is not Wi-Fi-enabled, so it doesn’t have access to the Breville+ app. However, it costs approximately $100 less, so it’s an ideal alternative if that connectivity isn’t important to you. Like the Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro, it’s large enough to hold a 14-pound turkey. During testing, we easily fit 2 pounds of frozen french fries in its air-frying basket with plenty of room to spare. Its footprint is also similar to the Joule’s, so we had no trouble finding a spot for it in our testing area, with 4 inches of clearance on each side and 6 inches on top.
The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro’s air-frying performance was solid, with cooking times slightly longer than the Joule’s but faster than the Smart Oven Air Fryer. We made tasty, crispy french fries in 14 minutes and chicken wings with crispy skin and juicy interior in 20 minutes. It also needed just 10 minutes to air-fry crispy bacon with far less grease than traditional bacon cooking methods. Its other cooking functions also performed well. We used the Pizza setting to cook a frozen pizza, which needed 15 minutes to develop a crisp crust and nicely browned, melted cheese. With the Reheat function, we fully warmed a serving of leftover chicken and rice in just 10 minutes. Finally, we made two slices of golden-brown toast on the “6” darkness level in just 4 minutes.
Additionally, we loved the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro’s sleek brushed stainless steel finish that looked great on the counter in our testing area. It did not get our testing area too hot, and it was fairly easy to clean, even though Breville doesn’t recommend putting the accessories in the dishwasher.
Best Breville convection oven
Product specifications
Type: Convection oven | Capacity: 1 cu ft | Dimensions: 14.5” L x 18.5” W x 11” H | Weight: 22.8 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob | Number of Functions: 10 | Temperature Range: 120 to 450 degrees
Unlike the other Breville air fryer models, the Breville Smart Oven Pro doesn’t have a dedicated air-frying function. Instead, it offers convection cooking, which means it has a fan to circulate hot air around the food to reduce cooking times and cook more evenly, like an air fryer. It doesn’t get food as crispy as the Breville Joule, Smart Oven Air Fryer or Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro because it doesn’t come with an air-frying basket that allows the air to reach it from all directions, but this model does have the same 1-cubic-foot capacity as the Joule and Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, making it ideal for use by families.
The Smart Oven Pro offers 10 cooking functions plus convection operation that can reduce cooking times by up to 30%. In addition to traditional functions like toasting, baking and broiling, it also has a slow-cooking function, so it can replace multiple appliances on your countertop. Additionally, like the Breville air fryer ovens, it has settings for commonly prepared foods like pizza, bagels and cookies. It offers excellent temperature control across all these cooking functions, but the convection operation works best for ensuring even cooking without drying out the food like a conventional oven can.
Additionally, the Smart Oven Pro has intuitive, user-friendly knob controls that make it easy to set a precise time and temperature for all cooking functions. It also has a magnet in the door that automatically pulls the rack out when you open the oven, making adding and removing food easier.
Best Breville compact convection oven
Product specifications
Type: Convection oven | Capacity: 0.6 cu ft | Dimensions: 14.25” L x 16.5” W x 10” H | Weight: 15.2 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob | Number of Functions: 8 | Temperature Range: 120 to 450 degrees
The Breville Smart Oven Compact Convection is similar in design and operation to the Smart Oven Pro. Like that model, this one doesn’t have an air-frying function or a basket, but it is a convection oven. Its fan circulates hot air throughout the oven for faster heating and cooking. Foods don’t get as crispy in the Smart Oven Compact as they do in Breville air fryers, but they do produce a crispier texture and shorter cooking times compared to conventional toaster ovens or ovens. However, it distinguishes itself from the Smart Oven Pro with its smaller, space-saving footprint, making it an excellent fit for homes with limited counter space. Note that it doesn’t hold as much food, only four slices of toast or a 12-inch pizza compared to the Smart Oven Pro’s six slices or 13-inch pizza.
In addition to its convection operation, the Smart Oven Compact offers 8 cooking functions. It offers traditional toaster oven functions like toasting, baking, roasting, broiling and reheating, plus settings for common foods like pizza, cookies and bagels. It heats quickly and offers extremely even convection cooking. It also toasts well, so it’s ideal for anyone looking to replace a slot toaster.
Like the other Breville air fryer and convection ovens, the Smart Oven Compact is easy to use, with intuitive knob controls and an LCD display. Its accessories aren’t dishwasher safe, but the interior cavity has a nonstick coating to make cleanup easier.
How do air fryers work?
Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens. They pair heating elements with a built-in fan that circulates the hot air inside the appliance. That helps the food cook more evenly, so it can get crispy on the exterior while staying juicy and tender on the inside. It can also reduce cooking times by 20% to 30%.
The main difference between air fryers and convection ovens is that air fryers have a perforated or mesh basket, which makes it easier for the hot air to circulate around the food for more even cooking and crispier results. Air fryers are also usually smaller than convection ovens, so they can heat more quickly, reducing cooking times further.
Breville air fryers pros and cons
Breville air fryers are high-end models that offer many versatile features. However, because they are oven air fryers, they come with some disadvantages you don’t get with a basket-style air fryer.
Pros
- High-quality construction and design: Breville is a premium appliance brand, so its air fryers have durable, sturdy construction that holds up well to regular use. They also all feature a brushed stainless steel finish that looks great on the counter and works well with most modern kitchen decor.
- Capacity: Breville air fryers are all oven models, so they offer a larger capacity than most basket-style air fryers, making them better for cooking for more people. Basket models typically hold between 1 and 10 quarts, but Breville air fryer capacity ranges from 0.6 to 1 cubic foot, or approximately 18 to 30 quarts.
- Versatile functions: As air fryer ovens, Breville air fryers offer additional cooking functions beyond air-frying, with some offering as many as 12. These functions include countertop oven basics like toasting, baking, roasting, broiling, reheating and warming, as well as specialty functions like slow cooking and dehydrating, so they are highly versatile appliances.
- Food monitoring: Breville air fryer ovens have a viewing window in the door, so you can watch your food as it cooks. With basket-style air fryers, you can’t see your food while it cooks, so there’s greater potential for overcooking and burning.
- Compatible cookware: With their larger size and capacity, Breville air fryer ovens are compatible with a wider range of cookware. Some large models can fit a 9- or 12-cup muffin tray, a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or a 4.4-quart Dutch oven.
Cons
- Counter space: Because Breville air fryers are oven models with a larger capacity, they require a significant amount of counter space, which might make them a poor fit for smaller kitchens.
- Heating time: The Breville air fryers’ larger size also means they take longer to preheat and heat than smaller basket-style models. Their cooking times are usually slightly longer as well. The most efficient basket-style air fryer we tested, the GoWise Digital Touchscreen Air Fryer + Dehydrator, needed just 10 minutes to make crispy french fries, while the fastest Breville model, the Joule, took 13 minutes.
- Uneven crisping: Smaller basket-style air fryers typically get food crispier than large models like the Breville air fryer ovens because the hot air has less area to move through.
- Price: Like all Breville appliances, the Breville air fryer ovens are fairly pricey. The convection oven models, the Smart Oven Pro and Smart Oven Compact Convection, range from $199.95 to $279.95. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro cost between $349.95 and $499.85. On the other hand, smaller basket-style air fryers generally sell for $50 to $100.
How we tested
To compare the Breville air fryers, we conducted a series of standardized air-frying tests. We evaluated how crispy the finished food was and how long it took each food to cook.
Air-frying french fries
We tested the Breville air fryers’ ability to prepare french fries by placing frozen fries in each model’s air-frying basket. We lightly misted the fries with olive oil and sprinkled them with some salt. We air-fried the french fries at 400 degrees for at least 10 minutes, shaking them in the basket after 5 minutes to ensure they cooked evenly.
Air-frying chicken wings
We prepared the chicken wings for air-frying by tossing them to coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. We placed them in the Breville air fryers’ basket and air-fried them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Next, we turned over the wings and cooked them for at least another 10 minutes.
Air-frying hot dogs
We cut a slit down the length of each hot dog before placing it in the Breville air fryers’ basket. Next, we added the hot dogs to the oven and air-fried them at 400 degrees for 6 minutes. We then transferred the hot dogs to buns and returned them to the oven for another 2 minutes.
Air-frying Brussels sprouts
We tossed the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper and sliced garlic to thoroughly coat them and then placed them in the Breville air fryers’ basket. We air-fried them at 375 degrees for 5 minutes before shaking them to make sure they cooked evenly. Next, we returned them to the air fryer for at least another 5 minutes.
Air-frying bacon
We placed the strips of bacon in a single layer in the Breville air fryer’s basket and air-fried them at 350 degrees for at least 9 minutes.
How to choose the best Breville air fryer for you
Finding the right Breville air fryer for your kitchen comes down to several key factors, such as size and capacity. But you’ll also want to know how versatile you need it to be to maximize its usefulness for cooking your favorite recipes.
Consider your counter space
Breville air fryers are all ovens, so they take up considerable counter space, just like a toaster oven or microwave. They do offer cooking functions in addition to air-frying, so you can replace other appliances in your kitchen like a toaster, toaster oven, slow cooker and dehydrator to maximize counter space.
The largest Breville air fryers, including the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro, are more than 17 inches long and 21 inches wide. We didn’t have any trouble finding a spot for either in our testing area, but if you have a small kitchen, one of these might require more counter space than you’re willing to give up.
On the other hand, smaller models like the Smart Oven Air Fryer and Smart Oven Compact Convection are less than 15 inches long and 20 inches wide, so one of these would work better if you have limited counter space. If you have overhead cabinets, make sure that the model you choose isn’t too tall to fit beneath them with a few inches of clearance.
Think about the number of people you cook for
Any air fryer you choose has to fit on your counter, but you also want to be sure it’s large enough to cook for your family and friends. Because all Breville air fryers are oven-style models, they are large enough to cook for 8 to 10 people.
All the models that offer 0.8 cubic foot of capacity or more are large enough to roast a whole 4- to 5-pound chicken, but those with a capacity of 1 cubic foot can fit up to a 14-pound turkey, so they’re large enough to prepare holiday dinners.
Decide what functions you need
As air fryer ovens, Breville air fryers aren’t a one-trick pony. Unlike most basket air fryers, they don’t just have an air-frying function. Instead, they offer all the traditional functions of a toaster oven, including toasting, baking, broiling, roasting, warming and reheating. Most also have modes for popular foods like pizza, bagels and cookies.
However, some higher-end Breville air fryers offer additional cooking functions that increase their versatility. For example, the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro and Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro also have Proof, Slow Cook and Dehydrate functions, which means that in addition to working as an air fryer and toaster oven, they can replace a slow cooker and dehydrator to free up space on your countertop. However, if you don’t make recipes that require a slow cooker or dehydrate meat, fruit and other foods, you don’t need to pay extra for functions you won’t use.
Decide whether Wi-Fi connectivity is important
The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro offers Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to access the Breville+ app for recipes. You can also use the AutoPilot feature to make select multistep recipes. The app walks you through the steps and changes the functions for the oven as the recipe dictates, so your food turns out perfectly every time.
If Wi-Fi connectivity in your Breville air fryer isn’t essential, you can save money by opting for a model without it. The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro offers the same capacity and cooking functions as the Joule, but it generally costs $100 less because it isn’t Wi-Fi enabled.
FAQ
Q. Can you use aluminum foil in a Breville air fryer?
A. You can use aluminum foil in a Breville air fryer oven, but it shouldn’t touch the oven’s heating element. That’s why Breville cautions against covering the crumb tray with foil. If the foil comes into contact with the heating element, it can cause it to overheat and pose a fire hazard.
Q. Is a smart oven air fryer better than a regular air fryer?
A. It depends on your cooking needs. During testing, we found that smart oven air fryers offer a greater capacity and more versatility in their cooking functions. The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro and Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro can fit a turkey up to 14 pounds and provide all the basic toaster oven functions, plus proofing, slow cooking and dehydrating. While regular air fryers can bake and toast, their temperature range usually doesn’t allow for much else.
However, a smart oven air fryer’s larger size also affects its heating and performance. The oven takes longer to preheat than a regular air fryer and often requires longer cooking times. The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro was the most efficient of the oven air fryers we tested, needing 13 minutes to air-fry crispy french fries. But the GoWise Digital Touchscreen Air Fryer + Dehydrator, a regular basket-style air fryer, only took 10 minutes to get our french fries crispy and delicious.
Q. Do you need to thaw foods before using the air fryer toaster oven?
A. It’s not necessary to thaw frozen foods before adding them to your air fryer oven. Instead, cook the food straight from frozen to ensure the best texture and flavor.
Final thoughts: Are Breville air fryers worth it?
Like other appliances from the brand, Breville air fryers are high-quality models that offer excellent versatility and generous capacity. They are ideal for anyone who isn’t interested in a regular air fryer that offers limited functionality in the kitchen. You’ll pay a premium price for these air fryers, but if one of these models fits your budget, you’ll likely be pleased with your purchase.
The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro wasn’t just our highest-rated Breville air fryer during testing, but it was also our highest-rated air fryer overall. However, if Wi-Fi connectivity isn’t an essential feature for you, the Breville Smart Oven Air Pro offers the same design, capacity and cooking functions, as well as similar air-frying performance, all while costing $100 less.
