We Explore Breville’s Compact Smart Oven: Small Wonder

We spent a few weeks cooking with the Breville BOV650XL the Compact Smart Oven Countertop Toaster Oven, Brushed stainless Steel, and it quickly became our go-to small-appliance for everything from quick toast to a midweek roast. In a compact 16½ × 14¼ × 10-inch body the 1800-watt oven houses a 3/5-cubic-foot (11.75 × 10 × 4.25 in) nonstick cavity that easily fits a 12-inch pizza or four slices of bread, so it feels like a full-featured oven shrunk to counter-friendly proportions. The push-button and turn‑knob controls, backlit LCD that flips from orange to blue, and Breville’s Element iQ system made preheating and preset cooking straightforward — and when we tweaked settings, the oven remembered our preferences. Cleanup was simple thanks to the removable crumb tray and enamel pan and rack, and the tempered-glass door and three rack positions added useful versatility. In the review that follows we’ll walk through real-world performance, ease of use, and whether this compact Smart Oven strikes the right balance between size and capability.

Our Overview and First Impressions of the Breville BOV650XL Compact Smart Oven

We immediately noticed how much more kitchen real estate this compact countertop oven returns to us without skimping on capability. The Element iQ system (five self-reliant quartz elements) intelligently steers power where it’s needed, and the 1800-watt fast preheat means meals get to the table sooner. Programming is a breeze with the push-button and turn-knob controls: a single dial selects one of eight preset functions—Toast,Bagel,Bake,roast,Broil,Pizza,Cookies,reheat—while the othre dial sets time (1 minute to 2 hours),temperature (120–450°F),number of slices and toast shade. The backlit LCD is genuinely helpful; it glows orange during preheat/cook and blue when the cycle ends, and the oven will even remember adjusted settings for next time.

In everyday use we appreciate the balance of size and versatility: the nonstick cavity fits a 12-inch pizza or four slices of bread, has three rack positions, a tempered-glass door and a front-access removable crumb tray that makes cleanup quick. Accessories include a 10×10 inch enamel baking pan and broil rack, and the unit’s compact dimensions make it suitable for both large and small kitchens. Below is a quick-spec snapshot for easy comparison:

• smart heating: element iQ for tailored power distribution
• Versatility: Eight presets cover everyday cooking needs
• Compact convenience: Small footprint, useful accessories

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How the Smart Element IQ and Preset Functions Changed Our Cooking Routine

When we started using the compact smart oven, the biggest shift in our routine came from the Element IQ system and the eight built-in presets. Instead of babysitting the oven, we let the bright sensors and the 5 independent quartz elements steer power to where it’s needed, so things heat faster and more evenly — the fast 1800-watt preheat really gets dinner moving on busy nights. We love that each preset (Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat) not only sets a reliable time and temperature but can be manually adjusted and saved to match our tastes; the oven remembers our tweaks, so our favorites are one dial turn away. The large LCD and clear orange/blue preheat-and-done signals mean less guessing and fewer overcooked meals.

Because the cavity fits a 12-inch pizza or four slices of toast, the smart presets have simplified meal planning — from quick breakfasts to a roast chicken without firing up the full oven. The simple push-button and turn-knob controls let us choose the function and then fine-tune time (1 minute to 2 hours) or temperature (120–450°F) in seconds,and the nonstick interior plus removable crumb tray make cleanup almost effortless. below is a quick snapshot of how we use the presets in our week:

• Weeknight Roast: Roast preset + saved higher temp for crisp skin.
• lazy Pizza Night: Pizza preset — perfect 12″ pie in under 20 minutes.
• Morning Toast: Toast/Bagel presets with preferred shade stored.

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Why the Design, Capacity and Build quality Work in Our Small Kitchen

Because counter space is at a premium in our kitchen, the compact, coated-steel body and tempered-glass door immediately win us over. The unit’s small footprint (16.5″ × 14.25″ × 10″) and smart internal layout mean it feels deliberate, not cramped. We like that the design hides practical touches behind a sleek face: a front-access removable crumb tray for quick cleanup, three rack positions to handle different recipes, and included 10″ × 10″ enamel baking pan and broiling rack so we can start cooking right away. Element iQ—with five independent quartz elements and an 1800 W fast preheat—delivers focused heat where it’s needed, which makes the oven efficient without sacrificing results.Our favorite functional bits are easy to use: a backlit LCD that changes color to show progress and a large start/cancel pad for one-touch control.

Capacity-wise this little oven surprises us: the nonstick cavity (about 11.75″ × 10″ × 4.25″) fits a 12″ pizza,four slices of toast,or a small roast chicken,so we don’t miss a full-size range for everyday meals.Controls combine push-buttons and a turn-dial for selecting one of eight presets (Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat), and we appreciate being able to tweak time and temperature—120–450°F and up to two hours—and have the oven remember our preferences. Below is a quick-spec snapshot for easy reference:

• Space-saving without feeling toy-like.
• versatile enough for toast, pizza, roasting and baking.
• Well-built with user-friendly cleanup features.

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Cooking Performance We Tested: Toasting, Baking, Roasting and Reheating

toasting & Baking — When we pushed the toaster through a series of breakfast runs it delivered even, repeatable browning thanks to the Element IQ system steering power where it’s needed. Four slices fit comfortably and the toast-shade dial gave us predictable results from light to dark; bagels crisped on the cut side while staying chewy inside. Baking was equally reliable: the fast 1800 watts preheat got a 12-inch pizza and small sheet cookies up to temperature quickly, and the temperature range from 120–450°F let us fine-tune crust color and crumb. The oven remembers custom adjustments, so once we dial in a favorite setting it becomes our default next time.

• Consistent browning with smart element control
• Compact capacity for a 12″ pizza or four slices
• Easy programming with the control dial and backlit LCD

Roasting & Reheating — For roasting a small chicken or a pan of vegetables the three rack positions and even heat distribution made for juicy middles and nicely browned skins without hotspots. The Roast and Reheat presets handled leftovers and defrosted items smoothly—reheated casseroles came out hot through without drying. Cleanup was simple thanks to the nonstick interior and front crumb tray, and the included 10×10 enamel pan and broil rack are practical for everyday use. below is a quick comparison of what we tested and the typical results:

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Controls, Accessories and Daily Use: What We Reach for Most Often

We love how intuitive the controls are — a combination of push-buttons and turn-knobs means programming takes seconds, not minutes. One dial cycles through the eight built-in modes while the second handles both time (1 minute–2 hours) and temperature (120–450°F), and there’s a large Start/Cancel button when we need to interrupt a cycle.Helpful extras like Defrost, Celsius conversion, and an LCD that glows orange while preheating/cooking and blue when the cycle finishes make everyday use smoother, and the oven will even remember manual time/temperature tweaks for next time.

• Functions: toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat
• Quick picks: Toast shade selector and slice count for breakfast rushes
• Visibility & cleanup: Tempered-glass door, three rack positions, front crumb tray

Daily cooking leans on the Element iQ system — five quartz elements steer power where it’s needed, and the 1800 W output gives a fast preheat that gets meals on the table sooner. The compact interior still fits a 12″ pizza or four slices of toast, and the nonstick cavity plus included enamel baking pan and broil rack mean setup and cleanup stay low-effort. We reach for the Bake or Reheat presets most, but it’s the consistent results across toast, pizza and roast that keep this appliance on our counter. Below is a quick cheat-sheet of our go-to modes and why they matter.

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Cleaning, Maintenance and Durability Insights From Our Hands-On Time

In everyday use the oven’s nonstick cavity coating and front-access removable crumb tray make cleanup surprisingly painless — a quick wipe with a damp cloth after cooling generally removes splatters, and the crumb tray slides out for an instant sweep. We found the included 10×10 enamel baking pan and broil rack are best washed by hand to preserve the finish, and the tempered-glass door responds well to a gentle glass cleaner for streak-free clarity. For routine maintenance we follow a few simple steps that keep performance consistent and avoid wear:

• Wipe interior after each heavy use,once cooled.
• Empty crumb tray weekly or after toasting sessions.
• Hand-wash enamel accessories and dry thoroughly.

The stainless housing and compact footprint mean there are fewer nooks for grime to hide, and the three rack positions help limit messy spillovers by positioning pans at the optimal level.

Durability has been reassuring: the Element IQ system’s five quartz elements and robust 1800W preheat settle into consistent results without us needing aggressive scrubbing, and the control knobs and backlit LCD — which flashes orange for preheating and blue when the cycle ends — have shown little sign of wear through regular cycles. Below is a short maintenance cheat-sheet we used while testing:

We’ve been pleased with how minor upkeep preserves the oven’s compact performance and the one-year limited warranty offers added peace of mind. See current price & availability on Amazon

Our Final Verdict and Practical Recommendations for Different Households

After spending time with this compact countertop oven we feel confident calling it a smart, space-saving workhorse for everyday cooks. Its 1800-watt fast preheat and the Element iQ system (five independent quartz elements) mean heat is directed where it’s needed, so broils and bakes come out reliably without wasting time or energy. The interior is small but practical — it swallows a 12″ pizza or four slices of toast — and the eight preset functions (Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat) plus manual temperature and time control give us the flexibility to quickly switch from breakfast to dinner. we also appreciate the backlit LCD that changes color for preheat/cook and the oven’s ability to remember custom program adjustments, which streamlines repeated recipes.Key strengths we keep coming back to include:

• Smart, efficient heating (Element iQ)
• Compact but capable capacity — fits a 12″ pizza or roast chicken
• Easy cleanup and practical accessories — nonstick cavity, crumb tray, 10×10 pan & rack

For different households, our recommendations balance size, function and frequency of use. Below is a quick guideline to help decide if this oven matches your kitchen rhythm:

We recommend these practical tips:

• Use the presets for consistent results, then tweak and let the oven remember your favorite settings.
• Rely on the second dial to fine-tune toast shade, time and temperature for small wins each day.
• Keep the crumb tray and enamel pan handy for quick cleanup after frequent use.

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Pros & cons

After spending time with the Breville BOV650XL, we’ve rounded up the highlights and the trade-offs — the parts that made us smile and the small compromises that kept us reaching for other cookware. Below you’ll find what stood out most in our kitchen testing and everyday use.

we found the Breville Compact Smart Oven to be a small wonder — a thoughtful balance of smart heating and countertop practicality, with a few compromises that are typical for a compact appliance.

We started this review expecting a compact compromise, and what we found was more of a small wonder. The Breville BOV650XL packs the Smart Oven’s Element iQ smarts and 1800 watts of power into a countertop-friendly frame, handling everything from four slices of toast and a 12-inch pizza to a modest roast. Its eight preset modes, backlit LCD, and memory for custom adjustments make programming almost effortless, while the nonstick cavity and removable crumb tray keep cleanup simple.

We also noticed the trade-offs: the interior won’t replace a full-size oven for very large batches, and the one-year warranty is modest compared with some competitors. Still, for kitchens where space is precious but cooking flexibility is not negotiable, this oven hits a sweet spot—efficient preheat, targeted heating with Element iQ, and thoughtful controls make it useful day after day.

If our priorities match yours—smart heating, compact footprint, and straightforward usability—the breville Compact Smart Oven is worth a close look. See current pricing and details here: Check the Breville BOV650XL on Amazon.