Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven review

Looking for a countertop oven that can replace multiple appliances and actually speed up your cooking?

First Impressions of the Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven Countertop Convection, Brushed Stainless Steel

I unboxed the Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven and immediately noticed the solid brushed stainless steel finish and thoughtful packaging. I appreciated that it felt substantial and well-built, which gave me confidence before I even plugged it in.

The oven’s control dial and clear LCD made it look intuitive, and the included accessories suggested I could start cooking right away. I liked that the design balanced modern looks with functional touches.

Design and Build Quality

I feel the Breville BOV800XL is designed to sit proudly on a countertop rather than hide in a cabinet. The stainless steel exterior looks premium and is reasonably fingerprint-resistant compared to mirror finishes.

Inside, the cavity feels roomy enough for 12 x 12 inch pans and a 13-inch pizza pan, which is generous for a countertop oven. The door opens smoothly, and the handle is comfortable to grip even when I’m wearing an oven mitt.

Materials and Aesthetics

I find the brushed stainless steel both attractive and practical; it matches many kitchen styles without drawing too much attention. The knobs and buttons are responsive, and the LCD display is easy to read from a short distance.

The interior features a non-stick coating that looks like it will simplify cleanup, and the enamel accessories feel durable. I also like that the oven’s styling avoids gimmicks while still appearing modern.

Size and Footprint

I measured the footprint and considered how it fits on my counter. It’s not tiny, so you’ll need a decent amount of space, but it’s compact enough to tuck under upper cabinets in most kitchens.

Because it accommodates a 12 x 12 inch baking pan and a 13-inch pizza pan, it occupies more space than basic toaster ovens but offers more versatility. I recommend measuring your counter space and the clearance above to ensure a comfortable fit.

ELEMENT iQ System Explained

I find the ELEMENT iQ system to be the most interesting feature of this oven. Rather than heating uniformly from all elements at once, this system uses five independent quartz elements and smart algorithms to steer power where and when it’s needed.

From a practical point of view, that means targeted heat for browning, crisping, or gentle baking, depending on the chosen function. In short, ELEMENT iQ aims to give more precise results without constant fiddling.

How ELEMENT iQ Works

I learned that the system monitors which elements are on and modulates power distribution across the top and bottom quartz elements. It’s like the oven decides how to allocate heat based on the program I select.

This reduces hot spots and helps the oven reach and maintain the desired temperature more effectively than simple single-element designs. For users, that translates to better consistency and often faster cooking times.

Real-world impact on cooking

In my hands-on tests, I noticed more even browning on toast and a crispier crust on pizzas compared to older toaster ovens I’ve used. Cakes and cookies baked with fewer edges-overbrowned results, and roasts maintained juiciness while getting a nice exterior color.

I also observed that preheat felt quicker, and the oven seemed to recover temperature faster after I opened the door. These are subtle differences but add up when you cook regularly.

Convection Performance

I accept that the word “convection” is used widely, but in this Breville the fan-assisted heating genuinely makes a difference. The inbuilt fan circulates hot air so the oven heats more uniformly and typically faster than non-convection toaster ovens.

Breville claims up to 30% faster cooking with convection, and while that depends on what I’m making, I did see noticeable time savings particularly for roasting and baking.

How convection reduces cooking time

I found that moving heated air reduces cool pockets of air and raises the overall heat transfer to the food’s surface. This speeds up browning and can lessen the time needed to reach internal temperatures.

For example, when roasting vegetables or a small cut of meat, I often set the oven to a slightly lower temperature than a conventional recipe calls for and still achieved a quicker finish.

What I noticed in tests

When I roasted a small chicken breast and a tray of vegetables, both finished faster than in my conventional oven. The exterior crisped nicely while the interior stayed moist. For pizzas, the crust crisped on the bottom without burning the toppings on top.

I did notice that some delicate baked goods were sensitive to the fan; for those I used the bake setting without convection and got softer, more consistent results.

Cooking Functions (9)

I appreciate that the Breville BOV800XL combines many cooking modes into one machine. The nine functions are Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, and Warm, and each felt tailored to specific needs.

Having these presets made it easy for me to choose a program without guessing temperature and time. The presets are good starting points and I often tweaked time or temperature based on experience.

Toast & Bagel

I found the Toast and Bagel settings to be precise. Toast uses top-and-bottom heating, while Bagel emphasizes the bottom and one side of the top element to toast the cut surface while slightly warming the exterior.

This resulted in consistently golden toast and nicely toasted bagels without overcooking the outside. I liked how the settings made subtle but meaningful differences in outcome.

Bake & Roast

The Bake and Roast functions are where ELEMENT iQ and convection really shine together. For bake, I often switched off convection for delicate items like cakes. For roast, the convective airflow speeds cooking and helps develop a good crust on proteins.

I tested brownies, small loaves of bread, and a roast chicken; bake was best for the brownies, while roast gave a superior exterior color and texture on the chicken.

Broil & Pizza

Broil delivered strong top heat for crisping and finishing steaks or melting cheese. The broiler element fires directly and gives quick caramelization when I need it.

Pizza mode is tuned to get a crisp crust without overdoing the toppings. Using the included 13-inch pizza pan helped, and I liked that the crust came out crisp on the bottom while the toppings stayed intact.

Cookies, Reheat & Warm

Cookie mode is tuned for small batch baking; I had good results with standard cookie recipes and found even spacing plus the non-stick surface made cleanup easy. Reheat is useful for leftovers — it warms food without drying it out as much as a microwave can.

Warm keeps food at a safe serving temperature without continuing to cook it aggressively. I used Warm to hold homemade fries and roasted vegetables until dinner was ready.

Controls and Display

I find the oven’s controls intuitive. The large central dial lets me select functions and adjust time or temperature, while the LCD shows clear status information like preheat completion and countdown timers.

The layout is logical, and I had no trouble switching between presets and manual settings. The tactile feedback from the dial clicked pleasantly and felt precise.

LCD Display and usability

I appreciated the LCD because it told me when preheat was done and displayed remaining cook time clearly. It’s bright enough to read but not glaring.

The UI is straightforward: choose a function, adjust temp/time if desired, and press start. For most tasks I used the presets and only adjusted a little bit based on my past results.

Presets and manual adjustments

While presets are convenient, I often made manual tweaks — for example, reducing temperature by 10–25°F for convection roasting or adding a minute for thicker slices when toasting. The dial lets me do this quickly without hunting through menus.

I also liked that I could cancel or pause cooking easily to check progress and then resume without losing my settings.

Accessories and Included Items

I appreciated that Breville includes essential accessories: a 12 x 12 inch enamel baking pan, a 12 x 12 inch enamel broiling rack, and a 13 inch non-stick pizza pan. These let me try different cooking functions right away.

The enamel pans feel sturdy and easy to clean. The pizza pan’s non-stick surface helped achieve crisp crusts and made cleanup simple.

Here’s a quick reference table summarizing key specifications and included items for easier understanding:

Feature	Details
Model	Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven Countertop Convection
Power	1800 Watts
Voltage	110–120 Volts
ELEMENT iQ	5 independent quartz elements with smart power distribution
Convection	Fan-assisted (reduces cook time up to 30%)
Cooking Functions	Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, Warm
Display	LCD with countdown timer and preheat indicator
Included Accessories	12×12″ Enamel Baking Pan, 12×12″ Enamel Broiling Rack, 13″ Non-Stick Pizza Pan
Cavity Coating	Non-stick
Warranty	1 Year Limited Product Warranty

What’s in the box

When I opened the box, I found the oven, power cord attached, the three accessories listed above, and a user manual. The manual includes basic recipes and usage tips which are handy for first-time users.

The packaging protected the unit well during shipping and included instructions on how to remove packing materials and position the oven safely on the counter.

Using the accessories

I used the enamel baking pan for cookies and the broiling rack for broiled vegetables and open-faced melts. The pizza pan worked well with store-bought dough and homemade crusts.

All accessories fit smoothly in the cavity and are easy to insert and remove even with mitts on. I liked that they were sized to maximize the oven’s internal space.

Cleaning and Maintenance

I appreciated the non-stick cavity coating; it made wiping crumbs and splatters easier than with stainless interiors that trap debris in seams. I still recommend wiping after each use to avoid buildup.

The enamel pans and pizza pan cleaned up easily with soap and warm water. For tougher residue, a soak or gentle scrubbing solved the problem.

Non-stick cavity coating

I used a soft cloth and mild detergent to clean the interior when it cooled. I avoided abrasive pads to preserve the coating and prevent scratches.

Keeping the cavity clean helps maintain performance because grease buildup can affect heating. I also wiped the door and gasket occasionally to ensure a good seal.

Removable tray and racks

The included racks and pans are removable and dishwasher-safe in most cases, though I checked the manual for Breville’s guidance. Hand-washing keeps enamel and non-stick surfaces looking new for longer.

I also removed crumbs from the bottom tray after each use to prevent smoking during high-heat cooking.

Safety Features

I feel safe using this oven because it has sturdy feet, a cool-to-touch handle, and an internal light so I can check food without opening the door too often. The appliance sits firmly on my counter without wobble.

Automatic shutoff and timer features provide a safety net if I get distracted. I still recommend using oven mitts and following basic safety precautions when handling hot pans.

Energy Use and Preheat Speed

I noticed the oven’s 1800 Watt power rating enables fast preheat times compared to lower-wattage toaster ovens. Breville advertises a fast preheat and I measured perceptibly quicker readiness for most tasks.

Because ELEMENT iQ concentrates power when needed, I observed good temperature recovery and less total runtime for some dishes, which can save energy over repeated use.

Real-World Cooking Tests

I ran multiple tests to evaluate performance across typical use cases. These included toasting, bagels, cookies, baking bread, roasting chicken, and pizza. I wanted to see how presets and ELEMENT iQ affected outcomes.

The oven handled every task well; some needed slight adjustments for best results, but overall I got consistent, repeatable outcomes that made me confident in its capabilities.

Toasting and Bagels

I tested both light and dark toast settings and used the bagel setting for various bagel types. The bagel setting toasted the cut side perfectly while leaving the outside nicely warmed.

Toast came out evenly browned on most settings. For very dense artisan breads, I added an extra 30–60 seconds to get my preferred level of crispness.

Baking a small cake or cookies

I baked a small 8-inch cake and a couple of cookie sheets. Cake did best on Bake (non-convection) for gentle, even rise. Cookies baked quickly and evenly in Cookie mode, with crisp edges and chewy centers.

Small-batch baking is where this oven shines — it’s fast to preheat and uses less energy than a full-sized oven for small projects.

Roasting chicken

I roasted a small chicken and noticed the convection Roast setting gave a nicely browned skin and moist meat. I reduced the recipe temperature slightly and cooked until the internal thermometer showed done. The fan helped render the skin without overcooking the interior.

Leftovers reheated well using the Reheat function, retaining moisture better than a microwave.

Pizza performance

Using the 13-inch pizza pan, I made a homemade pizza and a store-bought frozen one. Both achieved good crust crisping on the bottom while keeping cheese and toppings nicely melted and browned.

For a crispier bottom, I preheated the pizza pan in the oven before sliding the dough on — that extra step helped emulate a pizza stone effect.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

During my time with the oven, I encountered minor issues that are common to countertop ovens: learning curve for presets, occasional hot spots if racks are too close to elements, and the need to monitor delicate items on convection.

Most issues were resolved by changing rack position, adjusting temperature or time slightly, and using the right preset. Breville support and the manual gave helpful guidance for troubleshooting.

Comparison with Similar Models

I compared the BOV800XL against smaller toaster ovens and other high-end countertop convection ovens. The Breville stands out for its ELEMENT iQ and build quality.

Smaller models may be cheaper but lack the evenness and fast preheat of the Breville. Larger built-in ovens still offer more capacity but at the cost of longer preheat and higher energy use for small tasks.

Vs basic toaster ovens

Compared to basic toaster ovens, I observed faster preheat, more even results, and more precise control. Basic units often have uneven heating and fewer presets, which can be frustrating for consistent results.

If you use a countertop oven frequently, the Breville’s performance offsets the higher upfront cost with convenience and better cooking.

Vs mid-size countertop convection ovens

Against other mid-size convection ovens, the Breville’s ELEMENT iQ and thoughtful presets provide a competitive edge. Build quality and included accessories are also better than many alternatives.

Some competitors offer digital-only controls or different convection implementations, but the BOV800XL’s combination of dial controls and LCD felt intuitive and reliable to me.

Pros and Cons

I like to balance enthusiasm with realism, so here’s a candid look at the strengths and weaknesses I observed.

Pros:

• Excellent build quality with attractive brushed stainless steel finish.
• ELEMENT iQ gives more even results and efficient power usage.
• Convection reduces cook time and improves browning/crisping.
• Nine useful cooking functions that cover everyday needs.
• Fast 1800 Watt preheat and good temperature recovery.
• Included pans and rack are practical and well-sized.
• Non-stick cavity and easy-to-clean accessories.

Cons:

• Larger footprint than basic toaster ovens; needs counter space.
• Sensitive fan for delicate baking; some items need convection off.
• Price is higher than entry-level toaster ovens.
• 1-year limited warranty; some competitors offer longer coverage.

Who Should Buy the Breville BOV800XL

I recommend this oven for home cooks who want versatility without using a full-size oven for small jobs. If you bake small batches, cook pizzas, toast regularly, or roast for one to four people, this will save time and energy.

If you need a compact extra appliance or want to replace multiple devices (toaster, broiler, small oven), this model is an excellent choice. If you rarely bake or have limited counter space, a smaller unit might be more appropriate.

Practical Tips and Mini-Recipes

I like to share practical tips I picked up during testing that will help you get better results faster.

• Preheat the pizza pan for a crisp crust: put the pan in during preheat and slide the topped dough onto the hot surface.
• For cookies, use Cookie mode and rotate the pan halfway for the most even browning.
• For delicate cakes, use Bake (no convection) and resist opening the door early to avoid collapse.
• Use the Bagel setting for true bagel-toasting — it warms the outside while toasting the cut side.
• If you want a crispier roast skin, pat the meat dry and use Roast mode with a slight temperature reduction compared to conventional recipes.

Mini-recipe: Quick roasted vegetables

• Toss chopped carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers with olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
• Spread on the enamel baking pan and roast at 400°F on Roast mode, stirring halfway, until tender and caramelized (about 20–25 minutes depending on size).
• I found the convection speeds this up and gives beautiful browning.

Mini-recipe: 12-inch personal pizza

• Preheat pizza pan in oven on Pizza setting for 10 minutes.
• Stretch dough to 12 inches, add sauce, cheese, and toppings.
• Slide onto preheated pan and bake 8–12 minutes until crust is crisp and cheese is bubbly.
• Let rest 1–2 minutes, slice, and enjoy.

Warranty and Support

Breville provides a 1 Year Limited Product Warranty with this model. I checked the manual and Breville’s website for details — the warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use during the warranty period.

I also found Breville customer support to be responsive via phone and online resources. They have helpful guides and FAQs if you need troubleshooting steps or replacement parts.

Final Verdict

I feel the Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven Countertop Convection, Brushed Stainless Steel is a well-rounded countertop oven that delivers on its promises. The combination of ELEMENT iQ, convection capability, and thoughtful presets makes cooking faster and more consistent.

For regular home cooks who need a versatile, reliable countertop oven and who value even results, this model is a strong investment. It replaces multiple kitchen appliances efficiently and produces professional-like results for many common tasks. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants more control and better performance from a countertop oven without moving to a full-size range.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.