Nuwave Bravo XL Pro Air Fryer Toaster Oven review

Have you been searching for a countertop oven that can replace multiple appliances and actually deliver consistently crisp, evenly cooked food?

My first impressions of the Nuwave Bravo XL Pro Air Fryer Toaster Oven, Improved 100% Super Convection, Quicker & Crispier Results, 100 Presets, Multi-Layer Even Cooking, 50-500F, Smart Probe, PFAS Free, 30QT, Stainless Steel

I unboxed the Nuwave Bravo XL Pro with a mix of curiosity and realistic expectations. Out of the box it felt sturdy and substantial, with a polished stainless steel finish that looks modern on my counter without screaming for attention.

What’s in the box

I appreciated that the package included a thoughtful set of accessories that let me start cooking right away. Everything arrived neatly packed and clearly labeled in the quick start guide and recipe book.

• 2 cooking racks
• 1 crumb tray
• 1 enamel baking pan
• 1 broiler rack
• 1 air fry basket
• 1 smart thermometer (probe)
• Owner’s manual, quick start guide, and recipe book

Key specifications (at a glance)

This table breaks down the most important specs so you can quickly compare features and capacity.

Feature	Specification
Model	Nuwave Bravo XL Pro Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Capacity	30 QT (fits two 13″ pizzas, 10-lb chicken, 6-lb roast)
Temperature range	50°F – 500°F in 5°F increments
Fan / Convection	Improved 100% Super Convection, fan speeds 0–3
Presets	12 cooking functions + 100 one-touch recipe presets
Multi-layer cooking	Temperature difference between layers: 0–1°F
Accessories	2 racks, crumb tray, enamel pan, broiler rack, air fry basket, smart probe
Materials	Food-grade stainless steel; PFAS-free accessories
Controls	Cool white digital display, panel lock, mute/unmute
Special features	Smart digital thermometer (probe), customizable top/bottom heater balance

Seeing the specs at a glance helped me set expectations before I started real cooking tests. The 30 QT size and 500°F max temp particularly stood out for versatility.

Design and build quality

The Bravo XL Pro feels like it was designed to survive daily use in a busy kitchen. The stainless steel body and hefty door give it a premium, durable feel. The construction seems focused on long-term use rather than cutting corners to reduce cost.

Materials and construction

All of the surfaces that touch food are stainless steel or PFAS-free, which is a relief for anyone concerned about off-gassing or chemical coatings. The door hinge feels robust and the interior racks slide smoothly without wobble. I noticed minimal flex on the door and solid seals that appear intended to hold heat efficiently.

Size and footprint

At 30 quarts, this oven is large enough for family meals but compact enough to fit under most kitchen cabinets or in an RV kitchen. I placed it on a standard countertop and still had room to prep beside it. If you have a very small galley kitchen, it’s worth measuring first, but for most home cooks this hits a sweet spot between capacity and footprint.

Controls and user interface

I found the controls intuitive and forgiving for cooks of any skill level. The cool white digital display is easy on the eyes, and the mute/unmute and panel lock options are welcome additions if you live with little kitchen helpers or late-night snackers.

Display and buttons

The LCD has clear icons and large digits for temperature and time. Buttons respond promptly and the menu navigation flows logically — selecting presets, adjusting fan speed, or setting the heater balance didn’t require constant referring to the manual after a couple of uses. I liked that the display isn’t overly busy; it shows exactly what I need.

Presets and customization

The Bravo XL Pro ships with 12 core cooking functions and 100 one-touch recipe presets. I found these presets helpful for reducing guesswork, especially when I wanted consistent results quickly. For more control, I appreciated the ability to adjust the top/bottom heater ratio and choose one of four fan speeds — that customization is what takes this beyond a basic toaster oven.

Convection system and fan performance

The big marketing point here is the “Improved 100% Super Convection,” and in practice I saw tangible differences compared with my old countertop oven. The fan is impressively powerful and moves air aggressively but evenly throughout the cavity. That translates to faster cook times and a crispier exterior for fried-style foods.

Super convection vs regular

Compared to standard convection ovens, the Bravo’s fan and housing design feel significantly more forceful, which is not the same as louder — it’s efficient. Where a regular convection oven might take longer to brown a roast, this system accelerates browning and crisping while maintaining interior moisture when used properly.

Multi-layer even cooking

One of the standout claims is a temperature difference of only 0–1°F between layers. In my multi-rack tests roasting vegetables on two racks simultaneously, the results were remarkably uniform. That means I can cook more food at once without staging multiple batches, which saves time and energy.

Temperature range and accuracy

A 50°F to 500°F range with 5°F increments is impressive on paper and useful in real cooking. The Bravo can operate gently for low-and-slow recipes or crank up to sear and broil at high heat. I tested both extremes and found the oven reached and held target temperatures reliably.

Smart probe thermometer

The included smart probe is one of the smartest elements of the unit. I set a target internal temperature for a roast, and the oven monitored it continuously, stopping the cycle precisely when the meat reached my set doneness. That removed the need to open the door repeatedly and attempt to gauge doneness by time alone. For busy cooks, the probe is a real time saver and safety net.

Cooking performance — tests and results

I ran a variety of tests to see how the Bravo XL Pro performs across common use cases. I describe what I did and what I observed so you can judge how it might fit your cooking style.

Air-fried French fries

I used 2 lbs of thin-cut frozen fries with the air fry basket at 400°F, fan speed 3. The fries came out crispy on the outside and fluffy inside in under 18 minutes. The convection system browned them uniformly without the need to shake more than once mid-cycle.

Homemade pizza

I tested two 12–13″ pizzas simultaneously. By setting the bottom heater to 70% and the top to 30%, I got a crisp, blistered crust with nicely melted cheese — similar to a countertop pizza oven approach without sacrificing toppings. The ability to alter the heater balance is particularly useful when I want a crispy base and gentle top heat.

Roasting a whole chicken

A 6–7 lb chicken roasted at 375°F with the smart probe set to 165°F internal was juicy and had a golden-brown, crisp skin. The probe shut the oven off just when the bird hit the target, avoiding overcooking. The convection circulation rendered the skin especially well without drying the meat.

Baking bread and cakes

I baked a small artisan loaf and cupcakes; both baked evenly without the hot spots I experienced in my old toaster oven. The precise temperature control and improved airflow gave a steady, reliable rise and consistent crumb.

Dehydrating fruit

Using the low-temperature settings and fan speed 1, apple slices dehydrated evenly. The gentle airflow and precise low-temp control produced well-dried slices without edge-cooking, showing the Bravo handles both high and low temperature processes well.

Slow cooking and defrost

I tested a slow-cook beef stew at 200°F for several hours. It held a steady temperature and produced tender meat. Defrost mode also worked as expected for frozen chicken breasts, softening them evenly before finishing in a higher heat setting.

Presets and 100 one-touch recipes

I used several of the one-touch presets as a baseline for dishes. Many of the presets matched the results of my manual settings after a quick taste and timing check. The recipe library offers convenience; however, I still tweak settings for personal preference — the presets are a great starting point, not absolute rules.

Accessories and PFAS-free parts

I was glad to see the accessories marked PFAS-free. The enamel baking pan, air fry basket, and racks are all usable right away and feel durable. The crumb tray and removable parts are easy to extract and fit neatly in the unit for cleaning.

Cleaning and maintenance

Cleaning was straightforward. The interior wiped down with warm soapy water, and the enamel pan can be hand-washed or placed in a dishwasher depending on the manufacturer’s guidance. The crumb tray is easy to slide out and empty. Because it’s stainless steel, fingerprints are visible but buff away quickly with a microfiber cloth.

Noise and heat output

The fan is powerful but not annoyingly loud. I noticed a steady hum during high-fan cooking — louder than no-fan toasters but well within acceptable levels for kitchen appliances. The exterior panels warm up during long high-temp cooks, so I keep the unit away from flammable objects and make sure it has proper clearance.

Safety features

The Bravo includes a panel lock and an automatic stop when the smart probe hits target temperature, both of which add practical safety. The door and handle stay cool enough to touch briefly, but I still recommend using oven mitts for loading and unloading hot dishes. The lack of plastic odors during initial use reinforced that materials choice improves perceived safety.

Energy usage and efficiency

Because the Bravo heats quickly and circulates heat effectively, it tends to finish cooking faster than a conventional oven, which often means lower energy consumption for many meals. For small or medium-sized dishes, it uses far less energy and time than heating a full-sized oven.

Pros and cons (quick breakdown)

This table gives a simple pros and cons overview so you can weigh trade-offs quickly.

Pros	Cons
Powerful convection fan for faster, crispier results	Larger footprint than small air fryers
Smart probe for precise doneness	Learning curve for heater balance and fan speed
100 presets make quick meals easier	Display and controls might be busy for some users
PFAS-free accessories and stainless build	Not fully silent during high-speed operation
Multi-layer even cooking with minimal temperature variance	Heavier than compact toaster ovens (less portable)

I found the strengths outweighed the cons for my cooking needs, especially for families or anyone who values multi-rack capacity.

Comparison with other countertop ovens and air fryers

I compared the Bravo XL Pro in my head against a typical small air fryer and my conventional oven to get a sense of where it fits.

Against a small basket air fryer

A small basket air fryer is faster for single-dish snacks, but it lacks the capacity and multi-rack flexibility of the Bravo. For larger families or when cooking multiple items at once, the Bravo gives far better throughput.

Against a conventional oven

Compared with my conventional oven, the Bravo reaches set temps faster, uses less energy for medium/ small jobs, and offers more precise convection control. However, a full-size oven still wins for very large roasts or baking multiple racks of cookies at once in huge batches.

Who is the Nuwave Bravo XL Pro best for?

I recommend this oven to cooks who want one appliance to replace a roast oven, air fryer, and countertop toaster. Families, frequent entertainers, and people with small kitchens or RV owners will find the capacity and functionality especially useful. If you primarily cook for one person and only need simple air frying, a smaller air fryer might fit your needs better.

Tips and tricks for best results

I developed a few habits that improved results consistently.

• Preheat when required. The Bravo reaches temperature quickly, but a short preheat for baking or roasting helps.
• Use the smart probe for meats. Trusting time alone often leads to dry results; the probe is precise and convenient.
• Adjust heater balance for pizzas, casseroles, or delicate bakes. More bottom heat helps crusts; more top heat helps browning.
• Rotate trays in longer cooks if space permits. Even with even multi-layer cooking, a gentle rotation can be beneficial for certain items.
• Use the enamel pan for easy cleanup; it catches drips and browning.

Troubleshooting common issues

I ran into a couple of expected learning-curve issues at first and solved them quickly.

• Food not as crispy as expected: Increase fan speed to 3 and reduce moisture (pat items dry), or increase temperature slightly.
• Uneven browning on very large single items: Try adjusting top/bottom heater balance or move the rack position.
• Preset doesn’t match my preference: Use the preset as a baseline and manually tweak time, temperature, or fan speed; then save the setting if you use it often.

Maintenance and longevity

I expect this unit to last a long time with basic care. Regular cleaning of the crumb tray and wiping the interior after heavy use prevents buildup. The stainless steel exterior is resilient, but I avoid abrasive cleaners to keep the finish looking new. The smart probe and accessories are durable but treat the probe cable gently to avoid damage.

Real-world use cases I liked

I relied on the Bravo for several practical scenarios and it delivered:

• Weeknight dinners: fast roasted vegetables and a quick air-fried protein on two racks.
• Entertaining: Two pizzas baked simultaneously with consistent crust results.
• Meal prep: Multi-layer baking for meal portions that came out uniformly.
• Travel/RV cooking: The compact but capacious size made it a good stand-in for a traditional oven.

Price and value

If you compare features vs. price, the Bravo XL Pro offers a strong value proposition. It replaces multiple appliances (air fryer, toaster, small oven) and includes a probe plus quality accessories — which I view as a solid investment if you’ll use its multi-functionality.

Final verdict

I feel the Nuwave Bravo XL Pro Air Fryer Toaster Oven stands out for its powerful convection system, smart probe, and real multi-layer even cooking performance. The quality build, PFAS-free accessories, and high temp range make it versatile for a wide range of cooking tasks. I recommend it enthusiastically for families and home cooks who want to consolidate appliances without sacrificing results. It does have a bit of a learning curve around presets and heater balancing, but once you adjust, it becomes a reliable and time-saving kitchen workhorse.

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