Convection toaster ovens are becoming increasingly popular in today’s fast-paced world. They offer the convenience of a toaster oven with the added bonus of a built-in fan that circulates hot air, resulting in evenly cooked food, quickly.
While there are many brands and models on the market, two favorites are the Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N1 and the Breville Smart Oven Pro BOV800XL. Both ovens pack a lot of power in a compact package, but there are some differences that may make one a better choice for you than the other.
So, which one is the better convection toaster oven? We put the two side-by-side in this comprehensive review and comparison.
Breville vs Cuisinart – Which is the best brand?
There are a lot of great brands out there that make quality stainless-steel kitchen appliances, but in our opinion, Breville and Cuisinart are two of the best. Both companies have a long history of making high-quality small kitchen appliances, and their convection toaster ovens are no exception.
Breville is the kitchen appliance brand founded in Sidney in 1923 that delivers innovation based on consumer insights. From espresso machines to food processors, the company delivers kitchen products to more than 70 countries around the globe. Breville invests heavily in finding new and better ways to do things in the kitchen, and they hold dozens of patents reflecting their long history of industry-leading discoveries.
Cuisinart is the American home appliance brand founded in 1971 by Carl Sontheimer. The company was the first to introduce the food processor in North America and has gone on to become a leader in small kitchen appliance innovation ever since. Today, Cuisinart is a subsidiary of Conair Corporation and offers over 200 different products, from blenders to toaster ovens, with a focus on quality and innovation.
Short Overview
Cuisinart TOB-260N1 Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven
The Cuisinart TOB-260N1 is a high-end convection toaster oven that offers a lot of features and cooking versatility. With 1800W and a multitude of functions, including two convection settings, it can pretty much do it all. The large interior can accommodate a 13” pizza or nine slices of bread, making it a great choice for families.
Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven Pro
The Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven is the 1800W countertop convection toaster oven that does the thinking for you. Designed with an intuitive LCD interface, this oven has 9 preset functions, the ability to remember your desired settings, and Element iQ technology that controls the heat and distributes it evenly for perfect results every time.
Capacity and Size
One of the first things you’ll want to consider when shopping for a countertop convection oven is capacity, but also the size of the whole unit.
The Cuisinart TOB-260N1 has an extra-large interior that can accommodate a 13” pizza or 9” x 13” baking pan, two racks with 9 slices of bread each, or even a whole 4-pound chicken. The dimensions of the unit itself are 21.8” x 18.9” x 12.4”, so it will take up a fair amount of counter space, but with its capacity, it earns every inch of space.
The Breville BOV800XL also has a large interior, but not quite as large as the Cuisinart model. It can accommodate 6 slices of bread, a 13″ pizza, or a 6 cup muffin tray. The dimensions of the unit are 18.5″ x 15.7″ x 11.1″, so it’s a bit more compact than the Cuisinart model and will take up less counter space.
Design
With their brushed stainless steel exteriors, both ovens look great on the countertop. They’re both designed in the classic toaster oven style, with a front door that opens downwards to reveal the interior cooking chamber. Both models have glass doors and interior lights, so you can easily check on the progress of your food without opening the door and letting out heat.
The Cuisinart TOB-260N1 has a control panel with an LCD display and touchpad controls. The Breville BOV800XL also has a control panel with an LCD display, but the controls are different. The Breville has physical dials for adjusting the temperature and cooking time, while the Cuisinart has touchpad controls.
Cooking Features
Both the Breville BOV800XL and the Cuisinart TOB-260 have 1800W of power and tons of function and settings, making them two of the most versatile toaster ovens on the market.
Breville BOV800XL most stand-out feature is the Element iQ system – a set of 5 quartz-infrared heating elements and smart technology that automatically adjust the cooking time and temperature to ensure perfectly cooked food. Most ovens can only switch between ‘on’ and ‘off’, but the Element iQ functions much like a dimmer on a light switch, increasing or decreasing element power with a simple turn of the knob.
Another one of the Breville Smart Oven’s compelling features is the ability to remember the way you love your food cooked. Just set the cooking time and temperature once, and the next time you want to cook that dish, simply select the ‘Reheat’ function. The Breville BOV800XL will automatically adjust to your desired settings.
Cuisinart TOB-260 boasts 15 different cooking functions, including those found on most toaster ovens like Toast or Bagel, but also some unique ones like Pizza, Waffle, and Leftovers. It is also equipped with two innovative features: Dual Cook and Speed Convection. The Dual Cook feature allows you to combine different cooking functions for recipes that require adjusting the temperature mid-cooking. The Speed Convection feature comes in handy when there is no time to spare and allows you to cook without preheating.
Performance
Both the Breville BOV800XL and the Cuisinart TOB-260 have 1800 watts of power, so they are quite powerful and able to cook anything.
In terms of performance, and the variety of cooking options, the Cuisinart TOB-260N1 slightly outshines the Breville BOV800XL. That doesn’t mean that the Breville Smart Oven Pro is not amazing. Thanks to its Element iQ system, this oven cooks food more evenly and consistently. The Breville BOV800XL also has a ‘Reheat’ function that allows you to quickly and easily reheat your favorite dishes with the push of a button.
The Cuisinart TOB-260 has 15 different cooking functions, making it one of the most versatile toaster ovens available. It also has two innovative features: Dual Cook and Speed Convection. Though it is labeled as a convection oven, Cuisinart TOB-260 is very much an air fryer as well. The ‘Speed Convection’ setting is basically Air Frying with a great amount of heat and a high-speed fan. The only thing that is missing for successful air-frying is the basket that can be purchased separately.
Ease of use and cleanup
Despite the startling number of different settings, both ovens are very easy to use. Both models feature a large LCD screen that makes navigating through functions very easy and intuitive.
Cuisinart TOB-260 is very user-friendly with its big and clear display. The oven comes with a removable crumb tray and a non-stick interior, making it very easy to clean. Breville BOV800XL also has a non-stick interior and a drop-down door for easy access, but the crumb tray is not removable.
Specifications Comparison
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| Rated Power |
1800W |
1800W |
| External Dimensions |
18.5” x 15.7” x 11.1” |
21” x 17” x 11.5” |
| Capacity |
0.65 CFT |
0.95 CFT |
| Temperature Range |
120-450 °F |
150-500 °F |
| Cooking Chamber |
13.5″ x 11.5″ x 7.25” |
14.25” x 12.5” x 7.5” |
| Programs/Presets |
9 cooking functions + Slow Cook settings |
15 cooking functions, including dual cook and convection settings |
| Weight |
28.7 lbs |
32.4 lbs |
| Additional Features |
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| Accessories |
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Price
These two units are very similar when it comes to the price, they are both in the under $300 category. The Cuisinart TOB-260 has a slightly higher price tag than the Breville BOV800XL, but considering its larger capacity and additional features, it’s probably worth the extra investment. If you are on the budget, keep a close eye on deals and coupons and you might end up snagging a Breville Smart Oven Pro for close to $250.
Which one is better?
The Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven Pro is better if you are looking for even and consistent cooking thanks to its Element iQ feature. It is also a good choice if you want an oven that can remember the way you like your food cooked.
The Cuisinart TOB-260N1 Toaster Oven is a better choice if you are looking for a more versatile oven with additional features like Dual Cook and Speed Convection. It is also a good choice if you want an oven that doubles as an air fryer.
In terms of price, the two units are very similar, so it really comes down to your personal preferences.
