Breville BOV800 vs BOV845: Which Oven is Best?

Choosing between two top-tier countertop ovens can be tough, especially when they come from a brand as respected as Breville. Both the BOV800XL and the BOV845BSS are fantastic kitchen workhorses. However, if you need a clear winner, the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro is the superior choice. It offers more versatility with its slow cook function and an interior light, making it a more convenient and capable appliance for everyday cooking.

Why Do I Recommend The Breville BOV845BSS?

While both ovens are excellent performers, the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro includes key upgrades that make it the better investment. It builds on the solid foundation of the BOV800XL, adding thoughtful features that enhance the overall cooking experience. Here are the main reasons I recommend the BOV845BSS over its predecessor.

• Extra Cooking Function: The Breville BOV845BSS features a dedicated “Slow Cook” function. This setting allows you to tenderize meats and develop complex flavors over several hours. It can slow cook for up to 10 hours. In contrast, the Breville BOV800XL lacks this specialized function, limiting its versatility for certain recipes.
• Interior Oven Light: A significant advantage of the BOV845BSS is its integrated oven light. This feature allows you to check on your food’s progress without opening the door and letting heat escape. The BOV800XL does not have an interior light, meaning you have to interrupt the cooking cycle to see how your meal is doing.
• Larger Capacity: The Breville BOV845BSS boasts a slightly larger capacity of 1.0 cubic feet. This allows it to accommodate a 4.4-quart Dutch oven for slow cooking. The Breville BOV800XL has a capacity of 0.8 cubic feet, which is still generous but doesn’t support the slow cook function with a Dutch oven.
• More Cooking Presets: With 10 cooking functions, the BOV845BSS offers one more preset than the BOV800XL’s nine. This extra function is the “Slow Cook” setting, providing more built-in cooking options right out of the box.
• Enhanced User Convenience: The oven light on the BOV845BSS automatically turns on at the end of the cooking cycle. It can also be controlled with an independent button. This is a small but thoughtful detail that the Breville BOV800XL does not offer.
• Slightly Heavier Build: The Breville BOV845BSS weighs 22.8 pounds, which is about four pounds heavier than the BOV800XL. This can indicate a more robust construction and potentially better heat retention, although both models are well-built.
• Updated Model: As the successor, the Breville BOV845BSS represents an evolution of the Smart Oven line. It incorporates feedback and improvements over the older BOV800XL model, making it a more refined and feature-rich appliance for the modern kitchen.

Side By Side Comparison Chart: Breville BOV800 vs BOV845

Feature	Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven	Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro
Cooking Functions	9	10
Slow Cook Function	No	Yes (up to 10 hours)
Interior Light	No	Yes, replaceable
Capacity	0.8 cubic feet	1.0 cubic feet
Weight	18.7 pounds	22.8 pounds
Model Name	BOV800XL	Smart Oven Pro
Included Components	Baking Pan, Broil Rack, Pizza Pan	Baking Pan, Broil Rack, Pizza Pan, Wire Rack
Control Type	Button Control	Knob Control

What Common Features Can Breville BOV800 vs BOV845 Do?

Despite their differences, the Breville BOV800XL and BOV845BSS share a core set of powerful features. These commonalities are what make the Breville Smart Oven series a leader in the countertop appliance market. Both models are designed to deliver precise, consistent results for a wide range of cooking tasks, effectively replacing the need for a full-sized oven for many daily meals.

Element IQ System

Both the BOV800XL and the BOV845BSS are equipped with Breville’s signature Element iQ System. This smart technology uses five independent quartz heating elements. Algorithms intelligently direct power to where it is needed most for the specific cooking function you choose. This creates a tailored cooking environment, ensuring your food is cooked perfectly every time. Whether you’re toasting, baking, or roasting, the ovens adjust the power of each element to provide precise and even heat, eliminating hot spots and undercooked areas.

Convection Powered

Convection cooking is a standout feature in both models. Each oven has an inbuilt fan that circulates hot air throughout the cooking cavity. This process strips away the layer of colder air that naturally surrounds food, speeding up the cooking process significantly. Breville claims this can reduce cooking time by up to 30%. This not only gets meals on the table faster but also ensures that roasts are succulent and baked goods are evenly browned.

High Power and Fast Preheat

With 1800 watts of power, both the BOV800XL and BOV845BSS preheat very quickly. This is a major advantage over a conventional, full-sized oven, which can take a considerable amount of time to reach the desired temperature. The fast preheat time is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to cook a small meal without waiting. This efficiency helps save both time and energy in the kitchen.

LCD Display

Ease of use is central to the design of both ovens, highlighted by their clear LCD screens. This display provides access to all the smart functionality. It allows you to easily select from the preset cooking functions and adjust time and temperature. The screen also indicates when preheating is complete and begins a countdown timer for the cooking cycle, so you always know the status of your meal. The screen on both models turns blue during preheating and orange once cooking begins.

Large Capacity

Both Breville ovens offer a generous interior capacity suitable for a variety of meals. You can fit six slices of bread, a 13-inch pizza, a whole roast chicken, or a 9-cup muffin tray. This large size makes them incredibly versatile, capable of handling everything from a simple slice of toast to a full family dinner. They serve as a genuine alternative to a conventional oven for most daily cooking needs.

Non-Stick Cavity Coating

Cleaning is made simple thanks to a non-stick coating on the interior walls of both ovens. This coating prevents food splatters and spills from baking onto the surface, so you can wipe the inside clean with minimal effort. Both models also feature a front-access, pull-out crumb tray that makes disposing of crumbs and debris quick and easy, helping to keep your countertop oven tidy.

Included Accessories

To get you started right away, both the Breville BOV800XL and the BOV845BSS come with a useful set of accessories. Each includes a 12″x12″ enamel baking pan, a 12″x12″ enamel broiling rack, and a 13″ non-stick pizza pan. These high-quality pans are designed to fit perfectly within the oven and are suitable for a wide range of recipes.

Common Features of Breville BOV800 vs BOV845

Feature	Breville BOV800XL	Breville BOV845BSS
Element IQ System	Yes	Yes
Convection Fan	Yes	Yes
Power	1800 Watts	1800 Watts
Voltage	110-120 Volts	110-120 Volts
LCD Display	Yes	Yes
Capacity (Toast)	6 Slices	6 Slices
Capacity (Pizza)	13-inch	13-inch
Non-Stick Interior	Yes	Yes
Pull-Out Crumb Tray	Yes	Yes
Included Pans	Baking, Broil, Pizza	Baking, Broil, Pizza

A Detailed Comparison Of the Breville BOV800 vs BOV845

Cooking Functions

The Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro comes with 10 preset cooking functions: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, Warm, and Slow Cook. This extensive list covers nearly every common cooking task, making it an incredibly versatile appliance. The addition of the “Slow Cook” function is a significant upgrade, allowing you to prepare tender, flavorful meals like pulled pork or beef stew over several hours at a low, consistent temperature.

The Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven is nearly as versatile, offering 9 cooking functions. It includes Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, and Warm. The only feature it lacks compared to the Pro model is the specialized “Slow Cook” setting. While you can still cook low and slow by manually setting the temperature and time, the dedicated preset on the BOV845BSS optimizes the heating elements for this specific task, providing more reliable results for long cooking times.

Interior Light

One of the most practical differences is the inclusion of an interior oven light in the Breville BOV845BSS. This halogen light allows you to easily check on your food without opening the door, which prevents heat from escaping and maintains a consistent cooking temperature. The light automatically turns on near the end of the cooking cycle, but it can also be switched on and off manually with a dedicated button. This is a user-friendly feature that many cooks find indispensable.

In contrast, the Breville BOV800XL does not have an interior light. To see how your meal is progressing, you need to open the oven door. This releases heat and can slightly disrupt the cooking process, potentially affecting the final result, especially for sensitive baked goods like soufflés or cakes. While not a deal-breaker for everyone, the lack of a light is a noticeable inconvenience when compared to the Pro model.

Capacity and Dimensions

The Breville BOV845BSS has a slightly larger internal capacity of 1.0 cubic feet. This increase in size is specifically designed to accommodate a 4.4-quart Dutch oven, which is necessary for the “Slow Cook” function. The external dimensions are 18.94″W x 15.91″D x 10.94″H. This makes it a substantial countertop appliance, but its versatility often justifies the space it occupies. It weighs 22.8 pounds, which contributes to its sturdy and stable feel.

The Breville BOV800XL has a capacity of 0.8 cubic feet and external dimensions of 19″W x 13.9″D x 14.1″H. While slightly smaller in cubic feet, it still provides ample room for a 13-inch pizza or six slices of toast. It weighs 18.7 pounds, making it a bit lighter and easier to move if needed. For most everyday cooking tasks, its capacity is more than sufficient. The choice between the two may come down to whether you need the extra space for a Dutch oven.

Controls and User Interface

Both ovens use a combination of dials and buttons alongside an easy-to-read LCD screen, making them intuitive to operate. The Breville BOV845BSS uses a knob control system to cycle through functions and adjust settings. Many users find this tactile approach simple and efficient. The LCD screen clearly displays the selected function, temperature, and time, changing color to indicate the oven’s status.

The Breville BOV800XL utilizes a similar system but is described with “Button Control” on its product page. The core functionality remains the same: select a preset, adjust as needed, and start cooking. The user experience on both models is highly praised for being straightforward. The main difference lies in the specific number of presets available, with the BOV845BSS offering the additional “Slow Cook” option on its dial.

Conclusion

Both the Breville BOV800XL and the Breville BOV845BSS are exceptional countertop ovens that deliver outstanding performance. However, for most users, the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro is the better choice. The added interior light and a dedicated slow cook function provide significant convenience and versatility that justify the slightly higher price. With over 10,000 positive ratings, it’s clear this model meets and exceeds customer expectations. Click the link to check the latest price and make it yours.

FAQs

1. Is the Breville BOV845BSS worth the extra cost over the BOV800XL?
   Yes, for most people. The BOV845BSS adds an interior oven light and a dedicated slow cook function. These features provide significant convenience and cooking versatility, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those who will use them.
2. Can the Breville BOV800XL slow cook?
   The BOV800XL does not have a dedicated slow cook function. While you can manually set it to a low temperature for a long duration, it is not optimized for this task like the BOV845BSS, which has a specific setting and can accommodate a Dutch oven.
3. How do the capacities of the BOV800XL and BOV845BSS compare?
   The BOV845BSS has a slightly larger capacity of 1.0 cubic feet, compared to the BOV800XL’s 0.8 cubic feet. Both can fit a 13-inch pizza and six slices of toast, but the larger size of the BOV845BSS is what allows it to fit a 4.4-quart Dutch oven for slow cooking.
4. Is there a difference in the heating technology between the two models?
   No, both ovens use Breville’s Element iQ system with five independent quartz heating elements. This technology ensures that heat is intelligently distributed for precise and even cooking results across all functions. Both also feature convection fans to speed up cooking.
5. How easy are these ovens to clean?
   Both models are designed for easy cleaning. They feature a non-stick interior cavity that can be wiped down easily. They also both include a front-access, pull-out crumb tray that catches debris and makes cleanup quick and simple.
6. Do both ovens come with the same accessories?
   They come with very similar accessories, including a baking pan, broil rack, and pizza pan. The Breville BOV845BSS also explicitly lists a wire rack among its included components, which is used for functions like toasting and baking.
7. How loud is the convection fan on these ovens?
   Some users have noted that the convection fan on the older BOV800XL can be loud. Reviews for the BOV845BSS suggest its fan is quieter during normal convection operation, though it does get louder on higher settings like air frying (a feature more associated with even newer models).
8. Do I need to worry about the oven getting too hot on the outside?
   Yes, like most toaster ovens, the exterior of both models can get hot during operation. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearance, ensuring there are several inches of space around the oven to allow for proper ventilation and prevent heat damage to surrounding surfaces.