Breville Smooth Wave vs Compact Wave: Which One Fits Your Kitchen Best?

There’s a certain kind of peace that comes from using an appliance that simply behaves—no loud slams, no wild temperature swings, no uneven reheating that ruins leftovers. That’s exactly the feeling I went chasing when I tested the Breville Smooth Wave and the Breville Compact Wave side by side.

Both look polished and premium, both promise smooth performance, and both come with Breville’s signature subtlety—quiet operation, soft-close doors, and thoughtful shortcut menus. But once I started using them daily, their personalities became very different.

Let me walk you through the differences so you can choose the one that actually fits your lifestyle instead of just looking good on your countertop.

Main Difference Between Breville Smooth Wave vs Compact Wave

The Breville Smooth Wave is a more powerful, larger, more advanced microwave with Sensor iQ, Power Smoothing Inverter, and 15 smart presets, ideal for serious cooking and precise reheating.

The Compact Wave is a smaller, simpler, lower-wattage microwave designed for quick reheating, basic cooking, and small kitchens where space is limited.

Comparison Table: Breville Smooth Wave vs Compact Wave

Feature	Breville Smooth Wave BMO850BSS	Breville Compact Wave BMO650SIL
Capacity	1.2 cu. ft.	0.9 cu. ft.
Wattage	1250W	900W
Dimensions	19″D × 20.43″W × 12.44″H	17.3″D × 19.1″W × 11.5″H
Technology	Sensor iQ + Power Smoothing Inverter	Standard Microwave System
Presets	15 Smart Presets + Shortcuts panel	Popcorn, Beverage, Reheat, Defrost + Food Menu
Door	80% quieter soft-close	80% quieter soft-close
Noise	50% quieter in operation	50% quieter in operation
Ideal For	Full meals, precision cooking, families	Small kitchens, snack reheating, basic cooking
Check Latest Price & Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review (My Experience)

1. Design & Build Quality

Both microwaves carry the classic Breville aesthetic—clean stainless steel faces, rounded edges, soft tones, and that satisfying soft-close door. But the moment I placed them side by side, the Smooth Wave immediately appeared more premium.

Breville Smooth Wave

The Smooth Wave feels larger, sturdier, and honestly more “serious.”
The stainless steel body has a heavier presence, and the control panel layout shows that it’s built for someone who cooks more than just popcorn.

Breville Compact Wave

The Compact Wave is noticeably lighter and smaller.
If your counter space is tight or you live in a studio apartment, this is definitely the easier fit. The design still feels polished, but not as weighty or premium as the Smooth Wave.

My takeaway:
If design presence matters, the Smooth Wave has that luxury edge. The Compact Wave prioritizes convenience and small footprint.

2. Ease of Use

Both are extremely beginner-friendly, but the Smooth Wave adds a layer of intelligence that I found immediately useful.

Smooth Wave – A Very Smart Microwave

Sensor iQ is something I didn’t know I needed until I used it.
Reheating pizza? It detects steam, adjusts power, and stops exactly at the right moment.
Defrosting chicken? It doesn’t cook the edges into rubber.

The “A Bit More” button is a heaven-sent feature. I used it nonstop.

Compact Wave – Simple & Quick

The Compact Wave keeps everything straightforward.
One-touch buttons for:

• Popcorn
• Beverage
• Pizza reheat
• Defrost
• Cook potatoes

It doesn’t sense or adjust automatically — you simply choose the common presets and go.

My takeaway:
If you want intelligent, hands-free cooking, the Smooth Wave is unbeatable.
If you want simple reheating and everyday use, the Compact Wave is easier.

3. Cooking Performance

This is where the gap between these two models becomes the most obvious.

Smooth Wave – Precise & Even Cooking

1250 watts + inverter technology makes a massive difference.
I tested:

• Lasagna
• Chicken thighs
• Leftover rice
• Frozen meals
• Oatmeal
• Chocolate melting

Every single thing came out evenly heated without the “hot edges, cold center” issue I always expect from microwaves.

The inverter tech doesn’t pulse power — it delivers smooth, steady heating, and the results show.

Compact Wave – Reliable but Not as Powerful

With 900 watts, it’s slower.
It reheats well but sometimes needs an extra 20–30 seconds.
Frozen meals come out fine, but not as evenly heated as the Smooth Wave.

My takeaway:
If fast, even heating matters, the Smooth Wave wins by a long shot.

4. Functions & Smart Features

Smooth Wave – Loaded With Features

• 15 presets
• Sensor Cook/Reheat/Defrost
• Power Smoothing Inverter
• Shortcuts menu on door
• A Bit More button
• Turntable On/Off
• Child Lock
• +30 Instant Start
• Ultra-quiet operation

Honestly, it feels like the microwave version of a luxury car.

Compact Wave – Lean Features

• Popcorn
• Beverage
• Reheat
• Defrost
• Food Menu (pizza, veggies, potatoes)
• Child Lock
• Mute
• 30-second start
• Soft-close door

No sensing technology, no advanced power control.

My takeaway:
If you want control + intelligence, Smooth Wave.
If you want simplicity + affordability, Compact Wave.

5. Cleaning

Both have smooth interiors and easy wipe-down surfaces.

Smooth Wave’s larger interior made it easier to clean when reheating splatter-heavy foods like curries.
Compact Wave’s smaller size means cleaning is quicker because there’s simply less space.

Breville Smooth Wave Countertop Microwave Oven

Pros:

• Strong 1250W power
• Sensor iQ for perfect reheating
• Even, smooth heating thanks to inverter tech
• 15 presets and shortcuts
• Larger 1.2 cu.ft capacity
• Very quiet and premium feel
• Best for cooking AND reheating

Cons:

• More expensive
• Larger footprint
• Overkill if you only heat snacks

Breville Compact Wave Countertop Microwave Oven

Pros:

• Compact footprint fits small kitchens
• Lower price
• Easy one-touch presets
• Good for quick reheating
• Quiet soft-close door
• Perfect for simple everyday use

Cons:

• Lower wattage = slower heating
• No sensor or inverter technology
• Smaller capacity
• Not ideal for larger families

Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?

If you want a microwave that feels like a smart cooking assistant — one that takes care of your food with precision and speed — the Breville Smooth Wave is absolutely worth the investment.

It’s powerful, intelligent, quiet, and handles everything from defrosting to actual meal cooking with consistent results. I found myself relying on it far more than I expected.

But if you live in a smaller space, have simpler needs, or mainly reheat leftovers and make quick snacks, the Breville Compact Wave is the more practical choice. It’s clean, simple, and gets the job done without occupying much room.

If I had to choose just one for my daily cooking?
The Smooth Wave wins — by performance, by intelligence, and by overall satisfaction.