Some appliances surprise you the first time you try them, and these two did exactly that for me. I spent several days switching between the Breville Mini Smart Oven (BOV450XL) and the Breville Compact Smart Oven (BOV650XL) just to understand how different they actually feel in daily use. At first glance, they look nearly identical, but once you start cooking, toasting, reheating, and experimenting with each preset, the differences become clearer — and that’s where this comparison becomes interesting.
If you’ve been debating whether the smaller footprint of the Mini is enough, or whether the added space of the Compact is worth choosing, this detailed comparison will make your decision incredibly easy.
Main Difference Between Breville Mini vs Compact Countertop Toaster Oven
The Breville Mini Smart Oven is designed for extremely tight spaces and small portions, making it ideal for compact kitchens, dorms, RVs, or single-person households.
The Breville Compact Smart Oven, on the other hand, retains the same smart cooking system but scales up the interior — giving you more flexibility for pizzas, small chickens, meal prep batches, and larger bakeware.
Both use the same Element iQ System, the same 1800W power, the same 8 functions, and the same non-stick interior… but the size difference alone changes the overall experience.
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks...
- The Breville Compact Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System has most...
Comparison Table: Breville Mini vs Compact Countertop Toaster Oven
| Feature | Breville Mini Smart Oven (BOV450XL) | Breville Compact Smart Oven (BOV650XL) |
| Capacity | 0.45 cu. ft. | 0.6 cu. ft. |
| Dimensions | 13.6″D × 16″W × 8.8″H | 15.5″D × 17″W × 10.25″H |
| Wattage | 1800W | 1800W |
| Internal Fit | 4 slices toast, 11″ pizza, 6-cup muffin tray | 4 slices toast, 12″ pizza, roast chicken |
| Functions | 8 cooking functions | 8 cooking functions |
| Weight | 10.7 lbs | 14.1 lbs |
| Controls | LCD + knobs | LCD + knobs |
| Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Accessories | 10″ × 10″ baking pan | Baking pan + broiling rack |
| Best For | Small spaces, quick personal meals | Larger households, versatile cooking |
| Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review – Design
Between the two, the first thing I noticed was how different they feel on the counter.
The Mini genuinely looks and feels compact; it tucks into corners effortlessly and doesn’t crowd the workspace. If your counter is already full of appliances, the Mini feels like a breath of fresh air.
The Compact, though only slightly bigger on paper, feels significantly roomier in day-to-day cooking. The extra height and depth allow more clearance when inserting larger food items — something I appreciated immediately when trying a 12-inch pizza.
Both share that premium Breville brushed-steel look, tight construction, smooth knobs, and a bright LCD. No rattling, no cheap hinges, no loose trays — classic Breville quality.
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks...
Ease of Use
Both ovens have nearly an identical interface, and switching between them is effortless.
The LCD layout is clean, presets are intuitive, and the knobs respond smoothly.
However, the Mini heats up a bit faster. The smaller cavity means preheating is quicker and energy use “feels” more efficient. For toasting, reheating leftovers, or baking small portions, the Mini saves little pockets of time that genuinely add up.
The Compact, meanwhile, offers a more relaxed cooking experience when dealing with larger dishes. You’re not fighting for space; trays slide in comfortably, and you don’t have to angle food awkwardly.
- The Breville Compact Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System has most...
Cooking Performance
This is where both ovens shine because the Element iQ System works beautifully in both models.
The five quartz elements distribute heat evenly, reducing hotspots and delivering much better consistency than standard toaster ovens.
Here’s how each performed for me:
Toast & Bagels
Both excel at producing perfectly even browning.
But the Mini is slightly faster thanks to its smaller cavity, which traps heat more efficiently.
Pizza & Reheating
The Compact is the winner here.
An 11″ pizza fits the Mini, but a full 12″ pie in the Compact cooks more evenly without rotating it mid-way. Reheated leftovers (especially pasta and chicken) come out less dried in the Compact because the extra space prevents too much direct radiant heat.
Baking & Roasting
If you bake more than just cookies or muffins, the Compact gives you that breathing room you’ll appreciate.
You can fit a roast chicken, which is impossible in the Mini.
Small Snacks & Quick Meals
The Mini feels faster, snappier, and more convenient for:
- Toast
- Garlic bread
- Cookies
- Bagels
- Mini pizzas
- Reheating snacks
It’s the toaster oven you instinctively reach for when you don’t want to heat up a full oven or deal with oversized appliances.
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks...
- The Breville Compact Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System has most...
Functions & Features
Both units include the same 8 functions:
- Toast
- Bagel
- Bake
- Broil
- Pizza
- Roast
- Cookies
- Reheat
Performance-wise, they’re practically identical because they use the same heating technology.
The real differentiator is space — the Compact simply handles more food formats.
Cleaning
Both ovens have a non-stick cavity, and both wipe clean with minimal effort.
The Mini is easier to clean for the obvious reason: smaller space means less surface area.
The Compact’s crumb tray slides out smoothly, and because it’s slightly bigger, you can catch spills more easily.
Who Each Model is Best For
Choose the Breville Mini If:
- Your kitchen has limited counter space
- You cook for 1–2 people
- You want quick snacks, small bakes, and faster preheat times
- You prioritize compactness over interior space
- Portability is important
Choose the Breville Compact If:
- You cook for 2–4 people
- You want to bake or roast larger meals
- Fitting a 12″ pizza matters
- You want more interior versatility
- You value flexibility over footprint
Breville Mini Smart Toaster Oven
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks...
Pros:
- Extremely compact
- Fast preheating
- Great for small meals
- Even, consistent heating
- Non-stick interior
- Perfect for tiny kitchens
Cons:
- Can’t fit a 12″ pizza
- Not suitable for roasting whole chickens
- Smaller baking dishes only
Breville Compact Smart Toaster Oven
- The Breville Compact Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System has most...
Pros:
- Larger capacity without becoming bulky
- Fits a 12″ pizza
- Can roast a small chicken
- Comes with an additional broiling rack
- More versatile overall
Cons:
- Slightly slower to preheat
- Takes more counter space
- Heavier than the Mini
Conclusion – My Recommendation:
After using both ovens side by side, my final recommendation depends entirely on how you cook.
The Breville Mini Smart Oven is the better choice if you’re tight on space or mainly prepare small meals. It’s quick, clean, efficient, and honestly perfect for anyone who doesn’t need to bake or roast larger foods.
The Breville Compact Smart Oven, however, is the one I would personally choose for everyday use. The extra capacity opens up so many more possibilities — roasting, larger pizzas, bigger batches of cookies, and more flexible cookware options. It never feels oversized, just more capable.
Both are excellent appliances, but the Compact simply does more while still keeping the footprint reasonable.
If you want maximum versatility without committing to a full-size Breville Smart Oven, the Compact is the clear winner.
