Breville is a popular brand known for its innovative and high-quality kitchen appliances. Their microwaves in particular have been gaining attention in recent years for their stylish design and extra features that aim to improve the microwave cooking experience. But are Breville microwaves actually worth the investment compared to more affordable options? There are several factors to consider when deciding if a Breville microwave is right for your needs.
Breville Microwave Overview
Breville offers a range of countertop microwaves in various sizes and at different price points. Their microwaves are designed with a stainless steel exterior and easy-to-use control panels. Features found across Breville microwaves include:
- Sensor cooking – Automatically adjusts time and power based on humidity sensors
- Pre-programmed settings – For quick one-touch cooking of popular foods like popcorn, pizza, potatoes, etc.
- Inverter technology – Provides consistent heating at lower power levels
- Auto reheat and defrost functions
- Interior turntable – Rotates food for even cooking
- Child lock – Prevents unsupervised operation
- LED interior lighting – Illuminates the inside of the microwave
- Mute option – Silences beeping alerts
Some higher-end Breville models also offer extra conveniences like:
- Smart algorithms that automatically adjust power and time
- One-touch buttons for microwaving by food type (beverage, frozen food, etc.)
- Auto cook menus with pre-programmed instructions for foods like oatmeal, bacon, fish, and more
- A “bit more” button that adds extra time in 10 second increments
- An integrated rack system for multi-level cooking
Benefits of Breville Microwaves
There are several advantages that Breville microwaves offer over competitors:
Innovative Cooking Features
Breville microwaves stand out for their unique cooking modes and presets that aim to simplify microwave cooking and deliver optimal results. The sensor and inverter technology provide more consistent heating, while auto menus and smart algorithms take the guesswork out of adjusting time and power. These features make it easier to properly microwave a wider variety of foods.
User-Friendly Design
From their control panels to their interior racks, Breville microwaves are designed with convenience in mind. Their intuitive controls, pre-programmed buttons, and useful tools like interior lighting, mute abilities, and child lock make them straightforward for anyone to operate.
Appealing Aesthetics
With their sleek stainless steel exterior, Breville microwaves have a more stylish, high-end look compared to many basic microwave models. This makes them an attractive addition to modern or upscale kitchens.
Reliable Performance
Backed by a one-year product warranty, Breville microwaves offer reliable performance thanks to their quality craftsmanship and durable components. Owners can expect their Breville microwave to provide consistent heating and last for many years with proper care.
Versatile Size Options
Breville offers microwaves in a range of sizes to suit different spaces, needs, and budgets. From compact 0.7 cubic feet models to larger 2.2 cubic feet capacity ovens, you can find a Breville microwave suitable for apartments, dorms, offices, or big households.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite their benefits, there are a few potential downsides to consider with Breville microwaves:
High Upfront Cost
Breville microwaves range from $150 to $500+ in price. More budget-friendly options are available in the $50 to $150 range, so the higher cost may be prohibitive for some buyers.
Advanced Features May Be Overkill
Not everyone needs high-tech auto menus and sensors. For basic reheating and defrosting tasks, Breville’s sophisticated cooking features may be unnecessary. Simpler, cheaper models may suffice.
Size Limitations
Breville’s largest microwave capacity is 2.2 cubic feet. Bulkier foods or big batches may require a larger oven over 1,000 watts.
No Ventilation Option
Breville microwaves are strictly countertop models. For built-in installation with ventilation, other brands would be required.
Cost Comparison
To understand the price difference between Breville and other microwaves, here is a comparison of some top-rated models in different price ranges:
| Microwave Model | Price | Size | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Compact Wave Soft Close | $150 | 0.7 cubic feet | 700 watts, sensor cooking, mute option |
| Toshiba ML-EM34P(SS) Smart Countertop | $100 | 1.2 cubic feet | 1,100 watts, sensor cooking, smart features |
| Breville the Quick Touch BMO734XL | $249 | 1.1 cubic feet | 1,000 watts, auto menus, bit more button |
| Galanz GSWWAVE2N-09RK | $65 | 0.9 cubic feet | 900 watts, 10 power levels, sleek design |
| Breville the Combi Wave BMO885BSS | $499 | 1.2 cubic feet | 1,100 watts, convection/microwave/air fryer |
This shows that at the lower end, Breville is about $50 more than competitors with similar capacity and wattage. The larger models with advanced features have an even wider price gap of $100+ compared to basic microwaves with similar specs.
Reviews
Here is what professional testers and buyers have to say about their experiences with Breville microwaves:
Expert Opinions
- Reviewers at Good Housekeeping tested multiple models and found Breville microwaves consistently heat food evenly thanks to smart sensor technology. They praise the useful preset cook modes.
- The kitchen experts at Wirecutter name Breville their “upgrade pick” for microwaves after rigorous testing. They found performance to be excellent across a variety of foods.
- Tech Gear Lab calls Breville microwaves “the best of the best” for their combination of power, size, and extra features that enhance functionality.
Owner Feedback
- “I love how quiet it is and the interior light is so helpful. The sensor reheat works perfectly for leftovers.”
- “This microwave accommodates large dishes and cooks so evenly. The one-touch buttons make everything effortless.”
- “It’s easy to use and looks great on my counter. I use the presets multiple times a day for quick meals and snacks.”
- “The froze food setting is amazing. It defrosts things perfectly without partially cooking the edges.”
The consensus is that Breville microwaves perform very well for reheating, defrosting, and cooking tasks while offering extra convenience features owners appreciate. Most feel the price is justified by the quality, aesthetics, and functionality.
Alternatives to Consider
For those looking for more affordable options, here are a few alternative brands to consider:
Toshiba
Toshiba offers microwaves with inverter technology and smart sensor functions at lower price points, usually around $100 to $150. The interface is easy to use and their microwaves deliver reliable performance.
Panasonic
Panasonic is known for excellent mid-range microwaves in the $150 to $250 range. Their inverter technology provides consistent reheating with frozen meals and leftovers. The brand offers a range of sizes and configurations.
GE
For basic reheating and defrosting needs, GE microwaves are budget-friendly at around $75 to $120. While they lack advanced cooking features, GE microwaves are dependable performers.
Galanz
Lesser known Galanz provides affordable microwaves direct to consumers, with prices ranging from $50 to $130. They offer a clean, streamlined design and adequate cooking power for most tasks.
Can You Get by With a Cheaper Microwave?
Ultimately, a more affordable microwave under $150 may suffice for many users’ basic needs. Key considerations include:
- Usage – How often will the microwave be used? Only occasionally for simple tasks? Or daily for complex cooking?
- Features – Are presets and auto menus worth paying extra for your usage?
- Quality – Is consistent, even heating important for how you’ll use your microwave?
- Design – Do aesthetics matter if the microwave will be prominently displayed?
Casual users may be fine with a budget model. But frequent microwave cooks will appreciate Breville’s enhancements to performance and convenience.
Conclusion
In the end, Breville microwaves excel when it comes to cooking ability, features, and design. But they also come at a higher cost. If your budget is flexible and you microwave frequently or care about quality and appearance, the investment in a Breville model pays dividends over time. But a less expensive option can still get the job done if funds are limited or needs are simple. Assess your usage, requirements, and budget to determine if stepping up to Breville is the right choice.