Walk into any modern kitchen, and the microwave is often the most used yet least respected appliance on the counter. We use them for leftovers and popcorn, but rarely for “real” cooking. That changed for me when I cleared space for two of Breville’s most ambitious entries into the category: the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 and the Breville Smooth Wave.
These aren’t your typical dorm-room budget boxes. Wrapped in brushed stainless steel with soft-close doors and silent operation, they feel more like precision laboratory equipment than kitchen appliances. However, after weeks of reheating lasagna, air-frying wings, and defrosting delicate cuts of meat, I realized that while they look like siblings, they serve very different masters.
The Combi Wave is an all-in-one culinary Swiss Army knife, attempting to replace your air fryer and convection oven entirely. The Smooth Wave, on the other hand, is a masterclass in perfecting the singular art of the microwave. If you’ve ever wondered why one microwave costs twice as much as another, the answer lies in the “Inverter” technology and “Sensor iQ” logic packed inside these machines. Here is exactly how they handled my daily kitchen chaos.
The Key Difference: Breville Combi Wave vs. Smooth Wave
The primary divide between the Breville Combi Wave and the Smooth Wave is Functional Versatility.
- The Breville Combi Wave (The 3-in-1 Powerhouse) is a hybrid machine. It combines a microwave, a convection oven, and an air fryer into a single unit. It uses the “Element IQ” system to steer power between heating elements, allowing you to bake brownies or air-fry French fries in the same machine you use to heat up coffee. It is slightly smaller in capacity (1.1 cu. ft.) but much more powerful in its range of uses.
- The Breville Smooth Wave (The Master of One) is a dedicated microwave oven. It focuses on perfecting the “Power Smoothing Inverter” and “Sensor iQ” technology. It offers a slightly larger capacity (2 cu. ft.) and is designed for the user who already has a dedicated oven and air fryer but wants a microwave that reheats and defrosts food without the dreaded “frozen in the middle, lava on the edges” syndrome.
Essentially, the Combi Wave is for the person who wants to declutter their counters by combining three appliances into one, while the Smooth Wave is for the person who wants the smartest, most precise microwave available today.
Comparison Table: Combi Wave vs. Smooth Wave Microwave Oven
| Feature | Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 | Breville Smooth Wave |
| Appliance Type | Microwave / Air Fryer / Convection | Dedicated Microwave |
| Capacity | 1.1 Cubic Feet (32L) | 1.2 Cubic Feet (34L) |
| Wattage | 1400W (Convection) / 1200W (Microwave) | 1250 Watts |
| Technology | Element IQ & Power Inverter | Sensor iQ & Power Inverter |
| Special Functions | Air Fry, Bake, Fast Combi, Grill | Smart Reheat (Steam Sensing) |
| Door Mechanism | Soft Close (80% Quieter) | Soft Close (80% Quieter) |
| Included Tools | Combi Crisp Pan, Trivet | Glass Turntable |
| Dimensions | 20.08″D x 20.47″W x 12.6″H | 19″D x 20.43″W x 12.44″H |
| Best For | Small Kitchens, Apartment Living | Serious Home Cooks, Large Families |
| View Current Price on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: Living with Breville’s Best
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Design: Brushed Steel and Quiet Luxury
Stepping into my kitchen with the Combi Wave, the first thing I appreciated was the “Soft Close” door. We’ve all been there – midnight snacks where you try to close the microwave door without waking the whole house. Breville claims this door is 80% quieter, and in my experience, that’s an understatement. It glides shut with a satisfying, premium “thud” rather than a metallic clang. The interface is classic Breville: two large, tactile dials and a clear LED display.
The Smooth Wave shares this elite build quality. It is slightly shallower but a bit wider than the Combi Wave, providing just enough extra room inside for a larger dinner plate. The “Sound Suite” on both models is a lovely touch – you can choose between different beep tones or mute them entirely. If you appreciate an appliance that doesn’t scream at you when the timer is up, you’ll love both of these.
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Ease of Use: The Shortcut Secret
Both models feature a “Shortcuts” panel hidden just inside the door. This is where Breville wins the “Ease of Use” battle. Instead of staring at a keypad wondering how long to melt butter, you just open the door, look at the panel, and press a button.
On the Smooth Wave, the “A Bit More” button became my best friend. If your soup isn’t quite hot enough, one press adds a few seconds of perfectly calculated heat. On the Combi Wave, the “Fast Combi” mode was the standout. I was able to cook a dish that normally takes 40 minutes in a traditional oven in about 18 minutes by using a mix of convection and microwave power. It’s intuitive, though the Combi Wave has a slightly steeper learning curve because you have to decide how you want to cook (Air Fry vs. Bake vs. Microwave).
- 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen...
- ELEMENT IQ SYSTEM: Smart algorithms steer power where and when it's needed to create a...
- The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave takes the guesswork out of cooking with Sensor iQ technology...
- SENSOR iQ TECHNOLOGY: Automatically adjust power to precisely cook or reheat; Countertop...
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Functions: Inverter Technology vs. Element IQ
This is where the two machines truly diverge.
- Smooth Wave Performance: The “Sensor iQ” technology is the real deal. I put a plate of leftover pasta in and hit “Smart Reheat.” The microwave detected the steam being released and adjusted the time automatically. It didn’t dry out the noodles or make the sauce explode. The Inverter technology ensures that when you set it to 50% power, it actually delivers a steady 50% stream of energy, rather than just cycling a 100% beam on and off. This makes it the best defrosting tool I’ve ever used; my frozen ground beef didn’t have cooked grey edges.
- Combi Wave Performance: This machine is a transformer. The Air Fry function surprised me – it actually produced crispy wings thanks to the “Combi Crisp Pan.” However, because it’s a microwave-sized cavity, it doesn’t circulate air quite as aggressively as a dedicated basket-style air fryer. Where it shines is the “Cook from Frozen” mode. I pulled a frozen pizza out and used the Fast Combi setting; the microwave thawed the center while the convection element crisped the crust. It’s a game-changer for anyone who forgets to take dinner out of the freezer.
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Maintenance: Stainless Steel Reality
Cleaning a microwave is never fun, but the stainless steel interiors on both models help.
- The Smooth Wave is a breeze to clean. Since there are no heating elements (grills or convection fans) exposed, you just wipe the flat surfaces down.
- The Combi Wave requires a bit more vigilance. Because you are air-frying and grilling inside, you get grease splatter that wouldn’t happen in a normal microwave. If you don’t wipe it out after an air-fry session, that grease can “bake” onto the walls the next time you use the convection oven. The included “Combi Crisp Pan” is non-stick and dishwasher safe, which helps immensely, but be prepared for a bit more manual scrubbing compared to the Smooth Wave.
Breville Combi Wave (The Multitasker)
- 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen...
- ELEMENT IQ SYSTEM: Smart algorithms steer power where and when it's needed to create a...
Pros:
- Space Saver: Replaces three bulky appliances.
- Incredible Versatility: Can air fry, bake, and grill.
- Fast Combi Mode: Slashes cooking times for “real” meals.
- Element IQ: Smartly manages heat for consistent baking results.
Cons:
- Interior Maintenance: Grease from air-frying requires frequent cleaning.
- Smaller Capacity:1 cu. ft. can feel tight for large roasts.
- Higher Price: You’re paying for the extra technology and elements.
Breville Smooth Wave (The Perfectionist)
- The Breville Smooth Wave Microwave takes the guesswork out of cooking with Sensor iQ technology...
- SENSOR iQ TECHNOLOGY: Automatically adjust power to precisely cook or reheat; Countertop...
Pros:
- Sensor iQ: Perfect reheating results without the guesswork.
- Larger Capacity:2 cu. ft. fits bigger plates and bowls.
- Dead Simple: Focuses on being the best microwave on the market.
- Defrosting King: Inverter technology prevents “cooking” while thawing.
Cons:
- Single Function: It’s “just” a microwave (no crisping or baking).
- Counter Footprint: Still takes up a significant amount of space.
The Verdict: Which Wave Should You Ride?
After weeks of testing, the decision comes down to how you use your kitchen.
I recommend the Breville Combi Wave if: You live in an apartment, a dorm, or a home with limited counter space. If you want the ability to air-fry a quick snack or bake a small batch of muffins without preheating a massive oven, the Combi Wave is an engineering marvel. It’s for the person who wants one machine to do it all and doesn’t mind a little extra cleaning to keep it pristine.
I recommend the Breville Smooth Wave if: You already have a great oven and a dedicated air fryer. If you are a serious home cook who values precision – someone who melts chocolate for baking, poaches fish, or needs to defrost expensive proteins perfectly – the Smooth Wave is unbeatable. It is the most “intelligent” standalone microwave I have ever encountered.
My Personal Choice: I am sticking with the Breville Smooth Wave. While the 3-in-1 capability of the Combi Wave is impressive, I prefer the extra capacity and the sheer accuracy of the Sensor iQ reheating. I’d rather have a machine that does one thing perfectly than one that does three things very well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Air Fryer on the Combi Wave as good as a standalone unit?
It’s very close, but there’s a catch. Because it’s a larger cavity than a small basket air fryer, it takes a bit longer to crisp up food. However, for “combi” cooking (microwave + air fry), it’s actually superior because it cooks the inside while crisping the outside simultaneously.
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Can you put metal in the Combi Wave?
You can only use the included metal accessories (like the Crisp Pan and Trivet) when using the Oven, Air Fry, or Grill modes. You should never use metal when the machine is in Microwave mode. The Combi Wave is smart, but it can’t change the laws of physics!
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Does the Smooth Wave really stay that quiet?
Yes. The “Soft Close” door is a game-changer. Most microwave noise comes from the door slamming and the cooling fan. Breville has engineered the fan to be 50% quieter, and you really notice it during long defrosting cycles.
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What is “A Bit More” and why is it on both?
It’s a Breville signature button. If your food comes out and it’s almost there, you press it, and the machine adds a small, calculated amount of time based on the previous setting. It’s much more convenient than manually entering 15 or 30 seconds.
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Can I fit a whole turkey in these?
No. While the Combi Wave can handle a small roasting chicken, these are still countertop units. For large holiday birds, you’ll still need your primary wall oven.
