Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Anova Precision Oven 2.0
Best for Tech LoversBreville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro
Best Smart OvenPrice
$1,299
$500-$550
Summary
The only home countertop oven with true steam injection adjustable from 0–100% humidity, enabling sous vide-style cooking without a water bath. Serious Eats added it to their winners list after rigorous testing of the updated 2.0 version.
The top pick from both Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping, this app-connected oven handles 13 cooking modes with autopilot precision. A chef-tested recipe library and multi-stage cooking sequences set it apart from every other smart oven.
Pros
- Adjustable steam injection from 0–100% relative humidity — unique in home appliances
- 1.5-gallon water reservoir supports long steam cooking sessions
- App can start the oven remotely and supports multi-stage cooking sequences
- Extensive chef-tested recipe library in the app
- Combination of convenient presets and fully adjustable manual controls
- App-controlled with chef-tested recipe library and multi-stage cooking sequences
- 13 cooking modes: bake, air fry, broil, roast, pizza, cookies, proof, reheat, slow cook, keep warm, dehydrate, bagel, toast
- Sleek, large-capacity design with high-quality included accessories
- Whole chicken, cake, and pizza all cooked evenly in Good Housekeeping lab testing
- Used consistently in Good Housekeeping Lab for over a year with positive results
Cons
- Very expensive at $1,299 — the priciest option by a wide margin
- Steam cooking adds complexity; few home recipes exist for this technology
- Large size and side-mounted water reservoir require significant counter space
- Remote start capability raises safety concerns if triggered accidentally
- Premium price point — significantly more expensive than non-connected Breville models
- Large footprint requires substantial counter space
- App dependency means full feature set requires smartphone pairing
- Air-fried wings not as crispy as dedicated standalone air fryers
Our take
This is a genuinely different machine — not just a toaster oven with extra buttons. If you bake bread, cook proteins sous vide-style, or want precision that no other countertop oven can match, the Anova is worth the steep price. Everyone else should look elsewhere.
This is what you buy when you want the Breville experience plus a genuinely useful app — not gimmicky AI, but real chef-tested recipes that actually control the oven. Serious Eats called it their single favorite countertop oven, full stop.
Buy
