Last updated: October 2, 2026
What Reddit Actually Thinks About the Breville Combi Wave
The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870) comes up a lot on Reddit because it tries to solve a real kitchen problem: it is a microwave, convection oven, and air fryer in one countertop box. On r/BuyItForLife, r/Appliances, r/Breville, and r/Cooking, the consensus is surprisingly consistent. People who love it really love it. People who regret buying it almost always regret it for the same few reasons. If you are considering it as part of a coffee-bar or small-kitchen setup, that pattern matters more than the marketing.
Unlike Breville’s espresso gear, the Combi Wave is not a coffee product at all. But it shares the same Breville trade-offs: thoughtful design and fast heating, premium price, and more electronics to potentially fail than a basic alternative. Reddit threads from the last two years treat it as a space-saver first, a performance appliance second.
What It Does Well, According to Long-Term Owners
See also: Breville Bench Saver • Rocket Espresso Coffee Machine
The most praised feature on Reddit is not the microwave. It is the Combi and hybrid modes. The Combi Wave can run microwave + convection or microwave + grill together, which cuts cooking time dramatically without the soggy result you get from a microwave alone. Owners regularly mention roasting a small chicken, reheating pizza, or baking cookies where it browns properly instead of just steaming.
Second is speed and evenness for air frying. Compared to a basket-style air fryer, the Combi Wave uses a flat tray and a larger cavity. You can air fry more at once and you do not have to shake a basket. For a household that uses an air fryer daily, that is a genuine workflow improvement.
The third recurring positive is the interface. Breville’s dial + presets + “Smart Cook” system is easy to learn, and the inverter microwave is noticeably quieter and more even than the cheap on/off magnetron in most microwaves. Defrosting in particular gets called out as actually usable rather than cooking the edges.
Build quality also gets good marks at first. The door feels solid, the interior is stainless, and it does not look like a dorm microwave. Several owners who bought it during a kitchen remodel said they chose it specifically because it does not cheapen the look of a counter that already has a Breville espresso machine on it.
Common Complaints and Failure Modes
Reddit criticism falls into four buckets, and they are worth taking seriously before you buy.
1. Size and heat. This is a big, heavy machine. It is 20.5 x 21.25 x 12.75 inches and needs real clearance on top and behind for venting. In convection or air fry mode the exterior and the door get hot. If your coffee station is tight against upper cabinets or a wall, you will need to pull it forward every time you use those modes. Several users in small apartments ended up selling it because it dominated the counter.
2. Learning curve. Because it does three jobs, you have to learn three sets of settings. Owners report overcooking food for the first few weeks while they figure out that “Air Fry 400F” in this oven is hotter and faster than in their old basket fryer. The presets help, but they are not foolproof.
3. Electronics and longevity. This is the biggest long-term concern. Reddit threads about Breville microwaves and combi ovens include more reports of control panel failures, door switch issues, and magnetron errors after 2-4 years than you see with a basic $80 microwave. Breville warranty is typically 1 year limited. Out of warranty, repair cost is often close to replacement cost. If you want a true 10-year workhorse, a simple microwave + separate toaster oven will usually outlast a combi unit.
4. Price vs. performance. At full retail around $400-$500, you are paying for integration. A $120 inverter microwave and a $200 air fryer toaster oven will often cook as well or better, with less risk if one dies. Owners who got the Combi Wave on sale for under $350 tend to be much happier with the value equation than those who paid full price.
Combi Wave vs. The Real Alternatives
If you are deciding based on Reddit feedback, do not compare the Combi Wave to a $70 microwave. Compare it to the actual setups people cross-shop.
| Setup | Best For | Drawbacks | Counter Space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 | One-machine solution; fast combi cooking; cleaner look | Expensive, heavy, hotter exterior, single point of failure | One large footprint, needs vent clearance |
| Microwave + Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer | Best cooking results; can run both at once | Two appliances, higher total cost, more space | Two footprints |
| Microwave + Basket Air Fryer | Lowest cost; easy to replace one if it fails | Basket capacity is small; more clutter | Two small footprints |
| Basic Microwave Only | Tight budgets, tight counters, maximum reliability | No air fry / bake browning; slower reheats for some foods | One small footprint |
For a coffee-focused kitchen, that last point matters. If your priority is espresso, grinder, and kettle workflow, adding a Combi Wave can crowd the very space you need for tamping and milk steaming. Many Reddit users who keep a dedicated espresso bar end up putting any air fryer or toaster oven on a separate cart for that reason.
Who Should Buy It, and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if: you have a medium to large kitchen, you actually air fry or bake several times a week, you want one appliance to do it all, and you can get the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 on sale. It also makes sense if you are trying to avoid buying three separate appliances for a rental or a compact home where you still cook daily. Reddit owners who fit this profile keep it for years and say they would repurchase.
Skip it if: you mostly just reheat coffee and leftovers, you rarely air fry, or you need maximum longevity on a budget. A simple inverter microwave does that job for far less money and will be cheaper to replace. Also skip it if your counter is already full with coffee gear. You will use your espresso machine daily; you will use convection mode maybe twice a week. Do not sacrifice daily workflow for occasional versatility.
Consider the middle path: If you want Breville build quality but do not need a microwave, the dedicated Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer gets more consistent praise on Reddit for baking and air frying, with fewer electronic complaints and no microwave compromises. Pair it with a cheap, reliable microwave and you get better redundancy. If either dies, the other still works.
What to Check Before You Buy
Reddit buyers who are happy with the Combi Wave usually did three things. First, they measured. Include the 4-6 inches of clearance Breville recommends above and behind, and measure your door swing. Second, they bought from a retailer with an easy return window and kept the box for 30 days while they tested real meals, not just popcorn. Third, they did not pay full price. Prices swing frequently, so watch for sales around holidays.
If you buy, register the warranty immediately and keep the receipt. Clean the interior after air frying – grease buildup near the grill element is a common cause of smoke complaints. And be honest about how you cook. If you are buying it mostly because it looks good next to your espresso machine, a cheaper microwave will leave you more budget for coffee that actually improves your morning cup.
FAQ
Is the Breville Combi Wave just a microwave?
No. It is a microwave, convection oven, and air fryer in one. It can run each function alone or combine microwave with convection/grill to cook faster while still browning. If you only need a microwave, it is more machine and more money than you need.
Does Reddit think it is reliable long-term?
Mixed. Early ownership reviews are very positive. Longer-term threads mention more electronic failures after a couple of years than you see with a basic microwave. It is not considered a Buy It For Life appliance, and out-of-warranty repairs are often not economical.
Is it good for a small kitchen with an espresso setup?
Usually no, unless you have extra counter depth. It is large and needs vent clearance, and it puts out heat in oven modes. If counter space is tight, a small microwave plus keeping your espresso workflow clear is the more practical choice.
Should I get the Combi Wave or a separate air fryer oven?
Get the Combi Wave if you want one appliance and value combi cooking and space savings. Get a separate air fryer oven if you want the best air fry/bake performance, the ability to use microwave and oven at the same time, and less risk that one failure takes out everything.
