NuWave Bravo XL iQ360 Pro-Smart Oven Reviews: Is It Worth the Investment?
In the world of countertop cooking, there are gadgets, and then there are command centers. The NuWave Bravo XL iQ360 Pro-Smart Oven firmly aims to be the latter. This isn’t just a toaster oven with an air fry function; it’s a sophisticated piece of culinary technology designed to rival—and in some cases, surpass—the capabilities of a full-sized wall oven. With features like a precise digital temperature probe, independent top and bottom heating controls, a digital switch for unwavering temperature stability, and a massive one-cubic-foot capacity, the Bravo XL makes some bold promises.
These advanced features, however, come with a premium price tag, placing it in a different league than standard air fryers. This positions the Bravo XL not just as a purchase, but as an investment in your kitchen. So, the crucial question is: **Is it worth the investment?** Does the advanced technology translate into noticeably better food, or is it a case of over-engineering? We embarked on a month-long testing journey to provide a definitive answer, scrutinizing every function and feature to determine if this smart oven truly earns its “pro” title and its place on your countertop.
Technology Deep Dive: What Makes the Bravo XL “Smart”?
To understand the Bravo XL’s value, we first need to look under the hood at the core technologies that set it apart from simpler appliances. These aren’t just marketing buzzwords; they have a tangible impact on cooking performance.
Triac Digital Switch
Most standard ovens use a simple on/off thermostat. They heat past the target temperature, turn off, cool below it, and turn back on. This creates wide temperature swings. The Bravo XL uses a Triac switch, which monitors the temperature constantly and makes micro-adjustments to the power flow. **The result:** Unwavering, precise temperature control, typically within +/- 5°F of your set point. This is crucial for perfect baking and roasting.
Independent Heating Elements
The oven features multiple quartz heating elements on both the top and bottom. The “Top/Bottom” function allows you to control the power distribution between them (e.g., 70% top, 30% bottom). **The result:** Unprecedented control. You can achieve a crispy, browned top on a casserole while gently heating the bottom, or blast the bottom for a perfect pizza crust.
Integrated Digital Probe
Just like its air fryer cousin, the Bravo XL includes a digital temperature probe. You set the desired internal temperature of your food (e.g., 165°F for chicken), and the oven cooks until that temperature is reached, then automatically shuts off. **The result:** Perfect, “set it and forget it” cooking for meats and roasts, completely eliminating the risk of overcooking.
Core Performance Testing: A Month in the Kitchen
Technology is meaningless if the food isn’t delicious. We tested the Bravo XL’s 12 primary functions with a range of recipes to see how it performed in the real world.
Function 1: Air Frying
We cooked 2 lbs of chicken wings at 400°F. The results were excellent, with crispy skin and juicy meat. The large, shallow air fry basket allows for a wide surface area, promoting better air circulation than deep, basket-style fryers. It produces results on par with top-tier dedicated machines like those in our best digital air fryer guide, but with a much larger capacity.
Function 2: Baking
This is where the Triac switch shines. We baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies at 350°F. The temperature stability was phenomenal. The cookies baked incredibly evenly, with no hot spots or pale corners. We then baked a 9×13-inch lasagna, and the ability to set the top heat higher than the bottom for the final 10 minutes resulted in a perfectly bubbly, browned cheese topping without scorching the bottom. It performs like a high-end convection oven.
Function 3: Roasting with the Probe
We roasted a 6 lb whole chicken. We inserted the probe, set the target to 165°F, and let the oven do its work. In just over an hour, the oven beeped and shut down. The chicken was magnificent—perfectly cooked, with golden-brown skin and incredibly moist meat. This feature alone is a massive confidence booster for anyone intimidated by cooking large cuts of meat.
Function 4: Toasting
The Bravo XL can toast up to 9 slices of bread at once. We found the toast function worked well, but achieving perfectly even browning across all 9 slices required using the middle rack position and rotating the rack halfway through. It’s highly capable, but not as simple as a pop-up toaster for this specific task.
Function 5: Dehydrating
We tested this function with thinly sliced apples. The oven held a steady low temperature (135°F) for several hours, producing nicely dehydrated apple chips. The large capacity means you can dehydrate a significant amount at once, a clear advantage over smaller machines.
Living with a Smart Oven: The Day-to-Day Experience
Beyond specific tests, how does the Bravo XL feel to use every day? The digital interface, while packed with options, is logically laid out. A quick read of the manual is helpful, but adjusting time, temperature, and functions quickly becomes second nature. The oven is well-insulated, so while the exterior gets warm, it’s not dangerously hot to the touch.
The fan for the convection and air fry settings is audible but not overly loud—quieter than many basket-style air fryers. The ability to program two different cooking stages (e.g., roast at 400°F for 15 minutes, then drop to 325°F for 45 minutes) is a professional-level feature that we found genuinely useful for more complex recipes.
Safety with Size
The large interior and heavy-duty racks can be cumbersome to handle when hot. To ensure a safe and secure grip when pulling out a heavy roasting pan or the hot air fry basket, we highly recommend using a quality pair of fryer gloves instead of traditional mitts.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning the Bravo XL is straightforward. The stainless steel interior can be wiped down easily once cool. The crumb tray slides out from the front for quick disposal of debris. The racks and pans are all dishwasher safe, though we found a quick hand wash was usually sufficient. The most difficult part to clean is the area around the heating elements, which requires some care, but this is a common issue with all toaster-style ovens.
Competitive Landscape
The Bravo XL competes directly with premium smart ovens from brands like Breville. While Breville ovens are often lauded for their build quality and user interface, the NuWave Bravo XL consistently packs in more pro-level features—like the temperature probe and granular top/bottom heat control—at a more competitive price point.
Compared to a dedicated basket fryer like the Power XL or the value-packed Yedi Evolution, the Bravo XL is a completely different class of appliance. Those are excellent for air frying, but the Bravo XL is a true multi-function oven that also happens to be a fantastic air fryer. It’s more of an oven replacement than a simple frying gadget, and its functionality goes far beyond even complex single-purpose machines like a Presto pressure cooker.
The Investment Verdict: Is the NuWave Bravo XL Worth It?
After a month of living with and testing every facet of this machine, we’re ready to answer the ultimate question. An investment is only “worth it” if the return justifies the cost. For the Bravo XL, the return is measured in cooking precision, versatility, and confidence in the kitchen.
The Final Analysis
Is the Bravo XL a worthwhile investment?
For the serious home cook who values precision and versatility, the Bravo XL offers features and performance that are simply unmatched at its price point. It’s a true oven replacement for a fraction of the cost.
Who Should Invest In It:
- Serious home cooks who will use the advanced features.
- Anyone looking for a capable second oven or a full-size oven replacement.
- People who frequently cook roasts, chicken, or other meats and would benefit from the probe.
- Bakers who need precise and stable temperature control.
Who Should Pass:
- Casual users who primarily want to air fry frozen foods. A simpler, cheaper model from Chefman or our list of small air fryers would suffice.
- Those with very limited counter space.
- Anyone on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the Bravo XL completely replace a full-size oven?
For many households (1-4 people), absolutely. Its one-cubic-foot capacity can handle a 10lb turkey, a 13-inch pizza, or a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Unless you frequently cook multiple large dishes simultaneously, the Bravo XL can serve as your primary oven, with the added benefits of heating up faster and using less energy.
Is there a steep learning curve with all the features?
There is a small learning curve if you want to master features like multi-stage cooking or the top/bottom heat control. However, for basic functions, it’s very intuitive. You can use it as a simple oven right out of the box and gradually explore its more advanced capabilities.
How does the Bravo XL compare to the regular NuWave Bravo?
The Pro-Smart iQ360 model includes several upgrades over the standard Bravo XL, most notably the advanced Triac digital switch for superior temperature stability and an expanded set of smart cooking features. For those who prioritize baking and roasting, the Pro-Smart version is a significant and worthwhile upgrade.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. This review is based on our own independent testing and experience with a product we purchased.
