Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave Review: Quiet Power for Everyday Cooking
When it comes to countertop microwaves, most of us want something more than raw power — we want convenience, comfort, and a design that fits seamlessly into our kitchens. The Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave (Model 6VL) delivers on those lifestyle-friendly promises.
With a 900-watt output and 0.9 cubic foot capacity, this microwave focuses on everyday usability, quiet operation, and thoughtful details rather than brute performance.
After months of personal use, I’ve gotten to know where it shines and where it falls short. In this comprehensive Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave Review, I’ll cover everything from design, usability, and performance to noise levels, defrosting quality, and long-term reliability. Whether you’re outfitting a dorm, office, or cozy kitchen, this guide will help you decide if this model deserves a spot on your counter.
What Makes the Breville Compact Wave Stand Out
The Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave doesn’t try to outmuscle competitors with raw wattage. Instead, it wins hearts with smart ergonomics and a peaceful personality. Right out of the box, the first thing that stands out is its soft-close door — a feature rare in this price range.
Rather than slamming shut, the door glides to a gentle close, creating a sense of refinement and reducing noise in your kitchen.
Add to that a mute button that eliminates beeps entirely, and you have a microwave ideal for shared spaces, late-night snacks, or early-morning coffee reheats. It’s clear that Breville designed this unit for people who value calm, quiet, and control.
Design and Build Quality
Visually, the Breville Compact Wave is sleek and understated. The silver finish with a gray fascia gives it a premium appearance that blends well with both modern and traditional kitchen styles. Measuring 17.3 inches wide, 19.1 inches deep, and 11.5 inches tall, it has a compact footprint that suits small counters yet still accommodates a standard dinner plate inside.
Weighing around 29–30 pounds, it feels sturdy and doesn’t slide around when opening the door. The interior is painted metal, easy to clean with a simple wipe, and the overall build feels solid. While it’s compact, it doesn’t feel cramped — an ideal middle ground between portability and practicality.
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User-Friendly Controls and Features
Breville’s control interface deserves special mention. It combines a tactile rotary dial with simple one-touch shortcuts, creating an experience that’s refreshingly intuitive.
Key Features
- Rotary Dial: Lets you adjust time quickly — even while the microwave is running.
- Soft-Close Door: Reduces noise and feels refined to use.
- Mute Button: Turns off all operation sounds for silent use.
- Child Lock: Activated by holding a single button, ideal for families.
- One-Touch Shortcuts: Presets for popcorn, beverages, defrosting, pizza, potatoes, and more.
The dial is especially satisfying — smooth, fast, and precise. It’s a small touch, but one that makes a big difference compared to cheap membrane buttons.
Another thoughtful addition is the immediate start feature. Pressing the Start button kicks off a 30-second heating cycle instantly, perfect for quick tasks like warming a mug of water or reheating leftovers.
Quiet Operation: The Real Star
If you’ve ever been startled by a loud microwave door or constant beeping, this model feels like a revelation. The soft-close door and muted hum create a noticeably calmer environment.
Unlike typical microwaves that emit harsh clacks or buzzes, the Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave runs with a low, consistent sound level. Combined with the optional mute mode, it’s ideal for anyone who values a serene kitchen — from parents with sleeping children to night owls reheating midnight snacks.
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Cooking Performance
Heating Liquids
This microwave truly excels at heating liquids. Whether it’s a mug of coffee, soup, or oatmeal, it heats evenly and efficiently. Liquids naturally absorb microwave energy more uniformly, so the results are consistent and quick.
Reheating Solid Foods
When it comes to solid foods or mixed plates, performance becomes more uneven. Dishes like rice, vegetables, and chicken may require manual stirring or rearranging to achieve even heating. While this is common in non-inverter microwaves, it’s worth noting that this Breville model can leave cold and hot spots if left unattended.
Popcorn and Frozen Meals
Popcorn performance is acceptable but not particularly fast. A full bag takes slightly longer than higher-wattage models (around 1100–1200 watts). For frozen meals, expect longer cook times and the need for occasional stirring midway through.
Overall, the 900 watts of power is mid-range — strong enough for most daily needs but not ideal for large portions or impatient users.
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Defrosting: A Weak Point
If there’s one clear downside in this Breville Compact Wave review, it’s the defrost function. While it handles small portions reasonably well, larger cuts of meat or dense frozen foods can defrost unevenly. The microwave doesn’t prompt you to flip or rotate items midway, which often leads to partially cooked edges and frosty centers.
This shortcoming stems from the fact that the Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave doesn’t use inverter technology. Instead of maintaining a steady low power output, it alternates between full power and off cycles. This on-off pulsing can cause inconsistent results when defrosting thicker foods.
For best results, manual intervention helps — pausing halfway to turn or stir improves evenness. But if you rely heavily on defrosting, an inverter microwave might be a better fit.
Everyday Usability
After extended use, what strikes me most is how pleasant this microwave is to live with day-to-day. It may not boast cutting-edge power, but it streamlines common tasks beautifully.
- Quick reheats: Perfect for single servings or drinks.
- Compact design: Ideal for tight spaces or shared kitchens.
- Stable on counter: Doesn’t shift when opening or closing.
- Intuitive layout: Clear labeling and simple operation.
That said, there are two notable omissions:
- No dedicated kitchen timer. You can’t use it as a countdown timer when not heating food — a small but occasionally frustrating limitation.
- No crisping or browning capability. Like most microwaves, it won’t make pizza crusts or bread crispy.
These are minor flaws compared to the convenience and quietness it offers, but worth mentioning if you expect more advanced features.
Durability and Long-Term Impressions
The soft-close door mechanism is both a luxury and a concern. It feels refined but delicate — something to treat gently rather than slam shut. Over months of use, I’ve had no mechanical failures, though once or twice the door didn’t latch perfectly on the first close.
To extend the life of this component, I recommend guiding the door closed gently and avoiding excessive force. Otherwise, the construction feels reliable and consistent with Breville’s reputation for quality small appliances.
The one-year limited warranty adds peace of mind, and given the price range, the build quality feels fair for the cost.
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Ideal Users and Use Cases
The Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave is not for everyone — and that’s its strength. It’s best suited for:
- Small kitchens, dorms, and offices where counter space is limited.
- Light sleepers or parents who need quiet operation.
- Minimalists and seniors who appreciate simple, tactile controls.
- People who mostly reheat rather than cook.
If you often prepare full meals, cook dense dishes, or frequently defrost large portions, a more powerful or inverter-equipped model may serve you better.
But if your priorities are convenience, style, and tranquility, this microwave delivers exactly that.
Pros and Cons: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave
Pros:
- Exceptionally quiet operation
- Soft-close door adds premium feel
- Simple, tactile rotary dial
- Compact and elegant design
- Mute mode for silent operation
- Reliable for reheating liquids and single meals
Cons:
- Defrosting is inconsistent
- No standalone kitchen timer
- Slightly slower performance due to 900W power
- Door requires gentle handling for longevity
Comparing Breville Compact Wave with Inverter Microwaves
If you’re debating between this model and an inverter microwave, here’s what to consider:
| Feature | Breville Compact Wave | Inverter Microwave |
|---|---|---|
| Power Consistency | Pulses between on/off | Continuous low power |
| Defrosting | Uneven for thick foods | Even and precise |
| Noise Level | Very quiet | Varies by model |
| Door Mechanism | Soft-close | Standard slam |
| Ideal For | Quiet reheating, light cooking | Faster, even cooking |
The Compact Wave prioritizes peace and simplicity, while inverter models prioritize performance. Your choice depends on whether you value experience or efficiency more.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning is straightforward. The interior’s smooth metal surface wipes clean easily with a damp cloth. Since spills don’t bake on as harshly due to the lower wattage, maintenance stays minimal.
The exterior’s brushed silver finish resists fingerprints fairly well, though a microfiber cloth keeps it looking polished. Breville’s design avoids unnecessary crevices, which simplifies long-term upkeep.
Final Verdict
In this Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave Review, the takeaway is clear: this is a microwave designed for living well, not cooking fast. It prioritizes quiet performance, simple operation, and aesthetic harmony over raw speed or advanced tech.
It’s perfect for anyone who values peace and practicality — for those morning coffee warm-ups, evening soup bowls, and midnight popcorn sessions where calm matters more than power.
However, if your cooking involves frequent defrosting, multi-dish meals, or time-sensitive heating, consider stepping up to a higher-watt or inverter model.
Conclusion: Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave Review
The Breville Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave represents a subtle kind of innovation — not louder or faster, but quieter, calmer, and more thoughtful. It redefines what it feels like to use a microwave every day.
For small spaces, families, or anyone craving peace in the kitchen, this compact model offers a remarkable blend of form, function, and serenity. It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s a pleasure to live with — and sometimes, that’s what really counts.
