# Are Camera Ovens Worth It?

> What a camera in a countertop oven actually does, which models have one, and when it is worth paying for, from Serious Eats and The Verge.

- Canonical URL: https://webofmike.com/ai-life/kitchen/smart-ovens/are-camera-ovens-worth-it/
- Author: Mike Moore (https://webofmike.com/about/)
- Published: 2026-11-03
- Last modified: 2026-11-03
- Tags: AI Life
- Cite as: Mike Moore, "Are Camera Ovens Worth It?", Web of Mike (webofmike.com), 2026-11-03. https://webofmike.com/ai-life/kitchen/smart-ovens/are-camera-ovens-worth-it/


[AI Life](/ai-life/) / [Kitchen](/ai-life/kitchen/) / [Smart Ovens](/ai-life/kitchen/smart-ovens/)

A camera oven lets you watch food from your phone, and some use the camera to recognize what you put in. It's a nice feature with a short list of real uses. More on the [smart oven hub](/ai-life/kitchen/smart-ovens/).

## What's out there

- **Anova Precision Oven 2.0** has a built-in camera, along with steam and convection ([Serious Eats](https://www.seriouseats.com/best-countertop-ovens-8641704)).
- **Brava** used cameras and light-based cooking, and the company shut down in March 2026 ([The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/tech/897277/another-smart-oven-shuts-down)).

## When it helps

- Browning you can't judge by time alone, like toast or a gratin.
- Checking on food without opening the door and losing heat.
- Making time-lapses, if you're into that.

## When it doesn't

- Food recognition is the headline feature and the weakest in reviews.
- The camera depends on the app and the company's servers. If the company stops, the feature stops.

## Verdict

Pay for steam and good temperature control first. Treat the camera as a bonus. If you mostly want reliable doneness, a [wireless meat thermometer](/ai-life/kitchen/smart-thermometers/best-wireless-meat-thermometer/) is cheaper and more useful. Brava owners looking for a replacement can see [smart oven alternatives](/ai-life/kitchen/smart-ovens/brava-shut-down-smart-oven-alternatives/).