The best toaster ovens give you the convenience of a smaller, compact-sized appliance with the built-in qualities of a traditional kitchen oven. For those who want to do more than just toast bread and bagels, toaster ovens are ideal — they allow you to cook smaller quantities faster, without the hassle of dealing with a large, hot oven.
These user-friendly devices usually have their own proprietary heating functions, such as double infrared heating elements to evenly toast, bake and reheat your food or convection technology which circulates air within the oven for fast and more even results while baking. In addition, you also get toaster ovens with preset cooking functions, see-through glass doors, non-stick, easily cleaned interiors and in some cases, advanced smartphone connectivity which allows you to remotely control the device.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Toaster Oven
To ensure you find the best toaster oven for your individual needs, it’s worth considering the following questions. By answering each one you’ll have a much clearer picture of the type of toaster oven which is suited to your household.
How many people do you need to prepare food for? Toaster ovens come in a variety of different sizes. It’s important to think about how many people you’re going to be cooking for and choose a device accordingly. The majority of toaster ovens can have either four or six pieces of bread laid out at their capacity.
Do you want your toaster oven to do more than just toast? Gone are the days of single-function devices. And although you can find a simple, one-function toaster if you really want, the majority of available devices now bake, brown, roast, defrost and reheat everything from frozen waffles for breakfast to most entrees for dinner. Some more advanced devices even include the ability to air fry or connect to your smartphone for remote control.
Related Stories
How much counter space do you have to spare? One of the biggest problems with adding a toaster oven to your existing kitchen setup is the counter space it uses. Before you commit to your choice, make sure you check you’ve got enough space to spare. Otherwise, you can choose a device with a smaller footprint.
What design is best suited to your kitchen? Away from functionality, consider which design and color of the toaster oven will look best in your existing kitchen. Options range from newer, more modern-looking ovens to more retro-inspired devices. You can also find a number of different colors.
How We Chose the Best Toaster Ovens
A big part of finding the best toaster ovens involves assessing the functionality of each device. However, this doesn’t mean just because a device doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, we didn’t include it on the list. To ensure there’s something for everyone, our selection includes both basic and more complex ovens as well as smaller and larger ones, too. Our main inclusion points were a stand-out rating and great value. This means you’ll find classically styled, easy-to-understand toaster ovens and X-in-One devices that can do far more than just your everyday toasting. The right one for you will depend on your individual needs.
Below you’ll find a selection of the best toaster ovens that can do so much more than toasting your breakfast waffles. Scroll down to find the right device for the needs of your household.
1. Panasonic FlashXpress Compact Toaster Oven
BEST OVERALL
The Panasonic FlashXpress Compact Toaster Oven includes an instant heat feature which eliminates the hassle of preheating. It also features six cooking menus with illustrated preset buttons which can automatically calculate the cooking time for a variety of foods. The clean, compact design looks great in any kitchen and an easy-to-read digital display lets you set a time and adjust temperature settings.
2. COMFEE’ CFO-CC2501 Toaster Oven
BEST BUDGET
On a slightly more basic yet suitable-for-most level, this COMFEE’ CFO-CC2501 Toaster Oven covers all the bases. The six-slice (or 12-inch pizza) capacity is just the right size for family households. It includes a built-in convection fan to keep air moving for faster cooking and more evenly cooked results. You can also choose between baking, broiling and toasting and adjust the cooking temperature between 150 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The oven also sports a 60-minute timer, is supplied with a removable crumb tray, baking pan and baking rack and comes in three different colors.
3. Hamilton Beach Countertop Toaster Oven & Pizza Maker
CLASSIC PICK
Sporting a design inspired by the toaster ovens of old, the Hamilton Beach Countertop Toaster Oven & Pizza Maker is an impressively user-friendly device. It features a three-part control system made up of a temperature dial, a function dial and a timer dial. The traditional-style countertop device has enough space for toasting up to four slices of toast per round or a nine-inch pizza. Its small footprint also means it takes up less countertop space while its high efficiency means it uses 75 percent less energy than many competing devices.
4. Hamilton Beach Countertop Convection Toaster Oven
BEST FOR PIZZA
The Hamilton Beach Countertop Convection Toaster Oven is another device that sports the classic, three-dial design. This user-friendly setup makes it easy to adjust the temperature, function and timer settings. For ease of access to the food, the door is made from a large, curved piece of glass. The internal space is also big enough to accommodate a 12-inch pizza, making this a great option for pizza lovers or anyone who wants to take a night off from complicated, time-consuming cooking.
5. BLACK+DECKER Convection Toaster Oven
ALSO CONSIDER
Digital controls on this BLACK+DECKER Convection Toaster Oven provide precision control over time, temperature and other functions. A 120-minute automatic timer also turns the device off when it runs out. This toaster oven easily fits on most countertops and has an extra deep interior capable of fitting pizzas up to 12 inches across, casserole dishes, whole chickens and other family-sized dishes.
6. Toshiba Digital Toaster Oven
MOST STYLISH
From toasting bagels to baking cookies, this Toshiba Digital Toaster Oven has you covered for all your broiling, baking, toasting, roasting and reheating needs. It includes additional infrared heating elements to shorten cooking times and also features a convection fan to help things cook more evenly. Functionally, you can choose from 10 different settings, while the six-slice capacity ensures there’s plenty of room for a sizable meal. The easy-to-turn knobs, dual-position rack and non-stick interior further add to the user-friendliness of this oven. In addition, this toaster oven comes with several additions including a baking pan, a baking rack, a rack clamp, a crumb tray and a rotisserie kit.
7. Cuisinart TOB-60N1 Toaster Oven
BEST COLORS
The Cuisinart TOB-60N1 Toaster Oven sports a classic toaster oven-inspired appearance and comes in a number of retro colors. This makes it a great option for either traditional or quirkier kitchens. Functionally, the inside of the toaster oven is covered in a non-stick layer to facilitate easier cleaning after use. It also boasts a 0.6-cubic-foot capacity which can handle a 12-inch pizza or six slices of toast. Furthermore, the device is supplied with a handy slide-out crumb tray and accompanying recipe book to get your creative juices flowing.
8. COSORI CS130-AO Air Fryer Toaster Oven
BEST SMART DEVICE
The COSORI CS130-AO Air Fryer Toaster Oven throws a bit of modern technology into the mix to give you a device that can be controlled remotely via an accompanying smartphone app. The VeSync app lets you change key settings like the cooking temperature, the time, the light and the fan settings. It also gives you access to hundreds of fun recipes to try. In addition, this well-thought-out 30-liter capacity device sports a user-friendly, digital LED screen for easier in-device navigation and comes in either a silver or black finish.
9. Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven
BEST ALL-IN-ONE
If you’re looking for a device to toast, fry, roast and dehydrate, the Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 Smart XL Air Fry Oven is your answer. Versatility is its game as it offers 10 different cooking functions. The impressive device can offer up to 10 times the convection power of an average convection oven to deliver crispier results in a shorter time frame. You’ll also find a cooking system that uses a smart thermostat to ensure your food cooks at just the right temperature. Size-wise, the oven offers two levels of cooking and is capable of accommodating two 12-inch pizzas or a five-pound turkey and accompaniments, ideal for family-sized meals. Plus, the user-friendly digital display handle lets you clearly see and choose your settings as your food cooks.
10. Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven
BEST SPLURGE
The Breville Smart Oven Pro uses an Element iQ system that transfers heat intelligently across five quartz elements to deliver precise and consistent results. The smart oven comes with nine preset functions, an auto shut-off and an alert system, temperature conversion and frozen food functions and a color-changing LCD screen. You’ll also find an interior oven light that automatically turns on when you open the door. Plus, this oven is convection-powered to speed up the cooking process.
Never Burn Your Bread Again Thanks to These Excellent (and Good-looking) Toasters