Top 7 Best Toaster Ovens of 2018 – Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

With a huge variety of designs and cooking functions available, it’s really challenging to pick up the best toaster oven that well suits your demands. Thus, our goal is to help you downsize a broad list of possible options.

To provide everything you should know before making a decision, we personally carried out our own evaluation process. Firstly, we tested some highly rated models, chosen based on Amazon‘s rating and their retail popularity in the market.

Next, we spent time consulting user reviews in every performance aspect of the product to find the features that matter the most (from their practical experiences).

After comparing and analyzing all the collected data, we then opted for a product that performed well across a range of common cooking tasks. And the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven is our final winner thanks to its convenient use, outstanding performance, and high reliability.

Here we will present to you a list of seven best toaster ovens as well as a couple tips on purchasing. Hopefully, this post can help you single out the most suitable unit for your needs and budget.

Is a Toaster Oven Worth it ?

Believe it or not, a great toaster oven can definitely bring about an easy life – so much so that you can’t imagine. You know why?

Firstly, the machine comes in different sizes to serve any need. For instance, there are small toaster ovens that can perfectly brown your morning toasts and handle small servings of foods, and larger ones to deal with a 12-inch pizza or 4 lbs of chicken. On the other hand, mid-size toaster ovens can be particularly efficient for reheating leftovers and cooking frozen meals.

Of course, all are versatile enough for toasting, baking and defrosting.

Secondly, a toaster oven can provide some benefits that a regular one cannot. To be more specific, due to its smaller size, most toaster ovens are featured to extensively cut-off the preheat time. This means you don’t have to wait up to half an hour to begin your cooking task.  Within just a few minutes, you’re able to prepare a whole batch of muffins.

Last but not least, the machine is an effective way to keep your electricity bill low as it can save up to 50% of energy when cooking small dishes, compared to a regular oven. So, apart from the budget benefit, this appliance does also prevent us from wasting resources.

All in all, if you’re aiming to invest in a toaster oven, I can surely say this versatile tool will hardly ever disappoint you.

What we Look for in a Good Toaster Oven

When it comes to determine which one is the best model, each toaster should be rated first on how well it toasts bread within a reasonable amount of time as well as how easy it is to clean, maintain and control.

Furthermore, the oven you choose have to fit your countertop, cooking needs, and especially your financial plan.

Here’s a list of the most important characteristics that you should carefully consider when choosing a toaster oven.

Price

The prices of  toaster ovens range from as low as $30 upwards to $1000. Different price type typically offers different specific features.

If you’re just looking for something plain to light up your breakfast and don’t plan to use it so often, then there’s no need to pay too much.

On the contrary, pricier toaster ovens with convection settings will provide you with much more fancy features. These models are always equipped with higher qualities. If you are particularly interested in a stylish design, stronger power and efficient energy-use, a high-end option is worth your investment.

Capacity and Size

It’s worth noting that the cooking capacity and energy consumption mostly depend on the oven size. So, try to determine how much output you are going to need so that you can decide on the right size.

For those who intend to use their products for reheating or other simple cooking tasks, small units with less cubic-foot capacity may be a smart choice.

Contrarily, some others may prefer a larger machine that can handle more portions for their big family. In this case, the models with more shelf space to accommodate a 13-inch pizza will better suffice.

Therefore, check the capacity and size of an oven first to see how much space is on the inside so as to ensure whether or not your machine can comfortably contain the food you enjoy.

Useful accessories

Nowadays, a majority of toaster ovens are furnished with a crumb tray, an oven rack and a baking pan. That said, the number of additional accessories does depend on how much the buyers are willing to spend. Some luxurious models can come with the multiple racks or an extra pan.

And keep in mind, these removable parts all require regular cleaning as they’re featured to keep all of the fragments during the cooking process. To make cleansing easier, find an unit with trays and racks that can be taken out without huge efforts, especially when they’re in hot condition.

Cooking features

Each oven has a unique combination of settings that are capable of performing a variety of cooking tasks. However, the primary functions of those appliances always include broiling, toasting, baking, and reheating.

Some others may come with more advancements, which make a distinction between a high-price tag oven and a traditional one. Such as a preset of food-specific setting that allows users to choose the precise temperatures that well suit for bagel, muffins and pizza.

One more convenient feature that customers should highly care about is convection. It is defined as a fan and exhaust system that helps circulate hot air inside the toaster ovens, allowing food to be cooked better and more quickly.

Clearly, convection seems to be so beneficial; however, we do not consider it’s a compulsory trait. It’s your needs and budget to decide on your option.

Review of the Best Toaster Ovens 2018

1. Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven – Best to Buy in 2018

We highly recommend the Breville Smart Oven for those lusting after an item that looks good and can provide a wide range of preset settings.

Pros

• Less energy consumption
• Intuitive controls
• Durable, versatile
• Easy to clean and use
• Accurate temperature

Cons

• A bit expensive
• Easy to get hot

This model, which can accommodate 6 slices of bread and pizzas of up to 9-13” inches, is apparently pricier than many other toaster ovens. But if it’s higher price for higher quality, then why not?

Thanks to the Breville’s “Element IQ” cooking technology, users can flexibly preset the power of five individual heating elements, making the heat distribution throughout the oven much more even.

Plus, this modern feature presents various choices of cooking functions for various types of foods, including sandwich, cookies, pizza, and chicken breast. In other words, the machine will allow you to select the precise time, temperature, and cooking method (broil, toast, bake, warm, refrozen, slow cook option) for a specific kind of food.

There’re also other features that make huge differences for the users, including an interior light, a legend display and the useful magnet.

Bottom line: Honestly, the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven is really an ideal medium-size model that does quite well across all the cooking tasks. We’re very impressed by the ability to customize its cooking functions which is better than most of its competitors. With nearly 10 preset options, it may make new users a little confused at the beginning. However, this point seems not to be a dealbreaker – you get the hang of it in no time.

Included accessories: three baking trays, a single rack along with a baking pan, a broiler pan, and a nonstick pizza pan.

2. Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven – Best Toaster Oven Under $100

If our best overall pick has more features than you need or seems to cost you a fortune, we suggest the affordable, no-frills Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven for the alternative.

Pros

• Compact design
• Easy operation
• Safe-open top
• Can toast quickly

Cons

• Poor timer (only go to 30 mins)
• Loud convection fan
• Non dishwasher-safe accessories

Despite the fact that this model is not the cheapest oven available on the market, it still
does the job far better than many others at this price level.

While the machine lacks many of the features included in high-end models, such as digital controls and preset cooking function, it delivers excellent toasting and baking. For clarification, it heats pretty evenly and burns up less energy. Besides, its small footprint makes it ideal for limited counter space while its cavity is roomy enough to fit 4 slices of bread or 12-inch frozen pizza.

Like most toaster ovens, this special one offers useful manual knobs for adjusting time, temperature (150-450°F), and cooking functions (toast, broil, roast, bake). Plus, there’s a timer bell featured to alarm when your food is finished.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a strong spring mechanism which keeps the oven door from falling open unnecessarily – be mindful of this factor when opening the door.

In agreement with many buyers, however, with the Hamilton Beach, we can’t expect much browning for broiling. Also, the interior is not large enough to accomodate large cut of meat. Anyway, we think those are forgivable drawbacks considering its inexpensive price.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the heat element is very mighty, making exterior parts become super hot. Seemingly, this thing is a good heat source in the winter, yet it may also be a using barrier in the summer. So, do not let any cords rest against the portion of the exterior or they will melt and burn.

Bottom line: This cleverly-designed oven is definitely notable in its simplicity. For the price, it does exactly what you want it to do. Of course, it cannot replace your full-size oven. But, for certain, we believe the Hamilton Beach is entitled to be a terrific choice in the long run.

Included accessories:  an oven rack, a baking pan and a crumb tray.

3. Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven – Best Rated

With 4,734 customer reviews, 4.4 out of 5 stars rating, up to now, the Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven is the best rated toaster oven on Amazon website. Like the BOV845BSS model, this machine is a bit on the expensive side, but if you don’t mind paying for quality, it certainly will never let you down.

Pros

• Cooks quickly and evenly
• Extra-large capacity
• Simple to use and clean
• High-end technologies

Cons

• No interior light
• Pricey
• Large footprint

In terms of performance, it excels at customizing the cooking of everything, from a small batch of muffins to 13-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast or a 4 pounds chicken. It bakes, toasts, broils and reheats as well as a full-sized oven, defeating all of its competitors in this segment totally.

Another feature that sets the Breville BOV800XL apart from other toaster ovens is its Element IQ technology. Thanks to this smart feature, the machine is able to control the power of each heating element, depending on what is being cooked.

By delivering the right power at the right time, not only does it speed up the cooking process but it also reduces home’s energy consumption – something that many people may like.

Plus, with nine preset programs, it gives you the flexibility to control your presets to cook the food the way you enjoy.

However, sad to say, the unit doesn’t come with an interior light. Although some state it hasn’t been an issue at all, we think at this price point, it would be more pleasant to have one.

Besides, there are also many complaints about the exchange policy of Breville team regarding the defective units. Even though most were able to get a new machine, it does take them a long period of waiting time. This is the reason I prefer purchasing from Amazon which always offers high-quality services.

Bottom line: So far we’re very satisfied with the Breville BOV800XL. It comes at a premium price, but with its high quality design and features. If you’re looking for a top-notch model that is easy to use and convenient to clean, then the BOV800XL will not disappoint you. However, if you have limited counter space, then the smaller model – Panasonic Flash Xpress would be better for you.

Included accessories: a non-stick pizza pan, an enamel broiling rack, a baking pan and a handy front access crumb tray.

4. BLACK+DECKER Convection Oven – Best Convection Toaster Oven

Are you planning on finding a new convection toaster oven as a replacement for the 10+ years old one that is starting to fail? If yes, here’s your station.

Pros

• Easy-to-use control
• Faster and better cooking
• Affordable for the features you get
• Useful accessories

Cons

• Poor at broiling
• Short cord

Honestly, it’s always hard to replace an appliance you have had for a long time to the new thing, as you may worry it can’t exactly live up the performance of your old oven. But in this case, we suppose this BLACK+DECKER will surpass all the expectations for years to come.

In comparison with other regular models, the BLACK & DECKER has various improvements, especially in convection function. Black and Decker deserves an applause for making this feature available to handle heavier tasks as well as to increase productivity.
Without this, the machine would take much longer to cook and the top could be prone to catch fire caused by the quartz radiant heating elements.

The most common item customers wish BLACK+DECKER could improve is its old-fashioned analog control. Some users, however, do prefer these backward-looking knobs over digital displays, as they allow you to quickly turn to the desired temperature and time. It’s probably a matter of preference rather than functionality.

With these components revealed, if you are now interested in this toaster oven, make sure your countertop is roomy enough for it to steadily stand. Being one of the biggest and heaviest ovens in the industry, clearly, this isn’t a model for those with space constraints.

On the bright side, with its extra wide interior, it can accommodate more food than most of the previously mentioned units. You will no longer have to worry that your favorite dish does not fit in your oven.

It’s also necessary to know that the oven does get hot when operating. I mean it can get REALLY H.O.T. Hence, make your room allowance for the heat for safety issue.

Bottom line: The BLACK+DECKER toaster oven is priced fairly for the quality you get. It toasts, bakes, broils and heats food at a good standard. However, based on California Residents – Proposition 65 warning, the product contains chemicals that can cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For your safety, hope this information may be beneficial to your buying decisions.

Included accessories: a bake pan, a broil rack and a removable crumb tray.

5. Oster Large Digital Countertop Oven – Best Large Toaster Oven

I will start off by saying that we truly love this large capacity oven due to its versatility.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Even and fast cooking
• Extra function (defrosting)

Cons

• Poorly constructed door
• Short cord
• No indication of preheat
• No nonstick interiors -> difficult clean up

With the spacious interior, Oster can not only fit a 16 inches pizza but also 14 slices of basic bread and a 13” x 9” pan, giving you more cooking options. So much room to cook in, Oster will be a lifesaver for many big families.

As for the large size, it may look a little bulky your kitchen space, but do not worry. Oster looks really elegant with the stainless steel finish. Only complaint is that the cord is too short (2 feet long) to reach the wall outlet from other table, which is quite inconvenient. The door that tends to slam down onto the counter is another obvious downside.

Beyond three basic cooking functions, the oven additionally includes the defrosting feature, meaning you now can get rid of microwave for health reasons and use this unit for roasting, baking and heating up leftovers. Luckily, all these tasks are performed fairly well.

Owners seem unanimous in their opinion over the convection fan operation: they all agree it is much quieter compared to other models (such as the Hamilton Beach).

Most also love with the interior light that goes on while the machine is running and automatically shuts off as it finishes. Moreover, by pressing the provided light button, you can easily check on the food-making process.

Bottom line: Oster has been so fabulous for those with big holiday meals, when some little extra oven space is needed. The price is not too high given the size and features it offers. In certain ways, this item will be the best choice and the best return of your money.

Included accessories: two cooking racks, a baking pan, a broiling rack.

6. Panasonic Flash Xpress – Best Small Toaster Oven

I warmly recommend Panasonic Flash Xpress model to anyone seeking a toaster oven with limited counter space, easy-to-use control, and fast cooking functions.

Pros

• Super fast cooking
• Bright light
• Durable
• Easy to use and clean

Cons

• Limited use
• No broiling option

First, let me state clearly that due to its tiny size, this unit cannot be a great replacement for your traditional oven. If you intend to use it for cooking daily meals, I think you may be disappointed.

Nevertheless, what it does, it does very well.

It cooks fast and fairly even. In fact, it’s one of the few items that use both quartz and ceramic heating element, which allows instantaneous heat up. This means no preheating time is required. Once you turn it on and set temperature, you can put in your foods immediately.

Regarding usability, until now, we haven’t seen any complaints from users. All agree that the machine is simple and intuitive.  However, there is no cancel button. Once you choose the cooking setting and press its button, you’re stuck in that mode – sounds like so inconvenient.

To clean, just wipe down the interior with a wet cloth. This job isn’t difficult, either, especially for the parts which are easily reachable.

On the negative side, there is some SLIGHT differences in the heat levels between the back and the front. But I don’t think it’s a big deal. Simply move the foods around to get uniform heating.

Bottom line: This is a pretty good toaster oven, but far from perfect. However, if you only want a oven that actually works with no need for preheating and gets jobs done quickly, then this small capacity item is for you.

Included accessories: A removable crumb tray, an oven rack, and an oven tray.

7. Cuisinart TOB-40N Custom Classic – Best Countertop Oven for Baking

We have always had great experiences with Cuisinart products. This is why we entered the Cuisinart TOB-40 oven toaster – a mid-range model to the list of best buy toaster ovens in 2018.

Pros

• Toasts quickly
• Good at broiling
• Easy to use and clean
• Dishwasher-safe accessories
• Fair pricing
• Automatic slide out rack

Cons

• Took a long time to broil chicken
• No timer
• Heating element issues

There are lots of things from this oven that we’re attracted to – it has big capacity, but a relatively small footprint, and does not take up too much your counter space. It’s smart enough to present a full range of menu options. It heats up quickly for reheating items and toasts completely on both side.

On top of that, it employs sophisticated internal temperature compensation technology, allowing users to adjust time for the selected shade. Admittedly, it does not have a timer for baking, but you can get past this obstacle by using any other kind of timer instead.

The biggest reason the TOB-40 failed a higher rating is because of its defective heating elements.

Users report that after years of use, the device starts to get hot when operating, both inside and outside. In some cases, the heating elements begin distorting strikingly which is really a serious fire hazard.

Bottom line: We know there are many other toaster ovens in this segment out there with safer heating elements feature. But unless you are looking forward to it working more than 4 years, perhaps the reasonable price and the Cuisinart name make the TOB-40 worth the risk for you.

Included accessories: an oven rack, a baking/drip pan, a crumb tray, a recipe booklet.