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 among all the toaster ovens we tested, 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 kitchen 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.
In case a toaster oven cannot fulfill all your needs, please feel free to take a look at our review for the Best Microwave Ovens.
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 tasks such as baking cookies, 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 models 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 deluxe convection ovens can come with the multiple oven racks or the extra baking pans.
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 cooking 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 2019
If a toaster oven seems to be a good purchase for your ongoing effort to enhance your cooking skill, then get started to select the best one for your needs in the kitchen.
We highly recommend the Breville Smart Oven Pro for those lusting after an item that has high capacity 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
Why you will like it
This digital convection oven, which can accommodate 6 slices of bread and pizzas of up to 9-13” inches, is apparently pricier than many other models. So, what makes its a bit heavy to your pocket and why it deserves your attention?
Let’s find out!
Firstly, it presents various choices of cooking functions for various types of foods, including sandwiches, 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.
Next, it’s exclusively featured with the latest technology called the “Element IQ” that helps transfer heat intelligently across 5 quartz elements for precise and stable heat. This means users can preset the power of five individual heating elements more flexibly, making the heat distribution throughout the oven much more even.
Thirdly, compact yet spacious, it uses 1800 watts of power which enables it to heat up quickly, getting your meals on the table in no.
Last but not least, besides these offered benefits, there are also other features that make huge differences for the users, including an interior oven light for clear visibility, a legend display for easy controls and the non-stick cavity coating to simplify cleaning process.
What can be improved
With nearly 10 preset options, it may make new users a little confused at the beginning. However, this point seems not to be really a dealbreaker – you get the hang of it in no time.
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. So, if money is no object, this machine is definitely a no-brainer.
Included accessories: three baking trays, a single rack along with a baking pan, a broiler pan, and a nonstick pizza pan.
Are you planning on finding a new toaster oven with convection 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
Why you will like it
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 toaster oven, 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.
It ‘s not a stretch to say that this is a is durable all-purpose kitchen appliance as besides baking, it’s also good at broiling, toasting, reheating and keeping food warm. Fashioned from sturdy stainless steel, its extra wide interior can accommodate up to 8 slices of bread or a full 12” pizza. No more worry that your favorite dish couldn’t be placed in your oven.
More impressively, this roomy oven with fast convection fits most standard oven pans with handles which may come in handy when wanting to diversify your meal plan.
The BLACK+DECKER also offers professional functionality and versatility through a dedicated toast timer and the temperature dial settings that provide expected result for specific recipes.
What can be improved
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.
And 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 countertop ovens in the industry, clearly, this isn’t a model for those with space constraints.
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, it does get hot when operating. I mean it may become REALLY H.O.T. Hence, always make your room allowance for the heat for safety issue.
Included accessories: a bake pan, a broil rack and a removable crumb tray.
With 4,734 customer reviews, 4.4 out of 5 stars rating, up to now, it is the best rated toaster oven on Amazon website. Like the BOV845BSS model, the device 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
Why you will like it
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 toasted bread or a 4 pounds roast 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 this Breville compact smart oven apart from other products 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.
What can be improved
Sad to say, the unit doesn’t come with an interior oven 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.
Or if you want to give consideration to another model from Breville, here is my suggestion – the Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven with Air Fry.
Included accessories: three baking trays, a single rack along with a baking pan, a broiler pan, and a nonstick pizza pan.
We have always had great experiences with Cuisinart chef’s convection toaster ovens. This is why we entered the Cuisinart TOB-260N1 – a mid-range model to the list of best buy toaster ovens of 2019.
Pros
Toasts quickly
Good at broiling
Easy to use and clean
Dishwasher-safe accessories
Automatic slide out rack
Multitude of Cooking Options
Cons
Heating element issues
Quite expensive
Why you will like it
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, including the convection settings and the programmable cooking functions.
Powered by 1800 watts, it heats up quickly for reheating items and toasts evenly on both side.On top of that, it employs sophisticated internal temperature compensation technology, allowing users to adjust time for the selected shade.
Plus, the new +30 option offers the flexibility to add 30 seconds to any function during cooking or toasting.
What can be improved
The biggest reason this product 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-260N1 worth the risk for you.
Included accessories: 2 oven racks, a baking/ drip pan, a broiling Pan, a removable crumb tray, a 13 inch pizza stone, a recipe booklet
I warmly recommend Panasonic Flash Xpress model to anyone seeking the best compact 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
Why you will like it
First, let me state clearly that due to its tiny size, this 4-slice toaster oven 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.
Regarding usability, until now, we haven’t seen any complaints from users. All agree that the machine is simple and intuitive. 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.
For quick and effective cleansing, just wipe down the interior with a wet cloth. This job isn’t difficult, either, especially for the parts which are easily reachable.
What can be improved
A word of caution: there is no cancel button. Once you choose the cooking setting and press its button, you’re stuck in that mode. For some people, including me, that is quite troublesome.
Another drawback is that 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 absolutely a top pick.
Included accessories: A removable crumb tray, an oven rack, and an oven tray.
I will start off by saying that we truly love this large capacity oven due to its versatility. As for the large size, it may be a little bulky in a small kitchen, but do not worry, with the stainless steel finish, Oster is really elegant and would look amazing with any kind of decoration.
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
Why you will like it
This Oster digital countertop oven is one of the most versatile cookware at functioning across a wide temperature range, resisting temperatures from 50°F to 450°F. To give you the best possible cooking experience, it features state-of-the-art electronic controls with 7 cooking settings.
So, in addition to 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.
With the spacious interior, it can not only fit a 12-inch pizza, but also 6 slices of basic bread and a 13” x 9” pan, allowing for more cooking options. So much room to cook in, Oster will be a lifesaver for many big families.
What’s else?
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 the 90-minute timer automatically shuts off as it finishes. Moreover, by pressing the provided light button, you can easily check on the food-making process.
What can be improved
Only complaint is that the cord is too short (2 feet long) to reach the wall outlet from another table, which is quite inconvenient. The door that tends to slam down onto the counter is also another obvious downside.
Bottom line: Oster has been so fabulous for those with big holiday meals, when some little extra oven space is needed. With reference to these models we tested above, its 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.
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 Easy Reach 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 pick is not the cheapest oven available on the market, it still does the job far better than many others at this price level, deserving to be the best budget toaster oven in our list.
Why you will like it
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, burns up less energy, and effectively reduces cooking times.
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.
However, unfortunately, it doesn’t have a strong spring mechanism which keeps the oven door from falling open unnecessarily – so be mindful of this factor when opening the door.
What can be improved
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.
In agreement with many buyers, also, with the Hamilton Beach, we can’t expect much browning for broiling. Additionally, the interior is not large enough to accomodate large cut of meat. Anyway, we think those are forgivable drawbacks considering its inexpensive price.
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.
Luna is an advocate for balanced eating and healthy living. Through Healthy Kitchen 101, she wishes to promote true wellness by sharing wholesome recipes, helpful cooking tips and kitchen tool reviews for busy individuals and families.
JJ
May 23, 2019 at 10:48 pmAmazing review. Thanks so much. Answered so many questions that’ll help make the choice for our family.
Luna
May 24, 2019 at 8:37 amThank you for taking the time to write such a lovely comment. I’m so glad this article was helpful.
Scopeprice
June 18, 2019 at 1:25 pmThanks a lot. This article is so helpful.