Buying guide for best toaster ovens
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Few kitchen appliances are as versatile as the toaster oven. It can serve up golden brown toast and bake casseroles and roast chicken. Some high-end models offer additional cooking options like air frying and rotisserie cooking.
Most toaster ovens resemble a mini oven that sits conveniently on the countertop. They have a large glass door with a handle, providing easy access to the inside. Some also have a built-in slot toaster on top. Depending on the size, a toaster oven can have one to three racks for cooking, and they’re typically sturdy enough to hold heavier foods like a whole chicken. You can also find models that offer convection cooking. These move hot air around the food to cook it more efficiently and evenly.
The Breville Smart Oven Pro Convection Toaster is our favorite toaster oven because it’s large enough for a family and offers a wide range of functions. If you’re not on a budget, the BestReviews Testing Lab also liked the Brava Oven Chef’s Choice Set, which can also operate as an air fryer, dehydrator, rice cooker and slow cooker and fits easily in most kitchens.
Expert tip
Never put food directly on the rack(s) in the oven. They drop crumbs and drip on the elements creating a mess or worse, a fire.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Our list: The best toaster ovens
This toaster oven is at the top of our list, offering the widest range of features and an impressive capacity that make it versatile enough for even the busiest kitchen. It can hold six slices of toast, a 13-inch pizza or a 6-cup muffin tray and offers 10 cooking functions, including toast, bake, broil, grill and slow cooking. Thanks to the five quartz elements that provide precise, stable heat, you can trust you’ll get great results every time. It also has a convection setting that can reduce cooking time by up to 30%.
The clear, backlit display is simple to operate, showing temperature and cooking time and providing easy access to the cooking functions. The interior light and large front window allow you to monitor your food as it cooks, and the nonstick interior and slide-out crumb tray help you clean up quickly between uses.
If you’re on a budget, you can’t beat this toaster oven, the most affordable on our list. It might not have all the bells and whistles of some higher-priced models, but it has many convenient features and delivers excellent performance. The interior is specially designed to evenly toast bread, and it can hold four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza, the perfect capacity for a small household of two or three. This model also bakes, broils and warms food. With temperatures up to 450 degrees, it offers versatility for everyday use.
Concerned about cleanup time? The removable crumb tray is a cinch to empty. A convenient timer lets you select a cooking time of up to 30 minutes, and the oven automatically shuts off when your food is done. The classic black and stainless steel design works well with most kitchen decor.
This model is the priciest on our list, but it’s more advanced than probably any other toaster oven on the market. It takes the guesswork out of cooking with over 7,000 customizable, downloadable cooking programs available through the connected mobile app. Offering 10 cooking functions, including baking, roasting, rice cooking, dehydrating, slow cooking and air frying, it has plenty of versatility.
Our testing revealed that it’s easy to use and can prepare many popular foods like steak, chicken, fish and eggs faster than other types of toaster ovens. It can cook eggs and toast at the same time, so we found it especially convenient for breakfast recipes. The “set it and forget it” operation also makes it an excellent choice for anyone who doesn’t have much time for or interest in cooking. This set also comes with pans, trays and a probe thermometer.
If you enjoy rotisserie chicken and other meats, you’ll definitely want to check out this feature-packed toaster oven. It offers 10 cooking functions, including toasting, baking and rotisserie cooking, so you can prepare plenty of your favorite recipes without making your kitchen too hot. It’s also sized for a family, holding up to six slices of toast, an 11-inch pizza or a 4-pound chicken.
With user-friendly knob controls and high-contrast LCD display, we also appreciate its simple operation. You can choose from temperatures between 150 and 450 degrees. The upper and lower heating elements and convection fan ensure that the heat is evenly distributed to cook food quickly and thoroughly.
This impressive toaster oven stands out for its spacious interior that can fit up to six slices of toast or a 12-inch pizza. It features powerful quartz heat technology that provides 40% more even heat for better cooking and crisping. You can choose from 11 cooking functions, including air frying and dehydrating. We especially like the large French doors with glass windows that make it easy to put food in and take it out. Along with the high-contrast LCD display, the windows allow you to monitor food as it cooks to guarantee it always comes out perfectly. The included accessories, such as the air fryer basket and nonstick baking pan, are sturdy and durable.
If you can’t choose between a toaster oven and a slot toaster, this model gives you the best of both worlds. The bottom is a countertop oven, while the top houses a traditional slot toaster that toasts 40% faster than other toaster ovens. The separate shade selector also ensures your toast is always perfect. The slots are wide enough for bagels and artisanal bread too. You can fit a 9-inch pizza in the spacious interior, but the overall compact design means that the oven doesn’t take up as much counter space as other models. It has a 60-minute timer with automatic shutoff to cook safely and effectively.
Another double-door model, this toaster oven opens with one door pull, so you can open it one-handed. Whether you’re baking, toasting, broiling, warming, dehydrating or defrosting, its user-friendly digital controls allow for precise temperatures and times to give you greater control over your cooking. We especially appreciate the extra-large interior with two cooking racks that can fit two 16-inch pizzas, 14 slices of toast or a large chicken. You also get ideal results every time because the Turbo Convection technology cooks more quickly and browns more evenly. The stainless steel exterior blends seamlessly with any kitchen decor.
We love this user-friendly toaster oven because of its many functions and extra-large capacity. It’s large enough to hold six slices of toast, a 12-inch pizza or a 4-pound chicken and can fry up to 3 pounds of food at a time, so you can make enough french fries and chicken nuggets for the whole family. You can also toast, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, reheat and warm your favorite foods. It has a setting for proofing dough, making it a perfect choice for bakers. Its large viewing window and interior light allow you to watch the food’s progress too. The nonstick interior helps you make quick work of cleanup.
If you want to save space on your counter, this compact toaster oven might be an excellent fit. The two infrared heating elements at the front and back allow for more efficient operation, eliminating the need to preheat. Best of all, it can toast, bake, brown and reheat and offers six preset cooking functions that make it super easy to use. And you don’t have to worry about accidents. The baking rack is connected to the oven door, which pulls the rack toward you when opening the door to minimize fumbling with it. The oven’s automatic shutoff helps prevent overcooked or burned food.
Expert Tip
Racks are an important consideration, with most models ranging from one rack to three for cooking and baking flexibility.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
How we tested
After researching various toaster ovens, we tested the Brava Oven Chef’s Choice to see how it performed in the following areas.
Ease of use
- Setup: Starting with opening the box and plugging in the oven and finishing with choosing a recipe, we went through the entire setup process to see how clear and easy to follow the instructions are.
- Adjustability: We evaluated how easy it is to adjust the Brava for custom cooking, including the specific ingredients and timing.
- Cleanup: We paid close attention to the cleanup process, as well as the other maintenance that the Brava requires.
Performance
- Recipe options: We prepared a range of recipes in the oven, including three-zone meals, steak, chicken, fish, veggies, eggs/breakfast and baked goods, to assess its versatility.
- Cook time: We noted the cooking time for various types of food to see whether the Brava can save time in the kitchen.
- Food results: We considered the finished results of the recipes we prepared in the oven to see how they compare with other cooking methods.
Other features
- Capacity: We evaluated the Brava’s capacity to determine for which size household it works best.
- Thermometer: We tested the included thermometer to see how effectively it monitors the temperature of the food to help achieve the desired cooking results.
- App: We tested the Brava app during cooking to see how effectively it monitors the food and helps ensure the desired cooking results.
What to know before you buy a toaster oven
Size and capacity
Before you buy, check the exterior dimensions of the toaster oven. Not every kitchen has a lot of open counter space. Fortunately, compact, midsize and large toaster ovens are available. Bear in mind that you must leave enough surrounding space to avoid overheating nearby items and overhanging cabinets. Measure your counter space first to make sure you have enough room.
Check the capacity of a toaster oven too. Is it spacious enough to prepare the foods you enjoy? You don’t want food to become misshapen because you have to force it into the interior.
Temperature range
The best toaster ovens have the flexibility to lightly toast a piece of bread at a low temperature or heat up small pizzas at high heat. Because toaster ovens can be used to cook a wide range of foods, they have a variety of temperature settings, from 150 to as high as 500 degrees.
Settings
Common settings on toaster ovens include broil, toast, dehydrate, convection bake and warm. If one of these settings stands out for you — perhaps you’re intrigued by the idea of dehydrating fruit, for example — keep an eye out for it. Some toaster ovens offer food-specific settings, such as temperatures perfectly suited to heating pizza, baking cookies or toasting bread. Multifunction toaster ovens may cost a little more than entry-level models, but many people find the extra cost worth it.
Some toaster ovens double as air fryers. In addition to baking and other functions, these toaster ovens use hot air to produce crispy foods like french fries and chicken wings. When it comes to “frying” with minimal oil, they work as well as some of the best air fryers on the market. While these toaster ovens typically fall on the higher end of the price scale, their versatility stands out.
Some toaster ovens also have timed cooking functions, such as a 30-minute timer for defrosting or longer times for specific types of food, so you can quickly begin the cooking process with a simple turn of a knob or press of a button.
Visibility
How easy is it to see inside the toaster oven to check on your food? Most of these appliances have a broad glass window that lets you view your food’s progress. But keep in mind that the glass may cloud with use over time, especially if the toaster oven is a lower-quality product.
Safety
Toaster ovens get hot quickly, which makes them handy. Food particles trapped inside the appliance or food left inside too long could cause a fire. Read customer reviews to see which appliances have a great safety record. And when the toaster oven is in use, don’t leave it unattended for an extended period of time.
Cleaning and maintenance
Most toaster ovens have a removable tray at the bottom to catch crumbs and drips. If not removed, these crumbs and drips will burn, causing odors or even fire. Always use plastic or wooden utensils to remove stubborn crumbs or larger pieces of food stuck inside the oven. It’s best to clean the tray once a week. Wash it by hand or on the top rack of the dishwasher, and dry it thoroughly before replacing it in the oven.
Always unplug your toaster oven before cleaning it or performing any kind of repair. Never stick a metal utensil in your toaster oven. Metal tools can scratch the interior, and, of course, a metal instrument in an electric appliance can produce a nasty shock.
Expert Tip
If you’re toasting nuts, remember that they have oil within them so heat and brown fast, which means they can burn fast. Never walk away from a tray of toasting nuts.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Make movie night snacks in your toaster oven
- Kale chips: Roast kale spritzed with lemon and top it with parmesan cheese.
- Homemade pizza bagels: Feed your inner kid with a half of a bagel, cheese, sauce and your favorite toppings.
- Toasted coconut: Enjoy some ice cream sundaes topped with toasted coconut.
- French fries: Frozen french fries cook nicely in a toaster oven and make a delicious crispy snack.
- Veggies: Toss frozen veggies with olive oil and spices and roast on a sheet pan.
FAQ
Q. How much does a toaster oven cost?
A. It depends on its size and features. A basic, small-capacity model that holds two to four slices of bread and doesn’t have many special features typically costs $20 to $60. If you want room for six slices of bread and larger dishes like casseroles, as well as features like convection cooking and multiple racks, expect to pay $60 to $100. Models that offer a capacity large enough to feed a family and include high-end features like air frying, dehydrating and higher temperatures can cost more than $100. The largest toaster ovens typically cost $150 to $300.
Q. Why would I choose a toaster oven over a conventional toaster?
A. A conventional toaster only has slots for bread, while a toaster oven opens up lots of cooking possibilities for cooking pizza, snacks, meats and more. You can also get more creative with toast than you can in a toaster. For example, you can melt cheese on toasted bread using the broiler function.
Q. When should I use a toaster oven instead of a regular oven?
A. A full-size oven can take a long time to heat up. It’s great for preparing large, multi-course meals and holiday dinners when you need to cook more food than there is space in a toaster oven. A toaster oven is ideal for quick meals, reheating leftovers and preparing small portions.
