If you are tired of dealing with your full sized oven and want something that is more convenient then a modern toaster oven may be just what you are looking for. Sure, they can make toast, but you might be surprised with just how capable today’s countertop ovens have become. From cookies to main dishes, this small appliance can truly change the way that you cook.
Our toaster oven reviews should have something for everyone. We have poured over most of the customer reviews and online feedback that we could find to bring you the top rated counterop ovens on the market. Whether you need something to cook a full meal for your family or you just want something to reheat dinner and make frozen pizza, we have you covered.
Best Toaster Ovens of 2018 – Quick Comparison
Let’s find you the best toaster oven for your kitchen. Here is a quick rundown of some of the models that receive the highest scores from owners.
| Toaster Oven | Capacity | Convection | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Breville BOV845BSS (Top Convection Toaster Oven) |
6 Slice 13" Pizza |
Yes | $$$$ | |
| KitchenAid KCO273SS | 6 Slice 12" Pizza |
Yes | $$$ | |
|
Breville BOV450XL (Best Small Toaster Oven) |
4 Slice 11" Pizza |
No | $$ | |
| Cuisinart TOB-260N1 | 6 Slice 13" Pizza |
Yes | $$$ | |
| Oster TSSTTVMNDG | 6 Slice 12" Pizza |
Yes | $ | |
| Cuisinart TOB-195 | 6 Slice 12" Pizza |
Yes | $$$ | |
|
Black & Decker CTO6335S (Best Budget Convection Oven) |
6 Slice 12" Pizza |
Yes | $ | |
| Hamilton Beach 31401 | 4 Slice 9" Pizza |
No | $ |
Price Ranges
The ovens that made our list range between $50 and $300. If you just want something simple and don’t plan to cook a lot then you will wind up not having to spend as much. However, ovens with convection cooking features and those that are more versatile will cost a bit extra. We tried to include a variety of models to cover all types of budgets.
1. Breville BOV845BSS – The Ultimate Convection Toaster Oven
Breville calls this model the “Smart Oven Pro” and for good reason. This is probably the nearest replacement to a conventional sized oven that you are going to find. They built on the success of their BOV800XL and added a few improvements.
Perhaps the smallest, yet most important improvement is the inclusion of an interior light, something that all high end countertop ovens should have. It is great that they finally included this.
Now onto its performance. The BOV845BSS is a fully functional oven with a quality convection cooking feature. It has 10 preset functions that can handle anything from toast and bagels to cooking a whole chicken. The quartz heating elements combined with the convection setting ensure that there are no hot or cold spots. Food comes out evenly cooked on all sides every time.
Breville also has a cooking technology they call “Element IQ”. This basically senses where heat is needed or not needed and helps maintain an even temperature automatically. This is why they call it a smart oven. From a users perspective this helps take out a lot of the guess work.
The interior is roomy and can fit 6 slices of toast or a 13 inch pizza. It should be able to fit a 13×9 baking dish (with no handles) as well.
The design and styling is something that also stands out. Use of stainless steel and an LCD display give this a modern look that fits well into any type of kitchen. The controls are pretty straight forward and will not require a huge learning curve.
This also happens to be one of the most expensive toaster ovens on the market. You get a lot of value for your money but this is not going to fit into everyone’s budget.
Cleaning the oven is also relatively easy. The stainless steel requires a simple wipe down with a wet cloth. The interior features a non-stick coating. There is also a front accessible crumb tray for the ultimate convenience.
What is most telling about the BOV845BSS is the number of glowing customer reviews that it has received. In our research we were quite surprised with the sheer number of positive scores from owners. We have no reservations putting this at the top of our list.
PROS
- Super Convection Cooking
- Dehydrate & Air Fry Capabilities
- 10 Pre-Set Functions
- Simple To Use Controls
- LCD Display
- Versatility
- Stainless Steel
- Easy To Clean
- Power & Efficiency
CONS
- Cord Could Be Longer
- Sides & Top Of Oven Can Get Hot
- Price
2. KitchenAid KCO273SS – Modern Design & Functionality
This is KitchenAid’s high end entry into the convection countertop oven arena. It is meant to compete with Breville’s top toaster ovens but at a lower starting price point. They have done a terrific job at offering an oven with fantastic performance with exceptional value.
The KCO273SS (they need to work on their name scheme) has a lot to offer for a countertop oven. It is big enough to handle 6 slices of toast or a 12″ pizza.
This model has 9 preset cooking functions that include; toast, pizza, bake, keep warm, Asado roast, broil, bagel, cookie, and reheat. It has a convection button that can be used with the bake setting which helps ensure that whatever you are cooking comes out perfectly done all the way through on all sides. This feature will also help reduce cook times in the process.
The timer can be set for up to 120 minutes which should be ample time for most recipes. It uses standard dial controls but does come with a more modern LCD display. This, along with its stainless steel construction, gives it a contemporary look that should fit nicely into any type of kitchen.
One big oversight that more than a number of owners have commented on is its lack of an interior light. At this price point this is one feature that should definitely have been included.
Another thing to keep in mind is that a 13×9 baking dish will not fit in this oven.
Clean up should not be that big of a chore. The interior features a safe non-stick coating. It has a crumb tray that can be accessed from the front. Typically a wet cloth is all that you will need to wipe down the entire oven.
This is definitely one of the better ovens in its class and a top convection toaster oven worth considering. It is powerful, efficient, easy to use, and receives high marks from users.
PROS
- Convection Bake Functionality
- 9 Different Cook Settings
- Simple To Use Controls
- Stainless Steel Construction
- Makes Great Toast
CONS
- No Interior Light
- Will Not Fit A 13×9 Pan or Dish
3. Breville BOV450XL – The Best Small Toaster Oven
While the BOV450XL does not have a convection setting, it is still a powerful performer in the kitchen. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for dorm rooms and small kitchens without a lot of countertop space to spare.
This mini smart oven comes equipped with Breville’s Element IQ cooking technology. This adjust the temperature as needed to make sure your food comes out just perfect. It does this automatically to eliminate any guess work.
It has 4 quartz heating elements that deliver 1800 watts of cooking power which enables it to handle a broad number of cooking tasks. The 8 preset functions (toast, bake, roast, broil, bagel, pizza, reheat, and cookies) make this one versatile little oven.
The interior can fit up to 4 slices of bread or an 11″ inch pizza. It also comes with a baking pan which you can use on any of the 3 different rack positions.
Like all Breville Smart Ovens, this model is constructed with durable stainless steel. It has an LCD display screen that is easy to read. It may be small but it does not lack any of the modern qualities of Breville’s larger ovens.
Like most Breville appliances, this oven only comes with a 1 year warranty. They typically are well built and last for a while, but a longer warranty would offer more peace of mind for something at this price point.
This countertop oven was also designed to be simple to clean. The materials used along with a non-stick coating on the interior remove a lot of the fuss. The crumb tray is also easily accessible.
It has plenty of power to cook small meals that are done evenly on all sides. Users also seem to love its modern design and construction. If you need something a bit smaller for those extra cooking tasks that you would rather not use your big oven for then this toaster oven is a great option.
PROS
- Power and Performance
- Styling
- A Lot Of Features In A Smaller Package
CONS
- Sides and Top Can Get Really Hot
- No Convection Setting
- Only A 1 Year Warranty
4. Cuisinart TOB-260N1 – Double The Convection
The TOB-260N1 is Cuisinart’s response to Breville’s high end countertop ovens. It has a blue LCD display and a gorgeous stainless steel body, but is that where the similarities end?
The main advantages of this model are its 15 cooking functions and its two different convection settings. Not only does it have a traditional convection feature that can be used with any of the pre-settings, but it also has a “speed convection” button that virtually eliminates the need for preheating.
This oven also features a dual cook feature. You can run two different cook settings at different temperatures consecutively. This comes in handy when you want to cook something all the way through and then brown it at the end.
The interior is extremely big as it can fit a 13″ pizza and 6 slices of regular sized bread. It can also fit two 13×9 baking pans when you use both racks.
Cuisinart has their own cooking technology called “Always Even” to help ensure that food is done right, on both sides. You do not have to worry about hot spots.
Some users found that the ink on the buttons wears off prematurely. Also, the knobs and buttons do not feel as high quality as they should for an oven in this price range.
Clean up should also be a breeze. The interior has a non-stick coating and the stainless steel is easy to wipe down. The crumb tray is accessible from the front as well.
It gets relatively positive reviews from owners and would be a great alternative for amateur chefs looking to save a little for a high end oven.
PROS
- 15 Cooking Functions
- 2 Convection Settings
- Large Interior
- Modern Construction
- LCD Display
- “Always Even” Cooking Technology
CONS
- Minor Quality Control Issues
- Wide Footprint
5. Oster Large Capacity Digital Oven – Big Size, Small Cost
If you are on a tighter budget but still wish to find a large toaster oven with capable convection functionality then this Oster model may be just the answer.
The TSSTTVMNDG (yes, that is actually the model name) offers a roomy interior perfect those who need to cook for a lot of people. You can make 6 slices of toast and it can accommodate a 13×9 baking pan.
If you are not a fan of stainless steel appliances then the mostly black finish of this toaster oven should appeal to you. The push button controls are easy to use and they do not require a large learning curve to master. There are 7 pre-set cooking functions including a “Convection Bake” setting.
This oven also has an interior light. We feel that this should be a standard feature on all toaster ovens but unfortunately some models don’t offer this, even those that cost significantly more than this Oster oven. This is indeed a nice bonus.
Perhaps the most common is the fact that the sides and top of the oven can get quite hot. It is already big in size, but make sure to have a little extra room around the oven to help dissipate heat.
It also seems to be an inconsistent performer when it comes to toasting bread. It may take some experimenting to find the sweet spot on the shade setting and where you place the bread on the rack to get it just right.
The crumb tray slides out from the front for easy clean up. Most owners do not have a problem keeping their oven looking new.
PROS
- Price
- Large Capacity
- “Convection Bake” Setting
- Simple To Use Buttons
- Interior Light
CONS
- Can Get Quite Hot
- Toasting Performance
- Does Not Automatically Shut Off When Door Is Open
6. Cuisinart TOB-195 – Still Going Strong
The TOB-195 is not a new toaster oven. In fact, it has been around for a number of years but it still continues to be a solid performer in the kitchen. Even though it can fit 6 slices of bread, it is not as roomy as some other ovens on our list.
The first thing that you will notice about this model is that the push button controls are not on the side, but they are towards the bottom. This enables the oven to take up less width on your countertop and conserve space.
It has 7 different cook settings including a Convection Bake button. Where this oven generally shines is in its ability to broil. It does a good job with toast as well. It may not have all of the bells and whistles of more modern machines but it does a nice job with different cooking tasks.
The oven can also get hot and the way the handle is designed you have to be careful when opening as to not get scorched. The use of a towel or oven mitt is advised.
The crumb tray can only be accessed from the rear of the oven which makes it somewhat of a hassle to remove.
It does not have a non-stick coating on the interior but owners typically find it pretty straight forward and easy to keep clean. Getting to the crumb tray is the only downside.
PROS
- Convection Bake Function
- Good Broiler
- Space Saving Design
- 3 Year Warranty
CONS
- No Interior Light
- Must Be Careful When Opening
- Crumb Tray Placement
7. Black & Decker CTO6335S – Best Budget Convection Oven
If you want to add a convection toaster oven to your cooking arsenal but don’t have a lot to spend then this model from Black & Decker is a great choice. With 8 one touch preset buttons, this oven is extremely versatile without breaking the bank.
It is big enough to hold 6 slices of toast or a 12″ pizza. This model also comes with two different rack positions to accommodate larger dishes.
The convection cooking features is a great bonus for an oven at this price point. It lets you cook whole chickens, casseroles, and side dishes with complete confidence knowing that everything will be done evenly on all sides.
Another issue we found is that the lettering on the buttons is a little hard to read and they can rub off over time.
This oven does have an easily accessible crumb tray and a non-stick coating to make cleaning up less of a chore. Its stainless steel finish requires a simple wipe down with a damp cloth.
PROS
- Price
- Decent Size
- Convection Functionality
- Versatility
- Value
CONS
- Flying Door
- Buttons Hard To Read – Lettering Wears Off
- Controls Require Some Time To Learn
8. Hamilton Beach 31401 – Simple Budget Toaster Oven
If you don’t need a full fledged small oven and are just looking for something to do toast, reheat dinner, and cook frozen pizzas then the 31401 from Hamilton Beach would be a great fit for your kitchen.
Its compact size can fit 4 slices of bread and handle a 9″ pizza. It is also extremely efficient and will use less energy for simple tasks than your full sized oven.
The 31401 comes equipped with a 30 minute timer, 3 different cook settings, and a temperature control dial. Everything is pretty straight forward and the controls are simple to use. It comes with its own pan that you can use in either of the two different rack positions.
Its smaller size does limit just how much it can handle. Since it only has 2 heating elements some owners found that it toasts quick but the results were a little uneven.
It does not have a non-stick interior but its smaller size is pretty easy to keep clean. It also has a removable crumb tray.
Hamilton Beach is known for making some nice small kitchen appliances that are budget friendly, and the 31401 is no exception. It is compact, simple, and reliable. It also gets some solid reviews from owners.
PROS
- Price
- Simplicity
- Compact Size – Low Footprint
CONS
- Sides and Top Can Get Hot
- Toasting Performance Is Good But Not Great
- A Little Flimsy When Compared To Other Ovens
Toaster Oven Buyer’s Guide
When buying a new countertop oven it can be helpful to know which features to focus on. How well a particular model performs and feedback from owners can go a long way in determining which oven is going to be ideal for your needs. Here are some of the areas we looked at when putting together our toaster oven reviews.
Convection Cooking
If you plan on using your new toaster oven more for cooking than for toast this is one feature that is going to be extremely beneficial.
Convection ovens have a fan on the interior that helps circulate the hot air. This air movement ensures that all sides of the food get cooked evenly and it helps prevent hot spots. It can also help speed up overall cooking times. One thing you will find is that you may have to adjust your recipes and use a slightly lower temperature setting.
Using convection will help you save time and some energy while producing terrific results. If you are looking to reduce the amount of times you need to use your full sized oven then getting a toaster oven with a convection setting is the way to go.
Price
We all have budgets we must consider. If you need the latest and greatest oven that has all of the bells and whistles then you are going to look to spend between $200 to $300. This will get you something that can nearly replace your full sized oven without skipping a beat. Whether you like to roast, bake, or broil, you should be able to find a toaster oven with excellent cooking performance at this price point.
If your budget is a bit more restrictive or you just want something simple then you will be able to save some money and still get a decent toaster oven with slightly less performance. Fortunately, there are decent models in just about every price range.
Size
If you have a lot of mouths to feed then you are going to want the biggest oven possible. The biggest toaster ovens top out at being able to fit a 13×9 inch baking pan. This should enable you to cook decent sized meals, whole chickens, 4 lbs. of ribs, and casseroles.
If you are cooking for just one person then you may be able to get by with something slightly smaller. Most convection toaster ovens are going to be on the larger side of the spectrum so this is something to keep in mind if you want an oven with this feature.
Clean Up
Most of the newer models are pretty easy to maintain. Stainless steel finishes and non-stick interiors are just about standard. It is important to pay attention to the crumb tray. Some older ovens designed their trays to be accessible from the back of the machine. This is not really convenient and can be a real hassle as you need to wait for the oven to cool down before accessing it. You are going to want a front accessible crumb tray.
Interior Light
You would think that every toaster oven would come with this simple feature. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, even with some higher end models. It is a small but significant feature that you will want to have when working with a countertop oven.
Automatic Shut Off
This is another nice feature that will save you some money and prevent your food from burning. When the timer goes off you want the oven to shut down. This makes perfect sense, but some older ovens tend not to include this.
Controls
We found that each model of toaster oven uses either buttons or dials and comes with a variety of different preset cooking functions. Some are straight forward and easy to use. Others may be a little more difficult to learn without the help of the owner’s manual.
Finding The Right Oven
Once you determine how you plan to use your oven and which features are going to be most beneficial to you, you can then zero in a particular model that will best serve your cooking needs.
The best toaster oven is one that you truly enjoy using every day. It is something that makes your time in the kitchen pleasant and less of a hassle. Luckily, there are plenty of high quality ovens on the market today that can help you transform the way that you cook and produce fantastic results. Now it’s time to get cooking!