Best Toaster Ovens: Say Goodbye To Microwave Dinners

When a Microwave Won’t Do: The Best Toaster Ovens on the Market

While conventional ovens are lovely, not every meal requires such a robust appliance. Additionally, while the public’s dependency on microwaves is growing, many people are sick of microwave dinners. People who are tired of microwave meals and who don’t want to bother with conventional ovens may seek refuge in a toaster oven. The small countertop appliance can toast, bake, and broil, making it a versatile machine. Below you will find a list of the best toaster ovens currently available.

Toaster Ovens: The FAQs

 

1. What Is a Toaster Oven?

A toaster oven is known for its ability to brown and crisp foods in ways that microwaves can’t. This appliance is also capable of performing some necessary broiling and baking functions, and, more importantly, the toaster oven is more energy efficient than your standard oven.

 

2. What Can a Toaster Oven Do?

A better question is, “What can’t a toaster oven do?” While commonly thought of as a glorified toaster, this appliance can bake, broil, reheat, and toast.

 

3. How Does a Toaster Oven Work?

A typical toaster oven depends on a heating coil in the base of the machine, and this heating element is what cooks your food. However, toaster ovens have come a long way, and many can perform convection cooking. These toaster ovens have fans that help to evenly distribute the heat, which cooks your food more consistently.

 

4. Where Can You Buy a Toaster Oven?

Toaster ovens can be purchased at most retail locations; basically, if a store sells appliances, then you can likely find toaster ovens there. Besides local retailers, you can always look on Amazon and other online marketplaces.

 

5. How Much Does a Toaster Oven Cost?

The price of a toaster oven varies greatly depending on the style and functionality of the machine. For instance, a basic toaster oven with little frills will cost you about $29, but a toaster oven that has convection capabilities and numerous preprogrammed functions will likely run closer to $260. However, whatever your budget, we have you covered with this list.

How We Reviewed

In an effort to provide you with the most accurate and reliable information, we compiled data from several sources and studied numerous consumer reviews. We are only presenting the products that are both popular and dependable.

Overall Price Range

The toaster ovens on this list span a wide price range. The cheapest selection is the Black+Decker Four-Slice Toaster Oven, which comes in at $29.99. The most expensive option available on this list is the Breville Smart Oven Pro priced at $269.99.

Top 10 Best Toaster Ovens

The Breville Smart Oven Pro, while the highest-priced option on this list, is an excellent toaster/convection oven. Boasting 10 preset functions and five heating elements, this toaster oven rates highly among consumers. A standard issue is the need to replace the thermal fuse after extensive use, which should be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Pros

• Ten preset cooking options
• Temperature-conversion buttons
• Element IQ technology for automatic
• cooking adjustments

Cons

• Thermal fuse

PricingYou can purchase the Breville Smart Oven Pro for around $$.

Where To BuyThis item can be purchased from sites such as Amazon or from retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond.

WarrantyThe Breville Smart Oven Pro comes with a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

The Breville Mini Smart Oven is around $100 cheaper than the Pro version, but this toaster oven does not sacrifice quality. With most consumers raving about its functionality and consistency, the Mini Smart Oven can make an excellent addition to your kitchen. The only concern of some reviewers was the irregularity of the broiler function.

Pros

• Adjustable rack
• Eight preset functions
• Element IQ for automatic heating and
• cooking times

Cons

• Broiler function

PricingThe Breville Mini Smart will cost around $.

Where To BuyYou can purchase the Breville Mini Smart Oven from local retailers, such as Bed Bath & Beyond, or from online marketplaces, such as Amazon.

WarrantyThis toaster oven from Breville comes with a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

As a sort of middle-of-the-road toaster oven with regards to price, the Cuisinart Exact Heat offers ample space — 0.6 cubic feet — with electronic touchpad controls. Most reviewers were impressed with its consistency, which is due to the shade control and heat sensor. The primary concern among reviewers was the minimal interior lighting, which made it hard to tell when their food was done.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Shade control
• Electronic touchpad
• cooking times

Cons

• Minimal interior lighting
• Confusing operation

PricingYou can find this toaster oven at Amazon for $.

Where To BuyAs with most products nowadays, you can find the Cuisinart Exact Heat at Amazon.com.

WarrantyThis product comes with a three-year limited warranty.

As the most affordable option on our list, the Black+Decker Four-Slice Toaster Oven does not disappoint. Praising the overall size and functionality of the oven, most consumers give this product an excellent rating, with the main negative being the inconsistent browning of toast.

Pros

• Convenient size
• Includes a baking pan and broiling rack
• Electronic touchpad

Cons

• Easy to over-brown your toast

PricingThe cheapest product on this list, the Black+Decker 4-Slice Toaster Oven comes in at around $.

Where To BuyThe Amazon marketplace is always an excellent option for finding deals on countertop appliances, but local retail chains, including Bed Bath & Beyond, can offer significant value as well.

WarrantyA two-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with the Black+Decker Four-Slice Toaster Oven.

The Cuisinart Custom Classic Toaster Oven is one of the few ovens under $100 on this list, but that price shouldn’t worry you. This full-size toaster oven boasts a strong 1800 watts of power and is capable of all of your toasting, baking, and broiling needs. The one thing to be aware of is that the heating rod may become worn with overuse, but this should be covered under the limited warranty.

Pros

• Automatic slide-out rack
• Includes crumb tray, oven rack, broiling rack, and baking pan
• Auto-shutoff

Cons

• Heating rod can become worn

PricingThis product has a more consumer-friendly price of around $.

Where To BuyThis toaster oven is available from several online retailers, including Amazon, and at appliance stores, such as Bed Bath & Beyond.

WarrantyThe Cuisinart Custom Classic Toaster Oven comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

If you’re looking for a toaster oven that does more than just toast, bake, and broil, then get the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven. This oven not only has room for a 12-inch pizza but also includes an air fryer with a three-pound capacity. The one consistent negative was the uneven baking.

Pros

• Air fryer with three-pound capacity
• Extremely quiet operation
• Seven cooking functions

Cons

• Uneven baking

PricingThis Cuisinart toaster oven will cost you around $$.

Where To BuyYou can purchase the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven from local retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond, or from online retailers, such as Amazon.

WarrantyThis toaster oven comes with a three-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

Not the same as the Easy Reach Convection Oven, the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven is a strong contender that is priced under $100. The space-saving design includes a rolltop door and a height of only 9.5 inches. Some reviewers did not appreciate that they had to unplug the toaster oven after every use, though this is a general appliance safety rule.

Pros

• Large glass door for easy visibility
• Includes a baking rack and pan
• Heavy-duty metal construction

Cons

• Must unplug after every use

PricingAs one of the more affordable options on this list, this Hamilton Beach toaster oven is available for just $.

Where To BuyAs a popular brand, the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven is readily available on Amazon and from other online and brick-and-mortar retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond.

WarrantyThis toaster oven comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

With one of the roomiest designs on this list, the Oster Large Digital Countertop Convection Toaster Oven has enough space for a 13-by-9 baking pan, a 12-inch pizza, nine slices of toast, or an entire chicken. While most consumers fell in love with the large capacity, some found the complexity of the dial functions too confusing.

Pros

• Large capacity that can fit an entire chicken
• Broad temperature range, from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
• LCD display

Cons

• Can be difficult to use

PricingThe Oster Large Digital Countertop Convection Toaster Oven is currently available for $ from Bed Bath & Beyond.

Where To BuyYou can find this appliance at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, or several other retailers.

WarrantyThis toaster oven has a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

Featuring the same wattage and Element IQ technology as its more robust siblings, the Breville Compact Smart Oven holds its own. Most reviewers appreciate the preset programs as well as the large digital display. However, some reviewers were put off by the fact that the temperature displayed is different from the actual oven temperature. The temperature variation is a safety feature and is designed to prevent overcooking.

Pros

• Eight preset programs
• LCD screen
• Temperature-conversion button

Cons

• The actual temperature is different from the digital readout

PricingThe Breville Compact Smart Oven is priced at around $, but the cost may vary depending on the seller.

Where To BuyAs with most products these days, Amazon sells this Breville, but it can also be found at stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond.

WarrantyThis toaster oven comes with a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

Despite being one of the most expensive options on this list, the Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven is worth every penny. With a large-capacity interior capable of fitting a 13-inch pizza or a 13 x 9 baking pan, this toaster oven has more than 1800 W of power and 15 cooking functions. The main complaint from consumers was that the main dial is made of plastic instead of stainless steel like the rest of the machine.

Pros

• 0.95 cu. ft. capacity
• Digital controls
• Automatic slide-out rack

Cons

• Plastic dial

PricingThe Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven is selling for about $$$.

Where To BuyYou can find this toaster oven in the Amazon marketplace, or at brick-and-mortar retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond.

WarrantyThe Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Comparison Table

Product image	Description	Rating	Price
	Breville Smart Oven ProConvection: YesCapacity: Six SlicesDigital Controls: Yes		Check Price
	Breville Mini Smart OvenConvection: YesCapacity: Four SlicesDigital Controls: Yes		Check Price
	Cuisinart Exact HeatConvection: YesCapacity: Six SlicesDigital Controls: Yes		Check Price
	Black+Decker Four-Slice Toaster OvenConvection: NoCapacity: Four SlicesDigital Controls: No		Check Price
	Cuisinart Custom Classic Toaster OvenConvection: YesCapacity: Six SlicesDigital Controls: No		Check Price
	Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster OvenConvection: YesCapacity: Six SlicesDigital Controls: No		Check Price
	Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster OvenConvection: NoCapacity: Six SlicesDigital Controls: No		Check Price
	Oster Large Digital Countertop Convection Toaster OvenConvection: YesCapacity: Nine SlicesDigital Controls: Yes		Check Price
	Breville Compact Smart OvenConvection: YesCapacity: Four SlicesDigital Controls: Yes		Check Price
	Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster OvenConvection: YesCapacity: Six SlicesDigital Controls: Yes		Check Price

The Verdict

Any of the above-listed toaster ovens would be an excellent addition to your kitchen; however, depending on your budget and space, you may be inclined to pick one over another. The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a top-of-the-line machine best suited for those with a large budget who plan on using the appliance daily. If you only intend to use your toaster oven once in a while, then you’re better off picking the Black+Decker, which is both popular and affordable. No matter which toaster oven you choose, you will be happy to forget about those microwave dinners and start cooking something fresh.