Toaster oven vs microwave: which is the best for your kitchen?

Counter space is at a premium these days so if you're weighing up between a toaster oven vs microwave, then help is at hand.

I've got a microwave oven, but after writing this article I'm seriously tempted to invest in a toaster oven, too, if only I had more room in my kitchen (that's where the best compact microwaves can come in handy).

Both toaster ovens and microwaves serve a purpose and depending on your budget, household size and cooking preferences, one will no doubt be more useful than the other.

Chef Tiffany Sutherland told me: "A toaster oven is like a mini version of your regular oven. It has heating elements that create dry heat, perfect for toasting, baking and even broiling small portions. Think of it as a more versatile mini oven.

"A microwave uses electromagnetic waves to heat food quickly. It’s great for reheating leftovers or cooking things that have a lot of moisture. A big difference is that it doesn’t brown or crisp food."

As well as Sutherland, I also caught up with Sarah Clary from Hamiliton Beach to find out more about each kitchen appliance, looking at the differences, pros and cons, price, design, power and size. Read on to find out more.

Toaster oven vs microwave: What's the difference?

"A toaster oven is a versatile small kitchen appliance that combines the functions of a toaster and an oven. It can toast bread, bake, broil and reheat food," kitchen appliance expert Sarah Clary, from Hamilton Beach Brands, told me.

"It's smaller than a conventional oven, making it ideal for small kitchens or quick meals. Some toaster ovens can even air fry, dehydrate and grill foods," she says. "It uses less energy than a full-sized oven, which can be more economical for small cooking tasks. It also heats up faster, saving time."

A microwave is a kitchen appliance that uses radiation to heat and cook food. Clary told TopTenReviews: "Microwaves are great for quickly reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food and cooking certain dishes." They tend to be easy to use, cheap to run and energy-efficient. 

While they cook in a different way to even the best toaster ovens, if you buy a combination or convection microwave it might come with toasting or grilling capacities.

Tiffany Sutherland

Tiffany Sutherland is seasoned chef and culinary expert with 15 years of experience. She is also a consultant for Taffyshop.

Toaster oven vs microwave: Price

There isn't a huge difference in price between toaster ovens and microwaves but as with any kitchen gadget, the more you spend the more features you can expect.

Clary told me: "Toaster ovens range from $50-$700. Basic models are $50-$100 and feature simple operations like toast, bake, reheat, air fry. Mid-range models are $100-$300 and can offer temperature probes, more capacity, double ovens and more precise temperature controls. 

"Luxury models are $300-$700 and can have advanced digital controls, wifi, steam and are typically made with higher end materials."

If you want to know how much does a microwave cost, Clary says: "Microwaves range from $50 to $300 depending on features. A basic model is $50-$150 and has simple features such as reheat, defrost, and basic cook settings. Mid-range microwaves $150-$300 and have extra features such as sensor cooking and more power levels. Luxury models are $300+ and can offer convection cooking, build-in designs, smart technology, air fry, and a better build quality."

Energy-efficient models may also be more expensive, but they will save you money on bills in the long term.

• Verdict: Both appliances are fairly affordable but "toaster ovens are generally more expensive," says Sutherland.

Sarah Clary

Sarah Clary is a kitchen appliance expert and senior product manager at Hamilton Beach in Richmond, Virginia. She currently oversees the ovens and grilling categories, including toaster ovens.

Microwave vs oven: Design & Features

"Toaster ovens use heating elements to cook food while microwaves use magnetic waves. Air Fry is standard function on a toaster oven," Clary told me.

Toaster ovens tend to cook food in a similar way to traditional ovens, heating electric coils to cook, crisp, brown and caramelize foods. By contrast microwaves use electromagnetic waves that bounce off the interior walls and penetrate food, causing water and fat molecules to heat up and it's these vibrations that cook the food from the inside out.

Clary adds: "Toaster ovens are versatile, energy efficient, portable and are good for quickly preheating foods and cooking evenly. But they have limited capacity and take up counter space."

Microwaves are faster than toaster ovens. "They often produce uneven cooking, and loss of taste and texture compared with a toaster oven. They also have limited cooking techniques," says Clary, unless it is a convection/combi microwave.

Sutherland told me: "Toaster ovens usually have a glass door, removable racks and a bunch of settings for toasting, baking and broiling. More high-end ones might have convection features. Microwaves are typically more enclosed, with a turntable inside. Higher-end models might have sensor cooking or even grilling features."

Beyond their basic design and function, microwaves can come with various additional features, such as presets, steaming and self-cleaning mode. Generally, the more advanced the features are, the more expensive the appliance can be.

• Verdict: A toaster oven is more versatile than a microwave and has more cooking capacities.

Microwave vs oven: Power & Size

Both appliances are powerful and their power is measured in watts, says Clary.

Toaster ovens are typically smaller in size, but use more energy (1,200-1,800 watts) however they are better at preserving the food’s texture. Microwaves typically have a power range of 700 to 1,300 watts, making them less powerful but more energy-efficient than toaster ovens. 

Toaster ovens tend to be more compact than microwaves. 

• Verdict: Toaster ovens are often smaller but use more energy than microwaves and they have longer cooking times. Microwaves are more energy efficient, irrespective of whether it has an Energy Star certification or not.

Microwave vs oven: Which is best?

Toaster ovens and microwaves do different things and which gadget is better for you will depend on your household size, budget and cooking preferences. 

Clary told me: "For quick reheating and defrosting, a microwave is your best bet. However for baking, toasting or air frying, a toaster oven will give you better results."

She adds: "Microwaves are great for speed and versatility. They can handle a wide range of tasks including defrosting, steaming and cooking. A toaster oven is excellent for crisping, broiling, toasting and baking. These are smaller and more energy-efficient than a large full-sized oven."

If you like crispy, toasted foods and do a lot of small-batch baking, then go for a toaster oven, Sutherland recommended.

"If you’re all about quick reheating and simple cooking, a microwave is your best bet. If you can afford to have both, I’d say keep each of these in your kitchen because they both have their strengths.

"And Don’t forget about combo units that are both toaster ovens and microwaves. They can help you save space if you’re tight on countertop space. Also think about your energy usage. Microwaves are generally more energy-efficient for quick jobs, while toaster ovens are better for longer cooking tasks."

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FAQs

Is it healthier to cook in a microwave or oven?

Toaster ovens have longer cooking times than microwaves, and they are better at crisping and browning foods like bread and pastries.

However, toaster ovens function are more like standard ovens and can't do the same things as a microwave, like heating up foods and liquids, soups or popcorns.

Is it better to bake bread in the toaster oven or microwave?

A toaster oven is better for this job. The microwave will tend to make the dough soggy or dried out. However, a decent toaster will bake both sides of the bread evenly and it'll taste better.

Does a microwave use a lot of electricity?

Generally microwaves use about 600-1,000 watts of electricity. Using one for 15 minutes a day will use about 6.1 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, and 74 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. A microwave costs an average of 86¢ a month and $10.36 a year.

Is it worth getting a toaster oven?

Toaster ovens heat up food quicker than microwaves, and can be a good option when you don't want to use a traditional oven, too.They are great for toasting items that already have toppings on, or butter, which a standard toaster can't do. They also have other cooking capacities like browning, crisping, and air frying.

Is a toaster oven better than a microwave?

Sunderland told me: "Toaster ovens are great for small batches and they can do almost anything a regular oven can. They are energy-efficient for small jobs.

"Meanwhile microwaves are super fast and convenient. They do really well with reheating and cooking things with moisture. A con is they can’t crisp food and they can sometimes heat unevenly."