Amidst the buzz of Wi-Fi ovens and 15-in-1 multicookers, the best toaster ovens might not seem as flashy. However, it could easily become your kitchen favorite. Today's top toaster ovens are not just energy-efficient but also versatile multi-functional marvels capable of a variety of cooking tasks.
Countertop toaster ovens, though smaller than built-in ones, boast a generous cooking capacity. Their compact size allows for quick heating, saving energy. These ovens are for toasting and grilling, roasting, reheating, and even microwaving. Their versatility makes them ideal for various cooking tasks, from roasting a chicken to preparing a gourmet dinner.
In this comprehensive guide, we've rigorously tested a variety of toaster ovens to identify the best models for every type of kitchen and cook. From multi-functional marvels that can do everything except serve the food to budget-friendly models that focus on the essentials, we've left no stone in our quest to find the best toaster ovens.
While the cooking ability of these toaster ovens is our top priority, we've also carefully evaluated other crucial factors. These include the amount of counter space they require, their ease of use and cleaning, and their compatibility with your kitchen's aesthetic. Safety is paramount for us, as some models can become quite hot during use. We'll guide you on how to keep kids and pets safe around these appliances.
No matter what kind of toaster oven you're thinking of, you'll find the best toaster ovens right here. If you want to add or replace other kitchen appliances, check out our other guides, such as our guides to the best rice cookers and toasters.
The best toaster ovens we recommend in 2024
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The best toaster oven overall
✅ You want something innovative: The Brava Glass Oven offers a unique cooking experience with its 5-inch diagonal multi-touch display and a 5-megapixel camera that streams the cooking process inside the oven.
✅ You prioritize style: Its sleek anodized aluminum exterior and stainless steel interior will look great in any modern kitchen.
✅ You don't have a huge kitchen: With its compact size and countertop design, the Brava Glass can be conveniently placed in any kitchen.
❌ You're on a budget: The Brava Glass Oven is priced at $1,995, significantly more expensive than other countertop ovens on the market.
❌ You want more space: It has shallow trays, making cooking certain types of food difficult.
🔎 The Brava Glass Oven offers multiple cooking functions while occupying minimal space. Its camera feature enables clear monitoring, and heating lamps allow simultaneous cooking. However, its high price and small size make it unsuitable for big families or those who prefer custom recipe settings ★★★★½
The Brava Glass Oven is a compact, stylish, and innovative countertop oven with numerous features designed to make cooking easy and enjoyable. It boasts a sleek anodized aluminum exterior, a stainless steel interior, and a 5-inch diagonal multi-touch display, making it ideal for individuals seeking a modern and convenient cooking experience.
First impressions: Upon unboxing the Brava Glass Oven, we were impressed by its sleek design and the numerous included accessories. The cool-surface technology and automatic pause function were particularly impressive. The oven's six pulsating lamps cook food quickly and precisely, and the built-in fan ensures safe operation. Connecting to the Brava App provided access to a wide range of recipes.
Design: The Brava Glass Oven is a compact and stylish countertop oven that weighs 34.4 pounds, making it lightweight and easy to move. It has an anodized aluminum finish on the outside and a stainless steel finish on the inside. The glass door is smooth and easy to open and shut. The oven has a removable heat-resistant silicone mat for placing hot trays and pans. The 5-inch diagonal multi-touch display on the top is a color display with 854 x 480 native resolution, and the 5-megapixel camera streams the internal cooking chamber, resisting grease and heat.
Performance: The Brava Glass Oven is a sleek, lightweight countertop oven with many features. Its exterior has an anodized aluminum finish, while the interior has a stainless steel finish. The glass door is easy to operate, and the oven has a heat-resistant silicone mat that can be placed on top to hold hot trays and pans. The oven has a 5-inch diagonal multi-touch display on the top and a 5-megapixel camera that streams the cooking process inside the oven.
The Brava Glass Oven offers helpful guided instructions for cooking. The preset recipes provide instructions on which tray to use, what food to place in which zone, and which shelf to place the tray on. The oven also has a Custom Cook option, allowing users to create recipes from scratch.
However, there are a few limitations to the Brava Glass Oven. Users must follow the recommended quantity suggestions to achieve perfection when using the preset recipes. The trays are shallow, making removing meat items that produce a lot of oil difficult. Additionally, the glass door handle partially blocks the view of the food, making it difficult to monitor progress.
Value: The Brava Glass oven costs $1,995 and is only available on Amazon and the Brava website. As an alternative, the June Oven is another option that costs between $899 and $1,299. For a larger option to cook two items at different temperatures, consider the Ninja 12-in-1 Double Oven with FlexDoor for $249.
Read more: Brava Glass Oven review
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | Expensive but impressive | ★★★★ |
| Design | Intuitive | ★★★★½ |
| Performance | Very good but learning curve to perfect | ★★★★½ |
The best toaster oven and microwave combo
✅ Multi-use: It can bake, roast, microwave, air fry, and more, providing a wide range of cooking options.
✅ Design: The stainless steel construction, combined with the soft-close door technology, make the Combi Wave an attractive and user-friendly appliance.
✅ Performance: Quick microwave heating, even cooking with the convection function, and handy presets for common tasks like melting butter or reheating pizza.
❌ Size: It is a relatively large appliance that can only cook one dish at a time.
❌ Convection sound: The whooshing sound produced by the convection function may be disruptive to some users, although the done music can be adjusted.
❌ Price: Its price point of $499.95 may be too high for some.
🔎 The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is a cool kitchen gadget that can do everything from toasting and air frying to microwaving and convection cooking. It looks great and works well, but it's a bit big and can only cook one dish at a time. It's a little pricey but worth the investment if you're looking for an appliance that can replace multiple others ★★★★½
The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is not only a toaster oven but also one of the best microwaves, best air fryers, and a convection oven to boot. Its versatile features and sleek design make it an excellent addition to any kitchen, providing an added of convenience.
First impressions: With the Breville Combi Wave, you can cook, bake, roast, microwave, air fry, and more, all in one appliance. It has a circular metal baking or roasting pan, a raised roasting trivet, and many other features. The digital display also tells you what pan or rack to use and how long the oven's preheat will be.
There are buttons to choose different cooking modes, presets, and settings, and the machine is easy to unbox and assemble with limited packing materials.
Design: The Combi Wave is a sleek and sturdy kitchen appliance made of stainless steel. It has a soft close technology that makes sure the door does not slam shut, and the digital readout is large and easy to read. The two knobs for time and temperature/microwave power are user-friendly, and the Combi Wave's pleasing cycle-end music is a plus, far superior to the loud beeps of comparable appliances.
Performance: We put the Combi Wave oven through several standard tests and found it to perform well overall. The microwave function heated up food quickly, and the convection function cooked dishes evenly and with a crispy exterior. The oven also has several useful presets, such as melting butter and chocolate or reheating pizza.
However, size may be a drawback for those with limited counter space, and it can only cook one dish at a time. Also, the convection function produces a whooshing sound that some may find disruptive, but the oven's "done" music can be adjusted to personal preference.
Value: The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is priced at $499.95 and can replace other appliances, such as a microwave and air fryer. Despite being pricier than other combination ovens, its quality and flexibility could make it a worthwhile investment.
Read more: Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 review
The best budget toaster oven
✅ Affordable: The Hamilton Beach toaster oven is an excellent option for those who don't want to spend a lot of money.
✅ Easy to use: The roll-top design of the oven makes it easy to place or remove food without burning your fingers.
✅ Decent cooking results: The toaster oven toasts bread and bagel slices evenly.
❌ Limited features: The toaster oven doesn't have broil, warm, or bake settings, so everything must be cooked in the basic toast setting.
❌ Limited capacity: The oven's small size may not be enough for those who want to cook larger meals or for bigger families.
❌ Safety concerns: While the handle of the toaster oven remains at room temperature, the sides can reach up to 170 degrees.
🔎 The Hamilton Beach toaster oven is a fantastic option for budget-conscious buyers. It has a straightforward design with one rack and baking pan, and the roll-top door makes it easy to use. Though it lacks some bells and whistles, it toasts bread and bagels evenly and reheats pizza slices perfectly ★★★½
The Hamilton Beach 31334 toaster oven is a great budget-friendly option for those who don't need all the bells and whistles. Its wide opening makes it easy to clean and cook, and it performed well in most of our cooking tests. It lacks some of the conveniences of more expensive models but provides decent cooking results nonetheless.
First impressions: The toaster oven has a timer that can be set up to 30 minutes, but it also has a stay-on feature that allows you to cook longer. There are no broil, warm, or bake settings, so everything must be cooked in the basic toast setting. The unit has one rack and baking pan, which can be placed in two positions to cook your food better.
However, while the handle of the toaster oven remains at room temperature, the sides can reach up to 170 degrees, so it's essential to keep children and pets away from it.
Design: This toaster oven is a simple yet convenient option with fewer features than more expensive models. However, it has a roll-top door that offers plenty of space to place or remove food without burning your fingers. The door can also be easily removed for cleaning.
While there was a small gap between the door and the device's interior, this didn't affect the cooking results. Despite lacking a convection fan and nonstick interior, the toaster oven is still a good option.
Performance: The machine toasts bread and bagel slices evenly, and a frozen burrito turned out slightly browner around the edges. The oven fell short in our cookie dough test, though, as the dough balls needed a few extra minutes to cook. However, it excelled in reheating pizza slices, with the cheese and pepperoni cooked perfectly without being burnt. We'll note the machine's temperature accuracy, which is 13 degrees hotter than what was set but still within acceptable limits.
Value: The Hamilton Beach toaster oven is one of the most affordable options at around $30. It has a roll-top design, which makes it easier to use than other units. An excellent choice for those on a budget.
Read more: Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4-Slice Toaster Oven review
The best air fryer toaster oven
✅ Versatility: The Breville Smart Oven Pro offers a wide range of cooking options in one appliance.
✅ Performance: The Element iQ System directs the power to where it's needed the most, giving you an even cook.
✅ Design: The dials are super sleek and easy to use, and the LCD screen is really handy.
❌ Price: The Breville oven is expensive compared to other similar kitchen appliances.
❌ Size: The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a family-sized appliance, so it may not be a good fit for small kitchens or those with limited counter space.
❌ Complexity: It may be a bit complex for those who prefer a more straightforward approach to cooking.
🔎 The Breville Smart Oven is pretty expensive, but it's a great investment if you want a countertop appliance that can do it all. It has a sleek design, can handle family-sized meals, and has 13 modes, including air fry, slow cook, dehydrate, and reheat. However, if you're on a tight budget or just want an air fryer, then this may not be the best option for you ★★★★½
The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a great kitchen appliance that functions as a toaster oven, air fryer, and more besides. With a sleek design, impressive performance, and a range of features, it's a great addition to any kitchen - especially for those who love to both cook and bake.
First impressions: The smart oven has a lovely design and a large glass viewing window. It's family-sized, with three spaces for separate trays and plenty of space for plates and bowls. The recipe book is great for anyone new to air frying, with some awesome ways to cook meat and veggies.
Design: The model is a great-looking appliance with some impressive details. The dials are super sleek and easy to use, and the LCD screen is really handy. You can cook a whole chicken in it, and it has a bunch of trays, so you can cook multiple things at once. The glass door even has instructions on where to put your food for the best results.
Performance: The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a game-changer for fries, which came out perfectly on the air fryer setting. The Element iQ System is the secret sauce here - it directs the power to where it's needed the most, giving you an even cook.
Then, we used the broil function for bacon, and it looked amazing in just five minutes. We also used the bake function for veggies, and it took a little longer, but the result was equally great. Plus, it has a temperature range of 80°F to 480°F - the highest we've ever seen.
Value: We think the Breville oven is a great addition to any kitchen, with its impressive range of features. But it comes at a high price, so if you're looking for a more affordable option, the Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven is worth considering.
If you prefer a basket-type design, the Instant Vortex Dual 8-Quart Stainless Steel Air Fryer is also a solid choice. But if you can afford it, the Breville is definitely worth the investment.
Read more: Breville Smart Oven Pro review
The best easy to use toaster oven
✅ Design: It is stylish and easy to clean.
✅ Cooking modes: It offers five different cooking modes and a temperature range of 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
❌ Basic: It lacks a touchpad or display screen.
❌ Cleaning: The interior is not non-stick, which can make cleaning difficult.
🔎 This Oster toaster oven isn't the best we've tested, but it still toasts well and has a great design. It can also cook a lot of food at once, and the warranty is really long, so it's a great option if you plan on using it every day ★★★★
The Oster toaster oven is a solid appliance that offers five different cooking modes and a temperature range of 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While it lacks a touchpad or display screen, it's easy to clean and comes with a baking pan.
Design: This toaster oven looks stylish but lacks a touchpad or display screen. It has dials for settings and can be set to five different cooking modes, including Turbo for even and thorough cooking. The crumb tray is easy to remove and clean, but the interior is not non-stick, so cleaning can take some effort.
The oven comes with a baking pan but no broiling rack, which limits cooking options. The temperature can be set from 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the timer can be set up to 60 minutes. The cord is short, however, so it needs to be placed near an outlet.
Performance: We tried reheating some pizza slices in the Oster toaster oven, but it didn't turn out great. The insides were burnt while the top was overcooked, and the crust turned out dry and hard. We also noticed that the temperature inside was hotter than what we had set it to, which made the food even worse.
However, it comes with a great five-year warranty and is pretty durable. Just be careful when handling it.
Read more: Oster Convection 4-Slice Toaster Oven review
The best smart toaster oven
✅ Versatile: With five cooking features, the Tovala Smart Oven can cook a variety of meals.
✅ Easy to use: The oven comes with a QR code scanner that simplifies the cooking process.
✅ Good value: Compared to other smart ovens, the Tovala Smart Oven is reasonably priced and comes with a meal subscription service.
❌ Limited capacity: The oven's small size may not be suitable for those who need to cook for larger groups of people.
❌ Limited meal options: While the oven comes with a meal subscription service, the variety of meals may not be enough for those who prefer more cooking options.
❌ No convection feature: The oven lacks a convection feature, which may limit its ability to cook certain types of food.
🔎 The Tovala Smart Oven is a great addition to small kitchens but might not be ideal for larger families. It heats up quickly and is perfect for one to two portions. It's super convenient when used with the meal kits but also great for personal meals ★★★★
The Tovala Smart Oven does more than just toast. With five cooking features, a QR code scanner, and a sleek design, it's perfect for those with limited kitchen space who want to cook delicious meals with ease.
First impressions: The Tovala Smart Oven arrived double-boxed with two pieces of styrofoam. It was easy to manage, and the unpacking process was simple. It came with a quick start guide, a user manual, and three reference cards. Downloading the Tovala App, creating an account, and connecting the oven to the home's WiFi was really easy.
Design: We loved the model's compact design. It's perfect for those with limited kitchen space, measuring 12.32" deep by 18.5" wide by 11.75" high. It's also lightweight and easy to move around, and the oven's neutral stone gray color blends in well with any decor.
The best part is the five cooking features - toast, bake, broil, reheat, and air fry. Plus, you can scan QR codes from Tovala meals and popular groceries.
Performance: When we tried out the Tovala Smart Oven, we were pleasantly surprised by how easy and convenient it was to use. It came with some meal kits that were all still cold and fresh upon arrival, and the recipes were straightforward to follow.
The oven even has a QR code scanner that takes care of preheating and cooking times, which makes the whole process even simpler. We also cooked our own food in it, and it performed well. The only downside was the fan stayed on for a bit after cooking, but the food came out thoroughly cooked and tasted great.
Value: The Tovala Smart Oven is a good deal compared to other smart ovens. It's compact, affordable, and has a meal subscription service. You can get it on sale for $49 if you buy meal kits, and we'd say it's a better choice than other options like the Ninja Foodi Toaster or Beautiful Touchscreen Toaster.
Read more: Tovala Smart Oven review
The best compact toaster oven
✅ Versatility: With six cooking settings and the ability to air fry, grill, toast, bake, roast, and even use it as a conventional oven.
✅ Sleek design: The mini oven has a stylish charcoal steel exterior and silver dials that make it look and feel expensive.
✅ Three-year warranty: The mini oven comes with a generous three-year warranty.
❌ Size: The mini oven is a bit small for larger muffin trays.
❌ Price: The Cuisinart model may be a bit pricier compared to other mini ovens available in the market.
❌ Heavy: The appliance is quite heavy and may be difficult to move around the kitchen, especially if you have limited counter space.
🔎 The Cuisinart TOA60 Mini Oven is a great buy for those who love easy-to-use and well-designed appliances. Although it lacks digital features and can be pricey, it's versatile for cooking and energy-saving, making it a good investment in the long term ★★★★
The Cuisinart TOA60 Mini Oven is a versatile toaster oven that allows you to grill, toast, bake, roast, and air fry your favorite foods. With a nice design, dishwasher-friendly parts, and a three-year warranty, it's a great addition to any kitchen.
First impressions: The Cuisinart TOA60 Mini Oven was easy to set up, but it's quite heavy. It comes with accessories that need to be washed before use, and you need to make sure you have enough counter space for it. The instructions are thankfully very helpful.
Design: The mini oven is a stylish appliance. Its charcoal steel exterior and silver dials make it look and feel expensive, and its glass door means you can keep an eye on your food while it's cooking. The oven comes with a rack, baking tray, and air fryer basket, all made of stainless steel. Cleaning is a breeze, with dishwasher-friendly parts and an easy-to-wipe exterior.
Performance: The appliance is a great appliance for anyone who loves to cook. It has six settings plus a keep-warm function, allowing you to grill, toast, bake, roast, and air fry. You can even use it as a conventional oven. We tried it out for a week and a half and loved how versatile it was. We made everything from chicken breast to French fries, and it all came out perfectly cooked. Plus, it's easy to use and not too noisy. The only downside is that it's a bit small for larger muffin trays.
Value: Cuisinart's model may be a bit pricier, but its build quality and design are hard to beat. Plus, it comes with a generous three-year warranty. If you want more versatility, the NuWave Brio 6-Quart Air Fryer is a good choice with the ability to bake, grill, roast, dehydrate, and reheat.
Read more: Cuisinart TOA-60 review
The best extra large toaster oven
✅ Versatility: It's like having two ovens in one.
✅ Smart Finish: This feature allows you to sync up the cooking times for both compartments.
✅ Bake performance: The bake function is particularly impressive.
❌ Size: This appliance is quite large and heavy, which means you'll need plenty of counter space to use it.
❌ Price: If you're on a tight budget, there are cheaper options available that still offer a lot of functionality.
❌ Cleaning: Some have reported that cleaning this oven can be a hassle.
🔎 The Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven is a great option if you want to cook a lot of food at once and have multiple cooking functions. However, it's pretty expensive and takes up a lot of space, so if you're on a budget or have a small kitchen, it might not be the best choice ★★★★
The Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven is a versatile toaster oven that allows you to cook, bake, roast, dehydrate, and more. With two separate oven compartments, each with six functions, it gets our seal of approval.
First impressions: The Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven is very easy to set up - just take it out of the box and remove the packaging from the accessories. Once you plug it in, you're good to go. It looks pretty elegant, too, with its stainless metal and black design.
Design: The 12-in-1 is a great appliance with a lot of versatility. However, it's pretty large and heavy, so you'll need plenty of counter space if you want to use it. The oven has two separate compartments, each with six different functions, and comes with a bunch of accessories. The door is designed to open just the top compartment, so you don't lose heat in the bottom one.
Performance: The Ninja model was a breeze to use. The top compartment was great for smaller foods like toast and reheating leftovers, but what really impressed us was the bake function - it cooked cheesy potatoes au gratin to perfection. The bottom compartment is perfect for pizzas and fries, but the convection bake is where it shines. Smart Finish is a handy feature that syncs up cooking times for different compartments. The only downside is cleaning it can be a hassle.
Value: The Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven is expensive at $349.99, but it's worth it for its dual compartments. If you're looking for a cheaper option, the Air Foodi 4-in-1 dual-basket air fryer is $169. The NuWave Brio and Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven are also great options. The Power Air Fryer PAFO-B is bulky but has a lot of space and is cheaper than the Ninja.
Read more: Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven review
The best basic toaster oven
✅ Flexible cooking: The Hamilton Beach toaster oven offers multiple cooking functions, including baking, broiling, toasting, and convection cooking.
✅ Temperature dial: The temperature dial lets you set the heat anywhere between 150 and 450 degrees, higher than most other toaster ovens.
✅ Adjustable rack: The toaster oven comes with an adjustable rack and baking pan.
❌ Short timer: The timer on the Hamilton Beach toaster oven only goes up to 30 minutes.
❌ Uneven toasting: You may need to keep an eye on your toast to make sure it doesn't burn.
❌ Overcooking: The interior of the toaster oven runs about 17 degrees hotter than the set temperature, which can overcook food.
🔎 This Hamilton Beach toaster oven is solid. It has a big door that makes it easy to put food in and take it out, and it doesn't get too hot on the outside, so you won't burn yourself ★★★½
If you're looking for a toaster oven that offers flexibility and decent performance, the Hamilton Beach toaster oven is definitely a contender. With a nice temperature dial, adjustable rack, baking pan, and multiple cooking functions, it's a great appliance that can handle baking, broiling, toasting, and convection cooking. However, it has some drawbacks.
Design: This toaster has a temperature dial that lets you set the heat anywhere between 150 and 450 degrees, which is higher than most others. The timer only goes up to 30 minutes, though, which is a bit on the short side.
But you can keep cooking by setting it to the stay-on position. The cord is very long, which gives you more flexibility to put it where you want, and you can adjust the rack and baking pan too. It can bake, broil, toast, and do convection cooking.
Performance: The Hamilton Beach toaster oven is decent but not perfect. It can fit six slices of bread and a frozen burrito, which comes out well if centered. However, toasting is uneven and cookies needed an extra minute to fully cook. Reheating pizza is average, leaving the crust a bit burnt.
The interior runs about 17 degrees hotter than the set temperature, which can overcook food if you're unaware. On the bright side, it has a roll-top door for easy access and cools down quickly when left open. The one-year warranty is nothing special, but it's a safe appliance with a low exterior temperature.
Read more: Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven review
How we test the best toaster ovens for this guide
Top Ten Reviews is dedicated to providing accurate and reliable product reviews, including the best toaster ovens. Our expert reviewers conduct thorough research and testing to recommend only the top products. We test in a home environment to provide authentic and reliable reviews to help readers make informed decisions when purchasing a toaster oven. For more information, visit our full testing page.
Price & Availability: We consider the toaster oven's price, features, performance, and durability for consumer value. We also check its availability in stores and online and review warranty and customer support.
First Impressions & Setup: We assess the toaster oven's unboxing experience and setup process for protection during transit, including components, user manual clarity, and ease of programming/use.
Design: We evaluate the toaster oven's size and shape, controls and settings, construction and aesthetics, and any extra features, such as air frying or specialized cooking presets.
Performance: We assess toaster ovens for cooking consistency, versatility, temperature control, and specialized cooking needs, such as baking, roasting, and air frying.
Care & Maintenance: We evaluate the toaster oven's ease of cleaning, durability, and longevity. We also review the manufacturer's care guidelines and maintenance tips.
How to choose the best toaster oven for your home
If you're in the market for a toaster oven, it's important to consider factors like size, capacity, settings, and price when making your decision.
Size: Ensuring it fits your kitchen space is really important when shopping for the best toaster oven. One of the easiest ways to do this is to measure your counter space and compare it with the dimensions of the model you're considering.
Capacity: Your new toaster oven should be able to accommodate your most common cooking needs. For example, you might need a larger capacity if you cook for a large family. If you frequently cook more significant items like whole chickens or roasts, you'll need a toaster oven with a larger interior capacity. On the other hand, if you primarily cook smaller items like frozen pizzas or toasted sandwiches, a smaller toaster oven may be sufficient.
Settings: Some models on this list come with features such as convection cooking, rotisserie settings, or even air frying capabilities. More options can give you better flexibility in the dishes you can prepare and help you save time in the kitchen. So, be sure to keep these features in mind.
Price: Instead of being tempted to go for the most expensive option, choose a toaster oven that fits within your initial budget. Spending more only sometimes means you get a better appliance, so take your time to research (like with this guide!) and compare different models before deciding.
Toaster oven FAQs
Are toaster ovens safe?
The best toaster ovens are a great appliance, but it's always important to handle them properly to avoid any potential dangers. Generally, toaster ovens are safe to use, but there are a few things to keep in mind to minimize risks. For example, toaster ovens can be a fire hazard if they malfunction or if flammable materials come into contact with the heating element. To prevent food particles from igniting, you should clean the oven regularly and leave enough space around it for heat to disperse.
We'll also note that some toaster ovens may use materials or coatings that could release harmful substances when heated. Research before purchasing one to ensure the oven is free from toxic chemicals like BPA, PFOA, and PFOS.
Are toaster ovens healthier than microwaves?
Toaster ovens and microwaves can both be used to cook healthy meals, but some factors give toaster ovens a slight edge. Toaster ovens use convection heating, resulting in a more evenly cooked and possibly tastier dish than microwaves. They are also better for toasting, roasting, and browning food, as well as improving taste and texture. Microwaves, while very efficient, can sometimes heat food unevenly, leading to hot and cold spots.
Are toaster ovens energy efficient?
Toaster ovens are well known for their energy efficiency compared to conventional ovens, as they use less energy due to their small size. Their comparative size allows them to heat up faster and maintain a consistent temperature more efficiently. For example, a toaster oven typically uses about 1,500 W of power, while a conventional oven uses around 3,000 W for a single element.
However, the energy efficiency of a toaster oven can depend on several factors, including the temperature, wattage, and cooking duration. If you plan to bake many items over several hours, a traditional oven might be better for retaining heat. Toaster ovens are, however, less energy efficient than microwaves, which use about 20% less electricity.
