Is your kitchen counter overflowing with single-use gadgets? Maybe you dream of crispy fries without the deep-fry mess, or perfectly toasted bagels without waiting for a giant oven to heat up. The Air Fryer Toaster Oven promises to be the countertop superhero, combining two kitchen essentials into one sleek machine. But here’s the catch: shopping for one feels like navigating a maze.
Dozens of models flood the market, each boasting faster cooking times and crispier results. How do you sift through the hype to find the one that actually works well? You want reliability, easy cleaning, and performance that lives up to the promise—not just another bulky appliance collecting dust. Relying solely on flashy ads leaves you guessing, and no one wants to waste money on a lemon.
This guide cuts through the noise. We dive deep into the latest Consumer Reports findings and real-world testing. You will learn exactly which models excel at air frying, which ones toast evenly, and which ones are worth every penny. Get ready to discover the best all-in-one oven that truly simplifies your cooking.
Top Air Fryer Toaster Oven Consumer Reports Recommendations
- A VERSATILE AIR FRYER AND MULTI-COOKER COMBO: Elevates practically any meal, from air frying quick after-school snacks to roasting for large gatherings.
- PERFECTLY DONE TOAST: Oven turns off automatically when the toast countown timer ends - no burnt toast! Indicator light is red while toasting, blue when timer ends and oven turns off. Place rack at indicated toast position for ideal results.
- DUAL-SPEED FAN: Golden fried crisping at it's finest with 360º superheated air circulation for your homemade cooking.
- 26-QUART CAPACITY: This Extra-large 26-quart capacity countertop toaster is suitable for preparing food for 4–6 people with capacity to rotisserie a 6-lb chicken, bake a 12” pizza.
- STAINLESS STEEL EXTERIOR: A stainless steel exterior provides a beautiful asthetic to any kitchen, taking your party hosting to the next level. And Elegant French doors open with a single pull – interior light allows you to monitor food.
- VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS: This premium 1800-watt Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is equipped with an air fry setting plus toast, convection bake, bake, convection broil, broil, grill, and warming feature
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is large enough to toast 6 slices of bread, air fry 3 lbs. of chicken wings, bake a 12” pizza, or roast a 4-lb. chicken.
- SUPERIOR OPERATION: Equipped with an adjustable temperature dial, 60-minute timer/auto-shutoff, and a toast shade selector, this air fryer toaster oven features a wide temperature range (Warm-450°F) to ensure your meals are cooked to your perfection
- FAST AND CRISPY FOOD: AirAdvantage technology with top fan/heater assembly provides optimized hot air flow for fast and crispy results, locking in flavor and giving food the crispy texture you love
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven includes an oven rack, baking pan/drip tray, air fry basket, ceramic non-stick reversible grill/griddle, and stainless steel easy-clean interior to make cleanup simple.
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS & 7 ACCESSORIES – 30-minute timer with removable crumb/drip tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup. Use drip tray when cooking and keep food clear of heating element. See User Manual for proper use.
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge even cooking.
- 8-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate.
- LARGE CAPACITY, SMALL FOOTPRINT: Air fry & roast up to 4 lbs of ingredients, bake a 12” pizza, toast up to 6 slices of bread, fits 6 chicken breasts.
- QUICK FAMILY MEALS: Family-sized meals that feed up to 4 people in as little as 20 minutes.
- 12 Preset Functions – Air fry, bake, roast, toast, bagel, fries, wings, snacks, broil, dehydrate, popcorn and keep warm with a single tap.
- FryForce 360° Technology – Perfect for healthier cooking, rapid airflow circulates heat for golden, crunchy food using little to no oil.
- Large Capacity with 3 Rack Positions – Fits a 9” pizza, 4 slices of bread, or stacked batches using adjustable rack levels.
- Convection Mode — Promotes even heat distribution for quicker, more consistent cooking.
- Accessories for Every Meal – Includes an air fry basket, oven rack, baking pan, and crumb tray for all cooking, baking, and air-frying needs.
- Spacious French Door Design – Dual doors open with one hand for easy loading of family-size meals, its 25 quart capacity fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
- Multi-Use Cooking Power – Air fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and toast with 17 presets for easy cooking, from crispy fries to roasted chicken and fresh-baked pizza
- Precision Digital Controls – Easy-to-use digital display with adjustable time (1–99 min) and temperature (90°F–450°F) for perfect results
- FryForce Convection Technology – 1700W convection airflow circulates heat for crispy, oil-free frying results
- Convenient Accessories – Includes stainless steel fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray for easy cleanup
- EASY CLEANUP & MULTI-PURPOSE DESIGN: Make cleanups effortless with these reusable air fryer oven liners. Their non-stick surface makes wiping away food residue simple, and they can also double as baking mats, allowing you to cook directly on them. A cost-effective alternative to single-use parchment paper, these toaster oven liners and toaster oven mat liners are built to last, providing a versatile addition to any kitchen
- PERFECT FIT & VERSATILITY: Designed to fit most popular air fryer ovens including Ninja, Cuisinart, Breville, Emeril Lagasse, and more, these 12"x12" air fryer oven liners offer unmatched versatility. Easily cut to fit any tray, these air fryer toaster oven liners ensure a perfect fit every time, enhancing your cooking experience with their adaptable design
- PREMIUM QUALITY & SAFETY: Crafted from high-quality Teflon coating, our air fryer mat is BPA-free, PFOA-free, and heat resistant up to 480F. This ensures safe cooking without any harmful chemicals leaching into your food. Enjoy healthier meals with this durable, non-stick liner that stands up to high temperatures
- ENHANCED COOKING EFFICIENCY: The 0.1mm thick liners feature a unique design that promotes even heat circulation, ensuring your food cooks evenly on all sides. This design not only improves cooking efficiency but also helps achieve perfectly crispy results every time
- MULTI-PURPOSE & COST-EFFECTIVE: In addition to air fryer ovens, these flat air fryer liners are perfect for use in conventional ovens, microwaves, and more. The pack of 4 liners offers long-term value, saving you money while making your cooking and baking processes more convenient and efficient
- POWERFUL AIR CIRCULATION FOR EVENLY BROWNED FOOD WITH LITTLE TO NO OIL: This Hamilton Beach air fryer toaster oven's convection function circulates air around food as it cooks making crispy and delicious fries, chicken, steaks, fish and vegetables.
- AIR FRYER OVEN COMBO WITH 4 VERSATILE COOKING OPTIONS: Enjoy the convenience of a toaster oven and the crispy deliciousness of an air fryer in one compact appliance; this versatile combo offers the functions you love—toast, bake, air fry, and broil.
- 4 SLICE CAPACITY PROVIDES PLENTY OF COOKING SPACE: This air fryer toaster oven combo has room for everything you cook, from 4 slices of toast to a 9" pizza, a 3 lb. chicken in an 8" x 8" pan or a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
- INCLUDES METAL AIR-FRY BASKET, BAKE PAN AND BROIL RACK. The air fryer and toaster oven combo comes with all the accessories you need to air fry, bake, broil, and toast, plus a slide-out crumb tray.
- EXCELLENT COOKING AND TOASTING PERFORMANCE: Quality heating elements in the Hamilton Beach toaster oven provide precise, accurate temperatures from 200° to 450°F and even cooking without hot spots.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Air Fryer Toaster Ovens
An air fryer toaster oven is a kitchen superhero. It can toast bread, bake cookies, and air fry crispy foods all in one machine. Choosing the best one, especially after reading Consumer Reports, can be tricky. This guide helps you pick the right model for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, focus on these important parts. These features decide how useful the appliance will be.
1. Capacity and Size
- Interior Space: How much food fits inside? Small kitchens need smaller models. Large families need models that fit a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza. Check the cubic footage listed by the manufacturer.
- Countertop Footprint: Measure your counter space first! Some powerful models take up a lot of room.
2. Cooking Functions
A good model offers more than just toasting and air frying. Look for:
- Air Fry: This function circulates hot air quickly for crispy results with less oil.
- Bake/Roast: Essential for cakes, casseroles, and roasting vegetables.
- Broil: Use this for melting cheese or browning the top of dishes.
- Toast/Bagel: Check if the toast settings are even across the bread.
3. Temperature Range and Control
The best ovens heat up fast and stay at the right temperature. Look for models that go from at least 150°F up to 450°F. Digital controls usually offer better accuracy than dial controls.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The parts inside and outside the oven affect how long it lasts and how safe it is to use.
Exterior Construction
Most good ovens use stainless steel or durable, heat-resistant plastic for the outside. Stainless steel looks nice and cleans up easily. Make sure the exterior stays cool enough to touch safely while cooking (though the handle will always get hot).
Interior Components
- Non-Stick Coating: The inside walls should have a good non-stick coating. This makes cleaning up stuck-on grease much simpler.
- Baskets and Trays: Look for sturdy wire racks, a baking pan, and an air fryer basket. These parts should be dishwasher safe if possible.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one oven better than another? It often comes down to performance consistency.
Quality Boosters
- Powerful Wattage: Higher wattage (usually 1500W or more) means the oven heats up quicker and recovers temperature faster when you open the door.
- Convection Fan: A strong, quiet convection fan ensures air moves evenly. This prevents cold spots where food doesn’t cook properly.
- Easy-to-Read Display: Intuitive controls help you set times and temperatures correctly the first time.
Quality Reducers (What to Avoid)
Cheap models often skimp on heating elements. If the heating elements look thin or uneven, the cooking will be patchy. Also, avoid models where the instruction manual is poorly translated or confusing; this suggests less attention to detail overall.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will use the appliance every day.
Daily Use Scenarios
- Quick Breakfasts: Can it toast four slices of bread evenly while you get ready?
- Weeknight Dinners: Does it heat up faster than your full-sized oven for reheating leftovers or cooking frozen items like chicken nuggets? Air frying saves energy here.
- Cleaning Time: If cleaning takes more than 10 minutes, you might stop using it. Look for accessories that slide out easily for washing.
A great air fryer toaster oven should simplify your cooking, not complicate it. Prioritize capacity and reliable temperature control based on what you cook most often.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between an air fryer and an air fryer toaster oven?
A: An air fryer toaster oven combines the functions. It toasts bread like a standard toaster oven but also uses a powerful fan to air fry food, making it more versatile.
Q: Do I need to preheat an air fryer toaster oven?
A: Yes, most manufacturers recommend preheating for about 5 minutes, especially for air frying and baking. This ensures the best, most even cooking results.
Q: Are air fryer toaster ovens hard to clean?
A: They can be messy, especially when air frying fatty foods. Look for models with removable, dishwasher-safe trays and a good non-stick interior coating to make cleaning easier.
Q: Can I cook a whole chicken in these ovens?
A: Only in the largest models. Always check the internal dimensions. A standard 4-slice toaster oven size will only fit smaller items like chicken breasts or wings.
Q: Are they energy efficient compared to a large oven?
A: Generally, yes. They heat up much faster and are smaller, so they use less energy for small meals or reheating.
Q: What is the best temperature setting for air frying vegetables?
A: Most vegetables do well between 380°F and 400°F. This high heat helps them crisp up before they get soggy.
Q: Should I use parchment paper in the air fryer basket?
A: You can, but be careful. Do not use parchment paper unless the food is heavy enough to hold it down. If the paper floats up near the heating element, it can burn.
Q: How do I know if the fan is strong enough?
A: Look for reviews that mention even browning or crisping without needing to shake the basket frequently. A strong fan circulates heat well.
Q: What size capacity is best for a couple?
A: A medium-sized model, often advertised as fitting 6 slices of toast or a 10-inch pizza, usually works perfectly for one or two people.
Q: Do these appliances make a lot of noise?
A: Because they use a strong fan, they are louder than a regular toaster but usually quieter than a powerful microwave. Check user reviews specifically for noise complaints.