Does your kitchen counter feel like a battleground of confusing appliance choices? You need a toaster oven, but the sheer number of models on the market can feel overwhelming. Every brand promises perfect toast, crispy bagels, and even gourmet meals, yet figuring out which one truly delivers is a real chore. You spend hours reading reviews, only to feel more confused than when you started.
Choosing the best toaster oven means balancing size, features, and price—a tough equation for any shopper. We know you want reliability and performance without the guesswork. That’s why we dove deep into the latest Consumer Reports data, testing the top contenders ourselves.
Keep reading to unlock our expert breakdown. We will reveal the top-rated models for baking, broiling, and toasting consistency. By the end of this guide, you will have a clear, confident choice ready for your kitchen. Let’s find you the perfect countertop companion!
Top Toaster Oven Consumer Reports Recommendations
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Reingold, Carmel Berman (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 179 Pages - 02/27/1990 (Publication Date) - Consumer Reports Books (Publisher)
- ACCOMMODATES 9-INCH PIZZA OR 4 SLICES OF BREAD – Designed to maximize utility within a compact footprint, the curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. Place items evenly for best results when toasting, baking, or reheating.
- FOUR VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS – Select from baking, broiling, toasting, or keeping food warm. Natural convection airflow circulates heat throughout the oven—preheat for 10 minutes to ensure consistent cooking and crisp results.
- PRECISION 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON OPTION – The 30-minute timer includes clearly marked toast settings and a stay-on function. Oven will not operate unless timer is set or stay-on is selected, ensuring controlled and safe operation.
- CONVENIENT REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – The slide-out crumb tray allows for quick, hygienic cleanup. To prevent spills and overheating, keep food and bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements and fully contained within the tray.
- COMPACT AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN – Measuring 14.5" x 10.8" x 8.8", this sleek stainless steel toaster oven complements any kitchen. Outer surfaces become hot during use—always use oven mitts and allow space for proper ventilation.
- 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.
- SAVE SPACE WITH 2 APPLIANCES IN 1: Replace your standalone toaster and countertop oven with this space-saving toaster and toaster oven combo. It bakes, broils and toasts, providing the versatility to effortlessly prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- SPACIOUS INTERIOR PROVIDES PLENTY OF COOKING SPACE: This Hamilton Beach toaster oven has 16.5 L of space for cooking everything you love, including delicious one-pan meals. It has 2 rack positions and can hold a 9" pizza or 3/4 lb. of fries.
- TOASTS FASTER AND MORE EVENLY: Make toast 40% faster* and enjoy it browned just the way you like it. The stainless steel toaster oven combo offers 5 toast shades for lighter or darker toast and holds 2 regular slices or 1 long slice of bread.
- EASY TO USE: This compact toaster oven features auto shutoff, a 60 minute timer with ready bell for tracking cooking progress, and a Stay On setting ideal for baking multiple batches of food.
- VERSATILE WITH 4 COOKING MODES: Prepare a variety of foods in this one multifunctional appliance. It has four cooking modes: bake, broil, toast, and keep warm.
- COMPACT & VERSATILE: Compact design fits nicely in smaller spaces & also provides the power needed to cook many types of foods.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 30-min timer is perfect for all your baking, roasting and toasting needs as well as warming up a quick and easy snack.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, baking, roasting & warming.
- 800 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in thermostat maintains consistent heating for even cooking and perfect results when baking, roasting, toasting or keeping foods warm.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes an easy to clean baking pan and a wire rack that easily slide in and out of the two-rack positions to accommodate a variety of foods.
- 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.
- VERSATILE COOKING: Cuisinart Toaster Oven Broiler with 1800 watts of high-performance power offers a wide range of cooking functions in one including toast, bagel, bake, broil, pizza, keep warm, and more.
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: Cuisinart oven with 0.5-cubic feet interior lets you toast 6 slices of bread or 4 bagel halves, bake an 11-inch pizza, or roast a family-sized casserole.
- PERFECT TOAST: Always Even Shade Control monitors the toasting temperature to automatically adjust cooking time for consistent toast results slice after slice.
- SAFETY & CONVENIENCE: Simple to use, this countertop oven features a cool-touch handle, easy-grip dials, and automatic shutoff for safety, an auto-slide rack to remove cooked food easily, and a non-stick interior for easy cleanup.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Beautiful brushed stainless steel toaster oven comes with a limited 3-year warranty, is BPA free, and includes a wire rack, broiling rack, baking/drip pan, front removable crumb tray with cool-touch grip, and a recipe book.
- 4-in-1 VERSATILITY FOR EVERYDAY COOKING – Toast, bake, broil, and keep food warm with one compact countertop appliance. Perfect for quick meals, snacks, and small-batch cooking without heating up your full-size oven.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSISTENT RESULTS – Specially designed interior ensures even heat distribution and better toasting performance—ideal for up to 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza.
- 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON FUNCTION – Built-in precision timer with stay-on setting allows for longer baking tasks. Ready indicator light and audible signal make meal prep simple and hassle-free.
- SPACE-SAVING, SLEEK STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN – Modern stainless steel finish complements any kitchen decor while saving counter space. Durable build and clear glass door let you monitor food easily.
- EASY CLEANUP WITH REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – Includes a slide-out crumb tray, bake pan, and broil rack for mess-free use and quick cleaning after every meal.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Toaster Oven
A toaster oven is a small kitchen helper. It does more than just toast bread. It can bake, broil, and reheat food too. Picking the right one takes a little know-how. This guide helps you find the perfect match for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
Good toaster ovens offer more than just basic settings. Think about what you cook most often.
Size and Capacity
- Counter Space: Measure the spot where the oven will sit. Small apartments need smaller models. Large families might need a bigger one to fit a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- Interior Space: Check the inside dimensions. Can it hold your favorite baking pan?
Cooking Functions
- Toast Setting: This must be even. Look for reviews that talk about consistent browning.
- Bake and Broil: These settings let you cook small meals. Good temperature control is vital here.
- Convection Fan: A convection setting uses a fan to move hot air around. This cooks food faster and more evenly. It’s a great feature for crispy results.
Controls and Interface
- Digital vs. Analog: Digital controls offer precise temperature settings. Analog dials (knobs) are simple and sometimes more durable.
- Preset Buttons: Some ovens have buttons for “Bagel” or “Frozen Pizza.” These save time.
Important Materials and Construction
The materials used affect how long the oven lasts and how well it cooks.
Exterior and Interior
- Stainless Steel: This looks nice and cleans up easily. It often heats more evenly than plastic models.
- Non-Stick Coating: A non-stick interior makes cleaning spills much simpler. However, be careful not to scratch this surface with metal utensils.
Heating Elements
Heating elements are the metal rods that get hot. Quartz or metal elements are common. Quartz heats up very fast, which is great for quick toasting.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality shows up in performance and ease of use.
Temperature Accuracy
A major quality factor is how close the actual temperature is to the temperature you set. Cheap ovens often run too hot or too cold. Consumer Reports often tests this carefully.
Cleaning Features
A removable crumb tray is a must-have. This tray catches crumbs and slides out for easy dumping. Ovens with many hard-to-reach corners are frustrating to keep clean.
Safety Features
Look for a cool-touch exterior, especially if children are around. Automatic shut-off timers prevent overheating if you forget the oven is on.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the oven changes what you should buy.
The Daily Toaster
If you only toast bread and bagels, focus on fast heat-up time and even toasting. You do not need a huge, expensive model.
The Small Oven Baker
If you bake cookies or roast vegetables instead of using your big oven, you need good temperature consistency and enough interior height. Convection is very helpful here.
Reheating Leftovers
Toaster ovens reheat food much better than microwaves. Microwaves make things soggy. Toaster ovens keep pizza crispy. If reheating is your main goal, look for a model that holds heat well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much counter space do I really need?
A: Most standard toaster ovens need about 18 inches of width. Always leave a few inches of space around the top and sides for ventilation, as the outside gets hot during use.
Q: Are convection toaster ovens worth the extra money?
A: Yes, for most people. Convection cooks faster and browns food more evenly. This is great for baking and roasting small items.
Q: How long should a good toaster oven last?
A: A well-built toaster oven should last between five to ten years. Quality materials and regular cleaning help it reach that longer lifespan.
Q: What is the difference between broiling and baking?
A: Baking uses heat from both the top and bottom elements to cook food all the way through. Broiling uses only the top element at a very high heat to quickly brown the surface of food, like melting cheese.
Q: Should I buy one with an air fryer function?
A: Air frying is a very powerful type of convection cooking. If you want crispy food often, a model that combines a toaster oven and air fryer saves space. Check reviews to see how well the air fry feature actually works.
Q: What is the easiest way to clean a toaster oven?
A: Always remove the crumb tray after every few uses. For tough baked-on grease, let the oven cool completely. Then, wipe the inside with a sponge dipped in warm, soapy water. Some interiors are dishwasher safe, but check the manual first.
Q: Do I need to preheat a toaster oven?
A: Yes, for baking and roasting, you should preheat it for about 5 to 10 minutes. This ensures your food starts cooking at the correct temperature right away, leading to better results.
Q: Why does my toast come out uneven?
A: Uneven toasting usually means the heating elements are old or the oven is lower quality. The elements closest to the center often heat up more than the ones on the edges. Look for models with higher ratings for toasting consistency.
Q: Are digital controls more complicated than knobs?
A: Digital controls let you set the time and temperature very exactly, often using a small screen. Knobs are simpler to use quickly but offer less precision. It depends on what you prefer.
Q: Can I put aluminum foil inside my toaster oven?
A: You can often line the crumb tray with foil for easy cleanup. However, never line the bottom floor of the oven or wrap food directly on the heating elements, as this can cause overheating or fire.