Best Toaster Ovens Review
A toaster oven is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for toasting, baking, roasting, broiling, and more. It’s an excellent addition to any kitchen, especially if you have limited space or need a convenient alternative to a full-sized oven. However, with so many options available on the market, choosing the best toaster oven can be overwhelming. This guide will help you understand the key features to consider and provide reviews of some top-rated toaster ovens.
Factors to Consider:
- Size and Capacity: Determine how much cooking space you need. Toaster ovens come in various sizes, from compact models that can fit a few slices of bread to larger ones that can accommodate a 12-inch pizza.
- Power and Wattage: Higher wattage typically means faster cooking times, but it also consumes more energy. Consider your energy usage and cooking needs.
- Cooking Functions: Most toaster ovens offer basic functions like toasting and baking. However, some models come with additional features like broiling, convection cooking, air frying, and even dehydrating.
- Temperature Range: Check the temperature range to ensure it meets your cooking requirements. Some toaster ovens can reach up to 450°F or more.
- Controls and Settings: Look for toaster ovens with intuitive controls and easy-to-read displays. Some models have pre-set cooking programs for specific dishes, which can be very convenient.
- Safety Features: Safety is crucial when dealing with hot appliances. Features like auto-shutoff, cool-touch exteriors, and a secure door seal are important.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Consider models with removable crumb trays and non-stick interiors for easy cleaning.
- Price and Budget: Set a budget and try to find the best toaster oven that fits within your price range without compromising on essential features.
Top 7 Best Toaster Ovens:
Here are 7 of the best toaster ovens available on Amazon.com, with their descriptions, features, pros, and cons:
1. Cuisinart TOB-40N Custom Classic Toaster Oven Broiler
This toaster oven from Cuisinart is a versatile kitchen appliance that can do it all. It has 10 cooking functions, including bake, broil, toast, bagel, pizza, roast, warm, defrost, and more. It also has a convection setting, which circulates hot air around the food for faster and more evenly cooked results.
Features:
- 10 cooking functions
- Convection setting
- Bakes, broils, toasts, bagels, pizzas, roasts, warms, defrosts
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Adjustable thermostat
- 30-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Versatile and easy to use
- Great for small kitchens
- Produces evenly cooked results
- Durable and well-made
Cons:
- Can be a bit bulky
- Not the cheapest option
2. BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven with Natural Convection
This toaster oven from BLACK+DECKER is a great option for those looking for a basic and affordable model. It has 4 cooking functions: toast, bake, broil, and keep warm. It also has a natural convection setting, which circulates hot air around the food for faster and more evenly cooked results.
Features:
- 4 cooking functions
- Natural convection setting
- Toasts, bakes, broils, and keeps food warm
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Adjustable thermostat
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Affordable and easy to use
- Good for small kitchens
- Produces evenly cooked results
Cons:
- Not as versatile as some other models
- Build quality is not as good as some other models
3. Breville Mini Smart Toaster Oven
This toaster oven from Breville is a great option for those who want a small, compact, and stylish appliance. It has 8 cooking functions: toast, bagel, bake, broil, roast, pizza, reheat, and keep warm. It also has a smart feature that allows you to control the oven from your smartphone or tablet.
Features:
- 8 cooking functions
- Smart feature
- Toasts, bagels, bakes, broils, roasts, pizzas, reheats, and keeps food warm
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Adjustable thermostat
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Small, compact, and stylish
- Versatile and easy to use
- Produces great results
- Smart feature is a nice touch
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not as durable as some other models
4. Instant Omni Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
This toaster oven from Instant Pot is a great option for those who want an appliance that can do it all. It has 10 cooking functions, including air fry, bake, broil, toast, bagel, roast, dehydrate, reheat, and keep warm. It also has a large capacity, so you can cook for a crowd.
Features:
- 10 cooking functions
- Air fryer
- Bake, broil, toast, bagel, roast, dehydrate, reheat, and keep warm
- Large capacity
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Adjustable thermostat
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Versatile and easy to use
- Great for large families
- Produces great results
- Air fryer function is a nice
5. COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven
This toaster oven from COSORI is a great option for those who want an air fryer toaster oven with a large capacity. It has 11 cooking functions, including air fry, bake, broil, toast, bagel, roast, dehydrate, reheat, and keep warm. It also has a large capacity, so you can cook for a crowd.
Features:
- 11 cooking functions
- Air fryer
- Bake, broil, toast, bagel, roast, dehydrate, reheat, and keep warm
- Large capacity
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Adjustable thermostat
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Versatile and easy to use
- Great for large families
- Produces great results
- Air fryer function is a nice touch
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Expensive
6. Hamilton Beach 2-in-1 Toaster Oven
This toaster oven from Hamilton Beach is a great option for those who want a basic and affordable model with a few extra features. It has 3 cooking functions: toast, bake, and broil. It also has a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning and a 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off.
Features:
- 3 cooking functions
- Removable crumb tray
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Affordable and easy to use
- Good for small kitchens
- Produces evenly cooked results
Cons:
- Not as versatile as some other models
- Build quality is not as good as some other models
7. Oster 6-Slice Convection Toaster Oven
This toaster oven from Oster is a great option for those who want a large capacity toaster oven with convection cooking. It has 6 cooking functions: toast, bake, broil, bagel, pizza, and keep warm. It also has a convection setting, which circulates hot air around the food for faster and more evenly cooked results.
Features:
- 6 cooking functions
- Convection setting
- 6-slice capacity
- Removable crumb tray
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Convection cooking
- Easy to use
- Produces evenly cooked results
Cons:
- Not as versatile as some other models
- Expensive
Remember to read customer reviews and check for warranties before making a final decision. Different models cater to different needs, so choose the one that best aligns with your cooking preferences and available kitchen space.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Toaster Ovens
1. Is it worth buying a toaster oven?
According to the founders of ToasterOvenLove.com, Tim and Brie, whether it’s worth buying a toaster oven depends on your lifestyle and cooking needs. Toaster ovens are small appliances that heat up quickly and bake efficiently. They can be beneficial for small households and are practical in compact spaces like office lunchrooms, cabins, and RVs. They can also serve as a handy second oven during holidays for side dishes and desserts or to keep food warm before serving.
2. Besides small households, who else needs a toaster oven?
Toaster ovens are practical appliances for those living in compact spaces like office lunchrooms, cabins, and RVs. They also come in handy during holidays as a second oven for cooking side dishes and desserts or for keeping food warm. Additionally, in the summer, they allow you to bake without heating up the whole house.
3. How do toaster ovens work?
Most toaster ovens have heating elements located at the top and bottom of the oven. These elements heat the oven based on the cooking function, temperature, and time set on the oven’s control panel.
4. What is the difference between a toaster oven and a toaster oven with a convection setting?
A toaster oven with a convection setting has an additional fan inside that circulates heated air around the oven’s interior. This circulating air helps maintain a consistent temperature, resulting in more even and faster cooking. Convection cooking also removes surface moisture from the food, resulting in crispy and browned exteriors while keeping the inside tender and moist.
5. What is the difference between a toaster oven and an air fryer toaster oven?
An air fryer toaster oven typically includes an air fry setting. In this setting, the convection fan operates at a faster speed, and in some models, the heating elements may have a higher intensity. The food is usually placed in a perforated metal basket during cooking to allow maximum airflow and achieve extra crispiness.
Toaster ovens, especially those with convection or air fryer settings, offer versatility and convenience in cooking a wide range of dishes. Consider your cooking habits and available space to determine which type of toaster oven best suits your needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a toaster oven is a versatile and convenient appliance that can handle a variety of cooking tasks. By considering the factors mentioned above and exploring the top-rated models, you’ll be able to find the best toaster oven that suits your needs and elevates your cooking experience. Happy toasting and cooking!
