Toaster ovens are the perfect way for small cooking or reheating your food quickly and easily. There are various types of toaster ovens. Toaster ovens are useful, especially when you want to cook or bake something but do not want to heat the entire kitchen with a full-scale oven. If you wish to only a small portion, you can consider a toaster oven as a low oven or big toaster.
What is a toaster oven?
Toaster ovens are a relative newcomer to the kitchen appliance market. Slightly larger than a conventional toaster, yet significantly smaller than a traditional oven, a toaster oven will allow you to bake, grill, broil and toast a variety of foods at a fraction of the energy cost and in a much smaller space than a regular oven.
Before choosing the toaster oven, it is best that consumers educate themselves about various brands, models and features so that you would know which one best suits your preferences. Reviews help you decide which features you would like to have in your kitchen, as well as the price range of each toaster oven.
Quick Answer: Best Toaster Oven
1. Breville BOV650XL the Compact Smart Oven
2. Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven
3. Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Broiler
4. Waring WTO150 4-Slice Oven with Built-In 2-Slice Toaster
5. KitchenAid KCO223CU 12-Inch Convection Countertop Oven
1. Breville BOV650XL the Compact Smart Oven
This oven is very similar to its “big brother” the Breville Smart Oven, but comes in a more compact size and will work well for those who don’t have the room for the BOV800XL.
The toaster oven uses 1800 watts of power and features a 0.6 cubic foot capacity interior that will hold up to four slices of toast or up to a twelve-inch pizza at one time.
Featuring the unique Element IQ technology, the Breville Compact 4-Slice Smart Oven has a smart sensor that increases energy efficiency by continually adjusting and controlling the temperature and putting power where it’s needed most.
The toaster oven has eight preset functions including toasting, bagel, broil, reheat, and roast, along with pizza and cookies functions. There is a dial setting for adjusting the timer, which can be set up to 2 hours. The dial is also used to improve the temperature and to choose the darkness setting for toasting, from light to dark.
A backlit LCD screen displays the current function setting, the temperatures, along with any adjustments that have been made. The color of the LCD goes from orange to blue, indicating oven readiness and the end of the cooking cycle.
Breville BOV650XL Features and Specifications
- Dimensions: 15″ x 17″ x 10″
- Shipping Weight: 20,5 lbs
- Power Output: 1800 Watts
- Capacity: 3/5 cubic foot, four slice capacity
- Accessories: 10″ x 10″ baking pan and 10″ x 10″ broiling rack
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty
Breville Compact 4-Slice Smart Oven Reviews
The Breville Compact Oven has excellent reviews – some of the highest we’ve seen. Currently, it has over 1800 reviews On Amazon.com, with 66% people rating this toaster oven five stars.
Reviewers were happy overall with the toasting functionality and stated that the toaster oven toasts bread quickly and evenly – better than the typical toaster. It was said many times that the oven is a quality made an oven and well built.
Several mentioned that stainless steel housing is desirable. One reviewer said that while the price is a bit steep, she is thrilled with the oven and feels it was well worth the investment.
Reviewers also mentioned that the oven is very easy to clean – a big plus since some toaster ovens can be a little tricky to get clean.
There were very few complaints noted in the reviews we read. One person did mention that because the oven doesn’t have an on/off button (the oven shuts off automatically at the predetermined time), it can take a little getting used to.
Another reviewer didn’t realize that this oven didn’t come with a convection function – a minor inconvenience, but, he would have liked this feature.
Our Verdict
It’s challenging to find a small appliance that consistently rates over four stars.
We’ve seen it in the Breville 4-Slice Smart Oven. This is one gorgeous toaster oven that was designed with quality in mind and had several useful functions.
It works well, and the vast majority of reviewers have been extremely pleased with it, and feel the price is fair for the feature set it provides.
We highly recommend the Breville Compact 4-Slice Smart Oven.
2. Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven
You should know that as far as good cooking is concerned, you have to make use of the right tools and substances to be able to follow the recipe to perfection.
This is why when you have to do some baking, you will do well to check out and use the Breville BOV800XL oven. This is one of the best ovens that you can find in the market these days.
Breville BOV800XL Features
With the Breville BOV800XL, you get an oven which runs on 1800 watts of power such that you can complete even the most massive baking jobs in the shortest possible time. Apart from this you also get a nonstick pan which means that the food does not stick to the interior of the oven and you can clean it very quickly.
This is an oven which is very modern and also advanced in its technology. You have nine preset functions which mean that you need to press the right button and the heating would be done based on your needs without any problem.
With the Breville BOV800XL, you also get a very user-friendly control panel and LCD screen such that you can read the temperature as well as the display of the setting quite easily.
The program setting is also there along with timer so that it is easy to cook the food for the right time such that it does not get burnt or overdone.
Our verdict
The Breville BOV800XL has a stainless steel body which is not only beautiful and shining to look at, but it is also very durable and can last for many years. With this oven, you also get a broil rack, baking pan, pizza pan as well as a crumb tray such that all your baking needs are mate quite easily.
This is quite an attractive oven which means that you can easily place it in your kitchen or dining table because it looks so good and also functions so well.
With this oven, you do not have to depend on cakes and bread from outside because it makes your baking task so easy and enjoyable also.
3. Cuisinart TOB-195 Exact Heat Toaster Oven Broiler
Even foodie snobs will find dignity in using this toaster oven. This state-of-the-art technology is everything a cook wants, and Cuisinart is doing an injustice by branding it as a “toaster oven”.
Since one would instead call it a legitimate range that can also toast bread or a bagel if it wasn’t because of its small size. It is one of the few cases where the “toaster” stage has well been exceeded.
Cuisinart TOB-195 Features and Controls
We found Amazon.com to have competitive prices on all toaster ovens including the Cuisinart TOB-195 Convection Toaster Oven.
This model of Cuisinart toaster oven is large enough to toast six slices of bread at the same time. It boasts a twelve-inch pizza quickly making cooking for the family more comfortable than ever. The interior of the unit is outstanding twelve and a half by twelve and a half inches making it quite a substantial kitchen appliance.
The electronic touch pad is located in the bottom front of the oven for convenience and gives this model a more compact design.
The preset buttons include one for pizza, bagels, and toast. There are also buttons for broil, convection baking, defrost and reheat. The digital clock and timer are easy to read.
Cuisinart has a reputation for quality craftsmanship, so the three-year limited warranty gives you peace of mind should anything go wrong with the unit.
4. Waring WTO150 4-Slice Toaster Oven with Built-In 2-Slice Toaster
This professional toaster oven offers convenience, energy efficiency and all of the functions you’d expect from a countertop oven. Housed in stainless steel, the Waring Pro WTO150 will make an attractive addition to your kitchen, and make every day cooking activities a breeze.
The small size and multiple functions make this oven an excellent choice as a second oven or an alternative option to your wall oven.
One of the great features of the Waring Pro WTO150 4-Slice Toaster Oven is the built-in two slice toaster slots on the top of the oven. This allows you to make toast without having to turn on the oven.
The interior of the oven has a capacity of 0.45 cubic feet and will hold up to four slices of bread at once. The toaster oven is a nice, compact size measuring 30.2″ x 13.2″ x 9″.
The Waring Pro WTO150 has 1500 watts of powers and has several built-in functions including a toast shade selector; bake, broil and toasting functions. It also has adjustable temperature settings and a 30-minute timer.
Waring Pro WTO150 Features and Specifications
- Size:2″ x 13.2″ x 9″
- Shipping Weight: 18 pounds
- Capacity:45 cubic foot, four slice interior with two slices built in toaster
- Housing: Stainless Steel
- Removable crumb tray, broiling pan and drip tray included
- Power Output: 1500 Watts
- Functions: Toast, Broil, Bake and Bagel button
Waring Pro WTO150 Reviews
Based on the reviews we’ve read, the Waring Pro WTO150 generally has good reviews, with approximately 68% of reviewers rating the oven 4 or 5 stars.
Several people loved the built-in toaster slots on top and liked having two appliances in one convenient unit. Reviewers overwhelming like the design, as well, and commented on how nice the toaster oven looks.
One comment pointed out the fact that the interior does not have a nonstick coating, but is instead aluminized steel. This makes the Waring Pro WTO150 4-Slice Toaster Oven with Built-In 2-Slice Toaster easy to clean, while not giving off toxic fumes that nonstick coatings do.
More than one person stated that the oven is roomy and perfect for cooking smaller meals or items. It’s capable of holding up to 4 slices of toast or 2 large pizza slices.
One reviewer mentioned that the temperatures are accurate, and the toasting and cooking functions are excellent.
A couple of small annoyances were also stated. The timer must be used. When the timer shuts off, the power shuts off. The reviewer that mentioned this believed it to be a safety feature but felt it was a bit of an inconvenience.
The Waring Pro WTO150 does get hot on the outside, so caution should be exercised when it’s in use.
Our Verdict
Like the other reviewers, we like the built-in toaster slots at the top.
The Waring Pro WTO150 is a bit smaller than the different ovens we’ve reviewed. But given the capacity, it is certainly in line with the price.
Overall, we give this toaster a rating of 4.0 stars and do recommend it as the right choice in toaster ovens.
5. KitchenAid KCO223CU 12-Inch Convection Countertop Oven
It is Capable of holding up to two twelve inch pizzas; the toaster oven can also accommodate a 4-lb chicken, up to four chicken breasts and up to 6 slices of toast.
The KitchenAid Convection Oven heats up to 450 degrees and offers several functions including broiling, baking, toasting and warming.
A built-in timer that goes up to 60 minutes allows you to cook or broil foods that require longer cooking times quickly.
The KitchenAid Convection Oven has a nonstick interior that allows for easy cleanup and comes with a removable, stainless steel broiler pan. There are two interior wire racks, and a stainless steel crumb tray included, as well.
The outer housing of the oven is stainless steel, with large easy to use soft grip knob controls. Accented with black trim the oven is attractive, in addition to being functional.
KitchenAid Convection Countertop Oven Features and Specifications
- Size: 1 x 16.2 x 11.3 inches
- Shipping Weight: 24 pounds
- Capacity: Up to two 12″ pizzas, 4 lb chicken, six slices of toast
- Easy to clean, nonstick interior
- Dishwasher safe broiler pan with grill included
- Large see-through viewing window
- 60-minute timer
KitchenAid Countertop Convection Oven Reviews
Positive comments included the good size, the easy to use knob controls, and that the temperature settings are accurate.
A few reviewers commented on the design of the toaster oven; it appears to be well built and is an attractive appliance. More than one reviewer pointed out that the crumb tray is accessible from the front. This makes cleaning out crumbs very easy.
Reviewers like the fact that the nonstick interior is easy to clean, and that the included accessories of high quality. One reviewer noted that the oven uses less energy than other toaster ovens and heats up quickly.
There were relatively few negative reviews for the KitchenAid Countertop Oven. A couple of people received defective units.
One reviewer stated that the broiling function on the oven didn’t work at all. Another commented that it’s easy to get burned when opening the door and that the oven produces an annoying, loud ticking when the oven is toasting.
Our verdict
The KitchenAid Convection Oven KCO223CU is a mid-priced unit. It does offer a large capacity, and the reviews we’ve read indicated that the cooking/broiling temperatures are accurate.
It’s an attractive unit, and we especially like the sizeable soft grip controls and large viewing window. While this oven didn’t receive quite as high of a rating as other toaster ovens we’ve reviewed, we feel comfortable recommending the KitchenAid Convection Oven KCO223CU, as it seems to offer a good value for the price.
Complete Buying Guide for Toaster Oven
How to Choose the Best Toaster Oven
The best toaster oven is an affordable, useful, and safe kitchen appliance that can make tasty meals out of simple ingredients, while a lousy toaster oven is just a nuisance and takes up the kitchen space.
So how do you choose the best toaster oven then? Once you’ve seen a model you like, there are a few essential things to consider.
Size
You will be placing the toaster oven on the kitchen counter near an electric outlet, so the first thing you want to do is measure the space on your kitchen countertop to make sure it can fit.
Depending on your countertop space, you might want to get a bigger or a smaller toaster oven.
There are bigger ones which usually have more features, but there are also narrower but taller ones which take up less countertop space and are perfect space-savers.
Features
Do you need one with convection heating? Defrost functions? Or maybe a broil setting? Consider how you’ll be using your toaster oven so you know which features will work out for you.
Ergonomics
There are Toaster Ovens with dials or soft-touch buttons. Some even have LCD screens which show you how hot it is inside, or how long the timer is set. Settle for one which isn’t very hard to operate, and also has durable switches so it won’t wear and tear in a short time.
Capacity
On the other hand, you’d want to know how many servings the toaster oven can make at one time. If you’re buying a basic toaster oven for toasting and heating, there are four-slice and six-slice models.
If you intend to bake 12-inch pizzas or whole roast chickens, make sure the toaster oven has that capacity. Of course, you’ll have to compromise with your kitchen space as I said above.
Safety
Safety is a big issue with toaster ovens because they can get really hot and you’ll want a model that is designed with user safety in mind.
Check with the reviews to see whether the toaster oven has a safe door and handle, automatic shut-off or timer shut off feature.
Note: Keep children away from the toaster oven at all times. Use an oven mitt and always be careful when taking food out of it.
Easy to clean
Look for nonstick interior because that will be a whole lot easier to wipe clean. The removable crumb tray is very handy, but some toaster ovens have them slide out the back, the reason why I cannot fathom. Try to find one that slides out in front.
Cooking method
If you’re buying the toaster oven for only toasting and heating, save your money and get a basic one.
For baking and broiling, get a toaster oven with convection, which circulates the hot air inside the oven to help even cooking and save cooking time.
Or you might want a toaster oven with rotisserie for the roasting whole chicken.
Bells and Whistles
There are controls in the form of dials, and there are digital ones which show you the exact temperature you punch in yourself. Is the signal bell loud enough to hear out of the kitchen? Is there a warming function for you to keep your food warm till you want it?
Price range
Set on a budget for your toaster oven and shop around it. You can find many models and brands around your budget range. Remember, more features mean a higher price tag.
Basic toaster ovens come around $50, convection toaster ovens $80 – $150, while high-end convection toaster ovens can go above $200.
Reviews
It is always a good thing to read before you decide which toaster oven to buy. By knowing more information beforehand, you get to choose which one will work better for you and your needs.
Brand
Looking for a toaster oven which is produced by your favorite brand might be your first step. While this may not be quite important to some people, brands still have an impact on a consumer’s behavior. Durability, longevity, price and user-friendliness are some aspects which consumers tend to associate with various brands.
What Can You Use a Toaster Oven For?
Before I got my first toaster oven, I wondered whether I would ever use one, and what I would use it for.
It didn’t occur to me then that a toaster oven is handy for meals from breakfast, appetizers, desserts, and snacks, to regular lunch and even dinner parties.
Here are the foods that a toaster oven can help you prepare, categorized by cooking method:
Toasting
Toasting is associated with bread products. You can make plain toast, garlic bread, toast with toppings (open-faced sandwiches), toast bagels, English muffins, and more.
Heating
Heating or reheating your leftover food, or a slice of frozen pizza.
Defrosting
Some toasters have the defrost option for frozen food (e.g. meat, pizza, etc.).
Baking
A toaster oven can bake anything an oven can, on a smaller scale. I do everything from pizza, brownies, muffins, little cakes, cupcakes, cookies, potato-in-jacket, pot pies, and pasta like macaroni and lasagna.
I love baking small batches of stuff in my toaster oven because it saves electricity and I can have fresh snacks every time.
A tip for the cookie lovers, pipe out the cookie dough on the sheet and freeze them instead of baking them, then scrape off the frozen pieces of cookie dough and keep them in the freezer. Just take out as many frozen fragments as you want and bake them. Fresh cookies without the hassle!
Broiling
Broiling means grilling, except it’s done with heat only coming from the top. My toaster ovens have done ribs, chops, burger patties, steaks, fish, sausages, fillets and more.
Roasting
Roasted vegetables like bell pepper and asparagus are nice for appetizers, or you can cut them up small, poke them through a stick with slices of chicken or beef and make a kebab.
Sometimes I miss the campfire times and make my own s’ mores with the toaster oven.
It’s effortless, sandwich a marshmallow and two squares of chocolate between graham crackers, and then place them neatly on the tray and wait for the marshmallow to roast.
Rotisserie
Some larger convection toaster ovens let you rotisserie the whole chicken.
If you are wondering what rotisserie means, it means skewering the chicken with a metal rod and roasting it while it is rotated in the oven.
How to Clean a Toaster Oven
It’s a good thing to clean your toaster oven as often as you use it, and you should do it at least once a day if you use it daily.
Cleaning will keep your toaster oven free of smells, charred food, and grease, which means none of that in your freshly toasted food too. It is a straightforward task, once you know how to do it. Here’s how:
- Make sure the toaster oven is turned off and unplugged. If you’ve been using it, let it cool down thoroughly first.
- Take out the crumb tray and dispose of the crumbs. The crumb tray should be emptied after each use. Otherwise, the bits will burn black and stick hard to the shelf. Take out the racks too.
- You can use soap, water, and a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the tray and the racks clean.
- Wipe out the insides of the toaster oven with the soapy sponge. Don’t put the toaster oven into the water. You will drown it. If there is food buildup in there, use a synthetic scouring pad and warm water to remove it.
- Rinse the sponge clean and repeat the process until the walls are clean of soap residue.
- Spray Formula 409 or vinegar solution on the exterior of the toaster oven and wipe it clean with a sponge or lint-free cloth. Do the same for the glass on the door.
- Wipe everything dry and replace the racks and crumb tray.
- Make sure your hands are dry before you plug in the toaster oven.
That’s it, and you have a clean toaster oven again!
Looking for ways to clean your microwave…
Benefits of the toaster oven
A small and convenient kitchen appliance you can use to toast bagels and bread, heat or cook pizza, bake pastries, roast a whole chicken and that also while taking half the time and using only a fraction of energy costs compared to a full-size oven.
Toaster Oven, it lets you toast, bake, broil, cook a variety of food items and do many other things that a conventional oven can do but only asks for very little energy and space on your kitchen counter.
Toasters have been used for decades to toast bread. But with the modern day variety of new foods and cuisine choices and continually developing technology, the traditional pop-up toaster has evolved into an improved and bigger version with many other features.
This evolution has led to the modern-day toaster oven, smaller than ovens, but bigger than toasters.
- Toaster ovens offer a significant number of advantages over conventional ovens.
- They are lower than the usual ovens and use less gas and energy.
- Toaster ovens are more portable, so they are quite easy to move around.
- They can also be used in places where there isn’t much space, such as dormitories, studio bedrooms and apartments.
- Toaster Ovens are a breeze to clean. Just slide out the tray in case of a spill, wipe it and you are good to go.
- Stainless steel designs add to the appearance of your modern day kitchen.
Conclusion
You’d even prefer using them over your conventional oven. Although they heat slower than microwave ovens, they are much safer to use because there is no radiation or microwaves which are being penetrated your food.
Likewise, Toaster Ovens nowadays have bundled functionalities such as convection heating or broiling, and they allow you to cook your favorite food in just the way you want it.
These new Toaster Ovens do not simply toast bread because they can also bake bread. Some models are capable of heating up to 450-degrees for 30 minutes, allowing you to bake cookies and bread.
Since they are now used as a great alternative from conventional ovens, there are also some bigger models which allow you to roast even a whole chicken.
With more room and space, these Toaster Ovens let you toast more bread at the same time, thereby allowing you to prepare breakfast or snacks for your family faster than before.
