How We Test
We aggregate millions of product reviews, scour other websites for their professional opinions - then we test the products ourselves. We do not accept free products from manufacturers, and our only goal is to give you the best recommendations possible. However, if you buy from the links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
- Best Sapphire Engagement Rings - July 25, 2024
- Best Coffee - July 25, 2024
- Best French Press - July 25, 2024
When you want to quickly cook a bagel, cookies, toast, or even chicken – a toaster oven is a great go-to. But there are a huge number of different models available, and it can be overwhelming to find the one to take home.
We’ve done the research, aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews, and tested many different models. And there is a huge discrepancy between the poorly-performing models, and the best of the lot. After exhaustive research, we can confidently tell you the best toaster oven to get, no matter what your needs.
Our Top Pick
Breville BOV800XL
With over 4,800 glowing online reviews, this great toaster oven from Breville is a must-buy. It offers every feature you could want, plus it comes at an affordable price. Our top pick.
Other Great Picks
BLACK+DECKER CTO6335S
With over 2,700 sterling online reviews, this budget pick from Black and Decker is a great choice. It offers digital controls, a removable crumb tray, and expanded oven space. From pizzas to cookies – this toaster oven performed perfectly during all of our tests. Highly recommended.
Cuisinart TOB-260N1
This luxury toaster oven from Cuisinart offers 15 different cooking functions, a phenomenally fast cook speed, and some of the best-tasting food we’ve ever had. With over 500 stellar online reviews, it’s one of the most popular toaster ovens in the world, and it certainly performed like it was, too. Definitely recommended.
Breville BOV450XL
This great toaster oven from Breville has over 2,300 stellar online reviews, and a great price. It offers a huge cooking capacity, and a smart IQ heating system. Definitely recommended.
Oyama TRO-110C
With over 1,000 glowing online reviews, this innovative toaster oven from Oyama has a budget price, and performs like a dream. If you are looking for a high-quality machine, but don’t want to spend a lot – this is the model for you. Highly recommended.
Mueller Austria
This great budget pick from Mueller offers great and even cooking – all for a fraction of the price of the more deluxe machines. With over 900 glowing online reviews, this is one of the best budget toaster ovens on the market. Recommended.
KitchenAid KCO275SS
KitchenAid is well-known for making great kitchen products – and this toaster oven is no different. With over 330 great online reviews, it offers fast cooking times, huge functionality, and 9 pre-programmed cooking functions.
Black and Decker TO1313SBD
This budget model from Black and Decker is another great pick. With over 1,500 stellar online reviews, simple-to-use controls, and fast cooking times – it has everything you could want, and more. Definitely recommended.
Hamilton Beach Countertop Toaster
This great toaster oven from Hamilton Beach is perfect for any family. It has simple controls, doesn’t take up much space on your counter – and costs almost nothing. A truly great buy.
Wolf Gourmet WGCO160S
This deluxe toaster oven from Wolf Gourmet has every advanced feature you could want. Fast cooking times, precise cooking times, and convection heating. Definitely recommended.
What Is A Toaster Oven?
Is a toaster oven just a glorified toaster or a mini-oven? Not quite. This multipurpose kitchen appliance is used to toast, bake, and reheat foods. A truly useful tool for any kitchen.
Why use one? During warm weather it is far more convenient and energy efficient than using a conventional oven. It can also free up counter space by eliminating the need for a traditional toaster and even a microwave. They are very easy to use and can be used to cook a wide range of foods.
What Can You Make In A Toaster Oven?
A toaster oven is used to make a lot of different foods so the possibilities are nearly endless. From breakfast to dinner you can find suitable meals and recipes that are toaster oven friendly. Here is a small list of foods that can be cooked in your toaster oven:
- Toast
- Muffins
- Quiches
- Patty melts
- Baked pasta dishes
- Roasted vegetables
- Pizza
- Bacon
- Nachos
- Cookies
- Chicken
- Salmon
In general if you can use a traditional toaster or oven to cook a meal, the toaster oven will work. You may be limited by portion sizes as most toaster ovens are significantly smaller than a conventional oven, but its smaller size is a big advantage for many households.
Can I Bake With My Toaster Oven?
Absolutely! Baking with your toaster oven is as simple as with a conventional oven and will use a lot less energy and produce less heat. Recipes do not need to be altered for toaster oven baking although you may need to buy smaller baking pans to fit in the toaster oven.
The size of a toaster oven may limit the amount of baked goods you can cook in one batch and large cakes are out of the question. For smaller households, though, these smaller batches are the perfect option. It’s a great way to practice portion control as well.
How Do I Operate A Toaster Oven?
While every toaster oven model may differ, using a toaster oven is generally very simple. It is best to review your user’s manual or watch a video before operating a new appliance the first time. It should not take a lot of time though to master the toaster oven.
Most models uses dials, similar to conventional ovens. You will set the type of cooking you want (toast, bake, broil, etc.) with one dial and set the temperature with another. Some designs have additional dials or controls for timed cooking or for additional features.
Can I Put Aluminum Foil In A Toaster Oven?
Using aluminum foil in a toaster oven is not as clear cut as other kitchen appliances. While it is not completely prohibited, like it is with microwaves, it is generally cautioned against. Many manufacturers will advise against it in their manuals.
While foil can be used to line toaster oven trays, it is best not to line the bottom of the oven with foil as it prevents air flow. It can also melt if it comes in contact with the walls or roof of the oven and may cause the unit to overheat. In general it is best to steer clear of foil unless you are very careful in your use.
Can I Put Glass In A Toaster Oven?
When baking in a toaster oven, only heat tempered glass dishes intended for use in ovens should be used. It is also suggested to only use these items when using a baking setting, not when toasting or broiling as the glass may not hold up to these different settings.
Always consult the manufacturer’s guides before using any dishes that did not come with the toaster oven. Some models and brands sell specifically designed glasses and pans for use in their toaster ovens. If there is any doubt as to whether or not a glass dish is tempered, don’t chance it.
Can Plates Be Used In Toaster Ovens?
As many people use toaster ovens to reheat foods it is not uncommon for some to wonder if they can use plates in a toaster oven. Toaster ovens are not microwaves, however, and plates are generally not safe.
Plastic and paper plates are obvious no-nos, but many people think using their glass or ceramic plates should be okay. While some tempered glass or ceramic may hold up fine in toaster ovens, many are not made for the high temperatures and can shatter or crack. It is best to not chance it and use the approved cooking trays for warming your food.
How To Clean A Toaster Oven
Besides the yuck factor, toaster ovens should be cleaned regularly to prevent fires. According to home economist for Hamilton Beach, Laurie M. Klein, toaster ovens can have grease and food buildup which can ignite in high temperatures leading to internal fires. So taking a few minutes to clean the appliance once a month is a good practice.
- Be sure to unplug your appliance before beginning
- Take out any racks and trays and clean separately
- Shake out or sweep out any crumbs
- Wipe down the inside of the toaster oven
- For non-stick surfaces a soft towel or sponge should work
- For metal surfaces a soapy wool pad can be use
- Allow it to air dry and then replace the racks and tray
A tip from the lead test engineer for small appliances at Consumer Reports, Cindy Fisher: “Try cleaning the oven while it’s still a little warm” – it will reduce the amount of scrub time.
Can You Cook Steak In A Toaster Oven?
Yes, you can cook your steak in your toaster oven. It’s actually a great way to cook a single serving of steak instead of wasting all that energy with a conventional oven.
Prepare and season your steak to your liking and preheat the toaster oven. Broil settings are suggested with steak to give it that crisper outside. And be sure to check it frequently, as the smaller size of a toaster oven may make the steak cook quicker than you are used to.
Can You Cook Fish In A Toaster Oven?
Like steak, fish can most definitely be cooked in a toaster oven. It’s perfect for one or two servings and is as simple as cooking in a conventional oven.
Season your fish to your liking, preheat the toaster oven (generally 375 degrees, but may very depending on fish), and place the fish on the baking tray. Most fish will take between 15 – 30 minutes to cook; use a thermometer to check its internal temperature to be sure it’s cooked through.
Can You Cook Bacon In A Toaster Oven?
Cooking bacon in a toaster oven is a mess-free alternative to stove top bacon. The toaster oven is perfect for baking your bacon and containing the grease.
Bacon should be baked at 400 degrees for 10 – 20 minutes, depending on how you like your bacon cooked. Bake the strips on your toaster oven tray and be sure to wash the tray afterwards. It is also advisable to wipe down the inside of the toaster oven when it has cooled to prevent grease buildup.
How Do I Reheat Pizza In A Toaster Oven?
If you want to get a perfectly melty slice of pizza, the toaster oven is a perfect tool for reheating. It will not make the crust hard or rubbery like a microwave can and it will cook it evenly and thoroughly.
You can place the pizza slice directly on the rack and turn the oven to 425 degrees. You do not need to preheat so it saves a lot of time. Your slice should be heated and gooey-good in 5 – 10 minutes, but be sure to check often to prevent burning.
How To Clean A Toaster Oven Glass Door
Toaster oven glass doors can often become discolored or grimy with cooked on grease. Regularly wiping the inside down can help prevent this, but if you are faced with a dingy door here is how to clean it:
- Unplug your toaster oven
- Open the door and wipe it down with a wet cloth to remove any food particles
- Use a grease remover or make a paste with baking soda and water and apply liberally to the inside of the door
- Allow the cleaner to sit for several minutes and then using a cloth or sponge scrub the door well
- Rinse the door with a clean cloth
- If particularly caked-on, you may have to repeat steps 3 through 5 a couple times
How Do I Choose A Toaster Oven?
Choosing a toaster oven will come down to your personal preferences and needs. Take into account factors such as size, price, cook features, and brands. When you have your requirements figured out you can narrow your search.
Use our top ten list to find the most dependable and popular models that meet your needs. Our testing and the positive reviews of thousands of users can make you confident in your purchasing decision. Regardless of budget or uses, our list has something that will match all your desires for a fantastic toaster oven.
The Best Toaster Oven
There you have it – our top picks for the best toaster oven. There are tons of other great kitchen products out there besides toaster ovens, so be sure and check out our other picks, in the home and kitchen categories.