What should I look for in a toaster oven?

For one thing, you should consider the space you have available. While the best toaster ovens are excellent stand-ins for a regular oven, they do require counter space. We included the dimensions to make that consideration a little easier. Another design element would be dial controls versus buttons, and the inclusion of a digital display. Some may feature a combination of both to operate. Digital displays typically help you identify the exact settings a bit easier, but may drive up the price of your toaster oven, and can make the experience more sophisticated, though you will find yourself with more control. As for features, we recommend a toaster oven air fryer. That's not just because we're air fryer lovers, but convection technology will mean that your food will cook faster, and you'll end up with more options when it comes to mealtimes. Other functions like Steam cooking seems to be growing as an offering in toaster oven designs as well.

How does a toaster oven work?

The basic function of a toaster oven is a grill to cook toast and bagels. It's a larger surface with more capacity than a toaster, so you can cook up to eight slices at once, or thick-cut artisan breads like homemade sourdough. However, modern toaster ovens have multiple functions. Our tests have found toaster ovens that can bake, dehydrate, air fry, and much else besides, including cook an entire rotisserie chicken.

Is a toaster oven the same as an air fryer?

They're two different appliances. The basic difference is that an air fryer is an appliance that circulates hot air around food to cook it, where an a toaster oven toasts bread. However, the best toaster ovens and air fryers have multiple functions - though toaster ovens tend to have many, many more.

Are toaster oven air fryers good?

The very best air fryers air fry better than most toaster ovens, so if you're after perfect, healthy fries, some toaster ovens might not cut it. However, many air fryers just can't compete with the best toaster ovens for functionality, and the best toaster ovens featured above are more than a match for air fryers, making delicious fries and baked salmon. If you're pushed for space, a toaster oven is a great option that can save you buying lots of different appliances. There's almost no limit on the appliances that can be replaced with the right toaster oven - you can get a dehydrator, air fryer, steamer, broiler, microwave and toaster all in one appliance, saving you money and space on your countertop.

Do I need a toaster oven if I have an oven?

It depends on your space and what you're trying to cook. A traditional oven can roast and bake just fine, but a toaster oven offers quicker cooking, as well as multiple specialist functions like toasting, steaming rice, and in one of the above toaster ovens, spinning an entire rotisserie chicken. Lots of buyers do away with ovens in RVs or cabins and easily make do with a good toaster oven, so it depends on your kitchen setup.

Can a toaster oven replace a microwave?

If it has a microwave function, absolutely. Even if not, the basic principle of heating food is the same, so classic microwave dinners like pizza rolls can turn out even better in a toaster oven.

Can I bake in a toaster oven?

This is an easy answer - you can absolutely bake in a toaster oven. Our expert tests trialled cookies, muffins and sheet cakes, and you can even use some toaster ovens to proof a loaf.

Best toaster oven 2023: countertop ovens tested by experts

A KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven in a kitchen.

(Image credit: KitchenAid)

Jump to category:

Best toaster oven deals
Quick list
1. Best overall
2. Best premium
3. Best large
4. Best steam
5. Best smart
6. Best for safety
7. Best for toast
8. Best for versatility
9. Best for storage
10. Best for beginners
11. Best for small kitchens
12. Best value
13. Best budget
How to choose
How we test
Meet The Team
FAQs

By Millie Fender

last updated 24 November 2023

Contributions from

Laura Honey, Alex David

Best toaster oven 2023: Jump Menu

A Café Couture making fries in a modern kitchen

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best with air fryer: KitchenAid Digital
3. Best premium: Wold Gourmet
4. Best large: Café Couture
5. Best for steam: Fotile Chef Cubii
6. Best smart: Tovala
7. Best for safety: Calaphon Cool
8. Best for toast: Breville Smart
9. Best for versatility: Instant Omni Plus
10. Best for storage: Ninja Foodi
11. Best for beginners: Cuisinart TOA-60
12. Best for small kitchens: Our Place Wonder
13. Best for value: Hamilton Beach Sure Crisp
14. Best budget: Elite Gourmet Double Door
15. How to choose
16. How we test
17. Meet the team
18. Toaster oven FAQs

If you're just starting out as a home chef, and you want to build some confidence in the kitchen, the best toaster oven could be your ideal companion. One of these multifunctional machines could render your toaster and air fryer obsolete.

A standard toaster oven features fans that circulate hot air throughout the machine for quicker cooking times. Think of it as a countertop convection oven. You can make all sorts in these machines, from roasted vegetables to oven pizzas. An upgraded oven with built-in baskets could give the best air fryer a run for its money.

Some of the best toaster ovens cost hundreds of dollars upfront, which is a lot to spend on a small appliance. That's why it pays to shop the sales. As a shopping writer, I've been keeping up with all the best Cyber Monday home deals. I've seen many of the best toaster ovens selling at deep discounts.

Each of these toaster ovens is tried and tested by a member of our expert team. We've tried all the best models on the market from big-name brands, such as Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Ninja. We've laid out all the pros and cons of each piece to help you find the right fit for your kitchen.

Best toaster oven deals

To get the fairest prices on the best ovens, I recommend reading the whole article. But if you're tight on time and money, you should take advantage of these deep discounts.

The quick list

If you want a toaster oven and you want it quickly, here's a short guide to our top picks. You can read more details further down.

KitchenAid digital toaster oven on a white background Best for air frying

1. KitchenAid Digital

Best for air frying

For a beautiful appliance with air frying functions, look no further. It has a wide range of functions and executes them excellently

Read more below

wolf gourmet toaster oven on a white background Best premium

2. Wolf Gourmet

Best premium

Although it has a hefty price tag, we think this is worth every penny. Our experts thought it was one of the best performance-wise, especially when charring steaks.

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Café Courture toaster oven on a white background Best large

3. Café Courture

Best large

This beautiful oven is big enough for a pizza, has built-in WiFi controls and could perfectly broil and fry food. We love it for covering all bases and being easy to use.

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Fotile Chefcubii toaster oven on a white backgrouns Best for steam

4. Fotile Chefcubii

Best for steam

The Fotile can toast, air fry, dehydrate, and bake, but we really loved the steam function. With 40 different presets, you can make almost anything without much effort.

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tovala smart oven on a white background Best smart

5. Tovala Smart Oven

Best smart

This isn't just a toaster oven; it can cover a range of world cuisines. Our experts would pay money for the meals which this made, as it's easy and cooks to perfection every time.

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Calphalon Cool Touch on a white background Safest

6. Calphalon Cool Touch

Safest

If you're looking for safety-first appliances, this is the best. The controls are easy to use and it protects against accidental burns.

Read more below