The best toaster oven for making toast should brown bread reliably, fit your kitchen, and be simple to use day after day. The options below range from a compact two-slice model to larger ovens that can handle a family breakfast, bagels, and other small meals. Compare capacity, controls, and cleanup needs to find the right fit for your counter.
| Toaster oven | Toast capacity | Standout feature | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Gourmet ETO236 Compact 2-Slice Toaster Oven | 2 slices | Compact size and adjustable temperature | Small counters and quick snacks |
| BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD Toaster Oven | 4 slices | Natural convection airflow | A compact oven with room for more toast |
| Hamilton Beach Easy Reach 4 Slice Toaster Oven | 4 slices | Roll-top door for easy access | Convenient loading and cleanup |
| Cuisinart Custom Classic Toaster Oven, TOB-40N | 6 slices | Always Even Shade Control | More capacity and toast-focused controls |
| Proctor Silex 4 Slice Countertop Toaster Oven | 4 slices | Simple manual controls | Everyday toasting without extra complexity |
Our Picks: Best Toaster Oven For Making Toast reviews
Elite Gourmet ETO236: A compact choice for one or two slices
The Elite Gourmet ETO236 is a small countertop oven made for basic tasks such as toasting, warming, baking, and broiling. Its two-slice capacity is modest, but the compact design can make sense when counter space matters more than batch size.
A 15-minute timer and temperature adjustment from 200°F to 450°F give you manual control over different foods. At 650 watts, it has less listed power than the Cuisinart, so it is best viewed as a simple, small-batch appliance rather than a high-capacity breakfast station. It includes a wire rack and a nonstick pan.
The main trade-off is capacity: making toast for more than one or two people may mean working in batches. The short timer also offers less flexibility for longer cooking tasks than the 30-minute timers on several other picks. The supplied listing indicates this model is unavailable, so check whether it can be purchased before settling on it.
Pros:
- Compact design for kitchens with limited counter space
- Adjustable temperature from 200°F to 450°F
- Includes a wire rack and nonstick pan
Cons:
- Two-slice capacity is limited for households making several servings
- 15-minute timer is shorter than the timers on most other picks
Verdict: Choose the Elite Gourmet if you want a small, straightforward oven for one or two slices and can confirm it is available; for larger batches, consider a four- or six-slice option.
BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD: A compact oven with four-slice capacity
This BLACK+DECKER toaster oven balances a compact footprint with room for four slices of bread or a 9-inch pizza. It offers bake, broil, toast, and keep-warm functions, so it can take on more than breakfast while remaining a practical choice for smaller kitchens.
The 30-minute timer has marked toast settings and a stay-on option. Natural convection airflow circulates heat through the oven, and the product guidance recommends a 10-minute preheat for more consistent cooking. A removable crumb tray helps with cleanup.
Unlike the Cuisinart, this model does not list an automatic shade-control feature, so it relies on its timer settings rather than adjusting the toast cycle to oven temperature. Its interior is also smaller than the Cuisinart’s. Keep food and bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements, and remember that the outer surfaces become hot during use.
Pros:
- Fits four slices of bread or a 9-inch pizza
- Offers toast, bake, broil, and keep-warm functions
- Includes a removable crumb tray and stay-on timer option
- Natural convection airflow circulates heat
Cons:
- Preheating is recommended for more consistent results
- Does not list automatic toast shade adjustment
Verdict: This is a sensible pick if you want four-slice capacity and several cooking functions in a compact oven, and you are comfortable choosing toast settings yourself.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach: A roll-top door that clears the counter
The Hamilton Beach Easy Reach is a four-slice toaster oven with a roll-top door that lifts out of the way when open. That design can make it easier to reach food and keep the open door from taking up space in front of the oven. The interior also fits a 9-inch pizza.
It has bake, broil, and toast functions, adjustable temperatures from 200°F to 450°F, and a 30-minute timer with a stay-on option, ready bell, and auto shutoff. A bake pan, oven rack, and slide-out crumb tray are included. The door and crumb tray are removable for cleaning.
The roll-top design is its main point of difference, but it has fewer listed cooking functions than the BLACK+DECKER and Cuisinart models. Its four-slice capacity should suit many small households, though the six-slice Cuisinart is a better match if you regularly make larger batches. For broiling, the supplied instructions call for placing the bake pan below the oven rack to catch drips.
Pros:
- Roll-top door provides convenient access to food
- Fits four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza
- Includes a bake pan, oven rack, and slide-out crumb tray
- Removable door and tray make cleanup easier
Cons:
- Lists three cooking functions rather than a keep-warm setting
- Four-slice capacity is smaller than the Cuisinart’s
Verdict: Pick the Hamilton Beach if easy access and a door that lifts out of the way matter more to you than having the largest capacity or the most listed cooking modes.
Cuisinart Custom Classic: More room and automatic shade control
The Cuisinart Custom Classic is the largest-capacity pick here, with a half-cubic-foot interior that fits six slices of toast, four bagel halves, or an 11-inch pizza. It has toast, bagel, bake, broil, and keep-warm functions, making it a versatile choice if your toaster oven handles several daily jobs.
Its Always Even Shade Control reads the oven temperature and adjusts timing to help keep browning more consistent from batch to batch. The oven also has 1,800 watts of power, an auto-shutoff feature, and a rack that slides out as the door opens. A baking pan, broiling rack, and front crumb tray are included.
That larger capacity and expanded feature set may be more than you need if you mainly toast a slice or two. The product description highlights even browning, but it does not provide a guarantee that every bread type or placement will toast identically. Its brushed stainless-and-black design may also be less suited to shoppers seeking the smallest possible appliance.
Pros:
- Fits six slices of toast or an 11-inch pizza
- Always Even Shade Control adjusts timing based on oven temperature
- Includes toast, bagel, bake, broil, and keep-warm functions
- Rack slides out with the door, and the front crumb tray is removable
Cons:
- Larger capacity may take up more counter space than a small household needs
- More features may be unnecessary if you only want basic toast
Verdict: The Cuisinart is the strongest fit if you want room for a family-sized batch and value automatic shade adjustment over a smaller, simpler design.
Proctor Silex: Straightforward four-slice toasting
The Proctor Silex is a basic countertop oven designed to toast up to four slices at once. Its three functions—toast, bake, and broil—cover common kitchen tasks without a long list of modes or complicated controls.
Manual controls include adjustable temperatures from 200°F to 450°F and a 30-minute timer with a ready bell. The oven comes with a bake pan and oven rack, and its built-in crumb tray drops down to help remove crumbs. This simple layout may appeal if you prefer direct controls over extra automation.
It does not list a keep-warm mode, convection airflow, or automatic shade control. That makes it less feature-rich than the BLACK+DECKER and Cuisinart, but those omissions may not matter if your main goal is uncomplicated toast and occasional baking or broiling.
Pros:
- Toasts up to four slices at once
- Simple manual controls with adjustable temperature
- Includes a 30-minute timer with ready bell
- Built-in crumb tray drops down for easier cleanup
Cons:
- Does not list a keep-warm function
- Lacks the automatic shade control found on the Cuisinart
Verdict: Choose the Proctor Silex if you want a no-frills four-slice oven with basic manual settings and do not need extra toast-control features.
How to Choose a Toaster Oven for Making Toast
Match the capacity to your usual batch
Think about how many slices you make at once, not just how many people live in your home. The Elite Gourmet is listed for two slices, the BLACK+DECKER, Hamilton Beach, and Proctor Silex fit four, and the Cuisinart fits six. More room can reduce the need for repeat batches, but a larger interior may not be worth it if your counter is tight or you usually toast one serving.
Consider how much control you want over browning
Manual timers and toast settings give you direct control, but you may need to adjust them to suit the bread and your preferred shade. The Cuisinart stands apart with Always Even Shade Control, which adjusts timing based on oven temperature. The other models list manual controls or timer settings rather than an automatic shade-adjustment feature.
Check timer length and operating style
A short timer may be fine for toast and quick snacks, while a longer timer offers more flexibility for other oven tasks. The Elite Gourmet has a 15-minute timer; the BLACK+DECKER, Hamilton Beach, and Proctor Silex list 30-minute timers. The Hamilton Beach and BLACK+DECKER also offer stay-on options. Consider whether you want simple dials, marked toast settings, or added functions such as auto shutoff.
Measure your counter and think about access
Check the appliance dimensions and the space around your intended spot before choosing. A compact model can leave more room for other kitchen tasks, while a larger oven may be more useful for family-sized batches. Door design matters, too: the Hamilton Beach roll-top door lifts out of the way, while the Cuisinart rack slides out as its door opens.
Look at crumb and accessory cleanup
Toast produces crumbs, so a removable or drop-down crumb tray can make routine cleaning easier. All five models include a crumb tray or a way to remove crumbs, but the details vary. Check whether the included rack and pan suit how you plan to toast, bake, or broil. Always follow the appliance’s safety guidance for positioning food and handling hot surfaces.
Choose extra functions only if you will use them
Many toaster ovens do more than toast, but extra modes are useful only if they fit your routine. The Cuisinart adds bagel and keep-warm functions, while the BLACK+DECKER lists keep warm and natural convection airflow. The Hamilton Beach offers bake, broil, and toast, and the Proctor Silex keeps to those three basics. Pick the feature set that matches your cooking rather than paying for complexity you will not use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which toaster oven in this list holds the most toast?
The Cuisinart Custom Classic is listed to fit six slices of toast. The BLACK+DECKER, Hamilton Beach, and Proctor Silex fit four slices, while the Elite Gourmet is designed for two.
Which model has automatic toast shade adjustment?
The Cuisinart Custom Classic lists Always Even Shade Control, which adjusts timing based on oven temperature. The other models in this roundup describe manual controls or timer settings instead.
Which toaster oven is best for a small counter?
The Elite Gourmet is described as compact and space-saving, with a two-slice capacity. If you need more room for toast, the BLACK+DECKER is also described as compact and fits up to four slices. Measure your available counter space before choosing.
Do these toaster ovens have removable crumb trays?
The BLACK+DECKER and Hamilton Beach list removable crumb trays. The Cuisinart has a front crumb tray, and the Proctor Silex has a built-in tray that drops down. The Elite Gourmet product details do not specify a crumb tray.
Can these ovens do more than make toast?
Yes. Each model lists additional cooking functions, though the options vary. Depending on the model, you can also bake, broil, warm food, or use a bagel function. Check the individual product details to see which modes it includes.
Is convection airflow the same as automatic shade control?
No. The BLACK+DECKER lists natural convection airflow to circulate heat, while the Cuisinart lists shade control that adjusts timing based on oven temperature. They are different features, so neither description should be treated as a substitute for the other.
Which toaster oven is the best overall choice for making toast?
The Cuisinart is the most compelling choice if you need a six-slice capacity and want automatic shade adjustment. For a simpler four-slice oven, the Proctor Silex keeps the controls basic, while the Hamilton Beach adds a roll-top door for convenient access.
Final Recommendation
For most households that want room to toast several slices at once, the Cuisinart Custom Classic is the most capable option in this group thanks to its six-slice capacity and automatic shade control. Choose the BLACK+DECKER, Hamilton Beach, or Proctor Silex for a four-slice oven with a different mix of features. If counter space is your top concern and two slices are enough, consider the compact Elite Gourmet after confirming its availability.