Choosing the best toaster oven on the market depends on what you cook, how much counter space you have, and whether you want simple toast or a more capable second oven. These five options range from compact models for quick snacks to larger countertop ovens with added cooking functions. Use the comparison below to find a good fit for your kitchen and routine.
Quick Comparison
| Toaster Oven | Best For | Capacity and Functions | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD | Everyday cooking in a compact footprint | 9-inch pizza or 4 slices; bake, broil, toast, and warm | Natural convection airflow |
| Elite Gourmet ETO236 | Small kitchens and quick snacks | Compact design; bake, broil, toast, and warm | Adjustable temperature from 200°F to 450°F |
| Hamilton Beach Easy Reach | Easy access and simple controls | 4 slices or a 9-inch pizza; bake, broil, and toast | Roll-top door |
| Cuisinart Custom Classic TOB-40 | More room for toast and pizza | 11-inch pizza or 6 slices; toast, bagel, bake, broil, and warm | Automatic shade adjustment |
| Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven | Air frying and family-size meals | 0.6 cu. ft.; 7 cooking functions | French doors and air-fry function |
Our Picks: Best The Toaster Oven On The Market reviews
BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD: A Versatile Pick for Everyday Use
This BLACK+DECKER model keeps its controls and functions straightforward while offering more than basic toast. Its curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or four slices of bread, and its four settings cover baking, broiling, toasting, and keeping food warm.
Natural convection airflow helps circulate heat inside the oven. The manufacturer recommends preheating for 10 minutes for more consistent cooking, so plan for that extra time when you want crisp results. A 30-minute timer includes toast settings and a stay-on option.
The compact stainless steel design measures 14.5 by 10.8 by 8.8 inches, making it a practical choice when a full-size countertop oven would take up too much room. Its capacity is still limited: it is better suited to small meals, snacks, and reheating than larger dishes. The exterior can become hot during use, and food and bakeware should be kept at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements.
Pros:
- Four useful cooking functions for everyday tasks
- Fits a 9-inch pizza or four slices of bread
- Natural convection airflow circulates heat
- Removable crumb tray makes cleanup easier
Cons:
- Smaller capacity than the Cuisinart models in this guide
- Recommended preheating adds time before cooking
Verdict: Choose the BLACK+DECKER if you want a compact, versatile toaster oven for toast, small pizzas, and simple baking or reheating.
Elite Gourmet ETO236: A Compact Option for Quick Snacks
The Elite Gourmet ETO236 is designed for kitchens where counter space is tight. Its compact body and basic cooking options make it a fit for toast, warming food, and smaller baking jobs rather than large meals.
You can set the temperature from 200°F to 450°F, and the oven uses a 15-minute timer. It has 650 watts of power and includes a nonstick bake pan and a wire rack that slides into different rack positions. Those controls give you some flexibility, though the short timer is less convenient for recipes that need longer cooking.
The product information supplied for this guide indicates that this model is unavailable. Availability can change, so check its listing before planning to buy it. If it is available, compare its compact size and shorter timer with the larger-capacity options here.
Pros:
- Compact design for kitchens with limited counter space
- Adjustable temperature from 200°F to 450°F
- Includes a bake pan and wire rack
- Offers bake, broil, toast, and warming functions
Cons:
- 15-minute timer may not suit longer cooking tasks
- Availability may be limited
Verdict: Consider the Elite Gourmet if you find it available and need a small, simple oven for quick food rather than larger portions or long cooking sessions.
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach: A Handy Roll-Top Design
The Easy Reach stands out for its roll-top door, which stays up and out of the way when you load or remove food. That design can make it easier to reach the oven interior and help keep the open door away from spills on the counter.
Its interior fits four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza. Three cooking functions—bake, broil, and toast—cover common countertop tasks, and the temperature range runs from 200°F to 450°F. Manual controls keep operation simple, while the 30-minute timer has a stay-on function, ready bell, and automatic shutoff.
The oven includes two rack positions, a bake pan, an oven rack, and a slide-out crumb tray. The roll-top door and crumb tray are removable for cleaning. Compared with the BLACK+DECKER, it offers a similar listed capacity but does not include a keep-warm setting or convection feature in the supplied product details.
Pros:
- Roll-top door provides open access to food
- Fits four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza
- Includes a bake pan, oven rack, and crumb tray
- Timer includes a ready bell and automatic shutoff
Cons:
- Offers three cooking functions rather than four or more
- Does not list a keep-warm function
Verdict: Pick the Hamilton Beach if easy access and removable parts matter more to you than extra cooking modes.
Cuisinart Custom Classic TOB-40: More Room and Automatic Toasting
The Cuisinart Custom Classic offers more listed interior space than the smaller ovens in this group. Its 0.5-cubic-foot capacity can fit an 11-inch pizza, six slices of toast, or four bagel halves, making it a better match for households that regularly prepare several portions at once.
It has five functions: toast, bagel, bake, broil, and keep warm. The always-even shade control adjusts timing based on the oven’s temperature, which is intended to help maintain a more consistent toast shade across batches. The oven has 1800 watts of power and includes a baking pan and broiling rack.
The rack slides out as the door opens, and the front crumb tray removes with a cool-touch grip. Its 0.5-cubic-foot interior offers good room for common foods, but the larger Cuisinart air-fryer model provides more capacity and additional cooking modes. This model is the more focused choice if you do not need air frying.
Pros:
- Fits an 11-inch pizza or six slices of toast
- Five functions include bagel and keep-warm settings
- Automatic shade adjustment responds to oven temperature
- Includes a baking pan, broiling rack, and removable crumb tray
Cons:
- Lacks the air-fry function found on the larger Cuisinart option
- Its larger capacity takes more counter space than compact models
Verdict: Choose the Custom Classic if you want a roomier toaster oven with useful toast controls but do not need an air fryer.
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven: A Multifunction Choice for Bigger Meals
This Cuisinart combines a toaster oven with an air fryer and several other cooking modes. Its seven functions are air fry, toast, bake, broil, roast, pizza, and warm. A 0.6-cubic-foot interior is listed as large enough for six slices of toast, a 12-inch pizza, three pounds of wings, or a 4.5-pound chicken.
The oven uses a top-mounted fan and heating assembly to drive hot air over food during air frying. It also has French doors designed to open together with one-hand operation and stay open for loading and cleaning. The controls let you set the temperature up to 450°F and the timer up to 60 minutes.
This is the most feature-rich and spacious choice in this group, but those advantages may be unnecessary if you mainly make toast or reheat small portions. Its larger interior also calls for more counter space than a compact model. The manufacturer lists stainless steel housing and interior, an interior light, PFAS-free materials, and a limited three-year warranty.
Pros:
- Seven cooking functions, including air fry and roast
- Fits a 12-inch pizza or other family-size portions
- French doors stay open for loading and cleaning
- Temperature control reaches 450°F and timer runs up to 60 minutes
Cons:
- Its larger capacity may take more counter space than a basic toaster oven
- May be more appliance than you need for simple toast and reheating
Verdict: Choose this Cuisinart if you want one countertop appliance for air frying, baking, roasting, and larger meals; choose a simpler model if you mainly need toast and snacks.
How to Choose the Best Toaster Oven
Match the Capacity to Your Usual Meals
Think about the food you make most often, not just the largest item you might cook once in a while. A compact oven that fits four slices of bread or a 9-inch pizza may be enough for one or two people. If you often cook for several people, look for a model with a larger stated capacity, such as one that fits six slices of toast or a 12-inch pizza. Check the measurements of your usual cookware before choosing.
Choose Functions You Will Actually Use
Toasting, baking, and broiling cover many everyday needs. A keep-warm setting can be useful if you want food to stay warm before serving, while a bagel setting gives you a more specific option for breakfast. Air frying, roasting, and pizza modes add flexibility, but they may not be worth prioritizing if your main goal is making toast or reheating leftovers.
Consider the Timer and Temperature Controls
Timer length can affect what you can cook without resetting the oven. The models in this guide include timers ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the product. Temperature control also varies: some ovens offer a range from 200°F to 450°F, while the Cuisinart air-fryer model lists a maximum temperature of 450°F. Compare these limits with the recipes you expect to make.
Think About Access and Cleanup
Food is easier to handle when you can reach it comfortably. A roll-top door stays out of the way when open, while a rack that slides out with the door brings food closer to you. Removable crumb trays and racks can simplify cleanup. If your oven will sit near a wall, consider whether you can pull out the crumb tray without moving the appliance.
Measure Your Counter Space
Before you buy, measure the space where the oven will sit and leave room for ventilation. A compact model can suit a small kitchen, while larger-capacity ovens can handle more food but need more room. Also consider how the door opens and whether nearby cabinets or appliances could get in the way.
Check Included Accessories and Safety Guidance
Accessories can affect how ready an oven is for your usual meals. The products here include different combinations of bake pans, wire racks, and broiling racks, so check the listing to confirm what comes with the model you choose. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for rack placement, ventilation, and safe distances from heating elements. Use oven mitts and allow hot surfaces to cool before cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size toaster oven should I get?
Choose a size based on the food you make most often and the space available on your counter. A model that fits a 9-inch pizza or four slices of toast is suited to smaller meals, while a larger oven can handle more servings or bigger items.
Can a toaster oven replace a full-size oven?
A toaster oven can handle many smaller cooking jobs, such as toast, reheating, baking, and broiling. Whether it can replace your full-size oven depends on the amount of food you cook and the capacity of the countertop model. The larger Cuisinart option in this guide is designed for bigger portions than the compact models.
Is an air-fryer toaster oven worth considering?
It may be a good fit if you want air frying along with baking, broiling, roasting, and toasting in one appliance. If you only plan to toast bread or warm small portions, a simpler model may better match your needs.
What does convection airflow do in a toaster oven?
Convection airflow circulates heat inside the oven. The BLACK+DECKER model in this guide lists natural convection and recommends preheating for 10 minutes for more consistent cooking. Follow the instructions for the specific model you buy.
Are removable crumb trays useful?
Yes. A removable tray lets you collect and clear crumbs without reaching deep into the oven. Some models also have removable doors or racks, which can make certain cleaning tasks easier.
Which toaster oven is best for a small kitchen?
The BLACK+DECKER and Elite Gourmet models are described as compact options. Compare their measurements with your available counter space, and remember that the Elite Gourmet model’s availability may vary.
Final Recommendation
For a balance of everyday cooking functions and compact size, the BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD is a sensible starting point. Choose the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach if its roll-top door and easy access appeal to you, or the Cuisinart Custom Classic if you want more room for toast and pizza. If air frying and family-size portions are priorities, the larger Cuisinart air-fryer toaster oven offers the broadest range of functions in this group.