Imagine this: you’re craving perfectly toasted bread, a crispy slice of pizza, or even a small batch of cookies. You reach for your toaster oven, only to find it burns one side while leaving the other pale and sad. Frustrating, right? Choosing a new toaster oven can feel like navigating a maze of confusing features and claims. You want something that actually *works* well, saves you time, and makes your food taste great, but how do you know which one to trust?
That’s where Consumer Reports comes in. They test products thoroughly to give you the real scoop. This post dives into their latest ratings for toaster ovens. We’ll cut through the noise and highlight the models that truly stand out for their performance, ease of use, and value. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which toaster ovens are worth your money and which ones to skip.
Get ready to discover the best toaster ovens that will make your kitchen tasks a breeze and your meals more delicious. Let’s explore the top picks!
Top Rated Toaster Oven Consumer Reports Recommendations
- ACCOMMODATES 9-INCH PIZZA OR 4 SLICES OF BREAD – Designed to maximize utility within a compact footprint, the curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. Place items evenly for best results when toasting, baking, or reheating.
- FOUR VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS – Select from baking, broiling, toasting, or keeping food warm. Natural convection airflow circulates heat throughout the oven—preheat for 10 minutes to ensure consistent cooking and crisp results.
- PRECISION 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON OPTION – The 30-minute timer includes clearly marked toast settings and a stay-on function. Oven will not operate unless timer is set or stay-on is selected, ensuring controlled and safe operation.
- CONVENIENT REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – The slide-out crumb tray allows for quick, hygienic cleanup. To prevent spills and overheating, keep food and bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements and fully contained within the tray.
- COMPACT AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN – Measuring 14.5" x 10.8" x 8.8", this sleek stainless steel toaster oven complements any kitchen. Outer surfaces become hot during use—always use oven mitts and allow space for proper ventilation.
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS & 7 ACCESSORIES – 30-minute timer with removable crumb/drip tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup. Use drip tray when cooking and keep food clear of heating element. See User Manual for proper use.
- COMPACT & SPACE SAVING: Versatile compact design fits nicely in small spaces when counter space is limited.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 15 min timer is perfect for toasting and warming up food for a quick and easy snack or breakfast.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, warming or baking.
- 650 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in temperature thermostat maintains even cooking heat to keep food warm, bake or toast.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes a non-stick back pan and wire rack that easily slides in and out of the rack position to suit a variety of foods.
- VERSATILE COOKING: Cuisinart Toaster Oven Broiler with 1800 watts of high-performance power offers a wide range of cooking functions in one including toast, bagel, bake, broil, pizza, keep warm, and more.
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: Cuisinart oven with 0.5-cubic feet interior lets you toast 6 slices of bread or 4 bagel halves, bake an 11-inch pizza, or roast a family-sized casserole.
- PERFECT TOAST: Always Even Shade Control monitors the toasting temperature to automatically adjust cooking time for consistent toast results slice after slice.
- SAFETY & CONVENIENCE: Simple to use, this countertop oven features a cool-touch handle, easy-grip dials, and automatic shutoff for safety, an auto-slide rack to remove cooked food easily, and a non-stick interior for easy cleanup.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Beautiful brushed stainless steel toaster oven comes with a limited 3-year warranty, is BPA free, and includes a wire rack, broiling rack, baking/drip pan, front removable crumb tray with cool-touch grip, and a recipe book.
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks interested in making pizza, delicious cookies and golden toast in their countertop oven; It's a mini oven, but this space-saving tool offers 8 cooking functions
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer small oven's power where and when it's needed, creating a tailored cooking environment for precise results; Fast 1800 Watt preheat gets meals on the kitchen table faster
- 8 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Versatile mini smart oven has 8 cooking functions to bring new meal options to your home and kitchen; Access Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Roast, Cookies, and Reheat; It's a toaster oven, pizza oven and more, all in one appliance
- SMALL CAPACITY: 11 x 10 x 4 inch interior capacity fits 4 toast slices, bagels, cookies, tuna melts, 6 cup muffin tray, and 11 inch pizzas; 3 rack positions, pull out crumb tray and auto shut off; Combo countertop oven and toaster fits into small kitchens
- LCD DISPLAY: LCD display allows for easy access to all of mini oven's built in smart functionality; Choose from 8 cooking functions to access a space-efficient roaster oven, broiler and more
- Optimal Protection & Safety: Protect the bottom of your toaster oven or air fryer with our premium, heavy-duty toaster oven liners that catch spills and prevent odors. Designed with rounded corners to enhance safety and handling
- High Heat Resistance & Quality: Made from double-sided nonstick PTFE-coated fiberglass, our liners can withstand temperatures up to 500°F, making them perfect for high-heat cooking and baking
- Eco-Friendly & Economical: Reusable and dishwasher safe, these liners offer a sustainable alternative to single-use aluminum foils and reduce the need for cleaning chemicals
- Versatile Use: Not just for toaster ovens and air fryers; use them as a baking mat or even under grilling foods to make cleanup a breeze
- Custom Fit for Convenience: Easily trimmed to fit any standard toaster oven or air fryer, including popular models from brands such as Breville (including TOA-60, TOA-65), Cuisinart, Black & Decker, Hamilton Beach, Cosori, and Dash. These nonstick air fryer liners are ideal for everyday cooking and baking, helping you keep your kitchen clean and mess-free. For best results, measure your appliance before purchasing to ensure the perfect fit.
- 10-in-1 Cooking Versatility: One countertop oven for your everyday cooking needs. Functions include Toast, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Defrost, Reheat, Rotisserie, Keep Warm, and Convection for effortless meal preparation.
- Powerful Convection Cooking: 1500W heating with a convection fan circulates hot air for faster, more even results. Adjustable temperature from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit with up to 2 hours cooking time.
- Extra-Large, Family-Size Capacity: A spacious interior fits 6 slices of toast, a 12-inch pizza, or a 4-pound chicken, ideal for everyday meals and family cooking. Measures 19.0 by 14.0 by 10.8 inches.
- Intuitive Knob Control: Three easy-to-use control knobs with high-contrast LCD displays allows you adjust functions, temperature, and time quickly for precise cooking results.
- Included Accessories: Baking rack, baking pan, removable crumb tray, rotisserie kit with lifter, and rack clamp for versatile cooking.
- Four Cooking Functions: Choose from convection bake, broil, toast, and keep warm
- Compact Size: Easily fit a 9" pizza, four slices of bread, or a variety of other snacks and meals; Wattage:1150W
- 30-Minute Timer: The precise cooking timer features a stay-on function for longer baking tasks
- Included Rack and Pan: The included rack and bake pan fit perfectly in the toaster oven
- Natural Convection Technology - The interior is designed to circulate hot air throughout the oven for fast, even results.
Choosing the Best Toaster Oven: Your Guide to a Smarter Kitchen
A toaster oven is a handy kitchen helper. It can toast bread, bake small meals, and warm up leftovers. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will help you find a toaster oven that fits your needs. We’ll look at what makes a toaster oven great.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a toaster oven, keep these important features in mind:
- Capacity: How much food can it hold? Small ovens are good for one or two people. Larger ovens can cook a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza. Think about what you’ll cook most often.
- Functions: What can it do? Most toaster ovens toast. Look for ovens that also bake, broil, and reheat. Some have special settings for bagels, frozen pizza, or even dehydrating.
- Temperature Control: Does it cook evenly? Good temperature control means your food cooks right. Look for ovens with precise temperature settings.
- Timer: A timer helps you keep track of cooking. Some timers shut off automatically. This is a great safety feature.
- Ease of Cleaning: Nobody likes scrubbing. Look for ovens with non-stick interiors and removable crumb trays. This makes cleaning much easier.
- Interior Light: An interior light lets you see your food as it cooks. You can check your toast or pizza without opening the door.
Important Materials
The materials used in a toaster oven affect its durability and how well it cooks.
- Stainless Steel: Many good toaster ovens have stainless steel exteriors. This material is strong and looks nice in your kitchen. It’s also easy to wipe clean.
- Non-Stick Interior: A non-stick interior coating makes it easier to clean up spills and splatters. This is a big plus.
- Glass Door: A glass door lets you watch your food cook. Look for a door that feels sturdy.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a toaster oven better, while others make it worse.
- Even Heating: The best toaster ovens heat food evenly. This means your toast is golden brown on both sides. Your baked goods cook through without burning.
- Build Quality: A well-built toaster oven lasts longer. Check for sturdy knobs and a door that closes smoothly. Cheaply made ovens might break easily.
- User Interface: Is it easy to use? Simple controls make it a joy to operate. Confusing buttons can be frustrating.
- Noise Level: Some ovens can be noisy when they run. If you’re sensitive to noise, look for quieter models.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use your toaster oven matters. Think about your daily needs.
- Quick Breakfasts: For busy mornings, a toaster oven is perfect for toasting bread, bagels, or English muffins.
- Small Meals: It’s great for baking a single serving of cookies, roasting a few chicken tenders, or making a small pizza.
- Reheating Leftovers: Instead of using a microwave that can make food soggy, a toaster oven can crisp up leftovers.
- Snacks: Warm up a slice of pizza or toast some cheese and crackers.
A good toaster oven should be simple to use and clean. It should cook your food just the way you like it. Consumer Reports often tests these features to help you make a smart choice.
Toaster Oven FAQs
Q: What is the most important feature in a toaster oven?
A: The most important feature is often even heating. This ensures your food cooks properly and doesn’t burn or stay undercooked.
Q: How do I know if a toaster oven is good quality?
A: Look for sturdy construction, smooth-operating parts, and materials like stainless steel. Consumer Reports reviews often mention build quality.
Q: Can a toaster oven replace my regular oven?
A: For small tasks and meals, yes. It’s not ideal for cooking large roasts or multiple dishes at once, but it’s great for everyday use.
Q: Are toaster ovens difficult to clean?
A: It depends on the model. Ovens with non-stick interiors and removable crumb trays are much easier to clean.
Q: What size toaster oven should I buy?
A: Consider what you will cook. Small ovens are good for toast and small snacks. Larger ovens can handle pizzas and small casseroles.
Q: Do toaster ovens use a lot of electricity?
A: They generally use less electricity than a full-sized oven for smaller tasks. They are more energy-efficient for quick jobs.
Q: What is broiling?
A: Broiling uses direct heat from the top element to cook food quickly and give it a browned, crispy finish.
Q: Is it safe to leave a toaster oven unattended?
A: It’s best to stay nearby when using any cooking appliance. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
Q: What does “convection” mean on a toaster oven?
A: A convection toaster oven has a fan that circulates hot air. This helps food cook faster and more evenly.
Q: Where can I find trusted reviews for toaster ovens?
A: Websites like Consumer Reports are excellent sources for unbiased reviews and ratings of toaster ovens.