These days, the traditional two-slot toaster has some heavy competition from bigger, more versatile toaster ovens, which not only toast bread but also bake, broil, and grill various foods. If you’re looking for a new model, you should consider what you generally use the toaster for, how much kitchen space you have, and how much you want to spend. What follows is a breakdown of the pros and cons of toasters and toaster ovens, the considerations you should make when making a purchase decision.

Toasters

Everyone has seen or used a simple two- or four-slot toaster with the push-down lever. These models have always been and remain efficient performers when it comes to making toast. On a medium setting, toast generally takes two to three minutes to finish. Price is another benefit of plain toasters: you can find competent models for as low as $15. The main challenge with toasters comes from finding the right setting to avoid burning the toast.

Generally, if you’re satisfied with simply toasting bread, waffles, or bagels, you’ll be happy with just the toaster.

Toaster Ovens

If you like versatility in your kitchen appliances and have the extra counter space, you’ll most likely be happier with a toaster oven, which offers a range of cooking functions: baking, broiling, defrosting, and grilling. Toaster ovens also come in handy when you frequently entertain guests because the mini-oven can assist you in preparing meals and snacks along with the full-size oven.

Toaster ovens have good to great capacities, capable of holding up to six slices of toast at a time. Some are large enough to bake whole pizzas, roasts, and rotisserie chickens. Some come with a panini press and can easily melt cheeses on your sandwiches with a broil feature. In the summer, when it’s too hot to grill outside, you can always broil steaks or burgers in the toaster oven, saving energy at the same time.

Remember that there are always downsides to every appliance. For all its versatility, toaster ovens are not always as effective or efficient at browning bread as regular toasters. They leave stripes on one side from the rack and usually take longer, sometimes four to six minutes. Toaster ovens are also more expensive, with middle-range models as much as $80 and more expensive ones running at $250.

Making Your Decision

To decide what to buy, think about your cooking habits. Do you need an extra oven to prepare more food for guests or a large family? Do you like having an appliance that makes baking pizzas, toasting bagels, broiling hamburgers, and broiling sandwiches easy? If so, you should spring for a toaster oven. Consumers who buy a good model are frequently very pleased with the wide range of features and effective cooking performance.

If your cooking needs are less demanding and you just don’t have the space for another large appliance, stick with the old-fashioned toaster. Not only is it compact and provides fast results, but it’s highly proficient at making the most common breakfast items.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Toaster Ovens

Toaster ovens go a step beyond the traditional pop-up toasters and offer a miniature oven for easy baking and broiling. As we compiled this top 10 list, we considered the cooking performance, toasting consistency, broiling performance, ease of use, size and capacity, and attractiveness … [more]

Best 2-Slice Toasters

A 2 slice toaster is perfect for a household that goes light on the toast. If one or two people are around every morning for breakfast, it is going to be just right. A toaster this size is also going to be great for making toasty sandwiches… [more]

Top 10 Breadmakers

As we looked at a variety of breadmakers from different manufacturers, we had several important factors in mind: 1. Ease of cleaning, with nonstick parts and a removable lid being especially helpful, 2. A variety of baking modes for breads, cakes, jams, baguettes, pasta and … [more]

By Brittany Rowland

A handsomely designed toaster oven, this Cuisinart model has a sleek stainless steel exterior and three easy-to-program dials. If you like keeping the same settings for making toast each time, you’ll be pleased with the dial control panel, even if the text is a tad small. The shade control adjusts the cooking time and temperature to give you the shade of brown you want for your toast each time. For $79.95, this Cuisinart toaster oven provides excellent baking, broiling, and toasting functions in a shiny package.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

For an inexpensive, compact two-in-one toaster oven, this Hamilton Beach model serves its purpose effectively. It holds just two slices of toast, waffles, or English muffins at a time in the traditional pop-up style toaster, but with the simple slide of a lever, it turns into a small oven good for heating pizza slices, bagels, and other items. If you’re looking for a simple, utilitarian toaster oven that won’t take up too much space on the counter, this Hamilton Beach model fits the bill and looks stylish and attractive for only $36.95.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

For budget-minded customers, the Proctor Silex toaster oven broiler goes for only $24.88 and gives a satisfactory, no-frills performance. While the toast function is sometimes erratic, the broiling and baking features work well. The capacity is large enough to hold two small pizzas, and the convenient removable crumb tray makes cleaning up easy. The control panel could use bigger, clearer labeling, but overall, this Proctor Silex toaster oven is nicely designed and looks good on the counter.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A top-rated convection toaster oven, this Oster model has one-touch settings for baking, broiling, toasting, warming, defrosting, and making pizza. The control panel is located on the right side of the door with big, easy-to-read buttons. The clear viewing glass helps you monitor the cooking progress, which is quite efficient. The convection heat produces evenly browned, crispy crusts, meats, and other dishes. This Oster oven offers a lot of functions for only $75, a great bargain price.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

For your basic, good-quality toaster oven, you can’t go wrong with the Black & Decker model that goes for just $36.99. The controls are refreshingly simple: just three dials that set the temperature, the cook setting, and the optional 30-minute timer. We were pleased with how nicely the bagels and toast turn a light shade of brown and crispy without burning. With adequate space to hold a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of toast, this Black & Decker toaster oven is ideal for families that like a no-fuss, dutiful performer.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

The upper and lower heating elements in this DeLonghi toaster oven ensure even, consistent toasting performance. A special feature of this model is the panini press, which makes dresses up sandwiches and gives them a warm, crispy taste. The grill is also effective at searing meats, veggies, and fish while keeping the insides juicy and flavorful. Even though it takes longer than a standard toaster to prepare toast, we were impressed with the versatility of this model and its many great cooking functions rolled into one machine for $199.95.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

Panini Toaster Oven – $199.95 Retail Price: $209.95 You Save: $10.00

By Brittany Rowland

The Breville convection toaster oven looks and works top-notch. The large dial controls and LCD screen make setting the oven quick and intuitively simple. The overall design is incredibly convenient, with the interior racks automatically sliding out halfway when you open the oven door. The heat control is very precise, ensuring that foods are baked, toasted, or broiled evenly. At $249, this Breville model is a smart, well-performing oven.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

With an attractive brushed stainless steel exterior with matte black sides, this Cuisinart toaster oven stands out in the kitchen and offers exceptional toasting and broiling performance. The interior is truly capacious, large enough to easily hold pans or a 12″ pizza. The control panel is arranged along the bottom with clearly marked buttons and an LCD display. At $139, this model provides consistency and cooking satisfaction.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

With a clear LCD display and uncomplicated controls, the Krups FBC2 toaster oven satisfies in all areas and includes several convenient features. The convection baking cuts down on cook time, leaving food brown and crisp. Defrosting frozen items is quick and uniform. With 3 quartz heating elements situated above and below the heating racks, bread and other items get the most of powerful, all-encompassing heat. For just $149.99, this convection toaster oven is reasonably priced and a top performer.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

Krups Digital Convection Toaster Oven – $149.99 Retail Price: $159.99 You Save: $10.00

By Brittany Rowland

With excellent toasting, baking, and broiling capabilities, the DeLonghi digital toaster oven is a sleek, sophisticated model for only $49.95. With a large viewing window and a selection of big, clearly labeled buttons, this model takes all the guesswork out of toasting and baking. The drop-down crumb tray is one of the convenient features that makes cleaning hassle-free.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Toaster ovens go a step beyond the traditional pop-up toasters and offer a miniature oven for easy baking and broiling. As we compiled this top 10 list, we considered the cooking performance, toasting consistency, broiling performance, ease of use, size and capacity, and attractiveness of design. Also, we looked for stand-out features like:

1. Convection heating
2. Shut-off timers
3. Automatic slide-out racks
4. Defrosting
5. Included accessories

The selected models offer satisfactory to top performance for a range of affordable prices. See the toaster oven comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

Toaster Oven Buying Guide

Best Features to Have in a Toaster Oven

Toaster ovens are incredibly versatile in the baking, broiling, and toasting functions they provide. Not only can you toast bread, bagels, and waffles, but you can make a panini, roast a chicken, or bake a pizza. However, your satisfaction with a toaster oven depends on several factors. Before making a purchase, consider these features that make a toaster oven worth its cost.

Capacity

Consider the oven’s overall size and its interior capacity. If a toaster oven takes up a great deal of counter space, it should have a very generous capacity wide enough to hold a pizza and tall enough to fit a chicken or roast. Don’t be cheated on oven space if you’re paying top dollar.

Easy controls

Don’t pick a toaster oven with overly complex controls. A cluttered control panel is overwhelming and frustrating to use. Good models work just fine with just three dials that control cook function, temperature, and cook time.

Racks

The best toaster ovens have a rack that automatically slides out when you open the door. This feature makes it easier to remove food without sticking your hand in the oven and touching the hot racks.

Crumb tray

A completely removable tray is the easiest to clean. However, crumb trays that slide out of the front are pretty standard and are better than those that come out the back.

Beeps and Shut-offs

If you have to leave the room even for a short time when you’re cooking with the toaster oven, you want a model with a loud signal beep. Also, look for a toaster oven that automatically shuts off after a certain time to prevent burning or fire accidents.

Interior material

No one wants to spend time scrubbing tough, baked-on grease in the toaster oven. Certain materials, like porcelain, are easier to clean. If a baking pan or broil rack is included, make sure it’s the nonstick variety.

Convection heating

If you expect to bake a lot with your toaster oven, check out models with convection heating. Fans circulate hot air throughout the oven, making foods bake faster, more evenly, and with a crispy outer texture.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Toaster Ovens Articles

Toasters vs. Toaster Ovens: What to Consider When Making a Purchase

These days, the traditional two-slot toaster has some heavy competition from bigger, more versatile toaster ovens, which not only toast bread but also bake, broil, and grill various foods. If you’re looking for a new model, you should consider what you generally use the toaster … [more]

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Best Convection Ovens

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Best 2-Slice Toasters

A 2 slice toaster is perfect for a household that goes light on the toast. If one or two people are around every morning for breakfast, it is going to be just right. A toaster this size is also going to be great for making toasty sandwiches… [more]

Best 4 Slice Toaster

A 4 slice toaster is perfect for a household full of toast lovers. If three or four people are around for breakfast every morning, a toaster this size is going to be just right. Even if one person wants toast and another wants a frozen waffle, you’ll be covered…. [more]

Top 10 Combination Ovens

Features we considered while compiling the top 10 list for combination microwave ovens included convection baking, oven and microwave capacities, adjustable racks, attractive design, size, and, of course, cooking performance. While these units typically run expensive, there are some reasonably priced models that still offer some of the best features… [more]

Top 10 24″ and 27″ Wall Ovens

Wall ovens are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional range units because of their compact size. Most wall ovens are either 24” or 27” wide, and they are powered by either gas or electric. As we examined wall ovens for our top 10 list… [more]

Top 10 Breadmakers

As we looked at a variety of breadmakers from different manufacturers, we had several important factors in mind: 1. Ease of cleaning, with nonstick parts and a removable lid being especially helpful, 2. A variety of baking modes for breads, cakes, jams, baguettes, pasta and … [more]

Best Crock Pot

Comfort food is a necessity when the cold winter months hit. What kind of food is that exactly? We turn to stews, roasts, soups, and chili. Crock pots and slow cookers make preparing these types of dishes more than easy. All you’ve got to do is put the indredients… [more]