Best Small Toaster Oven
Small toaster ovens are great appliances, particularly if you are trying to fit it into a smaller kitchen, if you are simply cooking for one, or if you are trying to keep costs down. For those seeking a strong candidate in the small toaster oven category, this article highlights some of the best options on the market by looking at the pros and cons of each in detail.
- Flash Xpress technology uses infrared to cook 40 percent faster
- 6 menu settings for easy controls as well as convenience
- Takes a 9” pizza or 4 slices of bread
- Simple temperature controls make getting the perfect cook easier
- Removable crumb tray
- Dimensions: 12 x 13 x 10.2
- Width: 11.25 lbs
- 2-in-1 toast and oven combination to save space
- Separate toast shade selector
- 60-minute timer plus auto shut off
- Takes a 9” pizza in the oven
- Slide-out crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Dimensions: 17.8 x 12.1 x 10.2
- Weight: 14.7 lbs
- Element IQ to automatically adjust heat no matter what the setting
- 1800-watts of power
- 8 preset menus
- Takes 4 slices of bread or an 11” pizza
- Auto shut off
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 14 x 8.8
- Weight: 14.5 lbs
- Takes 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza
- 5 preset menus for ease and convenience
- 3 easy to use dials for greater control
- 30-minute timer
- Auto shut off when cooking is done
- Dimension: 11.8 x 14.8 x 8.1
- Weight: 6.92 lbs
- Convection oven for faster and more even bake
- Easy to use buttons for greater control
- 120-minute timer plus auto shut off
- Takes a 12” pizza
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Dimensions: 22.8 x 13.4 x 15.5
- Weight: 15.76 lbs
- Mounts under a cabinet for more countertop space
- Takes a 9” pizza or 4 slices of bread
- 30-minute timer
- 2-years limited warranty
- Drop down crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 17 x 9
- Weight: 14.11 lbs
- Takes 4-slices of bread
- Toasts, bakes, and broils
- 30-minute timer
- Temperature ranges from 150 degrees F to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Removable crumb tray
- Dimensions: 15.8 x 8.8 x 8.2
- Weight: 11.88 lbs
- 0.95 cu ft capacity
- Takes an 13” pizza or 6 slices of bread
- Easy to use dial controls
- 15 cooking functions
- Always even toast shade feature
- Dimensions: 20.9 x 16.9 x 11.4
- Weight: 32.4 lbs
- 30-minute timer plus auto shut off feature
- Takes 2 slices of bread or a 9” pizza
- 650-watts of power
- Simple 2-dial controls for convenience and ease
- The baking pan and rack are included in the price
- Dimensions: 7.7 x 12.8 x 6.3
- Weight: 4.15 lbs
- Convection oven setting for faster and better cooking
- 4-hour “Stay On” function for slow roasting
- Cooks whole chickens
- Bakes, broils, toasts, and warms
- 60-minute timer
- Dimensions: 16.7 x 17.7 x 11.3
- 17.2 lbs
This Panasonic certainly wins the flashiest name category, that’s for sure. Flash Xpress is Panasonic’s smart advancement in cooking technology by using infrared lighting.
They claim to speed up the cooking process by 40 percent. With simple temperature controls and 6 preset menu settings, cooking with this oven should be a breeze.
Pros
- Ultra-fast cooking times with the infrared technology
- Takes a 9” pizza with ease
- Simple temperature controls
- 6 presets menus for convenience
Cons
- It only has a 25-minute timer
- Oven needs to be preheated before use
This Hamilton Beach is a neat little toaster oven that maintains its small footprint by keeping the toasting function on the top. With a 60-minute timer, you can pop your meal in the oven and walk away; when it’s done, the oven shuts off.
The toast has a separate toast shade setting so getting the perfect slice of toast won’t be a problem, and if you fancy something different, it’ll take a 9” pizza in the oven.
Pros
- 60-minute timer
- Minimal footprint
- Toast cooks separately on the top, so great for saving energy
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Cooking toast takes a long time
- The unit gets very hot when used
Breville has invented something called “Element IQ” to make the cooking process more manageable. It monitors the amount of heat and adjusts it accordingly for the perfect results.
It also means that there is no loss of power on the lowest settings. This oven packs a full 1800-watts of power, and because it has 8 preset menu options, convenience features highly in the design too. Of course, all this smart technology comes at a cost, so this Breville option won’t come at a bargain price.
Pros
- Powerful little unit, given the size
- Smart technology for an easier life
- 8 preset menus
- Takes an 11” pizza with ease
Cons
- Expensive compared to the rest
- Toaster isn’t great at making toast
This Hamilton Beach model has a 30-minute timer with auto shut off and can handle 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza with ease. It also has 5 preset menus for easy use and convenient cooking.
It’s a compact little oven that will look great in anyone’s kitchen, especially when space is at a premium.
Pros
- 5 menu settings for easier cooking
- Simple 3-dial controls
- 30-minute timer
- Looks great
Cons
- Feels cheaply made
- Uneven toasting
This Black+Decker toaster oven is the largest toaster oven on the list, but it is versatile. With the convection oven setting, this unit will give you perfect results every time.
It has easy to use buttons, and with a 120-minute timer, slow roasting will be easy. This toaster oven will take 6 slices of bread or a 12” pizza, so capacity isn’t a problem.
Pros
- Convection oven setting for faster cooking times
- 120-minute timer
- Easy to use buttons
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
Cons
- Largest oven on the list
- Convection only works after the oven is preheated
- Unit gets hot during use
This Black+Decker is designed to be mounted under a cupboard to keep that precious countertop space free for something else. It has a 30-minute timer and takes 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza with ease.
Best of all, it comes with a 2-year limited warranty so that you can buy with confidence.
Pros
- Mounts under a cupboard or the counter
- 30-minute timer
- 2-year limited warranty
- Drop down crumb tray for easy cleaning
Cons
- Mounting using the template can be tricky
- Has no tray
- No broil function
- Oven doesn’t shut off when the door is open
Oster seems to have kept things simple for both the design and functions for this model. It has a 30-minute timer, a temperature range from 150 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and takes 4 slices of bread with ease.
For a small space toaster oven, it may not be as complicated as the Panasonic or the Breville, but it does the job adequately for the price. Considering this is under $30, it’s excellent value for money.
Pros
- Simple design and looks
- Toast, bakes, and broils
- Has a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- 30-minute timer
Cons
- Not great at making toast
- Cheaply made
With a huge 1800-watts of power, this oven will handle anything. It has easy to use dial controls, and it also has an auto-out oven rack that slides automatically when you open the door.
It’ll take an 13” pizza or 6 slices of bread with ease, so there’ll be no arguments over who gets the first batch of toast, and with a cool touch handle, it’s safe to use.
Pros
- 2 convection settings
- 1800-watts of power
- Dial controls are easy to use
- 2 oven racks
Cons
- Gets hot during use
- Heating elements bend and crack
This Courant model may lack the wattage of the others, but this compact oven is perfect for petit kitchens. It has a 30-minute timer, easy to use dial controls, and cooks 2 slices of bread, or a 9” pizza, so the capacity is more suited to a couple or a single person. At under $25, this Courant is one of the cheapest toaster ovens on the market.
Pros
- 30-minute timer
- Simple controls
- Fantastic price
- Baking pan and rack included
Cons
- It may be a little too small
- Gets extremely hot during use
This Kitchen Aid has to be one of the smallest convection toaster ovens on the market, yet it has a convection setting that ensures your meals get cooked more evenly and quickly.
This oven has a 4 hour “Stay On” feature that makes slow roasting a whole chicken a breeze. It has a 60-minute timer too, so you won’t have to worry about the food once it’s in the oven. It bakes, broils, toasts, and has a keep warm function.
Pros
- Versatile little oven
- You can slow roast in this thing
- 60-minute timer
- Convection oven
Cons
- Build quality issues over the door not fitting properly
- Takes ages to cook toast
Small Toaster Oven Buyer’s Guide
Selecting the right small toaster oven depends on the space you have available in the kitchen. You might be seeking a small unit because you have limited countertop space, but our advice is not to go too small unless you have to or if the budget dictates. If you want to spend big, or if you have kitchen space to spare, go ahead and treat yourself. In addition, there are several additional aspect to consider in the decision-making process:
Functions
The big question: how do you want to use your toaster oven? If it’s just to make toast, buy a toaster; they’re a lot cheaper, and quite frankly looking at these reviews, they are also probably better at making toast. Toaster ovens are less about toast and more about versatility. We suggest you look for an oven that gives you the most options. Some have convection features that provide a better finish and a better bake. Others use smart technology to adjust the heat and cooking times automatically.
Power
Don’t think that by buying small you’re compromising on the power. Many of the small toaster ovens have 1500-watts of power, and in some cases, 1800-watts. If it has a convection oven feature, having the right wattage is vital for the oven to perform effectively.
Styling
Generally speaking, small toaster ovens are stylish appliances that would grace any kitchen. They offer sleek displays an are often crafted of stainless steel and chrome. Toaster ovens are designed to look good in the modern kitchen.
Clever Technology
Do you want a small toaster oven that uses infrared lights to cook your food 40 percent faster than standard toaster ovens? The Panasonic NB-G110P delivers a massive leap in cooking advancement with its Flash Xpress infrared feature. Maybe you want to go the other way and slow roast a chicken? Again, you can buy a toaster oven with a 4 hour “Stay On” function that allows you to do just that.
Product Warranty
Most toaster oven manufacturers offer 1-year warranties that are limited to parts and labor and shipping costs. You have to use the oven precisely to the maker’s guidelines, or you run the risk of making the warranty defunct. KItchen Aid offers a 1-year warranty that they claim is “Hassle-free.” They will replace the item within that year if it can’t get fixed. Black+Decker provide a 2-year warranty on their under the counter spacemaster toaster oven.
Reliable Brands
Look for brands that you know and love. Black+Decker dominates the toaster oven field, as does Breville, and Hamilton Beach; buying one of their products should be a sound investment. You may have some of their products in your home already. How well do they perform, though? Have they given you cause to think twice about buying that brand again? If the answer is yes; move on to another brand. If you are happy, then trust your instincts; you’ll probably be making the right decision.
Conclusion
Toaster ovens offer a versatile cooking experience, and these small models bring this versatility to even the smallest of kitchen spaces. Our winner among these options is the Panasonic NB-G110P Flash Xpress Toaster Oven. Its infrared lighting speeds up the cooking time by 40 percent. That is impressive, and it costs less than $100 too. Now, there are cheaper models and higher selling models, but for sheer clever technology, this little toaster oven gets our vote.
FAQ
Does the toaster oven get hot?
Some models do. They have to be clear of obstructions on the countertop so that the air can circulate and keep them from overheating.
Can you use silicone baking trays in the toaster oven?
Yes, you can, much like using silicone in a traditional oven.
What’s the difference between a convection toaster oven and a standard one?
The convection toaster oven uses a fan to circulate the heat inside the chamber, so there aren’t’ any cold spots. It also cooks more evenly, ensuring a faster bake with a better flavor.
Final Thoughts
Toaster ovens offer a versatile cooking experience, and these small models bring this versatility to even the smallest of kitchen spaces. Our winner among these options is the Panasonic NB-G110P Flash Xpress Toaster Oven. Its infrared lighting speeds up the cooking time by 40 percent. That is impressive, and it costs less than $100 too. Now, there are cheaper models and higher selling models, but for sheer clever technology, this little toaster oven gets our vote.
