Best Toaster Oven for Toast
Toaster ovens are so versatile that they can even be a reliable replacement for the conventional oven. They are excellent space savers, especially in a compact kitchen setting, and can be a fantastic aid in a larger space.
What are they like, though, for making toast? It’s all very well having convection ovens, 90-minute timers, and infrared elements, but when it comes to the very thing that gives them their name, it is fair to want to know how well they perform. If you are thinking of buying a toaster oven, then read on: this article covers the best toaster ovens on the market today for making perfectly crisped toast.
- 120-minute timer
- 1500-watts of power
- 2-rack positioning for multi-level toasting
- Takes 6 slices of bread
- 2-year limited warranty
- Dimensions: 22.8 x 13.4 x 15.5
- Weight: 15.76 lbs
- 10 preset menus for the most common foods
- Takes 6 slices of bread
- Element IQ technology ensures that the toast is evenly cooked
- 5 quartz elements ensure even heat distribution
- Convection power to circulate the heat
- Dimensions: 15.8 x 18.5 x 11
- Weight: 22.8 lbs
- Takes 6 slices of bread
- Convection oven setting for even toasting
- Removable crumb tray
- Toast shade selector for perfect results every time
- Toasts bagels, muffins, and other bread
- Dimensions: 15.4 x 19.8 x 11.4
- Weight: 20.3 lbs
- Quartz and ceramic elements for even toasting
- Infrared element for faster cooking
- Precise temperature controls means you get golden toast
- Dedicated toast setting for ease and convenience
- Toasts all types of bread including English muffins and bagels
- Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 10.2
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Takes 6 slices of bread
- A convection oven setting for an even and faster toast
- Non-stick Durastone II interior which wipes clean
- Easy to use controls
- Cooks bagels, waffles, and English muffins
- Dimensions: 15.3 x 18.8 x 9.4
- Weight: 12.07 lbs
- Dedicated toaster slot takes 2 slices of bread and acts like a conventional toaster
- Uses 73 percent less energy than a conventional oven
- Toast shade control for perfect results
- Removable crumb tray
- Compact for small space kitchens
- DImensions: 17.4 x 10 x 9.3
- Weight: 9.62 lbs
- Fits 2 slices of toast
- 650-watts of power
- Auto shut off when toast gets cooked
- Super-cheap to buy
- Very simple to use with dial controls and minimal functions
- Dimensions: 7.7 x 12.8 x 6.3
- Weight: 4.15 lbs
- Uses 75 percent less energy than a conventional oven
- Cooks 28 percent faster than a conventional oven
- Takes 4 slices of bread
- 30-minute timer
- Delivers evenly toasted bread, bagels, and English muffins
- Dimensions: 15 x 11.5 x 8.7
- Weight: 7.33 lbs
Black+Decker is a significant manufacturer of toaster ovens and sells thousands of units on Amazon. This model has 2-rack positioning and can handle 6 slices of toast in one hit.
It has a 120-minute timer and comes with a 2-year limited warranty. With 1500-watts of power, this toaster oven will give you toast in whatever shade you want.
Pros
- The powerful motor delivers where it’s needed
- It takes 6 slices of bread
- The convection oven circulates heat for an even toast
- It comes with a 2-year warranty
Cons
- The letters and numbers wear off the controls
- Crumbs get trapped around the base element which is hard to reach
This Breville model boasts a Smart IQ element for automatic heat adjustment. This means that your toast should be golden and evenly baked.
It’s no slouch when it comes to capacity either, talking 6 slices of bread at once so that there will be no arguments at the breakfast table over who gets the first slice of the morning. It has 10 preset menus for the most common foods and quartz elements that ensure the heat gets distributed evenly.
Pros
- The Auto shut off is great
- It’s very simple to use
- The Element IQ technology works well at spreading the heat
- It has a keep warm function
Cons
- It gets very hot during use
- There are issues with the convection fan failing
This Oster takes 6 slices of bread and has a shade selector for the perfect golden toast. It also handles bagels, as well as other types of bread, so baking and toasting should be a breeze with this thing.
It has a convection oven setting for an even toast and bake, and there is a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning.
Pros
- A large capacity for bigger families
- It has a toast shade selector
- It handles other types of bread, and bagels too
- It has a convection oven setting
Cons
- The toast settings can be very sensitive, leading to burning
- There are issues with the handle getting hot
Panasonic has invested their energy in infrared technology on this model that they claim speeds the cooking process by 40 percent.
It has quartz and ceramic elements to distribute the heat evenly for the best toast, and because the infrared element heats the outside of the bread, it should be crunchy too. It has a dedicated toast setting and can handle waffles, muffins, and bagels as well.
Pros
- It uses infrared technology for faster and better results
- It has a dedicated toast setting
- It toasts all types of bread, and muffins
- 1300-watts of power
Cons
- There are build quality issues
- The heating elements suffer from poor durability
This DeLonghi takes 6 slices at a time and, because the interior is lined with Durastone II, it will only need a wipe down with a damp cloth after cooking.
It crisps bagels and English muffins, as well as different types of bread, and with the convection oven setting, it will ensure that the heat is distributed evenly for great toast.
Pros
- It takes 6-slices of bread
- A convection oven for even toasting
- It has a wipe clean interior for easy cleaning
- It toasts bagels and muffins too
Cons
- There are build quality issues
- The longevity of the oven is questionable
- The interior smells when heated up
This Hamilton Beach Toastation has a dedicated toast shade control feature for perfect results. It also has an old style toast slot, like a toaster, so that bread is cooked perfectly.
It comes with a removable crumb tray, and because it’s compact it won’t monopolize countertop space. This Hamilton Beach also uses 73 percent less energy than a conventional oven, so it will save you money in the long run.
Pros
- It’s small, and great for tight spaces
- It has separate toaster slots
- A removable crumb tray
- Save energy when compared to a conventional oven
Cons
- It may be a little too small for some
- There is no Timer or indicator light to let you know it’s reached
- temperature
This little Courant is probably the smallest toaster oven in the review, but then again, not everyone will have space for a 6-slice toaster oven.
It takes 2 slices of bread at one time and has an auto shut off feature for when the toast is made. And best of all; it’s super cheap to buy, and because it hasn’t got many features to boast about, it’s simple to use.
Pros
- 650-watts of power
- It takes 2 slices of bread
- The auto shut off feature ensures perfect toast
- It’s cheap to buy
Cons
- It has no real features, other than bake and toast
- The exterior gets hot during use
Like Black+Decker, Hamilton Beach is a well-known manufacturer of popular toaster ovens. This 4-slice toaster oven comes with a 30-minute timer and 2-rack positioning for versatile toasting.
It delivers evenly toasted bread, and best of all; it uses 75 percent less energy than a conventional oven and provides toast and other food 28 percent quicker.
Pros
- It uses 75 percent less energy than a conventional oven
- It delivers food 28 percent quicker
- It takes 4 slices of bread
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Overall, it feels cheaply made
- The toast setting is very sensitive
Choosing the Best Toaster Oven for Toasting
There are some factors to consider when selecting a toaster oven to purchase. Budget is the first one: at the top end, toaster ovens will pretty much do everything except walk your dog, while for the cheaper end, you will get minimal settings and features. This review focuses on how the toaster oven produces toast, but you will still expect your oven to be versatile to justify its space on your countertop. Another factor could be size: the kitchen space available will determine the proportion of toaster oven you can have.
Beyond cost and size, let’s take a look at some additional elements to consider in your decision:
Functions
As we’ve mentioned; first and foremost, this review focuses on how the toaster oven toasts. With that in mind, look for an oven that has a convection setting, an auto shut off feature, and a decent capacity. It won’t be useful buying a compact oven when you have a large family, so go big if you must. Another interesting function is the 2-rack setting, enabling more capacity in the oven, and look out for a removable crumb tray too.
Power
Most toaster ovens give you between 900 to 1500-watts of power. Some of the compacts are considerably less punchy, offering 650-watts, so in those cases expect that your toast will take longer to cook.
Styling
Toaster ovens fit the style of modern kitchens. Sure, there are retro versions, but generally speaking toaster ovens have entered the 21st century when it comes to their appearance.
Clever Technology
Panasonic utilizes infrared technology to deliver an even toast and a faster bake. Look for quartz, or ceramic elements, and try and think about smart ovens like the Breville, with their Smart IQ science.
Product Warranty
Most toaster oven manufacturers offer between 1-year and 3-years warranty. Remember, however, that these warranties are only limited to repair, parts, and labor unless you are still within your money back period. And follow the user manuals carefully, because if there’s a hint that you haven’t followed the guidelines, it could invalidate your warranty.
Brand Reliability
Brand loyalty is one of the hardest things to build, and one of the easiest to lose. Brand reliability is won over years of selling goods that meet standards and satisfy the buying public. Two brands stand out in that field: Black+Decker and Hamilton Beach. Sure, there are others, like Breville and Cuisinart, who have a loyal following, but they would love the sales figures of the other two.
FAQ
What is the maximum temperature that a toaster oven will reach?
Most toaster ovens have a temperature range of between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you store things on top of the oven?
It isn’t recommended because of the extreme heat these things produce, and you might block the vents and cause it to overheat. Ideally, there should be 2 to 3-inches clearance around the entire exterior of the oven.
Can I reheat a cup of tea or coffee in it?
You might want to use the microwave for that. It is possible, but check that the cup is oven proof first. In short, we wouldn’t recommend it.
Final Thoughts
Having a toaster oven that makes great toast shouldn’t be too much to expect from the ovens available on the market. While all of these options are promising, our favorite is the Black+Decker CTO6335S Countertop Oven. It has a 120-minute timer, can take 6 slices of bread in one go, has 2-rack positioning, and delivers 1500-watts of power. Best of all, it comes with a 2-year limited warranty, and if you take a look at the reviews for this thing you’ll see that there are thousands of satisfied customers.
