Best Toaster Oven Under $50
Need a small and affordable toaster oven that works well? Small toaster ovens under $50 have more clever technology than you might think, and best of all, they don’t take up heaps of countertop space. This article highlights several toaster ovens under $50 and notes what you should be looking for when selecting your own model.
- Even toast technology for better results
- Takes a 9” pizza with ease
- Bakes, broils, toasts, and keeps food warm
- 30-minute timer
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Dimensions: 16.4 x 11.3 x 9.4
- Weight: 8.1 lbs.
- Extra-wide interior for 8 slices of toast
- Also takes a 12” pizza easily
- Convection heating for a faster and more even cook
- Dedicated toast timer for perfect results
- 60-minute timer
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 12.5 x 9.5
- Weight: 17.5 lbs.
- Easy to keep clean
- Large curved oven door for easy access
- Bakes, broils, and toasts
- Takes a 9” pizza or 4 slices of bread
- 30-minute timer
- Dimensions: 11.9 x 16.1 x 9
- Weight: 8.22 lbs.
- Compact design for small spaces
- Takes 4 slices of bread easily
- Toasts, bakes, and broils
- Temperature range from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- 2 rack positions
- Dimensions: 15.8 x 8.8 x 8.2
- Weight: 7.9 lbs.
- Compact toaster oven
- Takes two 16” slices of pizza
- Has an electronic toast shade function for perfect toast
- Auto shut off facility and removable crumb tray
- Oven reaches 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 10 x 9.3
- Weight: 8 lbs.
- Takes a 9” pizza or 4 slices of bread
- Toasts, broils, and bakes
- 30-minute timer
- Auto shut off when food is done
- Temperature range from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dimensions: 13.1 x 9.7 x 16.4
- Weight: 7.8 lbs.
- Takes 4-slices of bread
- Has 4 functions
- 30-minute timer
- Swing down crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Simple 2-dial control
- Dimensions: 19 x 10.9 x 12.5
- Weight: 8.7 Lbs
- Takes a 9” pizza with ease
- Bakes, broils, and toasts
- Auto shut off when food is cooked
- 30-minute timer
- Baking pan and rack included in the price
- Dimensions: 7.7 x 12.8 x 6.3
- Weight: 4.15 lbs.
- 15-minute timer
- Takes 2 slices of bread
- Auto shut off and warning bell
- Toasts, bakes, and broils
- Simple 2-dial control
- Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 14.5
- Weight: 4 Lbs
- Takes 6 slices of bread, or a 12’ pizza
- Toasts, bakes, and broils
- Easy access to food via large curved door
- 30-minute timer
- Baking pan and broil rack included in the price
- Dimensions: 15.1 x 11.1 x 19
- Weight: 11.24 lbs.
This toaster oven is popular, based on number of units sold on Amazon alone. Its smart design, featuring a large oven window iand silver and black styling, is paired with even toast technology that should ensure perfect results.
The removable crumb tray also makes cleaning easy. It shouldn’t be too imposing on your countertop, as this unit packs a big punch but with a small footprint.
Pros
- Looks good
- Has easy to use dial controls
- Keep warm function
- Great reviews on Amazon
Cons
- Once timer gets set, it can’t be canceled
- Makes a loud ticking noise when the timer is on
Okay, we have to say it this 8-slice toaster oven is an amazing value. We’re not sure when you’d want eight slices of toast, but the oven capacity canmake dinner times easier, especially as the oven has a convection setting.
Given its extra large size, it may need a bit of careful planning to fit it into your kitchen layout, but this toaster can definitely make life much easier!
Pros
- Extra-wide oven
- Takes 8 slices of bread
- 60-minute timer
- Fits most oven pans
Cons
- Takes up lots of countertop space
This Hamilton Beach toaster oven has a little touch of retro in its design, so if you like bold colors and styling this toaster oven will suit you perfectly.
It benefits from a large door that opens to reveal almost the full oven area, making it easy to get food in and out. It’s also simple to keep clean, and its auto shut off feature is great. Once the food gets done, you don’t need to panic about it burning.
Pros
- Great design and fun look
- Easy access oven
- Removable door for easy cleaning
- Baking tray included
Cons
- Flimsy quality
- Door has gaps
- Baking tray distorts after a couple of uses
- Instruction state that machine should be unplugged after use
This Oster has classic styling reminiscent of the 1950s and can become a firm favorite in the kitchen. It is also a bargain, coming in at less than $30.00.
It will toast four standard slices of bread with ease features a two position rack, baking tray, and crumb tray. It also offers a large viewing window, so you can see how the food is cooking in the oven.
Pros
- Compact footprint for small countertops
- Looks great, with a retro feel
- Takes 4 slices of bread
- Toasts, broils, and bakes too
Cons
- Poor quality construction
- Once the timer is on it can’t be switched off until time-cycle completes
Hamilton Beach has sold thousands of these units on Amazon, making it one of the best-selling toaster ovens on the market. This unit retails around $40.00 and is quite basic for the money, but Hamilton Beach is an industry leader in this market, so the quality should be good.
This toaster oven bakes, broils, and toasts, and with an auto shut off facility, you’ll never burn the pizza again. It’s small too, so if you struggle for countertop space, this little unit is ideal.
Pros
- Simple two dial controls
- Great color and design
- Super-compact for tight spaces
- Auto shut off functiona
Cons
- Oven may be too small to be practical
- Pop up toaster burns on one side
- Very basic
Proctor Silex isn’t a name that springs to mind when thinking about well-known brands, but this toaster is priced at less than $30.00. It’s easy to use, with three-dial controls and presets that make for convenient cooking.
It takes a 9” pizza with ease, and the auto shut off function means no more burned food. With a temperature range from 150 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, food will be piping hot when you take it out of the oven.
Pros
- Cheap at less than $30.00
- Takes a 9’ pizza
- Toasts, bakes, and broils
- Simple controls
Cons
- Crumb tray not removable
- Toast cooks unevenly
- Only fits 2 regular size slices of bread
So, Black+Decker make the list three times! This little oven is simplicity personified. It bakes, broils, toasts, and also has a keep warm facility so that food never gets served cold.
It takes 4-slices of toast and has a swing down crumb tray for easy cleaning. You’ll love the 2-dial controls, as they don’t need you to have super-powers to work out how to use it
Pros
- Looks great, with white exterior styling
- Great for compact countertop space
- Bakes, broils, toasts and keeps warm
- Swing down crumb tray for easy cleaning
Cons
- Oven gets hot when in use
This Courant toaster oven is priced at just over $20.00. Its oven is capable of baking, toasting, and broiling, but to be honest its small scale means that only very flat or thin food items will fit.
It has a neat auto shut off feature, something that you’d expect on more costly models, and the baking pan and rack are included in the purchase price.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Bakes, broils, and toasts
- Extremely compact for tight spaces
- 30-minute timer
Cons
- Oven accommodates very thin, small items of food
- Not very powerful so food can take a long time to cook
This toaster oven may be the smallest on the list, but if you’re looking for small space cooking, then this could be the best choice. It has a 15-minute timer, and it bakes, broils, and toasts. The price is amazing; it’s probably the cheapest oven we’ve reviewed!
Pros
- Great price
- Simple to control
- Takes 2 slices of bread
- 15-minute timer
Cons
- Toast can take a long time to cook
- No temperature settings
This is the third Hamilton Beach model on this list, and for a good reason: people love their products! This toaster oven is very retro-styled, with bold colors that are ideal if you want something to stand out and enhance the style of your kitchen.
This oven will take a 12” pizza, or 6 slices of bread, and has a large curved door for easy access. It comes with accessories that include a baking pan, a broil rack, and a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Large capacity oven: 12” pizzas aren’t a problem at all
- Comes with accessories
- Large door gives easy access to food
- Retro styling
Cons
- Toasts unevenly
- Unit gets hot when in use
Toaster Oven Under $50 Buyer’s Guide
If your budget allows for a maximum expenditure of $50 on a new toaster oven, it is important that you get the best quality that fits your budget. To help you make the right purchase that balances cost with effectiveness, here are some things to consider:
Functions
It comes as no surprise to learn that even at the lower end of the market, getting a toaster oven with essential functions is easier than you think. You’ll want the model to toast, bake, and broil well, and best of all, you’ll want it to have features like auto shut off and 30, or 60-minute timers.
Power
Because a lot of these cheaper toaster ovens are smaller units, power can sometimes be an issue. Some, like the Courant, only have 650-watts of power, so you’re going to need to be patient as the food cooks because it won’t be the quickest. But just because you have a lower budget doesn’t mean you should compromise on power. Expect around 1000 to 1500-watts for your money.
Styling
There are some great designs out there to match any kitchen style, from the industrial looking Black+Decker model to the Hamilton Beach Ensemble toaster oven. If you want our best advice, look at the other appliances you own and see if the styling of the toaster oven you want fits that look. Also, think about the colors too. It’s no good buying a cherry red toaster oven if every other appliance is stainless steel.
Clever Technology
Don’t think that smart toaster ovens are outside your reach because of your limited budget. With the auto shut off facilities and 60-minute timers, budget toaster ovens deliver. You can even get models that have a smart even toast technology to spread the heat and power for an even cook. And if the toaster oven isn’t just for toasting, think about features like a keep warm function and convection ovens.
Product Warranty
Most of the major manufacturers offer a standard 1-year limited warranty for repair or replacement, including labor and parts. Muellar Austria, however, is the only maker who stands by their product with a lifetime no-hassle USA replacement policy. We know that this isn’t the norm, but it is refreshing to know that one manufacturer isn’t scared to put their neck on the line to support customer satisfaction.
Brand Reliability
Look at product reviews on websites like Amazon to get a sense of each toaster’s performance. It isn’t difficult to see, at a glance, which models satisfy and which ones disappoint. In addition, you can speak to people you know and garner their insights. It could be the difference between you buying a dud and a great appliance that makes meal times a joy.
Conclusion
A toaster oven is great additions to any kitchen, and even with a budget of $50 you can still find a model that does almost all that you want it to do. For us, the winner is the Black+Decker TO3250XSB 8-Slice Toaster Oven. It has a vast capacity, which is great for larger families, and the convection oven setting delivers evenly cooked food. The best thing about this oven is the fact that for such a small outlay, you get so much more. And it’s a Black+Decker too, so there’ll be no compromising on the quality.
FAQ
What does the warranty cover?
Usually, the warranty covers parts and labor. If the machine breaks down within the warranty timeframe and has been used within the acceptable terms, the manufacturer will replace it if they can’t repair it.
Does a lower wattage mean a longer cook time?
Yes, it does. The more power a toaster oven has, the quicker and more efficient it is for cooking food. Convection features usually require a certain amount of wattage to function, so lower wattage almost certainly means that it is not a convection oven.
Does the toaster oven get hot to touch?
Only on some ovens. It depends on the thickness of the insulation in the casing and how long the oven is in use. If you have the oven running for 60 minutes, then the outer skin will start to warm up. The recommendations are that the countertop on which you place it is free from obstructions to allow for proper ventilation; also, don’t stand anything on top of the oven while it’s in use.
Final Thoughts
A toaster oven is great additions to any kitchen, and even with a budget of $50 you can still find a model that does almost all that you want it to do. For us, the winner is the Black+Decker TO3250XSB 8-Slice Toaster Oven. It has a vast capacity, which is great for larger families, and the convection oven setting delivers evenly cooked food. The best thing about this oven is the fact that for such a small outlay, you get so much more. And it’s a Black+Decker too, so there’ll be no compromising on the quality.
