Best Toaster Oven Under $100
Toaster ovens can revolutionize cooking in your kitchen, but no one wants to break the bank by purchasing one. Toaster ovens under $100 can still offer great value, but you need to know what features are most important to ensure you are maximizing each dollar you spend. So, what are the best toaster ovens under $100? This article puts several fantastic models under the spotlight to look at the pros and cons of each in greater detail.
- Convection oven setting for an even cook and faster results
- Easy to understand digital controls
- 1500-watts of power
- 120-minute timer
- Takes 6 slices of bread or a 12” pizza
- Dimensions: 22.8 x 13.4 x 15.5
- Weight: 15.76 lbs
- Takes 6 slices of bread or a 12” pizza
- Temperature ranges from 150 degrees F to 450 degrees F
- Convection oven setting
- Digital controls and easy to use
- Removable crumb tray
- Dimensions: 15.4 x 19.8 x 11.4
- Weight: 20.3 lbs
- 1800-watts of power
- Takes an 12” pizza or 6 slices of bread
- Auto slide out rack for easy loading and unloading
- Auto shut off facility
- Temperature ranges from 200 degrees F to 500 degrees F
- Dimensions: 11.7 x 17 x 8.3
- Weight: 12.9 lbs
- Infrared light for 40 percent faster cooking
- Smart oven auto calculates cooking times
- 6 menu presets for ease and convenience
- 1300-watts of power
- Temperature range from 250 degrees F to 500 degrees F
- Dimensions: 12 x 13 x 10.2
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Easy access for loading and unloading
- Compact footprint for less impact on the countertop
- Takes 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza
- 30-minute timer and auto shut off facility
- Bakes, broils, and toasts
- Dimensions: 11.9 x 16.1 x 9
- Weight: 8.22 lbs
- 2 in 1 compact oven for a smaller footprint
- Takes 2 slices of bread and 2 x16” slices of pizza in the oven
- Electric toast shade setting for the perfect color toast
- Auto shut off
- Removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Dimensions: 17.4 x 10 x 9.3
- Weight: 9.62 lbs
- Fits under a cupboard for space saving on the countertop
- Takes a 9” pizza or 4 slices of bread
- Temperature ranges from 200 degrees F to 400 degrees F
- 30-minute timer
- Ideal oven for couples or singles
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 17 x 9
- Weight: 17.4 lbs
- Small footprint for minimal impact on the countertop
- Convection oven setting
- Auto shut off and 4-hour “Stay On” facility
- Non-stick interior and easy to clean
- Roasts whole chickens in the oven
- Dimensions; 16.7 x 17.7 x 11.3
- Weight: 17.2 lbs
This Black+Decker toaster oven has a convection setting to ensure an even and fast bake. It also has a 120-minute timer, so finding the right setting should be easy. It can handle 6 slices of bread or a 12” pizza, and with 1500-watts of power, it’ll cook most dishes with ease. The styling is sleek and should please most modern tastes.
Pros
- Powerful 1500-watts
- The 120-minute timer is great for convenience
- The specially designed curved interior gives maximum space
- Non-stick interior for easy cleaning
Cons
- Convection setting only works after oven preheats
- Controls are difficult to master
- The unit gets hot during operation
Oster has been smart with this toaster oven: not only does the styling fit modern kitchen tastes with digital controls that are designed to be easy to use, but the sheer capacity of this oven makes it a winner.
It can handle 6 slices of bread so no one goes hungry, and with the convection oven setting it’ll cook up tasty meals quickly.
Pros
- Great styling and color
- Large capacity for more substantial families
- Convection oven setting for faster cook times
- 90-minute timer
Cons
- Handle gets hot after use
- Toast isn’t great and takes a long time to cook
This 1800-watt unit from Cuisinart is powerful and boasts a generous oven capacity that can roast a 3-lb chicken easily. It has a rubberized door handle for grip and cool touch safety; it also has an auto slide-out rack to make loading and unloading simpler.
With a temperature range from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees Fahrenheit this toaster oven will roast, brown, broil, bake, and toast.
Pros
- Powerful motor generates 1800-watts
- Non-stick interior for easy cleaning
- Toast setting uses top and bottom elements for even toasting
- Great for bagels too
Cons
- Defective heating elements split and warp
- Prone to overheating
- Top gets very hot during use
With it’s super-quick cooking time, this flash Xpress toaster oven employs infrared lighting to speed the cook times by up to 40 percent. It has 6 presets for convenience, and with smart oven technology it works out the cooking times automatically to take the chore out of making a family meal.
Pros
- Super-quick cooking with infrared lights
- Smart auto calculating for cook times
- Temperature slider buttons for simple settings
- 6 preset menus
Cons
- Short 25-minute timer
- Preheat necessary for an even cook (despite manual’s indications)
This Hamilton Beach Easy Reach makes cooking incredibly convenient. It is easy to reach the food inside thanks to the roll-top glass door that opens completely to expose the food inside.
It means that while you’re cooking a pizza, you can add additional topping without removing the food from the oven. It also means no more burnt hands!
Even though it takes a 9” pizza, it’s a compact little unit great for smaller kitchens.
Pros
- Great for reaching hot food inside the oven
- Compact and small footprint
- Comes in funky red color
- The door removes for easy cleaning
Cons
- Exterior gets hot during use
- Dials lose their print so setting the times becomes guesswork
This is the second Hamilton Beach model to be included in this list, which isn’t surprising given that they are one of the leading manufacturers in the market. This 2-slice model is designed for small spaces, hence the presence of a dedicated toaster on the top to free up space in the oven for other things.
It can cook two 16” slices of pizza at a time, and the toast shade function makes for perfect toast results every time.
Pros
- 60-minute timer
- 2 rack positions
- Has a slide-out crumb tray
- Toasts 40 percent faster than leading competitors
Cons
- Problems with the bottom elements malfunctioning
- The unit gets hot when in use
Black+Decker has taking the space-saving idea to a new level by creating an oven model to be mounted under a cupboard or countertop. They have still managed to design a toaster oven that allows you to cook a 9” pizza or 4 slices of bread, so there aren’t any issues on capacity. It has a 30-minute timer and a drop-down crumb tray for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Under the counter mounting
- 30-minute timer
- 2-year limited warranty
- Drop down crumb tray
Cons
- Installation instructions are wrong, making a simple job difficult
- Door handle and oven get hot during use
This KItchenAid has a minimal footprint to take up less space on the countertop. Despite its small size, though, this toaster oven packs a punch. It comes with a convection oven setting, so your cooking times are reduced, and the results taste better than ever.
It also has a non-stick interior for easy cleaning. And speaking of the interior: it will roast a whole chicken, so don’t think that the size means there has to be a compromise on what you can cook. It also has a 4-hour “Stay On” function to keep food warm or for slow roasting.
Pros
- Small footprint for saving space
- Convection oven setting
- Non-stick interior for easy cleaning
- 4 easy to use dials
Cons
- Door doesn’t fit properly
- Build quality issues
Toaster Oven under $100 Buyer’s Guide
It is incredible to think that for less than $100, you can get a small-space appliance that bakes, broils, browns, roasts, and toasts. Why go to the expense of firing up the traditional oven when you can roast a whole chicken in one of these things and achieve the same – if not better – results? Toaster ovens are an excellent addition to your cooking arsenal, and for a budget of less than $100 you can still get a quality toaster oven.
Functions
First question: what do you want your toaster oven to do for you? If all you want is a perfectly crisped piece of toast, then you should simply buy a toaster. If you are looking for a multi-functional appliance, however, that can bake, broil, roast, or more, then a toaster oven is your best bet.
Power
Expect 1300- to 1800-watts of power, especially if the toaster oven you want has a convection setting. These compact appliances are economical with the energy they use, but they do the job effectively.
Styling
Toaster ovens are probably one of the most stylish appliances in your kitchen. They have sleek, straight lines, large glass doors, and stainless steel, brushed steel, or black exteriors. Some ovens come in retro designs with bright colors, while others opt for a chrome look. Long story short: there is a style of toaster oven to fit every kitchen.
Clever Technology
Some of these toaster ovens embrace smart technology. The Panasonic, for example, cooks using infrared lighting to speed up the process by 40 percent. Some have smart automatic cooking time calculators built in and one-touch easy programmable digital displays.
Product Warranty
Expect between 1- to 2-years warranty. Most, like the Black+Decker, also have what’s called a limited warranty. That means they will first repair and cover the cost of the shipping, parts, and labor. If, after investigation, they cannot fix the unit, they will replace it at no cost to the consumer provided it is still in their warranty period. But be careful: This only applies to machines that get used in conjunction with the manufacturer’s terms and conditions. Any deviation would lead to the warranty being voided.
Reliable Brands
Black+Decker, Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart: these are all brands that have established their reputation as standard bearers in the home appliance market. That said, it is possible that you could get a dud product, so read the reviews and ask around. Surely we all know someone with a toaster oven? You can also look at the units that have sold on Amazon to see which models are capturing the public’s imagination.
FAQ
Does the exterior of the oven get hot?
Most toaster ovens experience heat transference through the metal casing of the product. It’s important to allow for the correct ventilation so the unit doesn’t overheat.
What is the average wattage of a toaster oven?
If you are buying a convection toaster oven, the wattage is usually higher than those without convection. Expect somewhere between 1200-watts and 1800-watts as a rule of thumb.
What are the temperature ranges of a typical toaster oven?
Most toaster ovens have a temperature range of between 150 degrees and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Each temperature setting depends on the function you are using at that specific time. Convection cooking usually requires the most amount of heat.
Final Thoughts
Toaster ovens have a long tradition in our homes. When they work, toaster ovens are the best friend of any cook, and a wonderful addition to our kitchens. Our winner in this list is the Black+Decker Countertop Toaster Oven CTO63355, a model that looks great and also gets fantastic reviews. It has a family size capacity, a 120-minute timer, and best of all, it comes with a 2-year limited warranty. The convection oven setting means that whatever you cook in this appliance will be done quickly and evenly, so great tasting food is attainable every day of the week.
