Top 5 Best Toaster Ovens to Buy – Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

There should always be a place for a high-quality toaster oven on your kitchen counter. This particular appliance is often underestimated. However, once you understand its capabilities, you will see that there are many great uses for this simple device.
Of course, to get the most out of this appliance, you will need to purchase the best toaster ovens available. There are plenty of good options for you to choose from. The following review will tell you about the top 5 ovens that can be found on the market, and compare their pros and cons.

Do not forget that every electric kitchen appliance has both strong and weak points. You need to consider your personal requirements above everything else when shopping for these items. Many of them are high-quality and can satisfy a great number of needs, so you simply need to pick the one that is the right fit for you and your family.

Best Oven Toasters of 2019

Use this handy comparison table to help make your purchase even easier.

1. Breville BOV800XL Toaster Oven ( The Winner)

This particular convection toaster oven is one of the most popular products of its kind on the market today. The main reasons for this are its reasonable cost and exceptional quality. This has undoubtedly earned its reputation as the most popular model on the market. It is equipped with 5 quartz heating elements, which will ensure that any food you put into it will be cooked to perfection. The machine has Element IQ technology integrated into it. There are 9 pre-set functions programmed into the appliance. This feature makes using this particular convection toaster oven a very simple and easy process. Even a child can learn how to heat up food or make a meal in it with minimal effort.

When you purchase the Breville BOV800XL, you get not only an excellent oven, but a baking pan, broiler, pizza pan, and rack. This appliance is equipped with everything you need to cook in the most efficient way possible. As there is no need to assemble it or have it installed, you can start using it as soon as it’s been delivered to your house. All you need to do is plug in the power cord and follow the instructions regarding the first time use of the device.

One of Breville’s signature features and the reason why the company produces some of the best toaster ovens is the heat distribution technology used in their machines. These appliances allow for consistent heat distribution, which helps you cook food perfectly. You simply need to use the right settings. As this particular model is equipped with Element IQ cooking technology, all the work of calculating the perfect temperature and time will be done for you. This oven can also adjust the wattage of the heating elements to provide even more cooking flexibility.

Breville is a company renowned for producing some of the best toaster ovens in terms of durability and efficiency. You can verify this yourself by reading many of the positive reviews written by satisfied users of these machines.

2. Black & Decker CTO6335S Toaster Oven (The Runner-Up)

Many people are wary that this device may not be reliable as it is one of the cheapest and the list of features it offers doesn’t seem impressive. However, Black & Decker has earned its reputation as a producer of some of the best toaster ovens on the market. This particular model fits in with the best traditions of this business. It is easy to use, cooks food perfectly, and will last for many years.

The overwhelming majority of reviews indicate that this convection toaster oven is an excellent buy. The machine delivers everything promised in its ads. It is equipped with a large digital display that allows you to see the remaining cooking time and the program you chose to cook the food, and pre-set functions make the oven very easy to use.

Convection cooking allows for better baking and broiling. Toast cooked by using this function turns out even-colored and perfectly crispy every time. It is also perfect for keeping food warm. This function comes in handy at dinner parties. The ample size of the oven ensures that whatever dish you need to prevent from cooling down will fit inside of it.

There is a 120-minute timer, which automatically shuts down the oven in order to prevent any accidents. This will not only save you from burnt food but also reduce the risk of fire. Please note, however, that the outer top and sides of the device get very hot when it is in use. Therefore, you need to be careful when handling it. This flaw can be used to your advantage, though, by placing some food (in a suitable container) atop the device to keep it warm, while cooking something else in the oven.

A removable crumb tray makes cleaning the oven an easy task. This is a huge advantage over many other appliances of this kind, as crumbs can be extremely difficult to remove completely.

3. Cuisinart TOB-135 Deluxe Toaster Oven

This piece of equipment by Cuisinart takes its rightful place among the best toaster ovens on the market due to its durability, quality, and functionality. The company has been in the market for a very long time and has managed to build a solid name. According to many reviews, there are quite a few people who purchased this particular convection toaster oven simply because they previously owned an older Cuisinart model. Such customer loyalty is a testament of quality in and of itself.

The TOB-135 Deluxe has 9 automatic functions, which enable you to cook various kinds of food quickly and efficiently. You will only need to choose a program to get the oven running. After that, you can busy yourself with other tasks while your meal is being cooked. There is a large LCD display, which shows the time and the program currently running.

This oven is equipped with an Exact Heat Sensor. This piece of technology ensures that the temperature is maintained at the level set by the program. A powerful convection fan makes this appliance one of the best toaster ovens you can find today.  The Always Even shade control guarantees that toast (and other foods like it) always turn out with even browning.

This particular oven doesn’t have the problem so often associated with this type of appliance: the sides of the oven don’t get too hot when it is in use. This reduces the risk of accidents, and allows you to place the appliance wherever is convenient, as opposed to the rest of the best toaster ovens which require a lot of free space around them.

Naturally, the glass door on the oven gets hot, but the handle on it is situated far enough from the surface to effectively minimize the risk of you burning your hand when opening it. Another advantage of this particular device is the fact that it’s one of the quietest models available on the market.

4. Breville BOV450XL Toaster Oven

This is another excellent piece of equipment produced by Breville, the renowned manufacturer of some of the market’s best toaster ovens. It is compact but highly functional and efficient. Don’t assume that the word “mini” in the model’s name means that this appliance is in any way inferior to others produced by Breville. It is still one of the best toaster ovens you can buy. However, it is a little bit on the smaller side, though this might be perfect if you don’t have much free space in your kitchen. Please note that the appliance’s capacity is not much different from the bigger models.

This convection toaster oven is supplied with 4 quartz 1800-watt elements and Element IQ technology. Therefore, it guarantees even an “intelligent” heat distribution. The machine is programmed to control the heat levels in different ways, depending on the settings. This ensures that the food is perfectly cooked. There are 8 pre-set automatic programs you can use in order to create delicious meals.

The interior coating of this oven is non-stick, so it’s easy to clean. It is also equipped with an Auto Off feature, which not only saves you money on your energy bills but also reduces the risk of accidents. Even if you get distracted and forget about the food cooking in the oven, it will turn off on its own when the program is complete.

In case the 8 pre-programmed functions (roast, broil, bake, pizza, reheat cookies, toast, and bagel) aren’t enough for you, there are manual controls that allow you to customize these settings in order to get the results you need. To erase any customization, you will simply need to unplug the oven so that it can reset and revert back to the programmed settings.

Although the Breville BOV450XL is small, it is a powerful appliance that can cook your food to perfection if you use the right recipes. The machine comes with a book of basic recipes, and you can find many interesting options online.

5. Oster TSSTTVMNDG Toaster Oven

This convection toaster oven is affordable, which is an attractive point for many people. In addition, it has a stylish design, so this oven will indeed be a welcome addition to any modern kitchen.

The device is called “extra-large” for a reason, as it can fit a 9”x13” pan. This means that you can effectively cook a whole chicken, roast, ham, or casserole in this oven. The technology used to ensure even heat distribution is of high-quality, and will always produce perfect results. Digital controls make using the appliance an easy task, even to those who know little about cooking.

The device has a 90-minute countdown timer, which allows you to cook without worrying about checking up on the oven every few minutes. The appliance will shut off when the time runs out, so there is no risk of burning down your home if you forget about the food in the oven.

To ensure various dishes can be cooked perfectly, this Oster oven allows for manual control of the temperature settings. If you want your toast to be darker and crispier, for instance, you can change the settings manually. A see-through glass door makes it easy for you to see whether the settings you chose are indeed suitable for producing the results you want.

The overwhelming majority of reviews for this product are positive. There are some minor complaints, especially about the surface of the oven getting too hot. However, this is a problem for all appliances of this type. Also, please note that the wire rack doesn’t have a stop. If it gets pulled out with a pan still on it, the whole thing can fall down and cause some serious damage. Be very careful when you remove both the pan and the rack.

Oster is a renowned company that produces some of the best toaster ovens, so you can be confident in your appliance’s quality when you choose one of this company’s products.

Which One Is the Best Convention Toaster Oven?

All the items listed above fit into the category of best toaster ovens on the market, but which of them should you buy? This is a difficult question, as each piece of equipment is reliable, and high-quality in its own way.

Functions and Quality

Their functions are mostly similar, although the Breville models generally offer more pre-set programs. Like all of the best toaster ovens on this list offer convection, you can’t make your decision based on whether the item offers that feature. According to the reviews, all of them provide very good results as far as cooking goes. However, there are some complaints about the quality of broiling with the Oster oven. If this feature is important to you, pick either a Breville or a Cuisinart.

The Breville BOV800XL is definitely one of the best toaster ovens you can buy. There aren’t any major complaints about it, and all the reviewers agree that the quality of the food that comes out of this appliance is beyond reproach. It is also designed to be as user-friendly as possible. This is a huge plus for both of the Breville models mentioned in this review.

The least user-friendly piece of equipment is the Black & Decker. Although this machine is considered quite reliable, the controls and instructions can be very difficult to understand. This can lead to some problems and might make it difficult for you to set the perfect temperature.

The Cuisinart model is also definitely one of the best toaster ovens you can get. It is reliable, easy to use and clean, and comes with a great warranty. Each of the items mentioned in this review also has a warranty, but Cuisinart is considered the most trustworthy according to the multitude of user reviews you can find online.

Breville is the definite leader among the manufacturers of the best toaster ovens. However, many people complain that the convection fan on Breville appliances is rather loud. If you are looking for a quiet and stylish piece of equipment, you should definitely go for a Cuisinart.

The Oster oven may seem a bit less impressive than the Breville models or the Cuisinart, but it is a good buy considering the cost of the item. It performs very well when baking and defrosting. Unfortunately, the broiling elements are located so far away from each other that you really cannot get any perfectly broiled food or great toast from it.

Unlike the Breville models, which come with explicit, detailed instructions, you may have a hard time experimenting with your Oster convection toaster oven, due to the fact that the manual doesn’t say which rack height should be used for which foods.

Size and Racks

If it’s size that matters most for you, pick between the Breville BOV450XL and the Oster TSSTTVMNDG. The former is the smallest, while the latter has the largest capacity. Please note that other models aren’t far behind Oster, and can easily fit a whole chicken.

Every oven comes with an array of trays and racks, so you may not need to buy any additional equipment in order to use the appliance efficiently. However, if you decide to use some of the pans you have, you will need to consider their weight. This is especially important if you choose a Black & Decker or Oster oven as their racks are the “weakest”. There is a risk of a heavy pan falling down and damaging the device.

Hazards

Hot outer surfaces are a very serious issue for the vast majority of users, as they can make these appliances a real hazard. The Black & Decker oven is reported to be the most hazardous in this regard, as it overheats easily, and the risk of injury when working with it is very high. The Breville and the Cuisinart are deemed the safest among this group of appliances, but this still doesn’t mean that their surfaces don’t heat up when they are in use.

Therefore, you need to be extremely careful and use oven mitts even when you are working with the best toaster ovens. If you follow the instructions, you will be able to eliminate the risk of burning your hands while using these appliances.

Auto Off

The Auto Off feature is extremely important for these devices. The Breville models are definitely the best toaster ovens if safety is paramount to you. They will automatically switch off regardless of which pre-set function you use. The Oster, Cuisinart, and Black & Decker sometimes require manual control; you may need to use a kitchen timer to make sure you don’t forget about your oven and burn the house down because of it. Do note, however, that the Breville ovens pull about 15-20 amps at full heat. Therefore, you may not be able to use any other electronic appliance while the device is in use unless you have a 20-amp breaker on the plug.

How to Choose the Best of the Best Toaster Ovens

With such a great variety of high-quality appliances available on the market, making a decision you will not regret is very difficult. Take the following steps if you really want to buy the best convection toaster oven:

Understand your needs

This is the most important thing you have to do, as there is a huge variety of high-quality convection toaster ovens available on the market. To know which of them suits you best, you need to understand exactly what you need. Do some research in order to learn what functions these appliances offer, and how exactly various models differ from each other. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect from this device. Then, think of the meals you usually make and how you want to use this new oven to enhance your cooking experience. You can even do some research into the recipes you want to try. This way, you will be able to determine what kind of convection oven you need in order to make these new delicious foods. Both cooking blogs and forums, as well as web resources where people discuss electronic kitchen appliances, will be a great help in this research.

Consider your kitchen

The space you have available in the kitchen will play a major role in your decision. Please remember that you must consider not only the exact size of the oven but also the fact that its outer surfaces become hot while in use. If you place it too close to walls or cabinets, they may get damaged. In the worst-case scenario, your wallpaper or curtains might burst into flames. This is a serious hazard, so be very thorough in your research. You need to choose the device that will be both safe and efficient. When in doubt, go for a smaller model to eliminate the risks.

Measure the distance to the nearest outlet

This is a factor that many people overlook. You shouldn’t become one of them, as this can become a source of many problems. The issue here is caused by the fact that even the best toaster ovens have very short power cords. Therefore, carefully measuring the distance to the wall and other surfaces may end up being pointless if the cord isn’t long enough to place the oven in the spot you chose for it. In addition, you need to take into account the fact that these appliances are quite powerful, and might make it impossible to use any other electric device powered by the same circuit.

Consider your budget

Money shouldn’t be the deciding factor when you shop for a toaster oven, but there is no arguing the fact that price is important. You need to consider your funds very carefully, and study user reviews thoroughly. Make sure that the piece you purchase is not a waste of money. Buying a machine you aren’t 100% sure about simply because it’s the cheapest may come back to haunt you. Quite often, a situation like this will result in the customer paying twice, as the low-quality appliance breaks down quickly. There are often very good deals offered for the best toaster ovens, and you should look for them if you want to buy a great appliance without making a dent in your bank account.

Do You Even Need a Toaster Oven?

This question might pop into your mind when you start studying the models available on the market and see that there are quite a few devices that fall into the category of “best toaster ovens”. At some point, it might seem that doing all this research is too much effort if you have an ordinary oven and toaster already.

However, there are some undeniable advantages to the best toaster ovens that can make purchasing one of them a wise decision on your part. The most important of these advantages are:

Saving money on your energy bills – This is indeed the biggest benefit offered by a small electric oven. These appliances inherently use less energy than ordinary ovens, so you get a chance to make some very substantial savings. You also need to consider the fact that the very best toaster ovens are made to be as energy-efficient as possible on top of that. This not only saves you money but also makes your home more eco-friendly.

Cooking several dishes at the same time – With two ovens in your kitchen, you can cook more food, faster. This is a really big advantage for those who often hold dinner parties or have a big family. Cooking a side-dish while your main dish is in the oven will reduce the time you have to spend in the kitchen. Considering how busy and hectic life can be, this is a great opportunity to get a few extra hours to yourself. It would be much more pleasant to spend this time with your family.

Making small batches of different foods – Be it meat or cookies, food always tastes better when freshly cooked. However, you don’t always need a huge roast or a whole chicken for a single meal. With a small oven, you can cook small portions of food quickly. This will take a little effort on your part, as the best toaster ovens have pre-set programs that make them quite easy to use. You will only need to press a button, and the machine will handle all the cooking in about 15-30 minutes. Thus, you will have a fresh meal, ready quickly, and with no leftovers to worry about.

Reheating leftovers – In case you do have some leftovers, a toaster oven will allow you to heat them up within a few minutes. Of course, the food may not be as delicious as a freshly-cooked meal, but it will still be tasty.

Broiling food to perfection – Broiling in a big oven can be very difficult, as you have little control over the temperature. A convection toaster oven is a much better choice for this purpose. The temperature controls allow you to find the perfect settings, so you can be sure that your food is broiled exactly how you like it. The best thing about these appliances is that they have this function installed in pre-set programming. Therefore, you will need to invest very little effort to cook perfectly broiled dishes.

Saving time – These devices are designed to cook all kinds of foods as quickly as possible. As the vast majority of people today have very little free time for cooking, a toaster oven can be exactly what they need to start leading a healthier lifestyle. Because making delicious and well-balanced meals in it takes very little time, you might not need to resort to pizza and take-out if you have one of these appliances in your kitchen.

Making a lot of toast – If you have a big family, a single toaster just won’t cut it; and using a traditional oven for making toast every morning wastes a great amount of energy. These devices are called toaster ovens for a reason, as they are indeed the perfect device for making multiple slices of toast at a time. In addition, you can really make your morning serving of bread more delicious using all the different functions offered by these devices.

Replacing a microwave – If you firmly believe that a microwave in your house is a serious health hazard, a toaster oven is a definite must-buy for you. This device offers all the benefits of a microwave, without any of the risks often associated with them.

In Conclusion

Regardless of how many delighted reviews you find, or how many helpful articles you read, deciding which toaster oven is best for your life is up to you and no one else. Therefore, you must always put your personal needs first when shopping for this device. The most important thing is that the item you buy meets all the requirements you consider to be the most important.

To find out whether the oven you plan to purchase is indeed the best, you will need to invest a great deal of time and effort in your research. Be thorough, and you definitely won’t regret the decision you make in the end.

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