Is your big oven too much work for a small meal? Do you hate waiting for it to heat up just to toast a few slices of bread? Many people face this exact problem. Big ovens waste energy and take forever to preheat for simple tasks. Choosing a countertop oven seems easy, but the market is flooded with confusing features and sizes.
You want crispy toast, perfectly roasted vegetables, or a quick pizza without the hassle. But how do you pick the best model? Should you focus on convection, air frying, or just simple toasting? Navigating these choices can feel overwhelming, leading to buyer’s remorse.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down the essential features, explain what those fancy terms really mean, and show you how to match an oven to your kitchen needs. By the end, you will know exactly which countertop oven will save you time and make your cooking better.
Top Countertop Oven Recommendations
- A VERSATILE AIR FRYER AND MULTI-COOKER COMBO: Elevates practically any meal, from air frying quick after-school snacks to roasting for large gatherings.
- PERFECTLY DONE TOAST: Oven turns off automatically when the toast countown timer ends - no burnt toast! Indicator light is red while toasting, blue when timer ends and oven turns off. Place rack at indicated toast position for ideal results.
- DUAL-SPEED FAN: Golden fried crisping at it's finest with 360º superheated air circulation for your homemade cooking.
- 26-QUART CAPACITY: This Extra-large 26-quart capacity countertop toaster is suitable for preparing food for 4–6 people with capacity to rotisserie a 6-lb chicken, bake a 12” pizza.
- STAINLESS STEEL EXTERIOR: A stainless steel exterior provides a beautiful asthetic to any kitchen, taking your party hosting to the next level. And Elegant French doors open with a single pull – interior light allows you to monitor food.
- MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON-THE-FLY – Want hotter temperature or need to cook it longer? No problem. Simply adjust on-the-fly any time. Starting the cooking process over is not necessary. Bravo toaster oven's intuitive digital controls are easy to operate. Control not only the time and temperature but also customize the top and bottom heaters. To bake a perfect pizza, set bottom heaters at full power and top heaters at 30% for crispy crunch crust and perfectly melted cheesy toppings
- INTEGRATED DIGITAL TEMPERATURE PROBE – Once the desired doneness temperature is set, Bravo air fryer toaster oven constantly monitors the internal temperature of your food and automatically ends the cooking process when the desired internal temperature is reached. You will never undercook or overcook your food again
- 112 PRESETS AND CONVENIENCES BUILT-IN – Bravo air fryer has 4 different rack positions and is programmed with includes 12 preset cooking functions for grilling, air frying, baking, broiling, roasting, dehydrating, reheating, defrosting, toasting and more. It also has additional 100 pre-programmed recipe presets in addition to 50 slots where you can save and recall your own favorite recipes
- LINEAR THERMAL (LINEAR T) TECHNOLOGY – Set cooking temperatures from 50°F and 500°F adjustable in precise 5°F increments. Patented Linear T Technology executes the set temperature accurately throughout the entire cooking process by continuously monitoring temperature fluctuations and making constant power adjustments every second to maintain the set temperature to ensure perfect results. Unlike the primitive methods of turning the heater on and off, our heater never turns off while cooking
- HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION – From the heat-resistant and shatter-proof tempered glass door to the heavy-duty cooking racks, to the non-stick enamel baking pan with broiler rack, crumb tray, and air fry basket, everything that comes with the NuWave Bravo XL toaster oven air fryer combo is made with quality in mind
- VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS: This premium 1800-watt Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is equipped with an air fry setting plus toast, convection bake, bake, convection broil, broil, grill, and warming feature
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is large enough to toast 6 slices of bread, air fry 3 lbs. of chicken wings, bake a 12” pizza, or roast a 4-lb. chicken.
- SUPERIOR OPERATION: Equipped with an adjustable temperature dial, 60-minute timer/auto-shutoff, and a toast shade selector, this air fryer toaster oven features a wide temperature range (Warm-450°F) to ensure your meals are cooked to your perfection
- FAST AND CRISPY FOOD: AirAdvantage technology with top fan/heater assembly provides optimized hot air flow for fast and crispy results, locking in flavor and giving food the crispy texture you love
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven includes an oven rack, baking pan/drip tray, air fry basket, ceramic non-stick reversible grill/griddle, and stainless steel easy-clean interior to make cleanup simple.
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS 7 ACCESSORIES – Features a 30-minute timer for precision cooking, plus a removable crumb tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup and versatile cooking options.
- The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with Element iQ System is a versatile countertop oven allowing you to roast, air fry and dehydrate; Super convection reduces cooking time by up to 30%; Choose from 13 cooking functions; Includes interior oven light
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: With 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer oven's power where and when it's needed to create a tailored cooking environment; Sensing and digital PID temperature control eliminate cold spots for precise cooking
- AIR FRY AND DEHYDRATE SETTINGS: Air fry family favorites like French fries; Higher temperatures combine with super convection (maximized air flow) for crispy golden, air-fried foods; Oven also dehydrates up to 4 trays at once of a wide range of foods
- SUPER CONVECTION TECHNOLOGY: Electric air fryer's 2 speed convection fan (super & regular) offers more cooking control; Super convection provides greater volume of hot air to ensure fast and even heat distribution for air frying, dehydration and roasting
- 13 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Versatile countertop oven and air fryer with 13 functions for your kitchen; Toast, Bagel, Broil, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Proof, Air Fry, Reheat, Cookies, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate; Like having a toaster, pizza oven and more in one
- 142 EASY-COOK PRESETS: The Bravo toaster oven countertop is equipped with 12 versatile cooking functions including air fry, toast, grill, bake, roast, slow cook, dehydrate, and more. It also boasts 100 one-touch presets for effortless cooking and 30 memory slots to save your own unique recipes. It fully meets all your daily needs, making it the perfect replacement for main oven.
- 3X FASTER, 35% AIR CRISPIER: The 2025 newly designed designed and engineered fan and housing deliver 100% faster speeds. Paired with 1800W high power, it results in significantly faster cooking and irresistibly crispy, golden-brown finishes. Compared to traditional deep frying or air frying, Nuwave Bravo Air Fryer Oven reduces oil by 95%.
- 2X MORE EVEN: This Air Fryer Toaster Oven utilizes the latest 2025 upgraded Ultra-Fast Convection System, combined with top and bottom heating elements, virtually eliminating temperature variations even when cooking on multiple racks. Compared to other brands, Nuwave offers twice the uniformity and efficiency. Save you both time and energy.
- TRUE CHAR GRILLED FLAVOR: The Bravo Air Fryer Grill Combo comes with a professional grill plate that authentically replicates char-grilled flavor and diamond-shaped marks. The reversible grill/griddle features a ceramic non-stick coating and dual drip spouts to drain excess oil and water, ensuring perfect taste and texture. This summer, enjoy cool and relaxed grilling indoors or outdoors with Nuwave.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR PIZZA OVEN: This Air Fryer Convection oven offers a wide temperature range of 50-500°F and a timer up to 100 hours. You are also allowed to adjust the ratio of top and bottom heaters from 0% to 100%, as well as the fan speed, to create different heating zones. For baking a perfect thick pizza, set the bottom heaters at 70% power and the top heaters at 30% for a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheesy toppings.
- Fits Most Oven Pans - Use the pans you already have! This spacious oven fits most standard 9”x13” oven pans with handles. That means you can go from straight from oven to table. Plus, the included baking/broiling pan fits perfectly, making it easy to insert and remove food. Toasting rack also included.
- Convection Heating - The powerful convection fan circulates warm air throughout the oven for fast, even baking. Other functions include: baking, broiling, toasting, and keeping food warm.Dedicated Toast Timer - Get perfect toast every time using the dedicated toast timer. It allows for predictable shade selection with every use.
- Temperatures in the oven will be lower than your set point. This is due to advanced heating elements used in this oven. Temperature dial settings have been calibrated to provide expected results for most recipes taking into account the advanced heating elements.
- 60-minute Timer - The 60-minute precision timer features stay-on functionality for longer baking tasks. Dedicated precision toast timer. 3 rack positions for improved cooking flexibility
- 25L XL CAPACITY: Fits 6 slices of toast and cooks up to an 11lb roast. Three rack positions plus 0.9cuft capacity can fit up to a 12" pizza with interior dimensions of 13.25"x 13.50"x 8.95".
- FRENCH DUAL DOOR DESIGN allows you to open one or both doors at a time saving precious counter space. Three rack positions allow you to cook multiple dishes at once.
- PRECISION COOKING CONTROL: The built-in heat selector switch allows you to select numerous cooking features for Baking, Broiling, Toasting, Pizza and Keep Warm.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The oven includes a 60-Minute timer with indicator bell and toast shade settings.
- 1500 WATTS OF POWER: Optimize your cooking needs with an adjustable thermostat from 200°F to 450°F and 1500 watts of cooking power
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your New Countertop Oven
A countertop oven is a fantastic kitchen helper. It sits right on your counter, saving you from heating up a big, full-sized oven. This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, check these important features first. They make a big difference in how well the oven works.
- Capacity and Size: How much food do you cook? Small ovens fit a few slices of toast. Large ones can handle a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza. Measure your counter space before you buy!
- Cooking Functions: Good ovens do more than just bake. Look for Toast, Bake, Broil, Roast, and sometimes Air Fry or Dehydrate. More functions mean more cooking options.
- Temperature Range and Accuracy: The oven needs to get hot enough for roasting (maybe up to 450°F). Check reviews to see if the temperature shown is the actual temperature inside.
- Timer and Controls: Easy-to-use dials or digital screens are best. A reliable timer keeps you from burning dinner.
- Convection Fan: A convection fan blows hot air around. This cooks food faster and more evenly. It is a very helpful feature.
Important Materials That Matter
The materials used affect how long the oven lasts and how safe it is to use.
Exterior Casing
Most ovens use stainless steel or painted metal for the outside. Stainless steel looks nice and cleans easily. Make sure the handle stays cool when the oven is hot. Safety is important.
Interior Cavity
The inside walls should resist sticking and be easy to wipe down. Non-stick coatings help a lot with cleanup. Some higher-end models use high-quality enamel inside.
Heating Elements
These are usually made of quartz or metal sheaths. Quartz elements heat up very quickly. Metal elements are durable and reliable. Both types work well if designed correctly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all countertop ovens are made the same. A few things separate the great ones from the average ones.
Quality Boosters:
- Insulation: Better insulation keeps the outside cooler and the inside hotter. This means more consistent cooking.
- Interior Light: Being able to see your food without opening the door helps keep the heat steady.
- Accessories Included: A good oven comes with a sturdy baking pan, a wire rack, and maybe a crumb tray.
Quality Reducers:
- Thin Metal: If the oven feels light and flimsy, it might not hold heat well.
- Poor Door Seal: If hot air leaks out around the door, your food cooks slowly and unevenly.
- Complicated Controls: If you need the manual every time you want to toast bread, the design is poor.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the oven every day.
For Small Meals: If you just toast bagels or heat up leftovers, a basic, smaller model works fine. Speed is key here.
For Baking and Roasting: If you plan to bake cookies or roast a small chicken, you need good temperature control and enough space. Convection is very useful for these tasks.
For Busy People: Air frying functions are popular because they cook things like French fries very quickly with less oil. If you want fast results, look for a dedicated air fry setting.
Remember to read user reviews. Real people tell you if the oven toasts evenly or if the timer breaks after three months. A good user experience means the oven fits into your life smoothly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Countertop Ovens
Q: Are countertop ovens energy efficient?
A: Yes, usually they are more energy efficient than big ovens because they are smaller and heat up much faster. You save energy by not heating a huge empty space.
Q: Can I cook a frozen pizza in a countertop oven?
A: Most standard-sized countertop ovens can handle a small to medium frozen pizza. Always check the maximum size listed in the oven’s specifications.
Q: How do I clean the inside of my new oven?
A: First, let the oven cool completely. Remove the racks and crumb tray and wash them in soapy water. Wipe the interior walls with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Never spray cleaner directly onto the heating elements.
Q: What is the difference between a toaster oven and a countertop oven?
A: They are often the same thing! “Countertop oven” is a general term, but many modern versions include more functions like convection or air frying, making them more powerful than old, simple toaster ovens.
Q: Do I need to preheat a countertop oven?
A: Yes, for baking or roasting, preheating is important for even cooking. For simple toasting, you can usually skip preheating.
Q: How long should a quality countertop oven last?
A: With regular use and proper care, a good quality countertop oven should last between five to ten years.
Q: Are countertop ovens safe to leave unattended?
A: Like any cooking appliance, you should never leave them running completely unattended for long periods. Always use the timer and check on your food periodically.
Q: What is the best setting for baking cookies?
A: Use the “Bake” or “Convection Bake” setting. If using convection, you might need to lower the temperature by about 25°F from the recipe instructions.
Q: Can I use my regular glass or metal baking pans inside?
A: Yes, you can use most oven-safe glass or metal pans. Just make sure there is enough space (at least one inch) between the top of the food and the top heating elements.
Q: Why is my food burning on top but raw underneath?
A: This usually means the top heating elements are too close to the food, or you are using the “Broil” setting too long. Try moving the rack to a lower position in the oven.