Is your countertop getting crowded with too many single-use gadgets? You probably crave that perfect appliance that can toast your bagels, bake a small batch of cookies, *and* crisp up your fries—all in one machine. That’s the promise of the Air Fryer Toaster Oven, a true kitchen multi-tasker.
However, wading through the sea of models feels overwhelming. How do you know which one actually cooks evenly? Which one is easiest to clean? Consumer Reports tests these machines rigorously, but even their detailed reviews can leave you scratching your head about which features truly matter for your daily cooking. You want crispy results without the guesswork or the buyer’s remorse.
This post cuts through the noise. We break down the key findings from the latest Consumer Reports testing, focusing on performance, ease of use, and value. By the end of this guide, you will know exactly which top-rated Air Fryer Toaster Oven fits your kitchen needs best.
Top Air Fryer Toaster Oven Consumer Reports Recommendations
- 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.
- 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.
- POWERFUL AIR CIRCULATION FOR EVENLY BROWNED FOOD WITH LITTLE TO NO OIL: This Hamilton Beach air fryer toaster oven's convection function circulates air around food as it cooks making crispy and delicious fries, chicken, steaks, fish and vegetables.
- AIR FRYER OVEN COMBO WITH 4 VERSATILE COOKING OPTIONS: Enjoy the convenience of a toaster oven and the crispy deliciousness of an air fryer in one compact appliance; this versatile combo offers the functions you love—toast, bake, air fry, and broil.
- 4 SLICE CAPACITY PROVIDES PLENTY OF COOKING SPACE: This air fryer toaster oven combo has room for everything you cook, from 4 slices of toast to a 9" pizza, a 3 lb. chicken in an 8" x 8" pan or a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
- INCLUDES METAL AIR-FRY BASKET, BAKE PAN AND BROIL RACK. The air fryer and toaster oven combo comes with all the accessories you need to air fry, bake, broil, and toast, plus a slide-out crumb tray.
- EXCELLENT COOKING AND TOASTING PERFORMANCE: Quality heating elements in the Hamilton Beach toaster oven provide precise, accurate temperatures from 200° to 450°F and even cooking without hot spots.
- 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 – 30-minute timer with removable crumb/drip tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup. Use drip tray when cooking and keep food clear of heating element. See User Manual for proper use.
- 12 Preset Functions – Air fry, bake, roast, toast, bagel, fries, wings, snacks, broil, dehydrate, popcorn and keep warm with a single tap.
- FryForce 360° Technology – Perfect for healthier cooking, rapid airflow circulates heat for golden, crunchy food using little to no oil.
- Large Capacity with 3 Rack Positions – Fits a 9” pizza, 4 slices of bread, or stacked batches using adjustable rack levels.
- Convection Mode — Promotes even heat distribution for quicker, more consistent cooking.
- Accessories for Every Meal – Includes an air fry basket, oven rack, baking pan, and crumb tray for all cooking, baking, and air-frying needs.
- Spacious French Door Design – Dual doors allow for easy loading of family-size meals, its 25 quart capacity fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
- Multi-Use Cooking Power – Air fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and toast with 17 presets for easy cooking, from crispy fries to roasted chicken and fresh-baked pizza
- Precision Digital Controls – Easy-to-use digital display with adjustable time (1–99 min) and temperature (90°F–450°F) for perfect results
- FryForce Convection Technology – 1700W convection airflow circulates heat for crispy, oil-free frying results
- Convenient Accessories – Includes stainless steel fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray for easy cleanup
- Spacious French Door Design – Dual doors open with one hand for easy loading of family-size meals, its 25 quart capacity fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
- Multi-Use Cooking Power – Air fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and toast with 17 presets for easy cooking, from crispy fries to roasted chicken and fresh-baked pizza
- Precision Digital Controls – Easy-to-use digital display with adjustable time (1–99 min) and temperature (90°F–450°F) for perfect results
- FryForce Convection Technology – 1700W convection airflow circulates heat for crispy, oil-free frying results
- Convenient Accessories – Includes stainless steel fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray for easy cleanup
- EASY CLEANUP & MULTI-PURPOSE DESIGN: Make cleanups effortless with these reusable air fryer oven liners. Their non-stick surface makes wiping away food residue simple, and they can also double as baking mats, allowing you to cook directly on them. A cost-effective alternative to single-use parchment paper, these toaster oven liners and toaster oven mat liners are built to last, providing a versatile addition to any kitchen
- PERFECT FIT & VERSATILITY: Designed to fit most popular air fryer ovens including Ninja, Cuisinart, Breville, Emeril Lagasse, and more, these 12"x12" air fryer oven liners offer unmatched versatility. Easily cut to fit any tray, these air fryer toaster oven liners ensure a perfect fit every time, enhancing your cooking experience with their adaptable design
- PREMIUM QUALITY & SAFETY: Crafted from high-quality Teflon coating, our air fryer mat is BPA-free, PFOA-free, and heat resistant up to 480F. This ensures safe cooking without any harmful chemicals leaching into your food. Enjoy healthier meals with this durable, non-stick liner that stands up to high temperatures
- ENHANCED COOKING EFFICIENCY: The 0.1mm thick liners feature a unique design that promotes even heat circulation, ensuring your food cooks evenly on all sides. This design not only improves cooking efficiency but also helps achieve perfectly crispy results every time
- MULTI-PURPOSE & COST-EFFECTIVE: In addition to air fryer ovens, these flat air fryer liners are perfect for use in conventional ovens, microwaves, and more. The pack of 4 liners offers long-term value, saving you money while making your cooking and baking processes more convenient and efficient
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Air Fryer Toaster Ovens: Consumer Reports Insights
Choosing the right air fryer toaster oven can feel like a big task. These gadgets do so much! They toast, bake, roast, and air fry. We gathered key information to help you pick the best one, just like Consumer Reports would suggest.
Key Features to Look For
The best models offer flexibility and power. Look closely at these features before you buy.
Capacity and Size
Think about how much food you cook. Small apartments need smaller models. Big families need larger ones. A good rule of thumb: Can it fit a whole small chicken or a 12-inch pizza? Check the internal dimensions.
Cooking Presets and Controls
Digital vs. Analog Controls
- Digital Controls: These offer precise temperature settings and timers. They often have pre-set buttons (like “Bagel” or “Air Fry”). These are usually easier to use accurately.
- Analog Controls (Dials): These are simple and durable. They might not be as exact with temperature settings.
Air Frying Performance
The best air fryers circulate air very quickly. Look for models with powerful fans. Good circulation means crispier food with less oil. Read reviews to see if the food cooks evenly across the basket.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your oven lasts and how safe it is to use.
Interior Construction
Most interiors are stainless steel or non-stick coated metal. Stainless steel heats up quickly and is easy to clean. Make sure the non-stick coating is PFOA/PFOS-free for safety. Durable materials last longer.
Accessories Included
A quality oven comes with useful extras. You should get an air fry basket, a baking pan, and a wire rack. These pieces should feel sturdy, not flimsy. Check if the accessories are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Certain design choices make a big difference in your daily cooking experience.
Temperature Accuracy
Some cheaper models lie about the temperature. If the setting is 400°F, it should actually reach 400°F. Consumer Reports often tests this. High-quality ovens maintain the set temperature well. Poor temperature control ruins baking and roasting.
Ease of Cleaning
If cleaning is hard, you will use the appliance less. Look for smooth interiors and removable crumb trays. A well-designed crumb tray catches all the drippings easily.
Exterior Heat Management
Toaster ovens get very hot. Check where the vents are located. If the outside gets dangerously hot to the touch, it is a safety risk, especially around children. Good insulation keeps the exterior cooler.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the oven dictates what features matter most to you.
Daily Toasting Needs
If you toast bread every morning, speed matters. Some models toast faster than traditional pop-up toasters. Test the uniformity—do you get light brown on one side and burnt on the other?
Air Frying for Healthier Meals
Air frying is great for making frozen fries crispy or reheating pizza. If you air fry often, ensure the basket is large enough for a decent batch of food. The air fryer function should be powerful enough to replace a dedicated air fryer.
Baking and Roasting
If you want to replace your main oven sometimes, look for models with true bake and convection settings. These use fans to move the hot air, cooking food more evenly than standard toasters.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is an air fryer toaster oven better than a regular toaster oven?
A: Yes, usually. It adds the powerful air circulation feature, which cooks food faster and makes it crispier than a basic toaster oven.
Q: Do these ovens use a lot of electricity?
A: They often use less energy than heating up a large, full-sized oven because they are smaller and heat up faster. This saves you time and money.
Q: How loud is the air frying process?
A: The noise level varies. Models with very powerful fans are louder. Check user reviews specifically for noise complaints.
Q: Can I use my own metal pans inside?
A: You can use most oven-safe metal pans. However, they must fit inside the capacity. Do not use plastic or anything that can melt.
Q: What is the best temperature for air frying chicken nuggets?
A: Most manufacturers suggest around 400°F (200°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the nuggets.
Q: How much counter space do they take up?
A: They take up significant space, often similar to a large microwave. Measure your counter before purchasing!
Q: Are they hard to clean, especially the air fry basket?
A: The basket can sometimes stick if food residue burns on. Non-stick baskets are easier, but soaking helps loosen stuck-on grease.
Q: Should I preheat the oven for air frying?
A: Yes, preheating is important for air frying. It ensures the food starts cooking immediately at the correct, hot temperature, leading to the best crispiness.
Q: What does “convection” mean in these ovens?
A: Convection means the oven has a fan that blows the hot air around. This cooks food faster and more evenly than still air.
Q: What is the lifespan of a good air fryer toaster oven?
A: A well-made model from a reputable brand should last between five and ten years with regular use.