Do you dream of perfectly toasted bagels or warm, gooey pizza slices without turning on your giant, energy-guzzling oven? For many of us, the kitchen counter space is precious, and so is our budget. Finding a toaster oven that actually performs well without costing a fortune can feel like searching for a hidden treasure map.
The market is flooded with cheap models that either burn your toast or break after just a few uses. You want reliable performance—something that browns evenly and lasts—but the expensive, feature-packed models just aren’t in the budget right now. It’s frustrating to waste money on appliances that disappoint.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We have tested and researched the best budget-friendly toaster ovens available today. You will learn exactly what features matter most, which affordable brands deliver quality results, and how to avoid common pitfalls when shopping smart.
Keep reading to discover the top inexpensive toaster ovens that offer big performance without the big price tag, ensuring your next snack is perfect.
Top Inexpensive Toaster Oven Recommendations
- COMPACT & SPACE SAVING: Versatile compact design fits nicely in small spaces when counter space is limited.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 15 min timer is perfect for toasting and warming up food for a quick and easy snack or breakfast.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, warming or baking.
- 650 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in temperature thermostat maintains even cooking heat to keep food warm, bake or toast.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes a non-stick back pan and wire rack that easily slides in and out of the rack position to suit a variety of foods.
- 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.
- ACCOMMODATES 9-INCH PIZZA OR 4 SLICES OF BREAD – Designed to maximize utility within a compact footprint, the curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. Place items evenly for best results when toasting, baking, or reheating.
- FOUR VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS – Select from baking, broiling, toasting, or keeping food warm. Natural convection airflow circulates heat throughout the oven—preheat for 10 minutes to ensure consistent cooking and crisp results.
- PRECISION 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON OPTION – The 30-minute timer includes clearly marked toast settings and a stay-on function. Oven will not operate unless timer is set or stay-on is selected, ensuring controlled and safe operation.
- CONVENIENT REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – The slide-out crumb tray allows for quick, hygienic cleanup. To prevent spills and overheating, keep food and bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements and fully contained within the tray.
- COMPACT AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN – Measuring 14.5" x 10.8" x 8.8", this sleek stainless steel toaster oven complements any kitchen. Outer surfaces become hot during use—always use oven mitts and allow space for proper ventilation.
- COMPACT & VERSATILE: Compact design fits nicely in smaller spaces & also provides the power needed to cook many types of foods.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 30-min timer is perfect for all your baking, roasting and toasting needs as well as warming up a quick and easy snack.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, baking, roasting & warming.
- 800 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in thermostat maintains consistent heating for even cooking and perfect results when baking, roasting, toasting or keeping foods warm.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes an easy to clean baking pan and a wire rack that easily slide in and out of the two-rack positions to accommodate a variety of foods.
- 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.
- 4-in-1 VERSATILITY FOR EVERYDAY COOKING – Toast, bake, broil, and keep food warm with one compact countertop appliance. Perfect for quick meals, snacks, and small-batch cooking without heating up your full-size oven.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSISTENT RESULTS – Specially designed interior ensures even heat distribution and better toasting performance—ideal for up to 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza.
- 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON FUNCTION – Built-in precision timer with stay-on setting allows for longer baking tasks. Ready indicator light and audible signal make meal prep simple and hassle-free.
- SPACE-SAVING, SLEEK STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN – Modern stainless steel finish complements any kitchen decor while saving counter space. Durable build and clear glass door let you monitor food easily.
- EASY CLEANUP WITH REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – Includes a slide-out crumb tray, bake pan, and broil rack for mess-free use and quick cleaning after every meal.
- Compact Kitchen Companion: The Dash Mini Toaster Oven is a convenient device perfect for single slice toast or whipping up creative homemade treats in small spaces thanks to its space-saving design
- Versatile Use for Every Meal: This multi-purpose Cooking Oven makes preparing mini pizzas, quiche, and healthy breakfasts a breeze with an adjustable temperature dial
- Quick Cleanup Promise: Enjoy an easy-to-clean experience after every use with a Removable Baking Tray and Slide-out Crumbs Tray that are both dishwasher safe for fast, hassle-free maintenance
- Safe & Stylish Cooking: This Mini Toaster Oven sports a minimalistic, modern design and includes an auto shut-off feature and a durable Oven Rack
- Happiness Is Homemade: Dash products invite families to gather together for the joy of cooking and eating at home
- Compact Kitchen Companion: The Dash Mini Toaster Oven is a convenient device perfect for single slice toast or whipping up creative homemade treats in small spaces thanks to its space-saving design
- Versatile Use for Every Meal: This multi-purpose Cooking Oven makes preparing mini pizzas, quiche, and healthy breakfasts a breeze with an adjustable temperature dial
- Quick Cleanup Promise: Enjoy an easy-to-clean experience after every use with a Removable Baking Tray and Slide-out Crumbs Tray that are both dishwasher safe for fast, hassle-free maintenance
- Safe & Stylish Cooking: This Mini Toaster Oven sports a minimalistic, modern design and includes an auto shut-off feature and a durable Oven Rack
- Happiness Is Homemade: Dash products invite families to gather together for the joy of cooking and eating at home
The Budget-Friendly Baker’s Best Friend: Buying Guide for Inexpensive Toaster Ovens
A toaster oven is a small kitchen helper. It toasts bread, bakes small snacks, and reheats leftovers. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a great one. This guide helps you find the best cheap toaster oven for your needs.
1. Key Features to Look For
Even inexpensive models offer important functions. Check these features first:
- Toast Settings: Look for settings from light to dark. This lets you control how crispy your toast gets.
- Bake and Broil Functions: These are essential. They let you cook small frozen pizzas or melt cheese on toast.
- Timer: A reliable timer is a must. It stops cooking automatically so your food does not burn.
- Capacity: How much space do you need? Most small ovens fit four slices of bread or a 9-inch pizza. Measure your counter space before buying.
Capacity Matters: Small vs. Medium
Small models save space. Medium models cook more food at once. Decide what you cook most often.
2. Important Materials
The materials used affect how long your toaster oven lasts and how it cleans up.
Exterior Casing:
Most budget ovens use painted **metal**. This is durable enough for daily use. Avoid plastic bodies if possible, as they can melt or warp over time near the heating elements.
Interior Walls:
The inside walls should be **non-stick** or smooth metal. Smooth surfaces wipe clean easily. Food spills happen often, so easy cleaning saves time.
Heating Elements:
These are usually made of **metal coils**. Check reviews to see if they heat evenly. Uneven heating means some spots burn while others stay raw.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality in a cheap oven often comes down to simple design choices.
Improving Quality:
- Removable Crumb Tray: This tray catches crumbs underneath the heating elements. A slide-out tray makes cleanup fast. This feature greatly improves the user experience.
- Simple Controls: Knobs are often more reliable than digital buttons on very low-cost models. Knobs usually last longer.
Reducing Quality:
- Thin Metal Walls: Very thin metal heats up too fast on the outside. This can make the outside hot to the touch, which is a safety concern.
- Flimsy Racks and Pans: If the included baking pan bends easily, it signals lower overall build quality. Test the rack slide mechanism in the store if you can.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use the oven daily. This guides your final choice.
Daily Use Cases:
- Breakfast Hero: If you only toast bread or bagels, a simple four-slice model works perfectly.
- Snack Specialist: Need to heat up frozen snacks like chicken nuggets or small pastries? Make sure the oven preheats quickly. Fast preheating saves energy and time.
- Small Apartment Cooking: If you skip the main oven, you need a model that can handle a small frozen pizza (around 9 inches).
Safety First:
Always check where the hot air vents. Make sure these vents do not point directly at cabinets or walls. Read the manual for safe clearance distances. A good, inexpensive toaster oven should heat your food well without causing kitchen stress.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Inexpensive Toaster Ovens
Q: Can a cheap toaster oven replace my regular oven?
A: For small meals, yes. They are great for reheating pizza or baking cookies for one or two people. They use less energy than a big oven.
Q: How long do inexpensive models usually last?
A: A well-cared-for, budget toaster oven often lasts three to five years. Heavy daily use might shorten this time.
Q: Are they hard to clean?
A: Not if they have a removable crumb tray. Always clean up spills right away before they bake onto the walls.
Q: Do I need to preheat a toaster oven?
A: Yes, for baking or broiling. Toasting usually does not need a preheat time, but baking does for even results.
Q: What is the smallest size I can buy?
A: The smallest common size fits two slices of bread. These are excellent for very small kitchens or dorm rooms.
Q: Will food taste like plastic when I first use it?
A: Sometimes new appliances have a slight smell the first time they heat up. Run it empty on high heat for ten minutes outside or near an open window to burn off any residue.
Q: Are the knobs better than digital buttons on cheap models?
A: Often, yes. Mechanical knobs tend to be more durable when the overall price is very low.
Q: Can I put aluminum foil inside my toaster oven?
A: You can put foil on the bottom tray to catch drips, but never let it touch the heating elements. This causes fire.
Q: How much electricity do they use?
A: They use much less electricity than a full-sized oven because they are smaller and heat up faster. They are generally energy efficient for small tasks.
Q: Where should I place the toaster oven on the counter?
A: Place it on a heat-safe surface, away from walls or cabinets. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended distance for airflow.