Is your old toaster oven finally sputtering its last crumbs? Do you stare at the wall of shiny, new models in the store, feeling completely overwhelmed? You are not alone! Choosing the best toaster oven today feels like a full-time job. So many brands promise perfection, but how do you know which one actually toasts evenly, bakes reliably, and doesn’t take up your entire counter?
Sorting through endless online reviews and confusing features can be a real headache. You want a reliable appliance that saves you time, not one that burns your bagels or breaks down after six months. That’s exactly why we dove deep into the latest Consumer Reports data for you. We cut through the jargon and tested the top contenders.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly which toaster ovens excel at baking, broiling, and toasting. We will break down the top performers, highlight the best budget buys, and reveal the models experts trust most. Get ready to say goodbye to uneven toast forever. Let’s find your perfect match!
Top Rated Toaster Oven Consumer Reports Recommendations
Bestseller No. 1
BLACK+DECKER Crisp 'N Bake Air Fry Countertop Convection Toaster Oven, Medium Capacity, 4-Slice, 5-in-1, Fits 9” Pizza, 30-Min Timer, Bake, Broil, Air Fry, Toast, Keep Warm, Stainless Steel
- 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.
Bestseller No. 2
Hamilton Beach 2-in-1 Countertop Toaster Oven and Long Slot 2 Slice Toaster, 60 Minute Timer and Automatic Shut Off, Shade Selector, Stainless Steel (31156)
- SAVE SPACE WITH 2 APPLIANCES IN 1: Replace your standalone toaster and countertop oven with this space-saving toaster and toaster oven combo. It bakes, broils and toasts, providing the versatility to effortlessly prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- SPACIOUS INTERIOR PROVIDES PLENTY OF COOKING SPACE: This Hamilton Beach toaster oven has 16.5 L of space for cooking everything you love, including delicious one-pan meals. It has 2 rack positions and can hold a 9" pizza or 3/4 lb. of fries.
- TOASTS FASTER AND MORE EVENLY: Make toast 40% faster* and enjoy it browned just the way you like it. The stainless steel toaster oven combo offers 5 toast shades for lighter or darker toast and holds 2 regular slices or 1 long slice of bread.
- EASY TO USE: This compact toaster oven features auto shutoff, a 60 minute timer with ready bell for tracking cooking progress, and a Stay On setting ideal for baking multiple batches of food.
- VERSATILE WITH 4 COOKING MODES: Prepare a variety of foods in this one multifunctional appliance. It has four cooking modes: bake, broil, toast, and keep warm.
Bestseller No. 3
Buself Toaster Oven Liner – Compatible with Breville, Cuisinart, Black & Decker, Dash, and More – Nonstick Heat Resistant Reusable Air Fryer Liners, PFOA & BPA Free, 9x11", 2 Pack, Black
- Optimal Protection & Safety: Protect the bottom of your toaster oven or air fryer with our premium, heavy-duty toaster oven liners that catch spills and prevent odors. Designed with rounded corners to enhance safety and handling
- High Heat Resistance & Quality: Made from double-sided nonstick PTFE-coated fiberglass, our liners can withstand temperatures up to 500°F, making them perfect for high-heat cooking and baking
- Eco-Friendly & Economical: Reusable and dishwasher safe, these liners offer a sustainable alternative to single-use aluminum foils and reduce the need for cleaning chemicals
- Versatile Use: Not just for toaster ovens and air fryers; use them as a baking mat or even under grilling foods to make cleanup a breeze
- Custom Fit for Convenience: Easily trimmed to fit any standard toaster oven or air fryer, including popular models from brands such as Breville (including TOA-60, TOA-65), Cuisinart, Black & Decker, Hamilton Beach, Cosori, and Dash. These nonstick air fryer liners are ideal for everyday cooking and baking, helping you keep your kitchen clean and mess-free. For best results, measure your appliance before purchasing to ensure the perfect fit.
Bestseller No. 4
BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD Toaster Oven, 15.47 Inch, Silver
- 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.
Bestseller No. 5
Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven, Small, Brushed Stainless Steel
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks interested in making pizza, delicious cookies and golden toast in their countertop oven; It's a mini oven, but this space-saving tool offers 8 cooking functions
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer small oven's power where and when it's needed, creating a tailored cooking environment for precise results; Fast 1800 Watt preheat gets meals on the kitchen table faster
- 8 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Versatile mini smart oven has 8 cooking functions to bring new meal options to your home and kitchen; Access Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Roast, Cookies, and Reheat; It's a toaster oven, pizza oven and more, all in one appliance
- SMALL CAPACITY: 11 x 10 x 4 inch interior capacity fits 4 toast slices, bagels, cookies, tuna melts, 6 cup muffin tray, and 11 inch pizzas; 3 rack positions, pull out crumb tray and auto shut off; Combo countertop oven and toaster fits into small kitchens
- LCD DISPLAY: LCD display allows for easy access to all of mini oven's built in smart functionality; Choose from 8 cooking functions to access a space-efficient roaster oven, broiler and more
Bestseller No. 6
Cuisinart Custom Classic Toaster Oven Broiler, 1800 Watt Countertop Toaster Oven to Bake, Broil, and Toast, Non-Stick Interior, Consistent Toast Control, Brushed Stainless Steel/Black, TOB-40N
- VERSATILE COOKING: Cuisinart Toaster Oven Broiler with 1800 watts of high-performance power offers a wide range of cooking functions in one including toast, bagel, bake, broil, pizza, keep warm, and more.
- SPACIOUS CAPACITY: Cuisinart oven with 0.5-cubic feet interior lets you toast 6 slices of bread or 4 bagel halves, bake an 11-inch pizza, or roast a family-sized casserole.
- PERFECT TOAST: Always Even Shade Control monitors the toasting temperature to automatically adjust cooking time for consistent toast results slice after slice.
- SAFETY & CONVENIENCE: Simple to use, this countertop oven features a cool-touch handle, easy-grip dials, and automatic shutoff for safety, an auto-slide rack to remove cooked food easily, and a non-stick interior for easy cleanup.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Beautiful brushed stainless steel toaster oven comes with a limited 3-year warranty, is BPA free, and includes a wire rack, broiling rack, baking/drip pan, front removable crumb tray with cool-touch grip, and a recipe book.
Bestseller No. 7
Nuwave Bravo Air Fryer Toaster Smart Oven, 12-in-1 Countertop Convection, 30-QT XL Capacity, 50°-500°F Temperature Controls, Top and Bottom Heater Adjustments 0%-100%, Brushed Stainless Steel Look
- 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
Bestseller No. 8
BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven with Natural Convection, Stainless Steel, TO1760SS (TO1760SST-1)
- 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.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Consumer Reports Rated Toaster Ovens
Finding the best toaster oven can feel tricky. Consumer Reports tests many models to help you choose wisely. This guide breaks down what matters most so you can buy a great appliance.
1. Key Features to Look For
A good toaster oven does more than just toast bread. Look for these important features:
- Accurate Temperature Control: The oven must heat up to the temperature you set. Many cheap models run too hot or too cold.
- Even Cooking/Browning: Quality ovens toast bread evenly across the whole slice. They also cook frozen foods without burning the edges.
- Capacity: Think about what you cook. Do you need room for a small pizza (12 inches) or just a few slices of toast?
- Preheat Time: Faster preheating means you eat sooner! Look for models that heat up quickly for baking or broiling.
- Easy-to-Read Display/Dials: You should be able to see the settings clearly, even in a dim kitchen.
2. Important Materials and Durability
The materials used affect how long your toaster oven lasts and how easy it is to clean.
- Exterior Casing: Stainless steel looks nice and cleans up well. Plastic exteriors might look cheaper and can sometimes warp with high heat over time.
- Interior Walls: Non-stick interiors are easier to wipe down after spills. If the interior is bare metal, make sure it has a smooth finish.
- Heating Elements: These are usually quartz or metal rods. Quartz elements heat up faster, which is a big plus.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one toaster oven better than another? It often comes down to design and performance consistency.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Convection Fan: This fan circulates hot air. It cooks food faster and more evenly than standard models. This is a major quality booster.
- Good Insulation: Well-insulated ovens keep the outside cooler while the inside gets hot. This is safer and saves energy.
- Reliable Timer: The timer should stop heating exactly when it should.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Hot Exterior Surfaces: If the outside gets dangerously hot, the quality score drops. This is a safety concern.
- Flimsy Racks and Pans: Cheaply made trays that warp easily reduce your cooking options.
- Inconsistent Toasting: If you have to flip your bread halfway through to get even color, the quality is low.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the oven every day.
- Cleaning Access: Can you easily pull out the crumb tray? If cleaning is hard, you might stop using the appliance altogether.
- Noise Level: Some convection fans sound like tiny jet engines. If your kitchen is quiet, look for low-noise models.
- Versatility: If you plan to bake small batches of cookies, roast chicken pieces, or reheat pizza, you need a model with strong baking and broiling modes. Simple toasters are best only if you only toast bread.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Rated Toaster Ovens
Q: What is the difference between a toaster oven and a regular oven?
A: A toaster oven is much smaller. It heats up faster and uses less energy for small jobs like toasting or reheating one or two items.
Q: Do I need convection in my toaster oven?
A: Convection (a fan that moves air) is highly recommended. It helps food cook faster and brown more evenly. It improves performance greatly.
Q: How large of a pizza can most top-rated models fit?
A: Most mid-to-large rated toaster ovens can fit a 10-inch or 12-inch frozen pizza. Always check the interior dimensions before buying.
Q: Are toaster ovens safe to use on a countertop?
A: Yes, they are designed for countertops. However, you must leave several inches of space around the sides and top so heat can escape safely.
Q: What temperature setting should I use for reheating leftovers?
A: Use the “Bake” setting, usually around 350°F (about 175°C). This keeps food crispy, unlike a microwave which makes things soggy.
Q: What does Consumer Reports test for?
A: They test for temperature accuracy, toasting consistency, ease of use, and exterior heat levels. They focus on real-world performance.
Q: How long should a good toaster oven last?
A: A high-quality, well-maintained toaster oven should last about five to eight years.
Q: Is it worth buying the most expensive model?
A: Not always. The most expensive models often add fancy features. The best value is usually found in models that score highly on basic performance like even heating.
Q: How do I clean the inside walls?
A: Unplug the oven first! Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth and mild soap once it is completely cool. For baked-on grease, specialized oven cleaner can be used carefully.
Q: Should I look for digital controls or manual dials?
A: Digital controls offer more precise settings, like setting the toast shade exactly. Manual dials are simpler and sometimes last longer, but they can be less exact.