Do you dream of perfectly toasted bagels and quickly baked snacks without heating up your entire kitchen? A toaster oven sounds like the answer, but when you look at the prices, your budget might start to sweat. It’s tough to find a reliable, feature-packed toaster oven when you need to keep the cost under a hundred dollars. You worry about buying a cheap model that burns everything or breaks in six months.
Navigating the sea of digital displays, convection settings, and size options under $100 feels overwhelming. You want quality without emptying your wallet. Don’t worry; we did the hard work for you! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you the absolute best toaster ovens that deliver performance and value, all while staying firmly within your budget.
Keep reading to discover our top picks, what essential features to look for, and how to score a fantastic countertop appliance without breaking the bank. Let’s find you the perfect toaster oven right now!
Top Toaster Oven Under $100 Recommendations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 & 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
The Smart Shopper’s Guide: Finding the Best Toaster Oven Under $100
You want a kitchen helper that toasts bread perfectly, bakes small treats, and reheats leftovers without heating up your whole house. A toaster oven under $100 offers great value. But how do you pick the right one? Follow this guide.
Key Features to Look For
Not all budget toaster ovens are the same. Focus on these main features first:
1. Capacity and Size
- What to Check: Does it fit your counter? Can it hold what you need?
- Small Needs: Look for 4-slice capacity. These are great for singles or couples.
- Family Needs: Aim for 6-slice capacity or models labeled “compact convection.” These often fit a small pizza (around 10 inches).
2. Cooking Functions
More settings mean more uses. Most good models include:
- Toast/Bagel: Essential for breakfast.
- Bake/Broil: Lets you cook small casseroles or brown the top of dishes.
- Keep Warm: A nice bonus for busy mealtimes.
- Convection (If Available): This feature circulates hot air. It cooks food faster and more evenly. It’s a huge quality booster, even in budget models.
3. Controls: Dials vs. Digital
Dials (knobs) are simple and usually last a long time. Digital controls offer precise timing and temperature settings. For under $100, reliable dials are often the better choice for long-term use.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used directly affect how long your oven lasts and how safely it cooks.
Exterior Housing
Most toaster ovens use stainless steel or painted metal for the outside. Stainless steel looks nicer and resists stains better. Ensure the casing feels solid, not flimsy or thin.
Interior and Racks
The inside should be easy to clean. Non-stick coatings are helpful, but they can wear off over time. Look for durable metal interiors. The included baking tray and wire rack must slide in and out smoothly. Cheap racks often stick or feel wobbly.
Glass Door
The door must have heat-resistant glass. You need to see your food cooking without opening the door and losing heat. Double-paned glass is a sign of higher quality, though rare in the sub-$100 range.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about price. Smart shoppers notice these details:
Improving Quality:
- Automatic Shut-Off: This safety feature turns the oven off after the timer ends. Never buy an oven without this.
- Removable Crumb Tray: This tray catches crumbs underneath the heating elements. If you cannot easily remove and clean this tray, your oven will quickly become a fire hazard and smell burnt.
- Even Heating: Check reviews to see if the oven heats consistently across the rack. Hot spots mean burnt edges and raw centers.
Reducing Quality:
- Thin Wires/Cords: Flimsy power cords suggest cheap internal wiring.
- Slow Preheat Times: If the oven takes too long to reach temperature, the heating elements might be weak.
- No Timer Function: If you only have temperature settings, you must constantly watch your food.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use the oven daily. This dictates the size and feature set you need.
Daily Use Cases:
- The Quick Reheater: If you only reheat pizza slices or frozen appetizers, a simple 4-slice model with basic toast and bake functions works perfectly.
- The Small Baker: If you plan to bake cookies or roast small chicken breasts, you must ensure the oven fits a 9×9 inch pan (usually requires a 6-slice or larger model).
- The Breakfast King: If you primarily toast bagels, make sure the slots are wide enough. Some budget models barely fit standard bread slices.
Remember, an oven under $100 is a workhorse. It should be simple to operate and easy to clean. Prioritize reliable heating elements and a good crumb tray over flashy digital screens.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Toaster Ovens Under $100
Q: Can a toaster oven under $100 really replace my big oven?
A: For small meals, yes. They are fantastic for baking a few cookies or roasting vegetables for two people. They heat up much faster than a full oven.
Q: Are toaster ovens safe if they are cheap?
A: Safety depends on features, not price alone. Look for automatic shut-off and UL certification stickers. Always keep the area around the oven clear of clutter.
Q: What is the best way to clean the inside of a budget toaster oven?
A: Pull out the crumb tray often. For stuck-on grease, use a damp cloth with a little baking soda paste after the oven has completely cooled down. Never spray cleaner directly onto the heating elements.
Q: Will a toaster oven under $100 use a lot of electricity?
A: Generally, no. Because they are smaller, they use less energy than a large oven because they heat up a smaller space faster. They are very energy efficient for small jobs.
Q: Are convection models available under $100?
A: Yes, they are becoming common. If you find a convection model in this price range, it offers significantly better cooking performance than a standard model.
Q: How wide are the slots on a standard 4-slice toaster oven?
A: This varies widely. Standard bread fits easily. Bagels often require slots at least 1.25 inches wide. Check the product specs if you eat a lot of thick bagels.
Q: Should I buy one with a non-stick interior?
A: Non-stick makes wiping up easy initially. However, these coatings can degrade with high heat over time. Durable metal interiors might require more scrubbing but often last longer.
Q: What is the difference between ‘Broil’ and ‘Bake’ settings?
A: ‘Bake’ uses heating elements on both the top and bottom for even cooking. ‘Broil’ only uses the top element at a very high temperature, which is used for melting cheese or browning the top of food quickly.
Q: How much counter space do I need for a good model?
A: A 6-slice oven needs about 18 inches of width. Always leave at least 4-6 inches of space above and behind the unit for heat ventilation.
Q: Do these models come with a warranty?
A: Most brands offer a standard 1-year limited warranty. Read the fine print, but this usually covers manufacturing defects, not damage from accidental misuse.