Best Small Toaster Ovens for Your Kitchen
Finding the perfect small toaster oven can make your kitchen life so much easier. These handy appliances don’t take up much counter space but can do so many cooking jobs! From making crispy toast and warm bagels to baking cookies and heating up leftovers, a good small toaster oven is like having an extra helper in your kitchen. Many people living in apartments, dorms, or houses with small kitchens love these compact cooking tools because they heat up faster than big ovens and use less electricity. In this post, we’ll look at the best small toaster ovens you can buy today, what makes them special, and how to pick the right one for your needs.
What to Look for in a Small Toaster Oven
When shopping for a small toaster oven, there are several important things to think about before you spend your money.
Size and Counter Space
The first thing to check is how much room you have in your kitchen. Measure your counter space carefully! Small toaster ovens usually take up about 16 inches wide, 8-12 inches tall, and 12 inches deep. But remember to leave some extra space around it for safety, since these appliances get hot. If your kitchen is really tiny, look for models that are under 15 inches wide.
Cooking Functions
Even small toaster ovens can do lots of different jobs. Basic models usually toast, bake, and broil. Fancier ones might also air fry, dehydrate, reheat, keep food warm, or have special settings for pizza or cookies. Think about what you’ll actually use your toaster oven for most often.
Temperature Range and Control
Good small toaster ovens can heat up to at least 450°F. Digital controls are easier to set exactly, while knobs are simpler but less precise. Some models have preset cooking functions that set the right temperature automatically for things like toast or baked potatoes.
Power and Cooking Speed
Most small toaster ovens run on 1200-1800 watts of power. Higher wattage usually means faster cooking and better browning. If you’re often in a hurry, look for models with at least 1500 watts.
Easy Cleaning Features
Nobody likes cleaning appliances! Look for removable crumb trays that slide out, nonstick interiors, and racks that can go in the dishwasher. These features make cleanup much quicker after cooking messy foods.
Best Overall Small Toaster Ovens
Breville Compact Smart Oven
The Breville Compact Smart Oven is a bit more expensive than some others, but it’s worth every penny. At just 16.5 inches wide, it fits nicely in smaller kitchens while still having enough room inside for a 12-inch pizza. It has eight cooking functions: toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, and reheat.
What makes this toaster oven really special is its “Element IQ” heating system that puts heat where it’s needed most for whatever you’re cooking. The digital display is easy to read, and the dials make setting the temperature and time simple. Users love how evenly it cooks and how quickly it heats up.
Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven
This Cuisinart model packs big oven features into a compact size. It’s about 17 inches wide but has enough space inside for two 9×13-inch baking pans. It offers 15 cooking functions, including convection options that help food cook faster and more evenly.
People who have this model really like the dual cook feature, which lets you program two different cooking functions one after another. For example, you could set it to bake something first, then broil it at the end to make it crispy on top. It also has an interior light so you can check on your food without opening the door.
Panasonic FlashXpress Compact Toaster Oven
If you want something even smaller, the Panasonic FlashXpress is just 13 inches wide. What makes this little oven stand out is how fast it cooks – it uses both quartz and ceramic heating elements that heat up instantly with no preheating needed.
The FlashXpress has six preset cooking functions and an easy-to-use timer. It’s perfect for toast, bagels, pizza, and reheating leftovers. While it doesn’t have convection or some fancier features, it cooks quickly and evenly, which is what matters most.
Budget-Friendly Options
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven
For under $50, the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach is a great basic toaster oven. What’s unique about it is the roll-top door that lifts up instead of opening down. This means you can put it right at the edge of your counter without the door hitting anything when you open it.
At just 15 inches wide, it’s truly compact. It has simple controls for toast, bake, and broil functions. While it doesn’t have digital displays or fancy settings, it does the basic jobs well and is very easy to clean thanks to the removable crumb tray and roll-top door design.
Black+Decker 4-Slice Toaster Oven
Another good budget choice is this Black+Decker model. It’s about 16 inches wide and has enough space for four slices of toast or a 9-inch pizza. The controls are simple knobs for temperature, cooking function, and timer.
What makes this model good for the price is how evenly it toasts and bakes. The natural convection design helps air flow around food for better results. Users say it heats up quickly and is perfect for basic everyday cooking tasks.
Comparison of Top Small Toaster Ovens
| Model | Width | Interior Capacity | Watts | Key Features | Approximate Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Compact Smart Oven | 16.5″ | 0.6 cu ft | 1800W | Element IQ technology, 8 cooking functions | $180-$200 |
| Cuisinart Chef’s Convection | 17″ | 0.6 cu ft | 1800W | 15 cooking functions, dual cook feature | $160-$180 |
| Panasonic FlashXpress | 13″ | 0.4 cu ft | 1300W | Instant heating, no preheat needed | $120-$140 |
| Hamilton Beach Easy Reach | 15″ | 0.3 cu ft | 1200W | Roll-top door, budget friendly | $40-$50 |
| Black+Decker 4-Slice | 16″ | 0.3 cu ft | 1150W | Natural convection, simple controls | $40-$50 |
Smart Features Worth Paying For
Some small toaster ovens come with extra features that make cooking easier. Are they worth the extra money? Let’s look at which ones might be:
Convection Cooking
Convection fans move hot air around inside the oven, cooking food up to 30% faster and more evenly. This is great if you bake often or want to cook meat more evenly. Most medium to high-end small toaster ovens have this feature now.
Air Frying
Some newer toaster ovens come with air frying settings. These use very hot, fast-moving air to make foods crispy with little or no oil. If you like french fries, chicken wings, or other crispy foods but want them healthier, this feature might be worth it for you.
Interior Light
Being able to see your food cooking without opening the door keeps heat in and helps food cook better. This feature is especially helpful when baking things that need careful watching, like cookies or toast.
“The best toaster oven is the one that fits your counter space and cooking needs without breaking your budget. Don’t pay extra for features you’ll never use.” – Kitchen Appliance Monthly
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Small Toaster Oven
Taking good care of your toaster oven helps it last longer and work better. Here are some simple tips:
- Always unplug your toaster oven and let it cool completely before cleaning.
- Clean the crumb tray regularly – at least once a week if you use it daily. Just slide it out and dump the crumbs in the trash.
- Wipe the inside walls with a damp cloth or sponge. For stuck-on food, use a mixture of baking soda and water.
- Clean the glass door with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Avoid harsh cleaners that might scratch the glass.
- Don’t use metal scouring pads on any part of your toaster oven – they can scratch surfaces and damage heating elements.
- Check the door seal sometimes to make sure it’s clean and closing properly.
- Keep the outside clean by wiping it with a damp cloth. Pay special attention to the control knobs or buttons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a small toaster oven last?
With proper care and regular cleaning, a good quality small toaster oven should last about 5-8 years. Budget models might last 3-5 years, while premium ones could work well for up to 10 years.
Can I put aluminum foil in a toaster oven?
Yes, but carefully. Never let foil touch the heating elements or walls of the toaster oven. Also, don’t cover the crumb tray with foil as this can cause dangerous heat buildup.
Do small toaster ovens use less electricity than regular ovens?
Yes! A small toaster oven uses about half the energy of a conventional oven for similar cooking tasks. They also heat up much faster, saving even more energy.
What’s the difference between a toaster oven and an air fryer?
Toaster ovens are more versatile and can toast, bake, broil, and sometimes air fry. Air fryers are specially designed to “fry” foods with very hot circulating air but can’t toast or perform other functions as well. Some newer toaster ovens include air frying features, giving you the best of both.
Why does my toaster oven cook unevenly?
Uneven cooking is usually caused by poor heat circulation. Models with convection fans cook more evenly. Also, make sure you’re not overcrowding the oven – leave space around food for hot air to flow.
Is it safe to leave a toaster oven plugged in when not using it?
It’s safest to unplug your toaster oven when not in use. While standby power usage is small, unplugging eliminates any fire risk and saves a tiny bit of electricity.
Can I bake a cake in a small toaster oven?
Yes! Just use a cake pan that fits with at least an inch of space around it for air flow. You might need to lower the temperature by 25°F from what regular oven recipes call for and watch it closely to avoid overbrowning.
A good small toaster oven can be one of the most useful appliances in your kitchen. Whether you’re a college student in a dorm room, someone with a tiny apartment kitchen, or just want a quicker option than heating up your full-sized oven, these compact cooking tools earn their counter space many times over. By thinking about your specific needs and kitchen space, you can find the perfect small toaster oven that will help you make delicious meals for years to come.
