By Teresa Caruso · Updated September 30, 2026 Finding the best toaster oven comes down to one question: what do you actually cook? A good one toasts evenly, reheats leftovers without drying them out, and handles a small roast or a frozen pizza so you don’t have to heat up your full-size oven.
We narrowed the field to five models that cover every kitchen, from a premium convection oven to a budget pick under $100. Below you’ll find quick picks, detailed reviews, and straight answers to the questions shoppers ask most.
How We Researched
We compared specs, features, and thousands of verified Amazon owner reviews for each model, then cross-checked our picks against independent testing from sources like America’s Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, and Wirecutter. We weighed heating technology, capacity, functions, footprint, and ease of cleaning to match each oven to a specific type of cook.
Best Toaster Oven Reviews
1. Breville Smart Oven Pro – Best Overall
The Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) is the model most review sites land on, and it’s easy to see why. Its Element iQ system uses five independent quartz elements that shift heat to where the food needs it, and the 1800-watt preheat is quick. Turn on convection and Breville says cooking time drops by up to 30%.
You get 10 functions: toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm, and slow cook. The slow cook setting runs for up to 10 hours, then switches to keep warm. Inside, there’s room for 6 slices of bread, a 13-inch pizza, a roast chicken, or a 4.4-quart Dutch oven. An interior light and an LCD that signals when preheating is done make it simple to use. It sits at 4.5 stars from more than 10,000 Amazon ratings.
- Five independent quartz elements for even heat
- Convection cuts cooking time by up to 30%
- Slow cook mode up to 10 hours
- Fits a 13-inch pizza or 4.4 qt Dutch oven
- Interior light and clear LCD
- No air fry mode on this model
- Larger footprint than compact ovens
- 1-year limited warranty
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2. Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill – Best Air Fryer Combo
If you want one appliance that toasts, bakes, and air fries, the Cuisinart TOA-70 is the value pick. This 1800-watt oven covers air fry, toast, convection bake, bake, convection broil, broil, grill, and warm. Its AirAdvantage top fan and heater circulate hot air for crispy results.
Capacity is generous: 6 slices of toast, 3 lbs of chicken wings, a 12-inch pizza, or a 4-lb chicken. Controls are simple dials with a temperature range from Warm to 450°F and a 60-minute timer with auto shut-off. It ships with an air fry basket, a baking pan/drip tray, and a reversible ceramic non-stick grill/griddle, which is a nice extra most competitors skip.
- Air fry, grill, and convection in one
- Reversible grill/griddle included
- Roasts a 4-lb chicken
- Simple dial controls
- Stainless steel interior wipes clean
- Larger footprint than compact models
- Manual dials, no digital presets
- Costs more than basic ovens
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3. Panasonic FlashXpress – Best Compact & Fast
The Panasonic FlashXpress (NB-G110P) is built for speed. Two infrared heating elements, one at the front and one at the back, mean there’s no preheat required. It’s the pick for people who mostly want great toast, quick reheats, and small snacks.
It fits 4 slices of bread and has six one-touch presets plus reheat and defrost. A smart safety detail: the rack is connected to the door, so it slides toward you when you open it. Auto shut-off helps prevent burning. At 1300 watts, it’s also the lowest-wattage oven here, and it holds 4.4 stars from over 10,000 ratings.
- No preheat needed with double infrared heat
- Small footprint
- Rack pulls out with the door
- Six one-touch presets
- Auto shut-off
- Only 4-slice capacity
- No convection or air fry
- Not for roasting large items
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4. Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer – Best Space-Saving
The Ninja Flip (SP151) solves the biggest toaster oven complaint: counter space. When you’re done cooking, it flips up to store against your backsplash and takes up 50% less space, according to Ninja.
It’s an 8-in-1 with air fry, roast, broil, bake, pizza, toast, bagel, and dehydrate. Six infrared elements cover 85–450°F, and Ninja’s OvenCrisp system pairs infrared heat with fast-moving air. Despite the slim design, it fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or up to 4 lbs of food, enough for family meals in about 20 minutes.
- Flips up to free 50% of counter space
- Air fry and dehydrate included
- Fits a 12-inch pizza
- 85–450°F temperature range
- Crumb tray removes easily
- No slow cook setting
- Fewer ratings than long-running models
- Pricier than basic toaster ovens
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5. BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD – Best Under $100
If you just need a reliable toaster oven for toast, reheating, and small bakes, the BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD is one of the most popular budget models on Amazon, with more than 22,000 ratings. It’s a simple four-function oven: bake, broil, toast, and keep warm.
The curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. A 30-minute timer includes marked toast settings and a stay-on option, and a slide-out crumb tray makes cleanup quick. At 14.5″ x 10.8″ x 8.8″, it fits almost any kitchen. Black+Decker recommends a 10-minute preheat for consistent results.
- Very affordable
- Compact 14.5-inch footprint
- Fits a 9-inch pizza
- Stay-on setting for longer cooks
- Removable crumb tray
- Needs a 10-minute preheat
- Only 4 functions
- Exterior gets hot during use
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Best Toaster Oven Comparison Table
| Model | Best For | Heating | Capacity | Functions | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Smart Oven Pro | Overall performance | 5 quartz elements + convection | 6 slices / 13″ pizza | 10 | 1800W |
| Cuisinart TOA-70 | Air frying + grilling | Convection + top fan | 6 slices / 12″ pizza | 8 | 1800W |
| Panasonic FlashXpress | Fast toast, small kitchens | Double infrared | 4 slices | 6 presets | 1300W |
| Ninja Flip SP151 | Saving counter space | 6 infrared elements + air | 6 slices / 12″ pizza | 8 | 1800W |
| BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD | Tight budgets | Natural convection | 4 slices / 9″ pizza | 4 | Not listed |
What Is the Best Brand of Toaster Oven to Buy?
Breville is the best toaster oven brand for most people who want top performance, thanks to precise heating and consistent browning. The right brand still depends on your needs:
- Breville – premium convection models with smart heating and the most functions.
- Cuisinart – strong value, large capacity, and built-in air frying.
- Panasonic – compact infrared ovens that skip preheating.
- Ninja – air fryer ovens with space-saving designs.
- BLACK+DECKER – simple, affordable basics.
Which Toaster Oven Is Better, Breville or Cuisinart?
Breville wins on heating precision; Cuisinart wins on air frying and value. The Breville Smart Oven Pro steers heat across five quartz elements and adds slow cook, which suits people who bake and roast often. The Cuisinart TOA-70 adds air fry and a grill/griddle for less money, making it better if you want one appliance to replace a separate air fryer.
If you already own an air fryer, get the Breville. If you don’t, the Cuisinart covers more jobs. For pop-up toasters from the same brand, see our guide to the best Cuisinart toaster.
Which Toaster Oven Lasts the Longest?
Toaster ovens with sturdy stainless steel builds and simple, well-supported designs tend to last longest. Breville notes the Smart Oven Pro uses replaceable componentry like a regular oven, which helps with long-term repairs. Budget models can also last for years if you use them within their limits.
How you care for it matters as much as the brand. Empty the crumb tray regularly, wipe the interior once it cools, and keep food away from the heating elements. Before you buy, check the warranty length on the product page, since coverage varies by model.
Is a Toaster Oven Worth Buying?
Yes, a toaster oven is worth buying if you cook small portions, reheat leftovers often, or want to avoid heating a full-size oven. It warms up faster, and Ninja, for example, says its Flip oven is 80% more energy efficient than a traditional full-size oven.
It’s less useful if you regularly cook large family meals or bake several trays at once. For small kitchens, pairing a compact oven with a small air fryer can also work. See our picks for the best air fryer for small kitchens.
Can You Use Aluminum Foil in a Toaster Oven?
Yes, you can usually use aluminum foil in a toaster oven, but always follow your model’s manual. Foil is fine for loosely covering food or lining a baking pan. Problems start when it touches the heating elements or blocks airflow.
- Don’t line the crumb tray or oven floor with foil, as it can trap heat.
- Keep foil and food away from the elements. Black+Decker, for example, advises keeping food at least 1½ inches from the top elements.
- Never let foil hang over the pan edges.
How to Choose the Best Toaster Oven
Size and capacity. Measure your counter first. A 4-slice oven suits one or two people, while 6-slice models fit a 12- or 13-inch pizza and a whole chicken.
Heating type. Quartz elements heat fast and evenly. Infrared ovens like the Panasonic skip preheating entirely. Convection fans speed up cooking and help browning.
Air fry or not. Choose an air fryer toaster oven if you want crispy food without a second appliance. Skip it if you already own an air fryer.
Controls. Digital presets are convenient; dials are simple and durable. Pick what you’ll actually use.
Cleanup. A removable crumb tray and an easy-clean interior save time every week.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s no fixed schedule. Replace your toaster oven when it heats unevenly, the timer or thermostat stops working reliably, the door no longer seals well, or there’s any electrical damage. Regular cleaning helps it last longer.
America’s Test Kitchen names the Breville Smart Oven as its top toaster oven, with the Breville Mini Smart Oven as its best small pick. The Breville Smart Oven Pro in our list is the upgraded version with a slow cook function and interior light.
Breville is widely considered the most reliable brand for premium toaster ovens, while Panasonic and BLACK+DECKER are popular for simple, long-running compact models.
A toaster oven is more versatile for toasting, baking, and broiling, while a standalone air fryer is usually better at crisping. An air fryer toaster oven like the Cuisinart TOA-70 or Ninja Flip gives you both in one appliance.
Most do. BLACK+DECKER recommends about 10 minutes for its TO1313SBD. Infrared models like the Panasonic FlashXpress don’t need preheating.
Bottom Line
For most kitchens, the Breville Smart Oven Pro is the best toaster oven you can buy. It heats evenly, cooks faster with convection, and handles everything from toast to a slow-cooked stew. If you want air frying built in, go with the Cuisinart TOA-70. Short on space? The Ninja Flip or Panasonic FlashXpress will fit where others won’t. On a tight budget, the BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD covers the basics well.
Want a second opinion? America’s Test Kitchen’s toaster oven review is a helpful read.
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