Best Toaster Ovens According to Consumer Reports
Best Toaster Ovens According to Consumer Reports: Your Ultimate Guide for 2025
What's In This Article:
- Quick Answer: Top Toaster Oven Picks for 2025
- How Consumer Reports Tests Toaster Ovens
- In-Depth Reviews of the Best Toaster Ovens
- Key Features to Look for in a Quality Toaster Oven
- Air Fryer vs. Standard Toaster Ovens: What's Right for You?
- Budget-Friendly Options Under $100
- How to Maximize Your Toaster Oven's Lifespan
- FAQs About Toaster Ovens
Quick Answer: Best Toaster Ovens of 2025
Looking for the perfect toaster oven but don't have time to read our full analysis? Here's a quick overview of the top performers according to Consumer Reports testing:
Best Overall: Ninja 2-in-1 Double Oven DCT401 Best for Air Frying: Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Best for Reliability: Breville The Smart Oven BOV800XL Best for Reheating: KitchenAid KCO124BM Best for Small Spaces: Hamilton Beach 31156 Best Value: Black+Decker Crisp 'N Bake TO1785SG
At Bargain Boxed, we're committed to bringing you these top-rated appliances at unbeatable prices. Our rotating inventory means we can offer significant savings on premium kitchen essentials without requiring any membership fees.
How Consumer Reports Tests Toaster Ovens
Consumer Reports puts toaster ovens through extensive testing to determine which models truly deliver on their promises. Their rigorous evaluation process includes:
Engineers assess how well appliances deliver nicely browned toast, both single slices and full batches. They evaluate the range of color options from light to dark, and test ease of use and cleaning. They also check how well the ovens reheat lasagna and bake cookies and muffins evenly.
Beyond performance testing, Consumer Reports factors in brand reliability and owner satisfaction based on surveys of over 30,000 toaster ovens purchased since 2016. This comprehensive approach ensures their recommendations consider both short-term performance and long-term durability.
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Toaster Ovens
Ninja 2-in-1 Double Oven DCT401 - Best Overall
Why we love it: This innovative toaster oven stands out with its unique dual-oven design that allows for incredible versatility in a single appliance.
The Ninja 2-in-1 Double Oven DCT401 is an overall top performer, earning high to top-tier scores in nearly all lab tests. It stands out for its unique design—two separate ovens in one—how easy it is to use, and how well it bakes and toasts.
With a temperature range of 100°F to 450°F, a digital display, an air-frying function, and the capacity to cook a whole chicken, this model offers exceptional versatility. Its only slight weakness is in reheating, where it receives a middling score, but this minor drawback is easily overshadowed by its outstanding performance in other areas.
Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro - Best for Air Frying
Why we love it: This premium option justifies its higher price point with exceptional performance and versatility.
The 1,800-watt Breville The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is pretty pricey, but its baking results, eight rack positions, and temperature range of 80°F to 480°F help to justify the cost. In addition to the basics, it has a convection option, a dehydrate function, and an air fryer that crisps up favorite foods.
During testing, fresh chicken wings, frozen curly fries, and various other foods turned out perfectly crispy outside while remaining moist inside. Breville earns high marks for both owner satisfaction and predicted reliability in consumer surveys, making this a sound investment for the serious home cook.
Breville The Smart Oven BOV800XL - Best for Reliability
Why we love it: This model offers the perfect balance of performance, ease of use, and long-term reliability.
With a temperature range of 120°F to 450°F, the 1,800-watt Breville The Smart Oven BOV800XL does a nice job of baking food, reheating leftovers, and turning out an even batch of medium-brown toast. It's a cinch to operate and easy to clean.
Consumer Reports members give Breville high praise for reliability and owner satisfaction, making this model an excellent choice for those who want a dependable appliance that will stand the test of time. The only minor drawback is that it's only average at toasting a single slice of bread.
KitchenAid KCO124BM - Best for Reheating
Why we love it: If you frequently reheat leftovers, this model deserves special consideration.
If you tend to pack up leftovers for later enjoyment, the reheat function on the KitchenAid KCO124BM won't leave you disappointed. Its reheating performance was very good in tests.
While it might take longer than expected to toast a full batch at the medium setting, it still received very good scores for toasting both full batches (six slices) and single slices. With convection bake and dehydrate functions, this model offers good versatility, though its relatively low height might limit what you can cook inside.
Hamilton Beach 31156 - Best for Small Spaces
Why we love it: This unique design combines a traditional slot toaster with a small oven, making it perfect for compact kitchens.
The Hamilton Beach 31156 is something of a unicorn. It's the only model in Consumer Reports ratings to receive top-notch scores in all tests for toast, and it does a solid job at baking.
Its novel design features a bread slot for toasting on top, like a dedicated toaster, with a small oven cavity underneath. This space-saving model is ideal for kitchens with limited counter space or for those who use their toaster oven in a limited capacity.
Black+Decker Crisp 'N Bake TO1785SG - Best Value
For budget-conscious shoppers, the Black+Decker Crisp 'N Bake offers impressive performance at an affordable price point.
The Black+Decker Crisp 'N Bake TO1785SG toaster oven lacks the fancy features that some of the more expensive models offer, but it snags a very good rating in baking, toasting time, and full-batch toasting tests. It also has the ability to function as an air fryer and boasts a temperature range of warm to 450°F.
This model earns an excellent score for color range, meaning it produces a good spectrum from light to dark toast. While its oven height is lower than some competitors, making it challenging to fit taller items, it's an excellent value for everyday toasting and baking needs.
Key Features to Look for in a Quality Toaster Oven
When shopping for a toaster oven, consider these essential features to ensure you get the best value for your money:
1. Cooking Functions
Modern toaster ovens offer much more than basic toasting and baking. Look for models with specialized functions like:
- Air frying
- Convection baking
- Broiling
- Dehydrating
- Slow cooking
- Pizza settings
- Bagel settings
2. Size and Capacity
Consider what you'll be cooking most frequently:
- Small: 4 slices of toast, fits 9-inch pizza
- Medium: 6 slices of toast, fits 12-inch pizza
- Large: 9+ slices of toast, fits a whole chicken
3. Temperature Range
The best toaster ovens offer wide temperature ranges - from as low as 80°F for dehydrating to as high as 480°F for high-heat cooking applications.
4. Ease of Cleaning
Look for features that simplify cleanup:
- Removable crumb trays
- Nonstick interiors
- Dishwasher-safe accessories
5. Construction Quality
Invest in models with:
- Durable materials
- Multiple rack positions
- Double-pane glass doors (for better insulation)
- Quality heating elements
Air Fryer vs. Standard Toaster Ovens: What's Right for You?
The growing popularity of air fryer toaster ovens has many consumers wondering whether to invest in a traditional model or one with air frying capabilities.
Air-frying is a type of convection cooking, but the fan circulates at a higher speed, directing a hot airstream onto the food. In air fry mode, you place food in a dedicated mesh air fry basket instead of a pan, so that the air can circulate all around the food—top, bottom, and sides—creating a completely crisped surface.
Consider an air fryer toaster oven if:
- You want crispy results without deep frying
- You're looking to consolidate multiple appliances
- You frequently cook items like wings, fries, or breaded foods
- You have limited counter space but want both functions
Stick with a standard toaster oven if:
- You primarily use it for toast, baking, and reheating
- You already own a dedicated air fryer
- You're on a tight budget
- You prefer simplicity over additional features
Budget-Friendly Options Under $100
Quality toaster ovens don't have to break the bank. Here are some excellent budget-friendly options that still deliver impressive performance:
Gourmia GTF7900
The 1,700-watt Gourmia GTF7900 earns a very good score in baking and full-batch toasting tests, and top marks for ease of use and cleaning. It does face some challenges with reheating food and toasting a single slice of bread, earning average scores in those categories.
This digital toaster oven is perfect for small-kitchen cooks, offering generous interior dimensions despite its compact footprint.
Black+Decker Crisp 'N Bake TO1785SG
As mentioned earlier, this affordable model delivers excellent performance for its price point, with very good ratings in baking, toasting time, and full-batch toasting tests.
How to Maximize Your Toaster Oven's Lifespan
To get the most from your toaster oven investment, follow these essential maintenance tips:
-
Regular Cleaning
- Empty the crumb tray frequently
- Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth after cooling
- Clean the glass door to maintain visibility
-
Proper Usage
- Allow adequate ventilation around the unit
- Don't place it near water sources
- Avoid using metal utensils that could scratch non-stick surfaces
-
Storage Considerations
- Store on a heat-resistant surface
- Keep cords neatly arranged to prevent damage
- Consider a cover if storing long-term
-
Handle With Care
- Open and close the door gently
- Don't force racks or accessories
- Allow the unit to cool before cleaning
At Bargain Boxed, we stand behind the quality of our products, but proper maintenance is essential for maximizing the lifespan of any appliance.
FAQs About Toaster Ovens
How much counter space do I need for a toaster oven?
Toaster ovens range from compact models requiring just 16in W x 8in D to larger units needing 20in W x 16in D. Always allow 3-4 inches of clearance on all sides for proper ventilation.
Can a toaster oven replace my regular oven?
Because of its small capacity, a toaster oven heats up quickly and can replace the daily use of a conventional oven for smaller families and singles. While it can't handle large holiday meals, a quality toaster oven is perfect for everyday cooking tasks.
What's the difference between convection and air frying in toaster ovens?
Both use circulating hot air, but air fryers use faster fan speeds and typically include specialized baskets that allow for 360° air circulation around food items, resulting in crispier exteriors.
How long should a quality toaster oven last?
With proper care and maintenance, a quality toaster oven should last 5-7 years. Premium models from brands like Breville may last even longer, with some customers reporting 10+ years of reliable use.
Are toaster ovens energy efficient?
Yes! Toaster ovens use 1/3 to 1/2 the energy of a conventional oven for small cooking tasks. They also heat up much faster, saving both time and energy.
Can I use aluminum foil in a toaster oven?
Yes, but with caution. Never let foil touch heating elements or block air circulation. Some manufacturers recommend against using foil entirely, so check your specific model's instructions.
At Bargain Boxed, we're passionate about helping you find the perfect kitchen appliances at unbeatable prices. Our ever-revolving inventory means we can offer significant savings on top-rated toaster ovens without membership fees or unnecessary markups.