Countertop ovens are an incredible modern convenience that can be extremely useful in a wide array of different situations. Toaster ovens combine the benefits of a toaster, an oven, and a microwave into one simple solution.
With so many different options on the market, it can be difficult to make a wise decision when it comes to choosing a suitable countertop oven for your needs. Although most countertop ovens share a lot in common, some have special features that others don’t have.
It’s a good idea to make a list of criteria that you have for the perfect countertop oven. Consider things like cost, function, and size before you make your final decision. Making a list like this will help you ensure that you make the best purchase.
Top 8 Best Countertop Oven Reviews of 2022
1. Panasonic NB-G110P Flash Xpress– Best Fast-Cooking Oven for Small Spaces
This Panasonic NB-G110P countertop oven is efficient and fast. With its quartz, infrared heating elements, this countertop oven effectively distributes heat evenly during the cooking process, making it so that food cooks more quickly and easily than in other countertop ovens.
For people with limited kitchen space, this countertop oven is an ideal option. In addition to fast cooking times, the NB-G110P boasts a small, compact size without compromising on functionality.
The Panasonic Flash Xpress oven is large enough to cook a 9” pizza, or 4 slices of toast. The oven doesn’t need to be preheated, and for this reason the overall cooking and wait time is dramatically reduced.
The fast cooking times that this countertop oven has are even further reinforced by a number of useful temperature settings for different kinds of foods. These temperature settings range from 250 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
The main disadvantage of this toaster oven is its size. In contrast to some of the other ovens on this list, this Panasonic model cannot accommodate large foods like a whole chicken or dishes made in 13”x9” pans.
2. Black+Decker Countertop Oven– Best Economical Oven for a Budget
The Black+Decker Countertop Oven (model CTO6335S) is a budget-friendly countertop oven with a many great benefits.
With its special convection oven features and 8 preset buttons, the Black+Decker Countertop Oven is an all-purpose countertop oven that can be used to cook a wide variety of foods. As an extra bonus, this countertop oven is very economical and affordable.
Similar in size to the Oster Large Capacity Oven, the Black+Decker Countertop Oven can cook 6 slices of toast; this countertop oven is also capable of cooking a 12” pizza, and is big enough that it can effectively cook whole chickens, casseroles, and other dishes without any issue.
This oven is an awesome option for many people. In addition to its versatility and affordability, the Black+Decker Countertop Oven has an easily removable crumb tray, and the stainless steel finish only needs to be wiped down with a wet cloth after each use.
The main customer complaint is that the oven door doesn’t have a door stopper, so when the door is not opened gently, it may slam into the counter. Some people also noticed that the text on the buttons can be difficult to read, especially over time as the text fades.
3. Hamilton Beach 31126– Best Countertop Oven for Small Spaces
This countertop oven is the perfect choice for people who already have an oven and want a simple way to rewarm food or cook frozen dinners. It’s also a good choice for individuals living in small spaces like dorm rooms or studio apartments.
The Hamilton Beach 31126 Countertop Oven can cook up to 4 slices of toast at a time, and fits a 9” pizza with ease. This oven is economically friendly, and is the perfect way to save money and energy on everyday cooking tasks without having to use a full-size oven.
With a 30-minute timer and 3 cook settings, the Hamilton Beach 31126 is straightforward and efficient. The countertop oven has 2 different rack positions, along with a pan that can be used for cooking on either one of these positions. Users will love its versatility and ease of use.
Customers observed that the Hamilton Beach 31126 Countertop Oven tends to get hot on the outside. Prospective buyers should be aware of this so that they can ensure airflow around the appliance; it’s also important that the cord doesn’t touch the back of the oven when it’s in use.
4. Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven– Fully Functional Oven for the Home Cook
The Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven is ideal for people who want a real, fully fledged oven, but who don’t have the space or who need an extra oven for small kitchen cooking projects. This countertop oven has all the functionality of a regular oven, but in significantly less space.
As one of the most expensive countertop ovens on this list, prospective buyers should be looking for a long term solution that they’ll use for years to come. For people who are willing to make an investment, the Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven is a durable and functional option.
This countertop oven comes equipped with 6 cooking modes (bake, roast, broil, warm, toast, and proof). Plus, the Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven has 3 different rack positions, making it possible for home cooks to cook food according to their personal preference.
In comparison to some of the other countertop ovens on this list, this oven has an excellent convection system that circulates hot air to help cook food perfectly. Because of this, less space is needed around the oven in order for it to work safely and effectively.
In addition to the fantastic spread of cooking options, the Wolf Gourmet Cooktop Oven comes with an integrated probe that allows cooks to check the cooking temperature of foods (especially meat) to determine when they’re done.
Although the Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven is a wonderful kitchen appliance, it still has a few drawbacks. The most notable con of this oven is that it’s heavier and larger than other models and brands. However, for some users, these factors may not be a problem.
5. Breville BOV800XL– Highly Customizable Smart Oven
The Breville BOV800XL is easily one of the best, most efficient, most versatile countertop ovens on the market for 2018-2019.
9 different preset functions mean that this countertop oven can easily handle numerous different types of cooking. The 9 presets of the BOV800XL are: Toast, Bake, Broil, Bagel, Roast, Make Cookies, Pizza, Warm, and Reheat.
A spacious, roomy design includes a 13” pizza pan, a 12” baking pan, and a 12” broiling rack. The large amount of space that this countertop oven offers means that it can easily fulfill all the functions of a regular oven.
The Breville BOV800XL also has an interior cooking light to allow users to carefully watch their food as it’s cooking without even having to open the oven. An LCD screen allows for simple operating and a sleek design.
This is one of the more expensive countertop ovens on this list, so it may not be the best choice for people on a tight budget. Users of the BOV800XL also observed that the control dials can be flimsy, and that it’s sometimes difficult to find spare parts to repair the oven.
6. Breville BOV845BSS– Best Countertop Oven with Convection Capabilities
Another Breville countertop oven model, the BOV845BSS utilizes advanced convection methods to heat and cook food. This technique creates a highly efficient and effective cooking process, which reduces cooking times and also helps keep the outside of the oven cool during cooking.
LIke the other Breville countertop oven on this list (the BOV800XL), this Breville oven contains the Element IQ technology pioneered by Breville’s line of toaster ovens. This technology uses quartz heating elements to evenly distribute heat throughout the oven.
One major benefit of this countertop oven is that it offers almost all of the capabilities of a regular oven, including having a built-in interior light. The BOV845BSS provides enough space to cook a 13” pizza and 6 slices of toast, making it one of the larger models on this list.
The inclusion of 10 different cooking presets along with a well-refined convection process means that cooking times are much faster than with a regular oven, or even with other countertop ovens!
When considering this countertop oven, it’s important to be aware that the sides and top of the oven can get hot during cooking. Be sure to allocate enough space around the oven when placing it in your kitchen area.
It’s also important to note that the Breville BOV845BSS is a more expensive countertop oven. However, it’s an excellent investment for people who what a long-term cooking solution for a small kitchen space, or who want a versatile, multi-functional kitchen appliance.
7. Oster Large Capacity Digital Oven– Large Countertop Oven at a Low Price
This countertop oven is an excellent option for people who want to find a perfect middle ground between size, price, and functionality. The Oster Large Capacity Countertop Oven has numerous fantastic qualities.
Oster’s TSSTTVMNDG countertop oven model is designed to include an interior light, which allows the cook to be able to carefully watch the food to ensure that it’s getting cooked properly. Some countertop ovens don’t have an interior light, so this feature is especially beneficial.
The Oster Large Capacity Oven is a roomy model with plenty of space to cook all kinds of dishes. It’s possible to cook 6 slices of toast in this countertop oven, or even make dishes that fit in a 13”x9” pan (no handles).
This countertop oven is good for people who are looking for a black (or mostly black) countertop oven to match their other kitchen appliances. Because of its size, this countertop oven is the ideal option for home cooks who don’t have a lot of space for a full-size oven.
Unlike some other countertop ovens, the Oster Large Capacity Oven is very easy to clean. The crumb tray slides out for quick and efficient cleaning.
This countertop oven is an excellent choice, but there are still a few disadvantages. Some users observed that they had trouble uniformly toasting bread, and that they had to work to find exactly the right “bread toasting methods”.
The Oster Large Capacity Oven has a tendency to get hot on the sides and the back of the appliance. For this reason, people who buy this oven will need to consider whether or not it’s possible for them to allocate adequate space around the oven to allow for airflow.
8. Black+Decker CTO6335S– Affordable Toaster Oven with Adjustable Features
The Black+Decker CTO6335S countertop oven is an affordable option for people who want an economical oven with a diverse range of cooking functions.
This countertop oven has a unique time control function that gives its users the choice to decide the cooking times for their foods. The timer on the CTO6335S lasts 120 minutes, after which time the oven automatically shuts off.
With 8 cooking presets, 2 rack positions, and a digital screen, this Black+Decker oven is easy to use and highly functional. It’s also one of the more spacious options on this list because it can accommodate a 12” pizza and 6 slices of bread.
The Black+Decker CTO6335S comes equipped with a removable crumb tray that is quick and easy to remove. The crumb tray should be removed before the crumbs burn, since burnt crumbs can make it more difficult to clean the toaster oven later on.
One of the main complaints about this countertop oven is that the writing on the controls wears off over time. Customers also noticed that although the oven can handle larger foods, cooking these foods can sometimes be difficult and awkward because of the oven’s small size.
Benefits of Countertop Ovens
First of all, countertop ovens are smaller than full-size ovens, making them a convenient option for people who live in small spaces. Because they’re smaller, countertop ovens are also much easier to clean than are full-size ovens.
In addition to being more convenient in terms of size, countertop ovens are also more convenient in terms of functionality. With a carefully thought out purchase, it’s possible to use a countertop oven as a microwave, oven, and a toaster.
The functionality of countertop ovens means that with one mindful purchase a prospective customer can essentially possess 3 appliances in one.
The convenience is a major benefit of countertop ovens, but they can also be safer than full-size ovens. In places where gas stoves and ovens are the norm, using an electric countertop oven some or most of the time can reduce the possibility of a gas-related accident.
Countertop ovens are extremely versatile. From homemade cookies and cakes to rewarming last night’s Chinese takeout, a countertop oven is the perfect appliance for the job. Bigger or smaller dishes can be made depending on the type of oven you purchase.
How to Choose the Best Countertop Oven
Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect countertop oven.
Size
Some countertop ovens are big, and some are small. When you’re picking out a countertop oven, consider the amount of space that you have available in your kitchen and the ways that you plan to use the toaster oven.
Some things to ask yourself in terms of size are:
- How much counter space will this oven take up? Do I have enough space?
- What foods do I normally cook? How big are they and would they fit in this oven?
- Will I be cooking for just myself or for family and friends? Is this oven big enough to warm up/cook food for a group of people?
Price
Although this is an obvious factor to consider, it still must make an appearance on this list of considerations.
For individuals who love their full-size ovens but want something convenient to use to warm food and bake or cook small items, a more economically priced countertop oven is the best choice. In contrast, people who have a tiny kitchen with no oven but who love to use ovens to cook, spending a little bit more money on a countertop oven may be worth the investment in the long haul.
Ease of cleaning
Some countertop ovens are extremely easy to clean, while others are difficult to take apart and have a lot of pieces, making them a potential cleaning nightmare.
When choosing your countertop oven, it’s good to look into how the oven has to be cleaned, and how long it will take to clean. Consider the surfaces that the countertop oven is made up of; some countertop ovens have special non-stick surfaces that are extremely easy to clean!
Countertop Oven Frequently Asked Question’s
How are the bake, broil, and toast settings different?
The bake and toast settings are essentially the same, and both indicate that the top and bottom heating elements of the countertop oven will heat up. The temperatures of these settings may vary, depending on the countertop oven.
The broil setting is different from the bake and toast settings in that only the top heating element will heat up, rather than both the top and bottom heating elements.
What are some tips I can use to cook with a countertop oven?
It’s extremely important to use oven-safe cookware when cooking with a countertop oven. Treat the countertop oven exactly as you would a regular oven, and follow a similar set of safety rules to avoid accidents.
Some foods can be cooked by being wrapped in aluminum foil before being placed in the countertop oven for cooking. Foods like leftovers, potatoes, beets, and certain other vegetables are particularly well-suited to this method of cooking.
It’s not recommended that foods be rewarmed in coffee mugs, plastic containers, or regular plates and bowls.
Cleaning is an integral part of the cooking process. After each use, be sure to clean your countertop oven to keep it fresh and working properly. Cleaning out the crumb tray and wiping down the outside and inside surfaces of the oven with a damp cloth will be enough.
Is the cooking time the same for a countertop oven as it is for a regular oven?
The cooking times for dishes made in countertop ovens will be different than for those made in regular ovens. This is because countertop ovens are smaller, and thus they warm up faster and are able to maintain a steady temperature better than a regular, full-size oven.
In addition to the general differences between countertop ovens and regular ovens, cooking times will vary depending on the brand and model of oven. Some countertop ovens may cook food faster than others; in the end, it comes down to a matter of personal preference.
For people who want to learn specifically about how to cook in a countertop oven, a quick online search can yield recipes designed to be made with countertop ovens.
Conclusion
With such a diverse number of choices, choosing a countertop oven can at first be an overwhelming task. But, with the right knowledge and information, anybody can make a good choice for their home kitchen.
Countertop ovens are a wonderful addition to any kitchen, big or small. For home cooks with a complete kitchen to people living in studio apartments, a countertop oven serves a necessary and powerful function.