Buying Guide

What Toaster Oven Should I Buy? The Best Picks From Compact to Full-Size

From budget basics to the Breville Smart Oven. Every pick verified and honestly reviewed.

By PerkCalendar TeamApril 6, 202613 min read

The toaster oven market ranges from $30 basics to $400 smart ovens that replace half your kitchen. Most comparison articles rank them by price without explaining which type fits your actual needs. This guide matches each recommendation to a specific use case.

Not sure if you need a toaster oven or air fryer? See our comparison guide. Check 5 buying mistakes before purchasing. See when prices drop for deal timing.

How We Picked These

We analyzed reviews from Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, Serious Eats, and RTINGS. We prioritized models with even heating, intuitive controls, and proven reliability over multiple production runs.

Not Sure Yet?Toaster Oven vs Air Fryer vs Microwave
Which countertop appliances do you actually need?Compare them →
When to BuyBest Time to Buy a Toaster Oven
Black Friday is the only window for Breville discountsSee calendar →

What We Recommend

Based on our research, these are our top picks. Prices change frequently -- click through to see the latest.

Breville Smart Oven Pro
1

Breville Smart Oven Pro

Best Overall
★★★★½4.5(11,080 reviews)

10 cooking functions with Element iQ technology (5 independent quartz heating elements). 1800W fast preheat, convection reduces cook time by 30%. Fits a 13-inch pizza. The gold standard mid-range toaster oven.

Best for: Best for cooks who want excellent toasting, baking, and broiling without needing air fry

Pros

  • Element iQ smart heat distribution
  • 10 cooking functions
  • Fits 13-inch pizza
  • 1800W fast preheat
  • Consistently top-rated across all review sites

Cons

  • No air fry mode (need BOV900 for that)
  • Large footprint
  • Premium price for a non-air-fry model
Check Current Price →
BLACK+DECKER Crisp N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven
2

BLACK+DECKER Crisp N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven

Best Budget
★★★★½4.3(1,474 reviews)

Amazon's #1 best-selling toaster oven. 5 cooking functions including air fry at a fraction of premium prices. Fits 6 slices or a 12-inch pizza. The most affordable way to get air frying in a toaster oven.

Best for: Best for budget buyers who want air frying without paying premium prices

Pros

  • Under $70 with air fry capability
  • Fits 12-inch pizza
  • Amazon's #1 best-selling toaster oven
  • Consumer Reports "very good" scores
  • 25,000+ reviews with 4.5 stars

Cons

  • Loud timer
  • Harder to clean than premium models
  • Less even heating than Breville
Check Current Price →
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill (TOA-70)
3

Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill (TOA-70)

Best Air Fryer Combo
★★★★½4.4(7,093 reviews)

8-in-1 with a unique built-in grill function no competitor offers. AirAdvantage fan technology for even air frying. Fits 12-inch pizza or 4-lb chicken. The best mid-range combo.

Best for: Best for buyers who want air fryer toaster oven versatility with a grill function

Pros

  • Unique grill function not found on competitors
  • 8-in-1 versatility
  • AirAdvantage fan technology
  • Fits 12-inch pizza
  • 94% reviewer recommendation rate

Cons

  • Build quality does not match Breville
  • Smaller interior than Ninja models
  • Fan can be loud
Check Current Price →
Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven (DT201)
4

Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Oven (DT201)

Best Large Capacity
★★★★½4.3(6,517 reviews)

10-in-1 with True Surround Convection. Fits a 5-lb chicken plus a full sheet pan of vegetables. Preheats in 90 seconds. One of the fastest-cooking toaster ovens tested.

Best for: Best for families of 4+ who want a toaster oven that handles full-size meals

Pros

  • Fits 5-lb chicken + sheet pan simultaneously
  • True Surround Convection for even results
  • Preheats in 90 seconds
  • 10-in-1 versatility
  • 80%+ five-star reviews on Amazon

Cons

  • Very large footprint
  • Heavier than most toaster ovens
  • Price premium over Cuisinart
Check Current Price →
Breville Mini Smart Oven
5

Breville Mini Smart Oven

Best Compact
★★★★½4.4(9,059 reviews)

Same Element iQ technology as larger Brevilles in a compact form. 8 cooking functions. Fits 4 slices or an 11-inch pizza. Full 1800W power despite the small size. Users report 8+ years of daily use.

Best for: Best for 1-2 person households or small kitchens who want Breville quality in a smaller footprint

Pros

  • Element iQ in compact form
  • 8 cooking functions
  • 1800W full power despite small size
  • Users report 8+ year lifespan
  • 9,000+ reviews with 4.7 stars

Cons

  • Fits only 11-inch pizza (not 12)
  • No air fry mode
  • Premium price for a compact model
Check Current Price →
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
6

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Best Oven Replacement
★★★★½4.4(12,730 reviews)

13 cooking functions including air fry, dehydrate, proof, and slow cook. 1.0 cubic foot interior fits 9x13 pans and a 14-lb turkey. The most versatile toaster oven available. Can genuinely replace a full oven for small households.

Best for: Best for anyone who wants one premium appliance to replace a toaster, air fryer, and small oven

Pros

  • 13 cooking functions -- the most versatile available
  • 1 cu ft interior fits a 14-lb turkey
  • Can replace a full oven for 1-2 people
  • Near-perfect scores in every professional review
  • Build quality lasts 8-12 years

Cons

  • Expensive at full price -- wait for Black Friday
  • Nearly 2 feet wide
  • Heavy -- not easy to move
  • Air frying slightly less crispy than dedicated basket
Check Current Price →
Instant Omni Plus 18L Air Fryer Toaster Oven
7

Instant Omni Plus 18L Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Best with Rotisserie
★★★★☆4.2(2,853 reviews)

10-in-1 with dedicated rotisserie spit and forks included. 18L capacity fits a 12-inch pizza. From the makers of Instant Pot. The rotisserie produces crispy-skinned chicken rivaling supermarket rotisserie.

Best for: Best for buyers who want a rotisserie toaster oven at a reasonable price

Pros

  • Rotisserie spit and forks included
  • Frequently on deep sale (39% off MSRP)
  • Scored 9.3/10 in air-frying tests
  • Trusted Instant Pot brand
  • Companion app with 100+ recipes

Cons

  • Build quality is adequate, not premium
  • Smaller capacity than Ninja
  • Rotisserie drip tray is hard to clean
Check Current Price →
COSORI 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo 32QT
8

COSORI 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo 32QT

Best Value
★★★★½4.4(8,606 reviews)

12-in-1 with rotisserie, dehydrate, and ferment at half the price of a Breville. 32QT capacity fits a 13-inch pizza or whole chicken. Includes 6 accessories and 100-recipe book. The best dollar-for-dollar feature set in the category.

Best for: Best for value-focused buyers who want maximum features per dollar

Pros

  • 12-in-1 with rotisserie and dehydrate
  • 32QT capacity -- larger than most competitors
  • Half the price of Breville with similar features
  • Includes 6 accessories and recipe book
  • 10,000+ reviews with 4.6 stars

Cons

  • Oil splashing in air fry mode
  • Not as refined as Breville build quality
  • Touch controls can be finicky
Check Current Price →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best toaster oven overall?

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for those with the budget. The Cuisinart TOA-70 for the best mid-range option. Both are excellent all-around performers.

Is the Breville Smart Oven worth it?

If you use it as your primary cooking appliance for daily meals (toast, reheat, air fry, bake), yes -- it replaces 3 devices. If you only toast bread occasionally, a $50 model does that just fine.

What size toaster oven do I need?

Must fit a 12-inch pizza as a minimum. If you want to bake or roast, look for models that fit a 9x13 pan or a small chicken.

When to Buy

Best Time to Buy a Toaster Oven

Best in 1120-40% offSee Best Months →

Continue Reading

Disclosure: PerkCalendar is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Never Miss the Best Price

Get buying guides and deal alerts timed to when prices actually drop lowest.

Get Monthly Deal Alerts