I spent a week cooking with five popular toaster ovens — toasting, baking, air-frying, reheating pizza, and cleaning them — to see which ones actually make life easier. I used weeknight meals, weekend baking tests, and everyday toast/bagel runs so you get a practical sense of how each model performs in real kitchens (counter space, noise, cleanup and results all matter). Below you’ll find quick buying questions, two comparison tables, detailed hands-on reviews for each model, a “what to consider” checklist, detailed FAQs, and a conclusion that helps you pick.
Quick guide before you choose
- How much counter space do you have? (Measure — these vary from compact mini ovens to full 26-qt combos.)
- What will you cook most often? (Toast and bagels, sheet-pan dinners, whole chickens, pizza, or air-fried snacks?)
- Do you want air-fry capability? (Air-fryer toaster ovens add versatility but can cost more.)
- How many people are you feeding? (Capacity matters — 1–2 people vs a family-size oven.)
- Do you need simple dials or precise digital controls? (Dials are fast, digital often offers presets.)
- How easy is it to clean? (Removable crumb tray, nonstick pans, and accessible interiors.)
- What’s your budget? (You can find great budget convection ovens; premium models offer faster heating and smarter controls.)
Toaster oven types at a glance
| Type | Good for | Typical features |
|---|---|---|
| Compact / Mini toaster oven | Single cooks, small kitchens | Fits 2–4 slices or small pizza; low footprint |
| Convection toaster oven | Faster, more even baking | Built-in fan for circulating heat |
| Air-fryer toaster oven | Crispy “fried” results without oil | Air-fry basket or high-speed convection |
| French-door / extra-large combo | Families, multi-tasking | Large capacity, multiple racks, often air-fry + roast |
| Flip / foldaway oven | Saves cabinet/counter space | Flip-up door or collapsible design for storage |
Our top picks by category
| Category | Our pick (link) | Why it made the list |
|---|---|---|
| Best large / family oven | Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo | Huge 26-qt capacity, many cooking modes — great for family meals. |
| Best budget wide oven | BLACK+DECKER 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection Toaster Oven (TO3250XSB) | Fits a 9×13 pan and 12″ pizza at a friendly price. |
| Best compact / small kitchen | Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven | Excellent heating tech (Element iQ) in a small footprint. |
| Best for air-fry + grill | Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer Toaster Oven | 8-in-1 air-fry + grill option, good capacity, solid overall. |
| Best versatile / modern design | Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer SP151 | Flip-up design saves space and includes an air-fry basket. |
Hands-on reviews
Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster
Tested by: me — week of dinners, toast tests, and an air-fry snack session.
Best for: Families or anyone who wants one machine to replace oven-style tasks — roast, air-fry, toast, and more.
Why we like it: The French-door design makes loading trays easy and the 26-qt capacity handled baking a family sheet, roast chicken, and air-frying a tray of fries without crowding. The control panel includes a lot of presets and functions, so you can jump to the right setting quickly. Capacity and feature list are clear on the product page.
Pros
- Large 26-qt capacity for full meals.
- Many cooking modes (air fry + convection + roast).
- Easy-to-open French doors for loading large pans.
Cons
- Bigger footprint — needs counter space.
- More features means slightly longer learning curve.
BLACK+DECKER TO3250XSB
Tested by: me — weekday meal prep and 9×13 pan roasts.
Best for: Budget-minded cooks who need a wide oven that fits 9×13 pans and pizzas.
Why we like it: It’s very practical — the cavity fits a 9×13 pan and a 12″ pizza, which means you can bake sheet-pan dinners without juggling batches. Controls are straightforward knobs and it will reliably toast or bake with convection help. Spec highlights (fits 9×13) and product dimensions are shown on the listing.
Pros
- Fits full 9×13 pans (huge perk for casseroles).
- Affordable and simple to use.
- Extra-wide design for family meals.
Cons
- Basic controls (no digital precision).
- Interior finish can show grease if not wiped after use.
Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven
Tested by: me — precision toast, cookies and small pizza tests.
Best for: Small kitchens and cooks who want smarter heat distribution in a compact unit.
Why we like it: Breville’s Element iQ steers heat where it’s needed, so toast and small bakes come out more consistent than some cheaper minis. It’s compact but still fits a 12″ pizza or 4 slices of toast depending on rack placement. The product page emphasizes Element iQ and 8 cooking functions.
Pros
- Smarter heating (Element iQ) for even results.
- Compact footprint — great for small counters.
- Well-made; feels premium for a mini oven.
Cons
- Smaller capacity — not ideal for family-sized meals.
- Pricier than similarly sized options.
Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Tested by: me — air-fried wings, baked fish, and daily toast.
Best for: People who want an air-fryer + toaster oven in one with reliable power.
Why we like it: The TOA-70 puts 1800W behind its functions (air fry, grill, convection bake) and handled air-frying and grilling tasks well. It’s roomy, and the preset functions make one-button cooking easy for busy nights. The product listing calls out 1800W and 8-in-1 capability.
Pros
- Strong 1800W performance for air-frying and grilling.
- Multi-function (air fry, grill, bake, broil).
- Solid build and easy presets.
Cons
- Slightly taller footprint — measure overhead cabinets.
- Heats up counter area (common with high-wattage units).
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer
Tested by: me — space-saving storage tests and air-fry batches.
Best for: Kitchens with limited counter space that want air-fry performance plus storage convenience.
Why we like it: The flip-up door design lets the oven tuck under cabinets when not in use; the included air-fry basket and sheet pan make it versatile. It handled roasted veggies and frozen snacks crisply. The product page notes the flip up & away capability and the SP151 model details.
Pros
- Flip-up design saves counter space.
- Good air-fry/crisping performance.
- Modern controls and accessories included.
Cons
- Flip mechanism adds a learning step for new users.
- Slightly more expensive than simple toaster ovens.
Other things to consider before you buy
- Wattage / energy: Higher-watt units (1,500–1,800W) heat faster and crisp better but draw more power.
- Capacity & inside dimensions: If you plan 9×13 pans or pizzas, confirm the listed fit. (See product pages above for dimensions.)
- Convection vs. conventional: Convection (fan) shortens cook times and browns more evenly. Good for roasting and baking.
- Air-fry capability: Adds crisping with less oil — look for included basket or drawer.
- Controls: Knobs are intuitive; digital controls give presets and timers for repeatable results.
- Cleaning: Removable crumb trays and nonstick pans make cleanup much faster.
- Noise & heat: Convection fans add noise and can warm up your countertop area; plan ventilation.
- Accessories: Check what’s included (pans, racks, air-fry basket) so you aren’t buying extras.
- Warranty & service: Higher-end brands often have better support and longer warranties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a toaster oven replace my full-size oven?
Sometimes. A large toaster oven (like the Emeril French-door 26-qt) can handle many oven tasks — roast a small chicken, bake a sheet pan, or air-fry snacks — but it won’t match the capacity of a full oven for multi-rack baking (big Thanksgiving turkey, multiple 18×13 pans). For everyday meals, a large toaster oven can be a practical secondary oven or a primary oven in small apartments. If you need family-sized capacity, pick a model specifically marked “extra large” or one that fits a 9×13 pan.
Is air-frying in a toaster oven as good as a standalone air fryer?
Air-fryer toaster ovens with dedicated baskets (Cuisinart TOA-70, Ninja Flip) get remarkably close to standalone units — they crisp well because of strong convection airflow and higher wattage (commonly around 1,500–1,800W). The tradeoff is size: some dedicated air fryers use a compact basket which can sometimes crisp faster for very small batches. Choose based on whether you value capacity and multi-functionality (go toaster oven) or tiny-batch frying (standalone).
How do I choose the right size for my needs?
Measure what you want to cook (pizza size, casserole pan) and compare interior dimensions. If you often cook for 3–5 people, look for models that explicitly say they fit a 9×13 pan or list a multi-quart capacity (Emeril’s 26-qt, BLACK+DECKER’s 9×13 fit). For singles/couples, compact models like the Breville BOV450XL are efficient and fast. Always allow clearance space around the oven on your countertop.
Are digital controls worth the premium?
Digital controls offer presets and more precise time/temperature settings (handy for repeatable results). If you want “set it and forget it” cooking (bagels, reheating pizza), digital is convenient. If you prefer simple, fast use and lower cost, durable mechanical dials work well. Breville blends both with reliable presets and smart heating.
What’s the easiest way to keep a toaster oven clean?
Wipe the interior after cooling, empty and wash the crumb tray regularly, and use the manufacturer pans or a silicone mat to catch drips. For stuck-on grime, a paste of baking soda and water works well; avoid harsh abrasives on nonstick surfaces. Check whether accessories are dishwasher-safe. Regular maintenance extends life and keeps flavors clean.
Conclusion
I found that each of these ovens earns a clear place depending on what you cook and how much counter space you have. If you want a true all-rounder for family meals — roasting, air-frying, and baking — grab the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo for its roomy 26-qt capacity and wide function set. If you want the best value that fits a 9×13 pan for sheet-pan dinners, the BLACK+DECKER TO3250XSB is practical and affordable. For small kitchens that still want precision, the Breville BOV450XL brings Element iQ heating into a compact package. If air-frying and grilling are priority, consider the Cuisinart TOA-70; and if you need clever space-saving design with strong crisping, the Ninja Flip SP151 is a smart pick. Choose the model that matches your counter space, the pans you cook on, and whether air-frying or full-size capacity matters more.
Leave a Reply