Quick Answer
The best toaster oven overall is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900), which uses six independent quartz elements and Element IQ to toast, bake, roast, and air fry with rare evenness across 13 functions. For most kitchens the Cuisinart TOA-70 is the best value, pairing solid toasting with a true air-fry basket for around $180, and the Hamilton Beach 31401 is the best budget pick under $80. Most toaster ovens draw 1,200–1,800 watts, and the U.S. Department of Energy notes a countertop oven can use roughly a third to half the energy of a full-size oven for small jobs. If you mainly bake, the convection-driven Breville Smart Oven Pro is the most consistent.
A toaster oven is the most useful appliance most kitchens own. It toasts bread, reheats leftovers without sogging them like a microwave, bakes a tray of cookies or a 12-inch pizza, broils, and — on nearly every model worth buying in 2026 — air fries too. It does all of that while heating up in a fraction of the time of a full-size oven and using far less energy for small jobs.
The trouble is that "toaster oven" now covers everything from a $50 two-knob box to a $400 smart convection oven. Below we break down the seven best toaster ovens for 2026 — across premium, value, and budget picks — and explain exactly what separates them. If you specifically want the air-fry angle, see our dedicated guide to the best air fryer toaster ovens; this roundup covers the broader countertop-oven category.
Quick Comparison: Best Toaster Ovens
| Model | Type | Wattage | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900) | Convection + air fry | 1,800 W | Best overall | $350–400 |
| Cuisinart TOA-70 | Air-fry toaster oven | 1,800 W | Best value | $170–200 |
| Ninja DT251 Foodi XL Pro Air | Convection + air fry | 1,800 W | Best large capacity | $230–280 |
| Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845) | Convection | 1,800 W | Best for baking | $270–300 |
| KitchenAid Digital KCO211 | Convection toaster oven | 1,800 W | Best for small kitchens | $130–170 |
| Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P | Compact toaster oven | 1,300 W | Best compact toasting | $130–160 |
| Hamilton Beach 31401 | Toaster oven | 1,200 W | Best budget | $50–80 |
Top 7 Best Toaster Ovens
1. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900) — Best Overall
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the toaster oven to buy if you want one appliance that genuinely replaces several. Its Element IQ system steers power across six independent quartz heating elements, so toast browns evenly corner to corner and convection baking holds temperature with unusual precision. It offers 13 cooking functions — toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm, proof, air fry, dehydrate, and slow cook.
The roughly 1-cubic-foot interior fits a 13-inch pizza or six slices of toast, and the included air-fry basket crisps a full batch of fries without a separate appliance. At 1,800 watts it preheats fast, and the LCD with clear presets makes it approachable despite the feature count. It is the priciest pick here, but for an all-in-one countertop oven, nothing else matches its consistency.
Pros: Element IQ even heating, 13 functions, fits 13-inch pizza, air fry + dehydrate
Cons: Expensive, large footprint
Best For: Buyers wanting one oven that does everything
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2. Cuisinart TOA-70 — Best Value
The Cuisinart TOA-70 is the model we recommend to most people. It combines a genuine toaster oven — toast, bake, broil, convection — with a dedicated air-fry basket in a single stainless body, and it routinely sells for around $180. The square interior fits a 12-inch pizza or a 4-pound chicken, and the digital controls cover the functions you actually use without overwhelming you.
It air fries nearly as well as a standalone basket fryer while adding the toasting and baking a basket cannot do. Toasting is even and the oven light lets you watch progress. For the balance of price, capacity, and versatility, the TOA-70 is the best-value countertop oven of 2026.
Pros: Air fry + full oven functions, 12-inch pizza, great price, even toasting
Cons: Bright stainless shows fingerprints
Best For: Most households wanting versatility on a mid-range budget
3. Ninja DT251 Foodi XL Pro Air — Best Large Capacity
If you cook for a bigger household, the Ninja DT251 Foodi XL Pro Air gives you the most usable space here. Its extra-wide interior fits a 13-inch pizza or two 12-inch pizzas on two levels at once, and Ninja's True Surround Convection cooks both racks evenly — useful for sheet-pan dinners. It runs 10 functions including a strong air-fry mode.
The XL cavity means it occupies a deeper stretch of counter, so measure first. But for families who routinely bake two trays or roast a whole chicken plus sides, the DT251 turns a toaster oven into a real second oven, and it costs far less than the top Breville.
Pros: XL two-level capacity, even dual-rack convection, 10 functions, air fry
Cons: Large footprint, heavier
Best For: Larger families and two-tray cooking
4. Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845) — Best for Baking
If you bake more than you air fry, the Breville Smart Oven Pro is the sharper tool. It uses the same Element IQ heating as the Pro model with a Convection setting that drops baking time and promotes even browning, plus a dedicated slow-cook function and an interior oven light. There is no air-fry basket, which keeps the price below the all-in-one version.
Cookies brown uniformly, bread proofs and bakes well, and the 1-cubic-foot cavity handles a 12-inch pizza. For serious home bakers who want oven-grade consistency on the countertop without paying for an air-fry mode, this is the pick.
Pros: Excellent even baking, convection, slow cook, oven light
Cons: No air-fry basket, premium price
Best For: Home bakers prioritizing even results
View Breville Smart Oven Pro →
5. KitchenAid Digital KCO211 — Best for Small Kitchens
The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven (KCO211) packs convection baking, 9 preset functions, and a surprisingly roomy interior into a compact, good-looking body that suits smaller kitchens. It fits a 9-inch pizza or six slices of toast, runs at 1,800 watts for quick preheating, and its even convection makes it a capable everyday baker.
It skips a dedicated air-fry basket, but for reheating, toasting, and baking in a kitchen short on counter space — without dropping to bare-bones budget build quality — it strikes a smart middle ground. The digital controls and clean design are a step above the budget tier.
Pros: Compact, convection, solid build, even toasting
Cons: No air-fry mode, smaller capacity
Best For: Small kitchens wanting quality over size
6. Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P — Best Compact Toasting
The Panasonic FlashXpress is a cult favorite for one reason: it makes excellent toast, fast. Instead of slow wire elements, it uses dual infrared heating (near and far) that comes up to temperature almost instantly and toasts evenly with no preheat. The compact footprint fits a 9-inch pizza and is ideal for one or two people or a dorm.
It is not a convection oven and has no air-fry mode, so it is for toasting, reheating, and small bakes rather than big meals. But if even, quick toast and a small footprint are your priorities, few toaster ovens do that core job better.
Pros: Fast infrared heating, even toast, no preheat, compact
Cons: Small, no convection or air fry
Best For: Toast-first buyers and tight counters
7. Hamilton Beach 31401 — Best Budget
The Hamilton Beach 31401 proves you do not need to spend much for a useful toaster oven. It offers convection, a roll-top door for easy access, and a cavity that fits a 12-inch pizza or six slices of toast — all for well under $80. Simple dial controls cover bake, broil, toast, and convection.
You give up the precise heating and premium build of the Breville and the air-fry basket of the Cuisinart, but for a second oven, a dorm, or a budget kitchen, it covers the everyday jobs reliably. It is the model we recommend most often to anyone who just wants the basics done well and cheaply.
Pros: Very affordable, convection, fits 12-inch pizza, easy roll-top door
Cons: Basic controls, no air fry
Best For: Budget kitchens and second-oven duty
View Hamilton Beach on Amazon →
What to Look for in a Toaster Oven
Toasting Evenness and Heating Type
The core job is still in the name. Models with more heating elements or infrared heating — like the Breville's six quartz elements or the Panasonic's dual infrared — toast more evenly from edge to edge than basic two-element boxes. If even toast matters, favor those designs and look for a dedicated toast or bagel cycle with shade control.
Convection and Air Fry
Convection adds a fan that circulates hot air for faster, more even baking and browning; air fry is essentially high-speed convection with a perforated basket. In 2026, most mid-range and premium toaster ovens include both. If you want to retire a separate air fryer, choose a model with a genuine air-fry basket such as the Cuisinart TOA-70 or Breville Pro rather than just a "crisp" preset.
Capacity vs. Counter Footprint
Toaster ovens range from compact 9-inch-pizza units to XL ovens that fit a 13-inch pizza or two racks. More capacity means a deeper, wider appliance — full-size models run about 16 to 20 inches wide. Measure your counter and the clearance under your cabinets before buying, and match capacity to how many people you cook for: 4 slices for one to two people, 6 slices or a 12-inch pizza for a family.
Toaster Oven vs. Air Fryer: Which Should You Buy?
A toaster oven and an air fryer increasingly overlap, but they suit different priorities. A toaster oven gives you a larger rectangular cavity with racks, so it toasts, bakes a 12-inch pizza, broils, and reheats leftovers — and most 2026 models air fry too. A standalone air fryer has a deeper basket and more concentrated airflow, so it crisps fries and wings a little faster and preheats quicker. For a fuller breakdown, see our air fryer vs. toaster oven guide. If you want one appliance that does the most jobs, a convection toaster oven with air fry — like the Cuisinart TOA-70 or Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro — is the more versatile single buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best toaster oven?
The best toaster oven overall is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900), which uses six independent quartz elements and Element IQ to toast, bake, roast, and air fry with rare evenness across 13 functions. For most kitchens the Cuisinart TOA-70 is the best value, pairing solid toasting with a true air-fry basket for around $180, and the Hamilton Beach 31401 is the best budget pick under $80. If you bake often, the convection-driven Breville Smart Oven Pro gives the most consistent results.
Is a toaster oven better than an air fryer?
They overlap, but serve different jobs. A toaster oven has a larger, rectangular cavity with racks, so it can toast bread, bake a 12-inch pizza, broil, and reheat leftovers — and most 2026 models add an air-fry mode. A dedicated air fryer has a deeper basket and more concentrated airflow, so it crisps fries and wings slightly faster. If you want one appliance that does the most jobs, a convection toaster oven with air fry is the more versatile choice.
Do toaster ovens use a lot of electricity?
No. Most toaster ovens draw 1,200 to 1,800 watts, similar to a microwave. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a countertop toaster oven for small jobs can use about a third to half the energy of heating a full-size oven, because the smaller cavity heats fast and needs little preheating. Reheating or toasting in a toaster oven for 10 to 15 minutes costs only a few cents of electricity.
What size toaster oven do I need?
For one or two people, a compact toaster oven that fits 4 slices of toast and a 9-inch pan is enough and saves counter space. For a family of three to four, choose a model that fits 6 slices and a 12-inch pizza, such as the Cuisinart TOA-70 or Breville Smart Oven Pro. Large XL ovens like the Ninja DT251 fit a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken but need a deeper counter, so measure your space — most full-size models are 16 to 20 inches wide.
Can a toaster oven replace a regular oven?
For everyday cooking, often yes. A full-size convection toaster oven such as the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro can bake, roast, broil, and air fry most weeknight meals — a 12 to 13-inch pizza, a small chicken, sheet-pan dinners, and cookies. It will not fit a large holiday turkey or multiple full baking sheets at once, so it complements rather than fully replaces a built-in oven for big-batch cooking, while saving energy on small jobs.
Final Recommendation
For most buyers, the Cuisinart TOA-70 is the smart pick: a true air-fry basket plus full toasting and baking for around $180. If you want the best all-rounder regardless of price, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro heats more evenly and does more jobs than anything else here, while the Hamilton Beach 31401 covers the basics for under $80. Decide first whether you need an air-fry basket and how much counter space you can spare — match those to the picks above, and a good toaster oven will earn its spot for years.