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A toaster oven is a tool that a lot of people might not consider, until they experience it first hand. Then they’re quickly won over by the sheer convenience and massive range of benefits, including taking up almost no space, cooking quickly and evenly, requiring basically no preheating, and cost and energy efficiency.
But actually choosing a toaster oven can be difficult, as the sheer range of models out there is dizzying, especially when you’re on a budget.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the best toaster ovens you can get for under $100. Keep reading to find out more.
Contents
- Best Toaster Oven Under $100
- Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven
- Toshiba Digital Toaster Oven
- Black & Decker 8 Slice Extra Wide Toaster Oven
- Crownful 9 in 1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Oster Toaster Oven
- Comfee Compact Toaster Oven
- Hamilton Beach 2 in 1 Oven and Toaster
- Nostalgia Retro Toaster Oven
- Cuisinart Toaster Oven
- NutriChef Toaster Oven
- Best Toaster Oven Under $100 Buying guide
Best Toaster Oven Under $100
Hamilton Beach Easy Reach Toaster Oven
Incredibly petite and incredibly easy to use, this toaster oven is a fantastic option for anyone that’s never owned one before, and it’s just as good if you’re looking for a small, smart option for the kitchen.
It’s one of the smallest toaster ovens on the list, at 9 x 16 x 12 inches, but the roll top door that moves upwards rather than outwards means that getting food in and out is really simple, despite the smaller size.
It fits 4 slices of toast, or a 9 inch pizza inside, which is quite small, but the 1200W power means it cooks fast and evenly. Controls are simple, with easy to understand contoured knobs, and it’s also really simple to clean, with a removable crumb tray like most other ovens, but also has a removable door!
Small and cute, this is a great option, but reasonably expensive for a 4 slice oven.
Toshiba Digital Toaster Oven
Powerful and efficient, this toaster oven by Toshiba is a fantastic generalist model that does almost everything.
It’s big and powerful, with a 1500W motor and a 25l internal capacity. It can easily take 6 slices of toast, or a full 12 inch pizza without issues. 10 cooking settings are simple to use, especially with the easy turn control knobs. Unlike a lot of other toaster ovens, this also has a high contrast LCD display that makes checking settings and time incredibly simple, which is a fantastic touch.
You also get a lot of accessories, including crumb tray, rotisserie kit and lifter, a baking rack and pan, and a racking clamp, a huge amount of gear for the price. Downsides? It’s got a big footprint, and it’s heavy, so it’s going to take up a lot of space on your counters, but considering what you’re getting, that’s not really a problem. You could probably replace your actual oven with this!
Black & Decker 8 Slice Extra Wide Toaster Oven
The standout factor of this toaster oven is width. It’s right there in the name, after all. It takes 8 slices of toast, with 4 side by side, so you can fill a while breakfast platter in one go. This also means it takes 12 inch pizzas and big pans and baking trays with ease.
Conveniently, an extra large bake and broil pan is included alongside the toaster oven, so you know you’ve got one that fits. It’s a big beast, made from stainless steel and sitting at 15.75 x 24.5 x 13.7 inches, so it’s going to take a lot of space on the counter.
The 1500W heating element puts out temperatures up to 450F. It has a dedicated toast timer and a 60 minute timer function. But there may be some issues with the timer and heating elements. Apart from those minor problems, this is a powerful and extra large toaster oven that’s decent for the price.
Crownful 9 in 1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Another combination air fryer and toaster oven, this model by Crownful packs more functions into its cute, cubic little body than anything else on this list.
For starters, it has 9 cooking presets that make cooking anything, from steak and fish, through fries, and even toast and cakes, simple with the 1500W heating element. It has a dehydration mode, rotisserie mode, and more, all of which is easily accessible using the top mounted digital controls.
It’s just over a cubic foot in area, and weighs a relatively light 10lbs. Unfortunately, the extra height means that this won’t fit under most countertop cupboards, so you’ll have to find an open area to store it.
The internal capacity is a large 10.6 quarts, which is more than enough for all the family. You also get a large amount of accessories, including a rotating basket, rotisserie forks, skewers, and multiple racks.
Oster Toaster Oven
First things first, this toaster oven by Oster is slightly over our $100 budget limit, but as of writing it’s on sale, putting it way under. And even for just over a hundred bucks, this is a fantastic toaster oven that’s one of our top choices for good reason.
First off, it looks and feels very high quality, with a digital control panel and a slick, sleek stainless steel construction. It’s heavy at 20.3lbs, and big, too, with a footprint of 16.3 x 19.7 x 11.3 inches. The cooking elements are 1300W, and put out temperatures between 150 and 450F.
Internally, it takes 6 slices, a 12 inch pizza or a 10.5 x 12.5 inch pan. The digital controls are incredibly easy to use, with 7 cooking settings, feeling similar to a microwave. A 90 minute timer makes accurate cooking simple, and there’s also an internal light, so you can check the progress of your food without cracking the door and stopping it from cooking.
Even though it’s large and reasonably expensive, there’s a reason this is at the top of our list. Performance across the board is exceptional, and it basically does everything. If you want a quality toaster oven, we’d recommend looking at this one first.
Comfee Compact Toaster Oven
Our top budget choice, the Comfee Compact is a great option if you’re looking for a cheap and tiny toaster oven that can fit into a small space, and won’t break the bank. Everything about the Comfee is basic, but that doesn’t mean that performance suffers.
First off, you have a choice between 4 and 6 slice models. The 4 slice oven is tiny, with a 1000W heating element, and a 15 x 11 inch footprint that weighs just 6.59lbs. Twin dials are simple to use, with a very basic 30 minute timer, and 3 cooking functions.
The 6 slice oven is twice as expensive, but significantly better. A 1500W heating element cooks up to 6 slices of toast, or 12 inch pizzas, with ease. It’s slightly larger, sitting at almost 20 by 15 inches, and 16lbs.
There is a minor downside. The crumb tray is terrible. Instead of sliding free, like most crumb trays, it sits on a hinge and flaps down from the bottom of the oven, making cleaning more difficult. But apart from that tiny little issue, for a budget model, these offer everything you could be looking for.
Hamilton Beach 2 in 1 Oven and Toaster
Unique on our list, this toaster oven also functions as an actual toaster, with an innovative top slot system that can be switched between using a single lever.
The oven itself is decent. It has 2 rack positions, and is large enough to take a 9 inch pizza. Externally, it’s 12 by 18 inches, and weighs a hefty 14.8lbs, slightly larger than average on both counts for a 4 slice toaster oven.
The toasting slot on the other hand, is excellent. Slightly larger than a standard toaster, it’s perfect for bagels, artisinal breads, thick cut loafs and more. A 60 minute timer makes cooking easy, and the door is clear, so it’s also easy to see inside.
It’s worth pointing out that Hamilton Beach toaster ovens have a strange quirk. The rear element never looks like it’s heating, so don’t worry. It’s not broken. That’s just how they work.
Nostalgia Retro Toaster Oven
Retro and distinctive, this toaster oven is gorgeous, but also incredibly high capacity. To start with, it takes up to 12 slices of bread, or two 12 inch pizzas. Compared to most toaster ovens, that’s huge, with up to 100% extra capacity over smaller models.
It runs at 1500W, and from 200 to 450F, and works as a multi-function toaster oven with 2 rack positions and an indicator light to tell you when it’s live. A 60 minute timer lets you set and forget, and the clear view, temperature resistant window gives you an easy inside view of what’s cooking, so you never burn anything.
The stunning retro looks come in two colors, powder blue and cherry red, and they’re not just for show. The whole thing is simple to clean, with easy clean doors and a stainless steel handle. The aesthetic might not be for everyone, but if you love the style, then you’re getting one of the best toaster ovens on this list, all wrapped up in a pretty package, too.
Cuisinart Toaster Oven
Cuisinart makes fantastic home appliances, and this toaster oven is no exception. Sitting right on the 100 dollar limit, it’s a big, powerful animal, putting out a huge1800W.
Stainless steel with a silver finish, it’s not too bulky for the power, at just over 16 x 18 inches, and 13lbs in weight. Internally, it takes an 11 inch pizza or 6 slices of toast.
But where the Cuisinart shines is ease of use. The cool touch handle means you can open this without gloves, even if it’s been on for a while, and the auto slide out rack makes getting your cooked food out incredibly simple. Even the crumb tray has a cool touch grip, so you can clean this straight after use, helped even more by the easy-clean, non-stick interior.
Downsides are minor. No interior light, but the door glass is large and visible, and there’s no timer, so you’re going to have to get your phone out, or go old-school with a stopwatch. But in terms of performance, this might be the best on our list!
NutriChef Toaster Oven
Very different to everything else on the list, the NutriChef Toaster Oven doesn’t actually function of a toaster. Instead, it’s a fully functional convection toaster oven, as well as an air fryer, meaning that this can perfectly cook meats, healthy veg, and more.
It’s built around an 18 quart bowl, which is the perfect size of healthy meal prep for the whole family. The fact that the cooking element removes from the bowl makes it easy to clean, and the twin wire racks let you put a whole lot of food in this.
The 1000W heating element also cooks up to 480F, slightly higher than anything else on this list. Twin dial controls are simple to set up, and the built-in fan circulates air throughout, for even and thorough convection cooking. This oven also comes with a tabletop stand, letting you serve directly from the dish, or use this on counter-tops without any risk at all.
While it can’t make toast, the NutriChef offers enough that we’re more than comfortable putting it on our list. If you want a toaster oven that can make healthy, nutritious food from home, quickly and easily, it’s a great option. Perfect for health and fitness, dorm rooms, summer houses and more, it’s a one stop tool that you’ll soon come to rely on.
Best Toaster Oven Under $100 Buying guide
As with anything else in the kitchen, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming, so here’s what to look for when buying your toaster oven:
What is a toaster oven?
Toaster ovens look like a cross between a microwave and a tiny little oven. All toaster ovens run on electricity, and they’re designed to be able to sit on a countertop like any other appliance.
Most toaster ovens come with several extras, including internal racks, and perhaps baking trays.
What can a toaster oven do?
A toaster oven has multiple uses, and they’re an incredibly versatile and useful tool for any kitchen, because a toaster oven is basically a smaller version of your larger, more conventional oven. The uses of a toaster oven can include:
- Toasting
- Broiling
- Baking
Toaster ovens can also be used for various other things, including:
- Reheating
- Roasting
- Desserts
- Defrosting
What to look for when buying a toaster oven?
Like all appliances, there is a lot of variation between different models of toaster oven. Things you should specifically look for when buying one include:
Power
As an electric oven, a toaster oven’s power is measured in watts (W.) Unlike a lot of appliances, you don’t necessarily need more power with a toaster oven, because it only needs enough power to heat the inside evenly and cook through convection heating.
The smallest units on our list have a 1000W power rating, with around 1300 to 1500 being average, and 1800 to 2000 being extremely high.
Size
It’s a truism that no kitchen ever seems big enough. You could always do with more counter space, and that’s without mentioning cupboards.
Larger toaster ovens tend to be more powerful, because a lot of that space is the motor and heating elements, but that also means they’re bigger, heavier, and have a much larger footprint.
It’s important to balance out size with power, and what you’re using it for. A young couple might be able to get away with a smaller, 4 slice machine, whereas a larger family will benefit massively from a bigger appliance that can toast 8 or 12 slices of bread in one go, and fit in a family sized pizza.
Capacity
In the same way that size varies a lot between toaster ovens, so does internal space. Different models have completely different internal dimensions, including space for multiple racks, extra-wide ovens, extra-deep ovens, and more.
Size is generally measured in two ways. The first is the largest circular diameter item, with pizza being a popular option and pans being a close second, which might look like ‘fits a 10 inch pizza.’
The second measurement is bread slices. A toaster oven is still a functional toaster, and the ability to evenly toast multiple slices at once for a family breakfast is a big draw.
Toaster oven safety
- Heat: Toaster ovens can get very hot in operation, so it’s best to keep your toaster oven away from things that could catch fire or warp from heat.
- Electricity: A toaster oven plugs into the mains, so take all general precautions when using it.
- Usage: Read the manual, and only put things into your toaster oven that are safe to do so. Also be careful when inserting and removing food into a toaster oven, as hot fat or steam are possible.
- Observance: Never leave a toaster oven for a long period of time unobserved. Even though most toaster ovens have an internal timer that shuts off the oven when out of use, it only takes a minute for a fire to catch.
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