8 of the Best Toaster Ovens for a Hassle-Free Meal

Nothing beats a freshly toasted bagel in the morning, are we right? But we'll let you in on a little secret: If you crave that bakery-like aroma and taste, you might need something a *bit* more powerful than your standard two-slice toaster. Yes, friends, we're talking about the best toaster ovens. Not only will these little beauties brown between four to six slices of bread to absolute perfection (we can practically taste a Liberty Bagel now), you can use them for a whole lot more when you're through, since they can do nearly everything your oven can, but on a smaller scale. Many of these machines also allow you to bake, broil, roast and even air fry right on your countertop without making a mess of your kitchen.

If you can cook it in a standard oven, you can cook it in a toaster oven, so long as it fits—with a few exceptions (more on that below). That means in addition to your toast and bagels, you can whip up all your usual dinner suspects, like roasts, casseroles, loaded baked potatoes and roasted veggies dishes, as well quick eats, like pizza and other frozen meals. You can even pop leftovers in for a quick reheat to yield a delicious layer of golden-brown crust. (Please try a lightly toasted slice of lasagna. We beg of you.)

As for those aforementioned exceptions, Eating Well outlined four types of food that you should keep cooking the old fashioned way, including:

• Fatty or greasy foods: According to the publication, dripping fat can potentially cause a fire, since toaster ovens have exposed heating elements.
• Pastries: No one likes a dried-out pastry, and it's a risk you'll be taking when you make them in this appliance.
• Rice: As anyone with a good rice cooker knows, making good rice is practically an art form, and one that you'd do best to stay clear of the toaster oven for—lest you like your grains extra-crispy.
• Nuts: Nuts and seeds dry out and burn rather quickly—maybe too quickly for a toaster oven.

The best toaster ovens have features that will make your toasting experience safer and more efficient, like auto shut-off, multiple cooking functions that range from broil to bake, included baking trays and racks to support foods of varying levels of porosity and a powerful wattage (most go up to 1,400 watts, according to Energy Star). Aesthetically, stainless steel is a great option, since it resists corrosion, heat and fire, is easy to clean, and weathers impact for a longer shelf-life. Not to mention, it looks sleek AF with most kitchen schemes.

The best model for your home will depend on the features that are most important to you. If it's versatility you're after, you can’t beat the Ninja Foodi ($180), which does it all (and then some) for less than $200. As an air fryer, it works to add a light crispiness to your food without the extra oil, and as an oven replacement, it broils, bakes, roasts and reheats. It even has a dehydrator mode that works to remove moisture from meats, fruit or potatoes. Those who value their counter space above all else, however, might want to look toward the Dash mini toaster oven ($20).

When vetting the best toaster ovens, we included several appliances our editors have personally tested. For ones they hadn't, we looked for top-rated models that buyers seemed genuinely happy with in their reviews. We also considered a range of features, like the ones we listed above, from the amount of settings to the stylishness of the exterior.

Below, the best toaster ovens on the market that encompass all of the above.

How you use a toaster oven will largely depend on the toaster oven you use. One thing you'll want to do regardless of which company makes your appliance is to ensure you’ve adhered to all of its safety precautions. Make sure there are no items directly on top of or touching the unit (especially combustible paper or plastic). Using high heat for an extended period of time on your toaster oven or allowing food particles to accumulate at its base could lead to a kitchen fire. To avoid this, keep your settings as low and slow as you can.

When putting your food in the machine, you'll want to position it at the center of your preferred rack, ensuring that you place a buffer, like aluminum foil, beneath it if it’s a porous dish that might leak (we’re looking at you, roasted veggies au gratin). Then, set the dial or buttons to your preferred cooking method and length of time. Preheating isn’t necessary, but like traditional ovens, it can help to start cooking your food at the ideal temperature right off the bat.

Upon removal, your dish will be hot, so use oven mitts or a pair of kitchen tongs to help you retrieve it. Clean up any crumbs once the toaster oven has cooled down, since they may be flammable. Serve, devour and repeat.

A mess in your toaster oven is inevitable, but it’ll be on a smaller, more manageable scale than your regular oven. When cleaning your toaster oven, first make sure to unplug your appliance. You can then begin manually removing any chunks of caked-on food from under the grills or racks. Let all racks and trays sit in soapy water while you continue the rest of your cleaning.

Next, mix baking soda and water until it forms a paste, or use an all-purpose cleaner you can apply to any greasy or grimy spots using a cloth or towel. Repeat this step until all the crud is gone.

To clean the outside of your toaster oven, you can simply use a sponge with a bit of soap and warm water to wipe it down—just be sure to avoid all cables and electrical ports.

Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.

Marissa Miller is a freelancer with more than ten years of experience editing and reporting on all things health, beauty, fitness, style and home for publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Teen Vogue, GQ, CNN Style, Women's Health, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, USA TODAY and many more. Her first novel, PRETTY WEIRD: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Other Oddly Empowering Lessons, was published by Skyhorse Publishing and distributed by Simon & Schuster in May 2021. She's on Twitter at @Marissa__Miller and on Instagram at @marissamiller__ talking about journalism, Lululemon leggings and her two cats Freddie and Hendrix.

PureWow is the best friend you never had when it comes to finding the best, most useful lifestyle products online. Founded in 2010, our company’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series, which sees each and every item we test being ranked on a 100-point scale of awesomeness, to the painstakingly curated lists our fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family editors create as vertical experts, you can trust that our recommendations include some of the greatest items you’ll find on the internet. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.