Toasters and toaster ovens may sound similar, but these small appliances are quite different.
Bagels, waffles, English muffins, baguettes, Pop-Tarts, and a nice slice of whole-grain sourdough might pop up in your toaster over the course of a month. Toaster ovens go the extra mile, allowing you to broil burgers or chops, roast vegetables, heat up a frozen pizza, or bake chocolate chip cookies. And thanks to new technology, select models with convection settings even let you air-fry food.
You can find a wide selection of toasters and toaster ovens in stores and online, but not every product is worthy of counter space in your kitchen. We're here to help you determine which models will deliver every day at breakfast—or all day long.
How We Test Toasters and Toaster Ovens
We tested more than 100 toasters for ease of use and cleaning, and how well they can toast a single slice and a batch of bread from the very lightest taupe to dark brown, recording how long it takes. We performed these tests on more than 60 toaster ovens, too, along with tests that reveal how well a toaster oven reheats food and bakes.
Check out our toaster and toaster oven ratings to find the best one for your needs and budget. You'll see more than 30 brands, including All-Clad, Amazon Basics, Bella, Breville, Cuisinart, DeLonghi, Hamilton Beach, Krups, Ninja, NuWave, and Oster.
Toast With the Most
Toasters come as two- and four-slice models. Toaster ovens, on the other hand, can toast anywhere from four to 14 slices at a time. In choosing a model, among the primary considerations are design, how much counter space the appliance takes up, and budget. Toasters in our ratings sell for less than $20 all the way up to $400. Toaster ovens in our ratings do a lot more, so prices start a bit higher; tested models cost $45 to $400.
Toasters
The basics: If all you really need is your morning toast, sliced bread, or a bagel, your least expensive and most space-saving option is a simple two-slice toaster.
Toasters come in a variety of exterior finishes, such as chrome, copper, brushed metal, and colors (even floral patterns). All the toasters we tested had automatic shutoff. A few toasters have clear sides so that you can monitor your toast, but these had mixed results for overall performance in our tests. Or if you’re the impatient type, there’s a countdown feature. It’s worth noting that two-slice toasters outsell four-slice models.
Consider this: Retro and contemporary designs abound, as do models that look perfectly at home in high-end designer kitchens. But great looks don’t necessarily equal great mechanics. Many upscale toasters we tested were middling performers.
Toaster Ovens
The basics: There are two types of toaster ovens, countertop models that entail a trade-off between counter space and capacity, and models that mount underneath a cabinet. Beyond making toast, toaster ovens can cook pizza, broil meat, roast a whole chicken or pan of vegetables, bake cookies, and reheat food. Some have convection or can defrost food, and a few have built-in air fryers.
Consider this: The toaster oven’s footprint on the counter is a concern if you’re tight on space. The smallest toaster oven we tested has an 13-inch-wide by 13-inch-deep footprint; the largest is 22x20 inches. But the smaller the toaster oven, the smaller its capacity. And if frozen pizza is your go-to snack, you’ll want a depth of at least 12 inches. Some ovens have a curved back to help accommodate a pizza, which is helpful if you have limited counter space.
A Slice of Life
Yes, even the humble toaster is heating up, designwise. Some very snazzy-looking toasters have passed through our test labs. Given the prominent place this appliance has on kitchen countertops, style may be important to you. But it’s not just about looks. Bottom line: You want a toaster that makes great toast.
As for toaster ovens, we’re also seeing new designs and innovations, as well as some very large models. They tend to be on the boxy side, though some have fairly sleek trim and details. But again, the ability to heat items quickly and evenly should be your top priority.
We tested dozens of toasters and toaster ovens, and these are some factors to consider when shopping.
Toast Quality
If crispy bread toasted to perfection is all you care about, you’ll want to opt for a toaster. Toasters brown more evenly and consistently than toaster ovens. But a toaster oven can melt a cheese sandwich, broil a hamburger, or roast a 4-pound chicken. When they toast, though, the ovens take longer—2.5 to 9 minutes vs. 1 to 4 minutes for a toaster on a medium setting—and leave stripes on the bread.
Capacity
Toasting times depend on volume, so even the fastest toaster ovens take twice as long as toasters. But if you’re toasting for a crowd, a toaster oven with a six-slice capacity (or larger) can quickly make up for lost time. For many households, a four-slice toaster combines the best of both worlds.
Size
You’ll see the dimensions of each model in the specs section of our ratings, along with how many slices of toast each toaster oven can fit. And if you plan to cook pizza, make sure the rack is at least 12 inches deep. (You’ll see this measurement in the ratings, too.) Some ovens have a curved bump-out in back for this purpose. Look for variable or extra-wide slots in toasters if you like to toast real New York–style bagels.
Toaster and Toaster Oven Features
Manufacturers are adding features to toasters and toaster ovens in an effort to tempt you into making space on your counter. Here are some features worth noting.
What to Look For
Consistent Browning
The best toasters provide a wide range of browning, from very light to very dark. They also produce consistent color across all slices in a batch. And if you're toasting multiple batches, toast from the best models will come out the same shade of brown every time.
Countdown Timer
This feature displays how much toasting time remains.
Slot Size
If you decide on a two-slice toaster, you can choose between two side-by-side slots or one long slot for two slices. A four-slice model is bulkier but can save time if you have a big family and there’s a morning rush in your kitchen. If you favor oblong bread, look for deep slots. Some toaster slots are less than 5 inches deep; others are deeper and can accommodate larger slices.
Convenient Controls
Electronic touchpads and numbered dials are best. A shade dial is less exact, and a dial with unlabeled symbols can be difficult to decipher.
Bread Lifter
Once the toast has popped up, you push a lever from underneath so that the toast juts even farther out of the slot for easy retrieval. Some high-end models one-up this with motorized lifts, which give a more streamlined look. A few of the more expensive toasters we tested don't pop up automatically at all—they either ding or the timer turns off with a click. (The toast may stay warm in the slots, as one manufacturer claims, but the extra step is a bit of a nuisance.)
Easy Cleanup
For toasters, a removable crumb tray is easier to clean than one that's hinged and attached to the toaster. Look for a toaster oven with a nonstick or porcelain interior, which is easy to wipe down. The fewer vents and holes in the housing, the better, because they can trap grease and grime.
Bagel Controls
All the toasters we tested can fit a packaged bagel that is split. If you like big, fat bagels from a bakery, look for wider slots. Some toasters have a bagel setting that toasts on one side only, so you can brown the cut side and keep the other side softer.
Heat Settings and Broiler
Some toaster ovens have special settings to warm, reheat, and/or defrost food. A toaster oven’s broil setting is important if you’ll be cooking burgers or chops.
Interior Light
Some toaster ovens light up from the inside when they’re on, so you can monitor the cooking.
Convection and Air Fryer Settings
It's increasingly common to see toaster ovens with a convection setting. This feature, formerly relegated to larger ovens, allows food to cook faster at a lower temperature with an assist from an internal fan. Due to growing popularity, some models have added an air fryer setting that works using the same heating method as a convection oven.
Brands
You'll see more than 30 brands in our toaster and toaster oven ratings. Here's a look at a few widely available brands.