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Countertop ovens harness the cooking capabilities of a conventional oven into a much smaller appliance—one that can fit on a kitchen counter. They offer a range of cooking functions, sometimes going beyond what home cooks can accomplish in a full-size oven. Small but powerful, they’re more convenient, use less power, and preheat faster than their full-size counterparts.
The best countertop ovens offer many of the same functions as full-size ovens in an easy-to-use and easy-to-clean compact appliance. They cook food reliably and evenly and come with functions beyond just the ability to bake and broil. With everything from smart features to air- frying settings, today’s countertop ovens are more convenient than ever. Read on for the best countertop ovens for prepping and reheating meals.
- BEST OVERALL: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Oster Extra Large Digital Oven
- BEST WITH AIR FRYER: Cuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- BEST WITH MICROWAVE: Toshiba 7-in-1 Microwave Air Fryer Combo
- BEST WITH ROTISSERIE: Cosori 30-Liter Air Fryer Oven
- BEST WITH THERMOMETER: KitchenAid Dual Convection Countertop Oven
- BEST FOR SMALL KITCHENS: Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven
- BEST CAPACITY: Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven
- BEST SAFETY FEATURES: Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Oven
Before You Buy a Countertop Oven
Countertop ovens are suitable for almost any kitchen that has the space. These small kitchen appliances can nearly replace an oven altogether in small kitchens. They are also a useful alternative for cooking smaller portions or when the conventional oven is already in use.
Countertop ovens aren’t exactly the smallest kitchen appliance, however; while the term “countertop oven” is often used interchangeably with “toaster oven,” traditionally, countertop ovens are usually larger and more feature-filled. Regardless of terminology, it makes sense to take dimensions into account and measure the counter space available. When choosing an appropriate countertop oven size, make sure to account for space for the appliance to vent (usually from the back or sides). It’s best to have at least a couple of inches of space around each side since the exterior of these ovens can get hot. Also, pay attention to the countertop oven door type. Many have pull-down doors, so take into account the space needed for the door to open and for racks to slide out.
How We Chose the Best Countertop Ovens
There are a lot of great countertop ovens out there, so we delved deep into performance to choose our top picks. By researching shopper reviews and in-depth third-party reviews, we were able to narrow down our top picks. We considered performance first, looking for traits such as reliable operation, versatile settings, even-cooking performance, and useful cooking functions.
While evaluating performance, we also took price into account. Since preferred functions vary depending on cooking habits—there’s no point in paying extra for rarely used functions—we did include different options, ranging from simpler units to 12-in-1 appliances. Lastly, we prioritized a few units with above-and-beyond features, such as models with sensors to monitor food and adjust cook time, and even one model that’s a microwave, an oven, and an air fryer all in one.
Our Top Picks
Feature-filled, straightforward to use, and easy to clean, the best countertop ovens simplify the cooking process. We’ve rounded up top picks that can bring cooking convenience to any kitchen.
Best Overall
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro offers excellent countertop cooking versatility in a handsome, compact unit. It boasts 13 cooking functions selectable from a convenient LCD display. These include: toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air-fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook, and dehydrate. In one small appliance, home cooks can do anything from proofing bread dough and baking cookies to roasting meats and air-frying fries.
This countertop oven stands out because of its Element IQ System, a smart system that uses temperature sensors and six independent heating elements to steer cooking power when and where it’s needed for crispy, evenly cooked results. It also has a super convection setting, which blasts heat to reduce cooking time by up to 30 percent. There’s a lot users can cook in this small oven; its capacity is 1 cubic foot, which is enough space to roast a 14-pound turkey, toast nine pieces of bread, and fit most 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pans. To help with making kitchen concoctions, this oven includes two oven racks, a pizza pan, a broil rack and enamel roasting pan, and a mesh basket rack.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 12.7 inches tall by 21.5 inches wide by 17.5 inches deep
- Capacity: 1 cubic foot
- Cooking functions: Toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook, and dehydrate
Pros
- Smart Element IQ System directs heat where it’s needed to promote even cooking
- Includes useful accessories for cooking: a pizza pan, a broil rack and enamel roasting pan, and a mesh basket rack
- Wide range of cooking functions make this model a suitable stand-in for many full-size ovens
Cons
- Accessories should be hand-washed, making cleanup more time-consuming
Get the Breville countertop oven at Amazon, Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, or Breville.
Best Bang for the Buck
Oster Extra Large Digital Oven
Spacious but affordable, the Oster extra-large digital oven is our top pick for shoppers looking for excellent value. Not only is this countertop oven reasonably priced, it’s also on the large side, making it one of the best convection ovens. While Oster doesn’t share an exact capacity, the brand does give a good idea of what it can fit: it has two removable racks that can fit two large pizzas, 18 slices of bread, or a full chicken.
To cook these items and more, this oven comes with two oven racks, a baking pan, and an integrated broiling rack. It has fewer cooking functions than some more expensive ovens, but users can choose from bake, broil, toast, pizza, warm, and defrost modes. To improve safety and convenience, users can take advantage of a 90-minute timer with an automatic shut-off feature.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 16.7 inches tall by 24 inches wide by 21.5 inches deep
- Capacity: N/A
- Cooking functions: Bake, broil, toast, pizza, warm, defrost, and turbo convection
Pros
- Offers lots of cooking space for a lower cost than many comparable countertop ovens
- 2 large removable racks can each fit a large pizza
- 90-minute timer with automatic shutoff improves convenience and safety
Cons
- Does not have an interior oven light
Get the Oster countertop oven at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best with Air Fryer
Cuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven
With a wide range of cooking functions and excellent air-frying performance, the Cuisinart TOA-65 oven is a crowd-pleaser. This countertop oven has the functions to handle baking, air-frying, and much more, with the following modes: bake, broil, pizza, roast, toast, bagel, reheat, warm, dehydrate, proof, low, and dual cook. The low-temperature options give users the ability to proof dough, dehydrate items, and slow-cook or braise food as well.
This air fryer toaster oven is a modest size, with a 0.6-cubic-foot capacity. That’s large enough to toast six bagel halves, roast a 4-pound chicken, or bake a 12-inch pizza. Cleaning up this small oven is easy: it has a nonstick interior, plus it comes with a dishwasher-safe baking pan and air-fry basket. (The oven rack, however, should be hand-washed.)
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 14 inches tall by 15.75 inches deep by 14 inches wide
- Capacity: 0.6 cubic feet
- Cooking functions: Bake, broil, pizza, roast, toast, bagel, reheat, warm, dehydrate, proof, low, and dual cook
Pros
- Great cooking performance, cooking, and ability to evenly brown a range of recipes
- Excellent functions for a range of cooking tasks, including baking and slow cooking
- Easy-to-clean interior is nonstick, and air-fryer basket and pan are dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Some reviewers have reported the control knob fails after some time
Get the Cuisinart countertop oven at Amazon, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Target, or Cuisinart.
Best with Microwave
Toshiba 7-in-1 Microwave Air Fryer Combo
The Toshiba 7-in-1 microwave air-fryer combo combines several kitchen workhorses into one compact appliance. This unit is a microwave, countertop convection oven, and air fryer all in one—that’s right, it can replace all three common appliances. It takes full advantage of these features, too, with a Combi (combination cooking) mode that uses a combination of microwave and convection cooking to cook and brown the food.
A Sensor Cook function helps users cook common items, such as potatoes, pizza, or veggies, using a built-in humidity sensor to monitor and adjust cooking. This combined unit has a capacity of 1 cubic foot, so it’s a pretty sizable model, and it comes with a glass turntable, air-fry tray and basket, and two wire racks.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 11.8 inches tall by 20.6 inches wide by 16.3 inches deep
- Capacity: 1 cubic foot
- Cooking functions: Microwave, broil, convection, defrost, air-fry, combination cook, and sensor cook
Pros
- Combines 3 countertop appliances: a microwave, a countertop oven, and an air fryer
- Combi cooking mode uses microwave and convection cooking to cook foods faster
- Sensor cooking mode uses a humidity sensor to automatically adjust power and cooking time
Cons
- Users cannot customize the temperature for air-frying (can only choose from presets)
Get the Toshiba countertop oven at Amazon.
Best with Rotisserie
Cosori 30-Liter Air Fryer Oven
There’s no need to heat up the large oven to cook a whole chicken; many countertop ovens can now handle this task, and the Cosori 30-liter air fryer oven adds a rotisserie feature to boot. It has 11 cooking functions total, which include: toast, bagel, pizza, bake, roast, air-fry, broil, cookies, rotisserie, dehydrate, and ferment.
To cook a whole rotisserie chicken, a 13-inch pizza, or six slices of toast at a time, this countertop oven has a capacity of just over 1 cubic foot. It’s convenient to use, with a nonstick interior and an included wire rack, crumb tray, food tray, air-fry basket, and rotisserie fork set and handle. Another convenient feature? This oven has an interior light that switches on when there’s 1 minute left of cooking time.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 12.1 inches tall by 20.1 inches wide by 16.5 inches deep
- Capacity: 1.06 cubic feet
- Cooking functions: Toast, bagel, pizza, bake, roast, air-fry, broil, cookies, rotisserie, dehydrate, and ferment
Pros
- Large capacity and rotisserie set make it perfect for roasting whole chickens and large cuts of meat
- Easy to keep clean with a nonstick interior and removable crumb tray
- Interior light automatically turns on when there’s 1 minute left of cooking time
Cons
- Some reviewers note the unit can release smoke, especially when cooking fatty foods
Get the Cosori countertop oven at Amazon or Cosori.
Best with Thermometer
KitchenAid Dual Convection Countertop Oven
An included thermometer makes it even easier to roast meats in the KitchenAid dual convection countertop oven. This small oven shares many features with the other best countertop ovens on our list. It has a wide range of cooking functions, which include these cooking options: toast, bagel, bake, broil, air-fry, dehydrate, meat probe, convection bake, roast, keep warm, reheat, and proof.
This unit comes with an air-fry basket, removable oven rack, crumb tray, a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with a grill rack, and the star of the show, a temperature probe. The probe allows you to cook meat to the perfect level of doneness. Simply set the temperature and insert the probe into the meat; when the probe reaches temperature, it will sound an alert. Since this portable oven is rather spacious with a 0.99-cubic-foot capacity, it should have no trouble fitting roasts, whole chickens, and other meats. Since it preheats up to 350 degrees in less than 4 minutes, it shouldn’t take all that long to cook favorite dishes in this small appliance either.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 13 inches tall by 18.5 inches wide by 16.4 inches deep
- Capacity: 0.99 cubic feet
- Cooking functions: Toast, bagel, bake, broil, air fry, dehydrate, convection bake, roast, meat probe, keep warm, reheat, and proof
Pros
- Includes a built-in temperature probe that alerts when set temperature is reached
- Large enough to cook many meat dishes, including a roast, tenderloin, or whole chicken
- Fast preheat time, reaching 350 degrees in under 4 minutes
Cons
- Tinted front window makes it harder to see inside
Get the KitchenAid countertop oven at Amazon, Best Buy, Wayfair, or KitchenAid.
Best for Small Kitchens
Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven
The Panasonic FlashXpress toaster oven has a smaller footprint than most, making it an excellent choice for small or cramped kitchen counters. It measures just 10.75 inches tall by 13 inches wide by 12 inches deep—much smaller than many comparable toaster ovens. The smaller size also means a smaller capacity, but this unit can fit up to four slices of bread at a time on the included 9-inch baking tray.
It does sacrifice some features for its smaller size. It has fewer functions than most, with six preset cooking options for toast, waffles, rolls, pizza, and hash browns, as well as a quick reheat mode. It also has temperature controls to make it possible to cook a wide range of other foods. To add convenience, it even has an interior rack that is connected to the door. This mechanism pulls the rack forward when the door is opened, making it easier to take out the food inside.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 10.75 inches tall by 13 inches wide by 12 inches deep
- Capacity: .3 cubic feet
- Cooking functions: Toast, waffles, rolls, pizza, hash browns, and quick reheat
Pros
- Compact design allows it to fit in kitchens with limited space
- Door mechanism pulls inner rack forward when the door opens
- Very fast preheat time due to small size and infrared heating elements
Cons
- Outdated look; design is not as sleek as that of similar units
- Small capacity; operates more like a toaster oven than a full-size oven
Get the Panasonic countertop oven at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Abt.
Best Capacity
Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven
On the other side of the size spectrum, we have the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro air-fry oven, which is a large countertop oven with a smart design to boost capacity. Its interior capacity measures 1.18 cubic feet, which is just a bit larger than most ovens on this list, but it shines with its rack design. Instead of one or two positions, it has four rack slots, so users can move racks up, down, or farther apart to cook more items, such as a 5-pound chicken on the bottom and a tray of veggies on top.
This unit is a sizable appliance, measuring 13.34 inches tall by 20.22 inches wide by 17.09 inches deep. It has 10 cooking functions: air-fry, whole roast, air-roast, bake, dehydrate, pizza, broil, toast, bagel, and reheat. It comes with two sheet pans, two wire racks, an air-fry basket, a roast tray, and a crumb tray.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 13.34 inches tall by 20.22 inches wide by 17.09 inches deep
- Capacity: 1.18 cubic feet
- Cooking functions: Air-fry, whole roast, air-roast, bake, dehydrate, pizza, broil, toast, bagel, and reheat
Pros
- Large capacity can fit a whole chicken and a tray of vegetables at the same time
- 4 rack slots enable more flexibility with rack placement and cooking quantities
- Intuitive digital display is easy to read and navigate
Cons
- Can be quite noisy when it’s operating
Get the Ninja countertop oven at Amazon, Target, Kohl’s, or Ninja.
Best Safety Features
Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Oven
One common complaint of countertop ovens is that they become warm or even hot to the touch when they’re running. The Calphalon Performance Cool Touch oven gets rid of this problem, making it a safer choice, especially in homes with pets, young children, or senior family members. It has a cool-touch exterior, which keeps the outside of the unit up to 75 percent cooler than that of an older Calphalon model.
Like other top countertop ovens, this one has several useful features. It has 12 cooking functions, which include toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, dehydrate, keep warm, defrost, and proof. To add to convenience, the Step Cook feature allows users to set two back-to-back cooking functions at once, such as baking and then broiling, for example. Accessories include a baking pan, 12-inch pizza pan, air-fry basket, and removable crumb tray. While Calphalon doesn’t share a capacity in cubic feet, this oven can fit a 12-inch pizza, making it great for cooking and reheating.
Product Specs
- Dimensions: 12.11 inches tall by 19.25 inches wide by 16.8 inches deep
- Capacity: .88 cubic feet
- Cooking functions: Toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, dehydrate, keep warm, defrost, and proof
Pros
- Cool-touch exterior keeps unit cool to the touch and improves safety
- Step Cook function makes it possible to program back-to-back cooking functions
- Easy to clean due to nonstick interior and removable crumb tray
Cons
- Back of the oven (where it vents) still gets very warm
Get the Calphalon countertop oven at Amazon or Calphalon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Countertop Oven
Countertop ovens come with a wide range of features and at a wide range of prices. Whether an affordable pick or a more luxurious choice, they should last for several years, so it’s worthwhile to invest in a suitable option. When shopping for a countertop oven, consider its size, power requirements, and features, which we explore ahead.
Size
Don’t expect standard-oven or even wall-oven dimensions—countertop ovens are much smaller. There are two important factors to consider when it comes to evaluating size: exterior dimensions and interior capacity. Countertop ovens are on the larger side of the countertop appliance range, often built more like a microwave than a smaller toaster or pod-like air fryer. However, since some countertop ovens combine many functions into one, they can eliminate the need for some other appliances, ultimately saving counter space in the long run.
Exterior size usually correlates with capacity; larger countertop ovens tend to have more cooking space as well. However, some compact ovens have double-rack designs to maximize their interior capacity. Capacity is often measured in cubic feet or by using a description of items that the racks can fit; for example, a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, the number of toast slices, or a whole chicken or turkey. When considering a countertop oven’s capacity, it’s worthwhile to make sure it can fit your favorite foods, whether that’s a frozen pizza or a whole chicken.
Power
The power consumption of a countertop oven is measured in watts. Most countertop ovens use around 1,200 to 1,800 watts, which can be up to half as much energy as what a conventional oven uses. Since countertop ovens are smaller (and faster) to heat up, they require less power and are the more energy-efficient choice compared to a large oven. Their lower wattage requirements allow most models to plug into a regular wall outlet, which is another benefit of a so-called “tabletop oven” over a full-size oven.
Features
Countertop ovens can include a range of features that make them easier to use. At a bare minimum, most have the ability to bake, broil, and toast, but many can do much more. Other features include the ability to convection bake, air-fry, bake pizzas, and cook chicken on a rotisserie. Some also come with preset modes to cook certain foods, which automatically cycle through cooking temperature and time to cook foods evenly.
Smart countertop ovens can take the guesswork out of cooking and make using these small appliances even more convenient. They can connect to a smartphone and allow users to monitor or control them through an app. Others have smart cooking features that can monitor the food inside (such as with sensors or a temperature probe) and cook them until done.
The Advantages of Owning a Countertop Oven
There are many benefits of owning a countertop oven. If it’s within budget and there’s enough counter space, pretty much any home cook will find one useful. Depending on the type of countertop oven, they can offer many functions in one and can replace a toaster oven, air fryer, or toaster. Even if most countertop ovens are larger than each of these individual appliances, they can save space when replacing another appliance.
Due to their small size, countertop ovens generally preheat faster and use less energy than conventional ovens. This makes them excellent for cooking small portions and single servings. They can be used as a mini oven for baking treats or roasting meat. They’re also excellent for reheating and crisping food, offering an alternative to the microwave without needing to heat up a full-size oven. Those with air-frying and convection modes can offer even more functions than a conventional oven. Plus, preset and smart programs can make countertop ovens even easier to use. These advantages are hard to overlook when considering countertop ovens:
- Can bake and cook foods much like a full-size oven, but in a much smaller footprint;
- Are ideal for small kitchens;
- Can provide many cooking functions in one;
- Can save space if replacing other small appliances;
- Preheat faster and use less energy than full-size ovens; and
- Are the perfect size for cooking smaller portions and reheating leftovers.
FAQs
Countertop ovens are designed to be easy to use, with straightforward controls and settings that make them a convenient kitchen appliance. They’re generally easy to maintain as well, but there are some things to keep in mind to keep a countertop oven performing its best. Read on for some frequently asked questions and their answers about choosing, using, and maintaining a countertop oven.
Q. How long does a countertop oven last?
Most countertop ovens will last up to 5 years. Frequent cleaning can help a countertop oven last (and make it more pleasant to use). It’s time to replace a countertop oven if it breaks down, isn’t performing as well as it used to, or once it starts showing serious signs of wear, such as rusted parts, a frayed power cord, or a broken door.
Q. Can a countertop oven replace a regular one?
It depends on your needs. Good countertop ovens can handle many of the cooking tasks as well as regular full-size ovens (and sometimes even more, in the case of those with convection-toaster-oven or air-frying features). They can be used as a portable oven for baking, roasting, and more. However, they are significantly smaller than a regular electric oven. Since their capacity is limited, they’re not suitable for cooking large meals or several dishes at a time.
Q. Can a countertop oven replace a microwave?
Not exactly. Countertop ovens can replace a microwave oven in some cases and are actually better at reheating and crisping some foods, such as pizza or french fries. However, where they fall short is with heating foods with high water or fat content. The best microwaves are better for these tasks, such as for warming up soup and drinks or melting butter or confectionaries for baking.
Q. Do countertop ovens have different modes?
Yes, almost all countertop ovens on the market nowadays have different functions to cook a range of different recipes. These can include toasting, broiling, baking, roasting, air-frying, reheating, keep warm, dehydrating modes, pizza oven modes, and more to tackle different cooking tasks in the kitchen.
Q. How do you clean a countertop oven?
Cleaning a countertop oven is similar to cleaning other small kitchen appliances. Start with unplugging the countertop oven and making sure it has completely cooled down. Wash or wipe parts according to the manufacturer’s directions. This often includes removing some parts and washing them with soapy water (or putting them in the dishwasher, if they’re dishwasher-safe) and then cleaning the inside of the countertop oven with a sponge or cloth.
