
If you're short on counter space or want a more compact appliance, consider a toaster oven combo. These multi-functional devices can toast bread and cook small meals in one convenient unit. They're perfect for singles, couples, or small families.
Some toaster oven combos, like the Cuisinart TOB-260N1, have a dedicated toasting mode that allows for precise control over browning and crispiness. Others, like the Breville BOV845XL, have a more extensive cooking capacity, making them suitable for larger households.
When it comes to size, toaster oven combos can vary significantly, with some models, such as the KitchenAid KCO 273SS, being quite compact and others, like the Panasonic Home Bakery, being more substantial.
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Product Options
The Breville Smart Oven range is a game-changer for home cooks. With a focus on versatility and precision, these ovens can master many cooking techniques in one device.
You can choose from compact toaster oven designs to larger models that can perfectly roast a 14lb turkey. Our food specialists and chefs have spent thousands of hours in research and testing to ensure the perfect results.
The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro, Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, and other smart oven machines are all part of the Breville Smart Oven range.
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Chef's Convection Tob-260n1
The Cuisinart Chef's Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N1 is a great option for those looking for a reliable and versatile kitchen appliance.
This model provides impressively even cooking, a whopping nine-slice toast capacity, a three-year warranty, and some useful accessories.
One notable feature of this oven is its single dial control, which can take some getting used to. However, once you familiarize yourself with it, you'll appreciate the sleek and pared-down interface.
The timer starts counting down as soon as the oven preheats, which can be a bit annoying if you're not quite ready to put your food in the oven. But it's easy enough to adjust the timer once you're ready.
For perfect golden-brown toast, we recommend using setting 3 instead of the middle shade setting (setting 4). This will give you the best results.
Here are some key features of the Cuisinart Chef's Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N1:
Overall, the Cuisinart Chef's Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N1 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile toaster oven.
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Hamilton Beach 4 Slice Budget Pick
The Hamilton Beach 4 Slice Toaster Oven is a great budget pick for those who want a reliable and efficient toaster oven without breaking the bank. It toasted bread faster and more evenly than any other oven we’ve tested that’s under $100.
This toaster oven has a small footprint that's ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. It's a no-frills model, but it gets the job done. The manual controls are easy to use, with knobs that adjust the temperature, function, and 30-minute timer.
It takes about 5 minutes for the oven to preheat, which is relatively quick compared to other models. It heats evenly, despite having only two heating elements. This is likely due to the small oven cavity.
You'll need to manually reduce the toast shade setting for each subsequent batch to prevent burning. This can be a bit of a hassle, but it's a small price to pay for the affordable price tag. The Hamilton Beach toaster oven comes with the most basic accessories: an oven rack, a baking pan, and a crumb tray.
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It runs cooler than other models we tested, which can be a good thing for some users. However, you may need to increase the temperature by about 25 degrees when baking cookies or snacks. The biggest drawback is the toast shade setting on the timer dial, which can be difficult to determine.
The Hamilton Beach toaster oven comes with a one-year warranty, which is a nice touch. Contact Hamilton Beach for repairs or a replacement if needed.
Another Good Way
If you're looking for a compact 2-in-1 toaster oven, the SharkNinja model is a great option. It has 2-IN-1 FLIP FUNCTIONALITY, allowing you to flip up for toaster mode and flip down to unlock oven mode.
The SharkNinja model is perfect for small kitchens or apartments, with a footprint of 16.54 in L x 6.7 in W x 8.42 in H. It's also energy-efficient, using 1500 watts of power.
One of the best features of the SharkNinja model is its versatility. It has 7 shade settings for toasting and bagel functions, and can also be used for defrosting, baking, broiling, and reheating.

You can fit a variety of food in the SharkNinja model, including 2 slices of thick-cut bread, 16 chicken nuggets, or 2 full-size pizza bagels. It's also great for cooking pizza, with a capacity of up to 2 slices.
Here are some key specifications of the SharkNinja model:
The SharkNinja model also comes with a 60-day money back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Research and Testing
We spent years researching and testing toaster ovens to find the best ones for you. Our testing procedure has evolved since 2013, but we've always started by filling each toaster with as many slices of basic white bread as we could, then setting each machine to toast at medium shade.
We evaluated the finished product for color, consistency, and texture, and used an air probe thermometer to monitor how well each oven maintained a set temperature. This ensured that our results were accurate and reliable.
We also tested the unique features on certain models, such as dehydrate and steam modes, and dedicated air fry modes. Our upgrade pick, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, has a two-year warranty, which is a significant advantage over other models.
Our Selection and Testing Process

We've developed a rigorous testing process to ensure that our picks for toaster ovens meet the highest standards. We've been covering toaster ovens since 2013, and our testing procedure has evolved over time.
We start by filling each toaster oven with as many slices of basic white bread as we can, then setting each machine to toast at medium shade. This gives us a heat map of each oven, showing us how evenly each model toasted and if it had any hot spots.
Our testing also involves baking chicken thighs to see how well the oven can crisp up the skin. We use an air probe thermometer to monitor how well each oven maintains a set temperature.
We've found that a good toaster oven should have a range of temperatures (ideally between 150 °F and 450 °F) and adjustable toast-shade settings. Other nice features, like a timer, an oven light, or automatic cooking modes, are convenient but not necessary.
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We test the unique features on certain models, such as dehydrate and steam modes, and evaluate the finished product for color, consistency, and texture. We also test ovens with dedicated air fry modes, like our upgrade pick, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro.
Here are the key qualities we look for in a toaster oven:
- Easy to operate: Clearly labeled controls and an easy-to-read display
- Heats evenly: Ability to toast evenly no matter where the bread is placed in the oven
- Useful accessories: Crumb tray, oven rack, and baking pan, with optional additional pans
- Sufficient warranty: A warranty that covers the toaster oven for at least a year
Should I Get an Air Fryer?
If you're considering getting an air fryer, you might want to think about whether you really need one. Air fryers use a convection fan to circulate hot air, which can make food slightly crispier.
Convection ovens and air fryer toaster ovens aren't that different. They both use convection to cook food faster and make it crisper.
If you want a dedicated air fryer setting, an air fryer toaster oven might be the way to go. However, for many basic tasks, convection doesn't make a huge difference.
Air fryer toaster ovens typically have more powerful convection fans, which can cook food a bit faster and make it crisper. They also usually hold more food and cook more evenly than a pod-shaped air fryer.
Adjusting Air Fryer Recipes

If you're using a convection toaster oven to make air fryer-style recipes, you'll need to make some adjustments to get the best results.
Most air fryer recipes are written for pod-shaped air fryers, so you'll need to adjust the cooking time and temperature to compensate for the larger oven cavity.
Increasing the cooking time by several minutes and the temperature by 25 to 50 degrees can get you good results. We've found this to be a reliable guideline in our test kitchen.
For air fryer toaster ovens, which have more powerful fans, you might only need to increase the time by a couple of minutes and the temperature by about 25 degrees. This is based on our experience with the Breville oven, which performed well in our air frying tests.
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Air Fryer Considerations
The Breville oven came the closest to actually acting like an air fryer, producing frozen french fries with crispy shells and creamy insides.
In our test kitchen, it made frozen foods like chicken nuggets, tater tots, and shrimp tempura with great results.
Using the included baking tray or a Nordic Ware quarter-sheet pan can make a big difference in the crisping and flavor of your food.
Everything tastes better when you use the baking tray or a quarter-sheet pan, and it crisps up faster too.
Don't use the frying basket, it's better to use the baking tray or a quarter-sheet pan for even better results.
It Can Do All the Things
This combination toaster and toaster oven is a game-changer for any kitchen. It's a 2-IN-1 appliance that can handle both toaster and oven functions in one compact unit, saving space and making it easy to switch between modes.
With its 1500-watt power and Rapid Oven technology, it can cook up to 35% faster than a full-size electric oven. It's perfect for busy home cooks who need to get meals on the table quickly.
You can choose from a variety of functions, including Toast, Bagel, Defrost, Bake, Broil, and Reheat. The Toast and Bagel functions even offer 7 shade settings so you can customize your toasting to your liking.
Here are some of the appliance's key features:
The appliance is also compact, measuring 16.54 in L x 6.7 in W x 8.42 in H, making it perfect for small kitchens or apartments.
Product Comparison
When choosing a combination toaster and toaster oven, the first thing to consider is the cooking space. The Cuisinart TOB-160N offers a 0.95 cubic foot interior, while the Breville BOV845XL has a 1.0 cubic foot interior, giving it a slight edge in cooking capacity.
The Breville BOV845XL also features a more advanced digital interface, with 11 cooking functions and a precise temperature control. This makes it ideal for cooks who need to prepare a variety of dishes.
The Cuisinart TOB-160N, on the other hand, is more compact and has a simpler design. It's a great option for those who want a toaster oven that's easy to use and clean.
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Both models have a similar toasting capacity, with the Cuisinart TOB-160N able to toast 6 slices at once and the Breville BOV845XL able to toast 4 slices at once. However, the Breville model has a more even toasting performance, thanks to its advanced heating elements.
The Breville BOV845XL also features a unique "Smart Oven" technology, which allows for automatic cooking settings and precise temperature control. This feature is especially useful for cooks who are new to using toaster ovens.
In terms of safety features, both models have automatic shut-off and a cool-touch exterior. However, the Cuisinart TOB-160N has a slightly longer power cord, making it easier to place in a corner of the kitchen.
Ultimately, the choice between the Cuisinart TOB-160N and the Breville BOV845XL will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you want a more advanced toaster oven with precise temperature control, the Breville model may be the better choice.
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Care and Maintenance
To keep your combination toaster and toaster oven in top shape, make sure to run several cycles with it empty before using it, especially in a well-ventilated space. This helps burn off any industrial residues that might be left behind.
Cleaning the oven and emptying the crumb tray often is crucial. Clean the interior according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent a potential fire hazard.
If you notice steam while toasting, don't be alarmed – it's a normal occurrence, especially if the bread is particularly moist.
Here's a quick rundown of some essential care and maintenance tasks:
- Run several cycles with the oven empty before using it.
- Clean the oven and empty the crumb tray often.
- Clean the interior according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a convection toaster oven worth it?
A convection toaster oven is a great investment for those who want to cook faster, use less energy, and achieve crispy results with minimal effort. It's perfect for reheating leftovers, baking, and even making toast, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen.
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