Tired of your big oven hogging counter space or taking forever to preheat? You’re not alone! Many of us dream of a kitchen that’s both stylish and super functional. That’s where the magic of a rated countertop oven comes in. These handy gadgets can toast, bake, broil, and even air fry, making them a true kitchen workhorse.
But let’s be honest, picking the *perfect* one can feel like a puzzle. With so many brands, sizes, and features, how do you know which one will actually make your life easier and your food taste better? You want to avoid buying one that’s too small, too complicated, or just doesn’t perform like you hoped.
This post is here to help! We’ve done the research to bring you the top-rated countertop ovens. By the end, you’ll understand what makes a great one and be able to confidently choose the best fit for your kitchen and your cooking needs. Get ready to discover your new favorite kitchen appliance!
Our Top 5 Rated Countertop Oven Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Rated Countertop Oven Detailed Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Countertop Convection Toaster Oven
Rating: 8.7/10
Meet the BLACK+DECKER Crisp ‘N Bake Air Fry Countertop Convection Toaster Oven. This kitchen helper is a 5-in-1 wonder. It can air fry, bake, broil, toast, and keep food warm. It’s made of sleek stainless steel and fits neatly on your counter. It’s perfect for making everything from crispy fries to warm toast.
What We Like:
- It’s a 5-in-1 machine, so it does a lot of different cooking jobs.
- The air fry feature cooks food with less oil, making it a healthier choice.
- EvenToast technology makes sure your toast is perfectly golden and even.
- It’s not too big, but it can still fit a 9-inch pizza or four slices of bread.
- It comes with a timer and easy-to-clean accessories like a crumb tray and bake pan.
What Could Be Improved:
- The medium capacity might not be enough for very large families or big meal prep sessions.
- While it has many functions, some users might find the controls a little basic for advanced cooking.
This oven is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It makes cooking easier and healthier.
2. Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Countertop Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
The Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Countertop Oven in Brushed Stainless Steel is a powerful kitchen helper. It’s designed for home cooks who want to make delicious meals faster and easier. This oven offers many cooking options, making it a great addition to any kitchen.
What We Like:
- Convection Power: The convection setting cooks food up to 30% faster by circulating hot air. This means less waiting time for your meals.
- Element iQ System: This smart system uses five quartz heating elements. It directs power where it’s needed most, ensuring perfectly cooked food every time.
- Versatile Cooking: With 10 cooking functions like Toast, Bake, Roast, Pizza, and even Slow Cook, this oven can handle many different recipes.
- Large Capacity: It’s big enough to fit a 13-inch pizza, a whole chicken, or even a 4.4 qt Dutch oven. It can feed your whole family.
- Easy to Use: The bright LCD display makes it simple to choose cooking functions and check cooking progress.
- Convenient Light: An interior oven light turns on automatically at the end of cooking, so you can easily see your food.
- Fast Preheat: The 1800-watt power heats up quickly, getting your meals to the table faster.
What Could Be Improved:
- Counter Space: While versatile, it does take up a good amount of counter space.
- Learning Curve: With so many functions, there might be a slight learning curve for some users to master all its features.
This Breville Smart Oven Pro is a fantastic appliance for anyone looking to upgrade their cooking experience. It brings professional-style cooking into your home kitchen with its smart technology and impressive versatility.
3. Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
Meet the Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven, a small but mighty kitchen helper in stylish brushed stainless steel. If you love making pizza, baking cookies, or just want perfect toast, this oven is for you. It might be mini, but it packs a punch with 8 cooking functions, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen, especially those short on space.
What We Like:
- Element iQ System: Smart heating elements direct power where it’s needed for perfect results every time.
- Fast Preheat: Get your meals cooking quicker with an 1800-watt preheat.
- 8 Cooking Functions: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Roast, Cookies, and Reheat are all at your fingertips.
- Compact Size: Fits easily on your countertop and is great for small kitchens.
- Easy to Clean: The non-stick interior coating makes cleanup a breeze.
- Included Accessories: Comes with a handy 10×10 inch baking pan.
What Could Be Improved:
- Small Capacity: While great for small kitchens, it might be too small for larger families or big meal prep.
This Breville Mini Smart Oven is a fantastic option for anyone who wants a versatile and high-performing countertop appliance. It simplifies cooking and delivers delicious results for all your favorite meals.
4. Hamilton Beach 2-in-1 Countertop Toaster Oven and Long Slot 2 Slice Toaster
Rating: 8.9/10
Meet the Hamilton Beach 2-in-1 Countertop Toaster Oven and Long Slot 2 Slice Toaster, a smart appliance that simplifies your kitchen tasks. This cool gadget combines a toaster oven and a long-slot toaster, saving you valuable counter space. It can bake, broil, and toast, making it easy to whip up breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
What We Like:
- Saves counter space by combining two appliances into one.
- Offers versatile cooking with bake, broil, toast, and keep warm modes.
- Has a spacious 16.5L interior that fits a 9″ pizza or a batch of fries.
- Toasts bread 40% faster and more evenly than some competitors.
- Features a 60-minute timer with an automatic shut-off for safety and convenience.
- Includes a shade selector with 5 settings for your perfect toast.
- Comes with essential accessories: a bake pan, oven rack, and crumb tray.
- Provides excellent cooking performance with precise temperatures up to 450°F.
- The stainless steel exterior looks sleek and modern in any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it toasts 40% faster than some competitors, the exact speed comparison might not be relevant for all users.
- The “long slot” toaster can fit one long slice, but some users might prefer two regular slices side-by-side in a longer slot.
This Hamilton Beach 2-in-1 toaster oven is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering great versatility and performance.
5. TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft
Rating: 8.9/10
Meet the TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS, a countertop microwave that makes cooking and reheating a breeze. This sleek black microwave boasts a spacious 1.2 cubic feet interior, perfect for fitting a 12-inch pizza or larger dishes. Its 1000 watts of power ensure quick and efficient heating. Plus, with a smart humidity sensor and 12 auto menus, it takes the guesswork out of cooking popular foods. The easy-to-read control panel and mute function add to its user-friendly design.
What We Like:
- Generous 1.2 cu ft capacity easily fits large items like a 12-inch pizza.
- 1000W power delivers fast and effective cooking.
- Smart humidity sensor provides optimal heating for various foods.
- 12 pre-programmed auto menus simplify cooking common dishes.
- Mute function lets you silence the annoying beeps.
- ECO mode helps save energy.
- Easy-clean interior makes cleanup simple.
- Stylish black design complements any kitchen.
- Large digital display is clear and easy to read.
What Could Be Improved:
- The protective film on the keypad needs to be remembered to be removed before first use.
- A 1-year warranty means you need to keep the packaging for any potential service needs.
This Toshiba microwave is a solid choice for busy households, offering convenience and performance in one stylish package. Its smart features and ample space make it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
Your Guide to Choosing a Rated Countertop Oven
Countertop ovens are super handy kitchen helpers. They can toast, bake, broil, and sometimes even air fry! Finding the right one makes cooking easier and tastier. Let’s dive into what makes a countertop oven a great choice.
Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for a countertop oven, keep these important features in mind:
- Capacity: How much food can it hold? If you cook for a big family, you’ll need a larger oven. For one or two people, a smaller one is fine.
- Cooking Functions: Does it do what you need? Most do toast and bake. Some have broil, convection bake (which cooks food faster and more evenly), or even air fry.
- Temperature Range: Can it get hot enough for baking and cool enough for keeping food warm? A good range is important.
- Timer: A timer helps you keep track of cooking. Some ovens have automatic shut-off, which is a nice safety feature.
- Ease of Cleaning: Nobody likes scrubbing! Look for ovens with non-stick interiors or removable crumb trays.
Important Materials
The materials used in a countertop oven affect its durability and how well it cooks.
- Exterior: Most ovens have stainless steel or coated metal exteriors. Stainless steel looks nice and is easy to clean.
- Interior: The inside is usually made of non-stick materials or enamel. Non-stick makes cleaning a breeze.
- Heating Elements: These are usually made of metal. They heat up to cook your food.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a countertop oven better, while others can make it less good.
- Good Quality:
- Even Heating: A great oven cooks food evenly all around. Convection fans help with this.
- Durable Build: A sturdy oven will last longer.
- Easy Controls: Simple buttons or dials make it easy to use.
- Less Good Quality:
- Hot Spots: If some parts of the oven get hotter than others, your food might burn in some places and not cook in others.
- Flimsy Parts: Thin metal or plastic parts can break easily.
- Confusing Controls: If the buttons are hard to understand, using the oven can be frustrating.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the oven matters! A good countertop oven is versatile.
- Everyday Cooking: It’s perfect for toasting bread, heating up leftovers, or baking small batches of cookies.
- Quick Meals: Need to bake a small chicken or roast some vegetables? A countertop oven can do that faster than a big oven.
- Saving Energy: For small jobs, it uses less energy than a full-sized oven.
- Saving Space: It sits right on your counter, so you don’t need to heat up a big oven for small tasks.
A well-chosen countertop oven can become your go-to kitchen appliance!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main advantage of a countertop oven?
A: The main advantage is its convenience. It heats up faster, uses less energy for small jobs, and takes up less space than a full-sized oven.
Q: Can a countertop oven replace my regular oven?
A: For many small tasks like toasting, baking cookies, or reheating, yes. But for very large meals or roasting a whole turkey, a regular oven is usually better.
Q: What does “convection bake” mean?
A: Convection bake uses a fan to circulate hot air inside the oven. This cooks food more evenly and often faster.
Q: How do I clean my countertop oven?
A: Always unplug the oven first. Most have removable crumb trays that can be emptied and washed. The interior can usually be wiped down with a damp cloth and mild soap. Check your oven’s manual for specific instructions.
Q: Are countertop ovens safe?
A: Yes, countertop ovens are generally safe when used properly. Always place them on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials. Ensure the vents are not blocked.
Q: What size countertop oven do I need?
A: Consider how many people you cook for and what types of food you usually make. A 12-inch pizza capacity is a good starting point for many.
Q: What are the most common cooking functions?
A: The most common functions are toast, bake, and broil. Many also include convection bake.
Q: How long do countertop ovens typically last?
A: With good care, a quality countertop oven can last for several years, often 5-10 years or more.
Q: Can I bake a cake in a countertop oven?
A: Yes, you can bake many types of cakes, especially smaller ones or cupcakes, in a countertop oven. Just make sure the cake pan fits comfortably inside.
Q: What should I do if my countertop oven isn’t heating evenly?
A: Try rotating your food halfway through cooking. If the problem continues, it might be a sign of an older or less powerful oven, or a need for cleaning the heating elements.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!