Do you dream of perfectly toasted bagels but cringe at the thought of a bulky appliance hogging all your counter space? In today’s smaller kitchens, every inch matters. Finding a toaster oven that fits your needs *and* your available room can feel like a real puzzle. Many compact models promise big performance, but often fall short, leaving you with lukewarm toast or unevenly cooked snacks.
The struggle is real when you need the versatility of an oven but only have room for something tiny. You want crispy results without sacrificing precious prep area. This guide cuts through the confusion. We explore the best small-size toaster ovens that deliver maximum functionality in a minimal footprint.
Keep reading to discover our top picks, understand what features truly matter in a compact unit, and finally choose the perfect little powerhouse for your countertop. Let’s get cooking!
Top Small Size Toaster Oven Recommendations
- COMPACT & SPACE SAVING: Versatile compact design fits nicely in small spaces when counter space is limited.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 15 min timer is perfect for toasting and warming up food for a quick and easy snack or breakfast.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLS: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, warming or baking.
- 650 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in temperature thermostat maintains even cooking heat to keep food warm, bake or toast.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes a non-stick back pan and wire rack that easily slides in and out of the rack position to suit a variety of foods.
- ACCOMMODATES 9-INCH PIZZA OR 4 SLICES OF BREAD – Designed to maximize utility within a compact footprint, the curved interior fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. Place items evenly for best results when toasting, baking, or reheating.
- FOUR VERSATILE COOKING FUNCTIONS – Select from baking, broiling, toasting, or keeping food warm. Natural convection airflow circulates heat throughout the oven—preheat for 10 minutes to ensure consistent cooking and crisp results.
- PRECISION 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON OPTION – The 30-minute timer includes clearly marked toast settings and a stay-on function. Oven will not operate unless timer is set or stay-on is selected, ensuring controlled and safe operation.
- CONVENIENT REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – The slide-out crumb tray allows for quick, hygienic cleanup. To prevent spills and overheating, keep food and bakeware at least 1½ inches from the top heating elements and fully contained within the tray.
- COMPACT AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN – Measuring 14.5" x 10.8" x 8.8", this sleek stainless steel toaster oven complements any kitchen. Outer surfaces become hot during use—always use oven mitts and allow space for proper ventilation.
- 5-IN–1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING- Enjoy versatile cooking with Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Toast, and Keep Warm settings. Perfect for preparing a wide variety of meals from crispy fries to perfectly baked pizzas and golden toast.
- HEALTHY AIR FRYING TECHNOLOGY – Cook crispy, delicious meals with little to no oil using advanced air frying technology. Enjoy healthier alternatives to your favorite fried foods without compromising taste or texture.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERFECT TOAST – Achieve evenly toasted bread, bagels, and more with BLACK+DECKER’s EvenToast technology, ensuring consistent results every time with no hot spots.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS INTERIOR – Fits up to a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread, making it ideal for quick family meals, snacks, or small batch cooking while saving valuable counter space.
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS & 7 ACCESSORIES – 30-minute timer with removable crumb/drip tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup. Use drip tray when cooking and keep food clear of heating element. See User Manual for proper use.
- Safety Features: Compact toaster ovens baking rack is connected to the oven door to smoothly pull the rack toward you as the door is opened; auto shut-off helps prevent overcooking and burning
- Six 1-Touch Controls: Six preset cooking functions in this compact toaster oven for the foods you love, plus reheat, defrost, and more, so that making it just right couldn’t be simpler
- A Compact, Easy-to-Use Oven Toaster: Toast, bake, brown, and reheat to perfection with this Panasonic toaster oven; no preheat required—two infrared oven heating elements are positioned at the front and back for maximum efficiency
- Compact, Attractive Countertop Oven Design that Fits Anywhere: The FlashXpress toaster unique design and small footprint is perfect for any kitchen décor or countertop
- For So Much More than Just Toast: A countertop toaster oven that makes meals, snacks, and sides perfectly using a manual temperature control and timer
- COMPACT & VERSATILE: Compact design fits nicely in smaller spaces & also provides the power needed to cook many types of foods.
- ADJUSTABLE TIMER: The 30-min timer is perfect for all your baking, roasting and toasting needs as well as warming up a quick and easy snack.
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Adjust your oven controls between 200F-450F degrees for toasting, baking, roasting & warming.
- 800 WATTS OF POWER: Built-in thermostat maintains consistent heating for even cooking and perfect results when baking, roasting, toasting or keeping foods warm.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED - Includes an easy to clean baking pan and a wire rack that easily slide in and out of the two-rack positions to accommodate a variety of foods.
- Compact Kitchen Companion: The Dash Mini Toaster Oven is a convenient device perfect for single slice toast or whipping up creative homemade treats in small spaces thanks to its space-saving design
- Versatile Use for Every Meal: This multi-purpose Cooking Oven makes preparing mini pizzas, quiche, and healthy breakfasts a breeze with an adjustable temperature dial
- Quick Cleanup Promise: Enjoy an easy-to-clean experience after every use with a Removable Baking Tray and Slide-out Crumbs Tray that are both dishwasher safe for fast, hassle-free maintenance
- Safe & Stylish Cooking: This Mini Toaster Oven sports a minimalistic, modern design and includes an auto shut-off feature and a durable Oven Rack
- Happiness Is Homemade: Dash products invite families to gather together for the joy of cooking and eating at home
- 4-in-1 VERSATILITY FOR EVERYDAY COOKING – Toast, bake, broil, and keep food warm with one compact countertop appliance. Perfect for quick meals, snacks, and small-batch cooking without heating up your full-size oven.
- EVENTOAST TECHNOLOGY FOR CONSISTENT RESULTS – Specially designed interior ensures even heat distribution and better toasting performance—ideal for up to 4 slices of bread or a 9” pizza.
- 30-MINUTE TIMER WITH STAY-ON FUNCTION – Built-in precision timer with stay-on setting allows for longer baking tasks. Ready indicator light and audible signal make meal prep simple and hassle-free.
- SPACE-SAVING, SLEEK STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN – Modern stainless steel finish complements any kitchen decor while saving counter space. Durable build and clear glass door let you monitor food easily.
- EASY CLEANUP WITH REMOVABLE CRUMB TRAY – Includes a slide-out crumb tray, bake pan, and broil rack for mess-free use and quick cleaning after every meal.
- The Breville Mini Smart Countertop Oven and Toaster Oven with Element iQ System is for cooks interested in making pizza, delicious cookies and golden toast in their countertop oven; It's a mini oven, but this space-saving tool offers 8 cooking functions
- ELEMENT iQ SYSTEM: Using 5 independent quartz elements, smart algorithms steer small oven's power where and when it's needed, creating a tailored cooking environment for precise results; Fast 1800 Watt preheat gets meals on the kitchen table faster
- 8 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Versatile mini smart oven has 8 cooking functions to bring new meal options to your home and kitchen; Access Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Roast, Cookies, and Reheat; It's a toaster oven, pizza oven and more, all in one appliance
- SMALL CAPACITY: 11 x 10 x 4 inch interior capacity fits 4 toast slices, bagels, cookies, tuna melts, 6 cup muffin tray, and 11 inch pizzas; 3 rack positions, pull out crumb tray and auto shut off; Combo countertop oven and toaster fits into small kitchens
- LCD DISPLAY: LCD display allows for easy access to all of mini oven's built in smart functionality; Choose from 8 cooking functions to access a space-efficient roaster oven, broiler and more
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Small Size Toaster Ovens
A small toaster oven is a handy kitchen helper. It saves space. It cooks food fast. This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop, check these important parts first:
- Size and Capacity: Small usually means fitting one or two slices of bread. Measure your counter space! A good small oven fits easily.
- Temperature Control: Look for an adjustable thermostat. You need to bake, broil, and toast correctly.
- Timer Function: A reliable timer prevents burnt toast. Some models have automatic shut-off. This is a great safety feature.
- Toast Settings: Some ovens have specific settings for light, medium, or dark toast. This gives you perfect results every time.
- Accessories Included: Does it come with a baking pan and a rack? Extra trays mean you can start cooking right away.
Important Materials That Matter
The materials used affect how long your toaster oven lasts and how it cooks.
Exterior and Interior
Most small toaster ovens have a metal body. Stainless steel looks nice. It also cleans up easily. The inside walls should be non-stick if possible. This makes cleaning crumbs much simpler. Check the heating elements. Quartz or metal elements work well for fast heating.
Glass Door Quality
The door glass needs to be sturdy. Double-paned glass keeps the outside cooler. This is important for safety, especially around kids.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all small ovens cook the same. Pay attention to these details.
- Even Heating: High-quality ovens distribute heat evenly. Read reviews to see if people complain about one side cooking faster than the other.
- Durability: Sturdy knobs and strong hinges show better build quality. Cheap plastic parts break easily.
- Insulation: Good insulation means the oven heats food efficiently. It also saves a little on your electricity bill.
A poorly made oven might wear out quickly. It might also cook unevenly, leading to wasted food.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will actually use your small toaster oven.
Best Uses for Small Ovens
They are perfect for quick meals. You can toast bagels or reheat pizza slices without turning on a big oven. They work well for heating up small frozen items like chicken nuggets. They are ideal for dorm rooms, small apartments, or offices.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Simple controls make for a good user experience. If the dials are hard to read, you will get frustrated. Cleaning is a big factor. Look for a removable crumb tray. This tray catches all the fallen bits. You just slide it out and dump the crumbs.
10 FAQs About Small Size Toaster Ovens
Q: How small is a “small” toaster oven?
A: Small size usually means it fits about four slices of toast or a small 9-inch pizza. They are generally less than 1.2 cubic feet inside.
Q: Can I cook a whole chicken in a small toaster oven?
A: No, generally you cannot cook a whole chicken. They are best for small items like chicken breasts or fish fillets.
Q: Are small toaster ovens energy efficient?
A: Yes, they use much less energy than a full-sized oven because they heat up a smaller space faster.
Q: What is the difference between a toaster and a toaster oven?
A: A toaster only toasts bread vertically. A toaster oven can toast, bake, broil, and reheat food using heating elements all around.
Q: Should I buy one with convection?
A: Convection uses a fan to circulate hot air. This cooks food faster and makes it crispier. It is a great upgrade if your budget allows.
Q: How hot do the outside walls get?
A: The sides get warm, sometimes quite hot. Always keep flammable items away from the oven when it is running.
Q: Is non-stick coating important for the inside?
A: Non-stick coating makes cleaning much easier, especially after baking cheese or sauces. It is highly recommended.
Q: How do I know if the toast setting is accurate?
A: You must test it yourself! Start with a medium setting and adjust up or down until you find the perfect setting for your favorite bread.
Q: What is the purpose of the crumb tray?
A: The crumb tray catches crumbs that fall from the toast or food. You must clean it often to prevent smoke or fire hazards.
Q: Can I put aluminum foil inside my toaster oven?
A: Check the manual first. Sometimes foil can block airflow or touch the heating elements, which is dangerous. It is usually safe on the bottom of the baking pan, but never directly on the oven floor.
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!