Tired of waiting for your big oven to heat up just for a single slice of toast or a small batch of cookies? It’s frustrating when you need a quick bite, right? Finding the perfect toaster oven that actually performs well without emptying your wallet can feel like a treasure hunt. You see so many choices under $100, but how do you know which one won’t burn your bagel or take forever to bake?
Many budget toaster ovens promise a lot but deliver weak performance or break down quickly. That’s where the real pain point hits! You want something reliable, easy to clean, and capable of handling your everyday needs—all for under a hundred dollars. It shouldn’t be this complicated!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We have tested and researched the best affordable options available right now. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which toaster oven gives you the most bang for your buck, saving you time and avoiding buyer’s remorse. Let’s dive in and find the champion of budget countertop cooking!
Top Toaster Oven Under $100 Recommendations
- 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 – Features a 30-minute timer for precision cooking, plus a removable crumb tray, bake pan, air fry mesh tray, and wire rack for easy cleanup and versatile cooking options.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fits Most Oven Pans - Use the pans you already have! This spacious oven fits most standard 9”x13” oven pans with handles. That means you can go from straight from oven to table. Plus, the included baking/broiling pan fits perfectly, making it easy to insert and remove food. Toasting rack also included.
- Convection Heating - The powerful convection fan circulates warm air throughout the oven for fast, even baking. Other functions include: baking, broiling, toasting, and keeping food warm.Dedicated Toast Timer - Get perfect toast every time using the dedicated toast timer. It allows for predictable shade selection with every use.
- Temperatures in the oven will be lower than your set point. This is due to advanced heating elements used in this oven. Temperature dial settings have been calibrated to provide expected results for most recipes taking into account the advanced heating elements.
- 60-minute Timer - The 60-minute precision timer features stay-on functionality for longer baking tasks. Dedicated precision toast timer. 3 rack positions for improved cooking flexibility
- 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.
- Spacious French Door Design – Dual doors open with one hand for easy loading of family-size meals, its 25 quart capacity fits a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
- Multi-Use Cooking Power – Air fry, bake, broil, roast, dehydrate, and toast with 17 presets for easy cooking, from crispy fries to roasted chicken and fresh-baked pizza
- Precision Digital Controls – Easy-to-use digital display with adjustable time (1–99 min) and temperature (90°F–450°F) for perfect results
- FryForce Convection Technology – 1700W convection airflow circulates heat for crispy, oil-free frying results
- Convenient Accessories – Includes stainless steel fry basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray for easy cleanup
- EASY ACCESS TO FOOD AND COUNTERTOP: Easily access food in the toaster oven broiler and on your countertop with the Easy Reach roll-top door.
- FITS A 9" x 11" BAKE PAN, 6 SLICES OF TOAST OR A 12" PIZZA: This Hamilton Beach toaster oven has a spacious interior with plenty of room for cooking everything from snacks to side dishes.
- EASY TO KEEP CLEAN WHILE COOKING: The roll-top door stays up and out of the way of messy spills and drips when opened. The door and slide-out crumb tray are both removable for cleaning.
- COOK YOUR WAY WITH 3 COOKING FUNCTIONS: This toaster oven bakes, broils and toasts. It has 2 rack positions,1400 watts of power, and a temperature range of 150 to 450º F. It's great for everyday cooking tasks.
- SIMPLE MANUAL CONTROLS: This toaster oven has manual controls that are easy to use. Great for anyone who wants a toaster oven that gets the job done without being complicated. Includes 30 minute timer with Stay On function, ready bell and auto shutoff.
The Smart Shopper’s Guide: Finding the Best Toaster Oven Under $100
You want a handy kitchen helper that toasts bread perfectly and bakes small meals without heating up your whole kitchen. A toaster oven under $100 is a fantastic choice! This guide helps you pick the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a budget-friendly toaster oven, focus on these important features. They make a big difference in how you use the appliance.
1. Size and Capacity
Check the interior space. A larger oven fits more food. Think about what you cook most often. Can it fit four slices of toast? Does it hold a small pizza (like a 9-inch one)? Bigger ovens usually take up more counter space, so measure your kitchen first.
2. Functions and Settings
Good toaster ovens offer more than just toasting. Look for these settings:
- Toast/Bake: These are standard.
- Broil: Essential for melting cheese or browning the top of casseroles.
- Convection (Bonus!): This setting uses a fan to circulate hot air. It cooks food faster and more evenly. You often find this feature even in cheaper models now.
3. Temperature Range and Controls
Ensure the oven heats up high enough (usually up to 450°F or higher) for baking and broiling. Controls matter too. Digital controls offer more precise temperature settings. Simple dials are easy to use but sometimes less accurate.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your toaster oven lasts and how safe it is to use.
Exterior and Interior
Most affordable models use stainless steel or painted metal for the exterior. Stainless steel looks nice and cleans up well. Inside, look for a non-stick coating on the crumb tray and the cooking rack. This makes cleanup much easier.
Heating Elements
Heating elements are usually made of metal tubes or quartz. Quartz elements heat up faster than traditional metal ones. Check reviews to see if the elements heat evenly across the whole oven.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag. These details determine if the oven performs well over time.
Improving Quality:
- Insulation: Better insulation keeps the outside of the oven cooler while cooking. This is safer.
- Automatic Shut-off: A timer that turns the oven off when done prevents burning and saves energy.
- Included Accessories: A good baking pan and a sturdy wire rack are necessary extras.
Reducing Quality (Watch Outs):
Cheap plastic knobs or handles can break quickly. If the door feels flimsy or doesn’t close tightly, heat will escape, making cooking uneven. Thin metal siding can also mean the exterior gets dangerously hot.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your new oven.
For Quick Meals:
If you only toast bread, reheat leftovers, or make frozen snacks, a smaller, simpler model works great. Look for fast preheating times.
For Small Batch Cooking:
If you bake cookies for one or two people or cook small chicken breasts, prioritize convection settings and accurate temperature control. These functions help you replace your main oven on hot days.
Remember, an under $100 toaster oven offers great value. Focus on the features you need most, and you will find a reliable kitchen partner!
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Toaster Ovens Under $100
Q: Can a toaster oven under $100 really replace my big oven?
A: For small meals, yes! They are great for baking a few muffins or reheating pizza slices. They heat up much faster than a full-sized oven.
Q: Is convection worth looking for in a cheap toaster oven?
A: Yes, if you can find it! Convection cooks food more evenly and often faster, making your budget purchase perform better.
Q: How do I clean the crumb tray?
A: Always unplug the oven first. Most crumb trays slide out easily. You can wash them with warm, soapy water. Make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in.
Q: Are these ovens safe to leave unattended?
A: Never leave any cooking appliance unattended for long periods. However, look for models with automatic shut-off timers for extra safety.
Q: Will the outside get very hot?
A: Yes, most budget models get hot on the exterior surfaces. Always use oven mitts when touching the sides or top, and keep them away from walls or cabinets.
Q: What is the average size of these ovens?
A: Most fit 4 to 6 slices of toast or a small 9-inch pizza. Check the interior dimensions if you plan to cook larger items.
Q: Are digital controls better than dial controls?
A: Digital controls usually offer more precise temperature settings. Dials are simpler and sometimes more durable, but they can be less accurate when setting exact temperatures.
Q: Do I need special cookware inside?
A: You need oven-safe cookware. Usually, the small metal pan that comes with the oven works fine for baking. Avoid plastic or anything not rated for oven use.
Q: How long should a good toaster oven last?
A: A well-made toaster oven under $100 should last between 3 to 5 years with regular use. Good cleaning habits help it last longer.
Q: What should I do if my toast comes out uneven?
A: Uneven toasting often means the heating elements are not heating equally. Try rotating the bread halfway through the toasting cycle. If the problem continues, the oven might need replacing.
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!