The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900) is the best toaster oven for most kitchens in 2026, with roughly 1 cubic foot of space, 13 cooking functions and room for a 13-inch pizza. If you want a lower price and a smaller footprint, the Ninja Flip folds up against the wall, and the Cuisinart TOA-70 is a solid mid-priced air fryer toaster oven. For fast toast only, the Panasonic FlashXpress is the pick.
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Quick comparison of the best toaster ovens
| Pick | Best for | Key specs | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro BOV900 | Best overall | 1800 W, 13 functions, about 1 cu ft, 13-inch pizza, 21.5 x 13.55 x 12.5 in | Premium |
| Cuisinart TOA-70 | Mid-priced air fryer oven | 1800 W, 8-in-1, about 0.6 cu ft, 60-minute timer | Mid |
| Ninja Flip SP151 | Small kitchens | 1800 W, 8-in-1, flips up for storage | Mid |
| Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P | Fast toast and small meals | 1300 W, about 0.52 cu ft, 9-inch square tray, 13 x 12 x 10.2 in, 7.5 lb | Mid |
| Ninja French Door Premier | Larger families | Double door design | Upper-mid |
Best overall: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
America’s Test Kitchen named this its favorite air-fryer toaster oven, citing strong air frying, roasting, baking, broiling and toasting. It has 13 settings, including proof, slow cook and dehydrate, plus a 15.2 x 11.5 inch air-fry basket. Breville’s Element IQ system adjusts heat between elements to match each function. Interior space of roughly 1 cubic foot fits a 13-inch pizza or a small whole chicken. The trade-off is price, and it is large, with a 21.5 inch width that needs counter planning.
Best mid-range: Cuisinart TOA-70
The TOA-70 delivers 1800 watts, eight functions and about 0.6 cubic feet of space, enough for a 12-inch pizza or six slices of toast. It offers a lot of cooking range for the money. The trade-off is smaller capacity and a less refined interface than the Breville, and sources disagree on whether the control is analog or digital, so confirm the exact version listed.
Best for small kitchens: Ninja Flip
The flip-up design stores flat against the backsplash, which frees counter space when you are not using it. It also has 1800 watts and eight functions. Roundups pick it for versatility and value. The trade-off is that a flip design needs clear space above and behind it when open, and its height limits whole-chicken roasting.
Best for speed: Panasonic FlashXpress
This unit uses double infrared elements and needs no preheat. TechGearLab measured it reaching 350 degrees Fahrenheit in about 1.6 minutes. It measures 13 x 12 x 10.2 inches and weighs 7.5 pounds. The trade-offs are 1300 watts, no convection fan and a 9-inch square tray, so it is best for toast, reheating and small dinners.
Best for families: Ninja French Door Premier
A double-door design opens with one hand and gives a larger interior than the compact models. It suits households that bake more than they toast. The trade-off is that it is larger and costs more than the Cuisinart.
How to choose with numbers
| Cooking need | Minimum capacity | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Toast and reheating for 1 to 2 | 0.5 cu ft | 1300 and up |
| Weeknight dinners for 3 to 4 | 0.6 to 0.8 cu ft | 1500 to 1800 |
| 13-inch pizza or whole chicken | 1 cu ft | 1800 |
Check the interior height and tray size, not just cubic feet. A 9-inch square tray cannot hold a 12-inch pizza no matter how many functions the oven has. Also look at the air-fry basket size, since a 15 x 11 inch basket holds noticeably more than a 10 x 9 inch one.
Ownership realities
- Counter footprint: Leave several inches of clearance at the back and sides for heat.
- Cleaning: Crumb trays and nonstick interiors need regular cleaning to prevent smoke and odors.
- Air-fry baskets: Mesh baskets clog with grease, so wash after greasy foods.
- Power draw: At 1800 watts, a toaster oven can trip a shared circuit when run with a microwave or kettle.
- Energy: A toaster oven often preheats faster than a full oven and can save time for small meals.
Toaster oven versus air fryer versus full oven
| Task | Toaster oven | Air fryer | Full oven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toast 4 slices | Even, 2 to 4 min | Not designed for it | Slow, wasteful |
| Reheat pizza | Crisp crust | Good for 1 to 2 slices | Needs preheat |
| Roast vegetables | Good with convection | Fast, small batch | Best for big pans |
| Bake a small cake | Works in a quarter sheet | Limited | Best |
| Whole chicken | Only large models | Rare | Best |
If you already own an air fryer, a toaster oven’s main advantage is a flat rack and a larger baking space. If you do not, an air fryer toaster oven covers both jobs in one footprint.
Getting better results, step by step
- Preheat for baking. Even quick-heat units need a few minutes, and the Panasonic’s infrared design is the exception for toast.
- Use the right rack position. Top positions brown, bottom positions bake, and the middle is the safe default.
- Use a pan that fits. Leave at least an inch around the pan so air and heat can circulate.
- Lower the temperature for convection. A typical rule is to reduce a recipe by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit when using a convection fan.
- Rotate pans. Small ovens can have hot spots near the elements, so turn the tray halfway through.
Features worth paying for, and ones to skip
- Worth it: a convection fan, a removable crumb tray, a bright interior light, an auto-shutoff and a digital timer.
- Depends: dehydrate and proof modes are nice but used rarely by most owners.
- Skip unless needed: a long list of presets you will never use. A simple bake, broil, toast and air fry set covers most cooking.
Check door clearance and handle design, because a door that drops down needs room in front of the unit. Also compare interior height. A shallow oven cannot roast a chicken, no matter its stated cubic feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best toaster oven overall?
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is most often named best overall by testing outlets. It is expensive, so mid-range models like the Cuisinart TOA-70 are strong alternatives.
Is an air fryer toaster oven worth it?
Yes, if you want one appliance for toast, baking and air frying. A dedicated air fryer may crisp slightly faster, but an air fryer oven handles more tasks.
How big of a toaster oven do I need?
Choose 0.5 cubic feet for toast and reheating, about 0.6 to 0.8 for family dinners and about 1 cubic foot for a 13-inch pizza or roasted chicken.
Do toaster ovens use less electricity than a regular oven?
For small meals, usually yes, because they heat a smaller space and preheat faster. For large batch cooking, a full-size oven may be more efficient.
Can I put aluminum foil in a toaster oven?
Generally yes, but keep it away from heating elements and do not block airflow. Follow the manual for your model.
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