Toaster ovens have become essential appliances in modern kitchens, providing a versatile alternative to conventional ovens for small-scale baking, roasting, and toasting. With a wide array of models available on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To help consumers make informed decisions, Consumer Reports regularly tests and reviews a variety of kitchen appliances, including toaster ovens, based on performance, reliability, and ease of use. In this article, we explore what toaster oven Consumer Reports most highly recommends, delve into the features that set it apart, and provide guidance on how to choose the best toaster oven for your needs.
Why Trust Consumer Reports?
Before we dive into the details of the recommended model, it’s important to understand why Consumer Reports is a valuable resource when evaluating toaster ovens. Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization that independently tests thousands of products each year, including small kitchen appliances. Their reviews are based on rigorous testing procedures and come without influence from advertisers or manufacturers, making them a trusted authority for unbiased consumer ratings.
In the case of toaster ovens, Consumer Reports evaluates models based on several key criteria:
- Evenness of Baking: How well the oven bakes items like cookies or frozen pizzas.
- Toast Performance: How effectively and evenly the oven toasts bread slices.
- Reheat and Defrost Functions: How well the appliance handles reheating leftovers or defrosting frozen food.
- Design and Usability: Includes ease of cleaning, accessibility of controls, and door safety.
- Energy Efficiency: How much power the toaster oven consumes during operation.
With these standards in mind, let’s look at which models Consumer Reports has rated most highly.
The Consumer Reports Top Pick: Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro has consistently ranked among the top toaster ovens in Consumer Reports’ reviews. This multifunctional appliance goes beyond traditional toasting and baking by incorporating an air fryer, convection system, and a wide array of cooking presets.
Key Features
- Air Fryer Function: Eliminates the need for a separate appliance, allowing you to fry without oil or with minimal oil.
- Convection Heating: Ensures even cooking by circulating hot air around the food, reducing hot and cold spots.
- 12 Cooking Functions: These include toast, bagel, bake, roast, reheat, defrost, pizza, cookies, broil, slow cook, keep warm, and air fry.
- Large Capacity: At 1 cubic foot, it can comfortably handle a 13-inch pizza or six slices of toast.
- Smart Temperature Control: Precise temperature adjustments and consistent heat delivery for better results.
- Digital Touchscreen Controls: Simple to navigate and highly intuitive, with settings for time and temperature across all functions.
Performance Highlights
Consumer Reports praised the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for its exceptional evenness in baking and its air fryer’s superior performance compared to standalone units. The convection heat ensures quick and consistent cooking, and the preset functions take the guesswork out of meal preparation. In real-world tests conducted by Consumer Reports, cookies and pizzas emerged evenly cooked, and the toasting function provided evenly browned slices without burning.
Additionally, users reported that the large interior and non-stick crumb tray made cleaning straightforward, a major plus given that many toaster ovens are notorious for being hard to clean.
Ease of Use and Design
Breville designed the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro with a sleek countertop look and a convenient front-facing digital interface. The interior is illuminated by a bright oven light, allowing for easy monitoring during cooking. The oven door features a glass window – a welcome feature for anyone who wants to check food progress without losing heat.
The crumb tray slides out smoothly and the interior walls are treated with a non-stick coating, which greatly reduces cleanup time.
Energy Efficiency
One of the standout attributes of this model is its energy efficiency. Compared to traditional ovens, which can consume significantly more power, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro uses approximately 1,800 watts, which is standard for its size and feature set. Because it heats up quickly and doesn’t require lengthy preheating like larger ovens, it’s a smart and eco-friendly alternative for smaller meals.
Price Point
While this unit is more expensive than entry-level models (typically retailing between $500 and $600), Consumer Reports argues that the multifunctional design, precise temperature controls, and large capacity easily justify the price point. For serious home cooks or small families looking to consolidate kitchen gadgets, the investment is well worth it.
Other Highly Rated Models from the Consumer Reports Toaster Oven Lineup
While the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the top pick, Consumer Reports also highlights several other models that perform exceptionally well, particularly for those who may not want or need an air fryer function or are working with a tighter budget.
Hamilton Beach 99635
The Hamilton Beach 99635 is a more affordable option praised for its performance in toasting and basic baking. This model offers six cooking functions, including broil, bake, toast, and frozen pizza settings.
Consumer Reports noted that this toaster oven excels particularly in evenness for baking cookies and reheating meals. Its compact size and budget-friendly price tag (often under $100) make it an excellent pick for apartments, dorm rooms, or small kitchens.
However, it lacks a convection feature, so baked goods may not brown quite as evenly as desired by more experienced cooks.
Dreamegg TO537B
Another budget-friendly option that scored well is the Dreamegg TO537B. Consumer Reports appreciated the intuitive controls and consistent performance, particularly in toast setting uniformity.
While it’s a simple model without many additional features, it offers reliable performance for basic baking and toasting needs. This toaster oven is ideal for those who want a straightforward, no-frills appliance.
What To Look for When Buying a Toaster Oven
Consumer Reports’ recommendations are extremely helpful, but it’s important to assess your personal needs and kitchen setup when selecting a toaster oven. Here are the main considerations to factor in:
Capacity
Toaster ovens come in a variety of sizes, measured in cubic feet or by the number of toast slices they can accommodate. If you’re cooking for one or two people and mostly using it for toast and small snacks, a compact model might suffice. However, if you’re preparing meals for families or larger batches of cookies, a larger capacity model (at least 0.8–1.0 cu ft) is more suitable.
Functionality
Most models offer basic functions like bake, toast, and broil, but many also include additional features:
- Convection Cooking: Ensures even cooking and faster heat distribution.
- Air Frying: Adds value for health-conscious users looking to reduce oil usage.
- Pre-programmed Settings: Many modern models offer settings for pizza, cookies, defrost, and reheat.
Temperature Range
Ensure that the toaster oven has a broad temperature range, ideally from 100°F for defrost to 500°F for pizza settings. Flexibility in temperature allows for a greater variety of cooking possibilities.
Heating Elements
Toaster ovens with top and bottom heating elements provide better versatility. For example, you can use the top elements to broil meats or the bottom ones for even baking. Dual-element models produce more consistent results than those with only a single coil.
Build Quality and Design
While aesthetics may matter less than function, a well-designed toaster oven can make a noticeable difference in usability and longevity. Look for sturdy materials (preferably stainless steel or robust plastic), adjustable racks for various dish sizes, and easy-to-read control panels.
Ease of Cleaning
If you’re someone who bakes often or tends to splatter food, cleaning becomes a factor. Non-stick interiors and removable crumb trays make cleanup easier. Some models feature glass doors for monitoring food during cooking without opening the oven.
Consumer Reports Testing Methodology
Understanding how Consumer Reports conducts its product testing can give you more confidence in its recommendations. The organization’s product laboratories simulate everyday consumer environments to test functionality. For toaster ovens, the tests include:
Toast Test
Models are tested for consistency across multiple bread slices, evaluating how evenly the bread browns. Consumer Reports also looks at how well the toaster oven handles different types of bread, from thin slices to thick bagels.
Baking and Roasting Tests
The team bakes identical batches of cookies in each toaster oven and assesses texture, rise, and evenness of color. Additionally, frozen pizzas are cooked and examined for crust crispness and cheese melt.
Air Frying Capabilities
For multifunction models like the Breville Smart Oven Pro, chicken wings, fries, and other classic fried foods are tested and compared to results from standalone air fryers.
Defrost and Reheat Performance
The toaster oven’s ability to handle frozen foods and leftovers is tested using a frozen pie and leftover pizza slices, looking at evenness and moisture retention.
Durability and User Experience
In addition to the functional tests, Consumer Reports also tests the durability of the appliance and evaluates ease of use, cleaning, and overall design practicality.
How to Maximize the Use of Your Toaster Oven
Once you’ve invested in a quality toaster oven—like the one recommended by Consumer Reports—there are several ways to get the most out of your appliance:
Use the Right Cookware
While toaster ovens are versatile, not all cookware is compatible. Avoid using glass baking dishes unless the manufacturer specifies they’re toaster oven-safe. Metal pans heat more efficiently and are often ideal for baking and broiling.
Preheat when Necessary
Although many toaster ovens do not require extensive preheating, models with convection or air frying functions benefit from at least a 3–5 minute warm-up period to ensure even cooking.
Adjust Racks Depending on the Function
Most toaster ovens feature at least two rack levels. Use the lower rack for baking to avoid burning the tops of items like cookies, and the upper rack for toasting or broiling to achieve a crispy finish.
Keep It Clean
Regular cleaning improves performance and longevity. Wipe down the interior after each use, and clean the crumb tray and door regularly. This will prevent the accumulation of grease or food particles that can smoke or cause odors during future use.
Experiment with Recipes
Toaster ovens can do more than just toast bread—they are great for cooking everything from baked brie with honey and nuts to mini quiches. Explore online communities or recipe databases tailored to toaster oven cooking for more inspired meal ideas.
Consumer Reports’ Value for Toaster Oven Shoppers
If you’re considering a new toaster oven, turning to Consumer Reports reviews is a smart decision. Their comprehensive data, hands-on testing, and long-term reliability insights provide much more than a quick online review.
By relying on their data, you can be confident that the recommendations are grounded in actual in-lab testing, not anecdotal feedback or sponsored content. This approach gives you a transparent, detailed picture of how each model performs across a variety of kitchen scenarios.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Toaster Oven Consumer Reports Recommends?
If you are seeking a high-performing, multifunctional toaster oven, the Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is an excellent choice—especially if you value even baking, toast uniformity, and advanced features like air frying and convection. Its slightly higher cost is well justified by the range of cooking capabilities and ease of use.
However, if you’re after something simpler or more affordable, models like the Hamilton Beach 99635 or Dreamegg TO537B are capable performers for basic toasting and baking needs.
Regardless of your budget or culinary preferences, investing in a toaster oven backed by Consumer Reports’ testing ensures you’re getting a product that delivers on its promises.
Resources and Further Reading
To stay updated on the latest toaster oven reviews and rankings, visit the official Consumer Reports website or look up their most recent kitchen appliances report. Additionally, resources such as America’s Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, and Wirecutter offer tested recommendations and comparisons that can help refine your choice.
When selecting your next toaster oven, remember: a model that is easy to use, easy to clean, and highly functional can dramatically improve your everyday cooking experience.
Final Note: Always check user ratings, warranties, and long-term serviceability before purchasing. Models from Breville, Hamilton Beach, and Dreamegg are known for offering strong customer support, which adds value over time.
What is the best toaster oven recommended by Consumer Reports?
Consumer Reports frequently updates its recommendations based on rigorous testing and real-world performance data. As of the most recent review cycles, the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro has been highly rated for its versatility, precision, and even cooking performance. It handles a wide range of functions including baking, roasting, air frying, and toasting, making it a top contender for those seeking a multifunctional countertop oven.
This model stands out for its intuitive controls, compact footprint, and excellent heat distribution that ensures consistent results across different foods. While it comes at a higher price point than many other toaster ovens, its performance justifies the investment for users who value cooking precision and multi-functionality. Consumer Reports also notes that the Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro is particularly effective at air frying, rivaling some of the best standalone air fryers on the market.
How does Consumer Reports test and rate toaster ovens?
Consumer Reports evaluates toaster ovens through a comprehensive battery of tests designed to mimic real-life usage scenarios. Testers measure how well an oven toasts bread, bakes cookies, reheats leftovers, and cooks frozen convenience foods like pizza pockets. Temperature accuracy is also taken into account, alongside how evenly the heat is distributed throughout the oven’s interior.
In addition to cooking performance, Consumer Reports factors in usability elements such as ease of cleaning, control layout, noise levels, and overall design. The ovens are also tested for safety, particularly how hot the exterior surfaces become during use. Each of these criteria is weighted to reflect consumer priorities and combined to generate an overall score that helps shoppers make informed decisions.
Are there affordable toaster ovens that Consumer Reports endorses?
Yes, Consumer Reports does recommend certain budget-friendly models that perform well despite their lower cost. One such example is the Oster Extra Large Capacity Digital Countertop Convection Oven. While not as feature-rich as premium models, this oven delivers consistent results in toasting, baking, and reheating, making it a solid choice for those who do not need high-end features like air frying or precise temperature settings.
The Oster model also scores well in terms of usability, with straightforward digital controls and a large interior capacity that accommodates multiple dishes or a whole pizza. Despite some limitations in heat consistency when using the highest temperature settings, it offers excellent value for money. Consumers looking for a reliable toaster oven that won’t break the bank often find this unit to be a smart investment.
What are the best features to look for in a toaster oven?
According to Consumer Reports, top features to consider include convection cooking, preset cooking modes, precise temperature control, and an air frying function. Convection baking enhances cooking performance by circulating hot air, leading to more even baking and faster cooking times. Presets make it easier for users to prepare popular dishes without guesswork, and they are especially helpful for novice cooks.
Additionally, ease of use and cleanup are essential factors—models with interior lighting, removable crumb trays, and non-stick interiors make life easier in the kitchen. A wide temperature range and accurate timer controls are also important, especially for users who want to prepare a variety of dishes from frozen meals to artisan bread. The ideal toaster oven combines these high-performance features with user-friendly ergonomics.
Do toaster ovens with air fryers perform as well as standalone models?
Consumer Reports’ analysis suggests that while most toaster ovens with built-in air frying capabilities don’t match the intense crispiness of dedicated countertop air fryers, some high-end models, such as the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro, come very close. These toaster ovens use advanced air circulation systems and powerful heating elements to produce results that are impressively crisp and evenly cooked.
However, the volume of food you can air fry in a multifunction toaster oven is generally smaller than what a dedicated air fryer can handle. For those who want to cook larger batches or want the best crisp texture, a standalone air fryer may be preferable. On the other hand, if counter space is limited and multifunctionality is a priority, a combined toaster oven air fryer can be a smart investment with great performance across multiple cooking styles.
How important is the capacity of a toaster oven?
Capacity is a crucial consideration when choosing a toaster oven, as it affects both versatility and usability. Consumer Reports recommends models that offer enough interior space to accommodate a 13-inch pizza or multiple racks for simultaneous cooking layers, which is especially useful for families or anyone preparing varied meals. The amount of food you can cook at once often determines the efficiency and practicality of a given model for regular use.
At the same time, larger ovens take up more counter space and may not be necessary for single users or small households. A compact model may be more appropriate in such situations, especially if the main tasks involve toasting bread, reheating leftovers, or handling small meals. Consumer Reports encourages shoppers to consider their specific cooking needs and kitchen space when choosing between a compact, mid-size, or full-size toaster oven.
Should I trust Consumer Reports recommendations over brand reputation?
Consumer Reports is known for its unbiased, data-driven approach to product testing, which means their recommendations are based on objective performance metrics rather than brand names or marketing claims. As such, they are often a more reliable source than word-of-mouth or brand marketing efforts that may not accurately reflect real-world usage and performance.
That said, brand reputation can carry weight, especially in terms of customer support and warranty services. However, it’s always better to prioritize how a specific model performs in independent evaluations, as even well-known manufacturers have both top-performing and underperforming products. Consumer Reports eliminates brand bias, focusing purely on the user experience—making their ratings a trustworthy source for informed purchasing decisions.