The humble toaster oven has come a long way, hasn't it? It’s no longer just for browning bread. These days, a good toaster oven is a genuine kitchen workhorse, capable of tackling everything from a quick breakfast toast to a full-blown roast chicken or a batch of perfectly baked cookies. If you've been eyeing an upgrade or looking to consolidate appliances, 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for these versatile countertop heroes.
Food Network Kitchen's team recently put a variety of models through their paces, testing them with toast, cookies, and even a whole chicken. Their goal? To find the machines that truly shine. And what they discovered is that the new generation of toaster ovens, thanks to smart technology, offer a compelling argument for adding another appliance to your kitchen. They can toast, bake, roast, and broil, with many boasting preset functions for pizza, frozen foods, and even air frying, dehydrating, or acting as a proofing box for dough.
Making the Right Choice: Standard vs. Air Fryer Toaster Oven
One of the biggest decisions you'll face is whether you need an air fryer function. If you already have a beloved basket-style air fryer, a standard toaster oven might suffice. However, if you're looking to streamline your kitchen and potentially replace multiple gadgets, an air fryer toaster oven combo is incredibly convincing. The Food Network Kitchen team found that many of these dual-purpose machines offer excellent value.
What Went Into the Testing?
To get to their top picks, they evaluated 20 different models from various brands and price points, including those with air frying capabilities. They meticulously noted special features and warranties. The testing process was thorough: they checked how evenly bread toasted, whether a frozen pizza achieved a crisp crust and melty cheese, how well store-bought cookies baked (aiming for crunchy edges and soft centers), and if chicken breasts came out juicy with crispy skin. For models with air fryers, batches of frozen French fries were put to the test.
And because a kitchen appliance should be as easy to clean as it is to use, they also tackled the cleanup. They washed trays and racks by hand, noting which were dishwasher safe, and assessed how simple it was to remove crumbs and spills from the bottom.
The Standout Performers for 2025
While the exact stock and prices can fluctuate, the insights from their testing highlight some clear winners:
- Best Overall: The Breville Compact Smart Oven consistently impressed. It seems to hit that sweet spot of performance and size.
- Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: For those prioritizing the air frying feature, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro emerged as a top contender. While it might command a higher price and a bit more counter space, the team felt it was worth the investment. Its intuitive digital interface boasts 13 preset functions, including air fry, slow cook, roast, broil, bake, cookies, pizza, toast, bagel, reheat, proof, and dehydrate. The precision offered by its preheat cycles, though an extra step, contributes to excellent results. It comes with a generous array of accessories, and its capacity to fit standard baking dishes and even a 5-quart Dutch oven makes it incredibly versatile. Plus, it’s available in finishes to match any kitchen décor.
- Best Value: If you're looking for a great balance of features and price, the Cuisinart TOA-65 Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a strong contender. It offers that sought-after air frying capability without breaking the bank.
- Best Budget: For those on a tighter budget, the Hamilton Beach Easy Reach is a practical choice that still delivers on essential functions.
- Best Small Toaster Oven: When counter space is at a premium, the Panasonic FlashXpress is a compact option that doesn't compromise on performance for its size.
Ultimately, the best toaster oven for you will depend on your specific needs and kitchen setup. But with these tested and reviewed options, you're well on your way to finding a reliable and capable addition to your culinary arsenal for 2025.
