The Best Countertop Ovens Of 2022
Enjoy The Life/Shutterstock By Anita Surewicz/Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 11:38 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Household technology has transformed our lives — and we are not just talking about home entertainment systems such as smart TVs. Our kitchens are becoming increasingly more streamlined, with compact gadgets replacing their older and more clunky counterparts. Countertop ovens are a prime example. Far more space-efficient than traditional ovens, they are extremely portable and ideal for small kitchens.
Highly versatile, countertop ovens can feature a huge range of settings, often combining the functions of multiple appliances such as toasters and air fryers. In fact, most countertop ovens come with pre-set cooking functions — such as toast, roast, bake, and air fry — to take the guesswork out of cooking. They also tend to be more affordable and energy-efficient than conventional ovens, making them not just cheaper to run but also eco-friendly. Ready to find out more about these multifaceted kitchen appliances? Here’s our list of the best countertop ovens of 2022 to set you on the right path.
How we selected the products
brizmaker/Shutterstock
While most modern countertop ovens can replace conventional ovens in terms of functionality, they’re by no means all created equal. And this is where it pays to do your homework. After all, there is little use in getting a compact countertop oven for a family of five or expecting a budget appliance to steam your fish and veggies.
To help you select a countertop oven that is right for your kitchen, we have looked at a variety of criteria. Firstly, we considered size since a countertop oven needs to be large enough to cook whatever it is you want to cook but compact enough to fit in your kitchen. We then looked at each unit’s pre-set cooking functions, as well as temperature and time controls. We also examined each countertop oven’s display and ease of use. Last but not least, we took into account the price because there’s nothing better than getting value for your buck.
The Best Countertop Ovens Of 2022
Enjoy The Life/Shutterstock
By Anita Surewicz/Updated: Jan. 31, 2023 11:38 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Household technology has transformed our lives — and we are not just talking about home entertainment systems such as smart TVs. Our kitchens are becoming increasingly more streamlined, with compact gadgets replacing their older and more clunky counterparts. Countertop ovens are a prime example. Far more space-efficient than traditional ovens, they are extremely portable and ideal for small kitchens.
Highly versatile, countertop ovens can feature a huge range of settings, often combining the functions of multiple appliances such as toasters and air fryers. In fact, most countertop ovens come with pre-set cooking functions — such as toast, roast, bake, and air fry — to take the guesswork out of cooking. They also tend to be more affordable and energy-efficient than conventional ovens, making them not just cheaper to run but also eco-friendly. Ready to find out more about these multifaceted kitchen appliances? Here’s our list of the best countertop ovens of 2022 to set you on the right path.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Highly versatile, countertop ovens can feature a huge range of settings, often combining the functions of multiple appliances such as toasters and air fryers. In fact, most countertop ovens come with pre-set cooking functions — such as toast, roast, bake, and air fry — to take the guesswork out of cooking. They also tend to be more affordable and energy-efficient than conventional ovens, making them not just cheaper to run but also eco-friendly.
Ready to find out more about these multifaceted kitchen appliances? Here’s our list of the best countertop ovens of 2022 to set you on the right path.
How we selected the products
brizmaker/Shutterstock
While most modern countertop ovens can replace conventional ovens in terms of functionality, they’re by no means all created equal. And this is where it pays to do your homework. After all, there is little use in getting a compact countertop oven for a family of five or expecting a budget appliance to steam your fish and veggies.
To help you select a countertop oven that is right for your kitchen, we have looked at a variety of criteria. Firstly, we considered size since a countertop oven needs to be large enough to cook whatever it is you want to cook but compact enough to fit in your kitchen. We then looked at each unit’s pre-set cooking functions, as well as temperature and time controls. We also examined each countertop oven’s display and ease of use. Last but not least, we took into account the price because there’s nothing better than getting value for your buck.
To help you select a countertop oven that is right for your kitchen, we have looked at a variety of criteria. Firstly, we considered size since a countertop oven needs to be large enough to cook whatever it is you want to cook but compact enough to fit in your kitchen. We then looked at each unit’s pre-set cooking functions, as well as temperature and time controls. We also examined each countertop oven’s display and ease of use. Last but not least, we took into account the price because there’s nothing better than getting value for your buck.
Best overall countertop oven
Breville
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro features 13 cooking functions including dehydrate, air fry, slow cook, and roast. The super convection setting ensures fast and even heat distribution, reducing cooking time by up to 30%. The oven’s six quartz heating elements and smart algorithms direct power exactly to where it’s needed while the unit’s digital PID temperature control prevents any cold spots.
Best budget countertop oven
BLACK+DECKER
Featuring natural convection technology, the BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven is designed to distribute airflow for optimal cooking results. Plus, it comes with a 30-minute timer with a stay-on setting for more elaborate recipes that take longer to prepare.
Best large countertop oven
LUBY
Despite its large dimensions, the LUBY Large Toaster Countertop Oven features four tubes that heat up rapidly so you can start toasting, baking, or roasting pretty much instantaneously. Plus, the separate temperature controls for the unit’s lower and upper racks let you prepare two dishes at the same time. There’s also a 60-minute timer with a bell and an automatic shut-off function.
Best countertop oven for a splurge
What really makes the Brava Countertop Oven Starter Set stand out from the pack are the 7,000 cooking programs that can be downloaded to the unit — more recipes are added each week. The recipes can also be accessed on your smartphone via a Brava mobile app, which also lets you monitor the progress of your cooking. While there’s little doubt that the Brava Countertop Oven is a powerful appliance that utilizes the latest technology, it does require a dedicated circuit breaker and 1800W of power.
So what’s the verdict? According to Reviewed, the Brava Countertop Oven Starter Set doesn’t do anything that can’t be done with other appliances such as a toaster, air fryer, and a conventional oven. It does, however, give you the opportunity to replace all of them with one nifty unit and use the latest technology while you do so.
Best countertop oven for small kitchens
Panasonic
The Panasonic Toaster Oven FlashXpress comes with infrared heating elements at the front and back of the unit to ensure even heat distribution. According to the Tech Gear Lab, the elements heat up pretty much instantaneously, eliminating any need for preheating. Something to keep in mind is that while great for making toast and frozen meals, the “rocket fuel-injected heating elements” may be too powerful for baking.
The unit’s front panel features preset cooking options including toast, waffles, roll, pizza, and hash brown. There’re also defrost and reheat options and an automatic shut-off function to prevent accidental overcooking. The unit also has easy-to-use manual temperature and time controls. In addition, there’s an internal light that lets you check up on your masterpiece while it’s in the making.
Best countertop oven for pizza
So does the Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo make brick-oven, restaurant-quality pizza? According to reviews, it comes pretty close. Sasha Marx from Serious Eats was blown away by the pizza-maker, saying, “It’s a very intuitive-to-use piece of equipment, and it produces pretty spectacular Neapolitan pizza in a home-kitchen environment.” The team from Teach Gear Lab agrees, “Cost aside; we are the first to admit that this electric, indoor alternative produces amazing pizzas.”
Perhaps Mike Prospero from Tom’s Guide sums things up best, acknowledging that a serious love of pizza is required in order to justify spending over a thousand bucks on the top-notch home pizza oven.
Best countertop oven for ease of use
DeLonghi
Made from stainless steel, the 14-liter DeLonghi Livenza is on a smaller side. This said, it’s large enough to accommodate a pizza or an entire chicken. The unit works via convection, or by circulating hot air, to ensure that meals are both evenly cooked and prepared faster than in a conventional oven. Plus, it features double glass doors to keep heat in and an internal light so you can keep an eye on your food throughout the cooking process.
Best steam-convection countertop oven
F.BLUMLEIN
Featuring 24-liter capacity, the F.BLUMLEIN JU2500 Countertop Steam Oven has sufficient space for cooking a six-pound chicken, six slices of toast, or a 10-inch pizza. It comes with two M-shaped heating elements — one on the top and one on the bottom of the unit — that can be set to different temperatures for customized cooking. The oven’s stainless steel interior is also very easy to clean — simply wipe it down after each use.
The best countertop oven with a temperature probe
NUWAVE BRAVO
Made from brushed stainless steel, the NUWAVE BRAVO XL features five quartz heating elements — three at the top and two at the bottom — with independent heat control for fast and even cooking. The large 1-foot cubic capacity oven also comes with three fan speeds and12 cooking modes including broil, air fry, dehydrate, and slow roast. Plus, the oven features an easy-to-read LCD screen and comes with multiple accessories including a crumb tray, baking pan, air fryer basket, and two cooking racks, making it a great option for the price (via Very Best Reviews).
