One of the trends in the small kitchen appliances’ development is an increased emergence of compact and versatile devices that can act as a worthy alternative to their larger counterparts or replace several of them at once. These units include modern countertop ovens that combine the functions of a toaster, grill and electric oven. And some models do represent even a full-fledged cooker but in a smaller version. Their range in stores, as always, is very extensive. And in order to narrow the circle of worthy applicants and thereby facilitate your choice, we present you the best models available on the market now.
In our countertop oven reviews we'll take a look at market leaders with their pros & cons as well as specs to help you choose the best countertop oven one for your kitchen.
A countertop oven is a device that is largely similar to a microwave oven, not only externally but also in function. The only difference is that infrared rays are used here, unlike countertop microwave ovens.
We can say that this is a small portable electric oven, which implements the functions of grilling, cooking, defrosting and many others.
As modern families are quite small, there is a need for the same small-sized household appliances. This is especially obvious and relevant when it comes to kitchen "electric utensils". Why should a family of three people have a stove on a half-kitchen or a huge professional oven if there is an electric countertop oven on the market - a unit with the same set of functions, only compact, inconspicuous and very convenient? This is an indispensable device not only for food heating, but also for defrosting, cooking and even grilling.
Choosing a countertop oven, the decision must be made, focusing on the economy, practicality and the need for a particular function. These frequently asked questions can help you.
They are quite unpretentious in terms of care and cleaning. Many models have a non-stick interior and are resistant to burning. You can easily clean the surfaces with any non-abrasive detergent.
In fact, they were developed to make your life easier. They cook your favorite dishes faster and in the simplest way. Moreover, they are pretty simple in use and the majority has pre-set cooking options. It means that you can start cooking by pressing the only button.
Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven (WGCO120S)
best selling
1 Price: See Here
best value
2 Price: See Here
Breville BOV800XL Smart Convection Toaster Oven
3 Price: See Here
Wolf countertop oven is everything you need to prepare a tasty meal. Experimenting with different variations of steam and convection, you will get the desired result. The food is healthier! The secret is that the steam keeps useful substances and vitamins, and also retains moisture. This device has 6 in-built cooking modes, so it allows to bake, roast, broil, warm, proof and toast. Thanks to the integrated temperature probe this unit allows to cook meat up to the necessary degree.
pros +
6 cooking modes 3 rack positions Perfect temperature control Advanced convention function Digital display Stainless steel color 5-Year Warranty
cons -
High price
Breville continues surprising its fans with technological masterpieces. Thanks to Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven, you can cook everything you want with the help of pre-set functions like toast, bake, bagel, roast, broil, pizza, cookies, reheat, warm and slow cook. Moreover, it is convention-powered and evenly spread the temperature inside. Interior light helps to control the process. Smart technology feature automatically adjusts the cooking to the food inside.
pros +
10 cooking modes Smart technology Digital display Non-stick coating Switches to a warming mode after cooking 1-Year Warranty
cons -
Exterior heats up to high temperatures
Another product by Breville is a convection toaster oven BOV800XL. This model is similar to the previous one, but has only cooking modes. So, it allows to toast, bake, roast, broil, make bagels, pizza, cookies, reheat and warm. Its design is very intuitive, so you will easily understand how to use it from the very first glance. Among the accessories, the manufacturer applies a baking pan, a broil rack and a pizza pan as a bonus to this best convection oven.
pros +
9 pre-set cooking modes Element IQ system Magnetic rack with auto-eject Clear LCD display Large cooking area inside Easy to clean 1-Year Warranty
cons -
The side parts are extremely hot
Hamilton Beach is a little oven that will definitely fit your counter and save you a lot of money. At the same time, the cooking area is good enough to make 2 pizzas 12”. In addition, there is a rotisserie for a perfect home-grilled chicken. Of course, this device doesn’t have so many cooking modes, but it is sold together with useful accessories like a fork, lift, dip tray, broil rack, 2 tacks and 2 baking pans. This machine is easy to clean.
pros +
Easy-to-clean interior Non-stick surfaces Includes multiple accessories 4 pre-set cooking modes Rotisserie mode Affordable price
cons -
Not good at broiling
This model is similar to the previous one by Hamilton. It is sold together with rotisserie skewer and lifter, 2 special racks, 2 baking pans and a broiler rack. A removable drip tray also comes in the package. The rotisserie is revolving and allows to prepare a 5lb chicken. Thanks to excellent convention settings, every dish you cook will be ready faster. Also, pay attention to the design, as black and stainless-steel combination will fit any kitchen.
pros +
Modern design Versatile Excellent large capacity Comes with all the necessary accessories 1-Year Warranty
cons -
Temperature indicator is not exact
Excellent features, large capacity and reasonable price –these are the main characteristics of this Oster convection countertop oven. If you need an extra large countertop device, pay attention to this model. It is large enough if to compare with the previously reviewed products, as it allows to make 2 16” pizzas at once. Digital controls are responsible to simplify the cooking process. There are 3 pre-set cooking modes: bake, pizza, broil, toast, and defrost. There are no knobs on the model, so it is easy-to-clean. Among the included accessories, there are a broiler rack, two special racks, and a baking pan.
pros +
Best design Large capacity 5 pre-set cooking modes Several accessories are included Digital controls 90-minute timer Auto shutoff feature
cons -
Occupies more space on the counter
Black and Decker convection countertop oven is an excellent solution for people who like to cook a lot. With this device you will easily prepare up to 8 toasts or to cook a pizza 12” in diameter. The unit is very user-friendly. The cooking itself is even thanks to the convection in-built fan. 8 pre-set cooking options will help you a lot to set a right temperature inside the device. If you choose this, be ready to bake, broil, make toasts, bagels, pizzas, frozen snacks, potatoes, cookies.
pros +
Cheap Excellent design Removable drop tray 8 pre-set cooking options. 2-year warranty
cons -
Not easy in cleaning
This Oster convection countertop oven is designed specially for making pizza of up to 12” in diameter. A special drawer will make a good deal! Also, the inbuilt tray would be fine if you like making bruschetta, quesadillas or some similar dishes. Except pizza, there are 4 other in-built cooking options, so you may also bake, broil, make toasts and keep the prepared food warm. A 60-minute timer and an auto shut-off feature are also nice to have. Among the included accessories, there is a baking pan and a broiling rack.
pros +
Affordable price 60-minute timer Auto shut-off feature 5 pre-set cooking options Contains a dedicated pizza drawer
cons -
The drawer for pizza and the upper layer can’t be used simultaneously
This KitchenAid unit is compact in size, but still it has enough cooking area inside for a 12-inch pizza. 2 reversible racks allow to adjust the height according to the food you are going to cook. There is an excellent feature that allows to warm the ready food within 4 hours after it is cooked. Thanks to its size, the preheating goes faster and less energy is used. In addition, this oven is easy to use and easy to clean. a broiler pan, a grill rack and a metal drip are among the included accessories.
pros +
Compact model 6 height options for the rack Easy in cleaning Affordable price Energy economical 60-minute timer
cons -
May be too small for a big family
All countertop ovens are classified by:
According to the principle of operation, mini-stoves are presented in three variations:
They are powered from the mains, they are easy to control and operate. Devices are eco-friendly, safe. They have impressive features like grill, convection, defrosting, many programs, interior lighting and many others. They have a large functionality and offer high-quality baking.
Such a type works on gas and it is economical. This device is more difficult to control, but they are less secure and has a smaller arsenal of functions.
This is a know-how in kitchen appliances’ market and the modern technology miracle. This oven with induction control system (electromagnetic field action).
Small dimensions are one of the priority parameters for buyers. Compact household appliances will occupy less space and ideally fit into any kitchen. But the volume also depends on the oven size.
If your kitchen is limited in space, and the family consists of 2 people, you will be completely satisfied with the mini-option, the volume of which is 8-12 liters.
You can move a small device from place to place conveniently. If the family has fewer people (3-4), then this volume will not be enough, in this case it is better to prefer a model with a capacity of 12-20 liters. But if there are 5 members, you need 25 liters or more.
Power is one of the important parameters when choosing this technique. Because of this, many housewives prefer a countertop version to a full oven.
Electricity consumption will be much lower than when using the oven. Despite its compact dimensions and low power, it is fast and soundly controlled with cooking!
When choosing a countertop electric oven for the house, you need to pay attention to its functionality, size and power. Moreover, the more basic and additional functions are incorporated in the device, the greater its capacity should be. These are not all the things to consider, so let’s look at the rest of them. It is possible to find 2 types: with convection and without it. Let’s consider them both in details and define their main differences.
The convention function speeds up the cooking process by at least 20%. An even distribution of hot air flows does not happen by itself and doesn’t take place in accordance with the physics’ laws. In this case, the fan drives the heat, spreading it in the cooker’s space very evenly. The convection function is especially effective when baking a dough, which is baked more evenly and faster. It is possible to find device, in which the fan provides two different dishes’ cooking – on two baking trays simultaneously, without mixing the streams. In practice, even such capricious baking as meringues and eclairs turns out to be equally ruddy and evenly baked from all sides. At the same time, there is no need to open the oven constantly to turn the baking tray.
If you buy a machine to use as a usual cooker at home, you can do without the convection function. You just need two heating elements (lower and upper ones) that provide standard cooking modes: upper, lower and simultaneous ones. A typical countertop device has a statistical heating element. In the work process, the thermos element warms the cooker to the desired temperature, but the heat moves slowly and lazily, and as a rule, is distributed unevenly. As a result of this work, it turns out that the dish’s side that was closer to the thermos element is burned, and the other side may remain damp.
Size is the criterion which serves as the main difference between a compact device and all other units used for baking and cooking. So, this parameter is one of the key elements while selecting an aggregate.
There could be 2 possible types: mechanical or electronic. The second one raises the unit’s cost significantly, but often gives rise to malfunctions, so the mechanical principle is more practical and durable in use. At the same time, cleaning depends on the presence of knobs.
The power depends on the device’s size and its functionality. In different models, this parameter varies from 650 to 2200 watts. Models with higher power get warmer and prepare food faster. Keep in mind that the more powerful the device is, the more expensive it is and the more electricity it consumes. 1500 W countertop will be an ideal variant.
In addition to heating, there are extra cooking modes like pizza, toast, roast, warm, bake, broil and others. If you really needs all of them, choose an appropriate device.
Thanks to the built-in fan, the air is evenly distributed through the oven. As a result, the dish is prepared more quickly. There are models where the convection supports two different modes, which allows you to cook two different dishes at the same time. So, the convection is useful.
It is pretty hard to choose the best countertop oven of 2018 because all the products in our review are great. So, why should you buy Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven? First of all, it allows you to cook your favorite dishes much faster than a usual cooker. Moreover, it has a cool design that is perfect for various interiors. The capacity of this large toaster oven is also perfect for a family. I addition, it has 6 in-built cooking modes and 5 heating elements that are responsible for fast heating! A small digital screen shows the temperature inside and time left. It may seem a bit overpriced, but if you really want to be the owner of the top-notch product, go with this best countertop oven. A 5-year warranty will be a great plus!
subscribe to our newsletter
9 Best Countertop Ovens Compared And Reviewed
Types Of Countertop Ovens Countertop Oven Buying Guide - What To Look At? The Best Countertop Oven. Final Advice
COMMENTS
5 April, 2019
Thank oyu for your countertop ovens reviews! If I have to recommend a type of oven to someone regarding the size, I would definitely choose Oster Digital oven. It is one of the best ovens to make pizzas, bake, broil, toast and even defrost. Also, there are very easy to clean (saves a lot of stress) due to the lack of knobs. A number of accessories come with the package.