A toaster oven may seem frivolous to those that have lived their life without one thus far, but to those that have experienced the pleasure, it’s darn right essential.
Yes, toaster ovens can carry a pretty heavy price tag, but sometimes, every so often, a super affordable, high-quality model is released to turn your toastless world upside down.
So, in response to all those naysayers and in support of all your toast based dreams, we’re going to be running through five of the very best toaster ovens available under $50.
These machines are going to give you that culinary lift we all need from time to time, at a price that will drop your jaw (making room for more toasted goods).
After we’ve discussed our miraculous toasting machines, we’ll have a look at an in-depth buyer’s guide and FAQ section, giving you the lowdown on the products that provide all things crispy and golden.
You’re closer to that perfect toaster oven than you’ve ever been, and it’s not even going to cost you all that much. Yay!
Belly Rumbling?
No problem, crumb droppers. Here’s our top pick so you can get cooking as soon as possible.
OUR TOP PICK
Our number one oven is a super fast and spacey toasting mega machine primed and ready to turn your kitchen into your own personal Subway.
Toaster ovens below $50 rarely have a capacity large enough to cook any more than four slices of bread at the same time, but this absolute bargain can cook 6 slices simultaneously.
If you’re more of a pizza head, that translates to a full 9” pizza in one session. Mmmmmm, we know.
It’s not all about quantity though. Let’s look at the cooking capabilities of this thing.
First and foremost, it’s a convection oven, which means the heat is circulated by a fan and exhaust system.
Not only does this speed up cook times exponentially by blowing the hot air over the food, but it evens out the heat distribution.
No more burnt crusts for you...unless you’re into that kind of thing.
This is technically called a toaster oven, but it actually has four cooking functions.
Toasting we’ve discussed in some detail. It’s great for broiling, so if it’s too cold out for a BBQ, head on in, put your food on a griddle tray, and stick it in this oven. It’s also capable of baking too.
In fact, because of the convection heat flow, it’s probably damn good for baking. Lastly, it has a warming function great for maintaining meal heat without overcooking it.
Did we mention this thing is super user friendly? No? Well, it is. It has three knobs. The first one sets the temperature, the second chooses the cook function, and the third is a timer.
That’s all there is it to it. It also comes with a baking pan and broil rack that fit right into the flexible two-level system.
Pros
- You don’t normally find ovens of this size below $50
- Can cook 6 slices of bread or a 9” pizza in one go
- You get four cook functions
- It comes with a bake pan and broil rack
- Dual-level shelving for a more flexible cook
- Convection design cooks faster
- You won’t have to worry about hot spots. It will cook evenly
Cons
- Size makes it harder to find space for
- Some customers claimed it didn’t fit 6 slices of their bread
EDITORS CHOICE
Heating things up in our number two position is a toaster oven that’s going to peak out your snack game and leave some pretty happy tums in its wake.
This time we’re looking at a four-slice capacity machine, so you can’t cook for a lot of folks, but you can still treat yourself and a special someone to some awesome food.
And even though it’s a four slice sizzler, that’s still 9”in pizza language, so fear not!
So, what does this one do other than toast up a storm? This one too is a broiler, so get your dogs and hamburgers at the ready.
It also bakes really well because like our top pick, it’s a convection oven. Next...you’ve guessed it, it has a warming function.
Control-wise, you have the exact same layout as the Black+Decker.
The first knob controls temperature, the second, the function, and the third is a timer.
The timer maxes out at 30 minutes. But that’s about as long as it’ll take to cook most things that you would want to cook in this oven.
With a maximum temperature of 445 degrees Fahrenheit and that awesome convection circulation, you’ll be chowing down in record timing.
It comes with a baking pan and a broil rack, just like our top pick, and it has the same dual shelving too.
It’s reminiscent of those really large high quality professional ovens, but shrunken down to a kitchen-friendly size.
Pros
- Fits four slices of bread in and a 9” pizza
- Will fit nicely in a small kitchen nook
- Convection design cooks food quickly
- Even heat distribution makes it great for baking
- Two-levels of shelving
- Intuitive controls
- Great quality for the price
- Highly recommended and reviewed
Cons
- Smaller capacity than some may like
BEST VALUE
Bringing a golden deliciousness to our number three spot is another Black+Decker design but this time with a sleek aesthetic. Toasting has never looked so good.
The thing we most love about this oven apart from the sweet, sweet price tag, is the complete stainless steel finish.
A lot of toaster ovens have the steel front and steel on the inside, but they rarely have the full steel casing that this one does. It makes for a very smart and professional look and gives it a little bit of extra durability.
This is a four toast design. Either share with four other people or have an ultimate snackdown by yourself.
Just like our other picks, you get a high quality convection heat flow, and the same four cooking functions in total.
You can also expect the custom fitted bake pan and broil racks, so no outsourcing for strange sized accessories.
Once again, you get the simple three-knob layout, impossible to get wrong and perfect for quick cook settings.
Fundamentally, this is the same machine as our number two pick but it is a bit cheaper, scaled down version.
It's not obvious where they’re cutting costs here. It has all the same features and functions, and it looks stunning too.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Convection design cooks food quickly
- Provides an even heat throughout
- Two shelves
- Sleek total stainless steel look
- Can toast four slices of bread at the same time
- Comes with fitted bake pan and broil tray
- Four cooking functions
Cons
- Costs have probably been cut somewhere. We just don’t know where.
- Pretty small capacity compared to our top pick
RUNNER UP
Toasting buns and melting hearts at our number four spot is the cutest damn toaster oven you’ll ever see. It’s simple, it’s small, and it’s stylish as they come.
This for the independent eaters among us. It’s technically a single slice oven, but the vertical space means you’re going to be able to cook all sorts of stacked goodies. Throw in a bagel, or a tri-layer cheese melt, let your mini imagination run free.
As you’d imagine, it couldn’t be easier to use. It has a single temperature control knob and that’s it.
Simply set it to the ideal temperature and watch it do its thing. At only 7 ½ inches by 7 ½ inches, you can set this little guy down pretty much anywhere and it won’t impose on the room.
If you simply don’t have the counter space, it’ll tuck away neatly and easily into storage.
Some snackers will turn their nose up at this oven’s size, but what you lose in capacity, you make up for in energy efficiency.
Yup, this thing runs on very little energy, so if you do a lot of quick solo snacking, you’ll save money on your energy bills. You can put that money towards even more delicious food for toasting.
This little thing doesn't weigh much, but it has a ton of personality. It’s aesthetic is trendy yet somehow timeless, meaning it will add oodles of character to any kitchen.
You can also choose from a bunch of really nice colors.
If you have tween/teen independent snackers, this could be an excellent choice!
Pros
- Affordable
- Simple single temperature control
- Decent vertical space
- Comes in funky colors
- Won’t impose on the room
- Trendy yet timeless design will suit any kitchen
- Doesn’t consume much energy
Cons
- Only cooks one food item at a time
- Only has one function
RUNNER UP
Returning to the traditional at our number five spot, we have another affordable four slice super oven sure to supply the tastiest treats at breakneck speed.
This toaster oven is very similar to our second and third picks, but it’s not quite as advanced. It still has buckets of awesome reviews though, so it’s definitely not skimping on the areas that really count.
The main difference here is that it doesn’t have the convection fan circulation. This means that it won’t be quite as fast cooking as the other comparable models.
It also means that, although it can be used for baking, your bread and cake won’t be quite as flawlessly cooked.
But you can still toast and broil to your heart’s content.
The controls are a little bit stripped down on this oven as well. You only get two knobs. One knob controls the cooking type and the temperature, which may get a little confusing.
We’d prefer a three-knob system for the sake of clarity. The second knob is the dedicated timer.
If you choose this oven you can also wave goodbye to the warming function of our other picks.
Pros
- Nice and small
- 3 cooking functions
- Super Affordable
- 2 shelves
- Cooks four slices of bread or 9” pizza in as one load
Cons
- No convection system
- No warming function
- Control knob seems a bit confusing
Best Toaster Ovens Under $50 Buying Guide
Right, let’s run through a few of the things we considered when searching for the best toaster ovens under $50.
Cost
Obviously, you’ve got a pretty tight and specific budget here, but we still think you should think a lot about cost.
If you’re willing to spend near to $50, you’re going to get a much more impressive machine than if you go for something around $30.
Capacity
Slice
How much food do you want to cook at the same time? If you often just snack on your own, you won’t need an oven with as big a capacity.
If you’re looking to cook for friends and family, you should look into the larger sizes. Keep in mind it’s rare to find anything over a four slice capacity at this price range.
Shelves
You’ll most likely be looking at two shelves a piece here.
Toaster machines with 3 or more shelves are designed primarily for commercial use and they can carry some crazy price tags.
You will be able to find some pretty dinky single shelf ovens though if that’s what you’re into.
Size and Weight
Toaster ovens can be quite heavy. We think it’s best to have a dedicated space for them as you would a microwave. With few exceptions, lugging them in and out of storage every time you’re feeling snacky can be quite strenuous.
Whether you’re keeping it out on the counter or storing it, it has to fit properly. You should take a few measurements where you plan for it to go and match it up with product dimensions. Be sure to allow some space for heat and ventilation.
Wattage
The beauty of a toaster oven goes beyond the delicious meals. They’re a more compact and efficient way to cook smaller amounts of food, saving on energy.
Keep one eye on the wattage of each oven so you can grab the best one for your monthly bills.
Controls
Another awesome thing about cooking with a toaster oven is simplicity and speed. The best oven controls facilitate this cooking style with an intuitive and quick-set function.
There’s no need for them to overcomplicate at this price range. Dedicated knobs for cook style and temperature are ideal. A timer is also a great touch as these ovens can get crazy hot, which brings us to our next tip.
Safety Functions
With great toast comes great responsibility. Not all toaster ovens will be equipped with advanced safety features, but you should definitely try and seek one out that does.
It might be a sensor that automatically cuts the power if it starts to overheat. It could also be an insulating panel that stops the outer materials from heating up.
Convection or No?
We’d recommend looking for an oven with a convection option.
They’ll be slightly more expensive than a normal toaster oven, but they’ll provide a quicker, more even cook.
The difference may be as little as $10 - $20 to get that convection power.
Functions
As all you munchers are aware of by now, a toaster oven can do much more than toast stuff to perfection.
Unless you’re looking at an extremely minimal design like our fourth pick, you should expect three to four different cook functions.
Cheaper models won’t have a ‘warming’ mode, but you may never even need to use it.
Surfaces
Most toaster ovens have heat guards that protect your countertops, but if you want to be super safe, buy a flame-resistant layer for your oven to sit on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put aluminum foil in a toaster oven?
You can put it in there. It’s not going to start a little electrical storm as it would in a microwave; however, as it heats, it can cause the oven to reach temperatures it wasn’t designed to withstand.
Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend using it in your toaster oven, especially for longer cooks.
Can you use baking parchment in a toaster oven?
Again, yes, but you need to be very careful.
It’s heatproof but it will still set on fire if it’s too close to the heating elements.
Can you cook pizza in a toaster oven?
Yes, cook all the pizza!
Are toaster ovens safe?
Yes, as long as you use them appropriately.
We wouldn’t knowingly recommend any products that weren’t tried, tested and safe.
Will a toaster oven damage a quartz countertop?
Quartz is quite a fragile material, and although a toaster oven probably won’t pose a risk, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
You could try placing granite or ceramic tiles under your toaster oven. Metal plates will work too.
Time to Toast
Breakfast broilers, noon nibblers, and midnight snackers...that’s all from us. We’ve provided the big scoop on five amazing toaster ovens with the Midas touch, sure to give your life a little extra CRUNCH.
Hopefully, you’ve learned all you need to know for this venture into a world of crispy deliciousness. But we warn you...the crumbs are coming.
No longer will your bedsheets be soft and welcoming, for little daggers of bread lie in wait, turning your brushed cotton into sandpaper.
Crumb shores will build between couch cushions, and you’ll have to vacuum your carpets twice a day. Or...you know...just use a plate.
