A good toaster oven can replace your big oven for 80% of daily cooking—toast, reheat, roast veggies, bake frozen foods, and even “air fry” crispy snacks. The trick (especially in smaller kitchens) is choosing the right size class:
- Compact/medium = faster preheat, smaller footprint, best for 1–2 people
- Family-size = multiple racks, bigger pizzas/trays, best for 3–6 people or meal prep
Below are four standout options—plus an “optimal pick” depending on whether you want maximum capacity or minimum counter space.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall (space-saving + family-capable): Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer (SP151)
- Best True Family-Size Capacity: Gourmia French Door Air Fryer Oven (37 Qt)
- Best Value Compact/Medium: BLACK+DECKER Crisp ’N Bake Air Fry Toaster Oven
- Best Smart + Guided Cooking: CHEF iQ MiniOven Smart Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combo (25 Qt)
1. CHEF iQ MiniOven Smart Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combo (11-in-1, 25 Qt, 1750W)
Best for
People who want a smart, guided cooking experience with lots of modes—without jumping all the way to an oversized family oven.
What it does well
- 11-in-1 cooking modes make it flexible for weeknight rotation (toast, bake, broil, air fry, dehydrate, etc.)
- Touchscreen controls feel modern and easy to dial in
- 25 Qt capacity is a strong “middle ground”: big enough for real meals, not a giant appliance
Crisping + cooking results
This style of oven is great when you want even browning and consistent results across different foods. It’s also a nice pick if you often switch between “toast now” and “bake later” without wanting to think too much.
Cleanup
Look for removable trays/racks and keep up with the crumb tray—smart ovens stay “nice” longer when you wipe them down regularly.
Pros
- Smart controls + lots of presets
- Strong all-around performance for everyday cooking
- Good capacity without being huge
Cons
- Not the biggest option here for multi-rack family cooking
- Touchscreens are great—until you want super-simple knobs
2. Gourmia French Door Air Fryer Oven (37 Qt, FryForce 360°, 12 Presets, Fits 13″ Pizza, Dishwasher-Safe)
Best for
Families, meal prep, and anyone who wants big capacity + multi-rack cooking.
What it does well
- 37 Qt capacity is the clear “family-size” winner
- French door design makes it easy to access trays (especially when it’s hot)
- Fits a 13″ pizza—a practical size milestone for dinner convenience
- Dishwasher-safe parts (huge win for real-life cleanup)
Crisping + cooking results
Large air-fryer ovens do best when you use them like a mini convection oven: give food space, use the right rack position, and rotate trays if you’re cooking multiple items. When loaded properly, you can get crispy fries/wings while baking other items at the same time.
Cleanup
The bigger the oven, the more you’ll appreciate removable crumb trays and dishwasher-safe accessories.
Pros
- Excellent for batch cooking + families
- Big enough for pizza nights and multi-tray meals
- Easier access with French doors
Cons
- Takes more counter space
- Bigger cavity can mean slightly longer preheat than compact units
3. BLACK+DECKER Crisp ’N Bake Air Fry Countertop Convection Toaster Oven (4-Slice, 5-in-1, Fits 9″ Pizza, 30-Min Timer)
Best for
Small kitchens, apartments, dorm setups, and anyone who wants simple + affordable.
What it does well
- Compact/medium capacity that doesn’t dominate your counter
- Fits a 9″ pizza (great for solo dinners)
- 5-in-1 functionality covers the basics: toast, bake, broil, air fry, keep warm
- 30-minute timer is simple and fast for snack-style cooking
Crisping + cooking results
This is ideal for small batches—think nuggets, fries, wings for one, reheating leftovers, or quick toast. For air frying, the best results come from not overcrowding and giving food space on the tray/basket.
Cleanup
Compact toaster ovens are typically easier to keep clean—just stay on top of crumbs and wipe splatter early.
Pros
- Best value for tight spaces
- Easy controls, easy routine
- Great for quick meals and snacks
Cons
- Smaller capacity means batch cooking for families
- Timer max can be limiting for longer bakes (you’ll reset it)
4. Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer (8-in-1, Flip Up & Away, 1800W, SP151)
Best for
Anyone who wants family-capable cooking without sacrificing counter space—this is the smartest layout choice.
What it does well
- Flip Up & Away design: frees up counter space when you’re done
- 8-in-1 functionality gives you daily flexibility (air fry, toast, bake, roast, reheat, etc.)
- 1800W power supports fast heating and strong crisping
- A great balance of capacity + performance for everyday meals
Crisping + cooking results
If you care about crispness, Ninja-style air fry toaster ovens tend to deliver a strong combo of heat + airflow, which helps with fries, wings, and reheating foods without turning them soggy.
Cleanup
Removable crumb trays and usable accessories matter a lot here—especially if you air fry frequently.
Pros
- Best mix of capacity + counter-space efficiency
- Strong performance for air frying and reheating
- Flexible for daily cooking
Cons
- Typically costs more than basic toaster ovens
- Flip design may need a little space/clearance where you place it
Family Size vs Compact: Which One Should You Pick?
Pick a Compact/Medium toaster oven if…
- You cook for 1–2 people
- You mainly want toast + quick bakes + small air fry batches
✅ Best compact value: BLACK+DECKER Crisp ’N Bake
Pick a Family-Size toaster oven if…
- You cook for 3+ people
- You want multi-rack cooking or bigger pizzas/trays
✅ Best big capacity: Gourmia French Door 37 Qt
Pick the space-saving “best of both worlds” if…
- You want family-level usefulness without losing your counter
✅ Best overall: Ninja Flip (SP151)
The Optimal Choice (Most People)
✅ Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer (SP151)
If you’re choosing just one, the Ninja Flip is the most “optimal” because it nails the two hardest problems:
- Enough capacity to actually cook dinner, and
- Doesn’t permanently steal your counter space.
What to Look for in a Toaster Oven (So You Don’t Regret It)
- Capacity markers: 9″ pizza = compact/medium, 13″ pizza = family-ready
- Power matters: higher wattage helps with faster heating and better crisping
- Controls: knobs = fastest routine, touchscreen = more guided precision
- Air fry results: best when food is spread out (avoid stacking)
- Cleanup: removable crumb tray + dishwasher-safe accessories save time
