Best Toaster Oven Under $100: The Top Budget Models Worth Buying

Buying a cheap toaster oven can be frustrating. Some heat unevenly, burn toast on one side, or stop working after a few months of daily use. The good news is that you don’t have to spend $200+ to get a reliable one. There are several excellent toaster ovens under $100 that perform far better than their price tag suggests — you just need to know which ones are actually worth it.

This guide is for:

• Apartment dwellers with limited counter space
• College students who need something simple and durable
• Small kitchens that can’t fit a full-size countertop oven
• First-time buyers who aren’t sure which features matter
• Anyone replacing an old toaster oven that finally gave out

Below, you’ll find honest recommendations, real pros and cons, who each model is best for, and a full buying guide so you can make a confident decision — without the guesswork.

If you’re specifically shopping by budget tier, it’s worth comparing this list against our picks for the best toaster oven under $150 and best toaster oven under $200, in case a slightly higher budget opens up a model that fits your needs better.

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Quick Comparison Table

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Quick Answer: What Is the Best Toaster Oven Under $100?

For most people, the Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Convection Oven (TOD3265SS) is the best overall pick under $100. It combines convection baking, air frying, and enough interior space for a 12-inch pizza — all for around $70–$90. That said, the right choice really depends on your priorities. If you mostly toast bread and reheat leftovers, a simpler model will serve you better and save you money. If you’re feeding a family, capacity matters more than extra features. We’ll break down exactly which oven fits which situation below.

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Our Top Picks

Each of these picks is chosen with a specific type of buyer in mind — whether that’s a busy family, a college student, or someone baking cookies in a small apartment kitchen. Rather than repeating these recommendations in multiple sections, we’ve folded “best for” use cases directly into each review so you only have to read this once.

🏆 Best Overall: Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Convection Oven (TOD3265SS)

Best for: Everyday cooking, small households, apartment dwellers, anyone who wants one appliance that does it all

This is the toaster oven that hits the sweet spot of price, capacity, and features. It offers reliable convection baking and a removable air fry basket, and it easily fits a 12-inch pizza or six slices of toast at once. In testing and long-term owner feedback, it consistently performs above its price class for temperature accuracy — meaning your cookies and reheated leftovers come out evenly cooked instead of burnt on one side.

Pros:

• Convection setting cooks faster and browns more evenly than standard toaster ovens
• Included air fry basket handles frozen fries, wings, and vegetables well
• Interior is large enough for a full 12-inch pizza
• Simple dial controls that are easy to learn

Cons:

• Exterior gets noticeably hot during longer bakes (more on this in our safety section below)
• Preheating takes a few minutes longer than premium models

Performance Scorecard: Toasting ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baking ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cleaning ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who should buy this: If you want one appliance that can toast, bake, and air fry without spending more than $90, this is the one to buy. Skip it if you only need basic toasting — the Hamilton Beach below will save you money.

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💰 Best Value: Hamilton Beach 4-Slice Toaster Oven (31143)

Best for: Budget shoppers, minimalists, college students, anyone who just wants reliable basics

If you mainly toast bread, reheat pizza, and warm up frozen snacks without needing complicated tech, this is the gold standard. It has simple manual dials, a small countertop footprint, and a slide-out crumb tray that makes cleanup painless. For the price, it’s remarkably reliable — this is the model we’d point a first-time renter or student toward.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable, often under $40
• Compact enough for tight dorm or apartment counters
• Manual knobs are simple and tend to outlast digital touchpads
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• No convection or air fry function
• Smaller interior won’t fit a full pizza

Performance Scorecard: Toasting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baking ⭐⭐⭐ | Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cleaning ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who should buy this: College students, single-person households, and anyone furnishing a first apartment on a budget. If you bake often or want to air fry, size up to one of the convection models above.

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🌪️ Best Air Fry & Convection: Oster Convection Oven with Air Fryer (TSSTTVMAF1)

Best for: Crispy fries, wings, and frozen snacks without buying a separate air fryer

Oster is known for durable heating elements even in its budget lineup, and this model backs that up. It uses high-velocity fans to mimic a standalone air fryer much more convincingly than most competitors in this price range, producing genuinely crispy results instead of the soggy-in-the-middle texture you sometimes get from cheaper convection settings.

Pros:

• Air fry performance rivals dedicated air fryers
• Convection setting speeds up baking and improves browning
• Solid build quality for the price point

Cons:

• Runs slightly louder than standard toaster ovens during convection mode
• Digital controls have a small learning curve

Performance Scorecard: Toasting ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baking ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cleaning ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who should buy this: Anyone who eats a lot of frozen fries, wings, or vegetables and wants crisp results without a separate appliance taking up counter space.

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👨‍👩‍👧 Best Large Capacity: Mueller UltraGourmet Toaster Oven

Best for: Families, batch cooking, casseroles, and multiple slices of toast at once

This model has a spacious interior that can handle a small whole chicken or eight slices of toast — excellent internal real estate for under $100. It heats quickly, and the door hinge feels noticeably sturdier than other budget XL models we’ve come across, which matters if the oven is opened and closed several times a day.

Pros:

• Large enough for casseroles and small roasts
• Heats up quickly despite its size
• Sturdier hinge than most budget XL ovens

Cons:

• Larger footprint takes up more counter space — measure before buying
• Uses more energy than compact models due to size

Performance Scorecard: Toasting ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baking ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cleaning ⭐⭐⭐ | Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who should buy this: Families who need to cook larger portions or multiple items at once. If your kitchen is small, check the dimensions carefully against your counter space first.

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🎛️ Best Digital: Toshiba Digital Toaster Oven with Convection (AC25CEW-SS)

Best for: Precise baking — muffins, cookies, and small cakes

This oven features a bright, easy-to-read LCD display, precise digital dials, and ten cooking presets. Its internal temperature sensor is unusually accurate for a sub-$100 model, which makes a real difference for baked goods that are sensitive to temperature swings.

Pros:

• Accurate temperature control, ideal for baking
• Presets simplify common tasks
• Convection setting improves even browning

Cons:

• Digital touchpads may be less durable long-term than manual dials
• Slightly pricier than other options on this list

Performance Scorecard: Toasting ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baking ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cleaning ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who should buy this: Home bakers who want consistent results for cookies, muffins, and small cakes without investing in a full oven. If you’d rather avoid touch controls altogether, the Black+Decker’s manual dials may hold up better over time.

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🎒 Best Compact: Dash Compact Toaster Oven

Best for: Dorm rooms, RVs, offices, and tiny kitchens

If even the Hamilton Beach feels too big, this tiny oven is built for a single dorm room or RV. It comfortably handles two slices of toast or a couple of bagel halves, uses very little wattage, and comes in a range of colors that tend to appeal to students furnishing a small space.

Pros:

• Smallest footprint on this list
• Very low energy use
• Inexpensive, often under $35

Cons:

• Limited to small portions
• No convection or air fry function

Performance Scorecard: Toasting ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Baking ⭐⭐ | Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Cleaning ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who should buy this: Dorm residents, RV owners, or anyone with a genuinely tiny kitchen who mainly needs toast and reheating, not full baking capability.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

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How We Chose These Toaster Ovens

Choosing a toaster oven under $100 comes down to more than just price. We weighed:

• Heating consistency — does it cook evenly across the whole tray, or does one side scorch?
• Temperature accuracy — does the dial or display actually match the internal temperature?
• Durability — do the hinges, trays, and heating elements hold up over months of daily use?
• Ease of cleaning — removable parts, non-stick coatings, and accessible crumb trays
• Controls — how intuitive the dials or digital display are for everyday use
• Customer feedback and manufacturer reputation — patterns across long-term owner reviews, not just first impressions
• Overall value — what you get in features and reliability relative to the price

These recommendations combine hands-on evaluation with long-term owner feedback and reliability data, rather than relying on spec sheets alone.

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Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Toaster Oven Under $100

1. Capacity

• 2–4 slice: Best for one or two people, dorms, and small kitchens. Great for toast, reheating, and small snacks.
• 6 slice: The most versatile size — fits a personal pizza and handles small batches of baking.
• 8 slice: Best for families or anyone who batch-cooks. Takes up more counter space, so measure first.

2. Convection vs. Conventional

Convection ovens use a fan to circulate hot air, which cooks food faster and browns it more evenly — helpful for roasted vegetables, cookies, and reheated pizza. Conventional (non-convection) models are simpler and usually cheaper, which makes sense if you mainly toast bread and reheat leftovers rather than bake.

3. Air Fry Feature

Air fry is worth getting if you regularly cook frozen fries, wings, or vegetables and want a crispier texture without added oil. If you rarely cook these foods, it’s a feature you can skip to save money — a basic convection model will cover most other needs.

4. Temperature Range

Look for a range of roughly 200°F–450°F. This covers everything from warming and reheating to baking and broiling. A narrower range can limit what you’re able to cook.

5. Cooking Functions

Most budget toaster ovens include some combination of: toast, bake, broil, warm, convection bake, air fry, and reheat. Think about which of these you’ll actually use — extra presets you never touch aren’t worth paying for.

6. Counter Space

Before buying, measure your available counter space, including a few inches of clearance on each side. Toaster oven dimensions vary more than people expect, and an 8-slice model can take up significantly more room than a compact one.

7. Ease of Cleaning

Look for a removable crumb tray, a non-stick interior, and accessories (racks, pans) that are dishwasher-safe. This alone can make a big difference in how often you actually use the appliance versus letting it collect grease in the corner.

8. Manual vs. Digital Controls

Manual dials are simple, tend to be more durable over time, and are easier to use with wet or messy hands. Digital controls offer more precision and presets but may be more expensive to repair if a touchpad fails down the line. Neither is objectively better — it depends on whether you value simplicity or precision more.

9. Accessories Included

This is easy to overlook, but it affects your real cost. Some toaster ovens under $100 include a crumb tray, broil rack, and baking pan in the box. Others only include the bare minimum, which means you may need to buy an air fry basket or baking pan separately — quietly pushing your total spend over $100. Before buying, check the product listing’s “what’s included” section so there are no surprises after checkout.

10. A Quick Safety Note on Budget Models

Toaster ovens under $100 typically have thinner exterior walls and less insulation than premium $250+ models, which means the outside of the unit can get surprisingly hot during longer bakes. A few simple habits go a long way:

• Keep at least 4–6 inches of clearance between the oven and walls, cabinets, or curtains
• Keep the power cord away from the body of the unit while it’s running
• Use oven mitts when handling the door or racks, even for quick tasks
• Place the unit on a heat-resistant surface, not directly on a wooden countertop

None of this means budget ovens are unsafe — it just means a little more care goes a long way, especially compared to better-insulated premium models.

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Are Toaster Ovens Under $100 Worth It?

Advantages:

• Uses less energy than heating up a full-size oven for small meals
• Cooks faster for everyday tasks like toast, reheating, and small bakes
• Ideal for single servings or small households
• Inexpensive compared to full ranges or premium countertop ovens

Limitations:

• Less insulation than higher-end models, so the exterior runs hotter
• Fewer smart features like app connectivity or voice control
• Smaller capacity than full-size ovens
• Occasional temperature variation compared to premium models with better calibration

The honest answer is that many sub-$100 models deliver excellent everyday performance as long as your expectations match the price. You’re not getting a professional-grade oven, but you are getting a genuinely useful appliance for toast, reheating, small bakes, and air frying — which covers most of what people actually use a toaster oven for day to day.

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Common Mistakes Buyers Make

• Buying too small — then realizing it can’t fit a pizza or casserole dish
• Ignoring internal dimensions — exterior size doesn’t always reflect usable interior space
• Choosing features they won’t use — paying extra for ten presets when they’ll only use two
• Forgetting countertop clearance — both width and the heat clearance mentioned above
• Not checking wattage — higher wattage generally means faster preheating and more consistent cooking
• Overpaying for unnecessary presets — a simple manual dial often does the job just as well

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Toaster Oven vs. Air Fryer

If you want one appliance that handles toast, baking, reheating, and air frying, a convection toaster oven with an air fry function — like the Black+Decker or Oster picks above — is the more practical choice. If air frying is truly your main priority and counter space isn’t an issue, a dedicated air fryer may crisp slightly better for very small batches. For most home cooks, though, a multi-function toaster oven offers more value per dollar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best toaster oven under $100? The Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Convection Oven (TOD3265SS) is our top overall pick, thanks to its balance of convection baking, air frying, and pizza-sized capacity. Budget-focused buyers may prefer the Hamilton Beach 31143 instead.

Is a convection toaster oven worth it? Yes, for most people. Convection cooks faster and browns more evenly, which is especially helpful for baking and reheating. If you mainly toast bread, it’s a nice-to-have rather than a necessity.

Can a toaster oven replace a regular oven? For small households or single servings, often yes. For large family meals, casseroles, or multiple dishes at once, a full-size oven still has the advantage of space.

Which toaster oven lasts the longest? Models with simple manual dials, like the Hamilton Beach 31143, tend to have fewer parts that can fail compared to digital touchpads, which can make them more durable over years of daily use.

Is an air fryer toaster oven worth buying? If you regularly cook frozen fries, wings, or vegetables, yes — it saves counter space compared to owning both a toaster oven and a separate air fryer.

How many slices of bread fit in a toaster oven? Compact models fit 2–4 slices, mid-size models fit 6, and large-capacity models can fit up to 8 slices at once.

Can you bake cookies in a toaster oven? Yes, especially in models with convection and accurate temperature control, like the Toshiba AC25CEW-SS. Keep an eye on baking times, since toaster ovens can run slightly hotter or cooler than a full-size oven.

Can a toaster oven cook frozen pizza? Yes, as long as the interior is large enough. Six-slice and larger models typically fit a personal or small pizza comfortably.

Do cheap toaster ovens cook evenly? This is a fair concern, and it varies by model. Higher-rated budget toaster ovens, like the ones featured in this guide, perform well despite their lower price — but ultra-cheap, unbranded models are more likely to have hot spots.

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Final Verdict

If you only remember one thing from this guide: you don’t need to overspend to get a toaster oven that performs reliably every day.

• Best Overall: Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Convection Oven (TOD3265SS)
• Best Value: Hamilton Beach 4-Slice Toaster Oven (31143)
• Best Air Fry: Oster Convection Oven with Air Fryer (TSSTTVMAF1)
• Best for Families: Mueller UltraGourmet Toaster Oven
• Best for Baking: Toshiba Digital Toaster Oven (AC25CEW-SS)
• Best Compact: Dash Compact Toaster Oven

Whichever one matches your kitchen and cooking habits, all six of these deliver solid, everyday performance for well under $100 — proof that a smaller budget doesn’t have to mean a frustrating appliance.

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Why Trust BerryGerryBakes?

We evaluate toaster ovens and other kitchen appliances the same way we approach recipes — by focusing on what actually works in a real home kitchen, not just what looks good on a spec sheet. Our recommendations combine hands-on testing, long-term owner feedback, and an honest look at trade-offs, including who shouldn’t buy a given model. We’re not paid to favor any particular brand, and we always aim to match a recommendation to your actual needs rather than the most expensive option available.

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Keep Exploring

If you’re setting up your kitchen or upgrading your appliances, these related guides can help you go further:

• Best Toaster Oven — our full pillar guide covering every price range and use case
• Best Toaster Oven Under $150 — if a slightly bigger budget opens up more features
• Best Small Toaster Oven — for tighter kitchens than even our compact pick covers
• Best Digital Toaster Oven — a deeper look at precision baking controls
• Best Toaster Oven for Frozen Pizza — if that’s your main use case
• Most Energy-Efficient Toaster Oven — for keeping utility bills down
• How to Preheat a Toaster Oven — get the most consistent results from any model
• What Can I Cook in a Toaster Oven? — beyond toast and reheating
• Can You Bake a Cake in a Toaster Oven? — helpful if baking is your priority
• Black + Decker Toaster Oven Reviews — a closer look at the brand behind our top pick
• Mueller Toaster Oven Reviews — more on the brand behind our large-capacity pick