11 Most Energy Efficient Toaster Ovens (Tested for Lower Electricity Use)

Electricity bills have crept up for most of us, and the oven is usually one of the biggest culprits in the kitchen. If you’ve started wondering whether your toaster oven is actually saving you money — or if some models are simply better at it than others — you’re asking the right question.

The good news: toaster ovens are, by design, one of the easiest ways to cut down on cooking-related electricity use. They heat a smaller space, warm up faster, and don’t force you to run a giant oven just to reheat a few chicken thighs or bake a small batch of cookies. But not every toaster oven is equally efficient. Wattage, insulation, heating element type, and cooking modes all affect how much electricity actually ends up on your bill.

Before putting this list together, we looked at manufacturer wattage specs, compared preheat times across categories, and paid close attention to insulation quality (double-walled glass tends to hold heat far better than single-pane doors) and door seals, since a leaky door is one of the sneakiest sources of wasted energy. We also cross-checked user-reported cook times against manufacturer claims, since a toaster oven that runs hot for 10 extra minutes can quietly erase any wattage advantage on the spec sheet.

Below, you’ll find 11 toaster ovens worth considering if energy efficiency is a priority, plus a full breakdown of how toaster oven electricity use actually works, how it compares to a full-size oven, and simple habits that can shave even more off your energy costs.

Quick Answer

The most energy-efficient toaster ovens are compact models with fast preheating, accurate thermostats, convection or air fry functions, and well-insulated interiors. Because they heat a much smaller space than a conventional oven, they typically use significantly less electricity for small and medium meals.

Most toaster ovens run somewhere between 1200 and 1800 watts, but wattage alone doesn’t tell the whole story — a 1500-watt model with fast preheat and good insulation can easily cost less to run than an 1800-watt model that takes twice as long to reach temperature. For a typical 20-minute bake, expect to spend somewhere in the range of a few cents to around 10–15 cents in electricity, depending on your local rates and the oven’s wattage.

If you want a single recommendation to start with, the Breville Smart Oven Pro offers the best overall balance of fast preheating, precise heat control, and everyday versatility. If you’re working with a tighter budget, the Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Convection Oven gets you most of the efficiency benefits at a fraction of the price.

Comparison Table

Product	Capacity	Wattage	Est. kWh per Hour	Best For	Air Fry	Efficiency Rating	Our Score
Breville Smart Oven Pro	Medium	1800W	~1.4 kWh	Best overall	No	Excellent	9.5/10
Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake	Medium	1500W	~1.2 kWh	Best budget	No	Very Good	8.7/10
Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven	Medium	1800W	~1.3 kWh	Best air fry combo	Yes	Excellent	9.2/10
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro	Large	1800W	~1.4 kWh	Best large capacity	Yes	Very Good	9.0/10
Panasonic FlashXpress	Small	1300W	~1.0 kWh	Best small/compact	No	Excellent	9.3/10
Anova Precision Oven	Medium	1800W	~1.3 kWh	Best premium	No	Excellent	9.4/10
Cuisinart Deluxe Convection (TOB-135N)	Medium	1800W	~1.3 kWh	Best for baking	No	Very Good	9.0/10
Zojirushi Micom (EQ-AG22)	Small	1300W	~1.0 kWh	Best for toast	No	Very Good	8.8/10
Cuisinart Chef’s Convection (TOB-260N1)	Medium	1800W	~1.3 kWh	Best everyday cooking	No	Very Good	8.9/10
Instant Omni Plus 19-Quart	Medium	1800W	~1.3 kWh	Best compact air fry	Yes	Very Good	8.8/10
Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fry	Medium	1500W	~1.1 kWh	Best value	Yes	Very Good	8.6/10

Wattage and estimated energy use are based on published manufacturer specs and typical usage patterns; actual electricity use will vary by cook time, temperature setting, and how often the door is opened. Always check current listings for the most up-to-date specs before buying.

Best Most Energy Efficient Toaster Ovens

Every model below earned its spot for a specific reason — whether that’s a small footprint, a smart heating system, or simply hitting a great price for the efficiency you get. As you read through, think about how you actually cook day-to-day. A toaster oven that’s “most efficient” for a single person reheating leftovers looks very different from one that’s efficient for a family roasting a whole chicken.

Best Overall Energy Efficient Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Pro

The Breville Smart Oven Pro (BOV845BSS) uses Breville’s Element IQ system, which relies on five independently controlled quartz elements that direct heat exactly where the food needs it, rather than heating the entire cavity at full power the whole time. That targeted approach, combined with a noticeably fast preheat, means less total run time for most everyday meals.

Pros: Fast preheat, precise temperature control, wide range of cooking functions, sturdy build. Cons: Higher upfront cost than most toaster ovens on this list. Best for: Home bakers and everyday cooks who want one appliance that handles almost everything well. Who shouldn’t buy it: If you’re only using it occasionally for toast or reheating, a simpler and cheaper model will do the job without the extra features.

Best Budget Energy Efficient Toaster Oven: Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake Convection Oven

If you want an energy saving toaster oven without spending much, the Black+Decker Crisp ‘N Bake (TO3216SS) is worth considering. It runs at a modest 1500 watts — lower than many premium 1800-watt ovens — and uses a convection fan to circulate heat quickly, which helps it cook efficiently without the higher power draw.

Pros: Low purchase price, lower wattage, solid convection performance for the price. Cons: Fewer smart features and a smaller feature set than higher-end models. Best for: Budget-conscious bakers who still want convection benefits. Who shouldn’t buy it: Anyone who regularly cooks large batches or needs precise multi-stage cooking programs.

Best Energy Efficient Toaster Oven Air Fryer: Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven

The Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven (SP101) is built around speed. It’s known for an unusually quick preheat — often cited around 60 seconds — and it can cook up to 60% faster than a traditional oven for many recipes. Shorter cook times translate directly into lower electricity use, which is exactly what you want if air frying is part of your regular routine.

Pros: Very fast preheat, strong air fry performance, flexible “flip up and away” storage design. Cons: Takes up more counter depth when in use than some smaller models. Best for: Anyone who air fries often and wants speed without sacrificing efficiency. Who shouldn’t buy it: If counter space is extremely limited, a smaller compact model may fit your kitchen better.

Best Large Energy Efficient Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

For bigger households, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (BOV900BSS) runs at 1800 watts but pairs that with a dual-speed super convection fan that helps it roast a whole chicken or small turkey noticeably faster than a full-size wall oven. When you look at electricity used per pound of food cooked, that speed advantage adds up.

Pros: Large capacity, powerful convection, handles bigger cuts of meat well. Cons: Bigger footprint means it needs more counter space. Best for: Families who regularly cook larger meals but want to avoid firing up a full oven. Who shouldn’t buy it: Small households or single cooks who rarely need the extra capacity.

Best Small Energy Efficient Toaster Oven: Panasonic FlashXpress

The Panasonic FlashXpress (NB-G110P) is often considered the gold standard for small, efficient toaster ovens. It uses double infrared light heaters — one near, one far — that require essentially no preheating. It turns on and starts cooking almost instantly, like flipping on a light switch, which makes it one of the lowest electricity users on this list for quick, single-serving meals.

Pros: Instant heat with no meaningful preheat time, compact size, low overall energy draw. Cons: Smaller capacity isn’t ideal for cooking for a crowd. Best for: Singles, couples, dorms, and small kitchens. Who shouldn’t buy it: Larger families who regularly cook bigger portions at once.

Best Premium Energy Efficient Toaster Oven: Anova Precision Oven

The Anova Precision Oven is a combi-oven that uses both wet and dry heat. The combination of steam and precise temperature sensors lets it cook food noticeably faster than dry-heat-only ovens, which helps offset its premium price with genuine long-term electricity savings and professional-grade insulation.

Pros: Excellent temperature precision, steam function improves cooking results, strong insulation. Cons: Premium price point, steeper learning curve for steam-based cooking. Best for: Serious home cooks who want restaurant-style results and don’t mind the investment. Who shouldn’t buy it: If you mainly want a simple toast-and-reheat appliance, this is more oven than you need.

Best for Baking: Cuisinart Deluxe Convection Toaster Oven Broiler

The Cuisinart TOB-135N uses precise electronic sensors to hold a steady baking temperature, so the heating elements aren’t constantly spiking to full power just to correct for heat loss. That steadier cycle tends to mean more consistent bakes and less wasted electricity over a long bake time.

Pros: Even heat, reliable temperature holding, good size for cookies, small cakes, and pastries. Cons: Not the fastest preheat on this list. Best for: Home bakers who want consistent, even results. Who shouldn’t buy it: Anyone mainly using their toaster oven for quick reheats or toast.

Best for Toast: Zojirushi Micom Toaster Oven

The Zojirushi EQ-AG22 uses precise zone control that focuses heat directly on the bread’s surface and shuts off quickly once toasting is done, which minimizes the residual heat that would otherwise go to waste.

Pros: Excellent, even toasting; quick shut-off reduces wasted energy. Cons: Less emphasis on larger baking or roasting tasks. Best for: Anyone who toasts bread daily and wants precision without wasted energy. Who shouldn’t buy it: If baking and roasting are your main uses, look toward the convection-focused models instead.

Best for Everyday Cooking: Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Oven

The Cuisinart TOB-260N1 includes an “Always Even” toast shade control along with dual-cook functions, so you can move from a higher-energy bake to a lower-energy keep-warm setting without switching appliances. That flexibility helps it stay efficient across a range of everyday meals.

Pros: Versatile cooking modes, consistent toast results, useful for multi-step meals. Cons: Not specialized for any single task — a jack-of-all-trades rather than a standout in one area. Best for: Households that use their toaster oven for a wide mix of daily cooking. Who shouldn’t buy it: Anyone looking for a highly specialized air fryer or baking-only appliance.

Best Compact Air Fry Toaster Oven: Instant Omni Plus 19-Quart

The Instant Omni Plus uses Golden Quartz technology for roughly 20% faster preheating and keeps a smaller footprint than many larger air fry ovens, meaning there’s less internal air volume to heat in the first place.

Pros: Fast preheat, compact size relative to its capacity, strong air fry performance. Cons: Interface can feel busy with all the preset cooking programs. Best for: Small kitchens that still want air fry capability. Who shouldn’t buy it: If you regularly cook large batches for a family, a larger-capacity model will serve you better.

Best Value Pick: Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fry Convection Oven

The Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp (31403) sits comfortably under $100 while still offering an optimized convection fan that speeds up cook times by an estimated 25–30% compared to standard toaster ovens — a good option if you want strong efficiency without paying premium prices.

Pros: Affordable, solid convection speed, air fry function included. Cons: Build quality and interface feel more basic than premium picks. Best for: Budget shoppers who still want air fry and convection benefits. Who shouldn’t buy it: Anyone who wants precise smart cooking programs or a longer manufacturer warranty.

Are Toaster Ovens More Energy Efficient?

In most everyday situations, yes. Toaster ovens generally use less electricity than a full-size oven because they:

Heat a much smaller cooking space
Require a shorter preheat time
Cook many foods faster overall
Lose less heat to the surrounding air relative to the size of the meal

Here’s a simplified comparison to put that into perspective:

Appliance	Average Wattage	Average Cooking Time	Estimated Energy Use
Toaster Oven	1,200–1,800W	15–30 minutes for most meals	0.3–0.9 kWh per use
Conventional Oven	2,000–5,000W	30–60+ minutes, plus preheat	1.0–2.5 kWh per use

The gap gets even bigger once you factor in preheating. A full-size oven often needs 10–15 minutes just to reach temperature, and all of that time uses power before you’ve even started cooking. A toaster oven’s smaller cavity heats up in a fraction of that time.

Most households can meaningfully reduce electricity use by cooking small meals in a toaster oven instead of a full-size oven — especially for things like reheating leftovers, baking a single batch of cookies, or roasting vegetables for two.

Which Uses Less Electricity: Toaster Oven or Oven?

The short answer is the toaster oven, in most day-to-day cooking scenarios. The longer answer comes down to a few key differences:

Heating element size: A toaster oven’s elements only need to warm a small cavity, while a full oven’s elements have to heat a much larger box of air.
Cooking chamber: Smaller chambers lose less heat and reach temperature faster.
Preheating: Toaster ovens typically preheat in a few minutes; full ovens often take significantly longer.
Cooking duration: Many foods cook faster in a toaster oven simply because the heat is closer to the food.
Heat loss: Less internal volume means less heat escaping into the room, which is part of why your kitchen tends to stay cooler when you use a toaster oven instead of a full oven in summer.

Here’s how that plays out with a few common meals:

Frozen pizza: A toaster oven can often cook a small-to-medium frozen pizza in about the same time as a full oven, but without the 10+ minute preheat.
Cookies: A single tray of cookies bakes efficiently in a toaster oven without heating an entire oven cavity for a small batch.
Chicken breasts: Toaster ovens with convection can cook chicken breasts evenly in less time than many conventional ovens.
Frozen snacks: Items like mozzarella sticks or chicken nuggets cook quickly in a toaster oven, especially with an air fry setting.
Vegetables: Roasting a single sheet pan of vegetables is one of the clearest wins for a toaster oven — no reason to heat a full oven for a side dish.

How Much Electricity Does a Toaster Oven Use?

Electricity use comes down to a simple formula:

Energy (kWh) = Wattage × Hours ÷ 1000

So for a few common wattages:

1200W oven, 30 minutes (0.5 hours): 1200 × 0.5 ÷ 1000 = 0.6 kWh
1400W oven, 30 minutes (0.5 hours): 1400 × 0.5 ÷ 1000 = 0.7 kWh
1800W oven, 30 minutes (0.5 hours): 1800 × 0.5 ÷ 1000 = 0.9 kWh

At a typical U.S. electricity rate of around 15–17 cents per kWh, that works out to roughly 9–15 cents for a 30-minute cook, depending on wattage and your local rate. Run it more often — say, once a day for a month — and you’re still looking at a modest few dollars in electricity, far less than most people expect.

Keep in mind these numbers assume the oven runs continuously at full wattage the entire time, which isn’t quite how most thermostats work. In reality, the heating element cycles on and off to hold a set temperature, so actual use is often a bit lower than the simple formula suggests.

What Makes a Toaster Oven Energy Efficient?

Lower Wattage

It’s tempting to assume the lowest-wattage model is automatically the most efficient, but that’s not always true. A lower-wattage oven that takes much longer to reach temperature or finish cooking can end up using about the same amount of electricity — or more — than a higher-wattage model that cooks faster. Efficiency is really about total energy used per meal, not just the number on the label.

Fast Preheating

Shorter preheat time means less electricity used before you’ve even started cooking. Ovens with quartz or infrared elements tend to preheat dramatically faster than those with older-style coil elements.

Infrared and Quartz Heating Elements

This is one of the biggest differences between an average toaster oven and a genuinely efficient one. Traditional ceramic or calrod heating elements take a few minutes to warm up before they reach full temperature. Quartz and infrared elements, on the other hand, heat up almost instantly — closer to flipping on a light switch than waiting for a stovetop burner. Because there’s no real warm-up lag, the oven spends its energy actually cooking the food rather than warming up the empty cavity first. If instant heat and minimal preheat time matter to you, look specifically for “quartz” or “infrared” in the product description.

Convection Cooking

A convection fan circulates hot air around the food, which helps it cook faster and often at a slightly lower temperature than a non-convection setting would require. Faster, lower-temperature cooking generally means less total electricity used per meal.

Air Fry Function

Air fry settings work similarly to convection, using rapid air circulation to cook food quickly with less oil. The shortened cooking time is usually the bigger efficiency win here — a dish that air fries in 12 minutes instead of baking for 25 is going to use noticeably less electricity, even if the wattage during use is similar.

Better Insulation

Double-walled construction and well-sealed doors keep heat where it belongs — inside the cooking chamber — instead of leaking out into your kitchen. Better insulation means the heating element doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain temperature, which saves electricity over the course of a cook.

Accurate Temperature Control

Ovens with precise thermostats hold a steady temperature instead of overshooting and undershooting repeatedly. That steadier cycling reduces the number of times the heating element has to kick back on at full power, which adds up to real savings over time.

Right Capacity

Bigger isn’t always better. A toaster oven with more interior volume than you actually need means more air (and space) to heat for every meal, even a small one. Matching the size of the oven to your typical cooking needs is one of the simplest ways to keep energy use down.

How to Choose an Energy Efficient Toaster Oven

When comparing models, it helps to weigh:

Capacity — big enough for your typical meals, but not much bigger
Wattage — a starting point, not the whole story
Cooking modes — bake, broil, toast, and beyond
Air fry capability — helpful if you cook a lot of quick, crispy foods
Convection — speeds up cooking and improves even heating
Temperature accuracy — reduces wasted energy from overcorrecting
Timer and auto shut-off — prevents accidentally running the oven longer than needed
Interior insulation — keeps heat in, rather than warming your kitchen
Ease of cleaning — a toaster oven that’s easy to keep clean stays efficient longer (more on this below)
Reliability and warranty — a longer warranty is usually a sign the manufacturer trusts the build quality

Tips to Save Even More Electricity When Using a Toaster Oven

A few small habits can meaningfully lower the electricity your toaster oven uses over time:

Avoid unnecessary preheating. Many toaster ovens, especially quartz and infrared models, don’t need a long preheat — check your manual before defaulting to a full preheat cycle out of habit.
Cook multiple foods together when temperatures are similar, rather than running separate cycles.
Use convection mode when available; it usually cooks faster at a slightly lower temperature.
Keep the door closed as much as possible. Every time it opens, heat escapes and the element has to work harder to recover.
Clean the heating elements and interior regularly. A dirty interior or a grease-covered crumb tray absorbs heat instead of reflecting it back onto the food, which makes the oven work harder than it should. A quick wipe-down after cooking greasy foods keeps efficiency where it should be.
Match oven size to the food. Don’t use your largest toaster oven setting for a single slice of leftover pizza if a smaller compartment or setting will do.
Turn off early and use residual heat. Many dishes finish cooking in the last few minutes from stored heat alone — switching off a bit early can save a small amount of electricity without affecting the result.
Use appropriate cookware. Dark, thin metal pans typically conduct heat faster than thick glass, which can shorten cook times slightly.
Don’t overcrowd the food. Poor air circulation around crowded food means longer cook times to get everything done evenly.
Watch for phantom power draw. Many premium toaster ovens with digital displays or Wi-Fi connectivity pull a small amount of power even when they’re switched off. It’s not huge on its own, but it adds up across a year. If you want to eliminate it entirely, unplug the oven when it’s not in regular use, or put it on a smart plug you can switch off completely.

Common Mistakes That Waste Electricity

Cooking tiny meals in a full-size oven instead of a toaster oven
Opening the door repeatedly to check on food
Using oversized bakeware that doesn’t fit the oven efficiently
Excessive or unnecessary preheating
Cooking one item at a time when a batch would work just as well
Ignoring the convection or air fry setting when it’s available and appropriate

Are Energy Efficient Toaster Ovens Worth It?

For most households, yes. The benefits are pretty clear:

Lower utility bills, especially if you’re regularly cooking small to medium meals
Faster cooking thanks to smaller cavities and quicker preheat times
A cooler kitchen, since less heat escapes into the room compared to running a full oven
Less wasted energy overall
A great fit for everyday meals, reheating, and baking smaller batches

That said, there are a couple of trade-offs worth knowing about:

Smaller capacity means they’re not ideal for large holiday meals or big batch cooking
Some premium models cost more upfront, even if they save money over time

If most of your cooking is for one to four people, an energy-efficient toaster oven is very likely to pay for itself in both convenience and electricity savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a toaster oven use less electricity than an oven? In most everyday cooking situations, yes. Toaster ovens heat a smaller space, preheat faster, and often finish cooking sooner than a full-size oven, which typically adds up to less total electricity used per meal.

What is the most energy efficient toaster oven? Based on preheat speed, insulation, and overall energy use, the Breville Smart Oven Pro is a strong overall pick, while the Panasonic FlashXpress stands out for the lowest energy use in a compact size thanks to its instant infrared heating.

Is an air fryer toaster oven more energy efficient? Often, yes. Air fry settings tend to shorten cook times significantly, and shorter cook times generally mean less total electricity used, even if the wattage during use is similar to a standard bake setting.

Are toaster ovens expensive to run? No — most toaster ovens cost only a few cents to run per meal. A typical 30-minute cook usually falls somewhere around 9 to 15 cents in electricity, depending on wattage and local utility rates.

Does wattage determine energy efficiency? Not entirely. Wattage is a factor, but total cooking time matters just as much. A lower-wattage oven that takes longer to cook can use about the same electricity as a higher-wattage oven that finishes faster.

Can I replace my oven with a toaster oven? For many everyday meals, yes — especially for one to four people. For very large meals, big roasts, or multiple dishes cooked at once, a full-size oven still has an advantage in capacity.

Do convection toaster ovens save electricity? Generally, yes. Convection fans circulate heat more evenly, which usually allows for faster cooking and slightly lower temperatures, both of which reduce total energy use.

Are larger toaster ovens less efficient? Not necessarily less efficient, but they do use more energy per meal if you’re regularly cooking small portions in a large cavity. Matching oven size to your typical meal size is the better way to think about it.

How much does it cost to run a toaster oven for an hour? At an average wattage of 1,400–1,800 watts and a typical electricity rate, running a toaster oven for a full hour usually costs somewhere between 20 and 30 cents, though this varies by model and location.

Should I preheat a toaster oven every time? Not always. Many toaster ovens, especially quartz and infrared models, heat up quickly enough that a full preheat cycle isn’t necessary for shorter cooks like toast or reheating. Check your specific model’s manual for guidance.

Conclusion

The best energy-efficient toaster ovens combine fast preheating, convection or air fry technology, accurate temperature control, and a capacity that actually matches your everyday cooking needs. For most small to medium meals, a toaster oven uses meaningfully less electricity than a conventional oven while still delivering great results.

If you’re shopping for one, resist the urge to simply pick the highest wattage model on the shelf. Matching the appliance to your typical meal sizes — and paying attention to details like preheat time, insulation, and heating element type — will get you the greatest long-term energy savings, along with a toaster oven that actually fits the way you cook.

Most Energy Efficient Toaster Oven: 11 Models That Save Electricity