Best Countertop Convection Oven [2019]

The COSORI CO130-AO Air Fryer Toaster Oven features sleek stainless steel construction. It draws 1,800 Watts of electricity to power five internal heating elements. It has a two-speed fan which produces a consistent 360-degree heating effect. When the fan is on its highest setting this convection oven can even double as an air fryer.

Versatility is important when shopping for a countertop convection oven, and the Cosori B07W67NQMN definitely checks off a lot of boxes. It can toast, roast, and air fry. It also comes with a rotisserie accessory. There is even enough room to bake a 13-inch frozen pizza.

The interior has non-stick properties and a crumb tray is included in the initial purchase. This makes for very easy cleanup and maximum versatility at a very friendly price point.

The BLACK+DECKER 6-Slice Digital Convection Countertop Toaster Oven is a redesigned and upgraded version of the Black + Decker Convection Toaster Oven. It was designed to run on a 1500 Watt electric heating element that works in conjunction with an internal convection fan. This countertop convection oven has a digital control with settings for bake, broil, toast, bagel, reheat, pizza, and a special setting for frozen snacks.

With the three rack positions, you can toast up to 6 slices of bread at a time. It even has a precision toast shade timer which makes it easy to produce consistent toast from one batch to the next. There’s even enough room to bake a 12-inch pizza. The included crumb tray helps make cleanup easier.

Obviously, this isn’t the fanciest or the most versatile convection oven on the market. Still, it will do pretty much everything you need it to at a price point that is a fraction of the competition.

The Breville Convection Smart Oven was designed for versatility, durability, and innovation. It has a dual speed convection fan with a “Super” setting. When activated it rapidly moves a high volume of hot air, which allows it to also double as an effective air fryer.

This unit is controlled by an LCD display. It features 13 different preset cooking functions it allows you to use it for toasting bread or bagels, broiling meat, baking, roasting, warming, proofing dough, making pizza, reheating, slow cooking and even dehydrating or air frying.

The IQ precision cooking element can distribute up to 1,800 Watts through six independent quartz heating elements. For maximum precision and efficient heating. The available interior measures in at 1-cubic foot, which is enough to handle a small holiday turkey. It can accommodate nine slices of bread, 1 standard 12-cup muffin tray, a standard 9” X 13” baking pan.

How We Picked

A convection oven takes the traditional concept of a toaster oven and evolves it to the next level. To find the best or the most affordable options we looked at a few important factors.

Volume

There needs to be enough internal space to handle more than just toasting a volume of bread. A high-quality convection oven that can cook up to a 12-pound turkey solves the annual debate about how to fit side dishes into the conventional oven over the holidays. The ability to make a pizza or two on the other nights of the year is also a big bonus.

Versatility

This sort of dovetails with volume. A convection oven that can do more than toast and roast helps pay for itself. Many convection ovens are designed to do other things like double as an air fryer or a dehydrator. A few even have a rotisserie feature. This helps maximize the value and return on investment by sparing you from having to buy multiple appliances.

Accessories

Some of the best value convection ovens come with accessories or they have affordable accessory kits available. This makes them more versatile, while also saving you the time and money of having to find or purchase the accessories separately.

Ease To Clean

Countertop cooking appliances tend to be a little harder to clean than conventional ovens. At the same time, many convection ovens can be damaged by things like aluminum foil linings. A unit that has non-stick surfaces, a built-in cleaning feature, or some other accessory that helps with cleanup is definitely attractive.

Cuisinart TOB-260N1 Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven

Specs:

• 1875 Watts
• 3-year warranty
• .95 cubic foot interior
• Digital controls
• 15 cooking functions
• Includes racks and accessories

Cuisinart has a well-established reputation for producing high-quality cooking appliances. This extends to their Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven.

It features a 1,875 Watt cooking element that heats a .95 cubic foot interior. It also has a protective non-stick coating to help with cleanup. This convection oven can roast up to a 5-pound chicken or even a 7-pound turkey breast or toast up to 9 slices of bread at a time. With proper rack placement, you can even fit two 9 x 13-inch baking pans.

There are 15 different preset cooking functions that operate via digital controls. This makes it easier for you to set the heat for what you are cooking without having to worry about getting it wrong.

The Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Oven also comes with a variety of accessories including 2 oven racks, a baking pan which can also serve as a drip pan, a broiler pan, a removable crumb tray, and a 13-inch pizza stone. Cuisinart also goes so far as to include a thoughtful recipe booklet to help you get used to using the convection oven.

Cuisinart also backs their Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven with an impressive 3-year warranty program. There are also online retailers who offer very affordable 3 and 4-year protection plans.

What We Liked

There’s a lot to like about the Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven. The dual rack settings and the accessories are certainly a nice touch that lets you explore its versatility right off the bat. Don’t overlook the non-stick interior. Not only does it make for easier cleanup, but it also helps keep the refractory heat of the convection oven efficient in the long-term.

Overall

Cuisinart is one of the most trusted names in the cooking appliance industry, and you see this with the backing of their 3-year warranty. Their preset digital controls and the accessories certainly make it versatile enough to make a wide range of dishes. All at a very friendly price point.

You also shouldn’t overlook the accessories. While many convection ovens come with a few additional items to help get you started, few offers as many versatile items as Cuisinart does in the initial purchase.

Breville BOV900BSS Convection Smart Oven and Air Fryer

Specs:

• 1,800 Watts
• Dual speed convection fan
• IQ precision cooking element
• 13 function settings
• 1 cubic foot interior
• LCD display
• 2-year warranty

The Breville Convection Smart Oven has a dual-speed convection fan with a regular setting and a “Super” setting which is designed to move a higher volume of air.

When used in conjunction with the 13 different preset cooking functions it allows you to use it for toasting bread or bagels, broiling meat, baking, roasting, warming, proofing dough, making pizza, reheating, slow cooking and even dehydrating or air frying. In short, this single countertop cooking device can take the place of multiple appliances.

It has an IQ precision cooking element that can distribute up to 1,800 Watts through six independent quartz heating elements. It is operated through an LCD display. The temperature range allows you to use it as an air fryer as well as a food dehydrator.

The available interior space measures in at 1-cubic foot. With the included removable racks it allows you to toast up to nine slices of bread, 1 standard 12-cup muffin tray, a standard 9” X 13” baking pan, and it can even accommodate up to a 12-pound turkey.

Breville backs their Convection Smart Oven with a 2-year warranty. There are also online retailers who offer very affordable 3 and 4-year protection plans.

What We Liked

This Convection Smart Oven has the ability to serve as an air fryer, as well as a dehydrator. This saves you having to purchase two other appliances. The settings on the LCD display even takes the guesswork out of it for you.

Overall

Breville does its best to offer a highly versatile countertop appliance with 13 different cooking settings. They even go so far as to answer the holiday turkey question, by giving it enough internal volume to accommodate up to a 14-pound bird. This lets you cook the equally important side dishes in your conventional oven.

Just bear in mind that it does consume up to 1,875 Watts which is more than a 15 Amp Circuit breaker can handle. Before pulling the trigger on this unit, you should double-check your breaker box to make sure it’s rated for 20 Amps. If not, an electrician can wire in the upgrade for a minor fee.

BLACK+DECKER B00QNUBM12 6-Slice Digital Convection Countertop Toaster Oven

Specs:

• 3 internal rack positions
• Digital control panel
• 120-minute timer with automatic shutoff
• External crumb tray
• 2-year warranty

Black + Decker was quick to enter the convection oven niche when it first rose to popularity. As the technology and materials have evolved, they have reinvented several of their models including the 3 racks B00QNUBM12 Convection Toaster Oven.

It runs on a 1,500 Watt electric heating element with a convection fan that was designed to cook food 20% faster than their previous models. It includes a digital control that has settings for bake, broil, toast, bagel, reheat, pizza, and even frozen snacks. There’s also a 120-minute timer with an automatic shut-off feature.

The three rack positions allow you to toast up to 6 slices of bread. There’s also a precision toast shade timer which makes it easy to produce consistent toast with every batch. It can also prepare a 12-inch pizza. An external crumb tray helps make cleanup easier.

Black + Decker also backs the B00QNUBM12 Convection Toaster Oven with a two-year limited warranty. This is pretty good for such an inexpensive unit. There are also some online retailers who offer an additional 3 or 4-year protection plan for a very reasonable fee.

What We Liked

The thing that’s the most appealing about the Black + Decker B00QNUBM12 Convection Toaster Oven is the price point. It’s backed by a very nice warranty, and it’s been redesigned to be more efficient than previous models.

Overall

This isn’t the fanciest convection oven on the market. There are indeed other units with more bells and whistles. If you think of the B00QNUBM12 as an affordable entry-level convection oven, it’s a great value and it will get the job done at a fraction of the price of its higher-priced competitors.

COSORI CO130-AO Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Specs:

• 1800 Watts
• 5 heating elements
• 2-speed fan
• High Capacity
• Can be used to air fry
• Nonstick interior with crumb tray
• Includes accessories
• 1-year warranty

On a technical level, a well-designed convection toaster oven can often double as an air fryer. In fact, the marketplace seems to be gradually evolving into that direction with the high-quality units like the Cosori B07W67NQMN Convection Toaster Oven and Air Fryer.

It features sleek stainless steel construction with 1,800 Watts of heating being distributed by five heating elements. When combined with the two-speed fan it produces a consistent 360-degree heating effect. With LED digital controls it has the ability to toast, make pizza, bake, roast, dehydrate, act as a warmer and as an air fryer. You can also use it as a rotisserie for small chickens and things like Cornish game hens.

This convection oven was designed with an “Extra-Large” 5.8-quart capacity. This means it can handle a 12-cup muffin pan, a 12-inch pie, up to a 5 pounds whole chicken, up to 2 pounds of chicken wings, up to 2-pounds of French fries, or up to a 5 pounds beef roast. It can even accommodate a 13-inch pizza. If you just want to use it for toasting it can handle up to 6 slices of bread at a time.

It also comes with some accessories including an air fryer basket, a food tray, wire rack, and a rotisserie fork set. The interior has a nonstick surface, and there’s also a crumb tray for easy cleanup.

What We Liked

The Cosori B07W67NQMN Convection Toaster Oven and Air Fryer are very versatile for its friendly price point. It can do a lot and handle a large volume of food. The included accessories are a very nice touch, and the fact that it can be used as a rotisserie is somewhat rare for this niche.

Overall

This is a great convection oven, air fryer, rotisserie combination cooking appliance that does still do so much more. This level of competitive versatility is likely the next trend that we’ll see sweeping this niche, and Cosori seems to be at the forefront.

The one nagging foible in all this is the fact that it’s only backed by a one-year warranty when many of its direct competitors are offering two and three years of coverage. Still, there are online retailers who offer additional protection plans at a very reasonable rate.

Oster Extra Large Stainless Steel Digital Countertop Convection Oven

Specs:

• 1,500 Watts
• Digital Controls
• Includes accessories
• Rapid defrost setting
• Easy to clean interior

The look of a stainless steel convection oven like Oster on your kitchen counter is sleek. This unit uses 1,500 Watts of power in tandem with an internal convection fan.

The digital controls allow you to use it to bake, broil, and toast as well as make pizza. There’s even a rapid defrost setting.

Oster designed it with an easy to clean interior. It also comes with a few accessories including a baking pan, and an integrated broiling rack. The interior is large enough to toast up to 18 slices of bread. The two rack positions even allow you to make two 13-inch pizzas at the same time. You can even configure it to roast a whole chicken.

What We Liked

The ability to make two pizzas at the same time is somewhat rare in this size and price range of convection oven. It definitely moves this unit up a notch if you want to have “The Guys” over to watch the big game and you want to make enough frozen pizza to feed everyone at one time.

The nonstick exterior and drip pan are also a nice touch. They definitely help reduce the cleanup process.

Overall

This convection oven does a lot of what you want a convection oven to do, and then some. It’s maybe not the most versatile unit on the market, and it would be nice if it was backed by more than just a one-year warranty. Still, for the price, it’s hard to go wrong.

Oyama TRO-110B 12 Liter Turbo Convection Roaster Oven

Specs:

• Convection roaster
• 12-Liter capacity
• Dial controls
• Wire racks for roasting and steaming
• 1-year warranty
• Tempered glass bowl

The Oyama TRO-110B puts a little bit of a different spin on the convection oven. It has a tempered glass bowl with a lid heating unit and controls. When the lid is lifted an automatic safety switch shuts the unit off.

Another interesting twist with this type of configuration is the “Wash Cycle.” The owner’s manual includes easy to read instructions on how to use it. It makes cleanup very easy.

This type of configuration is sometimes referred to as a “Turbo Oven.” A quick online search will even turn up some interesting recipes and tips to make the most out of it.

Straight out of the box it isn’t really designed to replace your toaster oven. Though it can indeed bake and roast. It comes with accessory tongs and basic racks.

Oyama also offers a “Deluxe” accessory package includes an extender ring, bundt cake pan, stainless wire mesh, steamer pan, and grill pan, as well as a turbo lid stand. On its own, you can already do a lot with the Oyama, but the accessory kit really opens up a whole new level of versatility. All at a very affordable price point.

What We Liked

This “Turbo” convection oven does pretty much everything you want it to do. With the right accessories, it might just be the most versatile convection oven on the market. The wash cycle itself is an interesting twist and something you can only get with this type of configuration and a tempered glass bowl.

Overall

The Oyama TRO-110B doesn’t look like a classic toaster oven or most of the other convection ovens on the market. You do have to use it a little differently to make the most out of it. Once you get used to it, you might just find it’s more versatile and easier to clean than it’s more traditional competitors.

Emeril Lagasse 360 Power Convection Oven

Specs:

• 1,500 Watts
• 9-in-1 versatility
• Accessories included
• 360° “Quick Cook Technology”
• LCD control panel

Emeril Lagasse lends his name to this convection oven that is versatile enough to also use as an air fryer and a countertop rotisserie. The 9-in-1 functionality engineered into this appliance allows you to air fry, reheat, toast, bake, rotisserie, dehydrate, roast, broil, toast cook pizza, slow cook and even act as a warmer.

It distributes 1,500 Watts across five heating elements, in the 930 cubic inch stainless steel interior. It uses proprietary 360° “Quick Cook Technology,” which is controlled by the LCD control panel. There are 12 preset buttons, as well as a memory feature.

Versatility seems to be the factor leading the way in the evolution of convection ovens, and this unit shines in that capacity. The fact that it includes accessories and a rotisserie is also a nice feather in its cap. Just keep in mind that the rotisserie is only rated to handle up to a 5-pound chicken. Though, there is enough space inside to roast a 10 to 12-pound turkey.

What We Liked

The overall versatility of this unit is where it shines. The fact that you can use it as a rotisserie, as well as a dehydrator and air fryer, makes it a real package purchase that can save you a lot of money in the long-term.

Overall

The Emeril Lagasse 360 Power Convection Oven has the versatility to do pretty much everything you want it to do. Though the internal capacity is a little smaller than the competition, which can further limit the volume it can air fry in a single session.

It’s only backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee, which is less than most of the competitors. However, there are some online retailers who do offer affordable extra protection programs.

Additional Information

At first glance, you might get the impression that a convection oven is just the next evolution of the toaster oven. This was probably true with some of the earliest versions. However, technology and innovative design have driven a new wave of evolution with these countertop appliances.

Today, most countertop convection ovens are capable of doing more than simply toasting bread or baking up a late-night burrito. Some of the better value units on the market can roast turkeys and chickens or include a rotisserie. There are even a few that are capable of dehydrating or slow cooking. Larger units can even accommodate a 12-inch frozen pizza.

Convection ovens work by taking the heat produces by the elements and efficiently redirecting it with a special heavy-duty fan. This speeds the cooking process. The special engineering that goes into the process also helps many of these units to double as an air fryer.

Non-stick interior materials and things like crumb pans are also key features to keep an eye out for when shopping for a convection oven. They are especially handy for cleanup when you consider that most convection ovens are not meant to handle an aluminum foil lining in the bottom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I Need A Special Outlet For A Convection Oven?

A. Countertop convection ovens are designed to work on a standard 110 Volt household outlet. Just like any heat-producing appliance, like a hairdryer, it’s also a good idea to use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Also known as a GFCI this special type of outlet essentially has a small fuse built into it.

Q: Is It Okay To Open A Convection Oven Door?

A. Ideally, you want to leave the door closed as much as possible. Every time you open the door on a convection oven you are letting hot air out, as well as altering the dynamics of the convection flow. The way a convection oven works reduce the need to flip most food items. If you do need to stir something or insert a temperature probe, you should do so as quickly as possible.

Q: Is A Convection Oven The Same As An Air Fryer?

A. Air frying is increasingly popular these days and convection ovens work on many of the same hot air circulation principles. However, most high-quality air fryers using higher heat or significantly faster air circulation engineering than most countertop convection ovens.

There are some convection ovens that have high-speed or dual-speed internal fans that can closely replicate an air fryer. This boosts their value. Yet you shouldn’t merely assume that all convection ovens can be used as an air fryer.

Q: How Much Faster Does A Convection Oven Cook?

A. It can vary from one unit to another. In general, the average convection oven cooks about 30% faster than a conventional oven would for the same food at the same temperature. There are some convection ovens that are designed to be faster, however, their claims are left up to the manufacturer.

Q: Can I Line My Convection Oven With Aluminum Foil?

A. The short answer here is that it’s generally not a good idea to line the bottom of a convection oven with aluminum foil.

Toaster ovens became incredibly popular in the 1980s and 90s. Most homes had them, and most owners complained about how difficult they were to clean. Excess crumbs and grease that dripped down would stink, smoke and sometimes even light on fire. To deal with this most people lined the bottoms with aluminum foil.

Convection ovens look a lot like traditional toaster ovens, and most do the same thing. However, they are specially engineered to efficiently redirect and intensify the heat. When you introduce heavy-duty aluminum foil into the equation, it can potentially damage the appliance. If you look in the fine print of the warranty, some will even void the coverage if aluminum foil is used.

Q: How Big Of A Convection Oven Do I Need?

A. This depends on what you intend to use the convection oven for. Internal dimensions are usually expressed in cubic inches or as a percentage of a cubic foot. One cubic foot or 1,728 cubic inches is generally the internal volume you need to roast a 10 to 12-pound turkey.

Frozen pizzas tend to do very well in a convection oven, some come with a small pizza stone, which will need to be preheated for 10 to 15 minutes before placing the pizza on it. If you rush this step, the crust won’t be as crisp. Some convection ovens don’t come with a pizza stone, and you simply set them on the internal wire rack. With these, you just have to make sure the internal temperature has fully preheated before placing the pizza inside.

You should also keep your available counter space in mind. While some people will tuck their countertop convection oven into a cabinet when it’s not in use, most will leave it out for convenient toasting, roasting, and fast baking. Double-check the space you have available and how much you want to sacrifice to make room for it.

Q: Are Accessories Important?

A. Ideally, you want to give a little bit of preference to a convection oven that comes with a few accessories. Things like crumb pans and other cleaning tools are nice. Additional things like air fry mesh pans, baking pans, and simple tools are also a nice touch. It spares you the time and money of shopping around to buy them one at a time.

There are some convection ovens that may not come with accessories but sell a suite or package of them as a secondary purchase. While this is an added cost, they are usually designed to specifically work with that type of countertop convection oven and can really increase the versatility.

Q: Does The Warranty Matter?

A. Most warranty programs are meant to handle manufacturer defects. They typically have small print clauses that void the warranty if the unit is abused or operated under improper conditions. If you take the time to read and follow the setup instructions, your convection oven should last well beyond its warranty period.

On a practical level, a warranty will come into play if something was improperly installed in the factory or the unit was damaged during shipping. At the same time, units with a longer warranty period are also a statement from the manufacturer saying that they put the time and effort into designing it to the last while also using quality materials.

Q: How Heavy Of A Bird Can A Rotisserie Handle?

A. Some of the more versatile convection ovens on the market offer a rotisserie accessory with the purchase of an affordable secondary purchase. Yet most of these only have the room or an electric motor capable of handling between a 4 to the 5-pound bird.

They are really meant to cook whole chickens rather than a holiday turkey. Though traditional pan roasting is still a very viable option for most convection ovens with around 1-cubic foot of internal space.

Q: Do I Need To Baste Poultry Roasted In A Convection Oven?

A. The hot circulating air produced by a convection oven might give you the impression that it will dry out a chicken or a turkey. However, it tends to seal the skin more rapidly than a conventional oven or countertop turkey roaster. This means you don’t need to baste the bird while it’s cooking.

In fact, frequently opening the door or lifting the lid could alter the dynamics inside the convection oven which would then also the cooking time. If you really love super-moist white meat chicken or turkey, you might want to brine the bird for 8 to 12 hours before roasting.

Q: What Are The Best Pans For A Convection Oven?

A. While aluminum linings aren’t wise for a convection oven, heavy-duty aluminum pans don’t have the same damaging effects. Yet you should keep in mind that they can still get hotter than expected, and with certain baking applications you could end up with “Dry Corners” in a disposable aluminum pan.

Teflon pans and Teflon lined cookware should be avoided for high heat applications. As you start to approach 500 degrees the chemical composition of Teflon can start to breakdown and release toxic compounds and potentially dangerous gasses.

Ceramic, glass, and porcelain-coated cookware don’t absorb heat as quickly. They also tend to have semi-nonstick properties. This makes them a good option for lower temperature applications and roasting. It will also help to preheat them in advance or give it additional cook time.

Metal roasting pans are good for preparing chickens and turkeys. If possible, try to source one that has a V or some type of lower roasting rack that lifts the bird off the bottom of the pan. This will allow the circulating heat to cook the bird thoroughly and efficiently.

Q: Do I Need To Change Cooking Temperature?

A. The rapid heating of circulated air and advanced heating elements can potentially heat some food items too quickly. This tends to be influenced by the type of pan you are using. In the case of aluminum or an anodized pan, you might want to turn the temperature down by 25-degrees to reduce the chances of problems like over-browning and dry corners.

Q: Does Wattage Matter?

A. On the face of it the higher the wattage rating the faster the unit will preheat. This might also impact the maximum temperature. You also need to pay attention to units that need over 1,700 Watts. There are two common types of circuit breakers in a home.

A 15 Amp breaker can only handle a maximum load of up to 1,800 Watts. That’s for everything tied to that breaker combined! A 20 Amp breaker can handle up to 2,400 Watts, and can more easily accommodate a high wattage convection oven.

You can find out the wattage rating of your kitchen’s circuits by looking in the breaker box. Most have the Amp rating etched or stamped into the plastic frame the breaker switch or on the head of the switch itself. Even if your specific breaker isn’t rated to handle the wattage demand of a particular convection oven, you can still have a qualified electrician upgrade for a minimal fee.

Conclusion

The once-popular kitchen toaster oven fell out of favor due to its inefficiency, inconsistency, and difficulty to clean. Yet it’s departure left a hole in the kitchen counter appliance niche that begged to be filled.

Today the countertop convection oven rises to fill take the place of the toaster oven offering thermal efficiency, consistency, and a surprising amount of versatility. When shopping for one, remember to keep the internal volume in mind, and eye out for functionality as well as ease to clean.

If a particular unit happens to come with some accessories, you should view that as a feather in its a cap. Even if it doesn’t come with any additional items there might still be a suite of compatible accessories available to take it to the next level in versatility.

Should you have any lingering doubts about quality, let the manufacturer’s reputation and the warranty be your guide.

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