Convection is one of the most sought after feature in not just toaster ovens, but in regular ovens too.
A convection fan helps in circulating hot air inside the oven chamber quickly and evenly. This allows the oven to rapidly heat-up or cook the food and also encourages consistent cooking from all corners.
However, most of the times, the convection feature is offered in large toaster ovens. It is a rare incidence to find them in compact or small models.
This has to do with the physical design that accounts for a separate chamber for the fan to be placed in, which in turn contributes to the increase in size.
In this article, however, we have tried to find and list the best small convection toaster ovens in the market.
Also Read: Best Toaster Ovens for Camping
Top 3 Small Convection Toaster Ovens
4.9/5
[Best Overall]
This toaster oven offers non-conventional design with its roll top door, curved front profile and an overall compact form factor.
It comes with manual controls with settings for temperature, cooking mode, and the timer.
4.8/5
[Best for the Money]
The oven comes with easy access digital buttons for common cooking modes such as bake, broil, toast, and also options for snacks and foods like bagel, defrosting frozen snakes or reheating leftovers.
4.7/5
[Best Manual Knob Controlled Settings]
The clean stainless steel finish with beautiful crafted minimalist manual controls knobs are sure to attract the eyes of those visiting your kitchen.
What truly sets this apart in terms of features is the high 1800 power rating.
List of Best Small Convection Toaster Ovens in 2023
The following oven are the smallest in their price category and also offer the convection fan feature.
- Hamilton Beach 31123D – Affordable and Compact
- BLACK+DECKER TO3240XSBD – Wide Body
- Cuisinart TOB-60N1 – High Powered Manual
- Cuisinart TOB-135 – High Powered Digital
- Hamilton Beach 31240 – Premium Toaster Oven
1. Hamilton Beach 31123D – Affordable and Compact
A small, convenient and an affordable 12-inch pizza Toaster Oven with convection feature.
Dimensions (inches): 9.41 H x 18.74 W X 15.24 D
If you came here looking for a simple option with no bells and whistles; in other words, for an appliance good enough for basic reheating and toasting jobs then this is the best small convection toaster oven in our opinion.
Not only is it affordable, it is also offers non-conventional design with its roll top door, curved front profile and an overall compact form factor.
The oven comes with manual controls with settings for temperature, cooking mode, and the timer.
Speaking of which, the model has a short timer of just 30 minutes indicating that this is NOT designed for cooking meat or meals. Instead it is suitable for basic reheating, defrosting or toasting tasks only.
As far as the compactness of height measurement goes, this is among the smallest out there.
Like most ovens listed here, this oven has the capacity to fit 6 slices of bread or a medium-sized 12″ pizza. In the end, if you prefer minimal features, then this is a great option for you.
This oven works really well for me. It has lots of room inside to toast or cook, and I particularly love the roll-up lid which eliminates the need for crumb clean-up.
Additionally, it heats quickly and cooks things thoroughly. I am truly happy with this purchase. The smart design is also worth mentioning, with easy-to-read dials and a practical lift cover.
The inside of the oven is quite large, and the sliding tray operates smoothly. The toaster functionality works great, and I haven't experienced any issues with items not browning or toasting properly.
2. Cuisinart TOB-135N-157 – High Powered Digital
This is a compact digital toaster oven with 9 functions and presets. Excellent for a small family as it can easily bake a 4 pound chicken.
Dimensions (inches): 9.84H x 18.50 W X 15.35 D
Cuisinart TOB-135 is very similar to Cuisinart TOB-60N1 above. The main differing factor is that this is a fully digital toaster oven.
As such, this is more expensive than its manual counterpart above.
It has the same capacity, size, and also the 1800 power rating as the oven above. However, with digital controls and a large LCD screen for showing cooking data, this may appeal to those who are looking for a somewhat advanced option.
The oven is designed with convenience in mind, featuring easy-to-use digital buttons for common cooking modes such as bake, broil, and toast, as well as options for snacks and specific foods like bagels or defrosting frozen items.
Perfectly sized for small kitchens and those living alone, this toaster oven is both well-made and durable.
While it may seem standard at first glance, it boasts a digital display and convection feature that elevate its functionality. Whether baking cookies or broiling chicken, this oven can handle it all with ease.
It's compact enough to fit on most countertops and can bake, toast, and broil to perfection.
However, this oven is a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile, reliable, and attractive appliance for their kitchen.
In the end, if you are okay with paying a little premium for digital controls, then this is the best small convection toaster oven.
3. Cuisinart TOB-60N1 – High Powered Manual
This is an elegant looking affordable toaster oven with manual knob controlled settings and a high 1800 power rating for quick heating.
Dimensions (inches): 9.80H x 19.10 W X 15.5 D
There are a few features that set this oven apart from the two above. It costs slightly more, but for all the right reasons.
For starters, this is a gorgeous looking appliance. Being a toaster oven from Cuisnart, it leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the physical looks.
The clean stainless steel finish with beautiful crafted minimalist manual controls knobs are sure to attract the eyes of those visiting your kitchen.
What truly sets this apart in terms of features is the high 1800 power rating. A high power rating means it can quickly heat up your food and also allows you to cook meat and other dishes thoroughly.
While most basic toaster ovens top out at 450°F, this one can go all the way up to 500°F. It also reaches that temperature rather quickly, thanks to its high power rating.
My morning toast comes out perfectly crisp, my personal pizzas turn out to be world-class, and when reheating leftovers, they come out better than new.
I appreciate its subtle quietness, except for the ticking sound of the clock when it's toasting. It does take up quite a bit of counter space, similar to a small microwave.
The easy-to-use rotary dials are a plus for me as I preferred them over digital controls. Cleaning this oven is relatively easy, and it also has a long power cord, allowing for flexible placement on the countertop.
Additionally, the oven has an appealing appearance. In my opinion, this multi-function toaster oven is a definite win.
All in all, if you need a heavy duty, durable, high powered and a gorgeous manual option, then this is the best small convection toaster oven in our opinion.
4. BLACK+DECKER TO3240XSBD – Wide Body
This is a highly affordable toaster oven with broiling function. It offer the convection feature along with analogue controls.
Dimensions (inches): 13.7 H x 24.4 W X 15.8 D
While the oven above features a chamber large enough for 6 slices of bread, this oven is a little wider with the capacity to fit in 8 slices of bread.
The depth and the height are still quite compact. Therefore, if your counter space allows you to have a wide body toaster oven installed, then this is a great option.
Again, if you are worried about an 8 slice toaster oven taking up a lot of space, it is important to reiterate that depth and height are still very compact.
The only difference between this and the rest of the options here is that it features a body wide enough to fit most pans and trays and since it has a cooking timer of 60 minutes, it is suitable for complex recipes as well.
In terms of price, this option is quite affordable. It features simple manual controls with intuitive icons that represent various modes and cooking functions.
I particularly appreciate its simplicity, as I purchased it specifically for those scorching summer days when I want to bake without heating up my house further. Another positive aspect is that it comes with a pan and offers height adjustment for the shelf.
However, I highly recommend. Although it requires a decent amount of counter space, it is well worth the investment. Personally, I have limited counter space, but I still find it worthwhile.
Additionally, I was delighted with its size, as it easily accommodates a 9x13 pan, which was exactly what I was looking for. The oven's generous size and multitude of functions further contribute to its appeal.
So for those needing a bit more capacity than mere 6 slices of bread, we find this to be the best small convection toaster oven since it still manages to have a compact profile despite a large interior space.
5. Hamilton Beach 31240 – Premium Toaster Oven
A versatile premium digital oven that is excellent for toasts as well as for cooking various kind of meat dishes. Comes with a temperature probe.
Dimensions (inches): 14.2H x 22.8 W X 17.1 D
Finally, we have the most advanced small toaster oven with convection feature here.
This is an expensive and a premium toaster oven that is highly valuable for home chefs who love to explore their culinary horizons. It comes with digital controls, 7 presets including bake, broil, warm, reheat, toaster and bagel.
This oven is more than just suitable for toasting slices of bread or bagel in the morning. Instead, this is an oven you can used to prepare complex meat related dishes.
For that, it even comes with a dedicated temperature probe, allowing you to monitor the interior temperature of the meat as you cook.
I appreciate that it is an all-in-one appliance, perfect for my small kitchen as it eliminates the need for multiple devices on my countertop. The size is just right for my baking needs, and its space-saving features are a bonus.
I have been using the oven setting to bake cakes, and it has performed admirably. This machine has become my go-to for all kinds of cooking tasks, from baking and toasting to air frying and more. I can confidently say that I truly love this versatile appliance.
Unfortunately, this is the largest option in this list. However, for culinary experts who love cooking meals instead of just toasting bread, you may find this to be among the best small convection toaster ovens.
What to Look for and What to Expect
Let us review at some of the features that you can find in a toaster oven with convection feature.
At least 6 Slice Capacity
As far as the physical size is concerned, toaster ovens with convection feature can only be found with at least a 6 slice capacity (12″ pizza).
Unfortunately, convection feature cannot be found in smaller 4 slice or 2 slice toaster ovens.
Faster Cooking
convection oven circulates heat inside
As mentioned earlier, a convection model can heat up or cook your meals must faster. This is due to the rapid circulation of the hot air inside the oven which heats up the food from all corners quickly.
Also Read in Detail: What is a Convection Toaster Oven?
Energy Efficiency
Calculating temperature difference between regular and convection oven. Source: Home.howstuffworks.com
A convection oven consumes lower energy as compared to regular ovens in two ways.
Firstly, due to its rapid heating, the oven operates for a shorter amount of time which translates to energy saving.
Furthermore, convection ovens operate at a lower temperature as compared to a regular oven for the same recipe. For example if a certain recipe requires the temperature be tuned to 450 °F, a convection oven would require that to be lowered to about 425 °F.
As such, it requires lower energy to run the oven.
Turn the Feature ON and OFF
Many have a misconception that the convection feature cannot be turned off. That is not true. All toaster ovens with convection technology have the option to switch it off.
For certain recipes, especially baking, you may require the convection feature to be turned off.
Also Read: Best NON Convection Toaster Ovens
Affordable and Premium
There are two types of small convection toaster ovens that you can find around. First are the basic manual toaster ovens with old-school controls. They are simple, affordable and employ basic knob controls
Then there are digital ovens some of which can be of premium grade featuring a large array of features, automated controls, sensors as well as cooking presets to make your cooking life easier.
Conclusion
Here we reviewed some of the best small convection toaster ovens in the market. It is worth point out that even the smallest one has a capacity for 6 slices of bread or a 12″ pizza.
In other words, if you are looking for smaller still toaster ovens i.e with 4 slices or 3 slices capacity, then you will be disappointed.
In this article we made certain that we choose the smallest of the options available.
FAQs:
1. What is the best small convection toaster oven to buy?
List of Best Small Convection Toaster Ovens that we can recommend. The following oven are the smallest in their price category and also offer the convection fan feature.
1. Hamilton Beach 31123D – Affordable and Compact
2. BLACK+DECKER TO3240XSBD – Wide Body
3. Cuisinart TOB-60N1 – High Powered Manual
4. Cuisinart TOB-135 – High Powered Digital
6. Hamilton Beach 31240 – Premium Toaster Oven
2. What is difference between convection and toaster oven?
Toaster ovens operate solely on electricity (they are plug-and-play appliances), whereas convection ovens operate on both electricity and gas. Convection ovens are typically more expensive than conventional ovens. Both convection ovens and toaster ovens (with convectional options) cook at the same rate.
3. Can I bake a cake in a convection oven?
Yes, you can. Convection ovens can produce fluffier, slightly larger cakes and can bake multiple cakes simultaneously. Additionally, they ensure that cakes bake evenly regardless of their placement in the oven. Reduce the temperature by an additional 5 to 10 degrees if the cake is huge. Fill the cake pan halfway with the prepared cake batter.
4. How do you clean baked on grease in a toaster oven?
Cleaning baked-on grease from a toaster oven is similar to cleaning a regular kitchen oven. Prepare a baking soda and water paste and apply it to the affected area. Allow sitting overnight. Wipe clean with a rag and spray any remaining problem areas with a vinegar-water solution.
5. Should I buy a convection toaster oven?
A convection toaster oven is a great option if you are looking for an appliance that can do more than just toast bread. A convection toaster oven can bake, broil, and roast food, making it a versatile option for your kitchen. However, a convection toaster oven can be more expensive than a traditional toaster oven, so you will need to decide if the extra features are worth the price.