6 Best Toaster Oven Under $50 in 2022 (Buying Guide)
While the concept of a toaster oven itself is interesting, its uses are much more diverse than you’d expect. Imagine your conventional kitchen oven, but on a smaller scale with horizontal racks for toasting. That’s exactly the sort of oven we’ll be discussing today.
Now, these appliances offer users much more than just the toasting feature. Modern-day chefs use it for baking, broiling, or quick reheats of leftover food as well. Keep reading till the end to find out the best toaster oven under $50 for yourself and your family.
Contents
The Best Toaster Ovens Under 50
For your ease of understanding, each product description starts with its manufacturer’s name and model number. To better help you make the purchase decision, we have summed up the pros and cons briefly after each review. Here’s why you should and shouldn’t buy these products.
1. Black Decker 4 Slice Toaster Oven TO1760SS
We’re no stranger to how rushed a breakfast can get, especially on those busy Monday mornings.
This is where Black Decker comes in to save to the day with their convection technology. The bad boy is highly reputed in the community for its rapid action and service, making it an instant favorite among early birds.
Furthermore, the hot air gets circulated within the chamber so fast that it doesn’t take too long to get the good crispy stuff served on the plate. Now, even if you’re not an early bird, this reason alone should be enough to convince you to make the purchase.
Just in case you’re still not impressed, remember that this thing is exceptionally compact, despite being able to fit a 9″ pizza inside it. We’re not even going to talk about the well-designed bread holding capacity because you’ll find it written almost everywhere.
Starting from the packaging to online posts, Black Decker claims to have a precise 30-minute timer that will let you fine-tune the heat on your food. Satisfied users have reconfirmed their claim after several months of usage.
A paddle-type knob similar to traditional ovens is just what it needs to make this thing near-flawless.
But unfortunately, this toaster oven doesn’t have an on/off button. So it will still be powered on even after you remove the food unless unplugged. So make sure to gauge this slight tradeoff before making your purchase decision, and you shall be all set and satisfied.
Pros
- Precise 30-minute timer for fine heating.
- Equal heat distribution all across the chamber.
- High-speed yet uniform heating.
- Attractive design that fits nicely in modern households.
- Compact structure with no tradeoffs in terms of efficiency.
Cons
- Slight mistiming may cause your food to burn.
- No on-off button present.
2. COMFEE Countertop Toaster Oven CFO-BC10(SS)
Toasting, baking, broiling you name it, and this toaster oven does it. This makes it perfect for anyone who’s looking for an efficient replacement to their conventional ovens. One of the best things about this product is its ease of use. Neither does it require in-depth learning nor any complicated operations.
The compact nature of this oven ensures a proper fit for any small counter. So it doesn’t matter whether you have a lot of space on your countertop or not. This thing should fit right in on any gap you have in the kitchen.
Since it has organized wiring, you won’t need to position the product either intricately.
Not only does it come with a dual heating element, but it infuses an effortless design as well. Now here’s the thing, the two heating coils on the top and bottom cook the food relatively evenly from both sides.
Another great feature of this product is the lightweight body structure. It’s neither heavy on your arms nor your pocket, making it an instant favorite among customers with a low budget. The only noticeably flaw of this equipment is its handle heating issue.
But don’t let that fool you into thinking that this commodity is not worth the price. If you’re just starting your new home or looking for a small gift for the newlywed couples, this oven should suffice superbly.
Pros
- Extremely easy to clean non-stick tray.
- Lightweight and compact in structure.
- Simple design that appeals aesthetically.
- Well-built baking pan wire rack.
- Comes with a removable crumb tray.
Cons
- Heat distribution not up to par.
- Handles might get heated after prolonged use.
3. Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven 31344D
Want to get evenly cooked toasts every time without fail? This oven will not disappoint you. The roll-top door is the prime reason why this is considered as one of the most uniquely designed low-budget ovens out there. Due to its ergonomic design, you will feel nothing but comfort when operating this thing.
If you’re someone who wants a modern toaster oven without having to spend too much, then the Hamilton Beach 31344D is apt for you. This kitchen commodity comes with three function modes for all your heating needs.
Be it toasting, broiling, or just some old fashioned heating, the product will serve you with the utmost skill.
Shortly after its launch, some users complained about temperature reading being hotter than the actual temperature inside the oven. H.B. promptly responded by addressing the issue and fixing the calibration within a month. This resulted in a remarkable rise in its sales. Because, why not? They deserve it.
We suggest users not to put gravies or any such food that might splatter inside. Although the roll-top door offers a great user-convenience, it can be a hassle to clean. To bring the interior surface to a spotless shine, you will need much more than just a cotton cloth soaked in warm water.
If you hate putting too much effort into cleaning and scrubbing, this product is not for you. But as far as aesthetics and ergonomic design are concerned, the oven offers excellent value for money.
Pros
- The unique roll-top door makes it easier to reach inside.
- Easily fits four slices of bread or a large pizza without congestion.
- It can be used to heat food like a microwave replacement.
- Spacious chamber and tray-space.
- Comes with three different modes of use.
Cons
- No convection fan and non-stick interior.
- Not appropriate for cooking/heating marinated food.
4. BLACK DECKER 6-Slice Toaster Oven TO1950SBD
This Black Decker comes in a tri-knob system with a slightly curved handlebar. The sleek structure and its convenient control panel make it a great addition to any modern kitchen counter.
Did you know that the concept of the toaster oven was first introduced in 1910? Since then, it has made tremendous advancement in both design and technology. This toaster oven stands tall, bearing the proof of that feat.
Not to mention, the manufacturers were also thoughtful enough to give it a stainless steel body. Therefore you don’t have to worry about rusting or greasing issues.
The dual placing feature allows bakers to cook their food evenly in a short time. Now, cooking in a short time in most ovens can lead you to a meal where some portion is undercooked or overcooked. But with this thing, you won’t have to vex on that as well.
In other words, the perfect balance of speed and heat distribution makes it one of the best options from our list. But the actual reason why we chose to recommend this product is not that it cooks fast. Instead, it’s actually because this oven is perfect for longer baking tasks such as a home-pizza or sponge-cake.
We don’t recommend buying this oven for meat-cooking purposes. However, that is not a hard and fast restriction. Craving for some quick protein? Whip up a meal in this oven without hesitation. Set up the timer according to the recipe and watch the juices tenderize your food through the transparent doors.
Pros
- Double rack system for ensuring an even fry all the way through.
- Substantially spaced interior to cook a meal for three.
- Under-broiler cooking mechanism.
- Appropriate for longer baking tasks.
- Modern yet straightforward counter-top outlook.
Cons
- Very little room remaining after placing six bread slices.
5. Betty Crocker Toaster Oven BC-1664CB
The simple controls on this oven make it easy for everyone to use. When we say “everyone”, we refer to anyone with the ability to read and write. Yes, that’s how easy it is.
However, the manufacturers decided to compromise a bit from the heating element to present a much compact structure than its competitors. In other words, the product will fit perfectly in almost any corner of your kitchen. But you may need to slightly turn up the heat to get to your desired temperature.
Don’t mistake the temperature calibration mentioned above as one of Betty Crocker’s flaws because the temperature control on this commodity is better than almost every oven under $50. It also comes with a two-foot electrical cord, so you don’t need to place it right in front of the electric port.
This electric device is ideal for making everything starting from small casseroles to loaves of bread. The heat distribution is also uniform for any sort of baking needs. Right off the bat, you will notice two rack levels inside the chamber. We recommend putting your bread on the upper rack for a finer toast and even cook.
Unfortunately, this toaster oven is not for people with poor eyesight because the letterings can be a little hard to read without proper lighting. But that shouldn’t be a problem if your kitchen countertop is well illuminated.
Remember that this thing takes a little bit longer to cook/toast because of its compact and lightweight design.
Pros
- Near-accurate temperature controls compared to other toaster ovens.
- It is equipped with simple two knobbed controls.
- Relatively smaller yet efficient than its competitors.
- No hassle in cleaning.
- Appropriate for users living in hotter climate regions.
Cons
- Dials may be slightly challenging to read.
- Takes longer to toast/cook than usual.
6. Americana Elite Vintage Diner Toaster Oven
One word to describe this oven? Clever. This toaster oven is one of those ovens you see in retro movies. The only difference is that it’s equipped with all the latest features and components. Therefore, you finally have an oven that makes your life more comfortable, all the while looking cool!
Vintage often sounds like a tricky area to discover for newcomers. But Americana uses the same traditional control interface in all their ovens, with some terrific hardware upgrades. This will allow bakers to unleash their baking potential fully.
Another exciting feature of this toaster oven is their thermally insulated handles. This means that you do not need to wear your mittens every time you use this oven. And just in case you’re using the baking tray, this thing comes with a tray removing pincher as well.Â
To top that off, the wiring and coiling are relatively simple compared to most other toaster ovens. So the oven health remains intact even upon voltage spikes due to unexpected power-cuts. This is a safe-to-use oven for kids, but no two toddlers are the same, so pay attention if you have them using the appliances on their own.
A good toaster oven can be the difference between a good and a bad meal. With this toaster oven, you can rarely go wrong, unless you want to cook big cakes for the family. If you’re looking for a lightweight toaster oven that you can carry around in your kitchen without much difficulty, then this should be your pick.
Pros
- Retro looking despite having modern functions.
- Includes all essential accessories within the packaging.
- Thermally insulated handlebar.
- Appropriate for retro-themed kitchens.
- Suitable for baking small items.
Cons
- Diffuses a mild burnt smell after several months of frequent use.
What To Expect From Toaster Oven Under $50?
Here’s an important disclaimer: Do not expect the accent and construction of a luxury oven in toaster ovens under $50! High-end luxury ovens might cost you as much as up to $3000-$15000, excluding the installation fees.
Moderate Build Quality
Almost all of the products included in our list are of decent build quality, which can trap the heat inside the chambers efficiently. You’ll be able to toast your bread or heat your food just fine. Simple dishes such as casseroles, pizzas, bread, and cakes are excellent choices for cooking in these small kitchen appliances.
Variable Heating Factors
As far as uniform heating is concerned, each of the equipment performs differently. For instance, a toaster oven with a single heating element heats the food in a uniform direction. At the same time, a dual heating element toasts loaves of bread equally from multiple sides.
Again, factors such as room temperature and humidity also play a huge role in the outcome. It’s also a little tricky to ace the temperature controls entirely on the first try without prior experience.
Ease of Use and Availability
The listed machines are compact, easy to use, and mostly easy to clean. They fit in almost any sort of kitchen you take them to. So you don’t have to take accent and color into account (as long as you aren’t too picky). Some of them might also come with racks and crumb trays.
Due to their low price range, they are quite common in households and small kitchens. As a result, unofficial repairs aren’t a big deal if you’re not worried about voiding the warranty.
Simple Build
If you’ve done your share of research, then you probably know that ovens (not in our list) under the $50 margin aren’t the best in insulating heat. Although the appliances from reputed brands shouldn’t be a hazard for your kitchen, it’s not uncommon to come across loosely constructed ones.
Limited Temperature Range
Lower end ovens have a very confined range of temperatures. You’ll still be able to get your desired heat from these rigs. But don’t expect a super wide range of heating controls. The general purpose of these ovens is to provide you with enough heat for heating/toasting or broiling only.
You can check out our top picks on the best toaster oven under $100 and buying guide.
Who Should Buy a Toaster Oven?
Anyone who wants an efficient and convenient replacement for their conventional oven may buy a toaster counterpart. Since these are fast heating equipment, therefore it’s also perfect for students and office-goers as they are (almost) always in a rush.
With that being said, these ovens are incredibly compact and easy to use. So people looking for an easy-operating heating device should grab at least one of these for their kitchen.
These electrical appliances are a go-to for every baker who likes to bake bread, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, pies, or even fresh foods.
This sort of oven is also a blessing for all the lazy chefs out there. Be it reheating your leftover food or just whipping up a frozen meal, this modern commodity does it all. By the way, if you’re a fan of roasting meats, veggies, or even nuts, you’re in for a treat!
Final Words
Different users have different preferences and requirements. This means that the best toaster oven under $50 varies from person to person.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of cleaning, consider getting the COMFEE or Black Decker. Willing to put in a little extra work into maintenance in exchange for enhanced performance? Then Hamilton Beach or Betty Crocker should be your top pick, without question.
Feel free to use this article as a frame of reference before making your purchase decision. Consider all the pros and cons carefully to evaluate best which oven is best for you and why. Best of luck and happy shopping!
