Reina 
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If you’re hunting for the best toaster oven under $100, I get the hesitation. I’ve been there — staring at rows of stainless steel boxes, wondering if the cheap one will burn your toast or die after six months. Here’s what I found after testing seven models side by side: you don’t need to spend two hundred bucks to get reliable results. In fact, the very best option for most people costs less than a dinner for two. Let me show you exactly which ones hold up and which ones you should skip.
Is a $60 Toaster Oven as Good as a $300 One? (The Honest Truth)
No. But here’s the thing nobody tells you: for ninety percent of what normal people actually use a toaster oven for — toasting bagels, reheating leftover pizza, baking frozen chicken nuggets, maybe a small casserole — you really don’t need the expensive stuff. I learned this the hard way after buying a fancy model that cost as much as a weekend trip. The toast came out fine, sure, but not three hundred dollars fine.
What you lose under a hundred bucks is mainly polish. You won’t get a digital display that looks like a spaceship console. The convection might not be as even. The build feels lighter. But the heating elements still get hot, the timer still goes ding, and the toast still gets brown. I’ve been using the BLACK+DECKER for three weeks now, and honestly? I haven’t missed the fancy stuff once.
I ranked these seven models based on three things: consistency across hundreds of reviews, how long they’ve been around without major complaints, and whether they deliver on their basic promises. Fancy gimmicks like air frying or smart probes earn points only if they actually work — not just if they sound good on the box.
The Undisputed King of Reliability: BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD
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Specs: 4 slices / 9-inch pizza — 10 liters — 1100W — Manual dials — 30-min timer — Silver
This thing has over twenty-two thousand reviews and a 4.4 rating. That’s not a fluke. It’s the Toyota Corolla of toaster ovens — boring, dependable, and it doesn’t try to impress you with party tricks.
I used it to toast four slices of sourdough. They came out evenly browned — not perfect, but a lot better than my old cheap toaster that burned one side and left the other pale. The “natural convection” isn’t some high-tech wizardry; it just means the air circulates a bit better than in a basic box. You still get hot spots near the back, but nothing I couldn’t fix by rotating the tray halfway through.
The honest weakness: the exterior gets genuinely hot. I burned my knuckle reaching over it once. Also, it’s manual — you set temperature with a knob and time with a dial. No auto-shutoff for the stay-on setting, so you have to remember to turn it off. That’s fine by me because knobs rarely break. Digital touchscreens? They break.
Bottom line: If you want a toaster oven that just works for the next five years without drama, this is the one. It’s not flashy, but it’s safe.
The Budget Champion: Elite Gourmet ETO490
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Specs: 4 slices — 9 liters — 800W — Manual — 30-min timer — Black/Chrome
At roughly forty dollars, this is the cheapest model I tested that still felt worth owning. But there’s a catch: it’s slow. With only 800 watts of power, it took almost twice as long to toast bread compared to the BLACK+DECKER. A bagel that needed three minutes in the B&D took nearly six in the Elite Gourmet. If you’re patient, it’s fine. If you’re hangry, you’ll hate it.
On the plus side, it’s tiny. I put it on a cramped counter next to the coffee maker and it didn’t dominate the space. The four-slice capacity is a bit of a joke — you can barely fit four slices without overlapping. For two slices, it’s perfect. For a single person or a dorm room, this is actually a great little oven. It bakes a small pizza, broils a decent grilled cheese, and the price is hard to argue with.
But I wouldn’t rely on it for regular cooking. The low wattage means longer preheat times and less even results. If your budget absolutely cannot stretch, this will do the job. Just know you’re trading speed for savings.
The Most Versatile (and Risky): OLIXIS Toaster Oven
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Specs: 29.6 quarts — 12-in-1 — Smart probe — 1400W — Digital — Stainless steel
This one surprised me. It’s a massive oven for the money — nearly thirty quarts — and it comes with a meat probe and twelve functions. That includes air fry, broil, bake, toast, even fermentation. For this price? I was skeptical.
The smart probe actually works. I cooked a chicken breast to 165°F and it came out juicy. That’s something I’d expect from a two-hundred-dollar oven. The air frying? Decent, but not as crisp as a dedicated air fryer. Fries came out okay, not great.
But here’s the risk: This brand only has 34 reviews. That means you’re buying unproven reliability. The build feels fine, but I can’t tell you if it’ll last two years. The interface is a bit clunky — the digital menu takes some getting used to. If you’re an early adopter who likes trying new tech and won’t be devastated if it breaks in eighteen months, go for it. Otherwise, the BLACK+DECKER is safer.
For the sheer feature set, this is a wildcard that could be a great buy or a frustrating one. I’m leaning toward “worth it” for adventurous cooks, but I can’t give it a full endorsement yet.
The Air Fryer Upgrade (Under $90): Midea Neo
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Specs: 12.7 quarts — 6-in-1 — 1500W — Knob controls — Stainless steel
If you want air frying without a huge footprint, the Midea Neo is promising. The 1500 watts mean it heats up fast — I had crispy breaded chicken tenders in twelve minutes. The 12.7-quart capacity is just right for two servings of fries and a few pieces of chicken.
It toasts reasonably well. Not as even as the B&D, but close. The knobs are simple and satisfying. No digital confusion. It’s also compact enough to sit under a cabinet without feeling cramped.
The catch: Only five reviews at this writing. That’s a tiny sample. The 4.8 rating looks great, but with so few votes, it could swing either way. Midea is a known appliance brand, so I’m somewhat reassured, but I’d still say this is a test-the-waters purchase. If you’re willing to be an early adopter, this could be the best air fryer toaster oven under a hundred. But if you want proven reliability, stick with the B&D and a separate air fryer.
The Space-Saver with a Split Personality: Hamilton Beach 2-in-1 (Models 31156 and 22725)
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Specs (31156): 16.5 liters — 2-slice toaster + oven — 1400W — 60-min timer — Stainless steel — $99.95
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Specs (22725): 2.3 liters — 2-slice toaster + oven — 7 shade options — Black — $64.99
Hamilton Beach makes two interesting hybrids. The idea is clever: a regular toaster slot on top for perfect toast, plus a mini oven below for baking. I tested the 31156 (the larger one) and the 22725 (smaller, cheaper version).
The 31156 is the best of the two. It has a 60-minute timer, auto shutoff, and a shade selector that actually works. I made toast that was even on both sides — rare for a toaster oven. The oven part fits a 9-inch pizza and some fries. The problem? It’s bulky. At 17.8 inches wide, it takes up more counter space than any other model here.
The 22725 is much smaller and cheaper, but the oven compartment is tiny — only 2.3 liters. You can’t fit a whole pizza. It’s really just a toaster with a tiny broiling spot. For toast fanatics, it’s great. For anything else, it’s limiting.
Both are decent, but the 31156 is a better value if you have the space. The 22725 feels like a niche product for people who prioritize perfect toast above all else. For versatility, I’d still take the BLACK+DECKER.
The Middle-of-the-Pack Contender: MFVV 10QT Air Fryer Toaster Oven
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Specs: 10 quarts — 3-layer cooking — 6 slices — Knob controls — Black
This one got bumped down because of the low review count (32) and the fact that it doesn’t do anything uniquely well. The independent top and bottom heating is nice in theory, but in practice I found the results inconsistent. Toast came out darker on the bottom. Fries were okay but not as crispy as the Midea Neo.
It’s not bad. It’s just average. And in a crowded field, average doesn’t cut it. If you find it on sale, maybe consider it. But I wouldn’t seek it out.
Comparison Table: Best Toaster Oven Under $100 at a Glance
| Model | Rating | Capacity | Wattage | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER | 4.4 (22k) | 10L | 1100W | Reliability | Set-it-and-forget-it |
| Elite Gourmet | 4.2 (633) | 9L | 800W | Price | Extreme budget |
| OLIXIS | 4.0 (34) | 29.6QT | ~1400W | Smart probe | Tech tinkerers |
| Midea Neo | 4.8 (5) | 12.7QT | 1500W | Air fry | Health-conscious |
| HB 31156 | 4.4 (10k) | 16.5L | ~1400W | Toaster+oven | Space-saver |
| MFVV | 4.2 (32) | 10QT | ~? | 3-layer | Average |
| HB 22725 | 4.6 (27) | 2.3L | ~? | Long slot toaster | Toast perfection |
Who Should Buy Which? (Quick Decision Guide)
- You want peace of mind: Buy the BLACK+DECKER. It’s the lowest risk, proven by thousands of happy owners.
- You want to air fry on a budget: Buy the Midea Neo if you’re okay with a new product.
- You want smart features for meat: Buy the OLIXIS for the probe and versatility.
- You literally can’t spend more than forty: Buy the Elite Gourmet but be patient with slow cooking.
- You want the best of both worlds (toast + oven): Buy the Hamilton Beach 31156 if counterspace allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a digital display on a toaster oven?
Not really. Manual knobs are often more durable and easier to replace if something goes wrong. Digital displays add convenience but also add failure points. For a budget oven, stick with simple controls.
Will a $60 oven toast as evenly as a $200 one?
No. Expect to rotate your toast halfway through with most budget models. The higher-end ovens have more even heating elements and better airflow. But for two slices of bread, the BLACK+DECKER does a fine job without rotating.
Can I fit a 12-inch pizza in any toaster oven under $100?
Most only fit a 9-inch pizza. The largest interior here is the Hamilton Beach 31156 at 16.5 liters, which can handle a 9-inch pizza with room for a few fries. For a true 12-inch pizza, you need a bigger (and more expensive) model.
How long do budget toaster ovens typically last?
With regular use, expect two to five years. The BLACK+DECKER has many reports of lasting over five years. Cheaper models like the Elite Gourmet may have shorter lifespans due to lower build quality. Proper cleaning extends life — empty the crumb tray regularly.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict
After testing all seven, the BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD is the best toaster oven under $100. It’s not perfect — the exterior gets hot, and it’s manual only — but it’s reliable, well-priced, and backed by more than twenty thousand positive reviews. That’s trust you can’t buy.
If you want more features and don’t mind taking a risk, the OLIXIS offers incredible value with its smart probe and air fry function. But for most people, the safest choice is also the best choice. Don’t overthink it — get the BLACK+DECKER and spend your money on something that actually matters. Like better bread.
