Some of us can't imagine starting the day without a piping hot cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast. For many of us, that means toast. But what's the best way to make toast? Should you use a toaster or a toaster oven?
Toaster vs toaster oven, which one is better for you? This is a question that many people ask when they are trying to decide which type of appliance to buy for their kitchen. Take a look at the comparison table below for the key differences between toasters and toaster ovens, and read on for further information and product recommendations.
| Toaster | Toaster Oven | |
| Runs On | Electricity | Electricity |
| Price | The price of the appliance is very cheap compared to other appliances. | A small toaster oven is about the same price as the microwave. |
| Uses | Bread can be toasted to make it crispy and warm. | A toaster oven is perfect for toasting, baking, and broiling many types of food. |
| Heating | Electric toasters use coils or flat pieces of metal to heat up and toast bread. | Heating is a bit slow as the electric coils take time to heat up. |
| Cooking Time | Fairly quick – bread can be toasted in about 1-3 minutes. | Toaster ovens take about the same amount of time to cook as regular ovens. |
| Economical | Toasters are very economical if you only want to make toast and bagels. | Toaster ovens are generally a more economical option compared to other kitchen appliances. They use a minimal amount of electricity, making them an affordable choice for those on a budget. While the specific savings may vary depending on the model and how often it is used, toasters are a cost-effective way to cook a variety of foods. |
| Heat Distribution | Toasters do not provide even heat. This is because they lack a fan to provide even distribution. Toasters have more heat where the coils are, so the bread can end up being unevenly toasted. | Even heat distribution, meaning your food will cook evenly each time. |
| Temperature Management | Toaster has a temperature management system that ensures the bread is cooked evenly. There is also a knob or button to control the crispness of the bread. | The heat can be set to the desired temperature, depending on what is going to be cooked. Temperature is managed with temperature controls. |
| Burners | Coils | Toaster ovens use coils to create heat, which cooks food. |
| Benefits | It is economical in the long run, as toasting bread is a relatively cheap and easy task. | Toaster ovens are a smaller, less expensive version of a conventional oven. They are perfect for baking, broiling, roasting and toasting. |
| Limitations | Toasters are only for toasting bread and products such as bagels. | Toaster ovens are quite versatile for a small appliance - they can quickly cook small items such as toast, bagels, and waffles. It takes a little time to heat up, but it cooks evenly. |
A toaster is a small appliance that is specifically designed to toast bread. This device was first created in the late 19th century in Scotland, United Kingdom.
Toasters typically have two, four or six slots that bread is inserted into. The bread is then toasted by heat elements that are located on the sides of the appliance.
Most toasters have a lever that is used to lower the bread into the toaster. The lever also has a timer that determines how long the bread will be toasted for. Once the timer reaches zero, the bread will pop up out of the toaster.
Toasters can be used to toast a variety of breads, including white bread, wheat bread, and rye bread. They can also be used to toast other items, such as bagels, English muffins, crumpets and waffles.
The Cuisinart CPT-340P1 4-Slice Compact Toaster is a versatile toaster that has multiple toasting functions such as Toast, Bagel, Defrost, Reheat and Cancel. It also has a 6-setting shade dial that offers a full range of browning options to allow perfect customization of any piece of bread.
Additionally, it has a compact design with 1.5-inch wide slots allowing for a wide variety of items to be toasted and a High Lift Lever that pops up when toast is finished. It even has a cord wrap underneath the unit to manage unsightly power cords while not in use. Plus, it comes with a limited 3-year warranty.
The Mueller UltraToast 4 Slice Toaster is a versatile toaster that can handle any bread or bagel. With extra-wide slots, this toaster can accommodate any size slice.
The six browning settings let you customise your toasting level, and the touch buttons and LED display make it easy to switch between settings. The removable crumb tray makes cleaning effortless, and the under-base cord storage keeps the toaster compact and tidy.
The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice T2569B Extra-Wide Slot Toaster has 850 watts of power and a wide slot that can accommodate bagels, thick slices of bread, and more.
The toaster also features seven shade settings, so you can choose your desired level of toastiness. Plus, the extra-wide slots make it easy to evenly toast a variety of breads.
Although larger than standard toasters, toaster ovens are a small appliance that can be used for a variety of tasks in addition to toasting bread. They offer multiple cooking functions such as the ability to bake, broil, roast and reheat food, and cook a range of foods, including meat, vegetables, and pizzas.
Toaster ovens typically have two removable racks that food can be placed on. The top rack is used for items that need to be closer to the heat elements, such as toast. The bottom rack is used for larger items or foods that need to be further from the heat elements, such as casseroles.
Toaster ovens have a variety of settings to allow them to perform the various functions of toasting, baking, broiling, and roasting food. They also have a timer that can be used to set how long the food will be cooked for.
The Cuisinart TOB 135 is a spacious toaster oven that can accommodate 6 slices of bread or a 12-inch pizza. It has 9 functions and is controlled by digital controls with a large blue backlit display.
The convection fan cooks food faster and more evenly. The preheat ready signal, clock and 2-hour timer are all automatic shutoff features. The easy-clean nonstick interior and brushed stainless steel construction make it easy to clean. The slide-out crumb tray is also a nice feature. The Cuisinart TOB 135 comes with a baking tray, broiling rack and recipe book.
The BLACK+DECKER CTO6335S Countertop Convection Toaster Oven features an extra-deep interior that can accommodate large items like a 12” pizza or 9” x 13” baking pan.
The convection bake feature circulates hot air around food for fast and even baking, while the dual position rack provides maximum cooking flexibility. The digital timer counts down cooking time and alerts you when food is done.
The Hamilton Beach 31127D toaster oven is a versatile and easy-to-use appliance that is perfect for any kitchen. With its Roll Top Door, it provides easy access to your food before, during, and after cooking. The door is also up and out of the way of messy spills and drips.
The toaster oven can bake, broil, and toast, comes with a 2-rack position, and includes a baking pan. It also has a spacious interior that can accommodate a 6-slice of toast, a 12-inch pizza, or a 9-inch x 11-inch bake pan. The toaster oven also has easy-to-use contoured knobs that are not only easy to maneuver but are also safer to use.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the key differences between these two appliances.
One of the biggest differences that you will notice between a regular toaster and a toaster oven is the size. A toaster is much smaller in size than a toaster oven and is easy to pop away in a cupboard if you are not using it. In comparison, a toaster oven will probably require a more permanent position on your countertop or built-in shelving, similar to a microwave.
Another major difference between toasters and toaster ovens is temperature. Toasters typically have a smaller range of heat settings so you can toast your bread somewhere on a scale of light to dark. In contrast, toaster ovens have a temperature dial that allows you to control the temperature of the oven. This means that you can use a toaster oven to bake, broil, and roast, while a toaster is only good for making toast.
Toaster ovens are good for cooking lots of different things, but when it comes to toasting bread they are not as efficient as a regular toaster. This is because toaster ovens take longer to heat up to the desired temperature, whereas toasters will reach full temperature within seconds.
There are many different types of toasters, each with its pros and cons. To help you decide which is the best for you, we’ve put together this quick list of the pros and cons of the toasters.
| Pros | Cons |
| This product is available in a variety of colours and styles, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a new coat. | This device can only be used to toast bread and waffles, and cannot be used for any other purpose. |
| Toaster can make up to six pieces of toast (in larger models) in just a couple of minutes. It quickly does the job, and is a reliable and affordable option. | You can toast a maximum of two to six pieces of bread at any given time, depending upon which toaster you own. |
| Small and lightweight, meaning it does not take up unnecessary room in your kitchen and can be packed away in a cupboard when not using. | Baking bread can be tricky, as the temperature of your toaster is not precise. This means that there is always a chance your bread may burn. |
| The toaster can be used to toast different types of breads, as well as waffles, bagels and other food items that can fit into the toaster slot. | Many toasters won’t fit thicker slices of bread or bagels into the slot, meaning they can get stuck. |
A toaster oven can be a great choice if you're looking for an appliance that can do more than just toast bread. We’ve put together this table to help you decide.
| Pros | Cons |
| The toaster oven has many features, including toasting, broiling, and defrosting. | This appliance takes longer to heat up than a toaster. |
| The toaster oven has very precise temperature control. | The downside of these ovens is that they can take up a fair amount of bench space in your kitchen. |
| Most toaster ovens come with timers that will let you know when your food is ready. | Some models cannot be moved once they have been installed, which can be inconvenient if the installation site is not suitable. |
There are a few things you should consider before purchasing a toaster or a toaster oven. The most important thing to consider is what you will be using the appliance for.
People who are considering buying a toaster oven typically want to know how it will compare to a regular toaster in terms of electrical efficiency. Toaster ovens are, on average, about 33% more energy efficient than regular toasters. This means that they use about one-third less electricity to operate. This can save you money on your energy bills, and it also helps to reduce your carbon footprint.
Toasters use between 800-1500 Watts on average, while toaster ovens use 1,200 Watts.
When it comes to safety, toaster ovens are the clear winner. While toasters can pose a fire hazard if they are not used properly, toaster ovens are much less likely to catch fire. Toaster ovens also have features that make them safer to use, such as automatic shut-off and cool-touch exteriors.
In terms of cooking, toaster ovens can do everything that regular toasters can do, and more. Toaster ovens can toast bread, bagels, and other pastries just like regular toasters. However, they can also be used to bake, broil, and even roast food. This makes toaster ovens much more versatile than regular toasters.
Toaster ovens also tend to be larger than regular toasters. This means that they can accommodate larger items, such as pizzas and casseroles. Finally, toaster ovens typically have more cooking features than regular toasters. For example, most toaster ovens have a timer, temperature control, and an automatic shut-off feature.
Well, that depends on what you want to use it for. If you are simply wanting to toast bread or bagels and heat waffles, then a toaster is the most cost-effective and space-saving option.
If you are looking for an appliance that offers greater versatility to bake, broil, or roast food in addition to toasting bread, then a toaster oven would be an excellent option for you.