Best Toaster Oven Brands: Breville, Cuisinart, Ninja

On this page (14 sections)

1. How we compared the three brands
2. What to compare when you shop by brand
3. Breville: smart controls and convection baking
4. Cuisinart: included pans, grill plates and long warranties
5. Ninja: flip-up storage and air fry
6. Warranty and what each brand promises
7. Matching a brand to your cooking
8. Other brands in the same aisle
9. Which brand fits your kitchen?
10. Questions to ask before you buy any brand
11. How to use this guide with the roundups
12. Brand fit by counter size
13. Where the brands overlap
14. Which toaster oven brand should you buy?

Breville, Cuisinart and Ninja are three of the most common names in toaster ovens. Their models often sit in the same price range, so the name alone doesn't tell you much.

This guide compares the three brands through the models in our picks. We looked at size, power, functions, included pans and warranties, since those are the details that change how an oven works in a kitchen.

How we compared the three brands

We compared the models from each brand that appear in our picks. The same specs carried through the roundups, including size, power, functions and any warranty the maker lists.

A brand comparison can hide a lot, so we looked at what each brand makes rather than its reputation. That shows where each name is strongest and where it's thin.

What to compare when you shop by brand

Brand names are a starting point, not a verdict. Compare the models on the points that change daily use: the interior size, the power rating, the functions you'll use and the pans in the box.

Weight and footprint matter too, because a heavy oven is harder to move and clean under. Check the warranty length and what it covers before you buy.

Our picks give each figure as the maker states it.

Breville: smart controls and convection baking

Breville's models lean toward smart controls and convection. The Element iQ system uses five quartz elements, and smart algorithms steer the power to the parts of the oven that need it.

The Breville Smart Oven Pro BOV845BSS is the clearest example. It has 10 cooking functions, including convection and a slow cook setting, and Breville says convection can cut cooking time by up to 30 percent.

Breville's range also includes the BOV900BSS, a larger air fryer oven with 13 functions and an interior of 16 by 13.5 by 7 inches. The BOV680BSS is the compact air fryer, at about 10 inches wide, and the BOV450XL Mini stands 8.8 inches tall, which suits a low spot.

The trade-off is weight and footprint. The BOV900BSS weighs 30.2 pounds and the BOV845BSS weighs 22.8 pounds, so both need a sturdy counter.

Breville models at a glance

• BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro: 10 functions, convection, slow cook, 1800 watts and 22.8 pounds, with a 1-year limited warranty.
• BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: 13 functions, a 16-by-13.5-by-7-inch interior and 30.2 pounds.
• BOV650XL Compact Smart Oven: 8 functions, a 12-by-10-by-4.25-inch interior, 14.1 pounds and a 1-year limited warranty, covered in our Breville BOV650XL review.
• BOV680BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Compact: about 10 inches wide, 1800 watts and five air fry functions.
• BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven: 8.8 inches tall, 1800 watts and an 11-by-10-by-4-inch interior.

Breville's models share the Element iQ system, so the choice usually comes down to size and function.

Cuisinart: included pans, grill plates and long warranties

Cuisinart's models stand out for what's in the box. The Chef's Convection comes with a 9-by-13 baking pan, a 13-inch pizza stone and a broiling pan, so you have the pans for a first bake right away.

Cuisinart says the Chef's Convection has a limited 3-year warranty. That's the longest warranty term among the models we compared, so it's worth checking if you plan to use the oven every day.

The Cuisinart 15-in-1 Extra-Large adds an IntelliTemp probe and a 2-in-1 9-by-13 pan. It's the heaviest option in this guide at 36 pounds, so it suits a counter that stays put.

Cuisinart models at a glance

• Chef's Convection, 15 functions: 1800 watts, a 9-by-13 pan, a pizza stone and a 3-year limited warranty, according to Cuisinart.
• 8-in-1 air fryer oven: 1800 watts, a reversible grill and griddle, and about 25 pounds.
• 15-in-1 Extra-Large: 0.9 cubic feet, a 2-in-1 9-by-13 pan, an IntelliTemp probe and 36 pounds.

Cuisinart's largest model is the heaviest in the guide, so pick by counter strength as well as by features. If a grill plate is the main draw, the air fryer toaster oven with grill roundup compares more grill models.

Ninja: flip-up storage and air fry

Ninja's models focus on air frying, and its smaller ovens flip up and away from the counter. Ninja says the SP151 and SP101 take up about half the space when they're stored.

Both Ninja models carry 1800 watts and eight functions. The SP101 fits a 13-inch pizza, and the SP151 is the shallower of the two at 17 inches deep.

Ninja doesn't spell out a warranty length for these ovens, so check the box or Ninja's site for the term before you buy.

Ninja models at a glance

• SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven: 8 functions, flips up and away, room for a 13-inch pizza and 18.6 pounds.
• SP151 Flip Toaster Oven and Air Fryer: 8 functions, 17 inches deep, 1800 watts and a flip-up design.
• Foodi XL Pro DT201: 10 functions, two cooking levels, 33.6 pounds and no flip-up, covered in our Ninja Foodi XL Pro review.

The two flip-up Ninja ovens share the same idea, and their differences are depth, size and the basket.

Warranty and what each brand promises

Warranties vary across the models, and the length can decide which brand feels safer to buy. Cuisinart's Chef's Convection has a limited 3-year warranty, and Breville's BOV845BSS has a 1-year limited warranty.

We didn't find a warranty length for the Ninja models, so compare the terms on the box or on Ninja's site before you order. Keep your receipt with the box.

Matching a brand to your cooking

Choose the brand by the job first, then check the model. Each brand has a clear strength, and the best choice depends on what you cook most.

Best toaster oven brands by job

Choose Breville for convection baking and slow cooking, where the Smart Oven Pro's 10 functions and Element iQ come into play. Choose Cuisinart for a grill plate and a big pan in the box, where the 8-in-1 and the Chef's Convection stand out.

Choose Ninja for a counter where the oven needs to flip up, and for quick air fry in a shallow spot. If you want a simple oven for toast and reheats, the Black+Decker and Panasonic picks from our roundups are a practical place to start.

Other brands in the same aisle

Several other brands make toaster ovens that fit the same jobs. They're worth a look if a feature matters more than the brand name.

• BLACK+DECKER: the TO1313SBD is a simple four-slice oven, and the TO3250XSBD is a wide convection oven for a 9-by-13 pan.
• Panasonic: the FlashXpress is a four-slice compact oven with no preheat needed, according to Panasonic.
• TOSHIBA: the 10-in-1 has a rotisserie kit and 1500 watts.
• Gourmia: a six-slice French door air fryer combo with 17 presets.
• Hamilton Beach: the Easy Reach 6-slice combo has a glass door and a stay-on timer.

Our guide to toaster ovens that fit a 9x13 pan covers the Black+Decker and the other wide models. The best small toaster ovens roundup covers the compact picks from these brands.

Which brand fits your kitchen?

Choose Breville if you want convection, slow cooking and smart controls, and you can handle a heavier oven. Choose Cuisinart if you want the pans and grill plate in the box, plus a long warranty.

Choose Ninja if counter space matters most and a flip-up design fits your spot. Choose a budget brand like Black+Decker or Panasonic if a simple oven covers your needs.

Questions to ask before you buy any brand

Ask how long the warranty covers the oven and what it includes. Check the outlet rating and the cord rules in the manual, since they vary by model and maker.

Ask what's in the box, and whether a pan or rack is included. A pan that comes with the oven saves a trip to the store and avoids a poor fit.

Those questions cover most of what you need before you buy. The box and the maker's manual should have the answers, and our roundups list the key specs for each model.

How to use this guide with the roundups

Start with the roundup that matches your job, then use this guide to check the brand behind the model. The best air fryer toaster ovens list covers the flip-up and combo models, while the best convection toaster ovens list covers the baking models.

Use the brand view when two models look alike on paper. Ask which brand's warranty and included pans suit your use, then compare the sizes and functions.

Brand fit by counter size

A narrow counter points to the Breville BOV680BSS, which is about 10 inches wide. The Black+Decker TO1313SBD is the simplest fit for a small counter, at 10.8 inches deep.

A deeper counter opens up the Ninja SP101 and the Cuisinart Chef's Convection, both of which need more depth. Measure the depth before you choose a brand, since it often decides the model.

Where the brands overlap

Breville and Cuisinart both sell convection and air fry models, so the overlap is real. Ninja focuses on air fry and flip-up designs, which makes it the clearest choice for a shallow spot.

In practice the difference comes down to the included pans, the warranty and the size you need. Our toaster ovens that fit a 9x13 pan roundup shows which brands make the wide models, and the toaster oven size guide explains how to match a size to your food.

For the wider category, the air fryer toaster oven buying guide covers the types and features that apply to every brand.

Which toaster oven brand should you buy?

Start with the job you do most, then pick the brand that makes that oven. Breville suits convection and slow cooking, Cuisinart suits included pans and grill plates, and Ninja suits flip-up storage and air fry.

For a deeper look at two brands, read the Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven vs Breville comparison or the Ninja SP101 vs SP151 head-to-head. The Breville BOV650XL review shows how the compact Breville works in practice, and the Ninja Foodi XL Pro review covers the largest Ninja oven in our picks.

Frequently asked questions

Which toaster oven brand is the best?

No brand wins every category, so start with the job you do most. Breville suits convection and slow cooking, Cuisinart suits included pans and grill plates, and Ninja suits flip-up storage and air fry.

Are Breville toaster ovens worth the money?

Breville's models sit in the higher price tiers of this guide, and they bring smart controls, convection and a slow cook setting. Whether that's worth it depends on how often you use those functions.

Do Cuisinart toaster ovens have a long warranty?

The Cuisinart Chef's Convection has a limited 3-year warranty, according to Cuisinart. Breville's BOV845BSS carries a 1-year limited warranty, so check each model's warranty before you buy.

Is Ninja a good toaster oven brand?

Ninja's flip-up models suit small counters, and the SP101 and SP151 both carry 1800 watts. We didn't find a warranty length for Ninja's ovens, so check the box or Ninja's site before you buy.