What Size Toaster Oven Do You Need?

On this page (18 sections)

1. Start with the food you cook most
2. Compact ovens: four slices and an 11-inch pizza
3. Mid-size ovens: six slices and a 12- or 13-inch pizza
4. Large ovens: a 9-by-13 pan and a whole chicken
5. Five common jobs and the size each one needs
6. What the capacity numbers hide
7. Measure the counter: depth, width and height
8. Apartments, dorms and small counters
9. Interior shape: wide, tall or square
10. Size for a family of four
11. Weight and moving day
12. A quick checklist before you order
13. Who needs which size
14. Pan fit and the 9-by-13 test
15. How to measure a toaster oven before you buy
16. Common size mistakes
17. Other size checks and links
18. Which toaster oven size should you buy?

Toaster oven size matters more than most buyers expect. The right size depends on three things in order: the food you cook most, the pan you use and the room your counter has.

This guide sorts the models in our picks by the jobs they handle, so you can match a size to your week. It also covers the measurements that catch people out, such as pan handles and counter depth.

Start with the food you cook most

Think about a normal week. If you mostly make toast and reheat leftovers, a small oven is plenty.

If you bake a pizza or roast a chicken, you'll need more interior room. Makers often list size in slices and pizza diameters, since those are easy to picture.

Four slices and an 11-inch pizza describe a compact oven. Six slices and a 12-inch pizza describe a mid-size one.

Why the slice count is only a rough guide to toaster oven size

Slice counts vary with the bread, so treat them as a starting point. Use them to compare models, then check the interior measurements when a specific pan has to fit.

Pizza size works the same way. A 12-inch pizza fits in more ovens than a 13-inch one, so check the number before you assume.

Compact ovens: four slices and an 11-inch pizza

Compact ovens suit one or two people, a small counter and simple meals. They're also the right size for a dorm room, a studio apartment or a second oven for reheats.

The Breville BOV450XL Mini is a good example of the size. It's built around a small interior, with room for a few slices and a small pan.

The Panasonic FlashXpress and the Black+Decker TO1313SBD sit in the same range, with room for a 9-inch pizza.

Neither takes a 9-by-13 pan, so pick one of the larger models if that pan is part of your routine.

Mid-size ovens: six slices and a 12- or 13-inch pizza

Mid-size ovens are the most common choice for two to four people. They take six slices and a 12- or 13-inch pizza, depending on the model.

They also handle a sheet of roasted vegetables or a small tray of cookies without much fuss. The interior is large enough to cook a meal for the household in one go.

The Cuisinart 8-in-1 and the Toshiba 10-in-1 also sit in the six-slice group. Each one takes a 12-inch pizza and a 4-pound chicken, according to the makers.

Large ovens: a 9-by-13 pan and a whole chicken

Large ovens take a 9-by-13 pan, a 13-inch pizza and a whole chicken. They also weigh the most and need the most counter depth.

Pick a large oven when a 9-by-13 pan is part of your routine. Our toaster ovens that fit a 9x13 pan roundup covers the models built for it.

The Cuisinart Chef's Convection includes a 9-by-13 pan in the box. The Oster 42-liter fits 15-by-12 pans, which gives plenty of room for a 9-by-13 dish.

Five common jobs and the size each one needs

Match the oven to the jobs you do most, and the size question gets simpler. The five jobs below cover most kitchens.

• Toast and reheats: a compact oven with four slices is enough. The Black+Decker TO1313SBD and the Breville BOV450XL both handle this well.
• Small pizza: a 9-inch or 11-inch pizza fits a compact oven. Look for a 12-inch pizza if you cook pizza often.
• A 13-inch pizza: a mid-size oven takes a 13-inch pizza, such as the Breville BOV845BSS with its 13-inch pizza pan.
• A 9-by-13 bake: you need a wide oven, such as the Black+Decker TO3250XSBD or a model with the pan included.
• A whole chicken or roast: a large oven with a rotisserie or a wide interior is the right choice.

What the capacity numbers hide

Makers list capacity in cubic feet, liters or quarts, and the numbers don't always match what fits. Two ovens with similar capacity can take very different pans, because the shape of the interior matters as much as the volume.

Check the interior measurements, the pan sizes and the pizza sizes first. Capacity is the last number to compare, not the first.

Measure the counter: depth, width and height

Depth decides whether the oven fits against a wall and how far the door opens. The Black+Decker TO1313SBD is 10.8 inches deep, the Breville BOV450XL is 13.6 inches, and the Oster 42-liter is 20.5 inches deep.

Width is easier to check, but it's only part of the answer. Give the oven room on each side for air and for your hands when you move it.

Height and the cabinet above

Height matters most under a cabinet. The Ninja SP151 is 7.7 inches tall, but the Breville BOV680BSS stands 16.9 inches tall and won't fit under a shelf.

Our toaster oven under cabinet guide covers the height and clearance checks for those spots.

Apartments, dorms and small counters

Small spaces need a compact oven with a short depth and a low profile. The Black+Decker TO1313SBD is 10.8 inches deep and 8.8 inches tall, which suits a narrow counter.

The Breville BOV450XL covers toast and a small pizza in a similar footprint, with a little more depth. Choose by the spot first, then check the interior for the food you cook.

Interior shape: wide, tall or square

Two ovens with the same capacity can take different things. A wide, shallow interior suits sheet pans and a 9-by-13 dish, while a tall interior suits a whole chicken or a deep casserole.

The Breville BOV845BSS has an interior of 13.5 by 11.5 by 5.5 inches, which suits a 13-inch pizza but limits tall dishes. The Oster 42-liter is much wider and deeper, which gives room for a 15-by-12 pan.

Check the interior height as well as the width. A pan can fit the floor of the oven and still hit the top, so check the height on the rack position you plan to use.

Size for a family of four

A family of four usually needs six slices at a time, and a 12- or 13-inch pizza for weeknights. A mid-size oven covers that, as long as you cook one or two trays at once.

Batch cooking changes the math. If you bake for the week or cook a full tray of sides and a main, a larger oven saves a second round.

Ninja says its SP151 feeds up to four people in about 20 minutes, which suits a small family for toast, snacks and reheats.

Weight and moving day

Compact ovens weigh about 7 to 11 pounds in our picks, which is easy to lift and move. The largest ones pass 30 pounds, so plan for a second person.

The Cuisinart 15-in-1 Extra-Large is 36 pounds, so give it a clear path to the counter before you bring it home. A heavy oven is also harder to slide in and out of a tight cabinet.

A quick checklist before you order

• Food: write down the three meals you cook most, and the pans they use.
• Pan: measure your biggest pan with its handles.
• Counter: measure the depth, the width and the height under any cabinet.
• Weight: check that you can lift the oven onto the counter, or plan for a second person.
• Door: decide whether you need a flip-up door, a French door or a standard door.

Who needs which size

One or two people who cook simple meals usually do well with a compact oven. A household of three or four often needs a six-slice model or a mid-size oven.

A family that bakes or roasts large batches needs a wide oven. If easy-to-read controls matter more than size, read our best toaster oven for seniors roundup, and use the checklist above to confirm the fit before you order.

Pan fit and the 9-by-13 test

If the pan decides your size, start with the pan and work back to the oven. Measure the pan with its handles, since the handles add width and can push a pan past the interior.

Our guide to toaster oven pans and trays that fit covers the common sizes and how to measure them. Use that list to check the oven before you order.

How to measure a toaster oven before you buy

Measure the spot first, then compare the oven's listed size against it. Check the width, depth and height, and leave a little room for the door and for your hands.

Measure the pan you use most, with its handles. The pan has to fit inside the cavity, not just on the counter, so check the interior measurements from the maker.

Plan the outlet and the cord before you bring the oven home. A high-wattage oven should have an outlet that isn't shared with other heavy appliances.

Common size mistakes

The most common mistake is buying for the best day rather than the usual one. A household that bakes once a month doesn't need a large oven for every meal, and a bigger oven takes counter space every day.

Another mistake is trusting a capacity number alone. Two ovens can list similar volume and still take different pans, so the interior shape is the better test.

A third mistake is forgetting the weight. A large oven can be a two-person job, and that matters on the day you move it into the kitchen.

Other size checks and links

If you want an oven for a specific pan, start with the toaster ovens that fit a 9x13 pan roundup. For a compact oven that suits a narrow counter, the best small toaster ovens roundup is the right starting point.

The best convection toaster ovens list covers the wider models with a fan for baking. For the power numbers behind each size, read toaster oven wattage.

If an oven stops heating after you bring it home, the toaster oven not heating checklist walks through the steps. Brand differences in sizing are covered in toaster oven brands compared.

The air fryer toaster oven buying guide explains the types and features in one place.

Which toaster oven size should you buy?

Start with the food, then the pan, then the counter. A compact oven suits toast and small meals, a mid-size oven covers most families, and a large oven is for 9-by-13 pans and big roasts.

Once you have a size, read our best small toaster ovens or best air fryer toaster ovens roundup to find a model in that range. If a pan is the deciding factor, the 9x13 pan roundup lists the four that fit one.

Frequently asked questions

What size toaster oven is best for two people?

A compact or mid-size oven usually covers two people well. Look for four to six slices, a 9-inch to 12-inch pizza and enough depth for your counter, then add a larger oven only if you bake for a crowd.

How many slices is a standard toaster oven?

Most makers list four or six slices. Slice counts vary by bread, so treat them as a rough guide and check the interior measurements if a specific pan has to fit.

What size toaster oven fits a 9x13 pan?

Look for a wide oven, roughly 20 inches across or more, such as the Black+Decker TO3250XSBD, or one that includes a 9-by-13 pan. Measure your pan with its handles before you buy.

Is a bigger toaster oven always better?

A bigger oven takes more counter space and weighs more, and it heats a small batch no faster than a compact model. Choose the smallest size that fits the food you cook most often.