Under-Cabinet Toaster Ovens: What to Know First

On this page (10 sections)

1. Measure the gap before you shop
2. Heights and depths of the low models in our picks
3. Why depth matters more than width for an under-cabinet spot
4. Step-by-step clearance checks
5. Heat, clearance and the cabinet above
6. Flip-up models: a different way to save space
7. Countertop alternatives if the gap is too tight
8. Plugs, outlets and cords under a cabinet
9. Measuring the cabinet gap on install day
10. Is an under-cabinet toaster oven worth it?

An under-cabinet toaster oven saves counter space, but only if it fits the gap and the heat has room to leave. Most toaster ovens are built to sit on the counter, so the first job is to measure.

We compared four low and compact models on height, depth and width. The shortest picks are close to 8 inches tall, so the fit depends on your cabinet more than on the oven.

Measure the gap before you shop

Measure the height from the counter to the bottom of the cabinet above it. Then measure how far the cabinet reaches over the counter, since an oven pushed toward the wall needs room behind it.

Upper cabinets often sit about 18 inches above the counter, but yours may be higher or lower. Measure your own spot instead of guessing.

Height, depth and the door

Height decides whether the oven fits at all. Depth decides whether the front door can open without hitting the wall or a cabinet door.

Leave a few inches of space above the oven and check the clearance the manual asks for. Those numbers come from the maker, so use them over any general rule.

Heights and depths of the low models in our picks

The Ninja SP151 is the lowest of the four at 7.68 inches tall, but it's 17 inches deep. The Elite Gourmet is 7.87 inches tall and 14.37 inches deep.

The Black+Decker TO1313SBD and the Breville BOV450XL both stand 8.8 inches tall. The Black+Decker is 10.8 inches deep, and the Breville is 13.6 inches deep.

Why depth matters more than width for an under-cabinet spot

Width is easy to check, but depth decides how far the oven pushes out from the wall. The SP151 is the deepest of the four, so it needs the most room under a cabinet.

The TO1313SBD is the shallowest at 10.8 inches, which leaves more room for the door to open. If your counter is shallow, start with the depth numbers.

Step-by-step clearance checks

Start with the manual, since it lists the clearance for the model you're considering. If it lists no clearance for an under-cabinet spot, that's your answer for that use.

Toaster oven under cabinet clearance checks

Write down four numbers before you shop: the cabinet height, the counter depth, the wall clearance and the oven's listed height and depth. Compare them against each model's specs.

Leave room above the oven for the heat to rise and for the door to open. If the cabinet sits closer than the manual asks for, keep looking.

Heat, clearance and the cabinet above

Toaster ovens get hot on the outside and send heat upward, so the cabinet above needs room. Check the manual for the clearance it asks for above and behind the oven, and don't block the vents.

If the manual gives no clearance for an under-cabinet spot, don't install it there. Ask the maker before you use the spot.

Signs the spot is too tight

If the cabinet darkens, the paint blisters or the area smells hot, unplug the oven and move it. Heat that builds up around a cabinet is a safety risk, not just a cosmetic one.

Flip-up models: a different way to save space

A flip-up oven can save counter space without a cabinet gap. Ninja says the SP151 takes up half the space when it's flipped up and away against the backsplash.

It doesn't need a cabinet gap, but it still needs a clear wall behind it. Our best air fryer toaster ovens roundup compares the flip-up picks with the full-size models.

Countertop alternatives if the gap is too tight

A short countertop model or a flip-up oven can work when the gap is too tight. The Ninja SP151 flips up and away, which frees the counter when it's stored.

The Black+Decker TO1313SBD sits at 8.8 inches tall, which is a simple four-slice option that suits a shallow counter. Either choice avoids a cabinet installation, and that's the simplest way to stay within the maker's clearance.

Plugs, outlets and cords under a cabinet

Pick a spot with an outlet you can reach without an extension cord. Follow the manual's cord rules, and keep the cord away from the hot parts.

Don't run the cord behind the oven, where it can touch hot surfaces. A short, clear run from the outlet is safer than a long one tucked behind the oven.

Measuring the cabinet gap on install day

Use a tape measure at three points: the left, the center and the right. The cabinet bottom isn't always level, so use the smallest number as your limit.

Check the wall behind the spot too, since the oven needs room at the back and an outlet that's easy to reach. Note the measurements before you shop, so you can compare them with the specs in one pass.

For the wider buying picture, see the air fryer toaster oven buying guide.

Is an under-cabinet toaster oven worth it?

For a small kitchen, yes, if the oven fits the gap with the clearance the maker asks for. If the gap is tight, a flip-up model or a short countertop oven is the safer choice.

Compact picks are covered in our best small toaster ovens roundup. Use the toaster oven size guide to check the interior fit before you measure the spot.

Under a cabinet, grease and crumbs build up near the heat. Our guide to cleaning a toaster oven covers the safe steps for the interior and the tray.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put a toaster oven under a cabinet?

Only if the oven fits the gap and the maker's manual allows it. Most toaster ovens are sold for the counter, so check the clearance above and behind the oven before you install it there.

How much space does a toaster oven need under a cabinet?

Measure the height to the cabinet bottom and the depth to the wall, then add the clearance the manual asks for. The lowest picks in this post are about 7.7 to 8.8 inches tall, and depth ranges from about 11 to 17 inches.

Is a flip-up toaster oven better than an under-cabinet one?

A flip-up model saves counter space without a cabinet gap, but it still needs a clear wall behind it. Ninja says its SP151 takes up half the space when it's flipped up and away.

Do under-cabinet toaster ovens get hot enough to damage cabinets?

The outside of a toaster oven gets hot in use, so the cabinet above needs room and the manual's clearance. If the cabinet shows heat damage, unplug the oven and move it.