When you grow up in Southern California, you learn how to adapt to the heat in the summer. When it reaches over 100 degrees, you do everything you can to stay cool. I remember my mom using her toaster oven instead of the normal oven in the summer and wondering why.
She said it was so that the house doesn’t get any hotter. Toaster ovens are economical and if you live in a hot region, you can appreciate that they can even help keep your house cool in the summer. SO today, we wanted to highlight the best toaster oven under $50 as well as some honorable mentions.
1. BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster Oven
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When it comes to a cheap toaster, you can do no better than Black + Decker. This is the best budget toaster you can get because you can use it to broil, toast, bake (via convection) and keep food warm in it. It draws 1,150 watts of power so it won’t cause a spike in your electric bill.
It’s 16.9 inches long, 9 inches high and 11.6 inches deep so it’s compact enough to fit in even the smallest kitchens. The included backing pan and rack is large enough that you can even cook a pizza in it. The timer is programmable up to 30 minutes so you have everything you need to cook your meals.
2. Mueller Austria Multi-function Toaster Oven 4 Slice
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This Mueller Austria toaster oven is incredibly lightweight at just a touch over 2 pounds so you can move it around your kitchen easily if you need to. It also cooks food incredibly evenly with the strategically placed convection heating elements.
You can set the timer for up to 30 minutes on baking, broiling, toasting or warm mode. There are 3 control knobs which makes this cheap toaster oven virtually fool-proof. Finally, Mueller Austria includes a steel cooking rack and baking tray with thus model.
3. Comfee’ Toaster Oven Countertop
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
At 11.4 x 14.6 x 8 inches in dimension, this is an affordable toaster that still has plenty of cooking space. If you are looking for the best inexpensive toaster to feed your whole family, this would be a great choice.
You can control the cooking temperature between 150 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit and there are multiple cooking rack slots so you can adjust them depending on the size of the food you want to cook. This Comfee toaster oven features an easy to clean, polished steel construction.
4. Hamilton Beach Top Door Toaster Oven 4-Slice
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This may be the coolest looking toaster oven we have ever seen. It is made of steel and glass and the viewing window/door is curved like an old-timey breadbox. It can fit four slices of toast at a time and there are settings for baking, broiling and of course, toasting.
The door rolls up and into the upper part of the toaster so you don’t have to worry about an outward opening door taking up more counter space. There are 2 simple knobs that control the timer, cooking mode and temperature.
5. BLACK+DECKER 6-Slice Convection Countertop Toaster Oven
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Not surprisingly, Black + Decker makes our list again with a 13” x 11” x 18” toaster oven, making it one of the larger items on our list of the best toaster oven under 50. But just because this is a cheap toaster oven doesn’t mean it doesn’t perform.
This Black + Decker model has a very large cooking capacity with the 4 typical cooking functions. The bottom crumb catcher easily slides out for cleaning and the 3 control knobs make for easy cooking. If you have a lot of people to feed this may be the best budget toaster oven for you.
6. Elite Gourmet 2 Slice Countertop Toaster Oven
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you are looking for the best inexpensive toaster for personal use, we’ve got you covered. This very compact Elite Gourmet toaster oven is sleek, stripped down and very compact. It’s dimensions are 13 x 8 x 6.75 so its small enough to fit the tiniest kitchens.
It operates at a max of 650 watts so its very energy-efficient and is great if you don’t typically cook large quantities of food or if you primarily cook for yourself. There is a 15 minute timer that can be set for the bake, broil and toast settings.
7. Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Stainless Steel Toaster Oven
Editors’ Choice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Of course, we had to add a traditional toaster to our lists for all you purists out there. While it lacks any cooking functions, this Hamilton Beach toaster is reliable, durable and features extra wide slots for thick cuts of bread and bagels.
This is a 2 slice toaster so it’s very compact and it toasts bread, bagels, English muffins and more very quickly. There is also a defrost mode which is handy for frozen waffles and the digital display offers a modern look with precise toast shade control.
Buying Guide for Toaster Ovens Under $50
Your quest for the best inexpensive toaster oven will surely come down to your individual needs and preferences. But in general, these are the features that you should look out for.
Stainless Steel Design
Stainless steel is the ideal construction material for toaster ovens because it is naturally resistant to rust, cleans off easily, and is durable.
Clear Control Knobs
One of the things we can’t stand is when toaster ovens have confusing control dials. Sometimes you have to turn the dial past “10” to access the actual timing function or move it in a certain position so it stays on. Be sure you can read the control knobs clearly and that they have clear functions.
Energy Efficiency
The whole point of buying the best affordable toaster oven is arguably to save money. So you should opt for an energy efficient model. Many toaster ovens bear the “EnergyStar” certification to let you know they are energy-efficiency rated. But if they don’t, try to opt for a model that operates at no more than 1,150 watts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best inexpensive toaster oven?
A: Black + Decker are known for their long-lasting kitchen appliances which includes arguable the best toaster oven under $50.
Q: Can you cook pizza in a toaster oven?
A: Yes. You just have to make sure that the pizza will fit in well inside and set the toaster to bake.
Q: Is it worth buying a toaster oven?
A: If you want to save money on utilities and prevent your kitchen from getting too hot in warm climates, then it is absolutely worth it.
Some Final Advice
Toaster ovens are a great way to cook up your favorite foods quickly. Plus, they are typically safer to run than a conventional gas-powered oven. But to get the best toaster oven under $50, be sure to carefully calculate how much room you have in your kitchen and be aware of the types of foods you cook most often.
As always, out list features the best affordable toaster ovens currently available so check them out first!
