If your kitchen worktop is short on space but you’re tired of firing up a full-size oven just to bake four slices of toast or reheat a pizza slice, a toaster oven (also sold in the UK as a mini oven or countertop oven) is one of the most useful small kitchen appliances you can buy.
This guide walks through what actually matters when choosing one, capacity, wattage, temperature range, materials, control type and extra features like air frying or dual hot plates, then breaks down a handful of genuinely different HOMCOM toaster oven styles so you can see which shape of appliance suits your kitchen, rather than just comparing colours.
Toaster Oven Comparison at a Glance
| Product | Capacity | Wattage | Temp Range | Key Feature |
| HOMCOM Air Fryer Toaster Oven, 12L, Cream White | 12L | 1200W | Up to 230°C | Convection air fryer + oven, 2-in-1 |
| HOMCOM 28L Toaster Oven with Double Hotplate | 28L | 2600W | 100–230°C | Oven + 2 individually usable hot plates |
| HOMCOM 36L Small Oven with 2 Hot Plates | 36L | 2600W | 100–230°C | Larger dual hot-plate oven, family size |
| HOMCOM Small Toaster Oven, 12L Glass Door | 12L | 750W | 60–230°C | Budget basic, drop-down crumb base |
| HOMCOM 21L Mini Countertop Oven | 21L | 1400W | 100–230°C | Independent top/bottom heat control |
| HOMCOM 3-in-1 Electric Mini Oven & Grill | 4.9L | 1700W | 100–230°C | Oven, griddle & long-slot toaster in one |
What Is A Toaster Oven And Do You Actually Need One?
A toaster oven (mini oven) is a compact electric oven that sits on your countertop and handles baking, grilling, roasting and toasting in one unit, typically using far less energy than switching on a full-size cooker for small jobs. They’re popular across the UK for:
- Small kitchens, flats and studios where a full oven isn’t practical or a second oven is wanted for overflow cooking.
- Students and shared houses needing an affordable, easy-to-clean single-person oven.
- Households wanting to cut energy bills by using a smaller appliance for toast, snacks, ready meals and small bakes instead of heating an entire oven cavity.
- Caravans, static homes, offices and studies where full kitchen appliances aren’t an option.
6 Different Types Of Toaster Oven Worth Comparing
Rather than list near-identical colour variants, here are genuinely distinct toaster oven styles, from compact glass-door basics to multi-function hot-plate combos, so you can match the format to how you actually cook.
1. Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven – For Oil-Free Crispy Cooking In A Small Footprint
If you want the crunch of an air fryer plus proper baking and grilling in one 2-in-1 unit, this retro-styled 12L model combines a convection air fryer with a baking oven. It’s built around a 1200W, 304 stainless steel heating system with a 360° convection fan, using around 85% less oil than deep frying while still fitting 4 slices of bread, a 9-inch pizza, or 200g of fries. Simple mechanical knobs adjust heat up to 230°C with a 60-minute timer, and it comes with a dishwasher-safe fry basket and baking tray.
2. Toaster Oven With Dual Hot Plates (28l) – A Countertop Oven That Doubles As A Hob
For anyone without a full hob, or wanting a second cooking zone, this 28L toaster oven adds two individually usable hot plates alongside the oven itself, for a combined 2600W output (1600W oven, 1000W big plate, 600W small plate, note the small plate can’t run alongside the oven). With three cooking modes (upper, lower, dual grill), four rack heights, and a 100–230°C range with a 60-minute timer, it’s spacious enough for an 11-inch pizza, multiple chicken wings, or a whole small chicken.
3. Toaster Oven With Dual Hot Plates (36l) – The Larger Family-Size Hob-And-Oven Combo
Same dual hot-plate concept as above, scaled up: a 36L cavity that fits a 12-inch pizza, 12 chicken wings, 8 slices of bread, or a 1.5kg whole chicken, plus the same 2600W total output split across the oven and two plates. It runs 100–230°C with a 60-minute timer and three cooking modes, and comes with a full accessory set (bake rack, bake tray, crumb tray, tray handle), all machine washable. This is the pick if the 28L version feels a size too small for your household.
4. Small Glass Door Toaster Oven (12l) – The Budget-Friendly Everyday Basic
This is the simplest, most affordable format: a 12L, 750W toaster oven with a tempered glass door, energy-efficient ERP-certified heating, and a drop-down base that lets crumbs fall straight out for quick cleanup, no extra tray needed. Two rack positions and rotary controls (60–230°C, 60-minute timer) make it an easy first toaster oven for a small kitchen, student flat, or as a second oven for daily toast and snacks.
5. Mid-Size 21l Countertop Toaster Oven – The All-Rounder With Independent Top/Bottom Heat
Sitting between the compact 12L options and the large hot-plate models, this 21L toaster oven offers independent upper and lower heating control via two separate knobs, letting you choose top-only, bottom-only, or both, handy for low-and-slow cooking or finishing a dish under the grill element. It runs 100–230°C with a 60-minute timer, has three cooking tiers, and ships with a wire rack, baking tray, tray handle and crumb tray. It’s also the best-reviewed model in this line-up.
6. 3-In-1 Long Slot Toaster, Oven & Tabletop Grill – The Space-Saving Multi-Format Option
The most flexible format here: close it sideways and it’s a countertop oven for baking and reheating; open it flat and it becomes a BBQ-style griddle; stand it upright and it works as a long-slot toaster, all in one 1700W stainless steel unit with a touch-control LED display (Toast, Grill, Oven, BBQ menus) and 1–60 minute timer with alerts. It’s the smallest footprint of the six (37 x 18 x 25.1cm) and suits anyone who genuinely wants one appliance to replace three.
What To Consider Before Buying A Toaster Oven
- Capacity (litres): UK toaster ovens generally range from around 9L up to 46L. As a rough guide: 9–12L suits 1–2 people and fits a few slices of toast or a small pizza; 15–21L is a solid middle ground for couples or small families, fitting an 8–11 inch pizza; 28L and above starts to rival a small conventional oven, handling a whole small chicken or multiple trays at once.
- Wattage and heating power: Power typically runs from around 750W on compact toaster ovens up to 2600W on larger dual hot-plate models. Higher wattage generally means faster preheating and more even heat, but also higher running costs per use, though still far less than a full-size oven for small jobs.
- Temperature range: Most mini ovens adjust somewhere between 60°C and 230°C, which comfortably covers everything from gentle warming to full roasting and grilling temperatures.
- Control type (knob vs touch): Simple mechanical knob controls (found on most budget and mid-range HOMCOM toaster ovens) tend to be more intuitive and reliable long-term, while touch/LED panel controls on higher-spec models offer preset menus and a more modern look.
- Material and finish: Look for a stainless steel or powder-coated steel body with a tempered glass door, this combination handles heat well, wipes clean easily, and holds up better over years of daily use than painted plastic housings.
- Extra functions: Some countertop ovens are air fryer toaster ovens (using convection fans and little to no oil), some add hot plates or hobs for full one-appliance cooking, and some fold flat as a griddle or stand upright as a long-slot toaster.
- Accessories included: Check whether a baking tray, wire rack, crumb tray and fry basket are included, most HOMCOM models come with a full accessory set as standard.
- Safety features: Auto shut-off, a cool-touch handle, and a removable crumb tray for easy, safe cleaning are worth prioritising, especially in households with children.
Quick Checklist: Choosing Your Toaster Oven In Under A Minute
- 1–2 people, mostly toast, snacks and reheating → 9–12L glass-door or air fryer toaster oven.
- Want air-fried crispy food with minimal oil → look for a model with a convection fan and fry basket.
- Couple or small family, want proper baking and grilling flexibility → 16–21L with independent top/bottom heat control.
- No full hob, or need a second cooking zone → 28–36L model with dual hot plates.
- Very tight worktop space but want maximum versatility → 3-in-1 fold-flat/upright multi-format oven.
- Buying for daily heavy use → prioritise stainless steel body, tempered glass door and auto shut-off.
- Budget-conscious → knob-control models are typically cheaper than touch/LED versions and just as reliable.
Ready To Pick Your Toaster Oven?
Browse the full range of HOMCOM mini ovens, air fryer ovens and toaster ovens, in more sizes, colours and finishes than covered here, on Aosom UK.
FAQs
1. What size toaster oven do I need?
For 1–2 people handling toast, snacks and reheating, 9–12L is enough. For regular baking and roasting for 2–4 people, look at 16–21L. For a whole small chicken, large trays, or hob-style cooking without a full cooker, choose 28L or above.
2. Is a toaster oven cheaper to run than a full oven?
Yes, generally. A toaster oven heats a much smaller cavity, so it uses less energy and preheats faster than a full-size oven for small to medium-sized meals, making it a sensible choice for daily snacks, toast, and single-portion cooking.
3. Can a toaster oven replace an air fryer?
Some can. Air fryer toaster ovens use a convection fan to circulate hot air around food with little to no added oil, giving a similar crisping result to a standalone air fryer, while also offering full oven functions like baking and grilling that a basic air fryer basket can’t.