Many people are turning away from their traditional ovens and microwaves because they want something better for themselves and their families. They want healthier foods cooked quickly without compromising on taste or quality. That's why these countertop convection ovens were created; they make cooking easier than ever before so that everyone can enjoy delicious home-cooked meals every day of the week, even when time is tight.
In this blog post, we'll be going over the best countertop convection ovens on the market. We'll start off by discussing what a convection oven does and why you might want to purchase one before moving on to reviewing and ranking our top picks. We hope this article is helpful in your search for the perfect countertop convection oven!
What is a Countertop Convection Oven and How Does It Work?
A countertop convection oven is a small device that looks like an oversized microwave. It has the same basic idea as a big convection oven: hot air blows around your food to cook it evenly and quickly. A countertop convection oven uses electricity, not gas or pellets like a traditional oven. This makes countertop convection ovens much more portable than your full-size built-in range/oven and also makes them a lot cheaper.
How Does It Work?
On the outside, this thing looks like a microwave. On the inside, it's actually more like a tiny, full-size stovetop with an exhaust hood over the top of it. That means you can do a lot more with these ovens than just heating up leftovers. The most common use for countertop convection ovens is to replace the microwave and/or your built-in range top.
These things cook food faster than microwaves because the heat doesn't have to go through all of the empty air in between each piece of food that's being cooked, unlike standard microwaves. So if you like how quickly and evenly microwaved food cooks but hate using appliances that look ugly (because who doesn't?), this thing could be great.
You'll also notice that this thing has an exhaust vent on top instead of a plain ventilation fan like most microwaves use. This means it will actually produce smoke if you try cooking with oil or if you run it at too high a temperature for too long. However, the vent can help clear out any excess grease or smells leftover from your last meal.
Benefits of Owning a Countertop Convection Oven
- Compact, portable, and lightweight: If you need to bring your oven from one place to another (e.g., picnics, tailgate parties), then having an easy-to-carry countertop convection oven won't make things difficult for you at all. Most units are designed with handles that allow for easier transport and storage as well as lids that help protect the interior contents from everything else outside, such as dust or dirt.
- It has a fast preheating time. When compared side by side with traditional range ovens, convection ovens can reach the same temperature in a shorter period of time.
- It cooks food faster and more efficiently. Because it has better circulation inside its chamber, having a preheated convection oven will help you cook many kinds of food, like chicken, meatloaf, biscuits, and pastries, just to name a few.
- It retains heat, so there's less need for re-heating. Having one of these on your countertop will also result in saving you lots of energy because it can retain heat longer without the need for reheating after meals are done cooking.
- You'll have no problems with uneven heating. Since there is even distribution throughout its container compared to usual electric burners, this will result in even cooking throughout the surface area of your food.
- There are no drips and spills: With this oven's open design, there is less chance that liquids will fall into your appliance because the lid will cover the edge of its unit (as well as those sides). Also, because it has such a wide mouth opening, you'll need to do less refilling when cooking liquid-based foods like soups or stews. This means having fewer pots around while doing dishes afterward at home.
List of 6 Best Countertop Convection Ovens Reviews
1. Breville BOV900BSS, the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, Countertop Convection Oven
- The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Countertop Convection Oven is a versatile countertop oven that allows you to roast, air fry, and dehydrate. With Element IQ System technology, it has 6 independent quartz elements controlling how power is used inside the machine for an even cooking experience. This amazing cooking tool also features smart algorithms driving power where needed best for any recipe, along with digital PID temperature control for accurate and seamless cooking.
- With technology based on proven convection cooking principles, you can air fry french fries and other family favorites to perfection or dehydrate up to 4 trays of goodness in one cycle while effortlessly roasting your favorite dish.
- Built with 2 inches of extra-thick, heavy cast iron plates, the Breville Smart Oven Pro evenly distributes heat for even cooking. Thanks to 12 variable power levels, this oven can roast a 14-pound bird or bake a 9 x 13-inch pan. With an extended rack that holds up to 1/2 sheet trays (up to 22 pounds), you can cook just about anything. The large capacity prevents overeating while retaining moisture.
- Built-in fan circulates heated air around the food at 40% less power than traditional convection ovens, plus it provides faster and more crispy results with its Air Fry feature—perfect for fries and chicken wings in minutes! Plus, its nonstick ceramic coating makes cleanup easy.
2. Ninja SP101 Foodi Counter-top Convection Oven
- The Ninja SP101 Foodi Counter-top Convection Oven is a powerful 1800-watt appliance with 8 different functions. Rather than taking up space on your counter, the unit flips away when not in use, creating more room for other kitchen tasks. With this oven, you can fry without any of the usual fat and cook delicious meals without having to worry about grease splatters or harsh odors.
- The Ninja SP101 Foodi Counter-top Convection Oven is great for those looking to save cooking time and effort. With a 13" pizza capacity, you no longer need to worry about ordering pizza from the local pizzeria just because your oven can't handle it.
- The food cooks up to 60% faster than traditional ovens in just 20 minutes! This best countertop convection oven has a deep cleaning back panel that makes getting rid of crumbs super easy, as well as evenly cooked pieces of toast with 40% more even baking than the Cuisinart air fryer toa-60.
3. Ninja DT201 Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Digital Countertop Convection Oven
- Say goodbye to slow cooking, and say hello to even-cooking quick family meals! With a high-power 1800-watt convection oven that cooks upholstery food faster than traditional full-size convections, the Ninja DT201 Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Digital Countertop Convection Oven provides ultimate versatility with multiple cooking modes.
- The time is now for quicker family dinners and crispy kabobs—your oven does the work with preheats in 90 seconds or less. Forget rotating trays of food every few minutes; this 2-level built-in countertop convection oven has ample space for any dish—fit a 5 lb. chicken or 12 lb. turkey with a roasting rack (that just slides out).
- The Ninja DT201 Foodi 10-inF1 XL Pro Air Fry Digital Countertop Convection Oven is an innovative way to cook healthy, delicious meals that are up to 75% less fat when using the air fry function. This cooker also has a digital display handle that illuminates the optimal rack position for the selected function and conveniently freezes displays while the door is open. The intelligent oven size and 3D cooking technology make it easier than ever before to never have a dry or burnt meal again with its crispy results!
4. Elite Gourmet ETO-4510M Double French Door Countertop Convection Oven
- The Elite Gourmet ETO-4510M Double French Door Countertop Convection Oven is perfect for the family chef. With 45 Liters of capacity, it can fit up to 9 pieces of toast on 2 racks and a 20-pound turkey in its 18-inch tall interior dimensions.
- One side features four rack positions that allow you to cook vegetables, meat, and pizza all at once with an even distribution of hot air from the convection oven feature, which circulates heat around your food throughout cooking. Additionally, this oven has two French doors, so only one or both can be opened, giving you plenty of room without crowding your counter space.
- Easy to clean and with timeless style, our countertop convection oven is the best of the best. Independent temperature knobs mean you can adjust without worry about accidentally miscalculating a setting. The stainless steel door handle adds an authentic touch that'll impress friends and family when you whip up appetizing dishes!
- The best countertop convection oven has 4 cooking modes for different heats: top only, bottom only, top & bottom together, or rotisserie mode. You get 6 accessories to use on your counter space too—from baking sheets to racks and more!
5. BLACK+DECKER CTO6335S Countertop Convection Oven
- The BLACK+DECKER Countertop Convection Oven is fantastic for those times when you need to heat up food. It has a large interior space that can fit all sorts of things, whether it be 12-inch pizzas or casserole dishes, while still fitting smaller items like bagels and toast in the cavity just below.
- The oven's dual-position rack provides versatility among cooking tasks such as making room for small items or placing it close to the broiler for exceptionally browned toast or potatoes for lunch! The eight one-touch functions make full use of this countertop oven, from baking with convection technology to heating frozen snacks—perfect for when guests arrive at your door without notice!
- The BLACK+DECKER Countertop Convection Oven is perfect for when you need a quick snack or dinner on storage. With the ability to handle food items like casserole dishes, frozen foods, and large items, this oven may be just what you're looking for to keep your get-togethers fresh and exciting.
- To make your life easier, there are 8 one-touch settings that let you bake with precision at home like never before. You'll find that the convection baking keeps things nice and hot inside so that everything cooks evenly without sticking. This best countertop convection oven is worth considering.
6. CIARRA CATOSEC01 Digital Countertop Convection Oven
- With the CIARRA Catosec01 Digital Countertop Convection Oven, you can whip up crispy fried chicken or even oven-roasted french fries using only 98% less oil than traditional fryers. Frying is also not the only thing that this best countertop convection oven with an air fryer can do—there are 12 preset functions, including baking, broiling, and more, so you'll never run out of things to whip up for both yourself and your family.
- Compact size and easy-to-operate design with a 1.5-foot cooking cavity accommodate a 4 lb. chicken or turkey, pizzas, roasting for lasagna, or other oven dishes in as fast as 40 minutes. This digital countertop convection oven is equipped with an interior light system that helps you monitor the cooking without ever opening the door, saving more time and money on power usage every day.
- The LCD screen displays digital controls for temperature settings from 200 F to 450 F (no inaccurate estimates of preheated time), making it perfect fryer food while also employing high-intensity air technology, which circulates hot air throughout the box, eliminating cold spots and providing a crispy finish like deep frying but using up to 98% less oil.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Countertop Convection Oven
Size
The size of the countertop convection oven matters a lot since you will need to know how much food you can cook using such an appliance. It will be best that you take measurements on your countertop before going to shop for this device so as to avoid buying one that does not fit well in your kitchen area. You should also consider the amount of space in the countertop where it is expected to serve its purpose. This is because some models are built in such a way that they occupy too much space, which may not be affordable in most kitchens with limited space.
Material
It is important to take note of what material has been used in making such a device. This will be a great factor to consider since you might not want something that gets damaged easily and will need repeat replacements after some time. Some models are made using stainless steel, which gives them an elegant look as well as long-lasting performance; this is due to the strong nature of the metal. You can also consider looking at some other materials if they are durable enough for use in such equipment as aluminum and even glass. It is advisable to avoid purchasing those made from plastic or wood since they are not durable for continuous uses, unlike stainless steel and aluminum ones.
Food Preparation Area
How much food do you prepare on an average basis? If it's only one or two dishes, then that would not warrant getting a large countertop convection oven, but if you intend to prepare meals for many members of the family, then ensure that the unit you choose has enough cooking space. The last thing you want is to have limited space in the kitchen and depend on extension cords just to make sure everything is ready at the same time.
Power
When choosing a unit, power should be your main concern. You will need to know how powerful your countertop convection oven can be before making any purchase decision, so check this out as soon as possible. A lot of units come with different energy ratings depending on their brands.
Ease of Cleaning
In many cases, people forget to look at this simple factor when buying a countertop convection oven. The best thing you can always do is to go for one that won't take much time or effort cleaning and maintaining it. Make sure that the material used in making your unit is as easy as possible to clean, like stainless steel, so that it doesn't require too much elbow grease to keep it looking presentable even after cooking different meals on a regular basis.
Friendly Controls
The last thing anyone would want is getting an oven with overly confusing controls. Choose one that has simple but effective controls to make sure you can handle the unit without having any problems anytime soon.
Safety Features
Safety should be a top priority when choosing a countertop convection oven since you will be using it in your kitchen most of the time, and this is where you are most vulnerable when trying to operate appliances with many controls. Always look for a unit that will have all the features required to keep you safe from accidents since these units can be very dangerous when not used properly.
Ease of Operation
No one wants an oven that would require too much effort and practice before they could comfortably use it on a daily basis. Choose one that will be easy to use and get all your cooking done without feeling lost.
Price
You do not want to spend all your savings on buying a countertop convection oven that is of no use for you. You need to know what value it will add and how much it will cost you before making the decision to buy one. Keep in mind that these devices are not cheap, and therefore setting up a budget can help you against spending lavishly on them. It cannot be said that if the device is costly, it must have quality features, but this case does not always apply. Before looking at the price tag, look at its features so as to know if it is worth every penny.
Warranty
A device may last for months before malfunctions happen, and it will be better that you get one with a warranty that will cover such issues so as not to use your savings on paying another huge amount of money. In this case, you should find out first from the store if there are any warranties added in addition to the manufacturer's guarantee as a buyer's assurance. A lot of manufacturers do come up with their own extended warranties, which can vary in terms of duration; hence, choose the best according to your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to preheat a countertop convection oven?
Yes, preheating your oven is the most important step in any cooking process. Some modes on countertop convection ovens may use more than one element during preheating, which can lead to food burning before it has a chance to heat through and cook properly. The timer will tell you when your preheating cycle has finished, so be sure not to start with anything hot from another source, such as an already-hot pan or stovetop burner, lest you risk ruining all of that hard work!
2. Can I use a baking or pizza stone in a countertop convection oven?
Yes, it's important to give your oven plenty of time to heat up before you start cooking, but some foods need a little extra love. For example, bread and pizza crusts brown much better on the bottom if they have been preheated with stones in them. The stone creates an even temperature throughout so that nothing burns or cooks too quickly. This way it can get really hot without scorching!
3. What can you cook in a countertop convection oven?
Countertop convection ovens can be used in a variety of ways. They are great for dehydrating, broiling, roasting, and grilling. You'll also find them baking bread or keeping your coffee warm on the countertop when not being used to cook large meals such as Thanksgiving dinner!
4. Does a countertop convection oven make food crispy?
Convection cooking is the best way to cook a whole bird or rack of ribs. It's also perfect for roasting vegetables because it means you don't have to keep basting them with oil like in other methods! With convection cooking, your food cooks faster and more evenly, and we all know that crispy skin on the roasted chicken can only be achieved through this method.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful in your search for the perfect countertop convection oven! If you don’t find what you need here, we would be happy to research other products or help you with a custom product that meets your needs.
We hope the list of our top 13 best countertop convection ovens has helped. We've also provided some tips for choosing a great one! If you're still not sure which option to choose or if this article didn't help answer any questions about these products, please feel free to contact us anytime with any other queries.
