In fact, it received higher scores than some bigger, fancier models with double or triple the price tag. Coupled with a thirty minute timer, the toaster oven shuts itself off at the end of its cooking time. While wiping it clean was easy, I’d suggest being careful to not slop water or food into the convection fan’s vent holes in the oven.
That said, the controls are clearly labeled and straightforward to use, so we’re willing to overlook this drawback. We’d also prefer dial controls over the FlashXpress’s blister-push buttons, but they’re perfectly usable and not as glitchy or mushy as others we tested. A toaster oven is a multipurpose appliance that lets you toast hamilton beach bread and bake or reheat food. It’s also great for use in a small rental with a tiny kitchen and an oven that doesn’t work well (or is missing altogether). If your kitchen is so active that the oven is often full, you can use the toaster oven as Martha Rose Shulman—chef and author of The Simple Art of Vegetarian Cooking—does.
But we think that’s a forgivable drawback considering the low price. We recommend the Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven for those who want a small oven to make toast, prepare a few frozen snacks, or reheat a couple slices of pizza. We are smitten with its adorable retro 90s design, and after years of long-term testing we continue to be impressed with its strong baking performance, compact size, and reasonable price. For a relatively low price, this toaster oven stands out from a crowded pack of mediocre, cheap models.
The exorbitantly priced Wolf Gourmet Countertop Oven produced the most evenly browned toast of any model we tested. That said, it took about 7 minutes to get those unparalleled results. To be fair, it’s a countertop oven, not a toaster oven, so a slower cooking time is to be expected. We think it’s best for people who don’t have space for a full-size oven in their home, or for those who have a lot of counter space and need an additional oven.
Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). The Cuisinart TOB-135 toasted bread unevenly, and its temperature control was less consistent, so we dismissed it. Also, the FlashXpress has a somewhat flimsy, stamped-metal crumb tray (versus the sturdier trays that come with our other picks). After only a few cycles, the FlashXpress tray was already warped.
Despite the lack of interior light, I was able to see through the glass to see my food cooking, although I would have appreciated a light for a better view. You’ll need to wait until 2023 to buy or install a new electric oven, when the rebates (which will vary by state) go into effect. Also, we found hamilton beach toaster oven the middle shade setting for toasting (setting 4) to be a bit dark. We recommend using setting 3 for making perfect golden-brown toast. We also used an AI-powered analysis tool to scan 6,500-plus customer reviews across nine toaster ovens to identify what made some models better or worse than others.
The Mueller has a detachable crumb tray for cleaning the interior while the Hamilton has a roll-top door that moves out of the way to bring food in and out of the oven more easily. Fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of toast for dinner or breakfast. Features a 30-minute timer with auto shutoff and toast, bake, and broil settings. The large size and roll-top door of this convection toaster oven earn it approval from our cooking and baking expert. This model from Hamilton Beach is a great choice if you make toast often, heat up frozen pizzas, make breaded chicken for the kids, or perhaps only cook for one or two. If you’re looking for a second oven, it’s not the one to choose as it doesn’t do a good job on baked goods and can’t accommodate a whole chicken.
None of the parts are coated with a nonstick finish and hand washing is recommended. The aluminum baking pan became quite stained and we weren’t able to get it completely clean. This is an authentic manufacturer-sourced part which is specially designed for use with Hamilton Beach countertop ovens. It is an identical replacement for a missing or damaged rotisserie rod/fork that was included with a new unit. Please make sure to check the owners manual for the correct application of this component.
The Zojirushi ET-WMC22 toasted so unevenly that the bread looked like someone with terrible aim had zapped it with a laser. The power cord protrudes from the bottom of the oven which can create some inconvenient bends. Nonetheless, roughly 35″ is plenty of cord length for household use. However, the oven doesn’t have a storage place hamilton beach for the cord. Our measurements of the oven’s footprint were 18.5″ x 15.56″ x 9.41″—marginally different from the manufacturer’s provided 18.74″ x 15.24″ x 9.41″. The crust had a golden color all the way through and the inside was still moist. If only the crust was a bit more crispy, it would’ve gotten higher than an 8/10.
With a cord length of 35 inches, I could place it almost anywhere in my kitchen. That also does away with the possibility of spilling food on the door and having to clean it up. The roll top door appeared to be slightly safer than the traditional fold-down style.