Should I buy an air fryer or a toaster oven?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

Key differences in cooking

Air fryers are essentially small convection ovens that circulate hot air at high speed, producing crispy results similar to frying with a fraction of the oil. They excel at foods like fries, chicken wings, and vegetables, and they preheat quickly.

Toaster ovens are miniature ovens with heating elements and often convection fans. They can toast, bake, broil, and reheat, and many fit a 9x13-inch pan or a whole chicken. They take longer to preheat than air fryers but offer more even baking.

• Air fryer: faster preheat, crispier results, smaller capacity
• Toaster oven: larger capacity, more functions, better for baking
• Air fryer: basket or tray, easy to shake foods
• Toaster oven: rack and pan, can use metal bakeware

Which fits your kitchen

If you have limited counter space and mainly cook single servings of crispy foods, an air fryer is a good fit. They come in sizes from 2 to 10 quarts, with prices typically $50–$200.

If you want to replace your full-size oven for small meals, toast bread, and bake cookies, a toaster oven is more versatile. They range from $50 to $300, and some high-end models like the Breville Smart Oven can do almost everything a regular oven can.

• Air fryer: best for 1–2 people, quick snacks
• Toaster oven: best for families, baking, and roasting
• Consider a toaster oven with air-fry setting as a hybrid.
• Check the footprint: both can be bulky.

From our shops