Toaster ovens are becoming full of hot air -- circulating hot air. The latest trend in this category is the addition of a convection fan. More and more toaster ovens are offering this feature, which circulates the heat throughout the oven chamber for faster, more even cooking.

Toaster ovens are familiar countertop cooking appliances that handle a variety of tasks, including roasting, baking, broiling, defrosting, and of course toasting. Also known as countertop ovens, toaster-oven-broilers, and in some cases, convection ovens, these energy-saving units are available in an assortment of styles, sizes, shapes and colors.

Other popular features include rotisserie accessories, digital or touchpad controls, electronic sensors, timers and rounded rear walls to accommodate larger items such as a 12-inch frozen pizza. The models listed here are an assortment of the best available in a variety of price points.

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Broiler TOB-165

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Broiler TOB-165

The Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven Broiler TOB-165 has a state-of-the-art touchpad control panel with digital display screen. There are six functions including toast, bake, broil, convection, reheat and defrost. The interior is quite roomy and able to accommodate a 4-pound chicken or a 9-inch pie. An Exact Heat Sensor constantly monitors the temperature and adjusts itself to maintain a precise oven temperature throughout cooking. This unit also has a convection bake feature, which prepares foods up to 30 percent faster than traditional baking. At about $149, it is pricier than some other models, but this unit raises the bar for toaster oven performance.


Hearthware Home Products NuWave Pro Infrared Oven

The NuWave Pro Infrared Oven is an unusual dome-shaped cooker that uses infrared radiant heat, combined with conduction heat and a convection fan to cook foods up to 50 percent faster than conventional methods. It has a digital control panel with smooth touchpad buttons. Priced at around $120, this unit is somewhat high end, but it is so different it deserves special attention. It is not really a "toaster" oven at all, but rather a small round counterop oven. The NuWave Pro cooks and bakes many foods faster than a conventional oven, using a gentler heat method that generates no smoke. Foods can be prepared either fresh or frozen, using the supplied pan or your own cooking dish. This oven also works well with oven bags so there's virtually no cleanup.


Krups Convection Toaster Oven FBC4

This oven is a state-of-the-art appliance with ample oven space to handle just about any standard task, from cooking a 5-pound roast to baking a 12-inch pizza. The black and brushed stainless-steel exterior has a pushbutton control panel with digital display screen and a full range of options, plus six preset functions for convenient one-touch cooking. There is an extra heating element at the top and bottom of the oven (a total of six elements in all), and Expert Quartz Cycling Technology offers superior performance. At about $200, this unit was one of the priciest we've seen, yet it is an amazing machine. You may never need to use your regular oven again.


Oster 4-Slice Toaster Oven 6235

Oster's 4-Slice Toaster Oven 6235 is an affordable "no-frills" machine that does a good job with most cooking tasks. It has all the standard options -- toast, bake, broil -- plus an oven timer and costs only around $55. The timer on this unit makes a soft ticking sound while it counts down and the unit shuts off automatically when the time has elapsed. There is also a "Stay On" option for continuous cooking. We were actually very impressed at the way this unit handled toasting, which is typically difficult for toaster ovens. Another handy feature is the auto-advancing oven rack.

Oster Inspire Pizza Fit and Convection Oven 6295

Oster Inspire Pizza Fit and Convection Oven 6295

The Pizza Fit and Convection Oven 6295 is part of Oster's Inspire line. This functional and versatile oven has bake, broil, and toast capabilities, plus the ability to handle a full-size (12-inch) frozen or homemade pizza. The machine has a built-in convection fan, which is designed to circulate air around the oven for faster heating and more even cooking. Three dial knobs provide access to a full range of functions and an oven timer acts as the unit's on button. Priced at around $70, it is a good value.


Sanyo Digital Convection Toaster Oven SK-VF7S

This unit is priced at about $100 and has a brushed stainless-steel exterior. It is reasonably compact yet spacious enough to accommodate 9-inch pans. This unit has several unique features, such as a multi-part wire rack that can be used a number of different ways, an oven timer with indicator lights and a digital touchpad control panel. It also has a convection fan, which distributes the heated air throughout the oven chamber for faster, more even cooking. We particularly liked this model for its exceptional toasting ability.