Mini ovens are great for a whole host of reasons. Whether you simply don’t have space or need for a full-sized one in your home, or you’re a regular traveller and need something which can fit in your motorhome or caravan, they can make life so much easier.
There is a lot to think about before you take the plunge and buy one, from size to capacity to all the different functions. Luckily, we haven’t only reviewed and narrowed down the best mini ovens available, but we have also compiled a handy guide to help you know what to look out for.
The Best Mini Ovens – Our Top Picks
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Best Mini Ovens
The vast majority of appliances and mini ovens need somebody to adjust the settings, control most of the work and keep a beady eye over the proceedings while it is in operation. While this particular mini oven doesn’t take out all of the work on your behalf, it is certainly the cleverest on the market. Thanks to clever technology which can adjust the settings as it cooks, your food will be perfectly done, and there is no fine adjustment needed. There are ten pre-set functions, including bake, pizza, cookies and a handy slow cook if you have any meat or casseroles to prepare. You aren’t just limited to these though as they’re simple to override. Heat is given from a convection fan method, so it is spread evenly throughout the entire cooking chamber and will not fluctuate during cooking. Five quartz heating elements adjust throughout the process and get the heat to where it is needed. Getting it ready is also seamless, taking just minutes to warm up so little preheating is needed. There is a toast function too, taking away the need for a separate device dedicated to this which is great if you are low on space. The inside of the oven is small so don’t expect to be able to fit your existing baking trays and shelves in. But it comes with a tray and rack which seem to suffice for grilling and cooking to your heart’s content. It is the priciest on the list, but Sage items are sturdy and reliable across the board. Sage BOV820BSS the Smart Oven Pro with Element IQ User Manual If you want your mini oven to truly be up to scratch and competing with the big built-in and freestanding models, then you can't get a much better buy than this one. Tefal is a big name in the cooking world, and this mini oven is a great addition to their range. It is a compact design and perfect for any individuals or couples who either don’t want to rely on a larger alternative all the time or don’t have space for one in their kitchen. For the size, there is a huge range of settings to choose from. Temperature goes from 100°C to 240°C, and you can select which heat setting is best, from grill to full/top/bottom oven. The timer also reaches between 15 minutes to 120, which is one of the most generous of those we reviewed and great if you’re making any meats or casseroles. Selecting each setting is also easy thanks to the control dial and well-defined markers which is something that lets a lot of other models down. The eight cooking functions include convection, conventional, grill, pastry, bain marie and defrost, the latter of which is missing on a lot of others. It is fairly lightweight so easy to move about if you want to take it elsewhere (such as on holiday), or simply want to clean the area. There are a few little niggles we had – the tray and wire rack don’t slide in and out completely easily, and it gets quite hot to the touch so it will need a bit of space either side. Those aside, it is still by far one of the best out there, and there is an internal light which we think is a big factor. TEFAL Optimo OF445840 Electric Oven User Manual For something which can cope with those meals where heating up the full oven is pointless, or for overflow, this small capacity (and small in size) mini oven is ideal and a great price too. From 0°C to 180°C in three minutes and up to 230°C in just under five, this is one speedy mini oven for all you impatient cooks and bakers out there. There is a curved back so it can accommodate circular dishes and trays, whether it be reheating something on a plate or perhaps baking a quick pizza during movie night. It also has defrost, convection, grill and bake cooking functions making it a great all-rounder for whatever your cooking needs. As with all items, there are a couple of improvements which could be made. There is no interior light, and the exterior gets very hot to the touch. Setting the temperature is tricky as only the 100, 140, 180 and 230-degree markers are shown, and disappointingly the same applies to the timer. The latter is a rare issue, but the former three are all relatively common, so it doesn’t take away from the fact that it is still a top 10 item in our minds. It’s just a bit fiddly to operate, so maybe not one for anyone who likes precision or can’t deal with spending a while getting it all right. Yet, the dials are very easy to turn which makes it easy to operate. It still heats very well (with four elements both top and bottom rather than altogether like with some other models), and very quickly which is nice. Plus it will look rather nice sitting on your countertop. After all, the price is a bit higher, but that is relevant to its performance so a worthwhile buy. Dualit 89200 Mini Oven User Manual It isn't the easiest to navigate but once you get going it is a mini oven which is reliable enough to help you out when you need it the most. No matter your reasoning for wanting a mini oven, this Cookworks model will be sufficient enough to handle all of your cooking and foodie needs. It is one of the most simple on our rundown, so great if you just need a backup item for those occasional big meals or you’re buying for somebody who isn’t very technologically advanced it is stripped back to basics. There are three dials, for temperature, settings and timer. Temperature choices go from 90°C to 230°C, and you can select the grill or full oven functions. The timer will go up to 60 minutes, or there is a ‘stay on’ option if you’d prefer to keep an eye on proceedings yourself. If the timer is selected, it will automatically turn off when it hits the ‘0’ mark; there is no risk of it being left on overnight – great if you live in student accommodation or are just a bit forgetful. There is no fan, but food still seems to come out cooked evenly and as desired. It is roomy enough to create a few dishes for a couple, but because standard grill trays and racks don’t fit you are limited to only using the ones that were provided. For well under £50, it is not only a great piece of kit but also much cheaper than most alternatives, and you’re not missing out on anything major. Cookworks 21L Mini Oven User Manual Small in capacity but big in performance, this is a mini oven which has been well reviewed by users and will no doubt make a great addition to your kitchen too. Another large capacity offering, this time thanks to VonShef. It is one of the most adaptable which we reviewed, with the choice to select temperature settings between 70°C-230°C and a cooking time between 0-100 minutes. A lot of others only start at 100°C and last 60 minutes before you have to intervene again. You get a baking tray and wire rack with the purchase, as well as a handle for easy removal. There are three insertion heights for the rack, which makes it perfect for use with any cooking function or food. This makes it great if you want an oven which can take you from baking cupcakes at the weekend to some bacon on a Saturday morning and a tray of mediterranean vegetables for a Sunday dinner alternative. One thing we really did like is the clear temperature adjustments, signalled by dots as the heat increases. Other ovens simply point out intervals and getting 190°C, for instance, would be a bit of a guessing game. But there would be no wondering whether you have the exact setting with this item. An internal light would help with proceedings, but it isn’t a feature which is common in mini ovens, so it isn’t a big issue. It is still a great item for the price, and the flexibility it offers will be a factor which persuades a lot of you out there. Generous capacity and easy to navigate, don't let the lack of a light put you off as it deals with the food very well. Don’t be put off by the basic looks and low capacity of this De’Longhi mini oven – it certainly proves itself when in use. It is basic so perfect for anyone who doesn’t need an all-singing-all-dancing model. Three cooking functions (standard, grill and lower heating) create the heat and setting you need. Temperature ranges from 60°C to 220°C, which is good for most standard oven-based meals and foods. The timer is very generous, reaching 120 minutes and giving you a bell when the cooking is done. Cleaning it is easy, thanks to the aluminium coating on the inside and the removable crumb tray which will collect any residue. Much easier than getting down and scrubbing away at your built-in oven. The size is good for anything from a meal for one or two people, to a ready meal, full-sized pizza or a quick lunch which doesn’t require the large oven to be heated. Or, you could keep something warm on a standard dinner plate, and it will fit nicely. The controls are a bit stiff to turn and get just right, but we liked how each setting was clearly defined by its own marker, so there is no guesswork needed. If we are being honest, the price seems a bit much as the capacity is tiny and you don’t get a baking tray with the purchase like most of the others. But if you know you’d use it once or twice every day, and it will be the sole appliance over a standard oven or grill then it is worth the splash. The two-year guarantee will also keep your mind at rest. De’Longhi EO12012.W Mini Oven User Manual Easy to use and offering a great amount of control for the user, this is a mini oven which will please anyone and make life so much easier.Sage BOV820BSS the Smart Oven Pro with Element IQ
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TEFAL Optimo OF445840 Electric Oven
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Dualit 89200 Mini Oven
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Cookworks 20L Mini Oven and Grill
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VonShef Mini Oven Cooker and Grill
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De’Longhi EO12012 Mini Oven
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Best Mini Oven with Hob
A fan assisted oven for perfectly even results; it can defrost, grill, bake, roast and even boil. It heats up quite quickly, certainly faster than an ordinary oven, so if you’re in a rush, there is no waiting around for ages until it preheats. The dials are easy to turn, and even though not every temperature or timer interval is marked, the ones which are in place make sense, and there is a bit of a guide as to where the halfway points are etc. All the most popular ones are in place at least. The actual temperature range is 60 to 230°C, which is handier than some others which will only start at 100°C. We particularly liked the defrost feature, which is not a common setting in mini ovens but when it is in place, it can be a bit lacklustre. However, it seemed pretty efficient in this model so would be great if you are somebody who keeps their meat in the freezer and always forgets to bring it out in time. You can’t use the oven and hob at the same time, but the hob does get a bit warm when the oven is on so we don’t see why it couldn’t keep some things warm or even lightly heat or simmer a sauce. Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen 22780 Mini Oven User Manual Overall it is a very well performing hob which cooks food well. After all, that is the ideal thing you will be looking for. Offering an awful lot for a small oven, this model from Morphy Richards is a definite option for anyone who will be relying on it a lot for their cooking needs, for instance, if your current large one is broken or you’ve had to turn the Aga off for summer. First of all, it is fan assisted which helps with temperature regulation and even cooking. There are plenty of settings to choose from depending on your food and the results you are after, including a rotisserie option, conventional and grill options and the all-important hobs. Whereas a lot of other mini ovens with hobs don’t allow you to use them both at the same time, with this model you can (although the heat with the hobs is slightly compromised). Still sufficient if you want to simmer some frozen vegetables while your lasagne is cooking, and each has three warmth settings which can be controlled independently to one another too. It all heats up pretty quickly which is great if waiting for the oven to preheat is the worst part of preparing dinner for you, and this also keeps costs down on your energy bills. The outside of the appliance gets warm when in use but the cool touch end panels reduce some of this warmth, so it isn’t bad enough to avoid touching it. The instruction manual states that a gap of 12.5 cm must be left around it, so bear this in mind before buying and make sure you could fit it in the space you have planned. You get a rotisserie spit with the oven, and a crumb tray can be inserted under the food to collect any stray crumbs which makes cleaning up a lot easier. Morphy Richards Convection Mini Oven with Hob One of the most functional mini ovens we reviewed, which will definitely keep you cooking when you need it.Russell Hobbs Mini Kitchen 22780 Mini Oven
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Morphy Richards Convection Mini Oven with Hob
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Mini Oven Buying Guide
What To Look For In A Mini Oven
The needs of every mini oven are different, but if you’re buying for a specific reason then there will be some very important aspects to look out for:
- Cooking Functions: What will you be making in your oven? Will you need to defrost food, grill bacon, bake cakes or slow cook a casserole or two every week? Do you want a fan-powered oven for a more even and reliable cook? The functions you will be looking for will be unique to your cooking needs, but make sure it will at least be adaptable.
- Temperature Range: Do you frequently toast croissants in the mornings at 60°C? If so, getting an oven which only begins at 100°C may see a few burnt results.
- Size: You don’t necessarily need an oven about 30 litres ‘just in case’, as even those at just over 21 litres are still roomy enough for most basic needs. However, bear in mind again what you will be cooking. Do you like to make pizzas, or maybe a large casserole dish will need to be accommodated? If so, a mini oven with a rounded back/large depth may be required.
Price
The cost of a mini oven can start at around £60, and reach upwards of £200. Those at the higher end of the scale will generally have more functions, settings and be more reliable regarding exact temperature and cooking ability, but it doesn’t mean you have to splash out as some cheaper models are still pretty great for their price.
However, from our reviews, we would say that if you are going to be using your mini oven as a primary cooking device frequently, spending that bit more will be well worth the money.
Accessories
The majority of mini ovens will come with the cooking basics of one baking tray and one wire rack. A few will also come with a crumb tray which sits at the bottom of the oven and catches any crumbs or cooking residue, and some also come with a handle for removing the shelves and racks with ease.
Standard trays and racks will generally not fit in a mini oven, but if you’d like more than one of each, then extras may be available to purchase.
A few will also come with a rotisserie device, which would be ideal if you know you frequently cook chicken or joints of meat but are worried about them being cooked through thoroughly.
Hobs
Some mini ovens will come with two hotplate rings on the top, making them great all-in-one appliances for anyone who will solely be relying on their mini stove for all cooking.
The vast majority of the hobs can’t be used at the same time as the cooking chamber, however. Even if they can, you may see reduced performance across both functions. For this reason, if you know you will need to use both at the same time or will be relying on the hob part, it could be best to purchase a separate mini hob.
Positioning
When you get your new mini oven, there will be some clearance space that you need to leave, just as you would with a gas hob, microwave or toaster. Most suggest about 10cm, but this may increase to around 25cm for the more powerful models. Ensure you have the right space and check the user manual before you buy, or it could overheat.
FAQs
Do I Need A Timer?
The majority of mini ovens will come with a timer. This allows you to set the cooking time, and it will often ring when finished and turn itself off when done which is great for safety.
Some will only reach a maximum of 60 minutes, but don’t let this put you off as this is usually a good time to check on your proceeds anyway!
Will A Mini Oven Be Easy To Clean?
Most are much easier to clean than standard ovens. There is no bending down to see what you’re doing, for a start.
They usually only require a wipe with soap and water occasionally, too, rather than using harsh chemicals. Always check with the instructions and user manual before you buy though, especially if you will be buying a warranty as you don’t want to invalidate it.
If your chosen model comes with a crumb tray, this will help your cleaning massively. It will be able to catch any crumbs from bread or dripping fat or cheese from bacon/cheese on toast. All you will need to do is remove this when cleaning and that is job done.
Are Mini Ovens Expensive To Run?
No! Especially compared to a large standard oven or cooker. There is a smaller space to warm up, so most can preheat up to 200°C in under five minutes. This alone will save you money on running costs.
Because there is a smaller space, the heat can be more concentrated on your food, too, so less energy is wasted.
If you occasionally cook for yourself, or maybe only need to prepare baked potatoes/a pizza in the oven, then it could be a great alternative to continually firing up your main oven.