I bought a countertop toaster oven because I was tired of heating the whole kitchen just to roast a few potatoes. Six months in, I use it more than my actual oven. It heats faster, uses less energy, and handles most of what I cook.

What a good toaster oven does well

A convection toaster oven roasts, toasts, bakes, and reheats. Because the cavity is small, it preheats in a couple of minutes instead of fifteen. That speed changes how often you use it.

What to look for

1. Convection, so the heat circulates and things brown evenly.
2. Enough width for a small sheet pan or a quarter of a pizza.
3. A temperature dial and a timer that actually goes to sixty minutes.

I reheated leftover pizza in it and it came out crisp instead of soggy, which the microwave could never manage. That alone sold me.

What it does not replace

It will not fit a full turkey or a big lasagna, so I keep my full size oven for the big stuff. But for weekday dinners, toast, and reheating, the little oven handles almost everything.

If you live alone or cook for two, a good countertop oven might be the best kitchen money you spend this year.