Countertop Ovens Guide

A countertop oven has several benefits over a conventional oven, such as:

• Space-Saving Design: Perfect for kitchens where space may be at a premium, or where you may want to increase capacity without the need for a second full-sized oven
• Reduced Energy Consumption: Ideal for one or two-person households,  the smaller oven cavity means you’re using energy more efficiently as opposed to heating a full-sized oven.
• Portable and Plug-In: Unlike a traditional oven, Smeg’s countertop oven can be plugged into a standard 13-amp plug- no installation, ventilation hood, or dedicated circuit required.
• Faster to Preheat: A countertop oven’s smaller interior reaches set temperatures quicker, saving your household both time and energy.
• Multi-functional in One Unit: Many models combine functions such as toasting and air-frying, saving you from needing multiple separate appliances.

There are different types of countertop ovens - sometimes referred to as multi-cookers - especially with the introduction of air fryer ovens (which are different to stand-alone air fryers!), so it’s worth being aware of the different options so that you can choose the best countertop oven for your needs:

Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens

Typically, there are two types of air fryers:

• Air Fryers: Typically small units which feature pull-out basket(s).

• Air‑Fryer Ovens: Larger, multi-purpose units which more closely resemble a mini convection toaster oven or traditional oven, and typically include a main door and internal racks. Air fryer ovens can work both as an air fryer and as a traditional oven.
  Smeg’s countertop oven is a versatile 10-in-1 appliance, offering everything from convection baking to steam cooking to air frying, all in one oven.

Convection Countertop Ovens

This type of countertop oven features an internal fan that distributes heat evenly, speeding up cooking times and reducing hot spots. They’re perfect for roasting vegetables, baking pastries, or reheating food with consistent results. 

This type of oven lacks more advanced features such as air fryer capabilities or steam cooking, unlike Smeg's countertop 10-in-1 multifunction oven, which has the ability to do both!

Toaster Ovens

The simplest of countertop ovens: great for toasting bread, melting cheese on open‑faced sandwiches, or baking small items. Often the most compact and budget‑friendly, but may lack convection or air‑fry modes.

Countertop Pizza Ovens

Designed specifically for pizza, this type of countertop oven reaches very high temperatures (often around 500°C) to crisp crusts quickly. Many use stone or ceramic baking surfaces and can cook a pizza in as little as 60 seconds!

Halogen Ovens

These countertop appliances utilise a halogen heating bulb and built-in fan to cook by both intense infrared heat and convection, offering rapid preheat and even cooking, especially for roasting poultry or toasting nuts. They can also use up to 75% less electricity compared to a conventional full-sized oven. 

Identifying the best features really will depend on the type of countertop oven chosen, but the following are some of the most popular and most common features present in multi-function cookers such as Smeg’s COF01 10 in 1 multifunction oven. 

You can learn more about some of the features highlighted below in the video above:

Core Cooking Modes

• Bake: Consistent bottom‑and‑top heat for cakes, casseroles, and breads.

• Convection: Fan‑driven heat circulation for faster, more even cooking; great for roasting and multi‑rack baking.

• Grill: Intense top‑element heat for searing meats or melting cheese.

• Warm: Low‑heat setting to keep finished dishes at serving temperature without drying them out.

• Defrost: Gentle, low‑temperature cycle to thaw frozen foods safely.

Air Fry Capability

A dedicated air‑fry setting or “high‑speed convection” delivers that crispy, golden finish with little to no added oil, perfect for healthier mealtimes as opposed to deep-frying.

Steam Cooking Functions

• Pure Steam: 100% steam for delicate items like seafood, vegetables, or reheating without drying.

• Combi Convection Steam: Steam plus convection heat for tender interiors and lightly browned exteriors - ideal for breads and roasts.

• Combi Grill Steam: Steam infusion with grill heat for succulent, charred finishes on meats and fish.

Pre-Set Recipe Program

One‑touch menus automatically configure the optimal cooking mode, temperature, and time for common foods - think pizza, chicken, fish, vegetables, cakes, and more. This takes the guesswork out of dialling in settings, bringing you a more convenient method of meal preparation.

Easy-Clean System

• Steam‑Clean Cycle: Loosens baked‑on spills or grease with an injection of steam so you can simply wipe the interior.

• Descaling Function: For models with steam plumbing, this flushes mineral buildup to keep steam performance at its best.

• Detachable Water Tank: Makes refilling and drying out your steam reservoir quick and mess‑free.

To find the most suitable type of countertop oven for your household needs, here’s what you should consider: 

Asses your cooking needs and kitchen space

• Assess your regular cooking tasks (roasting, baking, air‑frying, steaming, etc.) and estimate how much capacity you’ll actually use. A whole roast chicken needs at least 20L of oven capacity, for example. 

• Measure your available countertop area and clearance, remembering to allow space for ventilation and door swing.

Match features to desired functions

• List your must‑have cooking modes (e.g. air‑fry, steam, or convection) and look for dedicated controls or presets for each.

• Check whether the oven offers combi‑steam and pure‑steam options if you plan to use steam cooking frequently.

• Confirm that pre‑set programmes cover the foods you cook most; having one‑touch settings can save you time and eliminate guesswork.

Consider Budget, Warranty and Service

• Establish a price range based on which features matter most; you’ll pay more for steam capability, multi‑function combi ovens, for example.

• Look for at least a two‑year warranty to protect you against electrical and mechanical breakdown. For example, here’s our UK & Eire small appliances warranty. 

• Research the manufacturer’s customer‑service reputation and the availability/cost of replacement parts to ensure long‑term support.