There is absolutely no doubt that having a countertop toaster oven as an appliance in the kitchen is a must.
In fact, it is so important that the market is saturated with hundreds of them, all having different functionalities, capacities, dimensions, and even vary in terms of pricing.
With this high supply of ovens, you will surely agree that there is a need to be guided to making the perfect choice that will suit your kitchen needs and leave you feeling like you’ve had good value for your money.
In this article, we will walk you through some ovens we have found to be worth your while, both having different functionalities, capacities, and general specifications, but will serve to the best of their capabilities as ovens, meeting your cooking desires and giving you a feeling of kitchen fulfillment with the amazing deliciousness that comes with every usage.
Cooking fast and mouthwatering meals have never been easier.
We have decided to put this comparative piece together because we understand the dilemma that comes with making the right choice of a toaster oven to occupy that countertop and make every cooking experience worthwhile.
We will also try to suggest the right oven for you, based on basic everyday lifestyle, and hopefully, after this, you will make a fitting choice.
The Ninja DT251 Foodi Smart Oven XL and the Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven have been chosen for this comparison because of their superior quality and diverse functionality.
Though having some similarities, they still differ in more ways than one, and one of these will occupy your countertop after you finish with this article if you’ve been having a hard time making a choice of an oven.
1. Ninja Foodie
1.1 Ninja DT251 Foodi Smart Oven XL
Introducing to you the Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 Smart Air Fry Digital Countertop Convection Toaster Oven, with Thermometer XL Capacity and a Stainless Steel Finish.
This air fry toaster oven, with its amazing versatility, comes with 6 electronic quartz elements and 10 cooking functions, which include: air roast, whole roast, toast, broil, pizza, bake, reheat, bagel, and dehydrate.
Unlike some of its oven counterparts, this toaster oven comes with true all-around convection, which offers up to ten times the convection power of a regular full-size convection oven, and the result is crispier, juicier, and faster results.
Perfect doneness is always achieved on every use at the simple touch of a button, with the smart thermometer for integrated food, meaning that your food will never be overcooked or undercooked.
It also boasts of the air fry function, which is a very healthy way of frying as it reduces food fat by 75% when compared to the conventional means of deep-frying.
Family meals are cooked up to 30% quicker than a regular full-size convection oven while using this amazing toaster oven, with its 90 seconds oven preheat time.
Even cooking can be done on two levels at the same time with no rotating required.
With its extra-large oven capacity and an interior dimension of 13.5 x 11.5 Inches, this oven will fit a 12-pound turkey or two 12 Inch pizzas, a sheet pan of vegetables, and a 5-pound chicken.
Enamel coating covers the exterior with a dimension of 17.09 x 20.22 x 13.34 Inches and a net weight of 40.7 pounds.
With the maximum temperature reaching 450oF, this 1800 Watts powered unit can get quite hot on the top and sides, so it is advisable to give a little bit of clearance between the oven and the walls or any other appliance.
It can be used to reheat food just like a microwave would, and it works perfectly with the two air fryer baskets; you would most likely not need to get an extra one because you can air fry on two levels at the same time.
While using this oven, you may not be able to turn off one level while cooking on the other.
Still, however, it is a smart oven, so it will adjust the temperature on all the heating elements and work according to the function that has been selected.
It is a quiet oven, and even the buttons do not make a clicking sound.
It however has a frontal glass door for monitoring meals while cooking.
With all the astonishing goodness that comes with the Ninja DT251 Foodi Smart Oven XL, the Ninja brand also has another oven with some similarities, which is the Ninja DT201.
Let’s take some time to review the feature(s) that sets them apart.
1.2 Ninja DT251 VS DT201
Having highlighted some of the qualities and specifications of the Ninja DT251, we shall now make a comparison with the Ninja DT201 and find out their differences.
Like interior capacity, 1800Watts power, and cooking functions, the basic specifications are all the same.
They also both have true surround convection and even come with a 15recipe inspiration guide.
The only difference between the Ninja DT251 and the Ninja DT201 is that the Ninja DT251 has a smart-cook system that regulates the heating elements on all levels depending on the function selected, and the Ninja DT201 doesn’t.
Their weights are also different as the Ninja DT201 has a net weight of 42.9 pounds while the Ninja DT251 has a net weight of 40.7 pounds.
Asides from these, every other thing is basically the same.
2. Cuisinart
2.1 Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
We present to you the next oven, which is the Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Air fryer.
It has up to 7 cooking functions, which include; convection broil, convection bake, toast, air fry, broil, bake, and warm.
Besides that, it has the capacity to roast a 4-pound chicken, air fry 3 pounds of chicken wings, toast 6 slices of bread, or bake a 12-inch pizza.
However, the temperature does not go low enough for dehydration.
This toaster oven has a 0. 6 cubic foot interior with non-stick properties.
The interior dimensions measure 11 x 9.75 Inches, and it includes a baking pan, an air fryer basket/ rack, an oven rack, and even features an oven light.
There is a thermostat that can be adjusted with a 60-minute timer and auto-shutoff ability.
You can predetermine the shade of toast with its toast shade selector timer, which will automatically go off once it reaches the set time.
The timer in this unit makes a slight ticking noise when in use but not loud enough to be a bother.
With 1800Watts of power, this toaster oven gets quite hot around the sides and on the top, so it is quite advisable to give some inches of space between the appliance and the wall or any other appliance on the countertop, using under a cabinet without ventilation is also not advised.
The interior part of the oven, like the air fryer basket, baking pan, oven rack, and crumb tray, should be hand washed because they are not dishwasher safe.
The racks will not extend when the door opens; you have to pull it out yourself.
While baking, do not use a covered baking pan; it is recommended to use the pans and racks that come with this unit for any cooking function.
Air frying on two racks at once is not applicable in this unit; you will have to use one rack level at a time.
The exterior dimension measures 15.5 x 16 x 14 inches with a net weight of 21 pounds. It has 120V of voltage and operates on very low sound.
You do not have to bother about the oil smell with this oven because it does not require oil to fry, thanks to the air fry function.
With the interior dimension of 11 x 9.75 Inches, a regular baking pan of 9 x 13Inches would normally not fit in.
A frontal glass door makes for easy monitoring of meals, but with the inbuilt shutoff timer, you still have nothing to bother about.
3. Diferences
Having highlighted the individual properties and functionalities of the Ninja DT251 Foodi Smart Oven XL and the Cuisinart TOA-60, in this section, we will highlight the differences associated with both toaster ovens in the bid to simplify further and make the selection process easy for you.
Following from the very beginning, you must have already figured out some for yourself, but if you haven’t yet, not to worry, we’ll give you a rundown.
Firstly, the Ninja DT251 has a smart-cook system while the Cuisinart TOA-60 doesn’t’.
As mentioned earlier, this smart-cook system regulates heating elements on all levels depending on the function selected.
Furthermore, the Ninja DT251 has a total of ten cooking functions, while the Cuisinart TOA-60 comes with just seven.
This obviously means that with the Ninja DT251, you can do a lot more with your countertop toaster oven.
Also, in terms of temperature regulation, the Ninja DT251 can go to lower temperatures, even down to 100oF, which allows for dehydration.
However, the lowest temperature dial for the Cuisinart TOA-60 is 250oF, which is not well suited for such a function.
Looking at the size of both toaster ovens, the Ninja DT251 with an exterior dimension of 17.09×20.22×13.34 Inches is quite bigger than the Cuisinart TOA-60 that has an exterior dimension of 15.5x16x14 Inches.
The exterior part of the Ninja DT251 has an enamel coating, while the Cuisinart TOA-60 is made of stainless steel.
The weights are obviously also different, with the Ninja DT251 weighing 42.9 pounds and the Cuisinart TOA-60 weighing 21 Pounds.
Another important point to note is that the Ninja DT251 has the ability to carry out even cooking on two levels at the same time with no rotating required, while with the Cuisinart TOA-60, you will have to use one rack-level at a time.
With its extra-large capacity, the Ninja DT251 can toast up to 9 slices of bread at once, while the Cuisinart TOA-60 has the capacity to toast only 6 slices of bread at once.
4. Summary
After highlighting the differences between the Ninja DT251 and the Cuisinart TOA-60, it is quite understandable if you are still having difficulties in making a pick.
Therefore, in this section, we will go a bit further to suggest the category of people that either of these toaster ovens will be a perfect fit for.
Despite the fact that both ovens have large capacities, the Ninja DT251 has an extra-large interior and is well suited for large families with more stomachs to fill.
The availability of more cooking functions allows you to explore diverse recipes; even more interesting is the fact that the Ninja DT251 comes with a 15recipe inspiration guide, which is best for those who love to explore and display cooking prowess.
The Cuisinart TOA-60 still having quite a large number of cooking functions will be best for those who have a lesser number of family members, seeing that the capacity is not so large.
Also, looking at the interior capacity to toast only six slices of bread, a smaller number of individuals will have the need for this oven, saving them the cost and some space on the kitchen counter.
5. Comparison Table
Ninja DT251 Foodi Smart Oven XL |
Cuisinart TOA-60 |
|
|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
1. Brand |
Ninja |
Cuisinart |
2. Model |
DT251 |
TOA-60 |
3. Color |
Stainless Steel |
Silver |
4. Power |
1800 Watts |
1800Watts |
5. Voltage |
120Volts |
120Volts |
6. Warranty |
1 Year |
Not specified |
7. Temp range and step |
100°F – 450°F |
250 -450°F |
8. Time (min-max and step) |
1-60 Min |
0-60Min |
9. Auto shut Off Time |
Yes |
Yes |
10. Interior Dimensions |
13.5 X 11.5 inches |
11 x 9.75 Inches |
11. Exterior Dimensions |
17.09×20.22×13.34inches |
15.5x16x14Inches |
12. Non-Stick Interior (Yes/No) |
Yes |
Yes |
13. Interior Material Type (Stainless Steel etc.) |
Enamel |
Stainless Steel |
14. Interior Cubic Foot |
Not specified |
0.6 cubic foot |
15. Capacity: # toast bread slices |
9 slices |
6 Slices |
16. Interior Light (Yes/No) |
Yes |
Yes |
17. Weight |
42.9 pounds |
21 pounds |
18. Rack Positions (1, 2,3,4) |
2 |
2 |
19. Rack size |
13.5 X 11.5 inches |
Not specified |
Functions |
||
20. Auto shut Off |
Yes |
Yes |
21. Air Fry |
Yes |
Yes |
22. Bake |
Yes |
Yes |
23. Broil |
Yes |
Yes |
24. Warm |
Yes |
Yes |
25. Toast |
Yes |
Yes |
26. Dehydration |
Yes |
No |
27. Rotisserie |
No |
No |
Includes |
||
28. Oven Rack |
Yes |
Yes |
29. Baking Pan |
Yes |
Yes |
30. Air Fryer Rack |
Yes |
Yes |
31. Does it get really hot around the oven? |
Yes |
Yes |
32. Cleaning |
Yes |
Yes |
33. Fan noise |
No |
No |
34. Racks and Dip tray Dishwasher Safe |
Yes |
No |
35. Dual Voltage (Yes/No) |
Yes |
No |
36. Cord length |
36 Inches |
22 Inches |
