How Many Watts Does a Toaster Oven Use?

Toaster ovens use between 800 and 1,800 watts depending on size and heating elements, with compact 2-slice models consuming 800-1,000 watts, standard 4-slice units drawing 1,200-1,500 watts, and large 6-slice convection models using 1,500-1,800 watts. Despite wattage comparable to full-size ovens (which use 2,400-5,000W), toaster ovens achieve 40-75% energy savings through smaller cavity size requiring less preheating (2-3 minutes versus 10-15 minutes), superior heat retention in compact spaces, and more efficient heating element placement directly around food. A typical toaster oven cooking task (15 minutes at 1,400W) costs $0.056 versus $0.24 for the same task in a conventional oven—a 77% reduction in electricity consumption.

Understanding toaster oven wattage helps you calculate daily cooking costs when using it as primary cooking appliance for small households ($5-12/month versus $30-50 for full oven use), compare energy consumption to regular pop-up toasters which use similar peak wattage (800-1,500W) but for much shorter duration (2-4 minutes versus 15-30 minutes), determine circuit capacity when running alongside other kitchen appliances, choose appropriately-sized models for your needs without overpaying for unnecessary capacity, and recognize that toaster ovens excel at small-batch cooking (1-4 servings) where full ovens waste energy heating empty space.

This comprehensive guide breaks down toaster oven power consumption by size and function, explains why toaster ovens save substantial energy despite high wattage ratings, provides accurate cost calculations for common cooking tasks from toast to pizza to roasted vegetables, compares toaster ovens to conventional ovens, microwaves, air fryers, and regular toasters on both energy and versatility, and offers guidance on selecting the right wattage and features for maximum efficiency without sacrificing cooking performance.

Toaster Oven Power Consumption by Size

Size/Type	Capacity	Wattage	15-Min Use	Best For
Compact/2-slice	0.3-0.4 cu ft	800-1,000 W	$0.032-$0.040	Singles, small spaces
Standard/4-slice	0.5-0.6 cu ft	1,200-1,500 W	$0.048-$0.060	Most households
Large/6-slice	0.7-0.9 cu ft	1,500-1,800 W	$0.060-$0.072	Families, versatility
Convection	0.6-1.0 cu ft	1,400-1,800 W	$0.056-$0.072	Even cooking, speed
Air Fryer Combo	0.6-1.0 cu ft	1,500-1,800 W	$0.060-$0.072	Crispy foods

Why Toaster Ovens Save Energy Despite High Wattage

4 Efficiency Factors:

1. Minimal Preheating (2-3 min vs 10-15 min)

• Toaster oven: 1,400W × 2 min = 0.047 kWh = $0.0075
• Full oven: 3,000W × 10 min = 0.50 kWh = $0.080
• Preheat savings alone: $0.072 per use

2. Smaller Cavity = Less Wasted Heat

• Toaster oven: 0.6 cubic feet to heat
• Full oven: 3-5 cubic feet (5-8× larger)
• Cooking 4 cookies wastes 80% of full oven space

3. Closer Element-to-Food Distance

• Direct radiant heat transfer
• Less convection heat loss
• 30-40% more efficient heat delivery

4. Better Heat Retention

• Smaller mass heats/cools faster
• Less heat escapes during door opening
• Tighter seal reduces air leakage

Real-World Toaster Oven Cooking Costs

Scenario 1: Daily Toast

• Task: 2 slices toast
• Time: 4 minutes
• Power: 1,350W
• Cost: $0.014/use, $0.43/month, $5.18/year

Scenario 2: Weeknight Dinner Helper

• Tasks: Reheat pizza (8 min) + roast veggies (20 min) daily
• Total time: 28 minutes/day
• Power: 1,500W
• Cost: $0.112/day, $3.36/month, $40.88/year
• vs Full oven: Save $4.50/month, $54/year

Scenario 3: Single-Person Main Cooking Appliance

• Usage: 60 minutes daily (breakfast + dinner)
• Power: 1,650W
• Cost: $0.264/day, $7.92/month, $96.36/year
• vs Full oven: Save $18/month, $220/year

Toaster Oven vs Full Oven Savings

Cooking Task	Toaster Oven (1,400W)	Full Oven (3,000W)	Savings
Toast (4 min)	$0.015	$0.088*	83% ($0.073)
Reheat pizza (8 min)	$0.030	$0.120*	75% ($0.090)
Bake cookies (15 min)	$0.056	$0.155*	64% ($0.099)
Roast chicken (45 min)	$0.168	$0.305*	45% ($0.137)
Casserole (60 min)	$0.224	$0.380*	41% ($0.156)

*Includes 10-minute preheat at 3,000W

Key Insight: Savings are highest for short cooking tasks where preheat represents larger portion of total energy. Toaster ovens excel at 5-30 minute tasks.

Toaster Oven vs Regular Toaster

Factor	Pop-Up Toaster	Toaster Oven
Wattage	800-1,500 W	800-1,800 W
Toast Time	2-4 min	4-6 min
Energy Per Toast	0.027-0.067 kWh	0.09-0.16 kWh
Cost Per Toast	$0.004-$0.011	$0.014-$0.026
Versatility	Toast only	Toast, bake, broil, reheat
Counter Space	Small footprint	Larger footprint
Annual Cost (daily)	$1.46-$4.02	$5.11-$9.49

Verdict: Regular toasters cost 60-75% less for toast alone ($1.50-4/year vs $5-9/year). But toaster ovens offer 10× more versatility. If you only toast bread, get a pop-up toaster. If you cook small meals, toaster oven wins.

Toaster Oven vs Microwave vs Air Fryer

Appliance	Watts	Reheat Pizza	Cook Fries	Bake Cookie	Best For
Toaster Oven	1,200-1,800 W	$0.030 (8 min)	$0.056 (15 min)	$0.048 (12 min)	Browning, baking
Microwave	1,000-1,200 W	$0.006 (2 min)	N/A (soggy)	N/A	Speed, liquids
Air Fryer	1,200-1,700 W	$0.024 (6 min)	$0.040 (12 min)	$0.032 (10 min)	Crispy, fast
Full Oven	2,400-3,000 W	$0.120 (8+10 min)	$0.155 (15+10 min)	$0.136 (12+10 min)	Large batches

Optimal Kitchen Strategy:

• Microwave: Reheating liquids, defrosting (fastest, cheapest)
• Air Fryer: Crispy foods, frozen items (fast, energy-efficient)
• Toaster Oven: Baking, broiling, versatile cooking (good balance)
• Full Oven: Large batches, multiple dishes (necessary for quantity)

Convection vs Standard Toaster Ovens

Feature	Standard	Convection
Wattage	1,200-1,500 W	1,400-1,800 W
Cooking Time	Standard	15-25% faster
Energy Per Task	Baseline	5-15% less (faster cook)
Evenness	Good	Excellent (fan circulation)
Price Premium	Baseline	+$30-80
Browning	Standard	Superior crispiness

ROI: Convection's faster cooking saves 5-15% energy. At $50/year usage, that's $2.50-7.50 annual savings. Takes 4-15 years to recoup $30-80 premium. Buy for performance, not energy savings.

Circuit and Safety Considerations

Can I Run Toaster Oven with Other Appliances?

Scenario	Total Watts	15A Circuit %	Safe?
Toaster oven alone	1,400 W	78%	✓ Yes
TO + coffee maker	2,400 W	133%	✗ Trips breaker
TO + microwave	2,600 W	144%	✗ Trips breaker
TO + blender	1,900 W	106%	⚠ May trip
TO + lights (100W)	1,500 W	83%	✓ Yes

Best Practice: Dedicate one kitchen circuit to high-wattage appliances (toaster oven, microwave, coffee maker). Never run two simultaneously.

6 Tips to Maximize Toaster Oven Efficiency

1. Skip Preheating for Most Tasks: Toaster ovens heat so quickly that many recipes don't require preheating. Save 2-3 minutes and $0.008-$0.012 per use.
2. Use Right Size for Job: Don't use 1,800W large model to toast 2 slices. Match appliance to task—use pop-up toaster for toast, toaster oven for cooking.
3. Batch Cook When Possible: Making 1 cookie costs same energy as making 6. Fill the rack to maximize energy efficiency per serving.
4. Keep It Clean: Grease buildup and food debris reduce efficiency 10-15%. Wipe interior monthly, clean crumb tray weekly.
5. Use Convection When Available: Fan-forced cooking reduces time 15-25%, saving energy despite slightly higher wattage.
6. Don't Open Door During Cooking: Each peek releases 20-30% of heat, extending cooking time and energy use 2-5 minutes.

When to Use Toaster Oven vs Full Oven

Use Toaster Oven For:

• 1-4 servings (small quantities)
• Quick cooking (under 45 minutes)
• Single items (pizza, casserole, chicken breast)
• Toast, bagels, reheating
• Summer cooking (doesn't heat up kitchen)
• Energy savings: 40-75%

Use Full Oven For:

• 6+ servings (large quantities)
• Multiple dishes simultaneously
• Large roasts, whole chickens, turkeys
• Full sheet pan recipes
• Baking that requires precise temperature

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to run a toaster oven for an hour?

Running a typical 1,400W toaster oven for one hour costs approximately $0.22 in electricity. However, most cooking tasks take 5-30 minutes, costing $0.019-$0.112 per use. Daily use for 30 minutes costs about $3.36/month or $40.88/year—dramatically less than using a full oven for the same tasks ($7-8/month, $95-120/year).

Is it cheaper to use a toaster oven or a regular oven?

Toaster ovens are 40-75% cheaper than full ovens for small-batch cooking. A 15-minute baking task costs $0.056 in a toaster oven versus $0.155 in a full oven (includes preheating), saving $0.099 or 64%. The savings are highest for short cooking times where the full oven's 10-minute preheat represents a large portion of total energy. For large batches serving 6+ people, full ovens become more efficient per serving.

Does a toaster oven use more electricity than a toaster?

Yes, toaster ovens use more electricity per toast—$0.014-$0.026 versus $0.004-$0.011 for pop-up toasters—because they take longer (4-6 minutes vs 2-4 minutes). However, toaster ovens offer vastly greater versatility for baking, broiling, and reheating. If you only toast bread, a pop-up toaster costs 60-75% less annually ($1.50-4/year vs $5-9/year). If you cook small meals frequently, the toaster oven's multi-functionality justifies the modest additional cost.

Conclusion

Toaster ovens use 800-1,800 watts depending on size and features, with compact 2-slice models consuming 800-1,000W, standard 4-slice units drawing 1,200-1,500W, and large 6-slice convection models using 1,500-1,800W. Despite wattage ratings comparable to smaller countertop appliances, toaster ovens achieve substantial energy savings versus full-size ovens—40-75% less electricity for equivalent cooking tasks—through four key advantages: minimal preheating requirements (2-3 minutes versus 10-15 minutes), dramatically smaller cavity volume requiring less energy to heat, superior heat retention in compact spaces, and more efficient direct radiant heat transfer from closely-positioned elements.

The economics favor toaster ovens for small-batch cooking scenarios common in 1-4 person households. A typical 15-minute baking task costs $0.056 in a toaster oven versus $0.155 in a conventional oven, delivering 64% savings. Annual costs for moderate daily use (30 minutes) total just $40-50 compared to $95-120 for equivalent full oven use, saving $55-70 yearly. However, toaster ovens cost 2-3× more than pop-up toasters for toast alone ($5-9/year versus $1.50-4/year), making dedicated toasters more economical for toast-only scenarios.

Optimal kitchen strategy employs multiple specialized appliances based on task requirements: microwaves for reheating liquids and defrosting (fastest, cheapest), air fryers for crispy foods and frozen items (efficient, fast), toaster ovens for versatile small-batch cooking and baking (balanced performance and efficiency), and full ovens for large batches serving 6+ people or multiple simultaneous dishes. Convection toaster oven models reduce cooking time 15-25% through fan-forced circulation, offsetting their 10-15% higher wattage to deliver modest 5-15% net energy savings—purchase for superior cooking performance rather than energy savings alone.

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), toaster oven manufacturer specifications from Breville, Cuisinart, Black+Decker, Hamilton Beach. Electricity rates based on January 2026 national average of $0.16/kWh. See our calculation methodology for complete details.