Most toaster ovens top out at 450 °F, and the dial is often 25 °F or more off what the cavity actually reaches. Of the toaster ovens on this site, five publish 450 °F, one runs at a fixed 400 °F, and two publish no maximum.
The published ranges
| Toaster oven | Range |
|---|---|
| Elite Gourmet French-door, $84.99 | 200–450 °F |
| Elite Gourmet 4-slice, $34.99 | 200–450 °F |
| Hamilton Beach, $59.95 | 200–450 °F |
| BLACK+DECKER toaster oven, $59.99 | Up to 450 °F |
| NutriChef PKRTO28, $149.99 | Up to 450 °F |
| Dash, $24.99 | Fixed 400 °F |
| Breville Mini Smart Oven, $159.95 | Not published |
| BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1, $61.99 | Not published |
Why the dial is not the truth
A small cavity swings. The element switches on and off to hold the setting, so the air runs hotter and cooler around it. The thermostat measures one spot, not where your pan sits. Opening the door drops it fast. No maker on this site publishes how closely the cavity matches the dial.
How to find out for your oven
Put an oven thermometer on the rack, set 350 °F, wait 15 minutes after the preheat light goes out, and read it. Repeat at 425 °F. The gap is your correction — set the dial up or down by that much. See preheating and what it is for.
What 450 °F is enough for
Roasting, pizza, broiling and browning — most home recipes top out at 425 to 450 °F. What it is not: a pizzeria oven, or a broiler that sears like a grill.
The low end
About 200 °F on most dials — enough to keep food warm, too warm for proofing dough or dehydrating. See can I use an air fryer to keep food warm and the toaster ovens page.
Prices quoted in this text were read on 2026-10-18. The live price is at the top of the page.
What readers want to know
How accurate is a toaster oven's temperature dial?
Often within about 25 °F, sometimes worse — and it swings above and below the setting as the element cycles. No maker on this site publishes a calibration tolerance. An oven thermometer left on the rack for 15 minutes after preheating tells you how far off yours runs; adjust the dial by that amount.
Is 450 °F hot enough for pizza in a toaster oven?
Yes, for most home pizzas — especially with the rack in the lower position and a preheated pan or small stone. It is cooler than a pizzeria oven at 700 °F or more, so expect 10 to 15 minutes and a softer crust. See do I need a pizza stone.
What is the lowest temperature a toaster oven goes?
Usually about 150 to 200 °F, for keeping food warm. The Elite Gourmet ovens and the Hamilton Beach on this site publish 200 °F at the bottom of the dial. That is too warm for dehydrating or proofing on most models — see can I proof dough in a kitchen appliance.
Last reviewed 18 October 2026