Defining the Contenders: What Are We Really Comparing?
Most kitchens have a conventional oven taking up prime real estate. But a countertop toaster oven keeps showing up in conversations. People ask whether they can ditch the big oven, save energy, or just cook faster. The answer depends on which toaster oven you pick.
| Our Pick | Runner Up |
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| BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven, 5-in-1… | BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER TO1313SBD Toaster Oven, 15.47 Inch, Silver |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
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Today we are looking at two BLACK+DECKER models. The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven (B0B4T992R8) is the newer, flashier option with air frying. The TO1313SBD is a simpler, compact toaster oven that has been around for years. Both are affordable, but they serve different needs.
This decision matters if you live alone, cook for a family, or just want to stop heating up the whole house in summer. We will break down every difference that actually affects your cooking, your electric bill, and your counter space. By the end, you will know exactly which one belongs in your kitchen.
The Science of Heat: How Cooking Methods Differ
A conventional oven uses heating elements at the top and bottom, radiating heat into a large insulated box. It takes a while to preheat, and the air inside moves slowly. That means hot spots and uneven browning unless you rotate pans.
Toaster ovens, including both BLACK+DECKER models here, are smaller. Heat reaches food faster because the cooking chamber is tiny. The TO1313SBD uses natural convection—air circulates as it heats, but there is no fan. The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven has a fan that moves hot air around, which speeds up cooking and crisps food better.
That difference matters. If you roast vegetables, a fan-forced oven will give you caramelized edges in less time. If you are toasting bread, natural convection is fine. The 6-Slice model also has an air fry function, which is essentially a high-speed fan that mimics deep frying. The TO1313SBD cannot do that.
So the science is simple: smaller chamber equals faster preheat, and a fan equals better heat distribution. But faster and better does not always mean you should buy the fancier model. We will get to that.
Energy Efficiency and the Real Cost of Cooking
Here is where toaster ovens win big. A conventional oven pulls 2,000 to 5,000 watts and heats a huge volume of air. A toaster oven like the TO1313SBD uses around 1,200 watts. The 6-Slice Air Fry model uses about 1,500 watts. That is a third to half the power.
But wattage is only part of the story. Cooking time also matters. The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven preheats in about 3 minutes. The TO1313SBD takes around 5 minutes. A conventional oven needs 10 to 15 minutes. So you are not just using less power—you are using it for less time.
Let us do a rough cost-per-meal estimate. If you roast a chicken once a week in a conventional oven for an hour at 4,000 watts, that is 4 kWh. At the national average of $0.16 per kWh, that is $0.64 per meal. The same chicken in the 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven might take 40 minutes at 1,500 watts, which is 1 kWh—about $0.16. The TO1313SBD would take longer, maybe 50 minutes at 1,200 watts, which is also 1 kWh.
Over a year, that difference adds up to maybe $25 to $50. Not huge, but not nothing. And in summer, you save on air conditioning because the kitchen does not get as hot. That is a real benefit.
Capacity and Space: Matching the Appliance to Your Kitchen
The TO1313SBD is compact. It measures 14.5 inches wide, 10.8 inches deep, and 8.8 inches tall. It fits a 9-inch pizza or 4 slices of bread. That is perfect for a single person or a couple. It will not take up much counter space.
The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven is larger. It fits 6 slices of bread or a 12-inch pizza. That is enough for a small family. But it also takes up more counter space. You need to measure your kitchen before buying.
Here is the trade-off: the bigger oven gives you more cooking capacity, but it also makes your kitchen feel cramped. If you have a tiny apartment counter, the TO1313SBD is the better fit. If you have room and cook for more than two people, the 6-Slice model is worth the space.
One thing to note: the TO1313SBD has a curved interior to fit a 9-inch pizza, but the manual says to keep food at least 1.5 inches from the top heating elements. That limits how tall your food can be. The 6-Slice model has more vertical space, so you can roast a small chicken or bake a casserole.
The Performance Test: Baking, Roasting, and Broiling Results
Let us talk about specific foods. Cookies are a classic test. In a conventional oven, cookies spread evenly and brown on top and bottom. In the TO1313SBD, cookies bake fine, but you may need to rotate the tray halfway through because the back heats hotter. The 6-Slice Air Fry model with its fan does better—cookies come out more uniform.
Roasted chicken is another story. The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven can handle a small bird, and the air fry function gives you crispy skin without deep frying. The TO1313SBD is too small for a whole chicken. You would have to cut it into pieces. That is a major difference if you like roasting.
Frozen pizza is a common use. The TO1313SBD fits a 9-inch pizza, which is the size of most frozen personal pizzas. It will cook it fine, but the crust may be softer because there is no fan to crisp it. The 6-Slice model fits a 12-inch pizza, which is the standard frozen pizza size. The air fry function makes the crust crispier.
Broiling is where both models struggle. The TO1313SBD has a broil function, but it is not very powerful. The 6-Slice model also has broil, but the element is at the top and the fan can blow heat unevenly. For melting cheese on a casserole, they both work. For searing a steak, you are better off with a conventional oven’s broiler.
One honest caveat: the 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven is not a replacement for a dedicated air fryer. The fan is smaller, and the basket is shallow. It will crisp fries, but they will not be as crunchy as a dedicated air fryer. If you are a serious air fryer user, you might be disappointed.
Temperature Control and Precision: Who Cooks Better?
Temperature control is where conventional ovens shine. They have precise thermostats and can hold a steady temperature for hours. Toaster ovens, including both BLACK+DECKER models, are less precise. The TO1313SBD has a 30-minute timer with a stay-on option, but the temperature dial is not very accurate. You might set it to 350°F and get 330°F or 370°F.
The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven has a 60-minute timer with stay-on, which is better for longer cooking. But it still uses a dial, not digital controls. So you do not get exact temperature readouts. If you are an avid baker who needs precise temperatures, a toaster oven will frustrate you.

For everyday cooking, the imprecision does not matter much. Toast, frozen meals, and reheating leftovers are forgiving. But if you bake soufflés or bread, use a conventional oven. The 6-Slice model is better than the TO1313SBD because the fan helps distribute heat, but it is still not a professional tool.
Maintenance, Safety, and Kitchen Comfort
Both toaster ovens have a removable crumb tray, which makes cleanup easy. The TO1313SBD’s tray slides out the front. The 6-Slice model has a similar design. You just wipe it down. A conventional oven has to be cleaned with chemicals or self-clean cycles, which are a pain.
Safety is a concern with any toaster oven. The TO1313SBD manual warns that outer surfaces get hot. That is true for both models. If you have small children or pets, you need to place the oven away from edges. A conventional oven is built-in and out of reach, which is safer.
Kitchen comfort is a real factor. In summer, a conventional oven turns your kitchen into a sauna. A toaster oven produces less heat, so you stay cooler. That is a big win for the toaster ovens. But they also take up counter space, which can make your kitchen feel cluttered. You have to weigh the comfort against the clutter.
The Price Question: Upfront Cost vs. Long-Term Value
We cannot give exact prices because they change daily. But the TO1313SBD is generally cheaper than the 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven. That makes sense—the 6-Slice model has more features and a larger capacity.
Check the current price on Amazon for both. You will likely find the TO1313SBD for around $30 to $40, and the 6-Slice Air Fry model for $60 to $80. That price difference is not huge, but it matters if you are on a tight budget.
Long-term value: the 6-Slice model does more things. It air fries, bakes, broils, toasts, and keeps warm. If you use those functions, it is worth the extra money. The TO1313SBD is a basic toaster oven that will toast bread and reheat leftovers. If that is all you need, do not spend more.
There is also the lifespan question. Toaster ovens typically last 3 to 5 years. A conventional oven lasts 15 years. So the cost per year of a toaster oven might be higher if you buy a new one every few years. But the energy savings and convenience often make up for it.
The Verdict: A Decision Matrix for Your Lifestyle
Let us score both toaster ovens across five factors: capacity, versatility, energy efficiency, precision, and value. Use this as your decision matrix.
| Factor | 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven | TO1313SBD |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 slices, 12-inch pizza | 4 slices, 9-inch pizza |
| Versatility | Air fry, bake, broil, toast, keep warm | Bake, broil, toast, keep warm |
| Energy Efficiency | 1,500 watts, faster cooking | 1,200 watts, slower cooking |
| Temperature Precision | 60-min timer, fan-assisted | 30-min timer, manual |
| Value | Higher cost, more features | Lower cost, simple |
Now, who should buy which?
Single person or couple with limited counter space: Choose the TO1313SBD. It is compact, cheap, and does the basics well. You do not need a 12-inch pizza capacity if you are cooking for one.
Small family or anyone who loves air frying: Choose the 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven. It fits more food and gives you crispy results. The air fry function replaces a separate appliance, saving space and money.
Avid baker: Neither. Use a conventional oven. The temperature control is just not precise enough in either toaster oven. If you must have a toaster oven for small batches, the 6-Slice model is better because of the fan.
Budget buyer: The TO1313SBD is the clear winner. It costs less and covers the essentials. You are not paying for features you will not use.
Frequently Asked Questions (Including the Air Fryer Question)
Is a toaster oven with air frying the same as a dedicated air fryer?
No, not exactly. The 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven has a fan that circulates hot air, but the basket is shallow and the fan is smaller than a dedicated air fryer. It will crisp food, but not as evenly or as fast. If you cook frozen fries every day, get a dedicated air fryer. If you want an all-in-one appliance, the toaster oven is fine.
Can I bake a cake in a toaster oven?
Yes, but you need to manage expectations. Both BLACK+DECKER models can bake a small cake, but the temperature may be off by 20 degrees. Use an oven thermometer and rotate the pan halfway through. The 6-Slice model with the fan will give you a more even rise than the TO1313SBD.
How do I clean these toaster ovens?
Both have a removable crumb tray. Slide it out, wash it with soapy water, and wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners on the heating elements. For the TO1313SBD, the manual says to keep food at least 1.5 inches from the top elements, so clean carefully.
Will a toaster oven save me money on my electric bill?
Yes, if you use it instead of a conventional oven. Both models use less wattage and heat up faster. Over a year, you could save $25 to $50 depending on how often you cook. The 6-Slice Air Fry model uses slightly more power than the TO1313SBD, but it cooks faster, so the cost is similar.
Final Takeaway: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
The conventional oven vs toaster oven question comes down to your cooking habits. If you roast big cuts of meat, bake multiple trays of cookies, or cook for a large family, stick with the conventional oven. It has the capacity and precision that toaster ovens cannot match.
But for most everyday tasks—toasting, reheating, frozen meals, small batches—a toaster oven is faster, cheaper, and more energy-efficient. Between the two BLACK+DECKER models, the 6-Slice Air Fry Toaster Oven is the better all-around choice for most people. It offers more capacity, a fan for even cooking, and the air fry function. The TO1313SBD is the budget pick for those who need a simple, compact appliance.
Before you decide, measure your counter space and think about what you cook most. If you are still unsure, check out our toaster oven comparison for more details. And if you are curious about cooking times, our cooking time guide breaks it down. For the air fryer debate, see how the Cosori and Breville models stack up.
Whichever you pick, you are making a smart move. Ditching the conventional oven for smaller tasks is a win for your energy bill and your kitchen comfort. Just remember to use oven mitts and keep the toaster oven away from curious kids.






