Elite Gourmet ETO236 Toaster Oven Review
Our verdict
The Elite Gourmet ETO236 is a very small, very affordable toaster oven at $29.99, drawing just 650 watts and topping out at 450 degrees. It is best understood as a single-serving appliance, not a replacement for a full-size toaster oven.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Solo users, dorm rooms, or anyone who needs a tiny oven for occasional reheating and toast without spending more than $30.
Skip if
You regularly cook for more than one person, need to handle anything larger than a slice or two, or expect the speed of a higher-wattage appliance.
- Wattage 650 W
- Max temp 450°F
- Material Stainless Steel
- Controls Knob
- Finish Black
- Color Black
- Priced 74% below the category median ($114.97 across 34 tracked models)
- Wattage of 650 W - lower than 97% of the 34 models we track
- Weight of 4.45 lb - lighter than 90% of the 34 models we track
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.0/5
4.0 average across 4,100 owner ratings
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Popularity3.7/5
4,100 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other toaster ovens, convection and pizza ovens, toasters, stand and hand mixers, bread machines and baking appliances we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
['The Elite Gourmet ETO236 sits at the entry level of the toaster oven category in both size and price. At $29.99 it is one of the most affordable options available, and at 4.45 pounds and 7.5 by 13.25 by 6.5 inches, it takes up very little counter space. The stainless steel exterior looks cleaner than the plastic-bodied competitors in this price bracket.', 'The 650-watt element is the key limitation. That is considerably lower than the 1200 to 1800 watts found in mid-range toaster ovens, which means preheat times will be longer and browning may be less even. The max temperature of 450 degrees is fine for toast and reheating, and the knob controls keep operation simple.', 'More than 4,100 ratings averaging 4.0 out of 5 stars is a reasonable showing for a budget product. The 4.0 average reflects some tradeoffs at this price, but the large volume of buyers suggests it meets expectations for the use case it is designed for. The color is listed as black with a stainless finish.']
Pros
- Priced at $29.99, it is among the lowest-cost toaster ovens with meaningful review volume
- At 4.45 pounds and under 14 inches wide, it barely takes up counter space
- Max temp of 450 degrees handles toast and basic reheating
- Stainless finish looks better than plastic alternatives at this price
- Knob controls are simple and require no learning curve
Cons
- 650 watts is low, meaning slow preheat and less aggressive browning than higher-wattage ovens
- Very small interior limits what you can cook, even for a single person
- 4.0-star average reflects some buyer dissatisfaction compared to higher-rated models
Specifications
| Wattage | 650 W |
|---|---|
| Max temp | 450°F |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Controls | Knob |
| Finish | Black |
| Color | Black |
| Dimensions | 7.5 X 13.25 X 6.5 In |
| Weight | 4.45 lb |
Performance notes
At 650 watts, the ETO236 operates at roughly half the power of a typical mid-range toaster oven. This means noticeably longer preheat times and a reduced ability to crisp or brown quickly. The 450-degree maximum temperature is adequate for standard baking and toasting tasks. The 7.5 by 13.25 by 6.5-inch footprint is genuinely compact, making it practical for a dorm counter, office kitchenette, or small apartment. The stainless exterior handles over an alloy steel body should hold up reasonably well for occasional use.
What buyers say
Over 4,100 ratings at 4.0 stars shows this product finds a real audience at its price point. Buyers in this range generally calibrate their expectations to the $29.99 investment, and the review count suggests most people who buy it get what they expected from a budget-tier mini oven. The 4.0 average is slightly lower than premium models, reflecting the real limitations of low wattage and a small cavity.
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Frequently asked questions
Can the Elite Gourmet ETO236 bake a small pizza?
It depends on the size of the pizza. A personal-size pizza of 6 to 7 inches might fit depending on the pan shape, but a standard 12-inch frozen pizza will not. The low wattage also means the crust will take longer to brown than in a higher-powered oven. This appliance is better suited to toast, warming leftovers, or baking a single portion of something small.
Is a 650-watt toaster oven worth buying when 1200-watt models cost only slightly more?
The price gap is real. If your budget extends to $60 or so, a 1200-watt model gives noticeably better performance. The ETO236 at $29.99 makes sense primarily when space or budget is the hard constraint, not when you want the best cooking results. For a dorm room or a second oven in a small space, the value is clear. For a primary cooking appliance, spending more gets you meaningfully better output.