Steam ovens are a great alternative to a traditional oven. They generally cook faster and require less energy, and they use humidity to prevent food from drying out.
The best steam ovens can save cooking time while delivering healthy, delicious results. But which one should you get?
I like the Cuisinart Steam Oven because it has the best of all worlds. It’s large enough to feed a family, but it isn’t so massive that you can’t fit it in a normal kitchen.
It has plenty of functions without being too complicated. Plus, it has multiple cooking functions for a variety of foods.
But other steam ovens have different functions, and some might be more suited for your cooking needs. I’ve researched all the features, pros, and cons, so you can find all the information you need to pick the right oven.
Which countertop steam oven is right for you? Keep reading to find out.
Contents
At a Glance
Countertop Steam Oven Product Reviews
Cuisinart Convection Stainless Steel Steam Oven: Best Overall
Dimensions: W: 11.4 inches (29 cm) H: 12.4 inches (31 cm) D: 11.8 inches (30 cm)
Capacity: 0.6 cubic feet (17 liters)
Wattage: 1800 Watts
The Cuisinart Convection Steam Oven has a capacity of 0.6 cubic feet (17 liters), large enough to accommodate a 4.5-pound chicken or a 12-inch pizza. It has a sleek stainless steel housing that looks great in any kitchen.
The removable reservoir can hold 47 ounces of water (1.3 liters). That means this steam oven is capable of providing up to two hours of steady, uninterrupted steam.
This convection oven is perfect for medium-sized households who want the most value out of their appliances. This unit can function as an oven, steamer, air fryer, food dehydrator, and microwave.
Customers enjoyed using the Cuisinart Steam Convection Oven for reheating leftovers, baking loaves of bread, roasting veggies, and preparing main courses like meatloaf, chicken, and more.
This steam oven features specialized bread-proofing technology to prove dough better and faster. Plus, Cuisinart claims this countertop oven can cook up to 40% faster than a conventional oven.
Some customers weren’t as thrilled with the air frying function, and several said there’s a learning curve to this oven. Others had issues with the water tank leaking water after a while, especially when moving the unit.
Overall, though, buyers were impressed with the quality and versatility of the Cuisinart countertop convection steam oven.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Easy to clean
- Great for bread
- Versatile, 9 cooking modes
Cons
- Learning curve
- Not as good for air frying
Geek Chef Air Fryer & Countertop Oven: Best Steaming/Air Fry Combo
Dimensions: W: 18 inches (46 cm) H: 10.8 inches (27 cm) D: 15.5 inches (39 cm)
Capacity: 26 quarts (25 liters)
Wattage: 1800 Watts
Next up on my list of the best countertop steam ovens is the Geek Chef Countertop Oven. In addition to steam cooking, this oven can also air fry and convection bake.
It has a spacious interior that can fit a 12-inch pizza, over 3 pounds of french fries, six slices of toast, or sixteen mini egg tarts. The three-layer design means you can get cook more food at once.
Geek Chef claims that high-temperature steam cooking can lower grease by up to 60%, allowing you to make healthy, flavorful recipes. And since it uses circulating steam to heat food, you don’t need as much oil, lowering the fat content of food.
This steam oven is a versatile appliance, as well. It has settings for roast, broil, steam, dehydrate, cookies, and bagel. The digital touchscreen offers precise time and temperature control
This air fryer steam oven comes with a baking tray, an air fryer basket, a grill rack, and a crumb tray. If that’s not enough, there are 40 built-in preset recipes to get you started.
Buyers had glowing reviews for the Geek Chef steam oven. They especially liked the air fry function for french fries, pizza, and other food. They enjoyed having multiple layers for baking multiple foods at once.
Several customers complained about the toaster function, however. The toast tends to be crisp and brown on the top side only, meaning you have to flip it halfway through.
A few also noted that the door is somewhat difficult to clean, especially in the grooves. But other than that, buyers were happy with their Geek Chef steam ovens.
If you’re planning to make a lot of toast, save your toaster and skip this oven. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this Geek Chef oven.
Pros
- Large capacity
- Several cooking functions
- Digital touch screen
- Includes 40 built-in recipes
Cons
- Door is difficult to clean
- Not optimized for toast
Balmuda Steam Oven & Toaster: Best Steam Toaster Oven
Dimensions: W: 36 inches (29 cm) H: 8.2 inches (21 cm) D: 12.6 inches (32 cm)
Capacity: 600 cubic inches (9.8 liters)
Wattage: 1300 Watts
If you like making artisan bread, the Balmuda Steam Oven & Toaster is right up your alley. This steam oven uses steam technology, heat control, and five cooking modes to bring out the best of any bread. It comes in one of four modern finishes.
This steam toaster oven is smaller than other ovens on my list. It has a compact size, making it great for small kitchens or tight spaces. But you might find it difficult to make enough food for a family.
The Balmuda toaster oven uses circulating steam to trap moisture, so food doesn’t dry out while heating.
Precise moisture control across three temperature zones creates crisp results on the outside while keeping pieces of bread fluffy inside.
With four bread modes, you can cook or reheat grains to perfection. The modes include pizza, artisan bread, sandwich, and pastry. Of course, you can also use the appliance in oven mode.
The Balmuda comes with a baking tray and goes all the way up to 450°F (230°C) for high-heat cooking.
Customers raved about their results with this steam oven. They loved the toast function and found this one of the best appliances to reheat slices of pizza and bread.
It is on the small side, so it’s not ideal for large batches. And customers noted that there is no broil function. But if you want moist, fluffy, perfectly cooked naan, bagels, or croissants? You can’t beat the Balmuda.
Pros
- Compact size
- Precise temperature control
- Four colors available
- Great for toast, pizza
- Four bread settings + oven mode
Cons
- Small cooking capacity
- No broil function
F. Blumlein Countertop Steam Oven: Best Large Capacity Steam Oven
Dimensions: W: 36 inches (29 cm) H: 8.2 inches (21 cm) D: 12.6 inches (32 cm)
Capacity: 26 quarts (25 liters)
Wattage: 1300 Watts
If you need a countertop steam oven with plenty of room, this F. Blumlein Countertop Steam Oven has you covered. With a spacious interior capacity of 26 quarts (25 liters), you can easily cook a 6-pound chicken, a 10-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or two dozen chicken wings.
This combi oven allows you to cook multiple dishes at once. It has top and bottom heating elements that can be set to different temperatures.
And if you thought this oven was just for steaming food, think again. It has multiple cooking modes for baking, grilling, and roasting. It even has a defrost and preheat setting.
Plus, the designated fermentation function ensures your dough never dries out while cooking, allowing you to bake perfectly soft, fresh sandwich bread.
Other notable features include the see-through door and interior light for easy monitoring, the child lock for safety, and the delay start for ultimate convenience.
The control panel is responsive to touch and user-friendly. Each cooking mode has a separate start button, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally choosing the wrong function.
One of my favorite features is the exhaust system. Instead of emitting steam out of the top and back of the unit, this steam oven vents through the front. By retaining heat inside the oven, you and your cabinets are protected from steam damage.
Customers were happy with the F. Blumlein steam combi oven. They loved the quick preheating and the cooking performance. They had success making pizzas, chicken, bread, and some even cooked a whole turkey.
Many buyers said they replaced their microwaves with this steam oven. It does take up a lot of space, but it has enough room to cook a variety of dishes, earning its spot on the counter.
But be prepared for a learning curve. Multiple customers said they would have liked clearer instructions in the user manual. But once you experiment with different times and temperatures, you’ll be making delicious meals in no time.
Pros
- Roomy interior
- Specialized fermentation function
- Steam vents out the front
- Delay start
- Independent top & bottom heating elements
- Multiple cooking functions
Cons
- Takes up a lot of counter space
- A bit difficult to operate
NutriChef Countertop Convection Oven: Best Bargain Steam Oven
Dimensions: W: 36 inches (29 cm) H: 8.2 inches (21 cm) D: 12.6 inches (32 cm)
Capacity: 18 quarts (17 liters)
Wattage: 1300 Watts
The NutriChef Countertop Oven has a capacity of 18 quarts (17 liters), making it suited for medium-sized families.
It’s different from other choices on my list. Instead of being a steam oven with other cooking functions, the NutriChef is primarily an air fryer and convection oven with a steam function.
But it’s quite versatile. The NutriChef is great for baking, roasting, steaming, broiling, and air frying. (If you need more ideas for roasting, check out my complete guide to roaster ovens.)
It also features a wide glass cooking bowl instead of the typical stainless steel cooking chamber. The fan and heating element are built into the lid. With a maximum heat of 480°F (250°C), you can cook a wide range of foods.
You can get up to an hour’s worth of cooking time with the NutriChef, and you can save up to 50% in cooking time when compared with a regular oven.
It comes with two wire racks and plate tongs for convenience, as well as an extender ring for an extra cooking room.
Buyers had positive things to say about NutriChef. They liked having control over the time and temperature, and they liked having a see-through bowl to monitor food for doneness. They were pleased with how evenly the oven heated food, as well.
However, some customers experienced shattering bowls or lids. This is always a risk with glass, unfortunately. Others complained about the lid. When you remove the lid after steaming, it’s quite hot underneath.
Some were unable to rest the lid on the counter while removing food for fear that it would overheat or melt the material. I recommend using a separate steam tray or baking pan to rest the lid on while removing food.
Despite those flaws, the NutriChef is one of the best bargain steam ovens. It’s the perfect pick for those who want big flavor on a tight budget.
Pros
- Versatile appliance
- A clear glass bowl for easy monitoring
- Includes extender ring for extra room
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Can’t rest the lid on the countertop after steaming
- Reports of glass shattering
Tovala Smart 6-In-1 Countertop Oven: Best Smart Oven
Dimensions: W: 36 inches (29 cm) H: 8.2 inches (21 cm) D: 12.6 inches (32 cm)
Wattage: 1300 Watts
Tovala Smart 6-in-1 Countertop Oven offers the best in convenience. It has five cooking modes, including steam, bake, broil, reheat, and toast.
If you like smart appliances, you’ll enjoy the Tovala. Use your smartphone to set the cook mode and cooking time. Monitor your food’s progress from the next room and receive an alert when the food is finished.
Tovala steam ovens can make judgments and adjustments in the middle of the cooking cycle to optimize your results. The Wi-Fi capability allows the oven to detect the state of the food and match the cook cycle to your preferences.
Tovala’s free mobile app includes a collection of over 60 recipes. Begin cooking with the touch of a button.
And if you shop at Trader Joe’s? You can even scan the barcode of their store-bought meals and push the start button.
Buyers had high praise for the Tovala Smart Oven. They liked the ease of use and the convenience. They loved their results with pre-made meals and frozen food.
The only downsides? It’s a little tricky to clean, and some customers noted that Tovala pushes a meal subscription plan to customers. The plan is not required, and many buyers loved the oven even without it, but just know they’ll advertise it to you.
If you like steam ovens that are on the cutting edge of technology, the Tovala is for you.
Pros
- Smart sensing feature
- 5 cooking functions
- Control the cook cycle from your phone
- Great for store-bought meals
Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Pushes a meal subscription (not required)
Buying Guide: Countertop Steam Ovens
What is a Combi Oven?
Don’t let the term combi oven confuse you. It’s simply the abbreviation for combination oven, i.e. an oven that mixes convection and steam cooking.
These steam convection ovens hold moisture more efficiently and cook food more evenly than standard ovens. They also hold more nutrients and improve the overall color of food.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Countertop Steam Oven
The size is one of the most important considerations. Countertop steam ovens come in a wide range of sizes and capacities.
If you enjoy entertaining or plan to cook meals for your family, get a unit that can handle the appropriate amount of food. A smaller oven would be better if you are single or only want to use the oven for small portions.
Of course, you’ll want to measure the available space you have to see if the appliance will fit.
All countertop steam ovens have a specific water tank capacity, which varies from oven to oven. If you plan to steam vegetables or heat food, you might not need a large water tank.
However, if you’re planning to cook full-course meals, you might consider an oven with a larger water reservoir.
A timer is a convenient feature when you can’t watch over your food as it cooks. A delay start is great for busy home cooks who can’t spend hours in the kitchen.
As with all countertop appliances, safety is a top priority. Child locks keep little hands from danger, while automatic shutoff will prevent overcooking food.
Can I Use a Steam Oven as a Regular Oven?
A steam oven has various features that are used to cook a variety of food. A steam oven can be used to cook, steam, roast, bake, and even dehydrate. Bigger steam ovens are ideal for cooking large quantities of food.
Depending on which features you want, certain steam ovens might be a better fit for you. For instance, not all ovens have a broil function. So if you plan on browning the top layers of cheese regularly, you should avoid those ovens.
You can also go the old-fashioned route and steam using a bamboo steamer. This is a popular method in Japanese cuisine that leads to delicious results. Find the best bamboo steamers for the job.
Can You Air Fry with a Steam Oven?
Many steam ovens are combination ovens that also have an air fry function. Not all, mind you, but most. Air fryers commonly come in combination with other functions, like an air fryer grill combo. So this is not unusual.
Even the ones that don’t have a designated air fryer function have a convection bake function, which is practically the same thing. A convection oven cooks food by circulating hot air. The same thing happens when you air fry food.
Best Steam Oven: The Last Word
Which countertop steam oven is at the top? I recommend the Cuisinart Countertop Convection Steam Oven. It’s one of the best countertop steam ovens in terms of performance, value, and versatility.
