Top rated toaster oven also one of the least expensive

Sometimes the oven or microwave is not the best tool for the job. Whether you're reheating pizza, broiling burgers or baking a small meal, a toaster oven can be the perfect small appliance to have.

Consumer Reports tested several models to find the one that heats the best and those that can bake batches of sugar cookies and muffins. 

One toaster undercooked the muffins, while the treats baked in another over turned out perfectly browned.

The toaster oven that came out on top of all the tests – from perfect toast to solid baking and reheating – was the $170 Breville BOV650XL.

It's one of the least expensive models Consumer Reports tested. Another bonus: it's compact, so it won't take up as much precious counter space. 

Consumer Reports says other helpful features that may be available are an interior light and a counter clock to help cooks know how much time is left.