Roaster ovens can make an incredible addition to any kitchen arsenal. While many of us are limited by our stationary kitchen appliances, roaster ovens are completely portable. Sifting through the many customer responses, there are 3 major reasons people were really impressed with their roaster ovens...
Roaster ovens transport easy, retain moisture, and slow cook food to perfection.
But not all roaster ovens were created equally. To find the right model for you, we've laid out the 11 Best Roaster Ovens of 2020 by category, review count, star rating, warranty period, common customer responses and an overall conclusion of each model.
We've placed our list in order of increasing size (from 6 to 24 Quarts)
Enjoy!
Top 3 Compared
The BIGGEST Complaints with Roaster Ovens!!
By far the most common complaint we hear about roaster ovens is that they're incapable of browning a bird. This is especially deceiving considering most of us relate "browning" to "roasting".
The bad news...
Roaster ovens retain a lot of moisture on the outside of the bird which inhibits the maillard reaction from occurring as quickly as it would in a conventional oven.
The good news...
There are most definitely techniques to browning your turkey (or whatever bird for that matter) successfully in an electric roaster oven. Check out our guide below.
Recommended Products
1) Nesco 6 Qt (Mini)
Roaster Oven
- Fits up to 15 Lb Bird
- 200-450°F Temp Range
- Under $60
- 1 Year Warranty
2) Proctor Silex 18 Quart Roaster Oven
- Fits 24 Lb Bird
- 125-450°F Temp Range (plus lower to keep food warm)
- Removable Rack with Handles
- Under $100
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
3) Nesco 18 Quart
Roaster Oven
- UL Approved
- 200-450°F Temp Range
- Removable Enamel Cook Well and Rack with Handles
- Under $100
- One Year Limited Warranty
4) Sunvivi 18 QT Electric Roaster Oven w/ Self Basting Lid
- Fits up to a 22 lb turkey
- Self-Basting lid
- Cool touch handles
- Perfect turkey & other birds
- Classic, simple design
- One Year Limited Warranty
5) HeyNemo 20 QT Roaster Oven w/ Cool Touch Handles
- Fits up to 24 Lb Bird
- Keep warm - 450°F Temp Range
- Removable tray is dishwasher safe)
- Removable enamel pan and rack included
- Under $100
- One Year Limited Warranty
6) Hamilton Beach
22 Qt Roaster Oven
w/ Self Basting Lid
- Fits 28 Lb Bird
- 150 - 450°F Temp Range
- Self Basting Lid (Grooves in Lid)
- Under $60
- One Year Limited Warranty (US)
- Five Year Limited Warranty (Canada)
7) Oster 22 Qt Roaster Oven
w/ Self Basting Lid
- Fits 26 Lb Bird
- Keep Warm - 450°F Temp Range
- Self Basting Lid (Grooves in Lid)
- Included Roasting Rack and Pan
- Under $80
- One Year Limited Warranty
8) Sunvivi 24 Qt Electric Roaster w/ Window and Self Basting Lid
- Fits up to a 30Lb bird
- Four different size options (18, 20, 22 and 24 QT)
- Deep & wide lid
- Window on lid
- Self-basting lid
- One Year Limited Warranty
9) EaZy BranZ Oberdome
Roaster Oven
- Fits 22 Lb Bird
- 150 - 450°F Temp Range
- Can Bake Flat Foods (Pizzas, Cakes, Bread, etc.)
- 1100 Watts and Preheats in 6 Minutes
- Under $70
- One Year Limited Warranty
10) Viking 8.5 Qt 3-Ply Oven Roaster
(Does not Contain Heating Source)
- Fits 14 Lb Bird
- Safe to 600°F
- Can Use as a Roaster, Dutch Oven or Stock Pot
- Stainless Steel
- Under $200
- Lifetime Limited Warranty
11) Breville BOV900BSS Countertop
Convection Oven
- Fits up to 14 Lb Bird
- Doubles as an air fryer
- Interior oven light
- Dehydrate setting
- LCD display
- Includes 13 inch pizza pan
- 2 Year limited warranty
Why a Roaster Oven?
1) Portability
One of the most attractive features of a roaster oven is how easily it can be transported. Being able to take an oven wherever you go means you can create epic meals literally anywhere. Taking your roaster oven around is as easy as unplugging it and putting it in the car.
2) Moist Meals
What's the most common complaint with any cooked bird? It's too DRY! Roaster ovens are moisture retaining machines. By far, the most notorious customer responses to all the roaster ovens below are how moist the dishes come out. If your roaster oven does nothing else, it will dependably give you a moist, succulent party dish.
3) Less Cook Times
Heating up an oven can feel like it takes a lifetime, especially when you're cooking for a hungry crowd. Roaster ovens heat up a much smaller area and thus preheat in a fraction of the time.
4) Easier to Dial in
Trying to perfect using a stovetop and oven can feel like a huge hassle. Roaster ovens are much more predictable after the first few uses.
5) Cheaper
For the quality roasts you're able to perform, there really isn't anything like a roaster oven. As you skim through Amazon, you'll find one of the most common responses to be "best turkey I've ever cooked." Considering how much you might pay for a traditional oven, roaster ovens are very reasonably priced.
6) Easy Clean Up
All the roaster ovens below are made with an insert that is designed for easy clean up. Wait for it to cool down, and scrub it with soap and water. Some are even dishwasher safe.
What to Look Out For
1) Size
By far the most important aspect of picking out the right roaster oven is knowing the right size for your needs. Here are some general guidelines to help find the right capacity for you.
6 Quart: Good for a house of 1-2 people who plan on cooking small meals for themselves. It can work for soups, beans, and veggies, but can't handle bigger birds.
16 Quart: Good for birds generally up to 18 pounds.
18 Quart: Good for birds generally up to 24 pounds.
22 Quart: Good for birds generally up to 28 pounds
24 Quart: Good for birds generally up to 30 pounds.
2) Heat Indicator
It's important to have an indicator light that tells you when the oven is hot. Roaster ovens can easily burn you if you're not careful, and the light is a nice precaution to have.
3) Temperature Range
The bigger the temperature range, the more versatile the roaster oven. Look for a roaster oven that ranges from "keep warm" to 450°F.
4) Portability
Make sure the weight and dimensions fit your spaces and that you will be comfortable carrying it. Both of these variables are included with each roaster oven model below.
5) Clean-ability
Thankfully, most modern roaster ovens come with a non-stick insert. Just make sure reviewers had a good experience with cleaning their roaster oven. You'll find this in our Pros and Cons section of each review.
6) Price
It's important to know that you're getting what you need for a price that it deserves. As far as we can tell, there is no reason for any roaster oven to be over $100.
Best Roaster Ovens
1) Nesco 4816-14 Porcelain 6 Quart Roaster Oven
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Inventing the roaster oven in 1931, Nesco has been around for a very, very long time. They continue to represent a market of people who just want a kitchen appliance to do its primary job, and do it well. In this case, that means slow roasting chickens, pork and any other melt-off-the-bone meat you can think of.
The most common response to this model was how well it slow-cooked. It maintains its advertised temperature well and it can be stowed away very easily. There were several remarks about porcelain flavor in their meals, but I'm assuming this is due to them not following the initial burn-off process to get rid of the remaining material residue from the factory.
Concluding:
If you want a reasonably priced, smaller roaster oven that specializes in slow roasting soups, broths, and small birds, this unit may be the one for you. I encourage you to do your own research and see if this unit fits the bill.
2) Proctor Silex 32200 18 Quart Roaster Oven
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Proctor Silex’s 24 lb turkey roaster oven does exactly what it’s supposed to do - it cooks your turkey. It’s large enough to hold up to a 24 lb turkey, but not so cumbersome that it takes up your entire kitchen.
Really, the rack for removing larger meats makes this a decent enough investment. Reviewers were pleased with the roaster's ability to keep their turkeys, chickens, and other meats nice and moist.
The troubles lie in the quality of the components and the lack of any newfangled equipment. Some reviewers took to Amazon to relay the poor build and cheaper feeling parts to Proctor Silex.
Whether it’s the lid, the handles, or the removable pan - reviewers think Proctor Silex cut some corners. One of the other common themes among unsatisfied, verified purchasers is the lack of any 21st-century tech.
Some of the complainants suggest adding an LED panel or an on/off switch. We know, right? Something as simple as an on/off switch would improve the roaster’s overall value.
That being said, they also weren’t happy with the roaster’s ability to brown their turkey. Full disclosure - you might need to brown it afterward if that’s what you’re into. All in all, taking the price into consideration with the moistness this oven provides makes it a reasonable prospect to consider purchasing.
3) Nesco 18 Quart MWR18-13
Roaster Oven
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
I'm always hesitant to put any items on a list that don't have an ample review count, but there were three important variables that sold me:
1) "Hot" Indicator Light: Diminished the chance of unintentional burning.
2) Low Price: A competitively low price with high reviews.
3) UI Approved (Underwriters Laboratory Approved): Ul means this company is doing their part to ensure the unit is safe for consumer use.
Again, this unit has not had enough time to accumulate substantial reviews to justify the quality. But so far so good; this unit is showing promising feedback.
4) Sunvivi 18 QT Roaster Oven w/ Self Basting Lid
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Sunvivi is another anomaly in the world of Amazon appliances. It has managed to keep a 4.6 star rating (as of 11/13/2021) while reaching over 670 reviews.
Reviewers made sure everyone was well aware of how moist and perfect their turkeys turned out. It’s large enough to fit up to a 22 lb turkey and it frees up your oven for your stuffing, green bean casserol, and other sides.
This has to be repeated - most appliances you buy need a few “dry runs” before actually using it for dinner. When machines are made in a factory they will almost always have residual minerals and oils from the factory inside.
Following the instructions that come with the unit is always a good idea. The reason we bring this up here, again, is because nearly all of the negative reviews on Amazon are about this issue. This is something that’s super easy to navigate around, so don’t let it get your turkey in a twist.
Overall, we give this two thumbs up. It’s big, it browns, and it makes perfect turkey - what more can you ask for? Maybe an LED panel and some added, extra functionality. But sincerely, even without any of that, we can’t complain about how well this electric oven does its job.
5) HeyNemo 20 QT Roaster Oven w/ Cool Touch Handles
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Accumulating over 520 reviews and still holding a 4.6 star rating (as of 11/13/2021) is more impressive than it might initially seem. If you’re spending the holidays trying to break a turkey’s legs to get it to fit inside then you aren’t alone.
In fact, a lot of people struggle to find room in their ovens for any sort of bird big enough to feed a large family. That’s one of the best parts about investing in a roaster.
This electric roaster oven pulls its weight around the kitchen. Especially during the holidays. Honestly, the adjustable warming function and the shear size of the thing make this roaster a particularly good appliance to keep year round. It also doubles as a slow cooker, so it isn’t taking up more space than necessary.
Ultimately, the issues that plague most electric roaster ovens are prevalent here too. It’s a large appliance that can be hard to clean - unless you have a huge sink… or you break out the garden hose. With that being said, we can feel pretty darn confident about recommending this roaster.
The same quality roaster is also available in 18, 20, 22 qt 24 qt options.
6) Hamilton Beach 22 Quart Roaster Oven w/ Self Basting Lid
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
If you've spent any time sifting through the first page of Amazon reviews, you know that they're usually the most critical. These reviews get their top spot from getting the most "found this helpful" clicks. When the majority of these first page reviews are high reviews, it means the product has truly had a positive affect on customers.
And that's exactly what the Hamilton Beach 22 quart roaster oven has achieved, a very positive first page of Amazon reviews. It should also be noted that more customers said this roaster oven could genuinely brown a bird, than those who said it couldn't.
Keep size in mind when purchasing a 22 quart roaster oven. While these things can feed a small village, they can also take up a bunch of room. Also, think about where you're going to clean it.
7) Oster 22 Quart Roaster Oven
w/ Self Basting Lid
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
I usually try and keep customer quotes to a minimum in our Pros and Cons list, but I just couldn't help myself. The shear number of exclamation points in these reviews were unheard of. People were ecstatic with how this unit cooked their turkey. Remarks of moist, brown, delicious birds coming out of something other than an oven is pretty spectacular.
The Oster 22 Quart roaster oven won us over because of the overwhelming consensus that this oven can definitively brown a bird. The first thing that comes to mind when we think "roast," is usually meat with a crisp, browned surface. It's a little odd that half the units we reviewed had common complaints about the ovens inability to brown their food. Thankfully, this Oster model performs and has earned the title "roaster oven."
There was one customer who wrote an extensive review of their experience with this model. While he said it cooked extremely well, the item seemed to be made of cheap material. This isn't surprising if you look at the price tag. Just know this unit has a 1 year warranty and may not last as long as you'd like. Keep in mind that the price tag is so low, replacing it every so often isn't the worst option. I'll let you decide.
8) Sunvivi 24 Qt Electric Roaster w/ Window and Self Basting Lid
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Generally speaking, we believe in going big or going home. If you need to cook anything from a rack of ribs to a gigantic 30 lb turkey then Sunvivi’s electric roaster will get the job done. Plus, it’ll get the job done right, according to reviewers.
This electric roaster has over 225 reviews on Amazon and it’s overwhelmingly positive. The top reviews all include comments about how “crispy and juicy” this roaster leaves its birds.
Honestly, there isn’t much to complain about. The electric roaster makes easy work of regular-sized birds while retaining the ability to cook larger ones.
Those who did complain were largely aggravated by the presence of manufacturer’s “burn-off”. Most appliances, like this one, need to be run through a few cycles to get the greases and leftovers out of the unreachable and uncleanable insides of said appliance.
It’s a fairly common occurrence, so be sure to follow the included instructions - which mentions how to easily solve those problems.
In the end, the ability to cook a bird as large as 30 lbs, tied with the performance, and the price, leaves you with a good taste in your mouth. The overwhelming reviews lead you to the conclusion that this fairly priced machine gets the job done right and leaves you feeling satisfied.9) EaZy BrandZ EZO-3016B
Oberdome Roaster Oven
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
For all of those who desire a little more versatility with their roaster oven, the EaZy BrandZ Oberdome may be the unit for you. With its flat-plate bottom and heated dome, you can easily bake bread, pizza and cakes on top of your typical birds. Its simple design also allows it to be cleaned, stored and transported easily.
The most common positive remarks were with how fast this oven cooks compared to the traditional house oven. With less space to heat up, cook times can easily be cut in half.
While it does bake, keep in mind that the heating element is in the lid. Since the heating only comes from the top, this can keep items like pizzas from crisping on the bottom. People also said it took up a lot of space on the counter. Just a few things to keep in mind.
10) Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roaster Oven (no heating element)
Dimensions
Unique Features
Pros
Cons
Summary:
Yes, a slight deviation from the list, but this no-heat-element roaster oven is a sturdy, versatile, high quality piece of machinery. While many assume this unit to be strictly devoted to the oven, countless reviewers talked about its proficiency with induction and the stove top. So, the question becomes:
Why would I buy this over an electric roaster oven?
1) You need the counter space and an electric roaster oven would take up too much room.
2) You want something that will last a long time (and include a lifetime warranty).
Electric roaster ovens are fantastic pieces of equipment. Unfortunately, manufacturers began using cheaper materials to save people more money. This came at the expense of the longevity of some of these units. So, if you want to diminish the chance of having to replace your roaster oven in the next few years, I highly recommend the Viking 3-Ply Roaster Oven.
Keep in mind, some people thought this roaster oven was too small for their needs. To give you an idea, people said a 14 Pound bird was about as big as it can hold.
11) Breville BOV900BSS Countertop Convection Oven