Living in Florida means I’m always looking for excuses not to turn on my full-size oven. Between the heat, the long preheat times, and the way it instantly makes the kitchen 10 degrees hotter, I generally avoid it unless I absolutely have to. This is why countertop ovens have gradually become my favorite, although I’ll be honest…a lot of smart ovens promise the world and often fall flat.
But the iQ Mini Oven is different. It’s currently on sale and, more importantly, I discovered that it works like a smart oven should. No gimmicks, no frustration, and I don’t wonder why I paid extra for features I never use.
A smart oven that doesn’t complicate things
The iQ MiniOven manages to strike the right balance between powerful and practical. It offers 11 different cooking modes, including baking, roasting, air frying, toasting, dehydrating, slow cooking, reheating and even proofing – something I use a lot as I’m determined to perfect a sourdough recipe in 2026. It can reach temperatures of up to 500 degrees and uses a high-powered internal motor to maintain a constant airflow, which makes a real difference when you want crispy results without keeping your food.
Although it’s compact enough for the countertop, the interior is surprisingly roomy. It can fit a 13-inch pizza or a standard 9×13 baking dish, which is more than enough for weeknight dinners or small batch baking.
The design is great too. It’s sleek and modern, while the touchscreen is bright and responsive. The inner light actually allows me to see what’s going on inside (which my previous toaster oven I didn’t) and the soft close door seems more premium than I expected.
It also connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and works with the Chef iQ app. And unlike some smart devices, the app is genuinely useful. I can track cooking progress, get guided help, and adjust settings without hovering around the kitchen. In warm weather, that alone seems like a win.
Why Price Makes Sense in the Long Term
At full price, the iQ MiniOven is firmly in investment territory. Even with the current sale bringing it down to $499.99 from $599.99This is not an impulse purchase. But smart ovens are the kind of appliance that can pay for themselves quietly over time.
When an appliance replaces a toaster oven, a air fryer and a good portion of the use of your full-size oven, the value adds up quickly. You save time, energy and a lot of unnecessary heat. For me, it’s become the default option for everyday meals, meaning my big oven stays off a lot more often than before.
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The essentials
If you live somewhere hot, hate turning on your big oven, and want a countertop option that actually delivers what it promises, the iQ MiniOven is worth a look, especially when it’s on sale.
It’s fast, flexible and genuinely useful, which is more than I can say for many smart ovens. It’s one of those kitchen upgrades that earns its place on the counter and continues to earn it every time you cook.
