Even if you love cooking or baking, there are probably times when the thought of turning on the oven makes you grimace, especially if you live in a warmer climate.

Amazon, Walmart

Given how much a hot oven can increase the temperature in your kitchen (or your whole home if you’re in a small apartment like me), not to mention the time it takes to preheat, you might be tempted to ditch the traditional oven-and-stove methods for your meals in when the mercury rises.

I don’t blame you, and I have the solution: small cooking appliances.

Countertop appliances like air fryers, toaster ovens, pressure cookers, and multi-functional kitchen gadgets are the MVPs for days when it’s too hot to use your oven. Most of them preheat and cook much quicker than a full-sized oven and won’t leave you sweating over your countertop. Plus, they have some other sweet perks, including parts that are often dishwasher-safe and cooking methods that require less oil, like air frying.

Whatever your next mealtime recipe is, consider ditching the oven and trying out one of these reviewer-approved small appliances. Who knows? Like some shoppers below did, you may just give up on the oven life forever.

1. This 8-in-1 Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven with a grill

Target

I bought the older model of this Cuisinart air fryer oven three years ago that I still swear by, which has since been discontinued (though you can still purchase it on Amazon). This newer model still has the seven functions I love using on the old one (air fry, toast, bake, convection bake, broil, convection broil, and warm), but it's also been upgraded with a grill feature and includes a dual-sided grill and griddle plate.

I can't stress enough how useful this thing is for saving counter space on so many appliances — not to mention making mealtime arrive so much faster and without heating up the whole kitchen like a traditional oven would. 

Promising review: "This oven is very simple to operate, with a set of four knobs to select the cooking mode, oven temperature, baking timer, and toast darkness. It is kind of "retro" with no digital controls or screens to wade through, which we really like. We have had this for about a month now, and it has operated perfectly and meets all of our needs. It is also compact and fits well on our counter. At a fraction of the price of more elaborate air fryer/toaster ovens, this is a great buy in our opinion." —Daniel Miller

Get it from Amazon for $179.95.

2. This multi-functional NInja indoor grill

Amazon

We've covered this versatile indoor grill before, lauded by reviewers for its even cooking of meats and smart thermometer that takes the guesswork out of under- or overcooking. The 7-in-1 appliance has a 12-inch flat-top griddle, a grilling grate that can fit six steaks and an air crisper basket. 

Promising review: "We have had a few different brands and models, and this Ninja Foodie is our absolute favorite. EVERYTHING we have made in it has been fabulous! It’s especially great to use in the summer when we don’t want to heat the kitchen up with the oven Thinks cook even and perfect! Veggies, meats, frozen foods. All excellent!" —Mom of 2

Get it from Amazon for $179.99.

3. The reviewer-beloved Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Amazon

Though this is definitely a splurge item, the thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, Sur La Table, and Best Buy alike are a sign that this appliance is worth the money. It has 13 cooking functions, including toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, proof, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook, and dehydrate. The device also has a smart LCD display and a capacity of 1 cubic foot (in other words, you can fit an entire 12-muffin tray or 14-pound turkey inside). It even uses smart algorithms and digital temperature control to make sure your food cooks evenly.

Promising review: "We have a big, double-oven arrangement in a fairly large kitchen. But since we bought the Breville last year, we almost never use the big oven anymore. It's just too, well, big... It consumes too much electricity, it's too hot in the summer, and it doesn't have near the versatility of the Breville. The only downside to owing the Breville is that you'll have to check your big household oven every year or two to make sure it still works, since you won't be using it much anymore." —AMZShopper

Get it from Amazon for $399.95.

4. A 9-in-1 Instant Pot with over 34,000 5-star ratings on Amazon

Amazon

This 6-quart Instant Pot is the "set it and forget it" appliance you didn't know you needed. Able to do everything from pressure cooking to steaming and even yogurt making, it has a smart display that's easy to read and able to execute all nine functions with the press of a button. Plus, there are 10 safety features, including one that prevents overheating. The lid, inner pot and accessories are also all dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.

Promising review: "My favorite kitchen appliance, after the air fryer. We use this almost every day and CONSTANTLY on the weekends for food prep. I even make my own yogurt which I thought sounded ridiculous until I started making it and discovered how good it is, making for a cheap, healthy snack for the whole family.We use it for chili, soup, boiled eggs, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and much more. It's really great in the summer when you don’t want to heat the oven." —Jamie

Get it from Amazon for $129.95 (also available in two other sizes).

5. A Hamilton Beach breakfast sandwich maker

Amazon

Who doesn't love a good breakfast sandwich? This sandwich maker, which is available in five colors, lets you customize your ingredient choices for bread, cheese, meats and more, and can cook a sandwich up in just five minutes. It even has an egg cooker ring. Once you're done using it, all removable parts are nonstick and dishwasher-safe, and the appliance is less than a foot tall so you can easily store it away.

Promising review: "I have wanted this for so long and boy am I glad I bought it! Easy set up right out of the box. It took about 5-8 minutes to heat up properly and then I was a sammich making fool! 5 minutes per sandwich, super easy and very easy clean up. The machine is non stick, so everything wiped off easy peasy. Step and fast food!" —Rachael E.

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+.

6. The mega-popular Zojirushi rice cooker

Amazon

This rice cooker is chef-approved, and for good reason: It uses fuzzy logic technology to cook your rice perfectly, has multiple settings for white rice, brown rice, steaming and even cake (no more turning on the oven to bake), two delay time features, reheating and keep warm functions — plus a retractable power cord for easy storage. 

Promising review: "This is the first high end rice cooker we’ve ever bought, and it’s far surpassed all our expectations. I cannot rave about this product enough. Perfect fluffy and EVENLY cooked rice every time. Very easy to use. It’s also versatile; it makes cake and other recipes, and doubles as a steamer. My only regret is not having bought this sooner." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $192+ (available in two sizes and two colors).

7. A Ninja Foodi two-basket air fryer to majorly cut down on cooking time

Amazon

What's better than one air fryer? One air fryer that cooks two things at once, of course. This Ninja Foodi two-basket air fryer has two 3-quart cooking baskets and dual-zone technology, so you can easily prepare your main and sides at the same time. It has a wide temperature range of 105 to 400 degrees, nonstick cooking baskets, and dishwasher-safe crisper plates. The dual-basket design can air fry, bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate.

Promising review: "I never thought I would get an air fryer, but I had several people rave about this model, so I rolled the dice. This is amazing! Very versatile and does not take up too much room. Super easy to use and clean when done. I like that it has the two basket areas, that you can utilize to multi-task and get multiple things made. This will definitely be getting a lot of use in my household!" —Bobby D

Get it from Amazon for $118.95.

8. A sleek and durable electric skillet with precision temperature control

Amazon

This electric skillet can hold up to six quarts and heat up to 400 degrees. Reviewers say it heats up fast, cutting down on preheating time, and it requires less oil than a traditional nonstick skillet. It also has a durable ceramic copper coating, and the glass lid is dishwasher-safe. Reviewers have been impressed with its ability to perfectly cook chicken, vegetables, fish, and more.

Promising review: "I can’t live without my electric frying pan. I can make absolutely any meal in it. It’s so easy. Why mess with a grill or heat up your oven? And this is extra deep so you can double up on your ingredients and plenty of food to go around!! Don’t look any further because you won’t find a better one than this electric frying pan." —nancy fletcher

Get it from Amazon for $48.30.

9. The TikTok-viral Balmuda steam toaster oven

Amazon

There's no denying the gorgeous, sleek look of this toaster oven, but the aesthetic value isn't the only thing it has going for it. The device utilizes steam technology to heat food quicker but keep moisture from escaping (because who wants dry toast?). You can also use it for much more than toast, with modes for artisan bread, pizza, pastries, and more.

Promising review: "If you really enjoy toast and eat it frequently then this toaster oven is for you. Or if you just want great toast AND a great toaster oven for pizzas, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. then this is for you as well. Unlike most toaster/toaster ovens it is very precise and consistent. It’s what you would expect from a Japanese product. Whatever you make comes out the same every time so you can make adjustments on the timer for your personal preferences. And the water feature makes even refrigerated bread taste fresh. So is it worth the money? For a toaster and toaster oven that works perfectly? Yes!" —DT

Get it from Amazon for $239.20+ (available in five colors).

10. This gorgeous air fryer with a simple touch-activated display

Walmart

This air fryer from Beautiful by Drew Barrymore is sleek and simple — the touch-activated display cuts down on confusing knobs and dials. The temperature is adjustable between 90 and 400 degrees, and the 60-minute automatic shut-off function will help keep you and your food safe. It also has a 6-quart and 3-quart version. 

Promising review: "When my college-aged son told me he wanted an air fryer, I hesitated. Ours at home always burned food on the outside and left it cold in the middle. However, I picked him up this Beautiful Air Fryer and I am so glad that I did. It cooked our chicken perfectly and was simple to clean. This is how an air fryer is supposed to work!! I love it so much that I just ordered another one for home!" —laurie

Get them from Walmart: the 6-quart version for $69 (available in eight colors) or the 3-quart version for $39.96 (available in six colors).

11. A no-frills 2-quart slow cooker perfect for solo chefs

Amazon

A friend bought this for me as a gift because I'd wanted a slow cooker but knew I would never use a large 6-quart one because I had neither the space nor the mouths to feed. At its affordable price, though, I'd totally buy this with my own money. I've become obsessed with my trusty little pink slow cooker, which cuts down on a lot of the bells and whistles for just one easy-to-understand knob with three temperature settings. I'm no expert cook, so the simplicity is a relief, but even those cooking up a storm for friends and family will find the appetizer-friendly size of this thing useful. It also comes with a pack of five liners so you can get cooking ASAP.

Promising review: "I really like this little guy! I live alone and wanted something small to throw dinner for one in so that it’s ready when I get home from work. This works perfectly and is cute too! Super easy and no big mess to clean up. I make up a lot of my own recipes so I can scale them down and give me options." —Debbie S.

Get it from Amazon for $26.98+ (available in three colors).

12. A 12-inch countertop pizza maker and indoor grill

Amazon

Homemade pizza is a dinnertime classic, but this nonstick Betty Crocker countertop pizza maker saves you from the oven-cleaning hassle that usually follows. This 1440-watt electric griddle isn't limited to pizza, however: Consider it your new go-to for quesadillas, nachos, pancakes, grilled cheese, paninis, and so much more. 

Promising review: "I bought this for homemade pizzas...BUT surprise....I have ended up using it for literally everything else. It's too handy, heats up quickly and well hot enough to take care of business and it doesn't heat the whole house up in the heat of summer like the oven would. I have ended up using it far more for hot sandwiches and homemade quesadillas, light tarts/quiche and all those "don't feel like really cooking" quick meals and snacks. Also, a friend found out hers is a great hors d'oeuvres warmer (she's a caterer) on the fly when one of her warmers bit the dust. It's surprisingly versatile and the perfect size to be able to serve a meal for two easily. Also simple enough a youth (with reasonable responsibility) could fix them something quick and hot after school I do wish it had an auto shut-off feature for this reason. It does well for what it is intended but so much more. Very happy with it." —A.D. Jernigan

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

13. A two-tier electric food steamer for veggies, dumplings and more

Amazon

Perfect for steaming veggies, as well as fish, meat and dumplings, this two-tier steamer has two stackable containers for easy multitasking and cutting down on cooking time. It has an indicator light, 60-minute timer and an auto-shut off feature when it's done. The two tiers can hold up to a total of 5 quarts.

Promising review: "This thing has made my life so much easier, let me tell you. Shamefully easier, even. It's compact, SUPER EASY to clean, incredibly straightforward. I mean, it's a steamer, not brain surgery. BUT! For someone who works full-time with about two seconds of free time, this thing is a godsend! I've missed steamed foods terribly, as it's about half of what I ate growing up. I've had a hard time finding a good steam pot duo I've wanted to really sink money into, and like I said, with a full-time job I don't have a lot of time to cook as much as I'd like to. I didn't want to spend money on a big pot that I won't have much time to use, or even adequately utilize, as it's just my girlfriend and I right now. I tried those collapsing basket steamers as a happy compromise, but you know what? Ain't nothing happy about those my guy. Those baskets are hot trash.

Enter: this thing. I come home, pop it out of the cabinet and it takes literal seconds to set up. I love this steamer. Cleanup is fast, the stacking chamber is dishwasher safe. The price is great. This thing is perfect honestly for anyone, but especially if you're a single person or couple living in an apartment, or just don't want another appliance taking up half your counter. If you're like me and have been looking for a convenient steamer, you really can't find anything lazier than this. If you've never cooked with a steamer before, the price and ease of use also makes it a good entry point!" —Nolan

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.