Living in Florida means I’m always looking for excuses not to turn on my full-size oven. In the middle of the heat, the long preheat times and the way it instantly makes the kitchen feel 10 degrees warmer, I usually avoid it unless I really have to. So countertop ovens are slowly becoming my go-to, although I’ll be honest… a lot smart ovens promise the world and often fall.

But the iQ MiniOven it’s different. It’s currently on sale, and more importantly, I know it works the way a smart oven should. No gimmicks, no frustrations and no wonder why I’m overpaying for features I don’t use.

A smart oven that doesn’t overcomplicate things

The iQ MiniOven manages to hit a sweet spot between powerful and practical. It offers 11 different cooking methods, including baking, grilling, air frying, grilling, dehydrating, slow cooking, reheating and even proofing the dough — something I find myself using a lot because I’m determined to nail a sourdough recipe in 2026. It can reach temperatures of up to 500 degrees and doesn’t use in a high-flowed internal results, which does not make a strong wind inside results, which does not make a real strong wind difference inside you, which does not want a strong wind difference inside you watch your food.

Despite being compact enough for the counter, the interior is surprisingly spacious. It can fit a 13-inch pizza or a standard 9 by 13 baking pan, which is more than enough for dinner parties or light baking.

The design is also beautiful. It’s sleek and modern, while the touchscreen is bright and responsive. The interior lighting actually allows me to see what’s going on inside (something I’m used to). toaster oven not done) and the soft closing of the door feels more premium than I expected.

It also connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and works with the Chef iQ app. And unlike some smart appliances, the app is actually useful. I can monitor cooking progress, get guided cooking help and adjust settings without hovering over the kitchen. On hot days, that alone feels like a win.

Why price matters in the long term

At full price, the iQ MiniOven sits firmly in investment territory. Even the current sale brings it to $499.99 from $599.99this is not an impulse buy. But smart ovens are the kind of appliance that can quietly pay for themselves over time.

If a device replaces a toaster oven, a air fryer and a good chunk of your full-size oven usage, the value can quickly add up. You will save time, energy and a lot of unnecessary heat. For me, it’s become the default choice for everyday meals, which means my big oven stays on more often than ever.

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The bottom line

If you live somewhere hot, don’t want to turn on your big oven and want a countertop option that really delivers, the iQ MiniOven is worth a serious look, especially while it’s on sale.

It’s fast, flexible and really useful, which is more than I can say for many smart ovens out there. It’s one of those kitchen upgrades that earns its place on the counter and then continues to make money every time you cook.