Cuisinart TOB-135 vs TOB-260 Toaster Oven: My Hands-On Comparison

There’s something satisfying about a countertop oven that can replace several bulky appliances at once. Over the years, I’ve relied heavily on toaster ovens for quick weekday meals, reheating leftovers, and even light baking. Among the many models I’ve used, the Cuisinart TOB-135 and Cuisinart TOB-260 stand out as two of the most capable and reliable options Cuisinart has ever produced.

After spending real time cooking with both, I realized that although they look similar at first glance, they offer very different levels of power, capacity, and convenience. Here’s my full breakdown of how they compare and which one ultimately delivers the better value depending on your kitchen needs.

Key Difference Between Cuisinart TOB-135 vs TOB-260 Toaster Oven

The biggest difference between the TOB-135 and TOB-260 is capacity and versatility.

• TOB-135 is a smaller 0.6 cu. ft. convection toaster oven designed for everyday toasting, reheating, and moderate baking.
• TOB-260, on the other hand, is a larger 0.95 cu. ft. advanced convection oven equipped with dual cook, speed convection, interior light, more programs, and significantly more space.

In simple terms: TOB-135 is compact and practical. TOB-260 is premium, spacious, and far more powerful.

Comparison Table: Cuisinart TOB-135 vs TOB-260 Toaster Oven

Feature	Cuisinart TOB-135	Cuisinart TOB-260
Capacity	0.6 cu. ft.	0.95 cu. ft.
Wattage	1800W	1800W
Functions	Toast, Bagel, Bake, Broil, Pizza, Reheat, Defrost	Dual Cook, Speed Convection, Pizza, Bagel, Waffle, Toast, Bake, Broil, Warm, Leftovers
Fits	12″ pizza, 6 slices of toast	13″ pizza, 9″×13″ pan, 9 slices of toast
Controls	Digital with blue backlit display	Larger blue backlit display + door sensor
Interior Light	No	Yes
Auto-Slide Rack	Yes	Yes
Included Items	Baking pan, wire rack, broiling tray	Pizza stone, 2 racks, baking pan, broiling pan
Weight	17.75 lbs	32.4 lbs
Ideal For	Small kitchens, quick meals	Families, heavy cooking, advanced baking
Check Latest Price	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review

Design

The first thing that grabbed my attention is how different these two feel on the counter. The TOB-135 is noticeably more compact and lightweight. When I first unboxed it, I loved how easily I could shift it around or slide it under the cabinets. The brushed stainless finish is clean, simple, and timeless — the kind that blends into any kitchen without calling for attention.

The TOB-260, however, immediately feels like a more serious appliance. It’s almost double the weight, wider, and deeper. When I placed it on the counter, it looked much more like a miniature oven than a toaster oven. The build quality feels heavier, the door is sturdier, and overall it has a more premium presence.

Between the two, the TOB-135 is more “lightweight and convenient,” while the TOB-260 is definitely “professional and robust.” If you’re short on counter space, the 135 feels more manageable. But if appearance and sturdiness matter to you, the 260 will be the clear winner.

Ease of Use

Despite being the simpler of the two, the TOB-135 has some of the most intuitive controls I’ve seen. The digital display is bright, the buttons respond well, and navigating through toast shade levels or time settings never felt confusing. Because it doesn’t have dozens of functions, everything is quick to find.

The TOB-260 is still easy to use, but it’s naturally more button-heavy. Once I got used to it, I appreciated the additional control it gives. Things like dual-cook mode and speed convection actually became some of my favorite features. However, you do need a few days to fully understand all of its capabilities.

One thing I absolutely love about the TOB-260 is the door-activated display — the screen lights up the moment you pull the door open. It’s a small feature but feels incredibly modern. The interior light is a big bonus too. Not having to open the door to check browning saves a lot of heat loss and keeps toasting more consistent.

Both ovens include the auto-slide rack, which is something I wish every toaster oven had. It makes removing hot food so much safer.

Cooking Functions & Performance

Once I started actually cooking with both ovens, the performance differences became very clear.

TOB-135 Cooking Performance

The TOB-135 handles everyday tasks beautifully. Toasting was even, reheating pizza came out crispy, and baking small batches of cookies was surprisingly reliable. The convection setting helps reduce cooking time and gives a good all-around bake, especially for pastries.

The Exact Heat sensor truly works. Most of my food cooked within the expected time ranges, and I didn’t face temperature inconsistencies.

However, once I tried fitting larger dishes, especially casseroles or baking pans, I immediately felt the limitation of the 0.6 cu. ft. capacity. It’s a perfect “small-family or personal” oven, but not ideal for large meals.

TOB-260 Cooking Performance

The TOB-260 is just on another level. The first time I used Dual Cook, I baked lasagna on a low-temp cycle and then browned the top at a higher temp — all automatically without needing to reset the oven. That felt like a true upgrade.

Speed Convection is also a standout feature. It preheats incredibly fast and reduces overall cooking time. For someone who hates waiting, this mode makes a noticeable difference.

My toast came out more consistent in the TOB-260, likely due to a more advanced heat sensor system. The extra cooking space also gave me freedom to use 9×13 pans without forcing anything inside, and the included pizza stone genuinely improved my homemade pizzas.

Overall, if you cook frequently and love versatility, the TOB-260 becomes addictive to use.

Cleaning Experience

Both ovens come with non-stick interiors, which simplifies cleanup considerably. Crumbs brush off easily, and splatters don’t stick as badly as in older toaster ovens.

The TOB-260, however, is easier to wipe down inside simply because of the extra room — my hand fits comfortably everywhere.

The crumb tray on both ovens slides out from the bottom, but the TOB-260’s feels slightly sturdier and smoother.

If you’re someone who cleans appliances after every use, both ovens will keep you happy.

Cuisinart TOB-135 Convection Toaster Oven

Pros:

• Compact and space-saving
• Easy to navigate digital controls
• Accurate heating with EvenToast technology
• Affordable compared to the TOB-260
• Includes baking pan, broil tray, and auto-slide rack

Cons:

• Limited capacity
• No interior light
• Fewer cooking functions
• Not ideal for large families

Cuisinart TOB-260 Convection Toaster Oven

Pros:

• Huge 0.95 cu. ft. capacity
• Dual Cook and Speed Convection add real cooking advantages
• Includes pizza stone and extra accessories
• Interior light and door sensor feel premium
• More precise and consistent heat control
• Great for baking larger dishes

Cons:

• Much heavier and larger footprint
• Higher price
• Slight learning curve with advanced settings

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

After spending enough time with both ovens, my recommendation depends entirely on what you expect from a countertop oven.

Choose the Cuisinart TOB-135 if:

• You need something compact
• You make simple meals
• You mostly toast, reheat, or bake small items
• You’re on a tighter budget

It’s reliable, simple, and performs exceptionally well for everyday use.

Choose the Cuisinart TOB-260 if:

• You cook frequently and need more versatility
• You want features like dual cook, speed convection, and interior lighting
• You prepare meals for a family
• You want a toaster oven that behaves like a real oven

The TOB-260 is hands-down the more powerful and feature-rich option. For me, it felt like a complete upgrade in every category — capacity, speed, precision, and convenience.

If I had to keep only one on my counter, it would be the TOB-260, simply because it handles everything from toast to roasting pans without compromise.