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The 7 Best Rotisserie and Roaster Ovens of 2024

Cook chicken, beef, and more quickly and evenly

Collage of rotisserie and roaster ovens we recommend on a green background

The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis

If you’re a home cook who spends a lot of time cooking meat, a countertop rotisserie or roaster oven could be a great appliance for your kitchen. The beauty of a rotating rotisserie is the meat self-bastes as it turns in the oven, ensuring even cooking. It allows cooks of all levels to make the richest, most succulent meat.

If you’re looking for a machine that can do more than just rotisserie, a roaster oven could be a great way to not only cook a roast, but also air fry, grill, dehydrate, and toast a variety of foods. Ultimately, the device you choose depends on how much kitchen space you have to sacrifice, your budget, and the specific cooking functions you’re looking to get out of it.

Best Overall Roaster Oven

Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill

Amazon Ninja-foodi-5-in-1-indoor-grill

Amazon

What We Like
  • Versatile

  • Easy to clean

  • Even cooking

  • Sturdy

  • Simple setup

What We Don't Like
  • Boxy design

This handy countertop roaster oven does much more than roast—it also grills, air fries, bakes, and dehydrates—so it can get used every single day for cooking everything from appetizers and entrees to side dishes and desserts. The grilling temperature can be set from low to max, which translates to 105 to 500 degrees, and the 4-quart air fryer basket gives plenty of space for family-sized portions of fries. When it comes to roasting, it’s ready to handle chicken, pork, or beef for dinner any time, while it contains smoke, spatter, and heat.

We ran the device through a gamut of tests are were impressed with the results: Salmon had crisp skin without needing to flip it once, the chicken was perfectly chargrilled, and potatoes were golden.

Ninja's Cyclonic Grilling Technology involves a powerful fan that circulates the hot air, so your food cooks evenly and quickly. In fact, we found that it cooks rapidly, though please note that you shouldn't pop your food in and forget about it because it's easy to overcook your roast.

If you want to splurge a little, the Ninja Foodi Pro version includes the same features along with a smart probe that makes cooking nearly foolproof since the food can be monitored without lifting the lid to check it, and it ensures that food cooks to the exact temperature desired.

ninja foodi 5-in-1 indoor grill cooking salmon

The Spruce Eats / Sharon Lehman

Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 11 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees

Best Overall Rotisserie Oven

NutriChef Multi-Function Vertical Rotisserie Oven

Nutrichef-pkrt97-multi-function-vertical-rotisserie-oven

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy setup

  • Multifunctional

  • Heating elements move for cleaning

What We Don't Like
  • Runs hot

  • Uneven toasting

A rotisserie with a vertical spit is the hallmark of a gyro joint, kebab shop, or al pastor taco stand, and this device puts a smaller version right on your countertop. The oven's 24-quart capacity is big enough to accommodate a very large chicken, or maybe even a small turkey, and it comes with large central spit as well as a seven-skewer kebab rack. But when you don't need rotisserie mode, the NutriChef's heating elements flip out from vertical to horizontal configuration, transforming the unit into a "regular" (albeit tall and narrow) oven, with racks for toasting, roasting, or baking.

We found this oven surprisingly easy to clean, with a drip tray under the rotisserie that kept messy chicken juices in place well, a crumb tray beneath that, and rotating heating elements that let you get at every inch of the interior. We were impressed with its rotisserie performance, making both crisp and juicy chicken and tasty veggie kebabs, but it ran hotter than indicated on the dial and didn't maintain even heat in horizontal mode.

NutriChef Multi-Function Rotisserie Oven PKRT97

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Dimensions: 13.5 x 16.5 x 21.5 inches | Capacity: 24 quarts | Maximum Temperature: 464 degrees

Best for Low and Slow

Breville Smart Oven

Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven

Amazon

What We Like
  • Perfectly calibrated temperature

  • Powerful

  • Holds a 12-inch pizza

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Only one rack

  • Needs space on both sides

Though it's the shape and size of a toaster oven, the Breville Smart Oven has a much wider range of functions. It offers 10 different smart settings from keep-warm to broil, including a slow-cook mode that can hold a steady temperature for up to 10 hours for all your stews, soups, and dips. The Breville's Element IQ system has five quartz heating elements that adjust independently to maintain even and accurate heating through the whole oven, while also reducing energy use.

We found success on all sorts of dishes with this oven and its temperature settings were on-target every time. You can set the heat to anywhere between 120 and 450 degrees for both slow-cooking and quick-baking, so it's definitely not limited to the lower end of the temperature spectrum. The Smart Oven is certainly on the pricy side, but it can potentially replace two or three separate machines. One thing to keep in mind: This model needs room on both sides for cooling, so make sure not to cram it on the counter right in between other appliances or cookbooks.

Breville Smart Oven

The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Dimensions: 11.1 x 18.5 x 15.7 inches | Capacity: Up to a 13-inch pizza | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees

Best Multifunctional

Instant Pot Vortex Pro 10 Air Fryer

instant-pot-vortex-pro-9-in-1-air-fryer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to clean

  • Versatile

  • Efficient cooking

  • Easy-to-read display

What We Don't Like
  • Steep learning curve

Instant Pot made its name in the appliance world with its electric pressure cookers that have become extremely popular. Since then, it's expanded its line, earning massive praise from fans. This highly rated oven is a rotisserie, and much more: It can air fry, roast, toast, broil, bake, dehydrate, proof, and of course, it can rotisserie cook everything from chicken to roast beef. 

The 10-quart size is roomy enough for family meals, and the included basket used on the rotisserie rod cooks the food as it tumbles in the basket, so french fries and other small foods cook evenly with no need to stir or flip the food, letting the cook concentrate on other things.

We tested an earlier model, the Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer, and were thoroughly impressed with its performance cooking bacon, baking fries, dehydrating tasty apple chips, and, of course, slow-roasting a whole chicken on the rotisserie spit. A high-performance, multifunctional appliance like the Instant Vortex saves precious counter space as well as money, since you won't have to buy several single-function items.

pulling crinkle cut fries from Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer

The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore

Dimensions: 13.75 x 14.37 x 13.23 inches | Capacity: 10 quarts | Maximum Temperature: 400 degrees

Best Large Capacity

Cosori Smart 12-in-1 Air Fryer

Cosori-smart-12-in-1-air-fryer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Versatile

  • Easy to read display

  • Precise temperature control

  • Lots of presets

  • Roomy

What We Don't Like
  • Difficult to clean

The 32-quart capacity of this oven makes it great for large families and parties. It has presets for pizza, roasting, air frying, toasting, toasting bagels, baking, broiling, making cookies, rotisserie cooking, dehydrating, fermenting, and keeping food warm, so it will have plenty of uses in the kitchen, even when rotisserie isn’t on the menu. This can hold six slices of toast, a 13-inch pizza, or an entire chicken on the rotisserie.

The LED screen makes it easy to see the settings, while the dials and buttons make it easy to choose the mode, time, and temperature. It has five heating elements for faster cooking, and there's a light inside so it’s simple to check on food as it cooks. The interior has a nonstick coating that helps make cleaning easier.

Dimensions: 20.1 x 16.5 x 12.1 inches | Capacity: 32 quarts | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees

Best Small Roaster

Nesco 6-Quart Ivory Roaster with Porcelain Cookwell

Nesco-6-quart-ivory-roaster-with-porcelain-cookwell-4816-14

Amazon

What We Like
  • Stay-cool handles

  • Removable insert for serving

  • Easy to clean

  • Included cooling rack with lift-out handles

What We Don't Like
  • No timer

  • Lid may not seal well

Not everyone needs a roaster that can handle a giant turkey. At 6 quarts, this little roaster has plenty of space for family meals, but it won’t take too much space in storage. The temperature can be set for 250 to 450 degrees and the oval shape is perfect for roasts of all kinds. This includes a roasting rack with handles that make it simple to get the chicken or pork out of the roaster safely and easily. For those who like to coordinate kitchen colors, it's available in several colors.

Dimensions: ‎15 x 8.5 x 15 inches | Capacity: 6 quarts | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees

Best Large-Capacity Roaster

Oster 18-Quart Roaster Oven

Oster 18-Quart Roaster Oven with Self-Basting Lid

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to clean

  • Large capacity

  • Versatile

  • Self-basting lid keeps meat moist

What We Don't Like
  • Outside gets very hot

Great for cooks who like to cook for crowds, this 18-quart roaster can handle a turkey up to 22 pounds—so you can let it handle dinner while the big oven handles pies, cakes, buns, and sides. When roasting, the self-basting lid collects steam and drips it back onto the roast, so the food bastes itself during cooking. A rack is included that makes it simple to lower the food into the roaster and to remove it when it’s done.

The heat can be set from keep-warm to 450 degrees to handle a wide variety of cooking tasks. Not just for roasting, this can also bake and slow cook, so it will get used over and over. The roasting pan is removable and is enamel coated for easy cleaning.

Dimensions: 23.3 x 15.6 x 11.8 inches | Capacity: 22 quarts | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees

Final Verdict

The Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill is our No. 1 choice for a countertop roasting oven, thanks to its high power, capacity, and performance. The NutriChef Multifunction Vertical Rotisserie Oven puts an easy-to-use rotating spit oven right in your kitchen, and it gets excellent results.

What to Look for in a Rotisserie or Roaster Oven

Size 

The size of your rotisserie will directly impact how large of a bird you’ll be able to cook. It’s important to take into account how big the actual capacity of the oven is (so you know how large of a protein you can cook), but also to acknowledge how much counter space the appliance requires. If you’re not going to use it on a daily basis, you’ll likely want a spot in your kitchen big enough to tuck it away.

Versatility 

If you’re only looking to roast a holiday turkey once a year or cook an occasional rotisserie-style chicken, a basic oven may be a good choice. However, if you plan to use it on a more regular basis, consider a machine that can double as a toaster oven, a steamer, and other appliances.

taking temperature of cooked bird with meat thermometer in Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven With Convection and Rotisserie 31104D
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Value 

Price tags for rotisserie and roaster ovens range widely, from $40 to upward of $200. How much you should spend depends on how often you plan to use it as well as how important added features are. If you’re looking to keep things to simple roasting, a cost-effective model should be fine. But if you want to play with all sorts of bells and whistles, you may want to spend more.

Number of Spits

A spit is the rod that cooks the meat, and most rotisseries come with one or two. Multiple spits allow you to cook more pieces of meat at one time, though keep in mind that all of the meat will still need to fit into the oven (meaning you probably can’t do two large birds at the same time in one small rotisserie. Multiple spits can be super convenient for smaller cuts of meat, like kebabs. Single spits will be the most practical if you’ll mostly be using your rotisserie to cook larger meats. 

Temperature

Not all rotisseries offer the same temperature settings. In some cases, you can set the desired temperature using degrees. In other models, you can utilize preset controls, which not only offer some extra convenience but also take some of the confusion out of roasting. If you’re new to rotisserie ovens, it might be helpful to have preset controls to navigate the device. If you’re comfortable with temperatures, the option of setting specific degrees will give you much more control and precision. This is ultimately up to your personal preference. If you are making recipes that specify an exact temperature and time, you’re probably better off having customizable temperatures. 

"I highly recommend a rotisserie oven that cooks items low, slow, and with consistent heat," says Gabriel Lopez, Executive Chef at Willa’s in Tampa, Florida. "It is extremely pertinent that you get one that has a tray beneath to catch the juicy fat that gets rendered off the meat when cooking. Throw some starchy veggies beneath the spit and the rendered fat will cook off anything from fingerling potatoes to tomatoes and beets.”

Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven roasting basket
The Spruce Eats / Lindsay Boyers 

Types of Rotisseries and Roaster Ovens

Horizontal Rotisserie

The most recognizable and common rotisserie is a horizontal rotisserie. As the name implies, this version rotates the protein from a horizontal angle. This version is definitely the most popular model among home cooks, as it can accommodate a wide variety of meats. Not to mention, it is available in a range of sizes, so you can pick a model that is perfect for your kitchen space. The key to horizontal rotisseries is understanding the balance required to make your rotisserie spin perfectly while cooking your protein to perfection. This can sometimes take a little bit of a learning curve, but once you start to get acquainted with how your machine works, you’ll be churning out delicious meats in no time.

Vertical Rotisserie

Contrary to its horizontal counterpart, this type of rotisserie rotates the meat on a vertical angle. The advantage of this setup is that you don’t have to toy with the delicate balance that you do on a horizontal rotisserie. This version can also save a bit of counter space because it’s much taller than it is wide. The main downside is juices from the meat drip down toward the bottom as the meat cooks and are ultimately lost. While some consumers prefer this because there is a bit less fat in the final product, others argue you lose a great deal of flavor.

Vertical rotisseries are also a classic setup for dishes like gyro meat or al pastor, with which you can gradually shave away at the protein as it vertically spins on the rotisserie. If tradition or authenticity is important to you for these particular dishes, a vertical rotisserie might suit your needs best.

Rotisserie Oven

The final variety of a rotisserie is an oven. What sets this version apart from the horizontal and vertical models is that it offers more capabilities than simply rotating meat. In fact, it basically can operate as a toaster oven, making it a great option for breads, cookies, frozen food, or anything that needs to be warmed in an oven. That said, you run the risk of sacrificing some quality with the results of your meats (especially in comparison with the rotating models) since it is not the specialty function of the appliance.

If you want to dedicate an appliance to roasting meat, you might be better off with one of the two above models; however, if you’re looking for more value and versatility, a rotisserie oven will allow you to do much more with just one appliance.

Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven With Convection and Rotisserie 31104D
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Maintenance

Caring for your rotisserie is pretty straightforward—the spits and racks need to be scrubbed in hot soapy water after every use to ensure there is no left-behind grease or food bits. Most rotisseries are made with removable trays and racks, making cleanup a breeze. If there is a lot of buildup of grease, use baking soda and water to remove it. Grease collection trays should be cleaned after each use, too. Make sure when you clean your device that it is unplugged and completely cooled. While some ovens might boast dishwasher-safe parts, it is always best to wash by hand.

Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven With Convection and Rotisserie 31104D
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

Accessories

Skewers and Meat Forks

If you have a vertical or horizontal rotisserie, stocking up on skewers and meat forks gives you the flexibility to cook multiple skewers at once, whether it’s just one big bird or a variety of kebabs and smaller meats.

Drip Pan

There is going to be a lot of residual grease when you’re using this appliance, so positioning a drip pan at the bottom will not only make for a much safer setup, but it will also allow you to clean the device faster.

Carving Board

If you’re going to churn out a slew of juicy meats, you’ll want a sturdy board to carve them on. The great thing about a good carving board is the divot around the board, which will collect any juices and prevent your countertop from becoming a wet, greasy mess.

Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven With Convection and Rotisserie 31104D
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie

FAQs

What can you cook in a rotisserie oven?

If you can put it on a spit, it can be cooked rotisserie-style. Beef, poultry, and pork are all contenders, as long as your rotisserie has the capacity, but many ovens come with baskets and skewers that widen the world of rotisserie cooking. Vegetables, kebabs, and seafood all benefit from the rotisserie’s self-basting cooking method.

What can you cook in a roaster oven?

A common misconception is that you can only cook meat in a roaster oven, but so much more is possible. You can cook casseroles, soups and stews, vegetables, and some even accommodate baked goods. Most have the same capabilities as traditional ovens except they are portable. And, of course, any meat is on the menu for roaster ovens. Many have self-basting lids, so racks of ribs, pork roasts, and corned beef briskets come out tender and juicy.

Do you put water in a roaster oven?

In short, no. Roasting is a dry heat cooking method. Roaster ovens utilize the natural juices of the food to baste while cooking. Added water would steam your food, defeating the purpose of using this type of oven. 

Do rotisserie and roaster ovens cook faster than a traditional oven?

Roaster ovens and conventional ovens both cook using dry heat. Traditional ovens require time to preheat and have a larger surface to maintain temperature. The smaller footprint and closer proximity to food makes roaster ovens more efficient than traditional ovens, generally shaving off about 30 percent of total cooking time. That said, they are limited in capacity and can only cook one dish at a time.

Rotisserie ovens operate by rotating food, which causes constant self-basting, which is completely different from a traditional oven where food remains stationary and cooks via dry heat. In general, like roaster ovens, the smaller footprint and proximity to the heat source speeds up the total cooking time.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie hasn’t met a kitchen appliance she hasn’t wanted to try, so she’s constantly looking for the best of the best. She even spends spare time researching new appliances just for fun, so shopping for this roundup might have put a few items on her own shopping list.

Carrie Honaker, who updated this roundup, is a food writer who has owned her share of small kitchen appliances. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she knows the importance of finding the right tool for the right job. She loves succulent rotisserie chicken straight off the spit on her weeknight chicken Caesar salads. Carrie's work has appeared in many publications including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.

Sources

Gabriel Lopez is the executive chef at Willa’s in Tampa, Florida.

Additional reporting by
Sara Tane,
Sara Tane
Sara Tane is a food writer and private chef. She has a degree in culinary arts from Institute of Culinary Education and covers food for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Carrie Honaker,
Carrie Honaker The Spruce Eats
Carrie Honaker is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, travel, and culture. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, Wine Enthusiast, Allrecipes, and more.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
and
Jason Horn
Jason Horn
Jason Horn has been writing about food and drinks for more than 15 years and is a Commerce Writer for The Spruce Eats. He once convinced Matthew McConaughey that a hot dog is indeed a sandwich.
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