# I tested Tovala's smart oven for two weeks

> A countertop oven that cooks pre-portioned meals automatically. Convenient, but the quality won't match a restaurant.
- Title: I tested Tovala's smart oven for two weeks · TechCrunch
- Summary: A countertop oven that cooks pre-portioned meals automatically. Convenient, but the quality won't match a restaurant. Tovala is best for people choosing…
- Keywords: tovala, smart oven, meal delivery, kitchen appliances, food tech, convenience cooking, product review, david rabie, meal kits, countertop oven, technology, startups
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/17/i-tried-tovalas-smart-oven-for-two-weeks-heres-whether-it-beats-takeout
- Author: Lauren Forristal
- Published: 2026-09-17T15:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: tovala, smart oven, meal delivery, kitchen appliances, food tech, convenience cooking, product review, david rabie, meal kits, countertop oven, technology, startups
## The problem Tovala solves
Tovala co-founder David Rabie wanted the convenience of takeout without sacrificing the experience of eating fresh home-cooked food. He realized the solution was pre-portioned meals paired with a smart oven that handles cooking automatically.

> I was often busy and sought a solution as convenient as takeout or frozen meals, yet still wanted the experience of a genuine home-cooked dish.
## How the system works
Unwrap pre-portioned ingredients, add seasoning packets, place everything in trays, scan a QR code with the app, and the oven handles the rest. No chopping, measuring, or temperature guessing required.
## The oven hardware
The countertop oven costs $299, or $349 for the Pro model with steam function. It can bake, broil, air fry, toast, and reheat, automatically switching temperatures and cooking modes throughout the process.
## Meal options and pricing
Over 45 meals available weekly, from steak to salmon to pasta. Single-serving meals start at $13.99, two-serving at $8.99 per serving, plus $10.99 shipping. Family meals start at $35.96. Plans range from 4 to 16 meals per week.
## Meat texture was the weak point
The biggest issue was how meats cooked in the oven. A steak lacked the nice crust that comes from proper searing. Finishing it in a steel pan improved it significantly, but that defeats the hands-off purpose.

> I like a steak with a nice crust, so I finished mine in a steel pan for some extra browning.
## Some dishes really worked
The pineapple shrimp stir-fry was excellent. The rice cooked well and the sauce had plenty of flavor. It wasn't restaurant-quality, but it was easy, satisfying, and required minimal effort.

> It wasn't necessarily something I'd rave about compared with a great restaurant meal, but it was easy, satisfying, and required very little effort.
## The grocery scanning feature
The oven can recognize grocery-store products by barcode, automatically selecting cooking settings for items like frozen waffles. This makes Tovala feel like a genuinely smart oven, not just a meal-kit machine.
## Best for takeout avoiders
If your alternative to cooking is ordering takeout because you're too tired, Tovala makes a compelling case. It won't replace quality home cooking, but it beats the convenience trade-off of restaurant food.

> it's hard to beat the convenience on days when you absolutely don't want to cook.
## Availability and shipping
Tovala is available on the company website and Amazon, shipping to most U.S. states. Alaska and Hawaii are not currently served.
## Key takeaway

Tovala is best for people choosing between cooking and takeout, not for those who enjoy cooking from scratch.