Tech News
Reviewer tests Tovala smart oven and meal service for two weeks
Journalist tests Tovala's connected oven and fresh meal kits, finding them convenient but variable in quality compared to home cooking.
Ceeve Team · 2026-09-17 · 2 min
A neutral summary of I tried Tovala’s smart oven for two weeks — here’s whether it beats takeout, published by TechCrunch. Summarised for the Ceeve reading list; the original reporting is TechCrunch's.
Tovala, founded by David Rabie, combines fresh meal kits with a smart countertop oven designed to reduce cooking friction. The oven costs $299 to $349, switches between cooking modes automatically, and handles baking, broiling, air frying, and toasting. Meal plans range from four to sixteen portions weekly at $13.99 to $35.96 per serving, excluding a $10.99 shipping fee.
After two weeks of testing, the reviewer found the service convenient for days when cooking is unappealing, though meat texture was occasionally inconsistent. Some dishes, like pineapple shrimp stir-fry, performed well; steaks required pan-finishing for desired browning. The oven's ability to recognise grocery-store barcodes and apply appropriate cooking settings enhanced its utility beyond Tovala meal kits.
Unlike other meal-delivery competitors, Tovala charges premium prices for hands-off convenience rather than low-cost ingredients. The service offers a compelling alternative to takeout for busy individuals, provided they prioritise convenience over restaurant-quality results. Job-seekers in meal-kit services and smart appliances might investigate Tovala's market positioning using tools like Ceeve to tailor their understanding of the sector.
Read the original on TechCrunch
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