Home » Misc » Fast toasting toaster

Fast toasting toaster


The 13 Best Toasters for 2022

After years of testing toasters, we selected the KRUPS – Kh420D50 as the best 2-slice toaster for consistently toasting bread, bagels, and breakfast pastries evenly. Another great 2-slice toaster is the Hamilton Beach – 22816, which is a little bit cheaper and almost as good. For the best 4-slice toaster, we recommend the Cuisinart – CPT-440, which is especially good for toasting multiple batches back-to-back. If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, the best value 4-slice toaster is the Cuisinart – CPT-180 Classic. And if you’re looking to upgrade your toaster to match your new kitchen appliances, go for the Breville – BTA830XL.

Our Top Choices

Best 2-Slice

KRUPS

Kh420D50

Best 4-Slice

Cuisinart

CPT-440

Best Value 4-Slice

Cuisinart

CPT-180

After years of testing toasters, we selected the KRUPS – Kh420D50 as the best 2-slice toaster for consistently toasting bread, bagels, and breakfast pastries evenly. Another great 2-slice toaster is the Hamilton Beach – 22816, which is a little bit cheaper and almost as good. For the best 4-slice toaster, we recommend the Cuisinart – CPT-440, which is especially good for toasting multiple batches back-to-back. If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, the best value 4-slice toaster is the Cuisinart – CPT-180 Classic. And if you’re looking to upgrade your toaster to match your new kitchen appliances, go for the Breville – BTA830XL.

Table of contents

(Editor’s note:  In early 2021 we learned that several toasters we previously reviewed had been discontinued: Hamilton Beach 22790 two-slice, Proctor Silex 24216 four-slice, Hamilton Beach 24990 four-slice, Bella Pro Series four-slice, and Black+Decker TR2900SSD. We tested four new toasters for this 2021 update. Reviews follow below.)

The 17 toasters we tested

2-slice toasters

ToasterPriceToast Evenness (1–3)Consistency Across Batches (1–3)Bagel Setting (1–3)
1. KRUPS - Kh420D50$$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
2. Hamilton Beach - 22816$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
3. Amazon Basics$☆☆☆☆☆
4. Cuisinart - CPT-620$$☆☆☆
6. KitchenAid - KMT2116QG$$$☆☆☆☆☆☆
7. Oster - Jelly Bean$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
8. Black+Decker - TR2900SSD$☆☆☆☆☆☆
KitchenAid - KMT223 (Discontinued)$$$☆☆☆☆☆
Hamilton Beach - 22790 (Discontinued)$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Cuisinart - CPT-122 (Discontinued)$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

4-slice toasters

ToasterPriceToast Evenness (1–3)Consistency Across Batches (1–3)Bagel Setting (1–3)
1. Cuisinart - CPT-440$$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
2. Cuisinart - CPT-180 Classic$$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
3. Breville - BTA 830XL$$$$☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
4. Krups - KH734D$$☆☆☆☆☆☆
5. Hamilton Beach - 24990$$$☆☆☆☆☆☆
Proctor-Silex - 24216 (Discontinued)$☆☆☆☆☆
Bella - Pro Series (Discontinued)$$☆☆☆☆☆

1. Best 2-slice: KRUPS – Kh420D50

The KRUPS – Kh420D50 is a moderately priced two-slice toaster that gave the most consistent results than the three other toasters that we tested for this update. Its sleek, modern appearance with stainless-steel trim includes a large, easy-to-read LED digital display that counts down the minutes and seconds as the bread toasts, which is a nice feature when you’re trying to time everything else for breakfast or lunch.

Before we actually tested its toasting performance, as with all toasters, we had to run it through a couple of toast cycles at the highest level to burn off any residue from manufacturing and packaging. The KRUPS did have a strong chemical odor that completely dissipated after the second cycle. After that initial disappointment, it no longer mattered because the KRUPS’ performance in all of our tests was superb.

The KRUPS has seven pre-set cycles, and for all the toasters, we began testing at the mid-level, in the KRUPS’ case level four, which is set at two minutes, 30 seconds. The toast popped up golden brown on one side, and golden on the opposite side. Both exteriors were crunchy, and the interior was pleasingly soft.

We experimented with the presets — higher and lower — and each one toasted the bread evenly on both sides. Level 3 was perhaps the lightest we’d go for toast, however, since the toast was very lightly toasted. The lowest settings are for toaster pastries, which need warming rather than toasting.

Our favorite function was for bagels, which almost all modern toasters now have. For the KRUPS, the cut side is inserted facing the heating element, just like the other toasters we tested except for the Cuisinart – CPT620. Bagel connoisseurs demand a crunchy cut side and slightly chewy crust. We’re not bagel experts, but the KRUPS’ bagel met those requirements, though the crust was a little crunchy too. Nevertheless, it was delicious.

The KRUPS also has a memory feature, so when you like a certain setting, you can program it, so the toast will come out exactly as you want it every time. The KRUPS has a high pop-up, so you lift the lever and pluck the toast out without burning your fingers.
The KRUPS – Kh420D50 is a bit more expensive than other two-slice toasters. But if you’re a toast fanatic and want every slice perfect, then the little extra will be worth it.

Key takeaways:

2. Also great 2-slice: Hamilton Beach – 22816

About one-third less expensive than the KRUPS is the Hamilton Beach – 22816, which performed nearly as well. It has the same features as the other toasters we tested, but the Hamilton Beach has an additional “keep warm” function. When activated, the toaster holds the toast in the slots for three minutes, so you can have warm toast at the same time you’re getting the eggs on the table.

Another feature we liked is that a few seconds before the toast is ready, the toaster emits an electronic beep, so you can grab the toast as soon as it pops up. The Hamilton Beach has a plastic body that’s accented with thin sheets of stainless steel, and its odd v-shaped design makes it stand out from the overly crowded market for toasters.

The Hamilton Beach has seven toasting settings controlled by a dial, which we had to fiddle with before achieving the golden-brown toast we wanted (level 5). Although one side was slightly browner than the other, we were still impressed that the bread was pretty evenly toasted.
As for the bagel test, it’s inserted cut side inward, and at level 5, the cut side was golden brown. The bagel’s crust, however, was barely toasted, more warmed, so we upped the level twice, and finally got a bagel that had a crispy crust with the requisite chew.

When you purchase a toaster, there’s always a learning curve, and you’ll probably have to experiment with a few pieces of bread — as we did — to get the toast you prefer. The Hamilton Beach – 22816 is one of the company’s more recent models, and because it’s such a good performer, it’s likely that this modestly priced model will not be discontinued for some time.

Key takeaways:

3. Best 4-slice: Cuisinart – CBT-440

Across all of our testing, the Cuisinart – CPT-440 Touch to Toast performed extremely well. It is consistent, very fast, and evenly shades the entire surface of sliced bread. The four slots are wide enough to accommodate large, 1½-inch-wide food, the dual crumb trays catch a large majority of debris, and the stainless steel finish looks sharp. It’s a well-performing appliance and a great addition to any kitchen.

During our test for consistency, the Cuisinart continued to decrease the time bread spent lowered into the slots, ensuring that a medium toast looked the same after five rounds as it did after the first.

The toast was also well-colored from top to bottom and side to side, with just the slightest detectable difference front to back. The outside was hot and crispy while the inside maintained a moistness and chewy mouthfeel that was perfect.

At just two minutes and two seconds to complete the first round of medium toasting, the Cuisinart toaster is the fastest four-slot toaster and matched the fastest two slot, the Oster. Four slices of toast in just over two minutes put the Cuisinart toaster in a league of its own.

Because of the shorter toasting time, the Cuisinart does not accumulate the surface heat that other machines do. In fact, the Cuisinart is the only finalist we tested that stayed below a 90-degree surface temperature after multiple runs. It can safely and easily be moved around the kitchen immediately after use.

The one test the Cuisinart toaster failed to hit out of the park was frozen food. It required a second round of toasting to bring the interior temperature of the toaster strudel up to the desired heat. While that may not be ideal, it still got the job done in a timely manner.

The bagel setting functions as it should, and the bagels we enjoyed from the Cuisinart toaster were expertly crisped on the cut side and warm and soft on the outside. Just place the bagel in the slots as pictured on the machine and press the bagel button.

The extra-large slots can handle food items that are 1½ inches wide, so toasted sandwiches, frozen pretzels, or left-over pizza can easily be accommodated in a toaster bag. Keep in mind that you may want to lower the setting for extra-wide foods, as they do get close to the heated wires.

We also really like the design of the Cuisinart. The push-button automatic chamber feels futuristic and the heating mechanism slowly squeezes the food once it’s lowered to guarantee an even, complete toasting. The large LED screen is easy to view and the settings are intuitive.

At just under $85 for high-quality components and craftsmanship that make great toast and can handle so many more common cooking tasks, the Cuisinart four-slot toaster is our pick for best overall.

Key takeaways:

4. Best value 4-slice: Cuisinart – CPT-180 Classic

Cuisinart has a toaster to fit every budget. The Touch to Toast model above is still the best of the best unless you need to toast something that won’t fit in the slots, but we know some readers want a value-priced toaster instead. The Cuisinart – CPT-180 Classic gets you the impeccable toast quality of the 440, but at a much lower price. (It’s a bit easier to find, too.)

When you drop down from the Touch to Toast model to the Classic, you’re giving up the motorized levers, countdown timer, and a little bit of quality in the parts and finish. That said, the internal parts of Cusinart’s toasters all seem to be very similar, if not identical.

The one test where the stainless-sided Classic model pulls away from its siblings is in the defrost mode: For whatever reason, this was the only Cuisinart toaster we tested that kept heating until a frozen pastry was a piping-hot 157° on the inside. That’s not quite as hot as the Breville or Hamilton Beach results but nearly perfect for a quick snack.

There are a few things holding this toaster back from the very top spot, however. For one, the slots are slightly narrow, with the wire holders only accepting slices 1.2 inches wide compared to the full 1.5-inch capacity of the CPT-440. The rest of the build quality is a little bit lower than the CPT-180 440 as well, with knobs and buttons that feel more like a $40 toaster than a $60 toaster should. And if we want to be really picky, the toast from this and the other Cuisinart toasters was often a little darker on one side than the other.

When all the crumbs are swept away, the heating element and temperature controls are what count most, and this Cuisinart is as good as it gets.

Key takeaways:

5. Upgrade pick: Breville – BTA-830XL

The Breville – BTA-830XL (about $180) is a two-slot toaster that’s unlike all others. It can fit four regular slices of bread, two bagels or two larger pieces of sourdough within its two 10-by-1.75-inch slots. This can come in handy when toasting irregular slices of bread, making paninis or reheating a slice of pizza with a toaster bag.

Its modern matte stainless-steel design features a motor that slowly lowers and automatically raises the slices when they’re toasted without the user manually pushing down a lever and eliminating the need for a sudden pop-up when the toast is done.

During the evenness tests, we found that the Breville’s toast was close to the same shade across the slice, but the crust was slightly darker than the middle. However, after toasting five consecutive slices, the toast increased in doneness and by the last slice, the edges were burned.

The toaster continued to accumulate heat as our testing progressed and it was hotter to the touch at the end of several rounds than most other toasters we tested. After one toasting, which lasted two minutes and 40 seconds, the outside temperature was 85°, and after the second one-minute and 55-second toasting, it was 91°.

During our frozen pastry test, the Breville performed very well and the Toaster Strudel was perfectly toasted after just one round on the frozen setting — even though the outer edges ended up a bit more toasted than the middle. The outside crust came in at 210° and the inside filling was 162°.

When it came to toasting bagels, we found that the bagel setting performed as it should; the outside was still soft but warmed up, and the sliced inside was browned and toasted. However, the inside of the bagel was a bit too dark on the medium setting. Those who don’t want their bagel too brown should take it down to a lower level.

The Breville can accommodate bread just a bit wider than normal and a slice much longer than any other toaster we tested. However, it did brown the edges of the bread more than the middle, which is a pretty common trait as breads increase in thickness.

The Lift & Look button allows the user to move the slices up and down slightly during the toasting process to observe the shade of the toast. As it toasts, its LED display shows a visual countdown of when the toast will be done. When it’s finished toasting, it slowly raises the slices and emits a soft beep, which is adjustable in volume.

After we finished the testing, it came time to clean the crumb tray. We found that it’s easy to remove but doesn’t cover a large amount of surface area under the toaster. Compared with other toasters, many more crumbs were caught on the floor of the toaster and less ended up in the crumb tray.

Key takeaways:

Other finalists we tested

(Editor’s note: As several toasters we previously tested are now discontinued, for this 2021 update, we tested two more 2-slice toasters: the the Amazon Basics – 2-Slice and the Cuisinart – CPT-620.)

Amazon Basics – 2-Slice Toaster

For a few bucks less than the Hamilton Beach – 22816, you could try the Amazon Basics 2-slice toaster. We were skeptical about Amazon getting into the toaster business, but it wasn’t a bad performer and is actually quite popular with consumers. However, after running the toaster through several cycles, the chemical odor from manufacturing persisted, even while toasting the first piece of bread in our tests, which was definitely not appetizing. It eventually did dissipate, but we did wonder why Amazon’s toaster took longer than the others.

That said, the Amazon Basics did what it’s supposed to do, but we had to increase the levels quite high before we got toast that was golden brown and not pale yellow. For some odd reason, the Amazon toaster is designed to not toast the bagel’s crust side; the outer coils shut down when the bagel function is selected. The cut side was toasted, albeit unevenly, but the crust was barely warm, which means you would have to double toast the bagel if you wanted a crunchy exterior.

Surprisingly, the Amazon Basics 2-slice toaster gave us almost identical results as the much more expensive Cuisinart – CPT-620. We recommend paying a couple of dollars extra for the better Hamilton Beach – 22816.

Cuisinart – CPT-620

Without a doubt, the Cuisinart – CPT-620 is the glamour puss of the toasters we tested for this 2021 update. It’s a beauty, made entirely of stainless steel, with an elegant aesthetic that would belong in a high-end kitchen.

The Cuisinart is user-friendly thanks to its large dial for selecting the type of bread or pastry you want to toast, and it has seven levels for setting toast doneness. Consumer complaints often mention the lever for setting the level as inexact. We didn’t experience that problem; instead, we had to push the lever to the highest level just to achieve golden toast.

The Cuisinart’s bagel function produced less than desirable results: The cut side was very lightly toasted, and the crust side was soft and chewy with not a bit of crunch. It does have a unique “single slice” function for toasting one piece of bread or toaster pastry. But for all of the great design that was put into it, the Cuisinart – CPT-620 isn’t worth the money for such disappointing results.

KitchenAid – KMT2116QG

The KitchenAid – KMT2116QG is an attractive 2-slice toaster that melds modern technology with a retro look.  It doesn’t have a wide range of functions, so it’s very easy to use. Like the Breville, this KitchenAid model has a handy “lift and see” lever that allows you to check on the toast’s shading without interrupting the toasting cycle. It also has a “keep warm” button that holds the toast at a low setting for three minutes.

Of the seven shade settings, the first three were too low and barely colored the bread or bagel. The fourth shade setting was more to our liking and toasted the bread an even golden-brown. We had less success toasting a bagel; at the fourth setting, only the top of the bagel toasted. We turned the bagel upside down and toasted it again, and this way we finally got an evenly toasted bagel.

As we experienced with other toasters, the defrost setting successfully toasted the frozen pastry crust, and although this setting was very hot, the pastry’s filling was cold. The model we tested was KitchenAid’s “liquid graphite” color and sells for $64 (the red and black toasters are about $15 more), which we think is too expensive for a toaster that doesn’t perform as well as the 2-slice Hamilton Beach.

Hamilton Beach – 24990

(Editor’s note: The Hamilton Beach – 24990 is no longer available on Amazon. However, Hamilton Beach is still selling this model on the company’s website.)

The Hamilton Beach – 24990 is s a four-slot toaster made of brushed stainless and would look great in any kitchen. Its four slots are wide and long to accommodate irregularly cut bread. Like other toasters we tested, it has buttons for bagel, defrost, reheat and cancel and two knobs with seven shade settings. Hamilton Beach markets this toaster as “professional,” which is boldly stamped on the toaster’s front. You might find this toaster in a small diner, but besides that, no restaurant would use it.

During our first use, an acrid smell rose up from the slots, which made our first toast test unappetizing. It eventually wore off by the third test. Repeatedly, in all of our tests, the bread and bagels were evenly shaded, but slices facing the right side of the toaster browned darker than the left-facing slices. Also, the outer slots popped up at least 10 seconds before the inner slots.

The top half of the slots seemed to be less hot than the bottom half, as evidenced by our bagel, which popped up two-toned. The Hamilton Beach defrosted the frozen pastry, and the filling was hot, but again, the right-facing side browned more. For $60, we expected more from this toaster.

KRUPS – KH734D 4-Slot

The Krups – KH734D is a four-slot toaster made of mirror-finished stainless steel and has a clean, modern look. Like the other four-slice toasters, it takes up a large amount of counter space, but its rounded edges give a sleeker, more circular appearance. For under $60, this is an impressively well-made toaster.

It proved itself as one of the most consistent toasters when we ran multiple batches. It reliably produced the same shading, texture and temperature across five slices of bread in our consistency test. However, it toasted one side of the bread more than the other and the bottoms of some slices didn’t toast as well as the rest of the slice. Overall, the Krups is also calibrated on the lighter side. Most users will find themselves only using settings four through six.

Bagels toasted perfectly with the Krups toaster. The inside was crunchy and a toasty golden brown and the outside was warm without getting too crisp.  Just remember to set it fairly high if you want to see some actual browning.

On the whole, there are a few more issues holding the Krups back. When it’s done toasting the popping sound is fairly subtle. Then, even when it’s fully raised, smaller slices of bread and our breakfast pastry did not clear the edges of the slot, making pulling them out tricky, with lots of care needed.

As with our top pick, the Krups didn’t heat our frozen toaster pastry through on the defrost setting, and the filling was only 88°. In comparison, the Cusinart – Classic nailed it on the first cycle.

Oster – TSSTTRJBG1

The Oster – TSSTTRJBG1, also called the “Jelly Bean,” is a two-slot toaster that produces a medium toast that looks exactly the same every time. It also toast faster than any four-slot toaster, popping out medium toast in under two minutes in every round after the first.

While the Oster does have a bagel setting, it does not appear to operate any differently from the traditional toast setting. Our bagel came out crispy and a bit dry on both sides.

The Oster’s exterior also heats up much more than our other finalists. After just two cycles on medium, the sides of the machine were 120°, nearly 20 degrees hotter than any other toaster we tested and very hot to the touch.

Proctor Silex – 24216 (Discontinued)

The Proctor Silex – 24216 is a four-slot toaster with a plastic casing and very basic functions. It has six shade settings, but it toasts very lightly with the first three. We increased the shade setting and then tested the two end slots and the two middle slots separately: Both toasted the top half of the toast more than the bottom half.

The Proctor Silex doesn’t have a bagel function, but it actually toasted a bagel evenly with crispy bits on the cut side, and the non-cut side had the requisite chew that bagel lovers love. With the frozen pastry, it was trial and error. We toasted the pastry once, and since it needed more crisping, we flipped it over, lowered the setting and toasted it again. Finally, we got the results we wanted — flaky pastry and hot filling — but it took a lot of trouble to get them. The Proctor Silex is well-priced, but for a few dollars more, the Cuisinart – CBT-180 is a better toaster.

Bella – 90076 Pro Series 4-slice (Discontinued)

Bella had our attention after they cleaned up in our waffle iron review, so we tested the Best-Buy exclusive Bella – 90076 Pro Series 4-slice toaster on account of a second-best overall rank in Consumer Reports’s toaster reviews. It failed to win our hearts.

For about $10 less, the Cuisinart Classic had a more balanced range of toast settings, and the Bella didn’t differentiate enough on the bagel setting. Bella’s settings all ran a little longer than Cuisinart’s, and the toast was always darker on one edge.

Black+Decker – TR2900SSD 2-slice (Discontinued)

We searched far and wide for another reputable, easy-to-find budget toaster, and the Black+Decker – TR2900SSD at Target is a near-miss. This two-slice toaster with a brushed stainless-steel finish is fairly attractive, and they were least trying to be a little bit different with the cancel button in the middle of the control knob.

The Black+Decker delivered a good slice of toast, but the consistency across batches wasn’t as good as Cuisinart and the bagel setting was barely different from the toast setting. It also took 40 seconds longer to toast than the Cuisinart. At about $5 more than the Hamilton Beach, there’s really no reason to prefer this model.

Hamilton Beach – 22790 (Discontinued)

If a four-slot toaster gives away too much precious counter space and you’re in the market for something more compact, the Hamilton Beach – 22790 is the right choice. And at under $25, it offers the best value.

The Hamilton Beach toaster offers even shading over the entire surface of bread and the same on both sides. However, it does tend to toast darker in consecutive uses, so you may want to adjust the setting as you go, if you’re making lots of toast or bagels.

Both the defrost setting and the bagel setting operate extremely well. Our breakfast pastry was a hot 225°F on the outside and a warm 185° on the inside, perfect and ready to eat after just one round. Our bagel had the optimal temperature and texture on both the crust side and cut side.

The compact design of the Hamilton Beach toaster means slightly smaller slots, measuring just past 1¼ inch wide. While that may somewhat limit your options, it is a necessary trade for a smaller footprint and a high-quality product.

One thing that the Hamilton Beach does better than any other machine we tested is making it easy to remove your food. The lever can be raised beyond its neutral resting position to bring the food clear of the hot slots. This allows you to get your food out without having to resort to a utensil or worrying about burning your fingers.

KitchenAid – KMT223 2-slice (discontinued)

KitchenAid discontinued the sleek, high-end KMT223 two-slot toaster in 2019.  During our initial testing, we observed that the KitchenAid toaster failed to modify the time and heat intensity in consecutive uses. Each slice of toast was darker and drier than the one before. There was also a clear difference between the bottom and top of the bread itself:  The bottom half toasted darker than the top half. The KitchenAid performed very well on both the bagel and the frozen food tests, however.

Cuisinart – CPT-122 (discontinued)

(Editor’s note: Since our review, Cuisinart has discontinued this model, although it is still available at many online retailers.)

Cuisinart’s line is carefully segmented by price and feature set: each retailer has a slightly different model, though most of them produce very similar toast.

The major practical difference between this toaster and the CPT-160 or CPT-180 “Classic” models is the insulating nature of the plastic sides: The hottest spot we could find on the sides of the plastic toaster was 97° after toasting most of a loaf of bread, compared to 130-degree hotspots on other toasters. Safety concerns really aren’t much different, though: Most toasters won’t burn you if you brush your hand against the side, and this plastic model still has metal slots that concentrate the 900 watts of heat up top.

The plastic Cuisinart, like the top-of-the-line digital model, requires multiple runs of “defrost” to actually get the inside of a frozen pastry hot. The Cuisinart – CPT-180 and Hamilton Beach – 24990 toasters fared better in that test.

Frigidaire – Professional 4-slice (discontinued)

We tested this digital-control toaster in our original roundup to see how it stacked up against the other premium models. We liked the reflective stainless steel finish and the digital LED countdown timer, but toast quality was disappointing. Frigidaire has discontinued this model and hasn’t replaced it.

How we selected

We began our quest to find the best toaster by compiling reviews and research from popular sources on home goods like Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping, CNET, and Bon Appetit magazine.

We also read cooking blogs and talked to other consumers to discover how often people use a toaster, what functions are most useful, what the most common complaints are, and what makes a great toaster.

The predominant characteristics that people look for in a good toaster are:

How we tested

Speed and consistency

We wanted to find out how reliably each toaster produced the same shading and texture on the same medium setting over five toasting cycles. Everyone likes toast a certain way, but can the toaster predictably create that certain way for you every time?

For this test, we used slices of Wonder Bread and set each finalist to its middle setting. We also wanted to see any difference between slots, so we cycled through the slots over the five consecutive toasting cycles.

All of the finalists we tested decrease the amount of time per cycle progressively as the machine gets hotter. The average time to reach a medium toast the first time around was two minutes, 47 seconds. That dropped to an average of two minutes, 15 seconds on the second round, with further incremental drops each round.

The toasters that created the most consistent results adjusted the time that the toast spent in the slots while also altering the intensity of the heat. The toaster with the smallest variance in time between rounds, the Oster -TSSTTRJBG1, also produced some of the most similarly toasted slices round after round. Other toasters that offered close to uniform consistency were the Cuisinart and the Hamilton Beach.

Not only were the Cuisinart and Oster toasters reliable, but they were also the two fastest, both with first-round times of two minutes and two seconds. At just under four minutes, the now-discontinued Frigidaire – Professional was by far the slowest to achieve a medium toast.

Toast quality

After observing the speed and consistency of multiple rounds, we turned our attention to the quality of the toast itself. We wanted to see bread that had been evenly colored from left to right, top to bottom, and on both sides. The ideal toast would be crispy on the outside without being too dry or flaky all the way through — a bit of a crunch with a warm and light interior.

Many of the toasters provide an evenly shaded slice from left to right on the same side, but there is a discernible difference between the top and bottom, with the bottom almost always being a bit darker. There was also often a large variation from one side of the bread to the other.

Only the toast made with the Hamilton Beach – 22790 was the same on both sides of the bread. All of the others produced toast with a lighter side and a darker side. With some, the difference was very slight, like the KitchenAid and Cuisinart, but many were noticeably darker on one side, as with the KRUPS toaster.

Making a taste comparison between the models is difficult, as everyone has different taste buds, different expectations and different reactions. However, the toast that the Frigidaire toaster made had a clearly different texture than all the others. It seemed denser and compressed: The edges crumbled and flaked with even the most careful handling.

Settings

Bagels

All of the toasters on our list of finalists include a bagel setting. Most also have a decal near the slots that illustrates what direction to face the sliced side of the bagel. The goal is to toast a bagel with a golden brown, crispy cut side and a warmed but still chewy opposite side. We used fresh bagels that we cut in half right before toasting, and we also double-checked the mode with a slice of bread to see how big the difference between sides really was.

The bagel setting works by increasing the heat on just one side of the slot. Clearly, this technology has been well-developed, as we were pleased with most all of the bagels that popped up. The one disappointment was the Oster, which seemed to do the exact same thing to both sides of the bagel. The medium bagel setting was also much darker than we would have expected.

Krups earned some points here with a bagel setting that crisped the inside while only just warming the outside of the bagel.

Frozen

In order to test the ability of the direct-from-the-freezer setting, we set each toaster to either frozen or defrost and lowered a Pillsbury Toaster Strudel into the slot. The goal was a crispy, flakey exterior and a warm — but not too hot — gooey filling inside. In addition to our texture and taste observations, we used an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of both the outside surface and the inside filling of the pastry after one, and if necessary, two rounds of toasting.

Both the Cuisinart and the Krups needed two rounds on frozen set to medium to cook a finished product that was ready to eat. After just one cycle, the pastry was just barely warm to the touch, with a cool, less-than-delicious center. The other models all succeeded in making a toaster strudel with an interior temperature above 160°F after the first cycle.

Slot size

While all the toasters we tested are marketed as having large, wide slots, we wanted to see how the machines actually handled larger slices of bread. We cut several loaves of french bread into ½-inch, 1-inch, and 1½-inch-wide segments and ran them through our finalists. For reference, a slice of Wonder Bread is about half an inch.

As the slices get wider, they get closer to the heated wires inside the slots and the edges darken quicker and more dramatically than the middle surface area of the bread. If you typically enjoy a traditional sliced toast at any given setting, you may want to decrease the setting for thicker slices since it will toast quicker.

For some of our finalists, 1-inch-thick bread came out a bit uneven in terms of shading and quality. Several toasters, including the Hamilton Beach and the Oster could not accommodate the 1½-inch cut pieces; their slots were simply too narrow. The others performed with varying degrees of success, with the clear winner in this category being the Breville.

Surface heat

Obviously, the inside of the toaster will be hot, but the outside should remain relatively cool to be handled easily after use. Again, we used our infrared thermometer to take the temperature of the outside surface of the toaster after one and two rounds on the medium setting.

Most of our finalists hung around the mid-80s and low-90s (F°) for surface temperature, which is warm but not dangerously hot. However, the Oster shot up above 100° after just one round and to 122° after the second. At this temperature, the toaster was very hot to the touch and couldn’t be moved without oven mitts for several minutes.

Other features

Finally, we tried to take into account all the other aspects of the user experience that are hard to quantify but are still important. We looked at how easily the crumb trays are removed and cleaned and how efficiently they trap crumbs inside the machine. We spent hours assessing how intuitive and easy each toaster is to use.

We observed LED screens, timers, lever lifts that raise the toast higher out of the slots and push buttons that automatically lower and raise the food. We compared dings, beeps and the feeling you get from using and simply looking at the toaster in the kitchen to help determine the best of the best.

Why you need a pop-up toaster

Some may think that there are many ways to heat bread, bagels, and frozen waffles. An oven that can handle a Thanksgiving turkey can surely accommodate a couple of slices of bread and a pan over the stove can also toast bagels. So, why even bother with a slot toaster?

Slot toasters are the best and easiest way to make toast and a lot of other foods quickly and consistently.

Making toast in the oven — or even in one of the winners from our review of the best toaster ovens — makes inferior, dried-out toast. Because of an oven’s size, the heat source is far from the bread and with the volume of air inside, food dries as it cooks, which is why marinate and baste chicken and turkey.

In a slot toaster, the heat source of heat is close and the duration of toasting is quick, so the moisture inside your bagels and bread doesn’t escape. This creates the crispy outside you want but leaves a warm, soft and chewy inside.

You can also make toast on a stovetop or even a portable induction cooktop, and it’s certainly quicker than waiting for the oven to preheat, but the pan has to be actively tended and then washed. The ability to simply push a button or lever and then move on to other tasks makes a slot toaster much more convenient — particularly for those mornings when minutes seem to fly by as you try to get out the door.

Beyond toast

Clearly, the toaster is an ideal tool for making toast, frozen breakfast treats and bagels. But the vertical slots of a toaster make it less versatile than a toaster oven when you’re heating or cooking other food. That is, it was, until someone invented a clever hack.

Toaster bags, made of heat-resistant and food-safe silicone or Teflon, allow you to cook pretty much anything that will fit in the slots. The bags, which trap any crumbs, melting cheese, or loose topping are washable and reusable. This is now the quickest, cleanest and easiest way to reheat last night’s pizza or create gourmet sandwiches.

With the confined shape of toaster bags, you can also add your favorite toppings or spreads before toasting. Grilled cheese or even peanut butter sandwiches come out hot and ready without any extra dishes. During our testing, we even made toaster panini with chicken, pesto and goat cheese.

You can also make hot sandwiches in a waffle maker, but as we found out in our review of the best waffle makers, even a non-stick waffle iron takes much more work to clean up than a toaster bag.

What to look for in a toaster

Number of slots

A single person or couple will most likely be served well with a two-slot toaster while a larger family would probably benefit from the extra slots, particularly when multiple people need to use it in a short time period.

The size of your kitchen and your aesthetic taste will also dictate how much of your counter space you want to dedicate to a toaster. For a 300-square-foot studio with a small kitchen, a two-slot toaster is probably going to be the right decision.

Crumb tray

The crumb tray — a small, thin, metallic sheet that slides out from the bottom of the toaster — is a crucial feature. The tray catches all of the inevitable crumbs and debris that flake off bread during the toasting process. All of our finalists have crumb trays and we strongly advise against buying a toaster without one.

Slot size

The length and width of the slots will determine what can actually fit inside and smaller slots limit your ability to toast larger and more varied food items. The emerging standard width is 1½ inches, which is featured in all except one of our finalists. The lengths hover between 5 and 6 inches, with the exception of the Breville – BTA830XL, which sports two unique 10-inch long slots.

Features

Beyond simple toasting, there are several other pre-programmed features with which some toasters are equipped that change exactly how the toaster heats a given food item. For example, the most common feature is the bagel setting, which makes a darker, crispier inside and prevents over-cooking the crust of a bagel by changing the intensity of the different heated coils. While all of our finalists have a bagel function, they are not all created equal.

Another popular setting is the frozen or defrost button, which is designed for food coming directly from the freezer. Again, all of our finalists have this feature, but it performs differently from model to model.

Some frozen settings simply increase the time of a given cycle while others actually lower the intensity of the heat or more gradually increase it to prevent burning the outside before the inside is done.

Other popular features to consider are levers, push buttons, LED displays, sound alerts, countdown timers, a cancel function and the ability to lift the food high enough out of the slots to make removing it by hand easy and safe.

Price

More expensive toasters almost always look sharper and sleeker, but they don’t necessarily make drastically better toast. Cheaper options may take a bit longer and produce less even coloring and texture than pricier models, which often have more wattage and more heated wires.

It’s likely that a more expensive model that’s made with higher quality, more durable components will last longer. Some offer warranties while others don’t. In the end, your budget and personal preferences will help determine which one of our top picks will be your favorite.

Slot toasters are incredibly efficient and provide the perfect texture and toast shade quicker, easier, and more reliably than other methods. With the use of reusable toaster bags, a good toaster becomes a versatile and almost essential appliance for any kitchen.

Our pick for the best 2-slice toaster is the KRUPS – Kh420D50, a sleek, moderately priced toaster with great features that give consistent results.

If you’re looking for something a little less expensive, we also recommend the Hamilton Beach – 22816, another 2-slice toaster that alerts you when your toast is done and then keeps it warm until you’re ready for it.

The best 4-slice toaster is the Cuisinart – CPT-440 Touch to Toast Leverless because of its consistency, usability and value. The four slots are wide enough to handle almost any food; the pre-programmed settings for bagels and frozen food work exceptionally well, and it looks and feels sharp and modern.

If those premium digital control features aren’t what you’re looking for, the performance from the more conventional Cuisinart – CPT-180 is our value pick 4-slice toaster

For a bit more versatility, our upgrade pick, the Breville – BTA830XL, offers unique 10-inch-long slots that are perfect for artisanal breads or reheating pizza.

Share this Review

Daniel Jackson, Writer

Daniel is a Canadian farm boy who grew up to be a nerd with a literature degree and too many hobbies to count. He emigrated from Canada to California in 2013, and now writes for Your Best Digs full-time. Daniel remains unapologetic about Canadian spelling, serial commas, and the destruction of expensive travel mugs.

More Reviews

The 4 Fastest Toasters On Amazon

All toasters may toast bread, but the best ones stand out for their speed and convenience. The fastest toaster can toast bread in one to three minutes and has features like wide slots to fit a variety of bread types and a removable crumb tray for cleaning convenience.

Models

Toasters are typically available as 2-slice toasters, 4-slice toasters, and toaster ovens. Two-slice toasters tend to be more compact, while a 4-slice toaster speeds things up for larger households by allowing you to toast more bread at the same time. Toaster ovens are usually large enough to toast four slices simultaneously and are more versatile for cooking beyond toast; plus, a toaster oven’s size heats up and cooks much faster than conventional ovens.

Toast Time

Toasting time will depend on a few variables — including the type and thickness of your bread — but one study found the perfect piece of toast takes 3.5 minutes for bread that's about .5 inches thick and has just been removed from the refrigerator. That said, one to four minutes on a medium setting is a typical toasting time for a toaster, and toaster ovens can take longer, about 2.5 to 9 minutes. Since speed is a priority here, know that the fastest toasters on my list toast in about one to three minutes. Considering personal preferences and multiple setting options for toast doneness, an exact toast time is sometimes tricky to pin down for most toasters, but I scoured reviews from users who consistently commented on the speed of the toasters listed below.

Features

Quick toasting is always appreciated, but other toaster features to look for include built-in cord wrap for tidy storage, a removable or sliding crumb tray, convenient presets — like ones for perfectly toasting bagels or defrosting frozen items like waffles — and extra-wide slots for thicker bread.

Keep reading for the best fast toasters; they're all highly rated on Amazon, and one pick even comes in fun colors, like aqua and red.

1. The Overall Best Fast Toaster

Cuisinart Metal Classic 4-Slice Toaster

Amazon

This 4-slice toaster is the overall best of fast toasters with a 4.4-star Amazon rating after more than 6,000 reviews. Many reviewers rave about its speed, with one writing "I use it to toast frozen waffle too and it's really fast, I use once the defrost and then the regular toast again just to make it crunchy." It has six levels of doneness. An extra-lift lever makes it easy to grab even smaller pieces of toast without burning your fingers, and the extra-wide slots fit thicker slices of bread. Dual controls allow you to toast the different slot sides at two different settings simultaneously.

A slide-out crumb tray makes cleaning the toaster no big deal, and its cord can be stored underneath the appliance. This pick has preset buttons with LED indicators for toasting bagels, defrosting, and reheating, as well as a cancel button. If your kitchen is tight on space or you're shopping on a budget, this pick is also available as a more affordably priced 2-slice toaster.

A helpful review: “I am thrilled with our new toaster. I was hesitant to purchase a 4 slice toaster but for our family of 5 and busy mornings the 4 slots are super helpful to toast bagels for 3 kids fast and efficiently. The black/silver is sharp looking. Overall, the toaster is very durable and works great! Highly recommend.”

2. A Fast Toaster With Digital Controls

Cuisinart Touch to Toast Leverless Toaster

Amazon

Go with this fast 2-slice toaster for a compact pick that takes just two minutes for a medium toast. It's a highly rated pick with over 1,300 reviews, and many reviewers commented they absolutely love its digital controls, which includes shade control that provides the option of seven doneness settings and a countdown timer. This toaster has a nifty LCD display with a blue blacklit function and a motorized lift instead of a traditional lever. This pick has preset buttons for toasting bagels, reheating, canceling, and defrosting.

The extra-wide slots on this toaster accommodate even thicker slices of bread, and a removable crumb tray makes it especially easy to keep this toaster clean.

A helpful review: “I have the toaster for about a week now. What I noticed is how fast it is. Evenly toasted, simple operation. Press the "TOAST" button and the bread magically drops quietly into the machine. Two minutes later, you have perfect toast! [...] between the smooth operation, single button press, motorized lift and digital display...its worth every penny.”

3. The Fastest Toaster Oven

Mueller Toaster Oven

Amazon

This fast toaster oven can toast up to four slices of bread or bakes a 9-inch pizza in 15 minutes thanks to a curved interior that maximizes internal space. This pick can bake, broil, toast, or keep food warm with a temperature range of 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Reviewers report it takes minutes to preheat — as little as three minutes to reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit, according to another reviewer — and can make toast in under five minutes, which is fast for a toaster oven.

This highly rated toaster oven, with over 3,500 reviews, also features a 30-minute timer and a removable crumb tray.

A helpful review: “I liked my Mueller toaster oven because I can toast bread in a jiffy, bake my personal sized pizzas and heat up my [lasagna] in a snap. I really like the easy to read knobs as well. My homemade cookies cooked faster than normal. This little oven packs a big punch.”

4. A Cute Toaster With a Peekaboo Window

Dash Toaster

Amazon

This super cute toaster toasts in about three minutes, reviewers commented, and has one unique feature that will help you make your best toast every time: a peekaboo window. This window allows you to monitor bread as it toasts on one of seven browning levels (by turning the dial). The 2-slice toaster is highly rated with over 2,000 reviews and comes in five colors, including red, aqua, and white.

Preset buttons for defrost, reheat, and bagels are convenient, as well as a slide-out crumb tray. Plus, the extra-long slots on this toaster accommodate wider slices of artisanal or homemade bread.

A helpful review: “Wonderful product. This beautiful toaster is a welcome addition to my kitchen .. compact, toasts bread nicely & super-fast. I love that the slot fits a long slice of Artisan bread & that you can check on it through the glass pane!"

Rating of the best toasters for home use, popular models for 2020 and reviews about them

Toasted bread with jam or honey and a cup of aromatic coffee is a traditional version of a delicious breakfast. The fastest way to cook it is with a toaster. This appliance toasts the pieces to a crispy crust on both sides in a few minutes, while maintaining the softness of the bread inside. Such kitchen appliances are now in many families. The rating of the best models of this household appliance will help you choose a toaster for your home.

Description and purpose

A toaster is a small kitchen appliance that toasts thin slices of bread on both sides. It reduces the preparation time for breakfast and makes it healthier, because the brown crust is formed without oil. The device works autonomously. No need to watch the bread while it is browning. After roasting, the toaster turns off by itself. Therefore, by loading the pieces into the device, you can do other things in parallel.

The main function of the toaster is to dry and toast slices of bread with hot air. But modern models are additionally equipped with other functions:

The appliance becomes more functional if it is equipped with a slide-out crumb tray, automatic centering, high lift electronic control for small pieces. The operating mode of the toaster depends on the model:

Selection Tips

When deciding which toaster is best for your home, there are several criteria to consider. First of all, they take into account how many people will use the device. A small device for 2 pieces is enough for 1-2 people. But it is inconvenient for them to cook toast for a large family. For this, a device with four compartments is more suitable. They use more electricity. The most energy-intensive toaster grills. They toast sandwiches and bake pastries.

Power is important for toasting bread quickly. To prevent the pieces from burning and not being too dry, a thermostat is needed. It regulates the power of the device. Now most models have from 6 to 11 degrees of roasting. The lowest of them only warm up the bread, and the high ones are for frying.

The body of the toaster is available in metal or plastic. The advantage of the latter is the low price and variety of colors. But plastic is less durable, heats up quickly, and does not look attractive. Metal toasters are solid and reliable, but they are much more expensive. In addition, fingerprints and the slightest stains are visible on such a case. The best toasters have a non-stick heating chamber. Washing such a device is easier.

Overview of the best models for the home

Small families of 2-3 people usually buy standard 2-piece electric toasters. They do not take up much space in the kitchen, they have different power from 700 to 1000 watts. It is enough to toast two slices of bread for 30 seconds. In such devices there is a tray for collecting crumbs. Small toasters are functional, practical, consume little electricity, quickly toast bread.

Redmond RT-M403

This model has 9operating modes for creating toasters with different degrees of roasting. Its body is streamlined with rounded corners. The control panel is equipped with an LED backlight for ease of use. The device is equipped with a non-heating comfortable carrying handle. There are buttons on the front to turn on the toasting, defrosting or reheating functions. You can also set the roasting time there, although in standard mode this operation takes 1 minute. A pull-out tray is provided for collecting and removing crumbs. The only drawback of this model, which is noted by buyers, is the short cord.

Philips HD2581

Among the best is the manufacturer's model from the Netherlands with the simplest and most concise design. There are no extra buttons and switches on the trapezoidal case with rounded edges. Large toast holes are located at the top so that the pieces fit completely into them. There are buttons to the left and right to adjust the roasting. The start handle is on the top. At the bottom there is a retractable crumb tray.

The toaster has a power of 830 W, which is enough to toast two pieces in half a minute. There are 8 operating modes for adjusting the degree of heating and toasting. The case is made of glossy plastic, which does not leave fingerprints. If necessary, stains are easy to wash. The lower part is made of metal, giving the toaster strength and preventing deformation. Of the shortcomings, buyers note the short length of the cord. Therefore, some have to turn on the device through an extension cord.

Tesler TT-255

This model takes the third place in the rating. To ensure that the pieces are fried evenly, Tesler TT-255 is equipped with automatic centering. The crust is smooth and crispy. The device has a power of 900 W and toasts bread for a minute. Additionally, the function of defrosting and heating bakery products is provided. For quick cleaning of the toaster from crumbs, a retractable tray is provided. After finishing work, the power cord can be rolled up and stored in a special compartment. The body is made of stainless steel. This makes the toaster more durable, but increases the price.

Bosch TAT 3A011

The power of this appliance is 980 W, which allows you to cook toast quickly. The pieces are fried evenly on all sides, quickly become crispy, regardless of thickness and softness. A convenient lever is provided to turn on the toaster. Below it is a switch to set the heating time. The small size makes it easy to install the device even in a small kitchen. There is a removable crumb tray at the bottom. Additionally, there is a bun warmer function. The case of the device is plastic, it can be of different colors. Among the shortcomings of the hostess, they note the difficulty in extracting small pieces from the toaster, since the tongs do not go to it.

Smeg TSF01

The modern device with six browning levels prepares delicious warm toast for the whole family. The case is made of stainless steel, complemented by non-slip feet on the bottom. In addition to standard toasting, this toaster performs heating and defrosting. The device turns on the convenient lever located from above. Under it is a knob for adjusting the operating time. The power of Smeg TSF01 reaches 950W. This is enough to toast two toasts in 40-60 seconds. For quick cleaning of the cut after the end of work, a retractable pallet is provided.

Top design models

These toasters have an unusual, bright design that is different from most models for the home. Often they are supplemented with unusual functions that expand the possibilities of using the device. Designer devices are durable, reliable, serve for many years. Their price is an order of magnitude higher than that of ordinary home toasters.

Delonghi CTI 2103

This model has a stylish metal body in one of four color options. It performs standard toasting, defrosting and reheating functions. As an additional device, it comes with a grill on which you can warm the buns. The temperature is continuously adjustable. You can choose any degree of roasting yourself. The only drawback of this toaster is the high price.

Russell Hobbs 21680

In second place in the ranking is a stylish retro model with a power of 1.3 kW. The level of browning is changed with a slider control. The operating mode is switched by buttons. A digital scale is provided to control the remaining cooking time. To make the crust uniform, the auto-centering function is provided. The degree of toasting can be controlled without interrupting the cycle using the special Lift&Look function. If necessary, cooking can be interrupted by pressing the button. In addition, the toaster is equipped with a grill for heating buns.

Hermes Technics HT-TO104

This original appliance combines the functions of a toaster and an AM/FM radio. It has a telescopic antenna and a small speaker. To search for channels and adjust the volume, rotary knobs are provided in the front of the case. The control functions of the toaster are from the end. There is a lever for raising and lowering slices of bread, a choice of operating mode and a browning degree regulator. To make the crust even, automatic centering of toasts is provided. Among the shortcomings, buyers note a short power cord.

Polaris PET 0917A

Next on the list with retro style for regular slice toasting, reheating and defrosting. The power of the design device is 0.9 kW. The round body is made of plastic and stainless steel. The lever and control buttons are on the side. In front of the case is a rotary lever and mode control and a digital scale. In total, there are 7 degrees of roasting. Additionally, it is possible to toast bread on one side only. There is also a function that allows you to control cooking without interrupting the cycle. The main drawback is that the bun rack is not built into the case, but simply installed from above.

KitchenAid 5KMT2204

Retro-style model with a metal case in different colors. The power of the device, designed for 2 pieces, is 1.25 kW. It can toast, reheat and defrost sandwiches and buns. The device has a mechanical control with smooth adjustment of the degree of roasting. To make it uniform, automatic centering of the pieces is provided. If necessary, toasts are urgently raised from the slot. After the end of work, an audible signal sounds.

Reviews

Elena, Norilsk:

I have a Polaris PET 0917A toaster - an unusual, stylish model. Slices after frying become tasty, crispy. It is designed for 2 pieces, but this is enough for our family. But for re-loading, you need to set a lower degree of roasting. Otherwise, the toast will burn.

Nikolai, Samara:

I bought myself a Bosch TAT 3A011 model. Great product, perfect fit for our kitchen. Cooks well and evenly. This small model is quite enough for us to quickly prepare breakfast for three people.

For many customers, uniformity and price remain the main criteria when buying a toaster. The principle of control is not of fundamental importance. Some generally consider mechanical devices more reliable than electronic ones.

types, how to choose, pros and cons

The main task of the toaster is to brown bread evenly, regardless of the recipe. Modern models can not only fry bread, but also cook sandwiches, waffles, pancakes, heat food and combine the functions of a grill and an oven. 9Ol000 roaster

  • The best toaster 3 in 1
  • Which toaster is better to buy

    • How to choose a toaster


    When choosing a toaster, pay attention to some parameters that characterize this kitchen appliance.

    The toaster roaster will melt the cheese on the sandwich and fry the eggs. Grilled toaster is great for roasting meats and vegetables. The toaster sandwich maker will prepare stuffed sandwiches.

    Some factors can be ignored as they are not essential for well browned toast.

    Best Sandwich Toaster

    Philips HD 2392 - the appliance has 2 bread compartments with simultaneous preparation of 4 servings. The bread is cut into triangles with specially shaped plates, the edges are sealed, which allows you to put a filling for a sandwich inside.

    The model has a plastic body, non-stick coated panels. There is a clip-lock for holding the halves of the sandwich maker during operation and a readiness indicator.

    Additional features include anti-slip rubberized feet, thermally insulated handle and cord storage.

    Characteristics

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer Reviews

    Toaster helps you quickly and conveniently prepare sandwiches with a crispy crust and even toasting. The case does not heat up, sandwiches do not burn. The dimensions of the device allow it to be stored vertically.

    The device takes up little space and is easy to clean - just wipe the cooled surface. Among the shortcomings, there is a lack of an off button - you have to wait for the indicator signal so as not to miss the moment of preparation and not to overcook the sandwiches.

    The Best Hot Sandwich Toaster

    Bugatti Volo - The toaster is designed for 2 toasts at the same time. There is a bread defrosting function, one-sided roasting, 6 toast cooking modes.

    Steel metal case, thermally insulated and available in several colours, cord storage and rubberized feet. Includes sandwich pliers, bun warmer and crumb tray.

    The appliance is equipped with a special system for gently lowering and raising the bread and a cancel button.

    Auto-centers the toast for even toasting, the slots are filled with bread up to 2.5 cm thick. The readiness of the toast is accompanied by an audible signal.

    Features

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer reviews

    The bread in this model rises smoothly and crumbles less. The clamps can be used to warm up sandwiches. Toast roasting is electronically controlled, so the appliance does not need to be looked after during operation. Highly appreciated are the multiple color options and the body design, which is a decoration for the kitchen.

    Best Grilled Toaster

    Redmond RSM-M1404 Plastic toaster with 3 interchangeable metal panels for sandwiches, waffles and grilled food. There is a clip-lock on the lid and a ready indicator.

    Non-stick sandwich plate makes 4 triangular sandwiches, waffle plate 2 waffles.

    Characteristics

    Pros

    Cons

    0002 The bread is toasted evenly with a golden crust. Grilling chicken, fish and sausages is easy. Removable panels are easy to clean, but they do not adhere tightly to the body, it is possible for the contents of sandwiches to leak into the space for the heating element.

    The toaster off button is missing, it needs to be unplugged manually. Fingerprints and stains remain on the case.

    Best Shawarma Toaster

    Tefal Optigrill GC702D34 - toaster-grill with non-stick surfaces. The device automatically adjusts the temperature and degree of frying depending on the thickness of the meat. There are 6 cooking modes for toast, chicken, cutlets, sausages, fish and meat. Manual control and defrost mode are available.

    Panels are installed at a slight angle to allow grease to drain into a plastic drip tray.

    Removable panels and drip tray are dishwasher safe. The device has an aluminum body and a heat-resistant handle with a control panel placed on it.

    The height of the top panel adapts to the thickness of the food to be cooked. Automatic shutdown is triggered when the plates remain in the same position for a long time.

    Features

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer reviews

    The plates heat up evenly, the product does not burn. Cooking of frozen food is available, fully automatic cooking of meat of the desired roasting, while no oil is required for cooking. A signal sounds between the degrees of doneness.

    High-quality assembly of the toaster is noted. Removable plates are easy to clean. There are complaints about the spontaneous shutdown of the auto mode. This model is not suitable for cooking meat on the bone.

    Best Professional Toaster

    Milantoast 18051 - Toaster provides front loading conveyor toast. The speed of the conveyor belt is continuously adjustable. Separate thermostats for the upper and lower heater smoothly change the intensity.

    The width of the belt fits 2 toasts at the same time, and the height of the chamber allows you to fry not only bread, but also rolls.

    An additional external panel is installed on the frontal plane and closes the settings controls from outside interference.

    The crumb tray can be removed and cleaned in the dishwasher. The band and body of the device are made of stainless steel.

    Characteristics

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer Reviews

    The toaster allows you to adjust the browning of your toast so that it browns evenly on both sides. The ability to lock the control panel from users is highly appreciated, while providing access to self-loading toast into the machine.

    Suitable for use in hotels and catering establishments.

    Best Horizontal Toaster

    Bartscher A151.300 is a professional horizontal loading toaster. Equipped with quartz heating elements, which are switched on separately.

    Body and internal grilles made of stainless steel. The set includes tongs and a frying rack. The height of the chamber allows you to cook toast, sandwiches and use the grill grate.

    Built-in thermostat controls the intensity of heating. You can fry 6 toasts at the same time. The timer is adjustable up to 15 minutes and turns off with a beep.

    Features

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer reviews

    The toaster is suitable for catering. The optimal price is marked. The appliance can be used for grilling, reheating and defrosting food.

    Best Toaster Roaster

    Tefal Toast ‘n’ Grill TF8010 is a mini oven that can cook 4 toasts at the same time or reheat food. There are 3 main modes: toaster, oven and grill, as well as a fast frying mode at full power.

    The model has horizontal bread loading and control of the degree of toasting. The set includes a pull-out baking sheet and a grill grate, a hanging grill. The built-in thermostat smoothly controls the heating intensity of both heating elements.

    The timer sets the cooking time up to 25 minutes and notifies the end of cooking with an audible signal. The case has handles for carrying the device.

    Characteristics

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer Reviews

    This versatile toaster can be used to reheat sandwiches, pizza, toast and grilled meats and vegetables. The temperature is set automatically or manually. The plastic handle on the tray and the grate does not heat up.

    However, when two-sided toast is roasted on the grate, the crumbs fall under the lower heating element, from where they are difficult to remove.

    Best Toaster 3 in 1

    Brand 321 is a multi-bakery equipped with six sets of interchangeable plates with non-stick coating for toasting, sandwiches, baking waffles, pies, cooking on a flat and corrugated grill surface.

    Toaster panels turn 180 degrees, which allows you to cook simultaneously on two work surfaces.

    Includes overheating protection and plastic holders for removable panels.

    Characteristics

    Pros

    Cons

    Customer reviews

    A large number of working panels diversify baking and grilling. Recipes are given in the instructions. Removable plates are easy to clean.

    The toaster toasts evenly on both sides, but may switch off automatically when the heat is too high. There are complaints about the durability of the coating of the plates.

    Which toaster is best to buy

    When choosing a toaster, determine whether only the basic functions are sufficient or additional ones are useful.

    Learn more