To see how each toaster handled breads of different shapes and sizes, we toasted dozens of loaves of basic white bread, bagels, frozen waffles, and English muffins. For our white-bread test, we toasted three back-to-back rounds of Wonder bread slices to see how consistent the toast was from model to model and batch to batch. These multiple batches showed us how well each toaster could regulate its temperature after heating up.
In each round, we timed each toaster to see which could brown bread the fastest. We judged the toast itself on its top-to-bottom and side-to-side evenness, and we evaluated the accuracy of the shade settings—would most breakfast eaters consider these results to be medium, or too light, or too burned? For our update, we revised our testing approach slightly—we toasted bread on the medium-shade setting in back-to-back timed sequences, following the same procedure used by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
We toasted six batches of bread, allowing the toasters to rest for a different amount of time between each batch. In order, the toasters rested 15 seconds, 60 seconds, 15 seconds, 6 minutes, and, finally, 11 minutes. This revealed how well the toasters regulated their temperature from batch to batch.
We also added sourdough bread to the mix of carbs we toasted to see if the tall slices fit into the slots. The waffles, we hoped, would come out crispy and brown but not scorched or soggy. We toasted English muffins to see which toasters made it easiest to retrieve them without having to stick our fingers in the heated slots.
And we took a look at the size of each model relative to others in its class. These inexpensive toasters browned bread, bagels, and waffles better than all of the competition in their price range. Unlike some other cheap toasters, the Cuisinarts have slots that are wide enough to fit thick, hand-cut bagels without requiring you to push them down yourself.
The plastic controls offer a wide range of toasting settings and feel sturdier than the plastic dials and knobs on some other toasters we tested. The two-slot Cuisinart is also one of the tiniest toasters we tested, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space.
They beautifully browned the entire slice of Wonder bread, whereas other toasters, like the Osters or Hamilton Beaches we tested, left unappetizing raw halos on top. When we filled every slot, the four-slot model made slightly lighter toast than the two-slot, but you can easily fix this by turning up the toasting dial.
By comparison, all other similarly priced toasters—and even some pricier machines—left bread even whiter and patchier. The medium setting on both Cuisinarts also popped out a fully done piece of toast after 1 minute 20 seconds—almost half the time it took our previous top pick, the Oster Jelly Bean at 2 minutes 20 seconds.
And the defrost setting on both Cuisinarts produced Eggo waffles that were crispy on the outside but soft and moist on the inside. The slots on the Cuisinarts were wider and deeper than those on most other toasters we tested.
The controls on both Cuisinarts are simple. They also have buttons to reheat and defrost your toast, as well as a bagel setting. All the parts you touch and twist stay cool, and they also feel sturdier than the moving parts of other toasters. We used Wonder bread—which is practically engineered to toast evenly—for our back-to-back tests, following the same procedure used by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
However, some of our long term testers were frustrated by uneven results. Upon retesting, we found the Cuisinart still performed as well as it did during our earlier tests, but it was important to adjust settings for different items this is true of any toaster. For instance, English muffins had the most decent color on settings 5. Finding the optimal settings for each carb will vary depending on your preferences, so it will take some trial and error to find out what you like best.
Thermal data showed that the Cuisinarts heated up faster and reached higher temperatures, whereas the Breville took longer to toast but had better temperature stability overall. Based on our research, we believe the heating elements in both appliances are probably made well enough to last at least five years. The Cuisinarts have a simple, boxy design, so the two-slot version takes up less space than some of the flashier toasters we tested, like our previous runner-up, the space-inefficient Cuisinart CPT ViewPro Glass 2-Slice Toaster which is now discontinued.
If you have a small kitchen and your counter space is at a premium, the Cuisinart two-slice is the way to go. The four-slice Cuisinart is just 4 inches wider than the two-slice model.
Cleaning and maintaining both Cuisinarts is as simple as sliding out the removable crumb tray and wiping it clean similar to other models we tested. The Cuisinarts come with a limited three-year warranty; only the expensive Magimix matches it for having the longest warranty of any toaster we tested.
Our two-slot upgrade pick from Breville comes with a one-year warranty. All of the printing is still intact, and none of the labels show any signs of wearing off. The two Cuisinart toasters have virtually no flaws in toasting, aside from occasionally leaving slim pale lines around the edges. The labels printed next to the buttons may wear away, but, again, most toasters we looked at had a similar issue.
And these labels should last longer than the ones printed directly on the buttons of other toasters like the Oster Jelly Bean or the Hamilton Beach Keep Warm , where buttery fingers may constantly be pressing.
Unlike the one on the Breville, the bagel setting on the Cuisinarts only adds time to the toasting cycle, without lowering the heat on the outside of the bagel. When the second batch starts, turn the heat down half a level from your normal setting. Unfortunately, that seems to be the case for just about any toaster. The Bit More also offers more flexible toasting options than our top-pick Cuisinarts. It adds time to the toasting cycle to allow for thawing of the bread.
A crumb tray should be easy to slide out and insert back in after emptying, as well as have no places for crumbs to accumulate in the toaster over time. Empty and clean the crumb tray frequently to avoid build-up and insects, and occasionally shake the toaster upside down for a more thorough clean.
Look for an easy-to-clean exterior with no crevices where dirt can be trapped, and no sharp edges that could scratch the benchtop, or you, when moving.
While stainless steel may look more attractive than plastic, it often requires more effort to clean. The toasting chamber should be wide and long enough to insert and remove a variety of bread shapes and sizes. For the Dualit 4 Slice Newgen Toaster, the company has kept the same design of old but has added a few new features. In addition to just heating, this new model has a proper defrost setting and a setting for heating up bagels.
Extra deep and wide slots let this toaster take most types of bread, and you can buy an optional warming wrack or sandwich cage. With a little practice, though, you can get even results every time. And, should a heating element go, you can replace the part. If you have an open kitchen where everything is on display, the Smeg TSF01 is the toaster for you.
With its 50s design and amazing range of colours, this is one of the best-looking kitchen accessories that you can buy. The four-slice could be good if you have artisan breads that may not fit in the two-slice. Most regular bread will fit in the TSF02 thanks to its wide and deep slots.
Durable and reliable, most report that the Smeg TSF01 cooks toast quickly and beautifully. The main downside is the price. If you have a beautiful kitchen and your toaster is on display, it may just be worth the price. Four-slot toasters tend to be quite big and bulky, so if you need something smaller and less obtrusive, the Cuisinart 2 Slice Compact Plastic Toaster is for you. Controls are simple, with a dial labelled one to seven for the toast setting, defrost, reheat and bagel settings.
The slots are a good size, too, and should take most shop-bought slices. Toasting is generally very good, although some complain that the toaster quickly moves into burnt territory, so try with the lower settings first. There are some complaints about uneven toasting, but turning bread part way through can fix that issue. It houses four slices at once, and you can operate either two-slice side independently from the other.
This is perfect for those who have different preferred levels of browning from their partners, and it will also allow you to toast a bagel alongside your bread using the bespoke bagel setting. You can easily increase the browning level using the plus and minus buttons, and simply press toast to start the process.
If you like the traditional lever element of a toaster you may not want this Cuisinart model, but it does come with Bagel, Reheat, and Defrost settings. Two slices, one slot. KitchenAid's unconventional 2-slice long slot toaster is a smart solution for those who want a toaster that can sit along the side or back of a counter, but still cater to a crowd. It's also ideally designed to toast really long slices of bread, which is a win for those who've been baking with the best stand mixer.
It's got a width of only 5. Functions include a 'little longer' button, as well as bagel and frozen options for just about any type of bread or baked good. Want all the style of the best toaster but in a two slice option? We love the simple curved design, and it's a compact option for smaller kitchens or households. You can also buy a matching drip coffee maker. This toaster not only looks great, it's a treat to use as well. There's an express finish option for rushed mornings and eight intensity settings to choose from, for that perfect toast every time.
Other settings include a frozen, reheat, and bagel setting. A more expensive option for a two-slice, but this toaster ticks every box when it comes to build, quality and style. With the Dash Clear View Toaster, the guesswork has gone, as you can see your bread toasting through the viewing window.
For those more obsessed with toast, the window is a game-changer, giving you the chance to eject your bread at exactly the right point. In our tests, we found that toast quality wasn't compromised either way.
For example, the bagel setting usually toasts only the inside of a bagel and warms the outside so you don't have to worry about an overly dry or crunchy bite. A defrost setting is great for frozen waffles or bread; it typically adds more time to the toasting process so you get the same results as you would if the waffles or bread were fresh.
Reheat typically toasts bread or other ingredients for a short amount of time, perfect for a toaster pastry or adding a touch more color. Product Reviews. Home Ideas. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. The Rise of the Cleanfluencer. What is the best toaster? Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Best Overall Toaster. Breville williams-sonoma. Top-tested Extra-wide slots for bagels Consistently produces evenly toasted bread. Pricier than some other toasters.
Best Value Toaster. Compact and budget-friendly Extra-wide toasting slots. Only available in red or black. Best 4-Slice Toaster. Krups amazon. Can toast up to 4 slices at once Consistently toasts bread evenly Has defrost feature for frozen bread.
Takes up more counter space than most 2-slice models.
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