Toasters
Our guide to choosing the right toaster, plus test results for budget and premium models.
Two-slice or four-slice? Find out what to look for in a toaster, then check out our test results to see which models will guarantee you perfect toast every time.
We've put budget and premium toasters through a series of toasting tests, ease-of-use assessments and electrical safety checks.
Find a toasterTwo-slice or four-slice?
If your family has a big appetite for toast and breakfast is a rush, a four-slice toaster may be just the thing. It’s also useful when you’re loading up the toast plate for a weekend “big brekkie”.
Four-slice toasters have four slots across the toaster or two slots along its length. The four-slot models usually have separate levers for each “pair” of slots and some also have separate browning controls for each pair. The separate levers mean you can toast in just one pair of slots — and the separate browning controls let you use both pairs of slots to toast two different types of bread (or the same bread to two different levels of done-ness).
The two-slot models don’t usually have this advantage but they can toast wider slices of bread (useful if you bake or buy “artisan” loaves) and they’re less bulky.
Styling
Most manufacturers put a lot of effort into the appearance of their toasters. We don’t rate on styling because it’s too personal. But if you’re keen to buy a toaster you like the look of, don’t forget the features you want as well.
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Learn more Join Consumer Log inFeatures to consider
Toaster features vary a great deal — it’s often this that accounts for differences in price.
- Controls: These should be easy to read and operate. And they shouldn’t be close to the toaster’s hot areas.
- High-lift lever: This makes it easier to remove small items or crumpets without burning your fingers.
- Crumpet and bagel buttons: Allow you to cook 1 side more than the other.
- Reheat button: This is convenient but not essential — you can get the same effect by popping the toast back on a very low setting.
- Defrost or frozen button: Adds thawing time to the toasting cycle. It’s useful if you toast bread straight from the freezer.
- Crumb removal: A removable slide-out crumb tray is easier to clean than one that’s hinged. The tray should be emptied and cleaned frequently to avoid a build-up of crumbs.
- Construction material: The exterior should be easy to clean and have no dirt traps. Stainless steel often requires more “elbow grease” than plastic does.
Safety
If safety is a particular issue in your situation, look for cool walls, cord storage, auto switch-off and a cancel button.
- Cord storage: The power cord can be wound around a loop at the bottom of the toaster, to stay out of reach of children and keep the bench tidy. Some models have a handy lock to secure the stored cord.
- Auto switch-off: If your toast gets stuck, this useful feature will switch off the elements when the time is up, even if the carriage is still down. Other toasters will turn off only when the carriage lever moves up by 1cm or so.
- Cancel button: Handy for quick retrieval of toast that’s getting burnt.
- Safe use: Toasters are fairly safe as long as they are treated sensibly. Don’t insert fingers or objects into one which is plugged in. Don’t operate them on wet metal surfaces, under low shelves, near curtains, or within reach of small hands. Remember not to shut them away in cupboards while still connected to a power point.
Which toasters are most reliable?
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