Toasters
Our guide to choosing the right toaster, plus test results for budget and premium models.
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.
Four-slice toasters are great if you have a big household or a big appetite. They usually have separate levers for each pair of slots, and some also have separate browning controls for each pair.
Two-slice toasters take up less space, and often have wider and longer chambers so you can toast a wider variety of shapes and sizes – handy if you eschew “standard” loaves in favour of artisan breads.
A safe toaster should switch off automatically once time is up, even if a stuck slice is keeping its carriage down. Non-slip feet and power cord storage are also useful safety features.
“Cool wall” design insulates the outer surfaces from the toasting chamber, keeping them at temperatures that are safe to touch. A plastic body doesn’t conduct heat as well as a metal one, so is less likely to burn you.
A toaster’s crumb tray should be simple to remove and replace, and controls should be well labelled and easy to operate. Some toasters have separate controls for each slot, which is brilliant for toasting different breads at the same time when one needs a longer blast.
While it might not look as sophisticated, a plastic shell is usually easier to clean than one made of stainless steel.
We've tested 47 toasters.
Find the right one for you.
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