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. There are also 4 slice toasters that only have 2 ‘long’ slots so are not as wide as a 4 slot model, you just toast 2 slices next to each other in the single slot.
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 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. Look for a toaster with a smooth shell and not too many ‘nooks and crannies’ for crumbs to get trapped in.
Aside from safety improvements, high-end toasters tend to pack in features that are nice to have, but not usually essential. They could improve your toasting experience, but you might be just as happy with a cheap, simple model.
The price of a toaster is not necessarily indicative of its ability to toast well. Many of the more expensive and aesthetically pleasing models will not toast as well as the cheaper models. Before you buy, check our reviews to see if the model you have your eye on is actually going to perform.
We ask thousands of Consumer members about their products to find out which brands are most reliable and satisfying to own. The results are available to members and Digital Pass holders.
We've tested 47 toasters.
Find the right one for you.
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