Toasters, known everywhere as a kitchen must-have, shine for their quick, handy magic in whipping up breakfast and snacks. Springing to life in 19th century Scotland, these strong, little machines now sit proudly in many homes, thanks to their **versatility**, **sturdiness**, and ease of use. Still, to get the best out of your toaster, you have to pick one that perfectly fits your needs.
The best toasters should be energy-efficient, easy to clean, and versatile in terms of the type of bread and various other food items they can toast. Additionally, a good toaster should also evenly cook the bread without needing repetitive cycles. The wrong type of toaster can result in unevenly toasted bread, constant jamming, and even hazards like overheating.
Elements such as features, slots, and design also contribute to the efficiency and reliability of the toaster. Additional features like a slide-out crumb tray for easy cleaning, defrost options, or a bagel mode can be a cherry on top. That’s why, in this article, we will be guiding you through the process of choosing the best toaster. After rigorous testing of a vast range of toasters, we’ve come up with a comprehensive review that will lead you to the ideal choice for your kitchen.
Best Toaster
Choosing the right toaster can significantly improve your breakfast experience. A toaster should be fast, efficient, and offer consistent, even results. With so many models littering the market, picking the best one can be quite daunting. But fret not, we’ve done the groundwork for you. Following meticulous testing and analysis, we’ve identified and compiled a list of the best-performing toasters on the block, which we are about to present to you.
Amazon Fresh – Toaster Pastries Variety Pack (Strawberry, Blueberry, Cherry), 12ct
If you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast option, the Amazon Fresh Toaster Pastries Variety Pack might be just what you need.
Pros
- This variety pack includes three delicious flavors: Strawberry, Blueberry, and Cherry.
- Each toaster pastry is made with real fruit puree and contains 2 grams of protein per pastry.
- These pastries are a great option for a quick breakfast on the go or a convenient snack.
Cons
- Some customers have reported that the pastries can be dry and lack flavor.
- The packaging may not be as durable as some customers would like.
- The price point may be higher than some other toaster pastry options on the market.
We’ve tried the Amazon Fresh Toaster Pastries Variety Pack and found that they are a convenient option for a quick breakfast or snack. The three different flavors make it easy to mix up your breakfast routine, and we appreciate that each pastry contains 2 grams of protein.
One potential downside is that some customers have reported that the pastries can be dry and lack flavor. However, we found that they were still enjoyable with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. Additionally, the packaging may not be as durable as some customers would like, but we didn’t have any issues with it during our testing.
Overall, if you’re looking for a convenient and easy breakfast option, the Amazon Fresh Toaster Pastries Variety Pack is definitely worth considering.
Mueller Retro Toaster 2 Slice with 7 Browning Levels and 3 Functions: Reheat, Defrost & Cancel, Stainless Steel Features, Removable Crumb Tray, Under Base Cord Storage, Pink
If you’re looking for a compact toaster that can perfectly brown your bread, the Mueller Retro Toaster might be the right choice for you.
Pros
- The toaster is made of high-quality stainless steel and has a sleek retro design that will look great on any countertop.
- With seven browning levels and three functions, including reheat, defrost, and cancel, this toaster gives you plenty of options to get your toast just right.
- The removable crumb tray makes cleaning up a breeze, and the under-base cord storage helps keep your countertop tidy.
Cons
- The toaster only has two slices of bread capacity, so it might not be the best choice if you need to toast more than two slices at a time.
- Some users have reported that the toast can come out unevenly browned, so you might need to experiment with the settings to get it just right.
- The toaster is only available in pink, so if you’re looking for a more neutral color, this might not be the best choice for you.
We’ve been using the Mueller Retro Toaster for a few weeks now, and we’re generally happy with its performance. The stainless steel construction feels sturdy and durable, and the retro design is a nice touch. We appreciate the fact that the toaster has seven browning levels, as well as the reheat and defrost functions. These features make it easy to get our toast just the way we like it.
One thing to keep in mind is that the toaster only has two slices of bread capacity, so if you need to toast more than two slices at a time, you’ll need to do it in batches. Additionally, some users have reported that the toast can come out unevenly browned, so you might need to experiment with the settings to get it just right.
Overall, we think the Mueller Retro Toaster is a solid choice for anyone looking for a compact, stylish toaster that can perfectly brown their bread. If you’re in the market for a new toaster, this one is definitely worth considering.
Cuisinart CPT-435P1 Touch to Toast Leverless 2 Slice Toaster
If you’re looking for a high-end toaster that can handle various bread types and offer a range of toasting options, the Cuisinart CPT-435P1 Touch to Toast Leverless 2 Slice Toaster is a great choice.
Pros
- The high-lift lever makes it easy to remove smaller slices of bread without having to risk burning your fingers.
- The defrost function is perfect for toasting frozen bagels and waffles.
- The wide slots can accommodate a variety of bread types, including bagels, artisan breads, and thick slices of bread.
Cons
- The price point may be a bit high for some budget-conscious consumers.
- The touch screen controls may be prone to fingerprints and smudging.
- The toaster may take up a bit more counter space than some other models.
We’ve been using the Cuisinart CPT-435P1 Touch to Toast Leverless 2 Slice Toaster for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The leverless design is a nice touch, as it eliminates the need to lower the lever with your knuckles, which can be uncomfortable after a while. The touch screen controls are also a nice feature, as they allow you to easily select your preferred toasting settings.
One of the things we like most about this toaster is its ability to handle various bread types. Whether you’re toasting bagels, artisan breads, or thick slices of bread, the wide slots and adjustable browning controls make it easy to achieve the perfect toast every time. The defrost function is also a great feature, as it allows you to quickly and easily toast frozen bagels and waffles without having to wait for them to thaw first.
While the price point may be a bit high for some budget-conscious consumers, we believe that the Cuisinart CPT-435P1 Touch to Toast Leverless 2 Slice Toaster is worth the investment if you’re looking for a high-quality toaster that can handle a variety of bread types and offer a range of toasting options.
BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster, T2569B, Extra Wide Slots, 6 Shade Settings, 850 Watts, Crub Tray, Cancel Button
If you’re looking for a compact toaster that can fit in small kitchens, the BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster is a great option.
Pros
- The extra-wide slots make it easy to toast bagels, waffles, and even thick slices of bread.
- The high-lift lever ensures that you can easily remove smaller slices of bread without burning your fingers.
- The defrost function is perfect for toasting frozen waffles and pastries.
Cons
- The crumb tray can be a bit difficult to clean, as it requires you to remove the toaster’s back panel.
- The 6-setting dial may not be precise enough for those who prefer a very light or very dark toast.
- The toaster is quite tall, which may make it difficult to store in some kitchens.
We’ve been using the BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The extra-wide slots make it easy to toast a variety of breads and pastries, and the high-lift lever is a nice touch that ensures you never have to burn your fingers on hot bread again.
The defrost function is also a great feature, especially for those who prefer to start their mornings with a frozen waffle or pastry. Simply place the item in the toaster, select the defrost setting, and wait a few minutes for it to heat up.
One downside to the toaster is the crumb tray, which can be a bit difficult to clean. To clean it, you’ll need to remove the toaster’s back panel, which can be a bit of a hassle. Additionally, the 6-setting dial may not be precise enough for those who prefer a very light or very dark toast.
Overall, we think the BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster is a great option for those who are looking for a compact, easy-to-use toaster that can handle a variety of breads and pastries. Its extra-wide slots, high-lift lever, and defrost function make it a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable and versatile toaster.
Mueller UltraToast Full Stainless Steel Toaster 4 Slice, Long Extra-Wide Slots with Removable Tray, Cancel/Defrost/Reheat Functions, 6 Browning Levels with LED Display
If you’re looking for a toaster that can handle thicker slices of bread and bagels, the Mueller UltraToast Full Stainless Steel Toaster is a great option.
Pros
- The long extra-wide slots allow for more flexibility in what you can toast, including thicker slices of bread and bagels.
- The removable tray makes it easy to clean up any crumbs or spills.
- The cancel, defrost, and reheat functions give you more control over your toasting.
Cons
- The price point is a bit higher than some other toasters on the market.
- The buttons can be a bit finicky and require some trial and error to figure out.
- The toast can sometimes come out unevenly toasted.
We’ve been using the Mueller UltraToast Full Stainless Steel Toaster for a few weeks now and have been overall pleased with its performance. The long extra-wide slots are a game-changer for us, as we often struggle to fit thicker slices of bread or bagels into smaller toaster slots. The removable tray is also a nice touch, as it makes cleaning up a breeze.
One thing to note is that the buttons can be a bit finicky and require some trial and error to figure out. For example, we had to experiment a bit to figure out the best way to use the cancel, defrost, and reheat functions. Additionally, the toast can sometimes come out unevenly toasted, so it requires a bit of trial and error to find the right setting.
Overall, if you’re looking for a toaster that can handle thicker slices of bread and bagels, the Mueller UltraToast Full Stainless Steel Toaster is definitely worth considering. Its long extra-wide slots, removable tray, and additional functions make it a great choice for those who want more control over their toasting.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best toaster, there are several factors to consider. We have used and tested various toasters, and here are some of the critical things to keep in mind.
Toast Shade Control
The ability to control the shade of the toast is an essential feature to consider when buying a toaster. Different people have different preferences when it comes to the level of toasting. Some prefer their bread to be lightly toasted, while others prefer it to be darker. A good toaster should have a range of settings that allow you to customize the shade of your toast.
Capacity
The capacity of the toaster is another important factor to consider. If you are toasting bread for a large family or for a crowd, you will need a toaster with a high capacity. However, if you are only toasting bread for yourself or for a small family, a toaster with a lower capacity will be sufficient.
Defrost Function
If you often toast frozen bread, a toaster with a defrost function is a must-have. This feature allows the bread to defrost evenly, preventing uneven toasting or burning.
Additional Features
Some toasters come with additional features such as a high-lift lever, a crumb tray, or a warming rack. These features can make toasting bread more convenient and enjoyable.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best toaster that meets your needs and preferences.
