Toasters

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What's behind our toaster Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 78 models in toasters to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Based on performance, convenience, cleaning, and safety. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points. Ratings order may differ from earlier reports because of a new scoring method.
Baking
Reflects how evenly each model baked.
Broiling
Reflects how evenly each model broiled.
Ease of use
Reflects how easy the controls are to set and how clear they are.
Ease of cleaning
We look for a crumb tray that slides out smoothly and that is easily accessible. We look for areas that might trap dirt or food stuffs. For toaster ovens, most have a non-stick interior for easier cleaning.
Color range
How well the toasters or toaster ovens produced both very light toast and very dark toast.
Full batch
How well the toasters or toaster ovens produced a batch of even, medium-brown toast.
Successive batches
Represents color consistency in consecutive batches.
One slice
We toasted just one slice of large white bread in each model, aiming for medium brown toast.

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Recommended toasters

Recommended toasters are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended toasters

Toaster buying guide

To find the toaster that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Why shop here?

In addition to finding Ratings for the latest models, you can now shop online using an ad-free interface where you can buy toasters in a safe-shopping environment.

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Should you buy a basic pop-up toaster or a countertop toaster oven that can do more? Think about your cooking habits, your budget and available counter space. If you're looking for information about toasters, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ toaster reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our toaster buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and toaster reviews to help you choose the best toaster for your needs.

Ratings & recommended toasters

Toaster ovens (21)

The best toaster ovens toast respectably but stress baking and broiling.

Toasters (57)

Top toasters typically combine the ability to make toast very light or dark with consistently even browning.

Toaster buying guide

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and fresh-baked cookies? That's the promise of today's toaster ovens. Our latest tests of dozens of models found a few able multitaskers. But other ovens botched basic jobs. And if all you want is great toast, buy a toaster; it can pop out evenly browned slices for $35 or less. Here are the details:

Toasters top our toast tests. Though we're still waiting for a model that does the job perfectly every time, toasters continue to brown more evenly and consistently than toaster ovens.

Toasting times depend on volume. Even the fastest toaster ovens take twice as long as toasters. But if you're toasting for a crowd, an oven with a six-slice capacity can quickly make up for lost time. Four-slice toasters combine the best of both worlds.

Convection doesn't pay. There's little proof from our tests that this fan-driven technology enhances baking performance, probably because air circulation is less of a factor in a small oven.

Size can be deceiving. Some of the toaster ovens with the biggest dimensions couldn't fit six slices of toast. If you plan to cook frozen pizza, make sure the rack is at least 12 inches deep. Look for variable or extra-wide slots in toasters.

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