How CR Tests Toasters and Toaster Ovens
To find the best toasters on the market, we evaluate each model we test for ease of use and cleaning, as well as how well and how long it takes to toast a single slice and a batch of bread from the very lightest taupe to dark brown. We perform these same tests to identify the best toaster ovens, too, along with tests that reveal how well each toaster oven bakes and reheats food.
Check out our toaster and toaster oven ratings to find the best one for your needs and budget. There, you’ll find our test results on models from more than 40 brands, including Bella, Breville, Cuisinart, DeLonghi, Hamilton Beach, Ninja, NuWave, and Oster.
Toaster or Toaster Oven?
Toasters come in two- and four-slice models. Toaster ovens, on the other hand, can toast from two to 14 slices at a time—and perform many other functions as well. When choosing a model, primary considerations include design, how much counter space the appliance takes up, and budget. Toasters in our ratings sell for as little as $10 up to $300. Toaster ovens in our ratings are priced just a bit higher, from about $20 to more than $500.
Toasters
The basics: If all you really need is your morning toast, sliced bread, or a bagel, the most space-saving (and likely least expensive) option is a simple two-slice toaster.
Toasters come in a variety of exterior finishes, such as chrome, copper, brushed metal, and colors (even graphic characters). All of the toasters we tested have automatic shutoffs. A few toasters have clear sides so that you can monitor your toast, but these had mixed results for overall performance in our tests. If you’re the impatient type, some have a countdown feature.
Consider this: Retro and contemporary designs abound, as do models that look perfectly at home in high-end designer kitchens. But great looks don’t necessarily equal great mechanics. Many upscale toasters we tested were middling performers.
Toaster Ovens
The basics: There are two types of toaster ovens: countertop models that require a trade-off between counter space and capacity, and models that mount underneath a cabinet. Beyond making toast, toaster ovens can cook pizza, broil meat, roast a whole chicken or pan of vegetables, bake cookies, and reheat food. Some can defrost food or have a convection function, and some have built-in air fryers.
Consider this: If you’re tight on space, you may want to opt for a toaster oven with a small footprint, but consider what you’re likely to want to cook in it. The smallest toaster oven we tested has a 13-inch-wide by 8-inch-deep footprint (the largest is 20x17 inches). But the smaller the toaster oven, the smaller its capacity. If frozen pizza is your go-to snack, you’ll want a depth of at least 12 inches. Some ovens have a curved back to help accommodate a pizza, which is helpful if you have limited counter space.
A Slice of Life
Yes, even the humble toaster is heating up, design-wise. Some very snazzy-looking toasters have passed through Consumer Reports’ test labs. Given the prominent place this appliance has on kitchen countertops, style may be important to you. But it’s not just about looks. Bottom line: You want a toaster that makes great toast.
We’re also seeing new designs and innovations in toaster ovens, as well as some very large models. Toaster ovens tend to be on the boxy side, though some have fairly sleek trim and details. But again, the ability to heat items quickly and evenly should be your top priority.
Here are some additional factors to consider when shopping.
Toast Quality
If crispy bread toasted to perfection is what you care about, you’ll want to opt for a toaster. Toasters brown more evenly and consistently than toaster ovens. But a toaster oven can melt a cheese sandwich and broil a hamburger, and most can roast a 4-pound chicken. When they toast, though, ovens take longer—2.5 to 9 minutes vs. 1 to 4 minutes for a toaster on a medium setting—and leave stripes on the bread.
Capacity
Even the fastest toaster ovens take twice as long as toasters because toasting time depends on volume. But if you’re toasting for a crowd, a toaster oven with a six-slice (or larger) capacity can quickly make up for lost time. For many households, a four-slice toaster combines the best of both worlds.
Size
The dimensions of each model and the number of slices of toast each toaster oven can fit are listed in the specs section of our ratings. As noted above, if you plan to make pizza, make sure the rack is at least 12 inches deep. You’ll see this measurement in the ratings, too. Look for variable or extra-wide slots in toasters if you like to toast thick New York-style bagels.
Toaster and Toaster Oven Features
Manufacturers are adding features to toasters and toaster ovens in an effort to tempt you into making space on your counter. Here are some features worth noting.
Browning Controls
The best toasters offer a wide range of browning, from very light to very dark. They also produce consistent color across all slices in a batch. And if you’re toasting multiple batches, toast from the best models will come out the same shade of brown every time.
Countdown Timer
This feature displays how much toasting time remains.
Slot Size
If you decide on a two-slice toaster, you can choose between two side-by-side slots or one long slot for two slices. A four-slice model is bulkier but can save time if you have a big family and there’s a morning rush in your kitchen. If you favor oblong bread, look for deep slots. Some toaster slots are less than 5 inches deep; others are deeper and can accommodate larger slices.
Convenient Controls
Electronic touchpads and numbered dials are best. A shade dial is less exact, and a dial with unlabeled symbols can be difficult to decipher.
Bread Lifter
Once the toast has popped up, you push a lever from underneath so that the toast juts even farther out of the slot for easy retrieval. Some high-end models one-up this with motorized lifts, which give a more streamlined look. A few of the more expensive toasters we tested don’t pop up automatically at all—they either ding or the timer turns off with a click. (The toast may stay warm in the slots, as one manufacturer claims, but the extra step is a bit of a nuisance.)
Easy Cleanup
For toasters, a removable crumb tray is easier to clean than one that’s hinged and attached to the toaster. Look for a toaster oven with a nonstick or porcelain interior, which is easy to wipe down. The fewer vents and holes in the housing, the better, because they can trap grease and grime.
PHOTO: TOASTMASTER
Bagel Controls
All of the toasters we tested can fit a packaged bagel that is split. If you like big, fat bagels from a bagel shop, look for wider slots. Our ratings can help you compare slot dimensions if toasting bagels will be one of your primary uses for a toaster. Some toasters have a bagel setting that toasts on one side only, so you can brown the cut side and keep the other side softer.
Heat Settings and Broiler
Some toaster ovens have special settings to warm, reheat, and/or defrost food. A toaster oven’s broil setting is important if you’ll be cooking burgers or chops.
Interior Light
Some toaster ovens light up from the inside when they’re on, allowing you to monitor cooking more easily.
Convection and Air Fryer Settings
It’s increasingly common to see toaster ovens with a convection setting. This feature, formerly relegated to larger ovens, allows food to cook faster at a lower temperature with an assist from an internal fan. Due to growing popularity, some models have added an air fryer setting that works using the same heating method as a convection oven.
Browning Controls
The best toasters offer a wide range of browning, from very light to very dark. They also produce consistent color across all slices in a batch. And if you’re toasting multiple batches, toast from the best models will come out the same shade of brown every time.
Brands
You’ll see more than 40 brands in our toaster and toaster oven ratings. Here’s a look at a few widely available brands.
Recently Tested Toasters & Toaster Ovens
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