Holiday Gift Guide: 5 things to know when buying a toaster or toaster oven

Toasters and toaster ovens might not be as innovative as the Kindle or Nook e-book readers, as cozy as a cashmere sweater, or as welcome as a cash gift, but your family and friends will likely appreciate getting a countertop appliances they can use for several snacks and meals a week.

Check out our free buyer's guide to toasters and toaster ovens and refer to our latest report on these appliances and ratings (available to subscribers) to learn about models from brands like Black & Decker, Breville, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, Kenmore, T-Fal, and more.

Keep these tips in mind as you shop:

1. Toasters toast best. Toaster ovens take much longer to make toast and leave tiger stripes on the bread.

2. Size can be deceiving. Most toaster ovens have bulked up considerably over the years, but overall size isn't an indicator of their usable capacity. Several tested models, including one George Foreman, couldn't swallow a 12-inch pizza. Others had trouble handling a 4-pound chicken; the rotisseries on some of the latest toaster ovens are intended to give this appliance second-oven status.

3. Convenience features are nice add-ons. If the gift is headed for a hectic household, look for smart features. A few of our top-performing toasters have countdown displays or digital bars that indicate how long until the food is ready. On toaster ovens, pullout crumb trays and coated, nonstick interiors save cleanup effort and time.

4. Higher-priced models might not be worth it. Several tested models sport beefy designs and equally hefty $200 to $300 price tags. But most of our recommended toasters sell for less $50, and several top toaster oven are in the $75 range.

5. The oven is better for pizza. Toaster ovens from Black & Decker and Krups are among models with pizza programs. These models produced crispier crusts than the typical microwave, but none browned as evenly as a conventional oven.

— Daniel DiClerico

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