A good-looking toaster that also makes good toast

The eye-catching Bella toaster lives up to its name

Published: November 24, 2014 08:00 AM

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Style doesn't factor into the final assessment of the toasters we test—we're more concerned about how well they make toast. But our testers, editors, and market analysts all agree that the Bella Linea Collection 2-slice toaster is the most eye-catching model to pass through our labs in a long time. Not only that, it also makes a pretty decent batch of toast, and at $20, it's one of the best-priced models in Consumer Reports' toaster Ratings.

The Bella Linea Collection all-metal toaster comes in an array of bright finishes that will add a pop of color to any countertop. Most of the hues have a nostalgic quality, including the teal we tested and the lime green and cinnamon red (orange, white, gray, pink, and purple round out the expressive palette). The ribbed design of the toaster's sidewalls adds to its retro feel.

As for performance, Bella's two-slice toaster narrowly missed our recommended list, but it delivered solid marks across the board. It makes consistent batches of evenly browned toast, ranging from dark to light, depending on your preference. Single-slice toasting, which some toasters struggle with, is also very good. And it offers several helpful features, including bagel, reheat, and defrost settings, as well as a removable crumb tray.

Bottom line: if you're looking for a capable toaster that will also make a design statement in your kitchen, and you don't want to spend, say $250 on the Magimix Vision Toaster from Williams-Sonoma, the Bella Linea Collection 2-slice toaster is worth a look. You might even say it's one of the best things since sliced bread.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)