Toaster and Toaster Oven Buying Guide

Last updated: July 2018

Pop-Tarts, waffles, bagels, English muffins, baguettes, and a nice slice of whole-grain sourdough might pop up in your toaster over the course of a month. With a toaster oven, however, you can also broil burgers or chops, roast vegetables, or bake chocolate chip cookies.

We tested dozens of toasters for ease of use (and cleaning), and how well they can toast a single slice and a batch of bread from the very lightest taupe to dark brown, recording how long it takes. We perform these tests on toaster ovens, too, along with tests that reveal how well a toaster oven reheats food and bakes.

Check our toaster and toaster oven ratings to find the best one for your needs and budget.

Toast With the Most

Toasters come as two- and four-slice toasters, and toaster ovens. In choosing, among the primary considerations are design, how much counter space it eats up, and budget. Toasters in our ratings sell for less than $20 all the way up to $400. Toaster ovens do a lot more, so prices are higher. Tested models cost $35 to $550.

Toasters

The basics: If all you really need is your morning toast, sliced bread, or maybe a bagel, your least expensive and most space-saving option is a simple two-slice toaster.

Toasters now come in a variety of exterior finishes, such as chrome, copper, brushed metal, and colors. All the toasters we tested had automatic shutoff. A few toasters offer clear sides, so you can monitor your toast (but these had mixed results for overall performance in our tests). Or if you’re the impatient type, there’s a countdown feature. It’s worth noting that two-slice toasters outsell four-slice models.

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 Ratings

Toaster Ovens

The basics: There are two types: countertop models that entail 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 have convection or can defrost food, and a few have air fryers.

Consider this: The toaster oven’s footprint on the counter is a concern if you’re tight on space. The smallest toaster oven we tested has an 11-inch-wide by 16-inch-deep footprint; the largest is 23x17 inches. But the smaller the toaster oven, the smaller its capacity. And 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.

Toaster Oven Ratings

A Slice of Life

Yes, even the humble toaster is heating up, designwise. Some very snazzy-looking toasters have passed through our test labs. Given the prominent place this appliance has on many countertops, style is important to some. But it’s not just about looks. Bottom line: You want your toaster to make great toast.

As for toaster ovens, we’re also seeing new designs and innovations there, as well as some very large models. They 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 first requirement. We tested dozens of toasters and toaster ovens, and these are some factors to consider when shopping.

Mastering Toast
If crispy bread toasted to perfection is all 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, broil a hamburger, or roast a 4-pound chicken. When they toast, though, the 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.

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

Size It Up
You’ll see the dimensions of each model in our ratings, along with how many slices of toast each toaster oven can fit. And if you plan to cook pizza, make sure the rack is at least 12 inches deep. (You’ll see this measurement in the ratings, too.) Some ovens have a curved bump-out in back for this purpose. Look for variable or extra-wide slots in toasters if you like to toast real New York-style bagels.

For More, Check Our Toaster Ratings

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:

A toaster with toast that has been consistently browned.

Consistent Browning

The best toasters provide 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 hard 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 the toasters we tested can fit a packaged bagel that is split. If you like big, fat bagels from a bakery, look for wider slots. 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, so you can monitor the cooking.

Photo: CNET

Brands

Black+Decker Breville Cuisinart DeLonghi Dualit Hamilton Beach KitchenAid Krups Oster Proctor Silex Sunbeam Wolf

Among the leaders in market share, Black+Decker products are available nationally at a wide range of retailers, including Amazon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, Target, and Walmart. Electronic models include features such as a frozen pastry one-touch function button.

Breville is an upscale Australian brand of small appliances. Its products are engineered to perform in a unique fashion. Breville toasters feature a motorized “lift & look” control button as well as defrost, and a one-touch “a bit more” button for crisping. Breville toasters sell for $80 and more at specialty and department stores.

A smaller but well-known brand that's on the expensive side, Cuisinart is sold through department stores and specialty channels. Cuisinart toasters are generally made with a brushed stainless steel exterior and have defrost and reheat features along with LED indicators.

The DeLonghi brand originates in Italy. Toasters are fashionably colored and easy to operate, with large levers and dials to guide you. Costing almost $100, a DeLonghi toaster can be found at a variety of stores, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Target.

Dualit is an upscale brand from the U.K. Its products have a sturdy, industrial-retro look. In addition to even browning, Dualit has an option that allows you to fire up only occupied slots. Dualit is a brand for toaster aficionados, with pricing of $100 or more for a no-frills toaster and up to $300 for one loaded with options.

Hamilton Beach is among the market-share leaders. Styles vary from the contemporary look of the Eclectrics line to the retro look of the Classic models and the modern appearance of the long-slot model. Hamilton Beach products are widely available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, department stores, specialty stores, and regional outlets.

Well-known for its mixers and large appliances, KitchenAid makes toasters and toaster ovens that are sold through department stores, appliance retailers, national chains, and specialty channels.

Krups is best known as a German manufacturer of coffee makers. It recently introduced a fully featured midrange line of toasters starting at $50. The toasters are available at Amazon.com, Dillard’s, and Macy’s.

Oster toasters and toaster ovens are value-priced, starting at $20 and going up to $100. Practical features such as auto shutoff and cool touch can be found on toasters, a convection fan in toaster ovens. Retailers include Target, Walmart, and warehouse clubs.

Proctor Silex is a value-priced, no-frills brand of toasters and toaster ovens. Starting at $10, the toasters offer basic functions such as a shade selector and lifter slide control. Find them at a local hardware store or at JCPenney, Kmart, or Walmart.

Sunbeam offers inexpensive toasters sold at Target, discount stores, and online retailers. Sunbeam offers very basic two- and four-slice models.

Wolf is known for its cooking appliances with red knobs. Thanks to Wolf, there are now toasters and toaster ovens with red knobs, too. Beyond aesthetics, features on the toaster include a keep-warm setting. Toaster ovens feature a built-in temperature probe. Expect to pay upwards of $200 for a Wolf toaster or toaster oven at a specialty kitchenware store such as Sur la Table or Williams-Sonoma.

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