Buying guide for Best toasters

How you like your toast is almost as unique as your fingerprint. But if you don't have a quality toaster with the right features, you lose the ability to achieve the perfect color and texture and might have to settle for either burnt or not burnt.

You want your toaster to have a browning control, an automatic shutoff, and wide slots that allow you to toast bagels. A retractable cord is desirable, but a crumb tray and cool-touch housing are essential for safety. Additionally, a toaster that has deeper slots and a reheat button will be greatly appreciated.

According to food scientists, the perfect slice of toast is 12 times crunchier on the outside than it is in the middle.

Toaster science

The toasters covered in this shopping guide are pop-up toasters. They differ from toaster ovens in that they’re simple appliances with just one function.

Pop-up toaster boxes contain a metal heating element commonly made of a nickel-chromium alloy. This heating element radiates intense heat on one or both sides of the bread slice. When the temperature of the bread reaches approximately 310°F, a chemical reaction (called the Maillard reaction) takes place, caramelizing the sugars and starches in the bread and creating a golden color and that characteristic taste.

If the heat rises too far, however, carbonization takes place, leaving you with the strong smell and blackened waste of burnt toast.

We take note of whether a toaster has an automatic shutoff feature, which turns off the heating element if toast gets stuck inside or the appliance overheats. This is an important safety feature.

We consider how quickly a toaster can toast bread, even on low settings.

Some toasters have a dial or knob you can adjust to indicate how brown you’d like your toast to be. Others have LED lights or numbers to demonstrate the toasting level. We note how the browning level is shown on each toaster we research.

When researching toasters, we look at the different settings a toaster offers, such as a bagel setting, to assess versatility.

Many toasters have an outer wall that is insulated to prevent heat-related injuries. When researching toasters, we take all safety features into account.

Some toasters come with a slide-out crumb tray. When this is offered, we find out how easy it is to remove and clean.

We research how long and deep a toaster’s slots are. A toaster with extra-long or deep slots is often better at toasting the entire piece of bread.

You can find a quality toaster for as little as $30 or as much as $100. During our research, we take all pricing points into account.

We consider how many slots a toaster has. If you’re part of a large household, a four-slot toaster may be more beneficial than the common two-slot toaster.

Some toasters offer reheating and defrosting settings. When these settings are offered, we consider how convenient they are and whether they make toasting any quicker.

Key toaster features

The following features will allow you to enjoy the bounty of your toaster to the fullest.

Automatic shutoff

Standard in most toasters today, automatic shutoff is a safety feature that turns off the heating element if toast gets stuck inside or the appliance overheats.

Bagel setting

A bagel setting applies heat to only one side of the bread. This is good if you want a bagel or English muffin to be toasted on the cut side and just warmed on top.

Bread lifter

This common feature lets you lift the finished toast a little higher than regular pop-up toasters do, making it easy to grab the toast without burning your fingers.

Browning control

Browning control usually comes in the form of a dial or knob on the toaster. This control allows you to select your desired level of toasting, from very light to very dark. Some toasters use a range of colors to indicate browning level; others use LED lights to indicate the toasting level. You may (or may not) prefer a numbered control system, which is more precise.

Cancel

The cancel button allows you to end the toasting cycle prematurely.

Cool-touch housing

The exterior of some toasters does not grow hot to the touch, even when in use. The outer wall is insulated to prevent heat-related accidents and injuries. A toaster with a cool-touch housing is especially valuable if you have children in your home.

Countdown timer

Is the toast ready yet? This handy feature lets you know exactly how much longer you’ll have to wait for your toast to finish.

Crumb tray

Toasters tend to fill with breadcrumbs. To avoid fire danger, these crumbs should be frequently cleaned away. A slide-out crumb tray makes it easy to clean your toaster. Hinged trays require you to hold the entire toaster over the sink during cleaning, which is much less convenient.

Frozen button

This feature adds a bit of heating time to your toasting session, which may be appropriate if you’re starting with frozen bread. While convenient, you can accomplish the same thing by simply leaving your toast in longer.

Long or deep slots

If you eat a lot of bread that comes in a round or wide loaf (like sourdough), a toaster with extra-long or deep slots will eliminate the common yet belabored practice of toasting the bread halfway, then flipping it over to toast the other half.

Number of slots

The most common toaster configuration includes two slots for bread. If you have a large household, however, you might appreciate a four-slot toaster. A four-slot toaster cuts down the morning competition and wait time for breakfast.

Reheat button

This is a setting for rewarming toast that might have cooled off. It’s best to eat toast right away, but even if your toaster doesn’t have a reheat button, you can set the toaster to the lightest setting for several seconds to achieve the same reheated result.

Retractable or wrap-around cords

Like all appliances with heating elements, it’s best to unplug your toaster when not in use. A retractable or wrap-around cord makes it easy to keep your toaster out of the way and unobtrusive on the counter.

Wide slots

If you like toasting bagels or if you make your own bread, a wide-slot toaster will easily accommodate the thicker slices you may wish to prepare.

Toaster styles

Toasters aren’t just plain, unadorned boxes anymore – at least some of them aren’t. Today, you can find toasters that add style and verve to your countertop.

For example, stainless steel toasters exude a sleek, contemporary look on your countertop. Vintage designs (often with a 1940s look) can lend a bit of character to any kitchen. And you’re not limited to metallic-looking toasters anymore, either. During our research, we found toaster options in several different colors, including red and purple.

Toaster style is a matter of preference, but be prepared to spend more for a high-fashion toaster. Whatever finish you choose, your toaster should be easy to wipe clean.

Toaster prices

How much does a good toaster cost? You can find a quality toaster at a wide range of price points.

A reliable, no-frills toaster would probably cost you $30 or so, whereas a toaster with all the bells and whistles – including a stylish appearance – may cost upwards of $100.

A toaster from a reputable manufacturer might cost you more, but the money you spend upfront may grant you some peace of mind down the road. After all, most people don’t feel like shopping for a new toaster every year.

Tips for perfect toast

There are so many delicious types of bread just waiting to be toasted: rye, sourdough, white, whole grain, even gluten-free bread. And don’t forget the English muffins, bagels, Pop-Tarts, and artisan breads.

No matter what you’re toasting, you undoubtedly want to achieve just the right level of golden goodness with your toaster.

These tips will help you reach that goal:

• Start with room-temperature bread for the best results.

• If you want quality toast, use quality bread.

• If you’re making multiple batches of toast, remember to turn the browning setting down after the first batch, as an already-hot toaster cooks faster.

• The denser the bread, the higher heat it can withstand before burning.

• After you toast your bread, slather on butter before any other desired toppings.

• Quality counts when it comes to your spread, as well. Nothing beats real butter for the best-tasting toast.

• Eat your toast right away. It quickly becomes damp and soggy if allowed to sit uneaten.

• Contrary to common misconception, it’s better to toast fresh bread, not stale bread.

• If you like to store your bread in the freezer, make sure to freeze it while it’s as fresh as possible.

• Clean your toaster’s crumb tray and wipe down the outside surfaces weekly if you use it frequently. Do so at least once per month if you only use the toaster occasionally.