The best toasters are denoted by certain features and characteristics, including size, performance, capacity, durability, and ease of use. Most users buy their toasters to be a mainstay appliance in their kitchen. The most common use cases include toasting bread for breakfast or tea later on in the day. This uses the main function of the best toaster, which is to progressively expose bread to heat until it is browned and crispy which can easily be seen by a clear toaster. The most reliable toaster can do this without burning the bread. This is even better if it requires no human intervention to achieve this. Or, you can opt for a 2-in-1 deal with the best microwave toaster oven combo instead!
The size of a toaster determines whether it will fit into the intended environment or not. This is very important when considering the best home toaster. Most users want to keep their appliance on the countertop and not pack it away after each use. One of the easiest ways to find top-rated toasters is to leverage other users’ experiences.
Toaster reviews allow users to know what they can expect when buying the product. Choosing from some of the top brand names such as
Sage, Breville, SMEG, Revolution Insta, Morphy Richards, KitchenAid, Dash, Cuisinart, Oster, and Tefal makes things easier.
This article will explore some top contenders for the best toaster. It will look at some core features and functions.
Our Top Toaster Picks
- 1. Best Overall - Ninja ST101
- 2. Best Smart - Revolution InstaGLO R270
- 3. Best Commercial - Waring Commercial CTS1000
- 4. Best Warranty - Cuisinart CPT-180
- 5. Best Value - Oster 2-Slice Toaster
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1. Cuisinart CPT-180
- Dual control panel
- 900 Watts
- BPA Free
- Brushed Stainless body
The Cuisinart CPT-180 is a 4 slice toaster. It boasts of a durable-looking brushed stainless steel finish. There are two levers in the middle. Each one controls two of the four bread slots. Users can choose between presets for a bagel, defrosting or reheating. The cancel button instantly stops the toasting process and pops the bread out.
Each side of the toaster has a dial. This determines how crispy or dark the toast is. The lowest setting produces toast with some browning from the heat. The top setting, which is 6, produces charred bread. Each of the settings runs for a few minutes and automatically stops when done. The maximum setting may require intervention to reduce the chances of having inedible results. There is a tray that can be removed to clean up any crumbs.
Pros
- Lever can be lifted up
- The manual is well written
- The bread slots are roomy
- Comes with a 3-year limited warranty
- Has a removable tray at the bottom
Cons
- Dials are too easy to change
- Not the easiest to clean
2. Revolution InstaGLO R270 Touchscreen Toaster
- Auto lift and lowering
- 3 toasting modes
- 7 toasting shades
The Revolution InstaGLO is a touchscreen toaster with 2 slice capacity. It boasts a platinum exterior finish. There are 34 custom settings based on the bread type. Users can personalize their toast using these. They can also toggle between gluten-free and non-gluten-free. The large touchscreen display provides a visual aid for the selection process. This is ideal for choosing how toasted one wants their bread to be. One can choose from 7 toasting shades.
Users can also personalize the toast based on whether the bread is fresh, frozen, or reheating it. This ensures great results by using the most suitable temperature and time settings. Once done toasting, the InstaGLO R270 has an analog or digital clock on the sleep screen.
Pros
- Interactive user experience
- Wide range of custom settings
- Alerts users when its time to clean it
- Has a removable crumb tray
- Has a gluten-free option
- Toast setting can be adjusted in real time
Cons
- Can be a steep learning curve
- Accessories are sold separately
3. Waring Commercial CTS1000 Conveyor Toaster
- Brushed Stainless Steel body
- 1800 watts
- Cool-touch side panels
The Waring Commercial CTS1000 features a heavy-duty brushed stainless steel body. It can toast up to 450 slices per hour. The conveyor system makes it user-friendly. It makes it capable of functioning in high out demanding environments such as diners and restaurants. The user interface is incredibly simple. It features a solo power button and a dial. Toggling the power button switches the toaster between power save and standby modes.
The dial allows users to select how dark or light their toast should be. Selecting the darkest setting slows down the speed of the conveyer belt. This leads to the bread being exposed to heat for longer. When the machine is powered on, the red light brightens. The green light comes on when the toaster has heated up and is ready to be used.
Pros
- Has a standby mode to save energy
- Can produce a high volume of toast
- Easy to use controls
- Comes with a year’s limited warranty cover
Cons
- Could use additional quality control
- Offers minimum leg adjustment
4. Cuisinart 4 CPT-142BK
- 1 ½ inch bread slots
- 7-setting shade dial
- 120 Volt
The Cuisinart 4 CPT-142BK features a combination of stainless steel and plastic in its structure. There are four slots to insert bread or bagels. They each measure 1 1/2″. Each pair of slots is controlled by a set of buttons that allow users to choose from a bagel, defrost or reheat. Each button has a light to show when the option is selected. They also have the option to cancel a setting by pressing a button. The two levers on either side lower the bread into the toaster, which starts the toasting process.
The two knobs on either side of the toaster are used to choose how dark users want their toast to be. Seven is the darkest setting, while 1 produces a slightly browned toast.
Pros
- Browning is easy to adjust
- Exterior is heat resistant
- Straightforward controls
- Has an easy to clean slide-out crumb tray
- Comes with a 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Bagel setting toast both sides of the bread
5. Oster 2-Slice Toaster with Advanced Toast Technology
- 7 toast shade presets
- Removable crumb tray
- 800 Watts
This toaster is boasted 2 extra-wide slots that can fit bagels and regular slices of bread. The lifting lever is placed in the center of the width of the toaster. It is ideal for lifting smaller pieces of bread out for safe reach. This makes it easily accessible to users. The controls are kept to just two buttons, making the toaster very easy to use. Users can adjust the output by rotating the dial. There are two customization settings.
Users can choose between the bagel and frozen presets when they are not toasting a regular slice of bread. A stainless steel exterior gives it a sturdy look and feel.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Reasonably priced
- Minimalist control panel
- Fairly wide bread slots
Cons
- May have a burning plastic smell on first use
6. Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 Long Slot Toaster
- 6 toast shades
- 1300 Watts
- 1.25” long slots
- Foldable warmer tray
Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 is a long slot toaster. Users can fit two slices in each slot. This is sufficient room for bagels, Texas toast, and other space-demanding specialty bread types. The adjustable toast levels allow users to get their preferred output. There is a reasonably easy-to-use control panel on the side of the toaster. It features buttons to reheat, defrost or cancel the process. The dial underneath these buttons allows users to select the shade of the toast.
The stainless steel body is flanked by some sturdy black plastic material. Using the reheat function would not add browning to the bread. This is ideal for warming up bread that has already been toasted. Using the defrost function automates the process. There is a self-centering guide to ensure suitable bread placement. Crumbs trickle to the bottom of the toaster into a tray that can be removed for emptying and cleaning.
Pros
- Authentic stainless steel exterior
- Has a good warming rack
- Accurate browning presets
- Fairly simple cleaning
- Comes with a year’s warranty cover
Cons
- Lever may use toning down to avoid overpowered ejection.
- Browning dial can be a bit fiddly
7. Chefman 2-Slice Pop-Up Stainless Steel Toaster
- Stainless Steel material
- 850 Watts
- Auto-adjusting slots
The Chefman 2-Slice Pop-Up toaster boasts a brushed stainless steel exterior. Its control panel has presets to reheat, defrost, toast a bagel or cancel. As with the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100m, this toaster’s reheating option does not brown the bread. The defrosting option is ideal for bread coming out of a freezer. The bagel setting runs for longer than the other settings, toasting on both sides. Pressing the cancel button resets the toaster by canceling any toasting programs that may be running. It also lifts the lever to allow the safe removal of the bread.
Users can use the dial on the control panel to choose one of seven shade control presets. The lever lifts right to the top of the bread slots. This allows easy and safe access to the toast. At the bottom of the appliance is a dishwasher-safe crumb tray. It can be removed for cleaning.
Pros
- Fairly cheap toaster
- Evenly browns on both sides
- Responsive cancel button
- Compact design for countertop
- Efficient defrosting feature
Cons
- The lowest browning settings offer very little value
- Small crumbs are hard to dislodge
8. Revolution InstaGLO R180B Matte Black Toaster
- Touchscreen
- 6.4 lbs
- 1500W
- Interactive control panel
The InstaGLO R180B is an interactive toaster. It boasts a stainless steel body and a matte finish. The large touchscreen display facilitates ease of use and a good user interface. It delivers toasted bread in a turnaround time that is relatively quicker than most. The screen displays the browning options, allowing users to select a visual representation of their preferred browning. This reduces the chances of getting undesired results.
The InstaGLO Technology locks in moisture in the bread to avoid drying it out when toasting. Users can also benefit from the timer displayed interactive screen when the toaster is not in use. Choosing fresh, frozen, and reheating when getting started leads to a wide range of additional custom presets and options. The toaster shows users what it is doing and how much longer they must wait.
Pros
- Alerts users when the crumb tray needs to be cleaned
- Wide range of options
- Suitable for artisan bread
- Fairly quick toasting times
- Has a panini mode
- Easy to user interface
Cons
- Touchscreen not as accurate when the toaster is hot
9. Schloß 4 Slice Toaster
- 6 Shade Settings
- 1500W
The Schloß THT-3012D offers plenty of space, courtesy of 4 slice slots. It features two levers, one for a pair of bread slots. This format is the same for the control panel. It allows users a greater degree of control over the custom settings. They can toast on two different settings simultaneously. It takes about 2 minutes to complete, making it ideal for two or more people. The controls include bagel, and defrosting presets. Users can cancel the toasting process midway by pressing the stop button.
The two stainless steel bun warmers can sit just above the toaster. There are two separate crumb trays, one for each slot. This enlarges cleaning coverage making it more thorough. Users have a selection of six browning shades. The bread is levered up for easy access when ready.
Pros
- Has heat resistant handles on the bun warmers
- Easy to use
- Has two crumb trays for easy cleaning
- Efficient dual control system
Cons
- The cord placement isn’t ideal
- The lower settings are largely ineffective
10. Ninja ST101 Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster
- 1500 Watts
- Stainless steel
- 11.02lbs
The Ninja ST101 is a compact toaster oven system. Users can switch between toast and oven mode. It sits up when used as a toaster, and laid down for oven mode. Users can bake, broil, and reheating with this appliance. There are two long slots that can take a slice of bread each or a bagel. Browning can be one with 7 different levels of darkness to achieve the desired shade.
The control panel sits to the right of the toaster. It features a small display screen to track the temperature. This is useful when using the oven mode. The toast mode buttons are at the bottom of the panel. Users can choose to toast, bagel or defrost their bread. They can also adjust the shade with the click of a button. The screen shows the selected setting. At the bottom of the toaster is a stainless steel crumb tray that slides out for cleaning.
Pros
- Crumb tray is easy to remove and clean
- Straightforward control panel
- Has reasonably wide slots
- Fairly compact design
- Versatile appliance
Cons
- Flipping the appliance isn’t ideal for all users
- Baking tray is tiny
- Toast mode can not be changed once started.
What are the best types of toasters?
The best types of toasters are categorized by their features and characteristics. Some of these include:
Oven toaster: A toaster oven is a toaster that also functions as an oven. It can perform additional tasks such as roasting, baking, or grill in addition to toasting.
Smart toaster: A smart toaster is a toaster that has smart features. These may include on device programmability or pairing with a smartphone.
Convection toaster: Convection toasters are similar to a toaster oven. They have a convection cooking style, which encourages heat circulation hence making air quality check a bit easier.
Commercial toaster: Commercial toasters are industrial-sized toasters. They are used in a commercial settings. Some have a good user interface while others have a conveyor belt to enhance output.
What are the best oven toasters?
The Ninja ST101, Panasonic Toaster Oven FlashXpress, Hamilton Beach 31344D, COMFEE’ Toaster Oven and Black+Decker TO1313SBD are some of the best oven toasters. The Ninja ST101 is a compact toaster oven than flips between being used as a toaster and working as an oven. The Panasonic Toaster Oven FlashXpress is an easy to use toaster oven that does not require preheating for oven use. The Hamilton Beach 31344D is a countertop oven that can accommodate 4 slices of toast or a 9 inch pizza. The COMFEE’ CFO-BB101 Toaster Oven is also easy to operate. It has three cooking modes. The Black+Decker TO1313SBD features baking, broiling, toasting, and keeping food warm functionality.
What are the best smart toasters?
The Revolution InstaGLO R270 and the Cuisinart CPT-435C are two of the best smart toasters. The InstaGLO R270 features Revolution’s flagship design with a large touchscreen. It provides an interactive user experience. The Cuisinart CPT-435C features a simpler LCD countdown timer.
What are the best convection toaster?
Cuisinart TOA-60BKS Convection Toaster Oven, Oster TSSTTVDGXL-SHP Extra Large Digital Countertop Convection Oven, Mueller AeroHeat Convection Toaster Oven and Ninja DT251 are some of the best convection toasters. The Cuisinart TOA-60BKS is a 1800 watt appliance with 7 functions, including convection toasting. The Oster TSSTTVDGXL-SHP is a countertop convection toaster with two oven racks. Mueller AeroHeat Convection Toaster is a 1200 watts appliance with room for 8 slices. Ninja DT251 is an 1800 watts appliance with 10 functions, including toasting.
What are the best commercial toasters?
The Waring Commercial CTS1000, APW Wyott AT EXPRESS Radiant 120V Conveyor Toaster and VEVOR TT-450 are the best commercial toasters. The CTS1000 is a brushed stainless steel commercial toaster capable of 450 slices an hour. The APW Wyott AT EXPRESS is conveyor toaster that produces 300 slices per hour. The VEVOR TT-450 is a 2600W toaster made of food grade stainless steel. It is capable of producing 450 slices an hour.
What functionality should you expect from a toaster?
A user can expect their toaster to produce crispy toast. It should allow them to adjust the browning. The controls should be easy to understand and understand. Users can also expect their toaster to have automatically eject the bread once done. A good lever is a must. This allows users to raise or lower the bread into the toaster. Users can also expect their toaster to have an emergency button for them to intervene if they change their mind about a desired setting while the toaster is running. It would also be a bonus if the toaster is reasonably easy to clean. This would include a well placed crumbs tray that can be removed for washing.
What should you know before buying a toaster?
One of the most important things to consider before you buy a toaster is how it matches to the needs of the user. This would include considering room, cleaning, safety and ease of use.
Room will determine how many slices of bread of a particular size can fit into the toaster. This is even more important when catering for large groups. Individuals and small families can work with a two slice toaster, while groups may need something more robust.
Cleaning toasters can be a difficult task. It is worth considering the design features that are on the device to make things easier. This would include checking for crumb trays and other things.
Ease of use should be considered in the context of the intended user. What may be relatively ease for most adults may be difficult to use for younger and elderly users. In some cases, the simplest toasts are the easiest ones. Interactive ones may have a steeper learning curve for some users.
What is the average price toaster for the best toasters?
The average price for the best toasters ranges between $40 and $1000. At the lower end are the simple two slice toasters. The midrange features products such as four slice toasters with additional features such as smart toasters. You will also find that some oven and convection toasters fall within this range. At the upper range are the commercial toasters. The smarter ones and the ones that can produce large volumes of toast per hour tend to be the pricier ones.
What is the main difference between a toaster and air fryer?
The main difference between a toaster and an air fryer is the underlying technology. Air fryers work by circulating air from the top to the bottom of the appliance. They tend to have an element at the top of the device. Hot air from this element is pushed to the bottom of the the device along the sides. It is then allowed to rise through the device and fry the food. Once at the top, it is circulate back to the bottom. On the contrary, toasters often work with several elements on either side of the bread. There is no air circulation required due to the proximity of the bread to the heat source. You will also find that air fryers have a larger range of preset programs than most toasters.
What toaster type is considered superior?
Superiority of toasters largely depends on the use case. Commercial toasters are generally considered superior due to the volume of toast that they can produce. Oven toasters are also considered to be superior to other models due to their versatility. Where user experience is concerned, smart toasters are considered superior to other types.
What are the common mistakes for using a toaster?
This most common mistake that users make when using a toaster is not doing a clean run before they start using it. This would entail running the toaster without any bread it in. The idea is to clear out the smell and any lingering plastic particles from the chamber. Once done, the common complaint about plastic smells would be eliminated.
Another mistake that users would taking the preset at their word. It is always worth keeping an eye on things when you first run the toaster. Once users are comfortable and confident that the toaster presets do what they are supposed to, the need to monitor can be left behind.
What criteria define the best toaster?
The most important criteria when considering the best toaster include ease to use, reliability, durability, material, and price. One of the best materials to look out for in the best toaster is food/medical grade stainless steel. It is a durable material that is considered safe for use in food spaces.
The best toasters would ideally be easy to use. This may come down to a clearly defined user interface. Most top toasters feature a common user interface, that would not present a steep learning curve.
Reliability is a great criterion to consider. This would mean a toaster that can produce consistent results. Customer reviews provide good insight into this.
Durability is very important. It is important for users to consider the material that the appliance is made of. This is a key indicator of durability. Another source of this information are customer reviews.
Material used on the toaster influences its perfomance and how well it fares on the other criterions. Users must consider toasters with the least use of plastic and similar material. The best toasters tend to be made of sturdy and durable material such as stainless steel. Where material is concerned, it is worth thinking about how heavy it is. Metal may be too heavy for domestic toasters, while plastic alone would be too lightweight.
Price is an important criterion to consider for the best toasters. The best toasters are not necessarily the most expensive ones. Bottom priced toasters tend to be of a lower quality. Users would ideally pair other criterion with this one. It is worth considering price points based on the type of toaster.
What type of reviews do the best toasters have?
The best toasters are praised for having customizable browning settings. This allows users to produce toast based on their own preferences.
Oven toasters are largely praised for their versatility. They provide users with a wider range of functionality. Oven toasters also have varied controls and presets. Customers often criticize oven toasters for becoming fairly hot on the exterior. This can render them hazardous to touch.
Smart toasters usually get great reviews for their intuitive nature. At their best, they make it easier for users to get their designed output. This is especially true for those with a touchscreen visualiser. They are often criticized for the steep learning curve that they present to less tech savvy users.
Convectional toasters receive positive reviews for their ability to retain bread moisture. They are often criticized for the higher price point that they come at. Users often wonder if they are better off going with the a cheaper option if their use cases are do not demand a convectional one.
Commercial toasters are often praised for the vast number of slices that they can produce in little time. They are often criticized for their higher price points. Users also complain about their higher demand when it comes to cleaning.
What are the best toaster brands?
These are some of the best toaster brands on the market:
- Breville
Breville is manufacture and stock a wide range of kitchen appliances. Their range includes kettles, toasters, blenders, food mixers, toasters and more.
- Black + Decker
Black + Decker stock a range of kitchen and home appliances, including toasters, waffle makers, coffee makers and mixers.
- Ninja
Ninja is a food processing brand that is best known for their consumer blenders. Together with toasters, they also make air fryers, ice cream makers and health grills.
- Panasonic
Panasonic is a world famous Japanese electronics brand. Their consumers productline also includes kitchenware and other home appliances. This includes breadmakers, microwaves, grills, and toasters.
- Breville
Breville is a kitchen appliance brand founded in Sydney. Their extensive productline features Kettles & Tea Makers, Bread Makers, coffee grinders and toasters.
- Morphy Richards
Morphy Richards is a British electrical appliances brand. Their productline includes kettles, toasters, coffee makers, health fryers, toasters and soup makers.
- KitchenAid
KitchenAid is an American home appliance brand that is known for their food mixers used in cake making. Their product range also includes blenders, toasters, kettles and other appliances.
- Cuisinart
Cuisinart is an American home appliance brand that made their mark by bringing America’s electric food processor to the market. Today, some of their top products include grills, deep fryers and coffee makers.
How long do the top toasters last?
The average lifespan of toasters is 6-8 years. This is often shortened by a lack of cleaning. A clogging of crumbs leads to more wear and tear over time. General upkeep including frequent cleaning usually delivers the full lifespan or a little longer.
Where to buy a toaster?
Toasters can be purchased both online and in store. Some of the best places to buy are:
Walmart: Average Prices range between $29.96 and $329.99. Delivers in 2-3 days.
Amazon: Average Prices range between $39.99 and $490.00. Delivers in 1-2 days.
Best Buy: Average Prices range around $29.99 and $339.99. Delivers in up to 5 days.
Home Depot: Average Price ranges between $39.99 to $330. Delivers in 2 days.
Some of them are directly available to buy from their manufacturers.
What are the other best kitchen tools?
This article has covered several toasters. There are other kitchen tools that you can use together with your juicer. Some of them are:
- Blenders
- Juicers
- Coffee makers
These can be purchased from the same brand or in the same color to complement existing decor.
Why Trust Kitchen Infinity?
Our writers and reviewers thoroughly research every aspect of kitchen appliances or home improvement products so you can make a well-informed decision when investing in these products. We evaluate top quality products from several brands within budget friendly price ranges and contrast consumer reviews, surveys, satisfaction forms, brand performance, and annual appliance rankings. We go to great lengths to ensure that your next buy is worth every penny!
Dino Paccino
Dino is a lifelong writer and home improvement specialist. He enjoys bringing cutting-edge information on home renovation and remodeling to Kitchen Infinity.
