How we tested the toasters
When it comes to the perfect piece of toast, sliced white sandwich bread is the ultimate blank slate—so we started by grabbing a few bags of Wonder Bread to gauge how each machine could handle the basics. We toasted pieces of bread at each setting on the low to high spectrum to get a sense of range, got out a stopwatch to measure the toasting time, and compared each setting for consistency. We also tested the toasters with thicker slices of bread to see how they’d stand up to heftier carbs. To determine the toasters’ defrosting and reheating capabilities, we used frozen waffles. For the final challenge we tried sliced bagels.
Most of the toasters we tested were two-slice models, which we do think are big enough for most uses. But we were also determined to find a four-slice model—ideal for roommate situations or larger families—that performed well enough to merit giving up some extra space. We used the same tests to evaluate both size models.
Different darkness settings make very different results as you can see from the toast on the table (setting 4) and toast in the toaster (setting 2).
What we looked for
Does the toaster feel well-built?
Almost all toasters are made from a combination of metal (these days, often stainless steel) and plastic—but depending on price point and manufacturer, the build-quality and aesthetic differences between models can vary enormously. Before toasting, we held each machine in our hands and checked for sturdiness on the countertop—we didn’t want anything that wobbled or squeaked. We also looked to see how sturdy the lift lever was, whether the pop up function worked well, and whether functions like a cancel button worked appropriately.
Does it accommodate large items and toast evenly and consistently?
We looked for toasters with slots that could accommodate slices of all shapes and sizes. We also checked to make sure that, once lowered, each item sat deeply in the slots with no portion uncovered and untoasted. We evaluated whether the machines toasted both sides of the bread evenly and were able to deliver a range of toast shades—pale and quite white to nearly (but not quite) burnt, and everything in between. If the toaster had a dedicated bagel setting, we used it, though we did not automatically disqualify models that lacked those features; the same went for frozen settings. We timed how long each machine took to perform the different tasks, but in the end, most clocked in within 20 to 40 seconds of each other. We deemed the machine’s performance and consistency more important than those extra few seconds.
Can it defrost frozen items without over-toasting them?
Nowadays, lots of toasters come with a defrost setting for items like frozen bread, waffles, and breakfast pastries, but sadly, the results are often a waffle that’s either toasted on the outside and icy in the middle or defrosted but depressingly soggy. The goal: Find a machine that handles frozen items effectively.
Are the settings intuitive to use?
Ease of use was a big priority for us. Though we appreciate options, we hate redundant design clutter that overcomplicates such a fundamentally simple gadget. In approaching each toaster, we judged whether the machines’ controls were practical, comprehensive, and intuitive—we wanted an interface that was self-explanatory, not one that required us to study the manual.
Is the toaster bulky?
Even if you don’t live in a tiny apartment, chances are your kitchen counter is still valuable real estate. And if you’re opting for a slice toaster over a toaster oven, there’s a good chance space is one of the reasons. With that in mind, we favored toasters that seemed thoughtfully designed and conservatively proportioned, able to pack a punch within a small frame.
Other toasters we tested
Unless you’re a brand loyalist determined to have every appliance in your kitchen match or the idea of toasting bread via touchscreen makes you giddy, there’s no reason to drop upwards of $400 on a toaster when a model a fourth of the price performs better—and a model one-tenth of the price performs just as well. Truthfully, none of the toasters on the super high-priced end of the spectrum wowed us, but if you’re curious about them and the other models we tested, read on. We really only liked four of the 22 other models we tested and you’ll find those at the top of this list.
Cuisinart CPT-520 2-Slice Motorized Toaster
This Cuisinart model is the closest one we found to the Breville Die-Cast. It’s nearly identical in shape and size, and has the same motorized lift, extra time button, and lift-and-look features, all at half the price. While it worked pretty well, it lacked the luxe feel of the Breville model, and didn’t wow us with its performance. We couldn’t get the full range of toasting we were looking for, and it struggled to toast heftier things like bagels to a full level of golden brownness.
Breville Die-Cast Toaster
The Breville Die-Cast is an investment, but the sleek, leverless model called to us as soon as we took it out of the box—and once we set it up and started toasting and reheating, it didn’t disappoint. It won previous rounds of testing for a reason, and if you’re the kind of person who is willing to pay extra for the (admittedly very satisfying) smooth, motorized lift that lowers and raises slices from the toaster at the touch of a button, this may be the option for you. One other reason you might choose the Die-Cast over the ‘A Bit More’ is its format: The controls run across the short side of the unit rather than the long side, meaning it makes use of your countertop’s depth rather than taking up a ton of horizontal space. One glowing Amazon reviewer dubbed this model the Cadillac of toasters—and after putting it through its paces, we agree.
Oster Jelly Bean
Though the build-quality of the Jelly Bean, as with all the lower priced plastic toaster models, was a little flimsy, the Oster toaster was better than almost all of the competition. Unlike the stainless steel (or stainless-like) exteriors of its competitors, the Jelly Bean came with a curvy, matte charcoal exterior. While it didn’t necessarily look high-design, it cleaned easily and seemed conveniently fingerprint- and smudge-proof. And most importantly, it ticked off nearly all the toasting boxes. The evenness of its toasting is particularly impressive at higher settings for those of you who like your bread on the crunchy side. Here are a few quibbles that resulted in it narrowly losing that top budget spot: Most slices come out of the toaster with a little “bald spot” on top—the result of the bread not sitting fully submerged in the slot. And the lever squeaks a bit when depressed.
Cuisinart CPT-142 4-Slice Toaster
Cuisinart CPT-142 4-slice had good range in browning levels, but fell short on the defrost setting.
KitchenAid Pro Line Series
We disqualified this toaster before even plugging in because it was the size of a SmartCar and so heavy we could barely move it on the counter.
Wolf Gourmet Two- and Four Slice Toasters
Both Wolf Gourmet toasters yielded inconsistent and disappointing results that were particularly glaring given their astronomical prices.
Tineco Toasty One Smart Toaster
This was the only “smart” toaster we tested. It’s got a touchscreen interface that makes toasting feel like some sort of cooking video game, complete with a slider for selecting toast darkness, a defrost option, and a motorized lift and lower. While we didn’t find much differentiation in toast level when testing out the lighter settings, the darker toast settings yielded admirably even browning from edge to edge. The Tineco failed, however, at the frozen waffle challenge: Even when toasted on defrost mode at the highest browning setting, the waffles came out pale and soggy. For a toaster at this price point ($190 at the time of writing), we’d expect it to handle all toastable carbs with ease.
Smeg Toaster
We were suspicious that the Smeg toaster was going to be all style and no substance, but we were wrong. Using this machine is like having a little retro Italian sports car on your kitchen counter, with a well-built and expertly proportioned cherry red exterior, a sleek chrome toasting lever that sits in the hand like a gearshift, and a minimalist, intuitive control knob that spins with a satisfying click. After toasting at low, medium, and high settings, slices emerged evenly browned. This toaster does seem to run a bit hot, however, and we found that slices got a little extra dark. When it came time to toast bagels and waffles, the results had a good texture balance of chewy and crunchy. The generous slots can easily accommodate tall slices, and a simple-to-slide-out crumb tray makes cleanup easy. It’s a lot to spend on a toaster, and it didn’t outperform our top picks. But if you have the budget for it and design is a priority, though, you can feel good about taking the plunge on the Smeg.
Cuisinart two-slot toaster
The Cuisinart two-slot toaster wobbled on the counter and felt flimsy to touch. It had a squeaky lever, loose control knobs, and its toasting power was one of the weakest we tested.
Crux two-slice toaster
The Crux two-slice toaster looked nice, but its performance—inconsistent browning and no defrost button—couldn’t compete with others in its price range.
Cuisinart Artisan
The Cuisinart Artisan left an untoasted white ring around the edge of bread slices.
KitchenAid four-slice long slot
The KitchenAid four-slice long slot toaster never produced toast darker than pale, even at the highest setting.
Hamilton Beach four-slice long slot
The Hamilton Beach four-slice long slot was so flimsy it felt like we could dent it with our fingernails when we picked it up.
Hamilton Beach Cool Wall Two-Slice
We also tested the Hamilton Beach Cool Wall Two-Slice, hoping it would prove a little sturdier than the four-slice in the original test. Sadly, it didn’t. Cheap, lightweight plastic actually pulled away from the metal sides when we handled it, and the dinky knob felt like it could come off in our hands.
Cuisinart CPT-620
Similarly to the 520, the Cuisinart CPT-620 two-slice didn’t get toast dark enough on its highest setting.
Black+Decker Two-Slice Toaster
Black+Decker two-slice toaster was rickety and also failed to toast anything beyond a light shade of pale.
Krups Two- and Four-Slice Toasters
Krups two- and four-slice were alright with toast, but left waffles cold in the middle on the defrost setting.
Zwilling Enfinigy Two- and Four-Slice Toasters
Toast made in the Zwilling Enfinigy two and four-slice did not get as dark as some of the lower price point options, and the interface was a little hard to figure out.
Breville Long Slot ‘A Bit More’ Toaster
The Long Slot version of our winning toaster can accommodate different types of bread that would otherwise bit too long for a conventional model—think something from the middle of a sourdough boule. However a gap in the heating elements means that there will be an under-toasted stripe down the middle of your slice, which we weren’t crazy about. For large slices of bread we recommend using a toaster oven instead.
Dash Clear View Toaster
The Dash Clear View Toaster was the only model we tested with a transparent viewing window that allowed us to monitor doneness throughout the toasting process, rather than relying on a lift and look function. While nice in theory, the wildly inconsistent toasting results made it a less than desirable kitchen appliance in our book.
Oster Four-Slice (Unavailable)
The Oster 4-Slice Toaster was our previous budget pick, but it no longer appears to be available. Though not as nice as the Breville, it’s also only 40% the cost. Its extra-wide slots easily accommodate whatever you’d like to toast, be that thin slices of sandwich bread or thick slabs of brioche. You can tailor the toast level from light to dark (with seven levels in between to ensure the exact amount of crispness you desire), and the toaster offers frozen, reheat, and bagel settings. The retractable cord also makes storage a breeze if you don’t want to keep it on the countertop.
Why should you trust Epicurious?
We’re home cooks just like you—and we bring a home cook’s perspective to all of our rigorous testing. But unlike you, we have an extra 10 hours a day to spend geeking out over kitchen tools because it is literally our job. We don’t only use our recommended products in controlled settings, we bring the best ones into our own kitchens to help us put dinner on the table on a Wednesday night for our families, or to throw a dinner party for 12. When we recommend a product, you should trust that we’ve used it—a lot—just like you will. Read more about our testing process and philosophy here.
Additional testing and reporting by Sarah Karnseiwicz