The 8 Best Toasters in 2021

What to Look for When Buying a Toaster

By Sara Tane

Number of Slots

Most toasters offer two, three, or four slots for toasting bread. Consider how much and how frequently you make toast; if you’re consistently cooking breakfast for four and only have a toaster that can accommodate two slices of bread, the process will be time-consuming. That said, the more slots you opt for, the more counter space the appliance will take up. If kitchen space is limited, a smaller two-slot toaster may be a better option, despite its smaller capacity.

Size of Slots

Once you’ve decided how many slots you want out of your toaster, the next characteristic to consider is the size of those slots. If you’re just planning to toast up thin pieces of bread, then a basic-sized slot will suffice for your needs. If you’ll be toasting bigger items, like bagels, heartier slices of bread, croissants, or waffles, a wider slot is probably your better option. Typically, the wider and larger the slot, the more likely it is to have settings for toasting on just one side, which is optimal for bagels. Toasters with long slots can toast longer slices of artisan bread or long pieces of French bread for sandwiches.

Custom Features

If you’re just looking for an appliance to crisp up a simple slice of bread, then it may not be worth your money, counter space, and mental clarity to have a field of extra buttons to squint at in the morning. If you’re planning to use your toaster for more than just bread, however, you may appreciate those with special functions for defrosting frozen items, toasting on one side (ideal for bagels), keeping toast warm after it’s done, or gently reheating the toast you forgot about (happens to the best of us). If you want your toast just a tad darker, another common feature that some toasters boast is “a little bit more,” which will toast your bread for just a little bit longer.

Some toasters offer a “high lift” function to ensure that you don’t have to fish out your bread with a pair of tongs or use your hands and risk burning yourself. There are toasters that are equipped with motorized levers that can sense when you drop bread into the slot and will lower the lever automatically. While this feature can be nice, most users find that using a manual lever is just as easy. Removable crumb trays also make for a much easier cleaning process. Clearly, there are plenty of additional bells and whistles that toasters can have besides just a basic toast. If you’re very particular about the process of toasting your bread and ultimately how toasted your bread is, then some of these added features may be a nice addition for you. There are still a wide variety of toasters that are available at affordable prices that still offer these additional settings.

Durability

The most common flaw with an appliance like a toaster is that it is inevitably going to break down at some point. These are not lifetime investments. That said, you still want a toaster that is durable and going to last you as long as possible. Glass toasters have a bit of a reputation for kicking out earlier than most; plus, they’re much harder to keep clean. It’s also worth considering if the toaster you’re buying comes with a warranty. Some brands will offer as long as a three-year warranty, while some are one-year, and some come with no warranty at all. A toaster that is easy to clean is going to last you a long time, so features like a removable crumb tray will make maintenance easier, and thus the lifetime of the appliance longer.

Material

The material that your toaster is made of will be a good indicator of how hot it will get while it’s being used. Plastic toasters can tend to feel like they're on the cheaper side, though these models can still offer the bells and whistles of higher-end versions. Plastic is generally less durable than metal, and when the control buttons and levers are made of plastic, they’re more likely to break. Metal toasters are the most common because this material is sturdier. It’s important to look for a toaster that will remain cool to the touch during use, especially if you have small children in the house; it’s important to have a toaster that’s not going to hurt you if you accidentally touch it while it’s hot. The final and least common material is glass. This material is cool because it allows you to see your food as it’s toasting, but glass toasters very often leave a white rim and vertical lines across the bread. So, even though they allow you to see what’s going on in the toaster, glass toasters don’t necessarily toast a better slice of bread.

Price

You can snag a toaster for anywhere from $20 to $300, so you’ll want to make sure that if you’re going to splurge a bit, there’s a worthwhile reason for the extra money. Truth be told, because this is an appliance that can only do so much, sometimes you’re not getting much extra when you’re paying for these splurge models. That said, the pricier options typically boast a sleeker design and some more features than a basic, budget option. Glass toasters are typically more expensive, but you’re mostly paying for aesthetics and the benefit of seeing your toast as it cooks. A higher price tag does not guarantee a better piece of toast, so make sure that if you are going to splurge a bit, there is a specific feature or design aspect that is justifying the extra money.

Types of Toasters

Toaster Ovens

While the focus of this buying guide is pop-up toasters, it’s worth noting what differentiates a toaster oven. Toaster ovens (which, as the name implies, are small countertop ovens) do not have the slots of a classic toaster. Instead, there is a door and a small oven that can handle not only bread and bagels, but roasting vegetables, heating up pizza, or warming up sandwiches. These typically occupy much more counter space than a slot toaster, although with that extra space comes many more heating capabilities. This appliance may be worth it to you if you can see yourself relying on the appliance for more than just toast. Remember, your oven can do everything that a toaster oven can, if not more, so you really need to consider if this is an appliance that you’d use. If not, your best bet is to stick with a pop-up toaster.

Two- and Four-Slot

The most common types of slot toasters are two- and four-slot toasters. Obviously, two-slot toasters are more compact, which is ideal for a kitchen that’s short on space. Four-slot toasters are bigger and allow larger families to crank out fresh toast at the same time. The number of slots should not affect the evenness or consistency of the bread that you’re toasting; the quality of toast from a two-slice toaster is just the same as a four-slice toaster. Two-slice toasters are also ideal because they’re lighter and easier to maintain and clean.

Brands/Manufacturers

Breville

If you’re looking for a motorized lift, Breville makes a slot toaster with this feature. While it comes at a pretty penny, this is definitely a nice splurge option. It’s sturdy, sleek, and produces consistent slices of toast. These toasters often come with a “lift and look” feature as well as a “little bit more.”

KitchenAid

If you’re looking for a toaster option with wide slots, KitchenAid makes some great options in both two- and four-slice capacities. Its toasters are compact, stylish, and consistent. While they’re not the cheapest versions available on the market, they have enough features to justify the heftier price tag.

Cuisinart

Another great splurge option is a Cuisinart. Though the brand offers a wide variety of toasters, some of the most notable include a motorized lift toaster with wide slots for bagels galore. On the other end of the spectrum, it makes manual-level, plastic toasters that are just as efficient at churning out even, perfectly toasted slices of bread.

Accessories

Tongs

If you find yourself with a toaster that doesn’t have a high-lift function, you can always supplement this with a pair of bamboo tongs. This way, you don’t have to worry about burning your fingers when it’s time to take your toast out.

Sandwich Cage

If your toaster has wide enough slots to fit a sandwich, a fun accessory for your toaster is a sandwich cage. This tool helps keep your sandwich together as you lower it down into the toaster slot and let it cook. Lift it up and your sandwich slides out easily in one piece.

Toaster Brush

If you have a toaster that doesn’t have a removable crumb tray, it might be worth your while to get a brush that can help you dust off any hard-to-reach places in the toaster. The last thing that you want is a large pile-up of stale crumbs burning at the bottom of your toaster after repeated use.

Maintenance

Cleaning your toaster is important if you want your appliance to last for as long as possible. The most important thing when it comes to cleaning a toaster is to make sure that it is completely cooled down and unplugged when you begin cleaning. Never put it in a dishwasher or under running water. The frequency that you’ll need to clean your toaster depends on how often you use it. If you use it on most days, it’s good to get in the habit of clearing out the crumbs every one or two weeks.

Most toasters are designed with a removable crumb tray, which you’ll find near the base. When it’s time to clean your toaster out, begin by removing and discarding the contents in the crumb tray. This tray is positioned to catch all of the particles that fall as you toast your bread.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Anthony Irizarry is a freelancer who writes roundups for The Spruce Eats. Having previously worked as an appliance reviews editor, he's no stranger to kitchen appliances. In addition to toasters, Anthony has also rounded up our picks of the best ice cream makers and best waffle makers.