The humble toaster is a cornerstone of any kitchen. Out of breakfast ideas? Toast a bagel. Not sure what to have for lunch? Simply pop some bread in the toaster. We're not sure about using the toaster for your evening meal, but you do you.
What's strange is that even though the toaster is a respected member of the kitchen team, the purchase process is often not given the consideration is deserves. A lot of shoppers will buy the cheapest model on offer, without thinking about the fact that you're going to use this device almost every day. We all love toast.
We're trying to change things and give toasters their well deserved moment in the spotlight, so that you can find a model that works for you and your kitchen. But first, we're going to answer a few commonly asked questions to help you out.
Is a two or four-slice toaster best?
There are absolutely loads of different toaster models out there, but there is one simple way to categorise everything on offer: two-slice and four-slice toasters.
The question of which type you need really isn't complicated. Simply consider how many slices of bagels or bread you're likely to be toasting at the same time. If it's more than two, you should opt for a four-slice option. If you're only going to be having one or two slices at a time, purchase a two-slice toaster. This isn't rocket science, guys.
What are the most important toaster features?
Before starting this buying process, there are some things you should consider:
Defrost setting — Do you keep your bread, bagels, and other toastable items in the freezer so that they last longer? If so, you would benefit from a toaster with a defrost setting. Fortunately, this setting is included on even the most basic models. A reheat or "keep warm" function (both self-explanatory) are both handy too.
Cooking time settings — Normally you get numbers on the front of the toaster that represents the heat time, but it doesn't always work like this. Sometimes you get a scale that measures how toasted your bread, bagel, or crumpet is going to be.
Crumb tray — Cleaning a toaster is not an easy task, unless it has a crumb tray. This handy feature catches all of the debris from the toasting process, and can be removed when you're cleaning it out.
Slot width — A lot of toasters have fixed slot widths, which is not generally an issue. But if you like to mix it up, there are toasters that have adjustable bread slots — or generous space to fit all kinds of bread products.
Quick look — This goes by different names brand-to-brand, but the idea is that you can quickly pop the toast up and check its progress, without stopping the toasting cycle and risking it burning. C'mon, we've all done it.
Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next toaster.
What is the best toaster?
At this point you should know what makes a good toaster. To make your purchase process a little easier, we've lined up a selection of your best options. We've tried to find something to suit everyone and every budget. This includes top models from popular kitchen brands like Russell Hobbs and Breville. Just pick a favourite.
These are the best toasters in 2023.
