The 6 best toasters to consider, according to experts
We consulted appliance experts on what to consider before buying a toaster.
Hanna Horvath
This toaster from GE allows you to choose from seven shades of doneness for your toast — from lightest to darkest — and has two extra wide slots to accommodate all types of bread, bagels, waffles and more. This toaster has a removable crumb tray to clean it easily, and LED lights illuminate the buttons that show you what setting you are on. This stainless steel toaster has a 4.5-star average rating from 5,855 reviews on Amazon.
This toaster from Cuisinart has four slots for bread, and the knobs allow you to control just how light or dark you want the toast. It also has special settings to defrost bread, for bagels and to reheat. When your toast is done, you can push down on the levers to pop the bread out so you don’t have to stick your fingers in the part of the toaster that gets hot. There is also a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning. This toaster has a 4.3-star average from over 32,700 reviews on Amazon.
Zoe Malin, NBC Select associate updates editor, likes this pop-up toaster for its affordability and ease of use. It has two long slots, each fitting up to two slices of bread. The slots are also extra-wide to accommodate thicker breads and bagels, she says. There are six browning settings and memory recall keeps your settings saved. This toaster also has a removable crumb tray and a defrost setting if you use frozen bread.
With two extra-wide slots, this toaster can accommodate thick slices of bread. It has special settings to toast bagels and defrost frozen bread, and the knob allows you to control the level of brownness you want your bread to be. The lever lifts your toast out and away from the hot metal to prevent burning your fingertips and there is a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning, according to the brand. This two-slice toaster has a 4.4-star average rating from over 7,400 reviews on Amazon.
The two-slice toaster features a touchscreen interface that allows you to select different types of items to toast (bread, bagel, frozen waffle and more) and then pick how toasted you want your item. It also comes with a panini basket, which allows you to heat a sandwich. This toaster has a 4.2-star average rating from over 2,300 reviews on Amazon.
This toaster has two extra wide slots to accommodate all breads and bagels. Along with six browning levels, it has a bagel function that toasts the cut side of the bagel and warms the uncut side, according to the brand. It also has a lift lever, allowing you to pop the toast up to easily grab it without burning your fingers. This toaster has a 4.4-star average from over 10,900 reviews on Amazon.
Pop-up toasters have one main function — toasting bread. They also tend to be smaller and you can stash them out of the way when not in use, says Lin. A toaster oven can sometimes be more versatile. Beyond toasting bread, there are toaster ovens with air frying and broiling settings. But toaster ovens tend to be bigger than pop-up toasters, so they aren’t as easy to stash away.
For a basic toaster, make sure you can adjust the level of darkness to ensure your toast comes out as brown as you’d like. Also, consider how many pieces you need to be able to toast at once. If it is just you, a two-slice toaster should work, but a four-slice model will likely be more efficient if you have a family. If you regularly toast larger things like Pop-Tarts or waffles, look for a model with deep slots, says Lin.
For a pop-up toaster, make sure whatever model you buy has a removable crumb tray, says Lin. This will allow you to take it out and dump crumbs so they don’t burn. Don’t use a cleaner inside the toaster, as it may leave a residue that will burn the next time you heat the device.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Hanna Horvath is a personal finance reporter based in New York City. She currently writes for Policygenius and her work has appeared in Business Insider, MSN, Inc Magazine and more.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
