Four-Slice Toasters

Toasters for larger families

Four-slice toasters generally have separate heat controls for each side, allowing you to simultaneously make darker toast and lighter toast. Such convenience does come at a price: four-slice toasters generally cost more than two-slice toasters, and they take up valuable countertop space.

The KitchenAid KMTT400 (*Est. $100), a four-slice version of the top-rated KitchenAid KMTT200, earns a high overall score in more than 100 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com. Reviewers call it an easy-to-clean, well-built performer, but a few say it toasts slowly.

The more expensive Krups TT9340 (*Est. $150) features an industrial-style design with a metal die-cast finish and a special coating to avoid fingerprints. It has six brownness levels, dual controls, a bagel setting and extra-wide slots. We found no professional reviews of this toaster, but owner ratings at Amazon.com are generally positive. Owners say that this toaster does a good job with toast, and the removable crumb tray is nicely designed.

The Breville Smart Toaster BTX840XL (*Est. $180), a four-slice version of the BTX820XL, has not been professionally reviewed, but it has the same motorized slots as its smaller sibling, as well as a "lift and look" feature, which raises toast halfway through the cycle so you can check on browning. Two owners posting to Chowhound.com call it a great all-around performer, but it's awfully expensive for a toaster.

On the other end of the price spectrum, the Michael Graves Design 4-Slice Toaster 24301 (*Est. $40), which is sold only at Target, earned raves from a major cookware-review magazine for consistently delivering uniformly golden toast. It costs far less than other four-slice toasters, and in about 10 owner reviews posted to Target.com, it earns a respectable, if not perfect, overall rating. Owners say that the Michael Graves toaster works well and looks more expensive than it actually is. This toaster comes in a single color -- white with silver accents -- but owners say it feels solid.

Overall, the Krups, KitchenAid, and Breville four-slice toasters get better reviews for making consistent toast, and their styling is more high-end, but when it comes to value, the Michael Graves Design toaster is tough to beat.