Toasters Review

Comparing expert tests with user reviews of toasters

Toasting technology has changed little in the last 100 years. Toasters apply radiant infrared heat to bread via wires made of a nickel-chromium alloy that encircle mica sheets on either side of each toasting slot. The wires come into contact with the mica sheet, producing heat radiation. The greater the number of wires, the more radiation there is. Cook's Illustrated magazine found that the best toasters had at least nine evenly spaced wires per slot. When the bread's surface reaches about 310 degrees Fahrenheit, sugars and starches caramelize, turning bread brown.

There are two big challenges in toaster evaluation. One is the sheer number of toasters on the market, making it unlikely that any two expert tests will evaluate the same toaster. The second is that toasters are discontinued at an astonishing rate -- but often are replaced by a virtually identical toaster with a different model number. In a recent report update, ConsumerReports.org tested and evaluated 30 two-slice and eight four-slice toasters based upon performance, consistency and ease of use. However, a few of the top-rated picks have been discontinued. 

Cook's Illustrated magazine evaluates seven two-slot toasters in a December 2010 roundup. Editors toast 26 consecutive single slices followed by 26 consecutive two-slice cycles, timing each cycle and averaging the results to determine which models are fastest. Editors point out that a defrost button is essential for warming frozen waffles and pastries without producing soggy results, and overall, dial operation is preferable to digital controls as it's more intuitive to use.

A review from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute put 26 toasters to the test, measuring toasting speed, evenness, consistency and surface temperatures. Special features such as bagel and frozen food settings were also evaluated, as was style, appearance and the level of available customer service. Again, some of the models included in the Good Housekeeping test have been discontinued.

The Washington Post also covers toasters in a recent article, and although individual testing isn't conducted, toaster recommendations are offered by a Bed Bath & Beyond customer service professional. One model is recommended at low, medium and high price ranges.

For this report, owner-written reviews weigh more heavily than the professional reviews we found. We couldn't find a single toaster that achieves more than a 4-star rating (out of 5) at Amazon.com. And all toasters -- regardless of price or brand -- receive some complaints for uneven toast, under-toasting or over-toasting. To suss out the better models, we read deep into user reviews at Amazon.com and sites such as Viewpoints.com, Cooking.com and Walmart.com.