Best Toasters for Your Bread

For families with members who prefer their bread toasted at different degrees, Cuisinart CPT-142P1 is the perfect toaster. It is a 4-slot unit with two heating systems that can work independently. Each system manages two slots and comes with its own 7-shade setting dial and control buttons (Bagel, Defrost, Reheat, and Cancel). There are also two separate crumb trays that slide perfectly smooth.

Despite the separate heating controls, the entire toaster can deliver consistent work. According to our reviewers during our test, the toaster consistently delivered perfect output from run to run. Also, each toast level showed distinct toast results. Even better, the entire surface of the bread we tested came out toasted uniformly. Further, we noticed that adding a half or a quarter turn to the dial can give you significant results in the toasts. That being said, this proves how sophisticated its heating system is, which means better and wider control options for you.

Just like Elite Gourmet ECT-3100, Dash Clear View can cater to artisan bread and other long-cut types of bread due to its long undivided slot. When used with average-sized bread, it can cater to at least two slices simultaneously. However, this isn’t its main highlight: it’s the “Clear View” feature.

Indeed, the Dash Clear View toaster comes with a see-through glass window that allows users to view the bread as it is being toasted to perfection. And since different types of bread don’t toast at the same rate, having a viewing window will lessen the chances of you ruining your bread.

Also, compared to other models with the heating elements spread across the entire slot section, Clear View’s heating system is in the form of two rods. They are about 11 inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter. When activated, the rods will heat up and will radiate the heat at the entirety of the slot. Despite this unconventional heating system, it performed perfectly well during our test and the 7 levels showed distinctive toasting performances from each other (though we found #7 a bit too much).

It also sports all the essential functions you need for a modern toaster such as the Defrost, Reheat, and Bagel function. Moreover, we love that the heating levels are imprinted on the dial itself rather than on the front surface of the toaster. With this setup, you don't have to lower your head just to check the levels when the toaster is placed on a low counter.

On the other hand, we were a bit concerned at first when we realized how it releases the bread after the toasting process: it literally pops them out! Depending on the thickness and weight of the bread, they can end up settling back into the slot or on the top of the appliance. When we tested it for bread that was cut in thin slices, the pieces ended up on the counter. That being said, as long as you would use it for bread with average size and weight, we think this feature would benefit you. After all, fishing for toasts in the slots could sometimes be annoying for some.

If you are a fan of artisan rye bread, Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 is the best choice to have. It can still cater to a total of 4 average-sized bread slices. However, due to the absence of dividers, there are only basically two 10-inch long slots that are both 1.5” wide. This gives you better flexibility in your choices of types of bread as it can cater to other long-cut bread types. Further, it has a retractable warming rack, allowing you to heat various specialty bread on top of the toaster. 

There are 6 toasting levels in the dial and it has three buttons (Cancel/Reject, Reheat, and Defrost). However, we were a bit dismayed that it doesn’t come with a bagel option which seems to be a staple function among toasters nowadays. 

On the other hand, there is a self-centering guide mechanism that grabs onto the bread and positions it to get proper toasting. However, it can only cater to cuts that are decently thick.  When we tested it together with each toasting level, we found all the settings very consistent in delivering uniform browning on the surface of the bread; particularly with artisan cuts that were golden brown from end to end.

Amazon Basics TA1729C-W is an ultimately simple toaster. Nonetheless, this is what makes it popular in the market.

It has 2 average-sized slots and offers 6 browning settings that you can access through a dial. There are also 3 button settings: Cancel, Bagel, and Defrost. With all this, there is really no challenge in using it. Very simple. Yet, its performance is uncompromised and can deliver great results. 

When we tested TA1729C-W, it managed to toast bread at the right degrees. Our reviewers noted that the numbers of the dial exhibited varying levels of browning, with the #3 setting delivering the perfect golden brown toasting. Besides its great performance in sliced bread, its Bagel button really worked wonders in our test: crispy interior and warm but soft exterior.

Also, we really do love how small it is. With a small footprint, it can be an ideal toaster for a kitchen with limited spaces. Even better, the sides don’t heat that much so you can still touch and move it after use without fuss.

If you need something that is simpler than the Amazon Basics TA1729C-W, Hamilton Beach 22623 is the choice. It is completely stripped of the bells and whistles. It just comes with a lever for activating the toaster, a dial with 7 levels, and a Cancel button. Extremely simple and straightforward. But in terms of its performance, it promises consistency and uniformity in browning your toasts.

It has 2 slots that are 5 ¼” long and 1 ¼” wide. This is just enough to give room for the typical sliced bread and bagel. However, and as said, it doesn’t have particular features for specific types of bread such as a bagel and other specialty bread. But when we tested its ability to toast, it performed exceptionally well. We were particularly pleased with the Level 4 setting which didn’t falter in providing golden brown shade in slices of bread. The said level also did a great job at giving the bagel we tested a light crunch and golden brown shade. We also love the fact that its positioning mechanism is more efficient at keeping the slices of bread in place than others. Overall, it provided us consistent results each time. Even better, both slots produced toasts with an identical degree of shade and crunch.