Browned off with your old toaster? We put 11 toasters through their paces, testing standard-sized and large slices of white and brown bread, and dense whole-wheat bread, to help you find one that suits your needs and your budget.
Before you buy your new, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
Toaster talk
- A frozen/defrost button allows you to toast bread straight from the freezer.
- Yesterday’s bread contains less moisture so makes crisper toast.
- Stale bread toasts faster than fresh bread, so adjust the browning setting.
- Sweet bread products like fruit loaf brown much faster than ordinary bread, so should be toasted on a lower setting.
- If toasting two slices, they should be of equal size and freshness.
11 toasters to shop now
1. Great Performer: Philips HD2628 20
This toaster comes with an automatic safety shut-off in the event of jammed bread. The slots are deep, so we needed to use the extra lift to get the toast out. The bread was toasted really evenly and browned similarly on both sides. We were impressed with how quickly the bread was toasted.
Features: 950W; seven settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
PHILIPS SA HD2628.20
Automatic safety shut-off , cancel button , removable crumb tray , 950W
2 year warranty
2. Sleek Design - Bosch TAT8613
This toaster uses mirror heating, with a quartz glass heater, for even toasting. It has an integrated rack for warming buns and muffins, and a safety switch-off if the toast gets stuck. All the different types and sizes of bread were nicely browned all over. Features: 860W; five settings; frozen and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Bosch Styline 860W 2 Slice Toaster
There's nothing quite like a slice of toast in the morning or for that matter at any time of day. And if you like your toasty goodness with a little variety, this is the toaster for you. Adaptable slots fit a variety of bread, roll and bagel sizes. The adjustable browning control means you choose the toasting level.
R1799 Yuppiechef SHOP NOW3. Red Rocker - Midea MT RS2L13W
This toaster comes with a separate warming rack that can be placed on top of the toaster slots for heating rolls and croissants. This toaster browned all types of bread well, but the one side was always more toasted than the other. Features: 850W; six settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Midea Vintage Toaster
The Midea toaster comes with a stylish stainless steel housing, 6 setting browning control, an easy to remove crumb tray and a unique reheating/warming rack. The toaster also features an extra wide slot (36mm) to ensure an easy fit for bread of different sizes.
R599 Bargains Online SHOP NOW4. Retro Style - Russell Hobbs RHTVIN4 9
This toaster has four slots, each pair operating independently of the other. The browning settings are adequate for toasting dense bread. The one side was browned more than the other, whether toasted in the centre slots or the outside ones. Features: 1 700W; seven settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Russell Hobbs Vintage 4 Slice Toaster, 1850W
This Russell Hobbs Vintage Toaster revives an era of sophisticated design with vintage accents and a beautiful finish. This elegant 4 slice toaster is the perfect addition to any kitchen countertop space. With 6 adjustable heat settings, an automatic pop up function and a handy bread lift and anti-jam function, it's quick and easy to use.
R1549 Yuppiechef SHOP NOW5. A Perfect Pair - Mellerware Eclipse Toaster And Kettle Pack 46042BK
This toaster comes with a matching kettle. The toaster browned the toast evenly on both sides for all types of bread. The extra-lift feature means you shouldn’t burn your fingers when removing small slices of bread. Features: 850W; six settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Mellerware Eclipse Stainless Steel Kettle and Toaster Set (Black)
Fall in love with breakfast all over again with the black Breakfast Pack from Mellerware. The classic designed vibrant black brushed stainless steel kettle will compliment any modern kitchen, it has a 1.8L capacity with indicator light and water level indicator. It is matched to perfection with the 2 slice brushed stainless steel black toaster with adjustable browning control. Your kitchen will love you for adding them to the family.
R873 Loot SHOP NOW6. Warming Racks - Bosch TAT6A913
This toaster has integrated warming racks that are useful for heating croissants and rolls. The racks can be flipped out by pressing down on the side knob. The large slices of white and brown bread did not fit into the slots, so part of the slice wasn’t browned. Features: 1 090W; six settings; frozen and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Bosch Stainless Steel Toaster - TAT6A913
Even roasting with automatic bread centering. Integrated warming rack, to fold away. High lift for the easy removal of small slices. Defrost and warm-up setting. Compact 2-slice toaster
R990 Hirsch's SHOP NOW7. Compact Choice - Taurus My Toast II Legend
A small, compact toaster that is ideal if you are short on counter space. The brown and white slices of bread were well toasted, but the whole-wheat slice wasn’t sufficiently toasted on the longest setting. The slots were not deep enough to completely toast the large slices of bread. Features: 850W; five settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray
Taurus MyToast II Legend 850W 2 Slice Toaster
The Taurus MyToast II Legend has extra-wide slots and 5 variable browning settings as well as reheat and defrost functions. The stainless steel body remains cool to the touch and a cancel function means you can stop the toaster at any time.
R829 Yuppiechef SHOP NOW8. Vintage Style - Delonghi Distinta
This vintage-looking toaster is large, with extra-wide toasting slots. Each pair of slots has its own controls, so you can use it as a two-slice toaster too. An added feature is the useful bagel setting. All the different types of bread were well toasted, if a little darker on one side than the other. Features: 1 800W; six settings; frozen, reheat, bagel and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Delonghi Distinta 4 Slice Toaster (Future Bronze)
Distinta, born from Delonghi technology and skills, is the collection that embodies style, future, purity and elegance all as one, making it the unique new classic.
R2489 Loot SHOP NOW9. Stylish Design - Morphy Richards Evoke 240115
The four slots sit side by side and each pair has independent controls. The slots are wide and deep enough to handle all sizes of bread. The toast pops up really high. All types of bread were evenly and well toasted. Features: 1 880W; seven settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray; extra lift
Morphy Richards White & Rose Gold 4 Slice Evoke Toaster - 240115
The Evoke 4-slice toaster easily prepares toast for the whole family. The high-quality luxurious shape and finish of the stainless-steel body appeal to the eye and make it a focal point in your kitchen. The Evoke toaster is comfortable and simple to use, as the buttons illuminate when active, to clearly indicate which option has been selected. The high-lift function makes it easy to remove even small slices of toast or bread.
R1699 Hirsch's SHOP NOW10. Family Choice - Bosch TAT7S45
This four-slice toaster has toasting chambers that can be operated independently and set to different toasting levels. It has a safety switchoff if the toast becomes stuck. One side of the toast was browned more than the other in all the slots. Features: 1 800W; seven settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray
Bosch Stainless Steel 1800W 4 Slice Toaster
Start the day with a toaster that features excellent design. Ideal for a family, several slices of toast can be made at the same time and each toasting slot can be independently operated and set to different toasting levels. The bread is evenly toasted thanks to automatic centring in the slot and the toaster has defrost and warming settings, as well as an automatic shut-off feature for safety.
R1899 Yuppiechef SHOP NOW11. Long Slots - Taurus Mytoast Duplo Legend
This four-slice toaster has two long slots, with each slot taking two slices of standard bread. The slots cannot be operated independently. It’s ideal for longer breads like baguettes. The whole-wheat bread needed further toasting after a cycle on the maximum setting. Features: 1 400W; five settings; frozen, reheat and cancel functions; removable crumb tray
Taurus Toaster 4 Slice My Toast Duplo Legend 960641
Taurus presents the Mytoast Double Legend. Golden and crisp toast has never been this easy. The Stainless steel toaster has two extra-wide slots and 5 variable browning settings.
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