Top 6 Best Toasters for 2017

Whether it’s served with eggs and coffee in the morning or with soup for lunch, toast is a staple food in nearly every home in America. And in order to make good toast, you need a good toaster – one that doesn’t burn the bread or leave it under-toasted. Fortunately, there are numerous toasters on the market to choose from. Picking one out of the bunch, however, is not a simple task. There are many factors a potential buyer needs to consider when choosing a toaster, such as what it will primarily be used for, the expected lifespan of each model, length of warranty, budget and one’s individual taste regarding size and style.

In order to help you make a quicker, better buying decision, we spent just over 21 hours comparing and analyzing 60 different toaster models. Using what we learned, we were able to create this list of the top six toasters, along with a comprehensive buying guide and comparison chart.

It’s one of the classic morning annoyances in our daily lives: the malfunctioning toaster that burns everything no matter what the setting. This type of toaster is usually impossible to clean, emits a smell of smoldering rubber when plugged in, and eventually burns itself out within just a few months. It’s not just a mere breakfast time annoyance, it’s also a fire hazard.

If you’ve ever owned one of these so-called toasters, then you understand the importance of choosing the best toaster for your kitchen. Cheap malfunctioning toasters end up not being worth the money you saved when you consider all those loaves of burned bread. In addition, a bad toaster is going to need to be replaced within a few months, if not sooner.

Fortunately, good toasters come in a variety of prices and styles, so whether you’re looking for all the bells and whistles or a simple two-slice model, there’s a decent toaster on the market for every budget and preference.

If you’re tired of throwing away burnt bread and cleaning up a counter full of charred crumbs, here are a few factors to consider when choosing a toaster:

Size and Style

When choosing a toaster, it’s crucial to consider your existing counter space. If it’s limited, your best bet may be a classic two-slice toaster. These have two slots side-by-side or one long slot, and are popular with many buyers because of their compact, streamlined designed. Two-slice toasters are best, however, for smaller households.

If you’re cooking for more than two, you’ll want to go ahead and spend the money on a toaster with a four slice capacity. You’ll be glad you did because there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to toast bread or waffles for several people when you’re working with a tiny, two-slice model.

If you’re a fan of bagels or frozen Belgian waffles, you’ll also want to get a toaster that has at least one slot that’s wide enough to accommodate them. These toasters may cost a few more dollars, but you’ll be able to toast your bagels without having to smash them flat to get them in.

Features

An efficient working pop-up function is pivotal. Unfortunately, this is often the first thing that starts malfunctioning on a sub-standard toaster. Surprisingly, a few upscale toasters on today’s market don’t feature a pop-up function. Instead, they have an alarm that goes off to tell you when your toast is done. Other toasters simply slide the bread through the heating element and the toast emerges from a compartment at the bottom when it’s ready. While most toasters still pop the bread up at the end, if you like trendy innovative appliances, you might want to consider one of these newer types.

Better toasters also have a light that indicates when the toast is done, as well as numbered dials or electronic touchpads to indicate heat levels. Retractable cords are also becoming more common as a space-saving feature.

Slide-out crumb trays are also a popular addition. Just recall how much you enjoy shaking burnt crumbs out of your toaster and sweeping them up off the floor; this should persuade you to spend the extra few dollars on a model with a crumb tray.

Another handy feature on newer toasters is a bread lifter. This is a lever that pushes the popped-up toast out of the slot even further so you won’t have to risk burning your fingers. While it’s not necessary, it’s an ingenious and ergonomic feature to have.

Safety

A few decades ago, plastic toasters began to replace the old-fashioned metal-body toasters for safety reasons. Ff you’ve ever used a metal toaster more than 30 years old, you’ll recall how dangerously hot the metal housing could get. Today’s metal toasters, however, don’t get as hot on the outside because of another important safety feature – the automatic shutoff.

An automatic shutoff is absolutely pivotal in a toaster. According to statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration, appliances cause approximately 9,600 fires a year and result in $211 million in loss of property. Toasters are particular culprits, as are any appliances that contain heating elements. No matter how tight your budget is, spend the extra few dollars to get a toaster with an automatic shutoff; it could save your life or the lives of your family.

Always unplug your toaster when you’re not using it. If you smell a burning odor, unplug the toaster immediately and make sure that there aren’t any crumbs trapped in the heating element. If this area is clean and it’s apparent that the smell is coming from the toaster itself, throw it away or return it to the store or manufacturer if it’s still new or under warranty.

Price

Even if you’re on a limited budget, it’s essential that you buy the best you can for the money. It’s important to remember, however, that an inexpensive toaster can also be a good one. According to respected online review sites, a good quality toaster can cost as little as $15 if you’re looking for a simple two-slice design. Likewise, a commercial grade toaster can cost as much as $1,000, but for that kind of money you’ll get a high-tech marvel that whips multiple slices of toast out in the blink of an eye.

No matter how much you’re able to spend, it’s usually best to stick to recognized brands that you know and trust. Search for clearance sales, particularly after the holidays and during the summer months when retailers want to get rid of inventory. You’ll often be able to find well-known brands for the same price as inexpensive, unfamiliar models. It’s also helpful if your toaster comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, even if it only covers a month or two; check first, because not all toasters have them.

Should I Get A Toaster Oven Instead?

A toaster oven may actually be a good alternative if you really want more from a toaster. Toaster ovens are perfect for cheese toast, mini pizzas, and all the things that would gum up the works of a regular toaster.

Before you buy, decide what you want the toaster to do for you. If you’re looking for something that will toast your bread, bagels and waffles, then a regular toaster will work just fine. If, however, you want something that will heat up open-face sandwiches, cheese toast and even burgers, then a toaster oven may be your best option.