Top 10 Toasters to Elevate Your Breakfast Experience in 2024
If your kitchen still lacks a toaster, you’re missing a versatile appliance that goes beyond simply browning bread for breakfast. Modern toasters offer multifunctional features, making meal preparation quicker and more enjoyable.
1. Cuisinart CPT-180 Metal Classic 4-Slice Toaster
This eye-catching Cuisinart model boasts a brushed stainless steel finish and four spacious 1.5-inch slots that accommodate thick bread and bagels. It features dual controls, enabling you to toast two different items at varying levels simultaneously. Controls include bagel, defrost, reheat, and cancel buttons, plus six browning settings.
Advantages
- Dual control panels for independent toasting
- Wide slots designed for hearty bread types
Drawbacks
- The bagel function tends to toast both sides equally instead of just the cut side
- Performance may decline with prolonged use
2. KRUPS 4-Slot Toaster with Stainless Steel Accents
The KRUPS toaster combines brushed and chrome-finished stainless steel with the capability to toast four slices or two bagels simultaneously. It boasts six browning levels on each side, plus defrost, reheat, bagel, and cancel functions. The slots measure 1.5 inches wide and 5.75 inches long.
Benefits
- Blue LED indicators for clear settings visibility
- Two detachable crumb trays for easier cleaning
Limitations
- Toasting cycles tend to be lengthier than competitor models
- Plastic knobs feel less durable over time
3. Oster Long Slot 4-Slice Toaster
Designed with space efficiency in mind, the Oster toaster combines narrow width with elongated slots measuring 1.5 x 10.5 inches to fit artisan and specialty breads. It comes with seven toasting shades, a removable crumb tray, and buttons for toast, bagel, frozen, and warm settings.
Pros
- Compact width under 7 inches, ideal for small kitchens
- Slots long enough for larger breads, like ciabatta or focaccia
Cons
- Single lever controls both slots simultaneously, limiting independent operation
- One set of controls for all four slices
4. KitchenAid KMT4116CU 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster with High-Lift Lever
The KitchenAid toaster pairs a classic brushed stainless steel body with colorful side panels and four extra-wide slots. It incorporates five browning levels plus cancel and bagel buttons. A standout feature is the manual high-lift lever, making it easier to retrieve smaller items.
Advantages
- Metal construction extends durability, including the browning dial
- High-lift lever enhances safety and convenience
Disadvantages
- Lacks defrost and warm functions
- Audible beep signals toast completion, which could be disruptive
5. Cuisinart CPT-440 Leverless 4-Slice Toaster with Touch Controls
This innovative Cuisinart model features a blue backlit LCD that counts down the remaining toasting time and touch-sensitive buttons for easy control. Offering bagel, defrost, reheat, and cancel options, it has seven shading choices and slots measuring 1.5 inches wide.
Pros
- Adjustable toast darkness using intuitive “+” and “-” buttons
Cons
- The alert beep is quite loud
- Some inconsistency reported in the bagel toasting mode
6. WestBend Multi-Function Egg and Muffin Toaster
Perfect for making a complete breakfast, this multi-functional toaster features four slots for bread or bagels as well as an integrated egg cooker and a warming tray for meats or veggies. The egg compartment allows scrambling, poaching, or boiling eggs with simple button controls.
Benefits
- Comes with an egg basket capable of holding up to eight eggs
- Separately adjustable settings for each toaster side
Drawbacks
- Non-stick coating on the egg pan can scratch easily
- If one side malfunctions, the entire unit stops working
7. Dash Clear View Toaster with See-Through Window
Resembling a compact toaster oven, the Dash model features a transparent glass window allowing you to monitor the toasting progress without interrupting the cycle. It offers a seven-level browning dial, defrost, reheat, and bagel functions, and is available in black, white, or red. Slots measure 1.5 inches wide and 10 inches long.
Pros
- Automatic shut-off enhances user safety
- Extra-wide and elongated slots suit special bread types
Cons
- Heating elements located only at the bottom, no side coils
- Two-slot capacity limits the amount toasted at once
8. Breville BTA720XL “The Bit More” 2-Slice Toaster
This sleek, all-stainless-steel toaster features two ultra-wide slots and five browning settings, alongside buttons for bagel, frozen, and cancel presets. Notably, the “Bit More” button extends toasting time without canceling the cycle, and the “Lift & Look” function lets you check progress without resetting the timer.
Strengths
- Precise browning controls for tailored toasting
- Lift & Look feature avoids interruptions
Limitations
- Only two slots-not ideal for larger households
- Longer slices may miss some areas due to heating element gaps
9. Cuisinart CPT-2400 Bakery Artisan Bread Toaster
Designed for artisan and thick breads, this Cuisinart model comes with extra-wide and long dual slots (1.5 inches by 10 inches), self-centering bread guides, a high-lift lever, and a sturdy chrome exterior. It offers standard functions such as bagel, defrost, reheat, and cancel accompanying four-slice capacity.
Benefits
- Deep slots accommodate large loaves and bagels
- Toasts four normal slices simultaneously
Downsides
- May toast one side darker than the other
- Lever must be firmly secured to lock in place
10. Cuisinart CPT-435 Countdown 4-Slice Toaster with LCD Display
The CPT-435 is an updated version of Cuisinart’s popular touch-to-toast line. It incorporates a blue-backlit LCD countdown timer, seven browning levels, and multiple specialty buttons: bagel, defrost, reheat, and cancel. The 1.5-inch-wide slots are perfect for thick bread slices, and there’s a manual high-lift lever for safe removal.
Highlights
- Precise toast darkness adjustment through “+” and “-” buttons
- High-lift lever for easy and secure toast removal
Drawbacks
- Loud beeping at the end may disturb some users
- Some users report uneven toasting on the bagel setting
Article Last Updated: June 2024
