AI
Blog

Best Toasters in 2025

as analyzed by

A good toaster is essential for enjoying perfectly toasted bread, bagels, and more. With a wide variety of toasters available, it's important to understand the different types, features, and performance characteristics to find the perfect fit for your needs. Toasters have moved beyond basic functionality, now incorporating features like extra-wide slots, bagel settings, digital displays, and smart technology. This buying guide will help you navigate the options and select the best toaster for your kitchen. Factors like toasting evenness, speed, ease of use, and overall build quality are all critical considerations.

What's In This Guide

Our Selection Methodology

Our rankings are based on a comprehensive analysis of thousands of data points, including expert reviews from reputable sources, user feedback from various online platforms, and technical specifications of each model. We utilized advanced AI algorithms to process this information, focusing on core performance metrics such as toasting evenness, speed, and feature set. Comparisons were made across various price points and feature sets to provide a balanced view of the best toasters available. We prioritized models that consistently received high scores across our selection criteria and that demonstrated a good balance of performance, features, and value.

Selection Criteria

Toasting Evenness

The ability of the toaster to brown bread uniformly across its surface. A toaster that toasts evenly ensures all parts of the bread reach the desired level of crispness without burning or under-toasting any areas.

Speed

The time it takes for the toaster to complete a toasting cycle. Faster toasting is desirable for quick breakfasts but should not compromise toasting quality.

Features

The additional functionalities provided, such as bagel settings, defrost options, reheat settings, and extra slot widths. These enhance convenience and usability.

Ease of Use

How simple the toaster is to operate, including the intuitiveness of its controls, the clarity of its displays (if any), and the overall user-friendliness of the design.

Durability and Build Quality

The sturdiness of the materials used in manufacturing the toaster, its ability to withstand regular use, and its longevity. A well-built toaster should last for years.

Unlock Your Brand's AI Visibility Intelligence with premium reports.

Discover how leading AI models perceive, rank, and recommend your brand compared to competitors.

Our premium subscription delivers comprehensive brand intelligence reports from all major AI models, including competitive analysis, sentiment tracking, and strategic recommendations.

  • Monthly competitive intelligence across all major AI models
  • Catch when AI models are directing users to incorrect URLs or socials
  • Early access to insights from new AI model releases
  • Actionable recommendations to improve AI visibility

Just $19.99/month per category, brand, or product. Track your brand, category, and competitors to stay ahead.

Top 5 Toasters in 2025

Pros

  • Excellent and even toasting performance.
  • Dual control panels for independent toasting.
  • Extra-wide slots for versatility.
  • Durable stainless steel build.
  • Multiple toasting functions (bagel, defrost).

Cons

  • May be pricier than some basic models.
  • Some users might find the controls slightly more complex initially.

Key Specifications

Slices4
Slots1.5" wide
Settings7 browning levels, bagel, defrost
ConstructionStainless steel

The Cuisinart CPT-435 is a top-rated 4-slice toaster that consistently delivers excellent toasting results. It features dual control panels, allowing independent operation of each pair of slots, making it ideal for households with varied toasting preferences. Its extra-wide slots can accommodate bagels, English muffins, and artisan bread, providing versatility. The seven browning settings, along with bagel and defrost functions, cater to a wide range of toasting needs. The stainless steel construction gives it a premium look and feel. Toasting is extremely even, and the controls are intuitive, although they take a bit of getting used to. We highly recommend the CPT-435 because of its exceptional toasting consistency and feature set.

Pros

  • Very affordable.
  • Extra-wide slots.
  • Bagel and defrost functions.
  • Easy to use and clean.
  • Good build quality for the price.

Cons

  • Limited features compared to higher-end models.
  • May not toast as evenly as some premium options.

Key Specifications

Slices2
SlotsExtra-wide
SettingsVariable browning, bagel, defrost
FeaturesCancel button, removable crumb tray

The Black+Decker TR1400D is an excellent budget-friendly toaster that doesn't compromise on essential features. It's a simple but effective 2-slice toaster with extra-wide slots and a variety of toasting settings, including a bagel function and a defrost option. It’s designed to be easy to use, with clear controls and a convenient cancel button. Built with a stylish design, the TR1400D delivers good value for the price. Although it lacks some of the advanced features and build quality of more expensive models, its performance is more than satisfactory for everyday toasting needs, making the Black+Decker TR1400D a great option for consumers seeking an affordable and functional toaster.

Pros

  • Exceptional and even toasting.
  • Motorized lift and automated features.
  • Offers precise control over toasting.
  • Smart functionality and intelligent features.
  • Premium build and design.

Cons

  • Can be bulky.
  • Pricey.

Key Specifications

Slices2
SlotsExtra-long, wide
Settings5 preset settings
FeaturesMotorized lift, 'A Bit More' button, 'Lift & Look' function

The Breville Smart Toaster Pro offers sophisticated toasting technology, making it a standout choice for those who want precise and consistent results. Its motorized lift automatically lowers and raises bread, while "A Bit More" and "Lift & Look" features allow customized toasting. It provides a remarkable level of control over the toasting process, ensuring toast is perfect every time. The Smart Toaster Pro employs an 'auto-sensing' feature that adjusts toasting time based on the bread type, offering exceptional performance and convenience. Additional features like a 'Fruit Bread' setting help provide optimal results. The high-end build quality ensures improved durability. While its price point is higher, the outstanding toasting quality and advanced features justify the cost for serious toast enthusiasts. Smart toasting really does make a difference.

Pros

  • Affordable.
  • Intuitive controls.
  • Easy to clean.
  • Extra-wide slots.

Cons

  • Only fits two slices.
  • Basic features.

Key Specifications

Slices2
SlotsExtra-wide
Settings7 browning levels
FeaturesCancel button, crumb tray

The Hamilton Beach 22790 is a simple, reliable 2-slice toaster designed for everyday use. It provides basic toasting functions with a focus on ease of use and a good value proposition. Its features include extra-wide slots, a cancel button, and adjustable browning controls, which provide enough options to meet most users' needs. This is not a toaster with bells and whistles, which is part of its appeal. It offers good performance for the price, making this an excellent option for anyone seeking a straightforward and reliable toaster. For consumers prioritizing simplicity, it's a very solid option.

#5

KitchenAid KMT422

Best Stylish 4-Slice Toaster

https://www.kitchenaid.com/

Pros

  • Excellent and even toasting performance
  • Durable stainless steel build
  • Multiple shade settings
  • Intuitive controls
  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Limited features compared to pricier models.
  • Some users might prefer more advanced settings.

Key Specifications

Slices4
SlotsExtra Wide
Settings7 shade settings, bagel
FeaturesAutomatic keep warm

The KitchenAid KMT422 is a stylish and feature-rich toaster, known for its excellent performance and attractive design. It is a four-slice toaster that offers multiple shade settings and a bagel function for customized toasting. The KitchenAid KMT422 also boasts an impressive even-toasting performance, ensuring your bread, bagels, and other items are toasted to perfection. Its simple and intuitive controls make it easy to operate. The stainless-steel construction and overall durability make it a great addition to any kitchen. While the price point is higher, the superior performance, multiple features, and aesthetic appeal make this a smart choice for those who value both style and functionality. The KitchenAid KMT422 can handle large volumes of work.

Conclusion

Choosing the right toaster can significantly improve your breakfast experience. The best toasters offer even toasting, convenient features, and durability. Consider your specific needs and preferences when making your selection. For most users, the Cuisinart CPT-435 is an excellent choice, offering a great balance of performance and features. However, if you're on a tighter budget, the Black+Decker TR1400D is a solid value pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What slot width is best for a toaster?

The slots' width determines the type of bread, bagels, and pastries the toaster can accommodate. Wider slots are generally more versatile, allowing you to toast thicker items.

Do toasters have a cancel button?

Yes, most modern toasters have a cancel button that allows you to stop the toasting cycle at any time. This is a convenient feature to prevent burning.

How should I clean a toaster?

Always unplug the toaster and allow it to cool completely before cleaning. Crumbs can be removed from the crumb tray, which should be cleaned regularly. The exterior can be wiped with a damp cloth.