It's hard to think of a breakfast less fussy than toast, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be fussy about your toaster. There are a few main categories to consider: your basic 2-slice, 4-slice for more capacity, and long slot, which can accommodate slices from longer and taller loaves. The best toasters offer useful quality-of-life features that let you check progress mid-cycle, toast just one side of a bagel, or even consult a countdown timer, so you know exactly when it's time to start buttering. They also work quickly, toast evenly, and make golden-brown toast with all kinds of bread, from light sandwich bread to dense rye or multi-grain.
We've tested more than 20 models, and these are our recommendations for the best toasters. If you want to know more about how we test toasters, check out the changelog for our newest test bench. Or, for a broader look at what's available, check out our overview of the best toaster brands or, if you want to narrow down your search, see the best 2-slice toasters or the best 4-slice toasters.
