Our Toaster Test Bench 1.1 expands our performance tests with 'Crumb Management' and 'Toasting Speed' scores. We've also added scores for Features and Capacity, so you can easily compare toasters based on features like a bagel setting and design aspects like slot size. Finally, a new usage, Everyday Use, makes it easier to evaluate how a toaster performs for your daily toasting needs.
What's Changed
New Usage
- Everyday use
New Tests
- Crumb Management
Changed Tests
- 'Controls and Functions' has been renamed 'Features' and is now scored
- 'Slots' has been renamed 'Capacity' and is now scored
New Usages and Tests
Everyday Use
The 'Everyday Use' usage replaces the previous 'Toasting' usage. The score is based on performance results, including Toasting Evenness and Toasting Speed. Since a toaster's Capacity, Features, and Crumb Management also affect each model's Everyday Use, we've included these as well to get an idea of how convenient each model is for daily use.
Capacity
This test replaces the previous 'Slots' test. Each toaster's Slice Capacity, Slot Length, Slot Width, and Slot Depth When Toasting are now scored, with toasters that can fit more slices at once and more easily accommodate bigger, taller slices and bagels scoring higher.
Features
Previously called Controls and Functions, this test has been updated to score each toaster based on whether it has Bagel, Frozen, and Stop Cycle buttons. We also check if each model has cycle countdown indicators, but that feature doesn't affect the score. Toasters with a Bagel setting that switches off the outer elements to only toast the cut side of the bagel score higher, while a Bagel button that simply extends the toasting time scores lower.
Crumb Management
For this test, we add crumbs to each toaster and then move it to see how well the crumb tray prevents crumbs from messing up your counter. The score is assigned based on the photo of the crumbs left behind, with toasters that leave fewer crumbs scoring higher.
Toasting Speed
While our previous 'Toasting Range' test included the cycle times for the highest and lowest shade settings, Toasting Speed has been separated into its own test. The score is based on how long it takes to make golden-brown toast from sandwich bread, and you can also see how long it takes to make dark or lightly browned toast.
Let Us Know What You Think!
Your feedback is important to us and helps us improve our methodology! We encourage you to email feedback@rtings.com or leave a comment with any questions or suggestions.
21 Toasters Updated So Far
We are retesting popular models first. So far, the test results for the following models have been converted to the new testing methodology. However, the text might be inconsistent with the new results.
- Beautiful 4-Slice Toaster with Touch-Activated Display
- BELLA Classics 2 Slice Toaster
- Black+Decker 2-Slice Toaster T2569B
- Black+Decker 4-Slice Toaster TR4900SSD
- Breville Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster
- Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster
- Breville the 'A Bit More' 2 Slice
- Cuisinart 4 Slice Compact Plastic Toaster
- Cuisinart 4 Slice Custom Select Toaster
- Cuisinart Custom Select 4-Slice Toaster RBT-1350PC
- Cuisinart Long Slot Toaster
- Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic
- Dualit Design Series 4 Slice
- Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots 22217
- KitchenAid 2-Slice Toaster with manual lift lever
- Oster 2-Slice Toaster with Quick-Check Lever
- Revolution InstaGLO R180
- Smeg 2-Slice Toaster
- Smeg 4-Slice Toaster
- Sur La Table Touchscreen 2-Slice Toaster
- Wolf Gourmet Four Slice Toaster
1 Toasters Planned To Be Updated
We are also planning to retest the following products over the course of the next few weeks: