We Tested 4-Slice Toasters and These 7 Are the Best

How We Tested 4-Slice Toasters

We've been testing four-slice toasters for years, both at home and in our Lab’s dedicated test kitchen, where we pitted 20 of the most popular models against each other, side by side. Each was tested to see how well they toasted regular white bread, bagels, and frozen waffles on multiple settings. If special features were available, we tested those, too. We also wiped down each machine repeatedly, emptied the crumb trays, and stored them.

We Observed

• How well the four-slice toasters toasted fresh bread and bagels: We toasted four bread slices or two halved bagels during each test, filling all slots. To accurately gauge heat level and evenness, we ran each test on light, medium, and high settings. We recorded how long each setting took and compared doneness levels. We also noted how easy it was to insert and remove the bread.
• How long the four-slice toasters took to defrost frozen waffles: For toasters with a defrost function, we popped in a quartet of frozen waffles. We noted the cycle’s time—and whether the waffles were actually defrosted at the end. If available, the reheat setting was also tested to see if it worked as intended and how quickly it rewarmed.
• How easy the four-slice toasters were to clean: Toasters get messy inside, and regular cleaning prevents crumb buildup from imparting a burned flavor or even sparking a fire. We followed the manufacturer’s instructions for emptying the crumb tray and wiping down the unit, noting whether this was simple or difficult. We checked for fingerprints on the exterior and for dishwasher-safe parts.
  

We Rated

• Design: Modern toasters tend to have smooth, boxy exteriors peppered with multiple controls, so we gave high marks to aesthetically pleasing and less-bulky designs. We sought slots sized for various thicknesses of popular breads, including bagels and pastries. We looked for convenient placement of knobs, levers, and buttons, and for a power cord long enough for comfortable use that stored neatly under or in the machine.
• Features: At home and in the Lab, we check out all of each toaster’s features. These included independently controlled pairs of wide slots, high-lift levers, single-slice toasting, and a +30-second option, depending on the model. Each feature was tested to ensure it worked as intended. We noted useful features and any that just added to the machine’s bulk and complexity.
• Value: When testing was complete, we revealed the prices of each toaster. To determine the overall value of each unit, we compared the price with the model’s functionality, durability, and features. We looked for toasters that could stand up to everyday use and whether the cost was a steal, appropriate, or too high for what the machine offers.
  

Other Options We Tested

• Cuisinart CPT-180P1 4-Slice Classic Metal Toaster: We generally enjoyed our former best overall pick, since it's easy to clean, has independent settings, and is relatively affordable, but we observed inconsistent results and uneven browning. When using the bagel function, the toaster doesn't turn off one side, which could result in a burnt exterior.
• KRUPS KH734D Breakfast Set 4-Slot Toaster: With six browning settings, a sleek design, and built-in cord storage, this Krups four-slice toaster is known to be a solid option. That said, we found it left a lot to be desired: The shading was inconsistent and very uneven across the functions. Toasting bread skewed toward very dark browning while toasting bagels skewed very light. On top of that, it was a "fingerprint nightmare."
• Breville BTA830XL Die-Cast Smart Toaster 4-Slice Toaster: The Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster is one of the more expensive models on the market, and we found that its automated lowering/rising function was very fun to use, but it didn't serve a real purpose. The bagel even got caught a few times during testing, so it doesn't work perfectly. What really took this off our recommendations was the overly hot highest setting that burned toast and bagels.
• Cuisinart CPT-142 4-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster: We initially liked this Cuisinart for its space-saving design and affordability, but it skewed very hot, burning both bread and bagels, and even warping some of its plastic casing. It led us to believe that an oven broiler would work better than this. Needless to say, we don't recommend it.
• Breville BTA730XL Bit More 4-Slice Toaster: Breville is one of the most respected countertop appliance brands, and we expected its Bit More Toaster to be one of our top picks. This ultimately let us down, though. During testing, only the medium setting produced decent toast and an evenly browned bagel. The highest setting yielded burnt toast. Things got even worse with the bagel test when both sides ended up charred and inedible.
• Dualit Vario Four-Slice Toaster: We found this high-end contender looked slightly European in design, and it was definitely the most fun to toast with. Its very powerful lift lever was one of the few toasters to give a true cartoon-like pop up and out of the toaster. Beyond that though, we couldn't find other features to justify the cost. The toast settings need to be fine-tuned or you'll end up with too-light or too-dark toast, with inconsistent browning, and the exterior was hard to keep clean.
  

What to Look for in a 4-Slice Toaster

Shade Settings

These adjustable settings indicate the shade level, or how toasted your bread will be. These are either shown in numbers going up to 6 or 7, indicating the brownness of the toast (from light brown to dark brown), or in minutes counting down before the toast pops up.

Standard Features

Features found in most four-slice toasters include a crumb tray, lift lever (allowing you to lift the finished toast higher to avoid getting burned), and width slots. Depending on how wide they are, the width slots will allow you to fit and evenly toast more than just a regular slice of toast, such as bagels, artisan bread slices, pastries, and more.

Extra Features

Many four-slice toasters also include extra settings and features that may be useful depending on your needs. Examples include defrost, reheat, and keep-warm settings; a "lift and look" feature that lets you pause toasting to check doneness; "a bit more" option that lets you toast a little longer if the bread wasn't toasted to your liking; and a digital display.

FAQs

How do you clean a toaster?

Before cleaning your toaster, unplug it and make sure it's completely cooled down. Then, remove the crumb tray and shake loose crumbs from the tray into a trashcan or the sink. The tray can be washed by hand if needed and should be completely dry before returning it to the toaster.

It's also a good idea to turn the actual toaster upside down and give it a shake over the trash can or sink to dislodge any additional crumbs. If any crumbs remain, you can use a small brush to clean them from the toaster slots.

The outside of the toaster and controls can be wiped down with a damp cloth.

What do the numbers on a toaster mean?

The numbers on a toaster are meant to be a guide to the level of toast doneness, but they vary from toaster to toaster. Turning the dial to "2" on different toasters will likely result in very different levels of brownness.

On high-end toaster models, the numbers sometimes correlate to minutes, but again, that's not the case on all toasters.

It's best to experiment with a few slices of bread to figure out what each setting on your toaster produces and find the settings that meet your preferences.

What does the bagel setting on a toaster do?

The bagel setting lets the toaster know you're toasting something thicker, like a bagel or English muffin, which requires more time to heat through and toast evenly. The toaster automatically increases the toasting time when this function is used.

Does all bread toast at the same speed?

Different types of bread brown at different speeds. Depending on what type of bread you're toasting, you'll need to adjust the browning setting to get your favorite amount of doneness. Lighter bread, like white or potato, tends to brown faster and might require a lower browning setting than a sprouted bread that has a lot of seeds and whole grains in it. The best way to find your perfect slice is to experiment with your favorite bread and then remember that setting.

Can you put foil in a toaster?

Even though aluminum foil is designed to withstand heat, it's not a good idea to use it in a toaster; there isn't enough clearance in toaster slots to make sure the foil isn't touching the heating elements. Save the foil for a toaster oven or standard oven.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie knows a thing or two about bread, toasted or not. The Spruce Eats writer and reviewer not only wrote a book about the bread-making process ("Make Ahead Bread") but she's also written roundups on various kinds of toasters and toaster ovens for our site. Check out her picks of the best two-slice toasters.

Senior Editor Siobhan Wallace also contributed to this piece; she compiled testing data from our official Lab as well as insights from our home testers.