Compare the Best 4+ Slice ToastersJanuary 2021

Toaster Sizes

This is the most fundamental choice when choosing a toaster - how much bread it can cook at once. Most toasters have 2 slots, allowing 2 pieces of toast to be cooked at once. For most single people or small families this will be enough, since you will rarely need to toast more than 2 pieces of bread at once. However for larger families there are toasters with 4 or even 6 slots - these allow for a far larger amount of bread to be cooked at once.

Some toasters also advertise themselves with ‘long slots’, which mean they have extra-long opening for the bread - which is especially useful for wider, squatter loaves, such as sourdough, or for fitting more slices into a single slot.

Lastly, we have some models of toaster that have a 'high lift' feature built in. This allow you raise the toaster lever up and raise the bread clear of the toasting slots, making it easier to remove. This is a helpful extra if you find yourself frequently toasting crumpets, muffins or small slices of bread.

Custom browning levels & programs

Nearly all major brands of toasters allow you to change the time the bread is toasted for, allowing you to cook the toast to exactly how you like it. Some newer models also contain preset ‘browning levels’, allowing one-touch light/medium/dark browning for your breakfast. While this is not a must-have addition, it can certainly make your life easier first thing in the morning, before your morning coffee has woken you up.

Additionally, many toasters will also contain additional preset programs for defrosting frozen bread, cooking bagels, or for warming toast back up again.