ConsFirst / Toasters
Toasters: the downsides, first
No toaster we compared escapes complaints about uneven or one-sided toast — even Wirecutter's top pick — and seven of the eight draw reports of breaking within a year or two. Here are the most popular pop-up toasters in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared12 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 toasters, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Breville
$$2-sliceScore 4.1/5
20%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Picked by both Wirecutter and Serious Eats for very even toast, plus handy Lift & Look and A Bit More buttons. It costs about twice the Cuisinart, has a 1-year warranty, and some owners say one side stops heating after a year or so.
Top complaints
- Breaks or starts toasting one sideVery common
Amazon's summary says durability gets negative feedback, with multiple owners reporting it broke after about 2.5 years, and others saying only one side toasts. Wirecutter has read reviews saying it starts toasting unevenly after a year or two, and a reader said one side stopped heating after 6 months.
- Lever won't stay downMentioned often
Amazon's summary says several owners report the lever won't stay down.
- Pricey for a 1-year warranty; low liftMentioned often
Wirecutter notes the 1-year warranty versus Cuisinart's 3 years, and long-term testers wish it lifted toast higher. Amazon owners are split on value.
What owners love
- Most consistent toast in Wirecutter's test
Wirecutter says it made the most consistent toast of any model it tested, golden all over with no pale patches, even after several back-to-back batches. Serious Eats found it browned bagels, waffles and bread evenly.
- Useful extras
Lift & Look, a 30-second A Bit More button, and a side-specific bagel mode that Wirecutter says makes a better bagel.
- Held up in long-term use
Two Wirecutter staffers have used theirs since 2018 and report it still works well and is easy to clean.
Skip it if…- You want a long warranty
- You often toast long sourdough slices
- You're price-sensitive
Good for- The most even 2-slot toast
- A proper one-side bagel setting
- Peeking at toast mid-cycle
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting4.5
Why 4.5?
Even edge to edge with no pale edges (Wirecutter); even on bagels, waffles and bread (Serious Eats). Some Amazon owners report one-sided toasting. - Batch-to-batch consistency5.0
Why 5.0?
Wirecutter: the most consistent toast of any model it tested, even after several back-to-back batches. - Settings & features4.5
Why 4.5?
5 browning levels, frozen, a side-specific bagel mode, A Bit More, Lift & Look, and a done beep you can mute (Wirecutter, Serious Eats). - Easy cleaning3.5
Why 3.5?
A Wirecutter editor calls it easy to clean; Serious Eats says the brushed steel is more smudge-prone than the Die-Cast. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Wirecutter's long-term units are fine since 2018, but the warranty is 1 year, and Amazon owners report breakage and one-sided failures; 20% rate it 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: the most consistent toast and great features, but it may not last long enough to justify the price, and it has a 1-year warranty.
- Serious Eats: Best stainless steel toaster: even browning and useful extras; the finish smudges more than the Die-Cast, and sourdough needs flipping.
#2
Breville
$$$4-sliceScore 4.1/5
10%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 2,091 ratings.The best toaster Wirecutter has tested and Serious Eats' smart four-slice pick, with a motorized lift and every extra. It costs around $250, and both outlets worry it may not last; Amazon owners report some units failing within months.
Top complaints
- May fail earlyVery common
Wirecutter has read reviews saying it fails prematurely and hesitates to recommend it at about $250. Amazon's summary says some units stopped working or broke within 4 months. Serious Eats warns the motorized lift could fail sooner than a mechanical one.
- Expensive, big and heavyVery common
Serious Eats calls it a splurge that weighs 9 pounds; Wirecutter says it takes up a considerable chunk of counter. Amazon owners are split on value.
- One side darker for someMentioned often
Amazon's summary says browning consistency is mixed, with some owners noting one side is darker than the other.
What owners love
- Best toast in testing
Wirecutter calls it hands down the best toaster it tested. Serious Eats found strong, even browning, impressive stability across repeated cycles, and the best bagels in its four-slice test.
- Most features
Motorized lift, LED progress display, Lift & Look, A Bit More, bagel, defrost and a done alert (Serious Eats). Wirecutter says it offers more features than any toaster it considered.
- Solid exterior
Wirecutter says the exterior is built like a tank; Amazon owners praise even toasting and the controls.
Skip it if…- You want a toaster that is cheap to replace
- Counter space is tight
- You worry about electronics failing
Good for- Feature lovers who want a motorized lift
- Excellent bagels
- Busy households making repeat batches
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting4.5
Why 4.5?
Best toaster Wirecutter tested; strong, even browning at Serious Eats. Some Amazon owners see one side darker. - Batch-to-batch consistency4.5
Why 4.5?
Serious Eats: handled repeated cycles with impressive stability. - Settings & features5.0
Why 5.0?
Motorized lift, LED countdown, Lift & Look, A Bit More, bagel, defrost and an alert; Wirecutter says it has the most features of any model it considered. - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
Solid die-cast body, but Wirecutter cites reports of premature failure, Serious Eats flags the motorized lift as a weak point, and Amazon owners report breakage within months.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Hands down the best toaster tested, but not recommended because reports of early failure make the roughly $250 price hard to justify.
- Serious Eats (four-slice): Best smart four-slice toaster: precise, versatile and stable across batches; it is a splurge, and the motorized lift could fail sooner.
#3
Cuisinart
$$4-sliceScore 3.6/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Listing is the CPT-640P1; 4,621 ratings.Serious Eats' favorite four-slice toaster for its many bread-type settings, longer slots and quick recovery between batches. Wirecutter's unit had a faulty lever, and Amazon owners often report early breakdowns and levers that won't stay down.
Top complaints
- Lever won't stay down; early failuresVery common
Amazon's summary says multiple owners report it breaking within two months and the lever not staying down. Wirecutter's test unit had a faulty left lever that wouldn't hold the bread down.
- Uneven toast; burns above setting 3Mentioned often
Amazon's summary says toasting quality is mixed, with some owners reporting uneven toasting and others saying settings above 3 out of 7 burn the toast.
- More complex than needed for someOccasional
Serious Eats says it probably isn't for you if you want a dead-simple toaster.
What owners love
- Even, predictable browning
Serious Eats says it browned bread and bagels evenly, recovered quickly between batches, and produced distinct, appropriate shades at each setting.
- Lots of settings
A dial for five bread types, 7 darkness levels, defrost, cancel and a single-side button, plus a printed guide showing which way to face bagels (Serious Eats).
- Fits artisan slices
Serious Eats found the slots long and wide enough for artisan-style breads; Amazon owners like the settings for different bread types.
Skip it if…- You want a dead-simple toaster
- Lever reliability matters most
- You usually toast on dark settings
Good for- Households toasting many bread types
- Artisan slices in a 4-slot toaster
- One-slot toasting
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting3.5
Why 3.5?
Even bread and bagels at Serious Eats; Amazon toasting quality is mixed, with uneven and burnt results reported. - Batch-to-batch consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
Serious Eats: recovered quickly between batches, and the settings felt predictable. - Settings & features4.5
Why 4.5?
Five bread-type presets, 7 shades, defrost, cancel, a single-side button and long, wide slots (Serious Eats). - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
Wirecutter's unit had a faulty lever; Amazon owners report breakage within months and levers that won't stay down.
What experts say
- Serious Eats (four-slice): Best four-slice toaster: even, predictable and versatile, with quick recovery between batches; not for people who want simplicity.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed because the left lever on its test unit was faulty and wouldn't keep bread down.
#4
Smeg
$$$2-sliceScore 3.4/5
13%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)3,883 ratings pooled across color variants.A design favorite that Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping say also toasts well, with a wide shade range. At over $200 it still gets Amazon reports of one-sided toasting, levers that won't stay down and failures within a year, and Wirecutter had two near-burnt batches.
Top complaints
- One-sided or burnt toastVery common
Amazon's summary says some owners find it only toasts one side, or that one half of the toast gets almost burnt, and some report it caught fire. Wirecutter had two practically burned batches in back-to-back testing.
- Lever problems; low liftMentioned often
Amazon's summary says the lever won't stay down for some owners. Wirecutter says the lever doesn't lift food out of the slot, so you risk burnt fingers.
- Expensive; some break within a yearMentioned often
Serious Eats calls it the most expensive of its winners at $229, and bigger and heavier than the rest. Amazon owners are split on value, and some report it breaking within 9 months.
What owners love
- Good toast across foods
Serious Eats says it handled bread, bagels and frozen waffles with ease and did best among its 2-slot winners on longer sourdough. Good Housekeeping found clear variation across shade settings.
- Adjusts for repeat batches
In Good Housekeeping's 10-slice consistency test it shortened the final cycle by 30 seconds to keep the color the same.
- Looks and colors
Its retro design comes in dozens of colors (Good Housekeeping); Amazon owners love its appearance and colors.
Skip it if…- You want the best toast per dollar
- You need a high-lift lever for small items
- You toast long sourdough slices
Good for- Retro looks in many colors
- Frozen bagels and waffles
- A wide range of shades
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting3.5
Why 3.5?
Even results at Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping and mostly even at Wirecutter, but Amazon owners report one-sided or half-burnt toast. - Batch-to-batch consistency3.0
Why 3.0?
It shortened cycle time to keep 10 slices matched in Good Housekeeping's test, but two of Wirecutter's back-to-back batches came out practically burned. - Settings & features3.5
Why 3.5?
6 levels with half-stops, bagel, defrost and reheat (Good Housekeeping, Serious Eats), but no high lift (Wirecutter). - Easy cleaning4.0
Why 4.0?
Serious Eats found the glossy exterior much easier to clean than stainless steel models. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Metal controls feel high-end (Serious Eats), but Amazon durability is mixed, with failures within 9 months and lever problems.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best fancy toaster: handled everything with ease and is easy to wipe clean, but it is big, heavy and the priciest pick.
- Good Housekeeping: Best design: a wide shade range and good consistency; the slots can't fit a long slice.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: mostly even, but two batches were practically burned, and the lever doesn't lift food out of the slot.
#5
bella
$Long-slotScore 3.4/5
15%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)21,403 ratings pooled across the 2-slice and 4-slice sizes and several colors.A cheap Amazon best-seller with one long, very slim slot that Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping both recommend for even toast and whole sourdough slices. It is slower than most, and Amazon owners report one-sided toasting and units breaking around six months.
Top complaints
- Breaks after about six monthsVery common
Amazon's summary says durability is a concern, with multiple owners reporting it broke after six months. Serious Eats notes the plastic exterior may show scratches over time.
- Doesn't toast both sides for someMentioned often
Amazon's summary says performance is mixed, with some owners reporting it doesn't toast on both sides.
- Slow and longMentioned often
Good Housekeeping found it slower than other toasters, at about three minutes. Serious Eats says the long body claims more counter length than a classic 2-slot toaster.
What owners love
- Even, consistent toast
Good Housekeeping says it consistently made even toast in the Lab and for two home testers. Serious Eats got an even golden slice on medium.
- Fits a whole sourdough slice
It was the only Serious Eats winner that toasted an entire sourdough slice, and it fits four bagel halves or four waffles.
- Slim and colorful
About 3.5 inches wide, the design won a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Award; Amazon owners like the slim design and colors.
Skip it if…- You want the fastest toast
- You need a toaster that lasts years
- You want lots of presets
Good for- Whole sourdough slices
- Very narrow counters
- Budget buyers who want colors
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting4.0
Why 4.0?
Even toast at Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping, including whole sourdough slices; some Amazon owners say it doesn't toast both sides. - Batch-to-batch consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
Good Housekeeping: consistently even results in the Lab and at home, with one or two slices. - Settings & features3.0
Why 3.0?
6 shades plus bagel and frozen modes that worked well (Serious Eats) and a long slot, but it is slow (Good Housekeeping) and has few extras. - Easy cleaning3.5
Why 3.5?
Simple pull-out crumb tray (Good Housekeeping); the matte housing doesn't show fingerprints (Serious Eats). - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
A light plastic body that may scratch (Serious Eats); multiple Amazon owners report it breaking after about six months.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best long-slot toaster: toasts whole sourdough slices evenly with simple controls; the plastic may scratch, and it needs more counter length.
- Good Housekeeping: Most compact: very consistent browning and an easy crumb tray, but slower than others.
#6
Cuisinart
$2-sliceScore 3.3/5
18%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)25,547 ratings; the listing pools the black and white colors.Wirecutter's long-running top pick: cheap, small, quick and among the most even toasters it has tested, with a 3-year warranty. Many Amazon owners and Wirecutter readers disagree, reporting one-sided toasting and units that die after about a year.
Top complaints
- Toasts one side darker or not at allVery common
Amazon's review summary says owners report uneven toasting, with one side browning darker than the other, or only one side toasting; 'Toasting unevenness' is one of its biggest review topics. Several Wirecutter readers say theirs charred one side and barely toasted the other. Wirecutter itself saw occasional pale borders.
- Breaks after about a yearVery common
Amazon's summary says the toaster shows durability issues, breaking after a year of light use. Wirecutter warns that, like most modern toasters, it may not last more than about five years.
- Short slots; burning concernsMentioned often
Wirecutter readers say the slots are too short for bakery bread. Amazon's summary also flags burn risk, with owners saying it burns one side of the toast and some reporting that it caught fire.
What owners love
- Even, consistent toast in testing
Wirecutter says it browned bread more evenly than almost any other model it tested, in several rounds over several years, and stayed even across back-to-back batches.
- Fast and compact
Wirecutter timed a done slice on medium in 1 minute 20 seconds and calls it one of the tiniest toasters it tested; a long-term tester calls it 'a nice little toaster'.
- 3-year warranty
Wirecutter notes the 3-year limited warranty, versus 1 year on most toasters.
Skip it if…- You toast long bakery or sourdough slices
- You want premium features like Lift & Look
- Uneven toasting on one side would be a dealbreaker
Good for- Small kitchens and tight budgets
- Standard sandwich bread and bagels
- Buyers who want a 3-year warranty
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting3.5
Why 3.5?
Among the most even in Wirecutter's tests, with occasional pale borders; uneven or one-sided toasting is a major Amazon complaint. - Batch-to-batch consistency4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter says it toasted very evenly from batch to batch, which is unusual for such a cheap toaster; you may still need to turn the dial down for back-to-back rounds. - Settings & features3.0
Why 3.0?
7 shades, bagel, defrost, reheat, cancel and a high-lift lever. The bagel setting only adds time and does not toast one side (Wirecutter). - Easy cleaning3.0
Why 3.0?
It has a removable crumb tray, but Wirecutter's long-term tester says the tray is narrower than the toaster floor, so it can't reach all the mess. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
3-year warranty, and Wirecutter's units have held up since 2018 and 2022, but Amazon owners report breakage after about a year and 18% rate it 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best two-slot toaster: even, fast and cheap with a 3-year warranty. Its flaws are plastic levers, a crumb tray narrower than the floor, and occasional pale borders.
#7
Cuisinart
$$4-sliceScore 3.1/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)12,728 ratings; the listing (CPT-142BK) offers more than one color.Wirecutter's four-slot pick toasts as evenly as its two-slot sibling, but Serious Eats found uneven browning and narrow slots. Amazon owners report one-sided toasting and levers that won't stay down.
Top complaints
- Uneven or one-sided toastingVery common
Amazon's summary says some owners report it only toasts one side, or burns one corner while leaving the other soft. Serious Eats cut it for uneven browning.
- Lever won't stay downMentioned often
Amazon's summary calls lever stability a concern, with owners saying the lever won't stay down. Reliability feedback is mixed.
- Narrow slots; basic bagel modeMentioned often
Serious Eats says narrow slots make it less versatile for thick and artisan-style slices, and its bagel function simply extends the cycle. Wirecutter also notes the bagel setting only adds time.
What owners love
- Even like the 2-slot version
Wirecutter says it consistently browned bread as evenly as the CPT-122, with toast only slightly lighter when all four slots are full.
- Quick despite low wattage
Serious Eats says that despite its 825-watt rating it kept up surprisingly well on speed; Wirecutter timed 1 minute 20 seconds on medium.
- Liked settings and quality
Amazon owners praise its quality and its various settings, especially the bagel options.
Skip it if…- You toast thick artisan bread
- You want a true one-side bagel setting
- Lever problems would annoy you
Good for- Families who want four slots cheaply
- Standard sandwich bread
- Buyers who want a 3-year warranty
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting3.0
Why 3.0?
Even in Wirecutter's tests, but uneven in Serious Eats' tests, and one-sided toasting is an Amazon complaint. - Batch-to-batch consistency3.5
Why 3.5?
Wirecutter: consistent across back-to-back batches, slightly lighter with all four slots full. - Settings & features3.0
Why 3.0?
7-setting dial, bagel and defrost, and a high-lift carriage, but narrow slots and a bagel mode that only extends time (Serious Eats, Wirecutter). - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
3-year warranty (Wirecutter), but Amazon reliability is mixed and levers fail to stay down.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best four-slot toaster: as even as the two-slot model with a 3-year warranty, though Wirecutter suggests a toaster oven if you have room.
- Serious Eats (four-slice): Not recommended: fast for its wattage, but uneven browning and narrow slots limit it.
#8
Dash
$$Long-slotScore 3.0/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)12,574 ratings pooled across color variants; the Amazon page doesn't state the model number.A popular long-slot toaster with a window to watch your bread. Good Housekeeping rates it best value with perfect consistency, but Wirecutter and Serious Eats found it uneven, and it can launch toast out of the slot.
Top complaints
- Uneven, inconsistent toastVery common
Wirecutter found it inconsistent from batch to batch, and it completely failed to toast in one round. Serious Eats says it browned one side more than the other and did poorly with frozen waffles. Amazon owners are split on toast performance.
- Pops toast out forcefullyMentioned often
Wirecutter says it sometimes popped toast so hard it landed on the floor; a Good Housekeeping consumer tester said the same and had to watch it.
- Lever must be held; breaks after ~2 yearsMentioned often
Amazon's summary says some owners have to hold the lever down to toast, and that units break after about two years.
What owners love
- Perfect consistency score at Good Housekeeping
In Good Housekeeping's back-to-back test, every slice came out the same golden brown.
- Window and long slot
You can watch the toast brown, and the long slot fits one artisan slice or two sandwich slices (Good Housekeeping). Amazon owners like that it fits large sourdough slices.
- Slim design
Good Housekeeping says it is narrow and takes up less space; Amazon owners praise the slim design.
Skip it if…- Even toast is your top priority
- You dislike toast popping out forcefully
- You want the simplest cleaning
Good for- Watching toast through a window
- Long sourdough slices
- A slim, colorful toaster
Scores (tap for why)
- Even toasting2.5
Why 2.5?
One side browner (Serious Eats) and uneven (Wirecutter), though a Good Housekeeping tester found it even every time. - Batch-to-batch consistency3.0
Why 3.0?
A perfect consistency score at Good Housekeeping versus 'wildly inconsistent' at Wirecutter, including a round where it didn't toast. - Settings & features3.5
Why 3.5?
Viewing window, long slot, 7 browning levels, bagel, defrost and reheat (Good Housekeeping, Amazon listing); forceful pop-up is a minus. - Easy cleaning3.0
Why 3.0?
The crumb tray is easy to remove (Good Housekeeping), but the removable glass window adds a cleaning step (Serious Eats). - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Amazon owners report units breaking after about two years and levers that must be held down; 12% rate it 1-2 stars.
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best value: a perfect consistency score, an easy crumb tray and a viewing window; toast pops out forcefully.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended: wildly inconsistent, it once failed to toast at all, and its long shape is awkward.
- Serious Eats: Not recommended: poor frozen-waffle results, one side browner, and the removable glass window adds a cleaning step.