The best toasters

Bagels and English muffins each get their own setting on this two-slice toaster. Defrost can be paired with the bagel setting, for a bagel straight from the freezer. It leads because it is a regular two-slice toaster with all of those settings. Smeg’s TSF03 below has the better score, but it is a four-slice toaster that costs more than this one.

What owners say: Reviews praise its retro look and colour above all, and several call it well made and easy to use. Some mention a plastic smell on the first few uses, which soon fades.

Smeg makes this four-slot toaster in its 1950s retro style, with a powder-coated steel body, a base finished in polished chrome and a ball-ended lever. Each pair of slots has its own controls, so one side can toast bagels while the other reheats bread. Smeg sells a bun warmer and sandwich racks for it separately.

What owners say: Owners praise the quality and the way it looks. They are split on the toasting results and on the price.

Four regular slices fit in the two long slots, and so do two long slices of sourdough or rye that are too long for a standard slot. CUSIMAX says the slots take thick slices such as Texas toast as well. The Glance function lets you look at the toast partway through without stopping the cycle.

What owners say: Those who bought it say it works well, and they like how it looks.

The front of this toaster is a touchscreen that counts down the minutes and seconds until the toast is done. Its screen offers six bread programs, named Bread, Bagel, Waffle, Pastry, English Muffin and Grain. Savorfuze does not say what each one changes, so there is no word on whether Bagel toasts the cut side only.

What owners say: Reviewers call it simple to use at any age and like the look of the touchscreen. By their account all six settings work properly, and they value the timer. Reports are mixed on how consistent the toast is.

One long slot takes the place of the usual two, which makes this toaster long and narrow enough to sit along the back of a counter. Two slices go in end to end, and bella says the slot is roomy enough for thick bagels, Texas toast or a baguette.

What owners say: Owners like how little counter space it takes, along with its slim shape and vintage look, and find it good value. Opinions vary on how well it toasts.

Each half of this four-slice toaster has its own shade dial, so one pair of slots can turn out pale toast while the other pair goes darker. BLACK+DECKER says the wide slots take bagels, thick buns and artisan bread, and that guides inside adjust to any thickness so the bread toasts evenly. The finish is brushed stainless steel.

What owners say: Buyers say it toasts well, and several like having four slots in an affordable toaster. Some report that one side or one of the levers stopped working within the first year.