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Choosing a toaster that's easy to use (view report contents)

Controls

All the toasters had a browning control, these are rated for their ease of use and clearness of their markings.

Nearly all were knobs that you turn to numbered settings. On different models they were designed to be held either around their edge or by a raised bar or other raised shape. On the Siemens, you press a thin bar and small lights come on next to the settings.

How easy controls are to grip is to do with their size, shape and gripping surface. If you have stiff or painful hands, small controls are likely to be difficult and uncomfortable when you have to bend your fingers and tighten your grasp. Smooth slippery surfaces will also be difficult – they need a tighter hold than a textured surface.

Most of the browning controls protruded well but as you can see from the photographs and the ratings, we found few were easy to grip, mainly because of their size and smoothness. Generally, they did not require much strength to turn them (see individual ratings for easy to adjust without force)

Most of the models had a cancel control – a button that you press part way through to stop the bread toasting. They varied in size and the strength needed to press them. The easiest could be pressed with the side of the hand if using your fingertips is difficult.

There were separate controls for some of the special features on the toasters – see Styles and features. They were mostly buttons and were generally easy to use. The exceptions were the Breville PT6 frozen bread and re-heat buttons and the Swan LCJ9 high lift lever. The settings and labels for the different controls varied a lot between the models in how easy they were to see. Large markings in strong colour contrast to their background are easiest.

None of the models had raised indicators on the browning settings, though they could be easily marked with your own symbols. The cancel buttons protruded so could be felt. The Siemens button was flush and the same colour, but had raised dots.

The slots for bread and the loading control are used the most. Most of the loading controls were easily accessible. They were part of the top edge of some models and protruded well from others. The rating we gave each of them takes into account their size and slipperiness, the strength needed to push them all the way down and whether they were smooth or jerky in use. Using the cage on the Guzzini was tricky although it can be used for making toasted sandwiches.

Removing slices of toast was not a problem on any of the models. The toast cleared the hot metal slots when it popped up.

Stopping the toaster by lifting the loading control or pushing the cancel button was reasonably easy on most models (see the individual ratings).

 

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Report contents

Some appliances tested suit some people more than others. Click on order by grip to see those we have judged best if you have limited grip, strength or dexterity - those at the top have features most likely to suit you. If you have impaired sight click on order by sight.

Introduction
Guide to the summaries
Controls
Other
Buying Guide

Quick checklist for buying a toaster
Manufacturers Addresses