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

Guide to the summaries

Features

As you can see from the photographs, there was a much wider variation in shape in the short slot toasters than with the long slot toasters. For each toaster you can tell from its summary which colours and features are available. The price and model numbers we have given are for the standard versions. For some models this is white, for others chrome. You may find that you have to pay more for non-standard or coloured finishes. They may also have different model numbers. All prices include VAT.

There’s a range of features available, not only on the more expensive models. A high lift facility is available on some models.

This is useful for lifting smaller items out of the slots, such as buns or crumpets.

The Dualit 20160 did not have one, but lifting the loading lever brought the item up high enough to get it out. With the Guzzini 2077 the bread goes in a cage-like holder which you lower into the slots when toasting.

A few of the toasters had a warmer bar across the top of the slots – for keeping buns and so on warm. The bar was either lifted up for use or it was detachable.

On the Morphy Richards Trio and the Philips HD2531 you could switch off some of the elements to make one-sided toast. The Trio could also be switched to toast lone, two or three slices and the Dualit to toast one or two slices. The large Breville Classique and Russell Hobbs Classic could be switched for two or four slices.

Some of the toasters had a re-heat button for briefly heating toast which had cooled down – but you could re-heat manually on any of the models.

Many of the models had adjusable slot width – useful if you want to toast thick things like buns or bagels.

Nearly half the toasters on test have a frozen bread button – useful if you forget to defrost a loaf.

 

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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