Imagine your ideal breakfast, and try doing it without toasted bread or bagels. A toaster can make a world of difference in our everyday lives, especially if it can fit four slices at once.
You might be wondering:
What exactly makes the best 4 slice toaster? You’ll get all the answers in the paragraphs that follow. You’ll also be able to read about our favorite models.
Research You Can Trust
We thought it best to hear what users had to say about their toasters before choosing the models to review. When it seemed we had enough to go on, we carefully tested all the runners-up. After a lot of defrosting, toasting, and reheating, here are the 10 toasters we think are the very best.
10 Amazing 4 Slice Toaster Reviews 2024
Environmental Concerns
Don’t like the idea of buying new kitchen appliances all the time? Quality toasters last a long time, but you can do even more. Some models have fully repairable parts. Instead of tossing them away as soon as something breaks, this allows you to repair and continue using them.
Cuisinart’s models are among the most popular 4 slice toasters out there. Their Compact model is light and looks very elegant, especially thanks to its stainless steel accents.
Since it has extra wide slots, you can use this toaster with any type of bread or pastry. When you’re finished, use the HI Lift lever to remove the food using your fingers. When you want to clean the device, simply slide out and wipe its crumb tray. If you don’t like the sight of cords, use the cord wrap to hide them with ease.
There are only two downsides to using this toaster.
If your kitchen is on the small side, you might find it too big. Also, users report they sometimes get their bread and pastry unevenly toasted.
Features
- Stainless steel parts
- 3 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- 5-inch slots
- HI Lift lever
- 7 shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
- Cord wrap
Elegantly designed
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Can toast different types of bread and pastry
Allows easy removal of toasted food
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Stores cords neatly
Too big for small kitchens
Toasts unevenly
If you want to invest in a good 4 slice toaster, Cuisinart is the way to go. Their Touch to Toast model has brushed stainless steel housing, which makes it a good-looking device.
But how will it serve you?
Wide slots allow you to use this toaster to prepare bread and pastry of all sizes. Its motorized lift makes it a lot easier to remove toasted food once it’s finished. There’s a countdown timer that will tell you exactly when it’s time to do that. Removable crumb tray and hidden cord wrap make it easier to clean the device and prevent clutter.
When it comes to downsides, this model has two.
Although they’re wide, the slots are too short for some pieces of bread. We’ve also noticed setting number 3 toasts unevenly.
Features
- Stainless steel housing
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- 5-inch slots
- Motorized lift
- Countdown timer
- 7 digital shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
- Cord wrap
Looks sleek
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Can toast different types of bread and pastry
Allows easy removal of toasted food
Counts down and beeps when food is ready
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Stores cords neatly
Has short slots
Toasts unevenly
Breville makes some of the best 4 slice toasters. Their Smart model boasts a sturdy die-cast metal exterior.
But that’s not all it has to offer.
Defrost, bagel, and toasting functions with shade settings are pretty standard. This toaster has all of those, plus two more. A Bit More setting allows you to give your bread or pastry additional toasting time. Lift and Look setting, on the other hand, makes the food pop up while it’s toasting, so you can inspect it without interrupting the cycle.
The slots on this toaster are wide and you can use them separately to make different kinds of toast at the same time. One-Touch button lowers the bread automatically, so you don’t have to worry about it. LED indicators on the front show you how long it’ll take for your toast to be done. Cord wrap and assist plug allow you to neatly store and even completely remove the cord.
There’s one thing this toaster doesn’t do right:
That’s toasting your food evenly.
Features
- Brushed die-cast metal exterior
- 3 toasting functions
- A Bit More setting
- Lift and Look setting
- Separate toasting controls
- 5-inch slots
- One Touch lowering button
- LED-light countdown timer
- 5 shade settings
- Assist plug
- Cord wrap
Sturdy
Versatile
Allows prolonged toasting
Allows checking while still toasting
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Can toast different types of bread and pastry
Allows automatic bread lowering
Counts down until toast is done
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Allows cord removal
Stores cords neatly
Toasts unevenly
For those who don’t want to compromise on quality, Cuisinart is always a good choice. Their Classic 4 slice toaster even looks very appealing, especially thanks to its retro design.
What can this toaster do?
You’ll easily fit any kind of bread or pastry into this toaster’s extra wide slots. Thanks to the LED indicators, you can always know which function is in use. Its HI Lift lever makes it easier for you to remove your toast from the device. Cleaning and keeping your kitchen organized will be a breeze with the removable crumb tray and cord wrap.
Of course, there are some downsides to using this toaster.
It turns out it toasts bagels on both sides, instead of just one. Also, the housing gets hot since it’s not properly insulated.
Features
- Stainless steel housing
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- 5-inch slots
- HI Lift lever
- LED indicators
- 6 shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
- Cord wrap
Designed to look retro
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Can toast different types of bread and pastry
Allows easy removal of toasted food
Shows which function is being used
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Stores cords neatly
Toasts bagels on both sides
Doesn’t have an insulated exterior
UK’s Dualit has some of the best 4 slice toasters out there. All their products are hand-assembled and boast timeless good looks, but the NewGen model is extra special.
This toaster has toast, defrost, and bagel functions, but it’s a lot more versatile than that. Buying popular Dualit add-ons, such as warming racks and sandwich cages, allows you to keep your food warm and even make grilled cheese sandwiches. Thanks to the selector control, you can choose which of the four slots you’ll use.
Ejector lever makes it easier for you to pick up toast once it’s done. This toaster uses a mechanical timer to tell you when exactly it’ll finish toasting. Thanks to unbreakable ProHeat elements and fully repairable parts, you can enjoy it for a very long time. Removable crumb tray and adjustable rear foot allow you to easily maintain and even keep this device on uneven surfaces.
There are two things we didn’t like about this toaster.
It takes a while to finish toasting, and can’t fit some of the longer slices of bread.
Features
- Hand-assembled
- 3 toasting functions
- Selector control
- Ejector lever
- Mechanical timer
- Fully repairable parts
- Unbreakable ProHeat elements
- Removable crumb tray
- Adjustable rear foot
High-quality
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Allows easy toast removal
Counts down until toast is done
Can be repaired in full
Sturdy
Easy to clean
Can be used on uneven surfaces
Compatible with Dualit sandwich cages and warming racks
Takes a long time to toast
Has short slots
Want a good 4 slice toaster?
It seems Hamilton knows exactly what works. Their Cool Touch model is constantly praised, and not just because of its beautiful, modern exterior.
Wide toast slots allow you to fit in any type of bread. Once the toast is done, it automatically pops up. Cool Touch technology prevents the housing from getting hot. You’ll also have no trouble cleaning it thanks to the removable crumb tray.
Unfortunately…
If you insist on evenly toasted pieces of bread, however, you might want to look further. Also, this toaster is way too big for those who use smaller kitchens.
Features
- Black exterior with metal accents
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- 5-inch slots
- Automatic toast boost
- Cool Touch housing
- 5 shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
Looks good in any space
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Can toast different types of bread and pastry
Allows easy removal of toasted food
Doesn’t get hot on the outside
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Too big for small kitchens
Toasts unevenly
Oster’s 4 slice toaster is a good choice for any household. This stainless steel model has a brushed knob and levers that make it capable of fitting into any décor.
There’s no need to worry about the thickness of your bread since this toaster is equipped with auto-adjusting bread guides. Thanks to its removable crumb tray, cleaning up after toasting is as simple as it gets. The retractable cord makes your kitchen space look less cluttered.
What about cons?
Just like most other models, this toaster doesn’t toast evenly. You might even notice differences in results even when using the same controls. Also, the slots sometimes don’t fit the entire slice of bread.
Features
- Stainless steel housing
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- Auto-adjusting bread guides
- 7 shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
- Retractable cord
Good-looking
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Adjusts to bread’s thickness
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Stores cords neatly
Toasts unevenly
Doesn’t toast the same each time
Sometimes doesn’t fit the entire slice
One of the most popular toaster brands out there is Krups. Their Breakfast Set model has a durable chrome and brushed stainless steel housing. Let’s see what else it offers.
Self-centering slots allow this toaster to adjust to the thickness of bread and pastry. Thanks to the blue LED light indicators, you can always know which function is currently in use. High Lift lever allows you to easily remove even smaller pieces of toast. Removable crumb tray and cord storage make it simple to maintain and organize your kitchen space.
However…
There are some downsides to owning this toaster. It looks a bit cheap and takes forever to finish toasting. Also, its separate toasting functions don’t exactly toast simultaneously.
Features
- Chrome and brushed stainless steel
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting functions
- Self-centering slots
- High Lift lever
- Blue LED light indicators
- 6 shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
- Cord storage
Durable
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Adjusts to bread’s thickness
Allows easy toast removal
Shows which function is in use
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Stores cords neatly
Looks a bit cheap
Takes a long time to toast
Doesn’t have fully synced dual functions
KitchenAid’s Empire Red model is a solid choice for those looking for a 4 slice toaster. Its metal housing with gorgeous red finish makes it a good-looking piece. It defrosts, reheats, and toasts bread and pastry. It also allows you to prepare two different sets of toast at the same time.
And if you don’t like clutter…
You’ll surely want to use its hidden cord wrap.
But, nothing’s perfect.
Apart from toasting unevenly, it sometimes fails to defrost your food properly. Also, the shade settings don’t have any numbers on them, which we found to be a bit of a drag.
Features
- Metal housing
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- Wide slots
- High-Lift lever
- Digital countdown timer
- Shade settings
- Cord wrap
Good-looking
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Can toast different types of bread and pastry
Allows easy removal of toasted food
Counts down until toast is ready
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Stores cords neatly
Toasts unevenly
Sometimes fails to defrost food
Doesn’t have numbers for shade settings
Cuisinart’s Countdown model is a solid choice if you’re looking for a 4 slice toaster. It has brushed stainless steel housing with black accents.
This toaster defrosts, reheats, toasts bagels, and can be adjusted to one of seven different shade settings. If you’re making two different kinds of toast, it allows you to use different settings at the same time.
One thing that turned us off:
This toaster looks a bit cheaper than it should.
Also, its slots are way too short for longer pieces of bread. Lastly, it only does one side of bagels, leaving the other cold to touch, which may be a problem for some.
Features
- Brushed stainless steel
- 4 toasting functions
- Separate toasting controls
- Extra-Lift carriage lever
- Touchpad controls
- LCD countdown timer
- Blue LED light indicators
- 7 shade settings
- Removable crumb tray
Durable
Versatile
Can toast 2 different sets at once
Allows easy toast removal
Controlled by light touch
Counts down until toast is done
Shows which function is in use
Can be adjusted to suit all tastes
Easy to clean
Looks a bit cheap
Has short slots
Only does one side of bagels
Buyer’s Guide: Choose The Best 4 Slice Toaster For Your Family
Nowadays, there’s a lot you can get from a simple toaster. That’s also why choosing the ideal model should take some time and effort. You should consider your toaster’s functions, its performance, ease of use and storage, as well as any special features that might make your life easier.
Here’s what all this actually means.
Versatility
Before choosing a toaster, think about what kind of food you usually toast. If it’s thick slices of bread, look for a model with the widest slots. If you’re more into bagels, opt for a toaster with the best bagel functions. And if you regularly toast frozen food, make sure your model has the defrost function.
Evenness and consistency
If evenly and consistently toasted food is all that matters to you, keep that in mind while looking for your ideal toaster. There aren’t many models that’ll get you that perfect slice of toast. That’s why you shouldn’t consider those with uneven and inconsistent toasting listed as cons.
Ease of use and storage
Want to be able to clean and store your toaster easily? Look for models with removable crumb trays and cord storages. Cords can be retractable, but most toasters come with a handy cord wrap.
Special features
There are plenty of features that can make using a toaster even easier. That’s why you should think about what really matters to you before making any final decision. If you want to be able to make sandwiches, look for a toaster that’s compatible with sandwich cages. If you don’t want your toaster to get hot while toasting, opt for one with insulated housing.
THE WINNERS
Expert Tip
Make sure to check the toaster’s dimensions before making the purchase. Images tend to make them look the same when it comes to size. However, the products themselves can be really compact, as well as really big.
Summary
After testing a bunch of highly rated models, we gave detailed reviews of our 10 favorite 4-slice toasters.
Since everyone’s needs are different…
Let’s break down a few of the best 4 slice toasters for a few different situations:
The best budget option is definitely Cuisinart’s Compact model.
For a higher level of functionality, there’s Breville’s Smart Toaster.
And if durability is at the very top of your list, consider Dualit’s NewGen model.
Time To Start Shopping For A 4-Slice Toaster
A great 4 slice toaster is at the same time versatile and capable of delivering the perfectly toasted slice of bread every time. It’s not difficult to clean and looks good in your kitchen space.
But, remember!
That’s not all you’re going to want to consider. After reading our handy buyer’s guide, we’re confident you’ll make the right choice! But in case you have any other questions, keep reading. Chances are we’ve got the answer.
For starters:
How do you clean the toaster? Check out this video from Peter Walsh for a slew of expert tips to keep your toaster in great shape:
Cuisinart CPT-142 Compact 4-Slice Toaster
Imagine your ideal breakfast, and try doing it without toasted bread or bagels. A toaster can make your morning breakfast with four slices at once.
Show MeCuisinart CPT-440 Touch to Toast Leverless 4-Slice Toaster
Imagine your ideal breakfast, and try doing it without toasted bread or bagels. A toaster can make your morning breakfast with four slices at once.
Show MeBreville BTA840XL Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster
Imagine your ideal breakfast, and try doing it without toasted bread or bagels. A toaster can make your morning breakfast with four slices at once.
Show MeFrequently asked questions
What types of food can the toaster prepare?
Most 4 slice toasters can prepare bread and bagels. Some have defrost functions, which means you can use them for toasting frozen bagels and waffles as well.
Does the toaster toast one or both sides of a bagel?
The standard bagel function toasts the cut side and warms up the other side of the bagel. There are, however, toasters with different settings.
Does the toasted food pop up once it’s done?
Most toasters are programmed to raise the toast up once they’re done toasting it. Many have additional features, such as levers, which help you remove even smaller pieces from the device.
Does the toaster beep once it’s done toasting?
Many toasters have countdown timers. Some are mechanical and some digital. Digital ones are usually programmed to beep once the toaster is done with toasting.
Is the toaster hot after toasting?
Not all toasters have properly insulated housings. If you want a toaster that’s always cool to the touch, look for Cool Touch features.
How easy is the toaster to clean?
Cleaning the toaster from the outside is usually a breeze. Some are easy to clean from the inside, too, thanks to removable crumb trays.
Can you remove the cord from the toaster?
With most toasters, it’s not possible to remove the cord. However, some of them are retractable, while other devices have hidden cord storages.