Best Toaster? $25 vs $400? We Tested 20 Toasted To Find Out!

In this video, we explore the similarities and differences between toasters, as highlighted by our new methodology created by Mike, our toaster test developer extraordinaire! Could a toaster really be worth a $400 price tag? Which toaster will serve you best and repeatedly produce bread at just that right shade? We here at RTINGS set out to answer that question and help you choose the perfect slot toaster.
0:00 Intro
0:41 Toaster Overview
2:00 Testing Overview
3:56 Image Analysis
4:13 Toasting Range
6:11 Repeated Toasting
8:27 Heat Transfer
8:06 Price VS Performance
For more details about our testing process, check out our article:
www.rtings.com/toaster/learn/...
Join our team: grnh.se/d8765e317us

[@TonyOstrich]

I really have no idea how a website I primarily knew for reviewing devices for media consumption got to reviewing toasters, but I am here for it!

[@RTINGScomRD]

Thanks for sticking around! There are some really cool things coming up, keep your eyes peeled! 👀

[@Jooglesberry]

"Bread goes in, toast comes out. You can't explain that." - Bill O'Reilly

[@RTINGScomRD]

Even after all our image analysis and tests run, there's no easier explanation than that😂

[@domm6812]

Even after all these years, still funny 😂

[@AySz88]

Goodness, had to look it up to remember it was originally about "tides" going in and out.

[@CantankerousDave]

Calvin and Hobbes did it decades before O’Reilly. “Where does the bread go?”

[@jaball77]

Waiting patiently for that RTINGS x Project Farm x Technology Connections crossover...

[@RTINGScomRD]

👀

[@Taudris]

@@RTINGScomRD Why isn't Technology Connection's antique IR sensing toaster in this test?!

[@orijimi]

​@@TaudrisYou know why. Getting one isn't feasible.

[@BillyONeal]

Technology Connections: I took that personally

[@tsalles2584]

This channel is underrated, great video!

[@RTINGScomRD]

Thanks so much and for watching! 😄

[@KaledYouTube]

Someone is about to look for a toaster recommendation on KZbin and be blown away by a full Phd study on the best toaster in the market! I wish there was a similar video for every product I want to purchase.

[@RTINGScomRD]

We're doing our best to get to that point! What products would you most like to see us ever review?

[@KaledYouTube]

@@RTINGScomRD Vacuum cleaners! There are so many types (Bags, bagless, drum/cannister) each with their own pros and cons and variables like noise, suction capability, longevity and ease of maintenance. Shopping for a vacuum cleaner really is a crapshoot and the price difference could be huge (Miele vacuum cleaners costs a fortune!)

[@SHALLGLISTENBEFORETHETEMPLESOF]

@@RTINGScomRD That is the greatest thing to hear! If you are looking for a product to test, rechargeable batteries would be so helpful! If the power required to recharge them is more cost effective than just buying single-use batteries. How long they hold a charge when not in use. And degradation over time, like phone batteries. Also curious, this is one of the coolest channels and websites, how do you guys make money? Are these employees or just volunteers?

[@pasi123567]

@@RTINGScomRD Chairs might be a good thing to go for next, but those can be quiet expensive

[@sasu6094]

Love how much fun you guys have with your work keep it up

[@RTINGScomRD]

Thank you so much! We strive to have a bit of fun while uncovering as much as we can to help people everywhere! 😄

[@PhilfreezeCH]

I think as a reference you should get a Sunbeam Radiant Control Toaster. I spent some actual money importing one into Switzerland.

[@nicnl255]

From OLED longevity to the double-T: toaster testing to the rescue. Awesome!

[@FHC1944]

It's sad that a toaster (sunbeam. Look at Technology Connections video about it) from the 40s could beat all of these toasters easily. Why can't anyone make those toasters again?

[@kidShibuya]

same with cassette players, record players... anything that isn't sold much now or has become devalued is junk compared to what it used to be

[@DoubtfulTrain]

The reason you think old things are made well is because all of the poorly made old things are already in the landfill. You've only observed well-made old things. Unless you're doing archaeological statistics research in trash dumps in which case you have my respect and gratitude.@@kidShibuya

[@SnakebitSTI]

@@DoubtfulTrainYou're thinking of survivorship bias. The Sunbeam Radiant Toaster is better because of how it operates. Instead of a timer, it measures toast surface temperature to determine when to turn off the heating elements. In other words, it measures how toasted the toast is. It's nothing fancy, just a bimetallic strip shielded from the heating elements by bits of sheet metal, so it's heated primarily by infrared emissions from the toast.

[@crabnebula7457]

"The toast is then compared to itself." I was expecting a methodology for determining the toast's self-esteem, but uniformity will do, for now.

[@RTINGScomRD]

😂

[@playmaka2007]

Hyper-nerding out over toast YAY

[@RTINGScomRD]

That's what we're here for!

[@DrunkenDuck595]

Never thought I'd watch a 10 minute video about testing toasters. Huh.

[@RTINGScomRD]

We're glad you did though! Thanks for watching 😄

[@MayaPosch]

The second+ run performance is probably my primary annoyance with toasters, as they all too often result in something approaching charcoal. The better the toaster compensates for that, the more I'd probably want to shell out for it, along with even toasting. As for the high power draw, that wouldn't be a problem if North America were to switch to a real AC voltage, like here in Europe. Here we can use 3 kW electric kettles in the kitchen or anywhere else without issues with a regular 20 A fuse. Always nice not to pop any breakers during breakfast :)

[@reidprichard]

Oh the plus side, here getting shocked just tickles :)

[@MayaPosch]

@@reidprichard Getting zapped with 230 VAC also just stings, I can say from experience :)

[@Thvl3]

Oh trust me, I would kill for real power here in the US. I am sick of my computer PSU being limited by the lack of 3 phase

[@CrazyKazzy]

Why am I watching this at 3 am in the morning? 😂

[@RTINGScomRD]

Craving some late night (or early morning) toast?😂

[@PetrucciIbiza]

Amazing! I love these kind of tests regardless of the appliances you're testing.

[@GALANTXVR4]

I love how you took something so simple and broke it down so meticulously.

[@BrianOrange]

Love this channel

[@RTINGScomRD]

Thank you for continuing to watch! 😄

[@ManOfTrades]

I wanted an indepth review for toasters, been reading articles and reviews and nothing was very indepth. My goodness am I impressed with this video, thank you all for not only immaculate testing practices, but good humour and quality. Well done (but not overdone) everyone.

[@adamprestidge4775]

Man, now I really want toast.

[@RTINGScomRD]

You should have seen us filming!

[@stuffnuns]

Omg, Science! I just wanted to get a new toaster, and I ended up here. It warmed my nerdy soul that you brought serious scientific, technical methods to produce real, quantifiable comparisons. Much Respect. Kudos.

[@matthiasmartin4355]

I haven't bought a new toaster in 20 years and am not planning to do so, but I still watched the entire video.

[@godminnette2]

Excellent video from you guys once again! I would have loved to see a simple graph that charted price against score, considering that the cheapest toaster performed best.

[@cretchboc]

Thank you for making this and not just working for sponsorship

[@officialchill1706]

As a Brit, this is groundbreaking research that in all honesty should be considered for a Nobel prize. I do appreciate the uniformity test, but another test I would like to see added is effective heating surface area. In my experience, some slices of common UK bread loaves do not fully fit into the toaster, thus leaving an area at the top of bread that has not been toasted. As you can probably understand, this is a disgrace and any manufacturers producing such egregious products should seriously be reconsidering their business practice and ideally fire any members involved in the production of such hopeless contraptions. So please consider adding a test that can assess this, as well as testing more budget toasters as the market is saturated with them. Thank you for your service.

[@RTINGScomRD]

Haha we appreciate the kind comments! That Smeg toaster that's in this video is currently our top choice as the Best Long-Slot Toaster if that's worth anything!

[@exsnozer]

I love these videos!

[@KaiSchSp]

When you are still having breakfast with your colleagues and your boss comes in and asks what you're doing: "uuuhhm... we're testing... toasters?!!"

[@Bryan-T]

You should put links to the winning items

[@annettesurfer]

My wife loves a $40 toaster I bought last Xmas called the Dash SmartStore 2-slice wide slot. It has a "storage lid" that claims to keep the slots dust-free (cat hairs in our case) but the lid is plastic so we have to wait until the toaster is cool. While the side still has the bread lowering slide, the other controls are on top, facing upwards next to the slots. Prior to that, our Oster failed but it seemed to take forever to make toast anyway. Too bad the time factor wasn't part of the testing criteria. Back in the old days, toasters were much faster. I just attributed it to newer safety standards but I could be wrong.

[@davetheconqueror4702]

I didn't think id be here one day but considering my old toaster is breaking down, turning it on is like putting in a long cheat code plugging it in and out resetting my wall outlet until after repeating these things until I finally get it to work, it's finally reached my last nerve and it's Time I do something about it

[@gnic76]

Round of applause for having the patience to test all those and snack on toast for the duration. 👍 Biggest difference is that the $25 will more likely last 10 or more years where as the fancy $200+ probably won't.

[@oldmanonyoutube]

It would have been funny to see some novelty toasters tested like the Dart Vader Toaster.

[@RTINGScomRD]

Some of these toasters would gladly join the "dark" side 😂

[@LS-zu5gt]

Would love to see a long-running test on which toasters continue to perform over many years of use!

[@kfl611]

Can you do this again, testing these toasters against a vintage Sunbeam radiant control toaster? The vintage radiant toaster measures the heat coming off of the surface of the bread and is not governed by a timer.

[@RTINGScomRD]

👀👀

[@tiagoj8020]

Best opening ever!

[@corymorris9656]

This was actually quite nice to know, thank you for this Could you please do the same with hdmi cables? Maybe throw a few Audioquest hdmi cables in the mix too to see if their claims are true

[@RTINGScomRD]

Maybe some day! Thanks for watching😄

[@valtonen77]

Smeg has the be one of the worst brand names Ive seen in recent years.

[@Edescho]

As always, I'm here for Abby's glasses. Love them. Oh, and the review. That is all.

[@RTINGScomRD]

👓👓

[@MrAdam802]

Wow I just bought that Black & Decker 2-Slot toaster a few weeks ago, guess I made a good purchase lol

[@anasevi9456]

4:15 that's actually a brilliant methodology. more charr=more flat black pixels with a smart bit of image compression.

[@RTINGScomRD]

Our toaster tester extraordinaire Mike knows what he’s doing!

[@Mr-Chris]

I like these guys better than LTT.

[@ashishpatel350]

almost thought this was a early april fools joke. lol

[@James-H84]

I wish you had looked at if the toasters can deal with larger slices of bread. For example warburtons toastie, common in UK. Many bad amazon reviews in UK cover that they leave the top not toasted. It seem all newer toasters seem to have this issue partly because slots not big enough to put in toast sideways.

[@RTINGScomRD]

Well, we did somewhat look at that. We currently have that Smeg toaster recommended as our "Best Long-Slot Toaster"! It's great for those larger slices of bread!

[@James-H84]

@RTINGScomRD nice. Just seen that how looked at the website. It's a shame that a lot of the long slot toasters don't seem to be as good as some of the others or are very expensive. I have a 15 year old long slot made by Philips (bough for £15 that they no longer make) and I dread it breaking. It has two long slots that can easily fit 4 slices including two side ways with two upright, and it toasts very evenly. That seems hard to find these days. Edit: in some ways the fact we have ai incredible TVs but our ability to evenly toast large slice bread is declining is a sad reflection of the world. It's a shame my current toaster is not 25 years old as then it would be easily repairable as well. Actually would be great if repairability was looked at more in your reviews although sadly I know a metric not import to many.

[@Valentijnzz]

This channel is heavily underrated

[@ameliabuns4058]

Weird question, are you guys hiring any software engineers? I'm based in Canada but I'm genuinely really curious about your work!!

[@RTINGScomRD]

Here's a list of our current openings: boards.greenhouse.io/rtingscom?gh_src=43b195807us We encourage you to reach out either way, because even if we aren't hiring now, we will be at some point! :)

[@ameliabuns4058]

@@RTINGScomRD thank you! I’m based in Vancouver but I’ll still try!

[@domm6812]

This is fantastic. We need more consumer watchdog groups like this that steer everyone away from bad business practices and scammy overpriced products.

[@michaelwyckoff7593]

Hello Abby my buddy and great tech reviewer. 😊❤

[@danieldeaseweitzelwalker]

I'd be really toasted to find out a $400 toaster doesn't work well at all. I also don't think I'd be attracted to a toaster that just about says smegma. It's nice to know the Black & Decker bread wrecker is about the best for its price, but I'd still want a 4-slice model. Even if you only need a 2-slice, people secretly look down on you when they see you have a 2-slice..

[@blkcat6184]

I think your grid size for comparing evenness is too big. What happens if you reduce the grid size?

[@AXXXXA]

I have that GE 4 toaster. Its horrible. Because its just constantly dirty and hard to clean. No fingerprint coating on the stainless steel. Crumbs get stuck all up in it. Impossible to shake them all out. Takes a long time to toast also

[@Shocker99]

4:15 There is a toaster specification that states the color of the toast for each setting? I've got to see this document?!

[@tiagoj8020]

5:00 That toast has serious dirty screen effect!

[@ajaysudan6834]

Finally. People are using their degrees for REAL SCIENCE!!!

[@MaqboolAhmedShah]

dear I want to take your advice, which one please tell me SAMSUNG QLED Qn95b qn95c QN900B 8K OLED LG G3 LG c3 OLED Sony A80k OLED Samsung S950C S90C Which TV in it?

[@RTINGScomRD]

Hello! Help with personalized buying advice is something our experts offer exclusively via our insider forums: www.rtings.com/forums/insider-advice However, we also have lots of self-service tools and recommendation articles on our website that may be helpful as well!

[@playnicegames]

Interesting

[@ame7165]

how have you leveraged AI? "we analyzed consistency of the browning of the surface of toasted bread" yes, the future of AI is here and it's delicious can you guys release buy a nicely restored sunbeam and test it? the classic ones that are known for their consistent and perfect performance please? technology connections did a video or two on it if you haven't heard of that magical toaster

[@swecreations]

Sunbeam Radiant Control toaster is better than all of these and is from the 40s

[@Jayz457]

So where does the bread go…..to another dimension that the Toast comes from?

[@donaldpetersen2382]

We -tested- *toasted* 20 to find out. FTFY

[@anonymous_coward]

Now the same testing needs to be done for toaster ovens. The internet must know which toaster ovens toast and oven best.

[@BekaNoMad]

Hmmm, yummy tasty 🤤

[@martinh.3058]

Now, only question left is how would an original Sunbeam toaster perform? Some say it is still the best toaster.

[@ajconstantine3593]

I am left still not knowing what 4-slice toaster they recommend. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@olddudy]

a few years back there was a toaster that only toast 1 slice at a time but makes it perfect. why isn't that on the list???????

[@01ai01]

Do any of these toasters laser engrave words of the day or inspirational quotes?

[@rett12]

better than linus tech tips

[@mz1929]

How has toaster technology not gotten better or improved over the decades.... we cant heat something faster without burning?

[@GeordiLaForgery]

These toasters are the epitome of capitalism. Thanks for buttering my bread Rtings.

[@peterscott2662]

Slots Size is important, and ignored... Main reason we are looking for a new toaster, is we don't just eat wonder bread and a lot of different bread don't fit in standard slots, or you need to toast half then flip over... Need bigger slots...

[@on99kfc]

where is the mitsubishi toaster? I really want to see the difference.

[@tumslucks9781]

In Japan Mitsubishi make a pantie washer. 👙 You can smell the difference!

[@AryaStarky]

Looks like Mitsubishi TO-ST1-T is painfully missing from the lineup

[@cattboy]

Do rice cookers next!

[@RTINGScomRD]

👀

[@ExtraCheese666]

2:45 am at work learning ab toasters….

[@RTINGScomRD]

This is the way😎

[@butterdubs2267]

disappointed by the lack of the inclusion of the Mitsubishi TO-ST1-T

[@RTINGScomRD]

We do plan to buy and test a wider variety of products, but our selection for new product categories will always be a little limited at first!

[@tiagoj8020]

9:21 The official toaster of Family Guy. Shut up SMEG!

[@LeHoax]

Will my toaster suffer from burn-in after extensive use?

[@RTINGScomRD]

Some toasters with multiple consecutive runs of the same toast content show burn-in in some areas unfortunately! 😂

[@sehnzeleid]

"SMEG" hahaha

[@BryceNewbury]

It would be nice to see if non-wheat breads toast the same as the gluten verity, us celiacs would be grateful

[@dragonslairgaming6299]

This would be a good April fools joke

[@tiagoj8020]

How was your work day today? Pretty good, I spent all day taking pictures of toast. You?

[@dil6969]

"S M E G" - random red toaster

[@tiagoj8020]

What do you call a slice of bread at Burning Man? Toasted.

[@tiagoj8020]

Can somebody count how many times she says toast/toasted? It's like guessing how many jelly beans are in the jar. I'm guessing 58 times

[@NightlyHigh]

I just love it how the cheapest is the best! Take that stupid IoT toaster of whatever that touchscreen thing is!

[@LutraLovegood]

Why buy $400 toaster when cheap one do trick?

[@Mike-so3uu]

You guys use 15A breakers that can sustain just 1800W ? lol. I have my entire kitchen on a 32A breaker. That gives me around 6000W at 230v. lolololol

[@lilyrooney]

im a proud smeghead

[@RTINGScomRD]

Smegheads rise up

[@Shocker99]

3:35 Sounds to me like you didn't select the correct size cable for the extension if you saw a noticable voltage drop. Upto about 5% volt drop is normally accepted.

[@wasco1989]

Yup .. the electrician should have caught that mistake right away

[@rodmunch69]

She literally said they tried a smaller gauge wire with no success.

[@Shocker99]

@@rodmunch69 A severely undersized cable to a less undersized cable? Quite clearly the cable was unsized because they observed a voltage drop larger than what is normally accepted. If the cable was over-sized then they would see no volt drop.

[@rodmunch69]

@@Shocker99 smaller gauge means a thicker wire.

[@Shocker99]

@@rodmunch69 Gold star for you. You clearly do not know the topic you are attempting to discuss - otherwise you would have said something worth reading by now.

[@tiagoj8020]

Any one of these toasters will do the trick if I need to throw it into a bathtub of water right? Right?😅

[@catlady8324]

All that for a non decision? What a waste.

[@SireEvalish]

Abby fan club checking in.

[@RTINGScomRD]

🫡

[@G1lgamesj]

Bit disappointed, I see none of the big brands like Moulinex, Russel Hobs and DeLonghi

[@RTINGScomRD]

With new product categories, we’re very limited in the number of products we buy and test for launch, but we definitely except it to grow!

[@coughfee_beans]

As long as it doesn't look like a toy I'm willing to give it a try, sorry "Beautiful" toaster, go back in the Barbie house.

[@robertlawrence9000]

People still buy toasters?

[@RTINGScomRD]

Of course!

[@robertlawrence9000]

@@RTINGScomRD but what about toaster ovens? 😁

[@rodmunch69]

As a fancy man, I need the best compromise of a beautiful toaster, and one that works well. That $25 B&D toaster, well, I'd just be embarrassed to have that on my counter.

[@jorge69696]

It's embarrassing to be embarrassed about the best price performance.

[@rodmunch69]

@@jorge69696 that's what poor people say to try to make themselves feel better about being poor.

[@RTINGScomRD]

That’s fair! Some people want a nice looking piece on their counters too and that choice is all up to you at the end of the day😄

[@rodmunch69]

@@RTINGScomRD Thank you, and God bless.

[@TheBorsMistral]

This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands...

[@markusTegelane]

I identify myself as a $25 toaster

[@RTINGScomRD]

Nothing wrong with that🫡

[@filmcapacitor]

If Abby did a series with Alec @technologyconnections, I could die happy

[@alexandrusava642]

My mouth was open the entire time watching this.