How to Choose the Perfect Toaster
Electric toasters have been around since the late 19th century and are now one of the absolute must-have appliances for the kitchen. Whilst the grill can do a workmanlike job, the humble toaster is relied upon by the vast majority of households to get them through morning after morning.
And, unsurprisingly for an appliance which is in universal demand, there are plenty of toasters to choose from in-store or online. With a huge range of brands and models all boasting different features and selling points, how do you find the perfect toaster for your needs? Do you need the latest mod-con with all the bells and whistles, or a trusty little toaster which prioritises ease-of-use and reliability?
As one of the most important appliances in the modern household, it’s vital that you pick the correct toaster for the kitchen – ensuring you don’t have to make do with an insufficient machine. With more choice than ever at your fingertips, it can be a little daunting to sift through the thousands of different models on the market, and pick the one that best suits your needs and tastes.
Fortunately for you, we’ve put together this simple guide to help you choose your perfect toaster.
Things to Consider
Some of you may be thinking a toaster is a toaster. But there are a few factors to consider when deciding on an appliance, which can be divided into the following six categories.
Budget
From humble little machines which just go about diligently toasting slices of bread, to all-singing-all-dancing appliances; toasters come with varying price tags. So, when toaster shopping, your first step should be setting yourself a budget to stick within.
Thanks to internet shopping, it’s easier than ever to find products within your budget. The Breville toasters range can be sorted according to price, meaning you can quickly find the appliances which suit your wallet.
Here’s our choice if budget is your main priority
Dimensions
Is there a corner of your work surface you’ve reserved for the new toaster? Make sure the new appliance will fit by measuring the dimensions of the space and then comparing them to those of the toaster. Always make sure that the space reserved for the new toaster is not only big enough for the appliance, but also for you and the family to effectively use it, leaving enough space for handling and toasting.
Here's our choice if you’re looking for a trusty toaster with small dimensions
Performance
The high demand placed on toasters every day means that performance and reliability are of paramount importance. Sadly, toasters aren’t like cars in the respect you can’t just take one for a test spin before making a decision, so you’ve got to determine product performance with a little research.
All manufacturers and retailers will claim toasters are the highest performing and best in the business, so how do you find out which are telling the truth? Relying on customer reviews, it is possible to get an accurate idea of how the toasters perform in the long term. Over on our toasters page, you can sort the appliances by their star ratings – helping you find the crowd-pleasing machines.
Here is our choice if performance is your key concern
Appearance
Whilst kitchens can be chaotic during the morning routine or when large family meals are in full swing, there are few things finer in life than an attractive and organised kitchen at peace. As a prominent fixture on the work surface, it’s important that the toaster complements the appearance and aesthetic of the kitchen.
At Breville, our toasters are available in a range of designs and styles, complementing all types of kitchens, from traditional country cottage styles to modern, contemporary rooms.
Looking for a stylish toaster? We’d always recommend the Impressions range
Cleanability
Used every day with all manner of food items toasted up to perfection, toasters can quickly become grubby, inside and out. An easy-to-clean toaster can help reduce the headache of keeping the appliance looking its just-bought best, and ensure it keeps working to the utmost of its ability.
If you’re looking for a toaster which accommodates super-quick cleaning, we’d recommend an appliance with a stainless steel finish and removable crumb trays. These appliances simply wipe clean, and can be emptied of annoying crumbs (which can start to smell after they’ve been toasted for the millionth time) with next to no effort.
Looking for something that’ll be easy to keep clean and looking brand-new? Click here
Brand Reputation
The toaster market is continuously improving and advancing, so new names regularly pop up on high street store shelves. Sadly, some of these appliances don’t benefit from the years of experience provided by some of the more established names in the business.
With more than 80 years of experience manufacturing high-quality kitchen appliances, we’ve built an incredible reputation at Breville for producing toasters which are reliable and high-performing.
Special Requirements
We’ve all got specific requirements for our breakfast, whether we like our bread just lightly toasted or a special shade of brown. Some toasters are built with these special requirements in mind – making it easier for you to whip up your dream brekkie.
Next-Gen Options
Adding a little extra control over your toasting, many modern toasters now boast next-gen options designed to make life easier, and breakfast more enjoyable. Functions such as reheat and defrost can help you complete more food prep tasks with the humble toaster. Pause and cancel functions are super handy when you’re whipping up a weekend fry up, and timing is key in getting all elements to the breakfast table whilst piping hot.
The Breville Selecta toaster includes a bread select function so you can toast your snack to perfection – whether you’re popping in a bagel or a crumpet or whatever!
Matching Sets
Unless you’re seeking the eclectic aesthetic with a hodgepodge of appliances in different styles, colours and builds; buying kitchen appliances in matching sets is a great way to create a consistent appearance throughout the room.
At Breville, our Breakfast Sets range is full of matching kettles and toasters, helping you create an attractive kitchen, complete with the most essential appliances. From the traditional to the contemporary, the breakfast sets selection boasts sets in a range of different styles.
Click here for Breville’s full range of breakfast sets
Ergonomic Controls
Reduced or limited dexterity shouldn’t restrict you from enjoying a freshly-toasted breakfast every morning. If you struggle operating small and fiddly mechanisms, finding an appliance with large and ergonomic controls should be a major consideration. Many toasters boast such features, with large buttons and handles making the toast round simple and efficient.
Click here for Breville’s full range of toasters
If you have any further questions about Breville’s toaster range, visit our dedicated FAQ page