Any which way you slice it, the toaster is a kitchen essential: Eighty-eight percent of American households have one. The toaster oven is no slouch, either--it can be found in 56 percent of American homes, according to the International Housewares Association. Toaster ovens are popular because they're multifunctional: Three out of four can broil, so besides making toast, you can grill a steak or vegetables. Choosing between a toaster and a toaster oven depends on your counter space, budget, and sense of aesthetics (toasters are invariably better-looking). Rating performance, looks, size, and price, Real Simple tested 30 models of toasters and toaster ovens, priced from $20 to $200, to find ones that best suit your needs.
Toasters BASIC KENMORE TWO-SLICE TOASTER, $35,
www.sears.com.
PROS: Exterior stays cool. Clean, compact design (7 inches wide, 10 1/2 inches deep, 8 inches tall). Toasts evenly and accurately. Easy to clean. Extra-lift feature raises slots to make small foods easy to remove. Defrost and Cancel buttons.
CONS: Available in white only. (White appliances tend to show their age more quickly than chrome ones do.) Short cord.
WARRANTY: "Satisfaction guaranteed."
TIME TO TOAST A SLICE OF BREAD*: 1 minute, 45 seconds.
DELUXE KITCHENAID DIGITAL FOUR-SLICE TOASTER, $85,
www.kitchenaid.com.
PROS: Long, wide slots accommodate oversize slices. Exterior stays cool. Indicators show which way halved bagels should face, to reduce charring.
CONS: Takes up as much space as a toaster oven (16 inches wide, 7 inches deep, 8 inches tall) and is not as versatile. One side toasted slightly darker than the other.
WARRANTY: One year.
TIME TO TOAST A SLICE OF BREAD: 2 minutes, 15 seconds.
*Toasted to medium color.
Toaster Ovens BASIC BLACK & DECKER TOAST-R-OVEN, $45,
www.householdproductsinc.com.
PROS: Takes up less space than most toaster ovens (15 inches wide, 10 inches deep, 8 1/2 inches tall). Can be installed under a cabinet to save space (brackets sold separately). Sixty-minute timer with automatic shutoff.
CONS: Exterior gets hot. Small interior capacity (on-board baking pan: 7 inches deep, 11 inches wide; baking rack: 7 1/2 inches deep, 12 inches wide). Slow to warm up. Timer ticks loudly.
WARRANTY: One year.
TIME TO BAKE A POTATO*: 1 hour, 45 minutes.
UPGRADE PANASONIC TOASTER OVEN WITH FLASHXPRESS TECHNOLOGY, $120,
www.panasonic.com.
PROS: Reduces cooking time with use of infrared light. Compact (13 inches wide, 12 inches deep, 10 1/2 inches tall). Well-lit interior lets you see the progress of your food. Heats instantly. Low noise level.
CONS: Exterior gets hot. Timer has a 25-minute limit.
WARRANTY: One year.
TIME TO BAKE A POTATO: 1 hour, 10 minutes.
DELUXE CUISINART TOASTER OVEN BROILER, $200,
www.amazon.com.
PROS: Sleek chrome-and-black exterior blends into modern kitchens. Convection heat is circulated evenly throughout the oven's interior, cutting cooking time considerably and producing even browning. Oven heats up instantly. Low noise level. Beeps when done until Off button is pressed.
CONS: Smudges and drips glare on the shiny chrome. Takes up a lot of counter space (18 inches wide, 14 inches deep, 10 inches tall).
WARRANTY: Three years.
TIME TO BAKE A POTATO: 45 minutes.
*Baked at 400° F.
