![Toast popping out of a Dualit Vario 4-Slice Toaster](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/QrJERKSte62JzW23azQPLrnvShE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-Testing-Dualit-Vario-Four-Slice-Toaster-Fred-HardyII-293-073c1c5abafc42288ff9d0d72dec2cf3.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Whether you use one to crisp a burger bun, build the perfect egg sandwich, heat frozen waffles, or warm a few slices of artisanal bread to pair with dinner, a toaster is an essential kitchen appliance to heat, crisp, and caramelize your favorite breads, bagels, and English muffins.
While two-slot toasters are common in many households, sometimes a bigger option is better. Four-slot toasters exist to accommodate families and those who simply need to toast more than two items at once. To determine which toasters won't ruin your mornings, we tested 20 of the most popular models by toasting bread, bagels, and frozen waffles on all sorts of settings.
Best Overall
Cuisinart 4-Slice Touchscreen Toaster
Touchscreen controls
High-lift lever and +30 seconds feature
Can also toast single slices
Bagels are a tight fit
The CPT-T40 4-Slice Touchscreen Toaster outperformed the competition in our tests, particularly when you factor in its price. Touchscreen controls on the front and six shade settings give precise control, and features include bagel, defrost, single-slice toasting, a +30 second option when the toast needs just a little more time, and a cancel button that stops the toasting right away.
Two levers each control a pair of toast slots, and each pair can operate separately, so it’s easy to toast one side lighter and the other side darker at the same time. This toaster’s display rests in standby mode when it’s not being used and wakes up at the touch of an icon, ready to help with breakfast tasks.
The usefulness of this toaster's different features, as well as how well it toasts bagels, earned it praise. Bread toasted to a nice golden brown on medium and high settings, with the highest coming out evenly dark without being burned. We did have to manually help thick bagels into the slots, but they came out with a golden brown cut-side and a soft crust, even on the highest setting. The crumb tray is removable for easy cleaning, though we noticed the easy-to-wipe exterior tended to capture fingerprints.
High-Lift Lever: Yes | Removable Crumb Tray: Yes | Dimensions: 11 x 10.35 x 7.2 inches | Weight: 8 pounds
PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Buydeem 4-Slice Toaster
Consistent performance
Available in mint green and pale yellow
Lightweight
Highest setting runs hot
Let's face it, most toasters look the same: a smooth black or silver box. Some may be made with better material, or have a sleeker appearance, but few offer a distinguishing characteristic. This led us to try out a few design-forward four-slice toasters, including this curved and colorful retro-style toaster from Buydeem.
Though this looks like it belongs in a midcentury modern house, the Buydeem has all the features of a 21st-century toaster. There are bagel/muffin, reheat, and defrost options, plus seven shade settings. The two sides are independently controlled, and it comes with a high-lift lever for smaller items. This toaster performed beautifully across the board; it dependably toasted up bagels and bread to a golden brown in the medium settings, with the high setting getting very toasty but not inedible.
When you're done, the exterior is easy to wipe down and the 40-inch cord has concealed storage, so you can keep this statement piece on your counter.
High-Lift Lever: Yes | Removable Crumb Tray: Yes | Dimensions: 12.2 x 7 x 11 inches | Weight: 7.2 pounds
PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Dera Burreson PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Best High-End
Zwilling Enfinigy Cool Touch 4-Slice Toaster
Sleek design
Consistent performance
Easy to keep clean
Pricey
Sleek design and high-quality appliances are what Zwilling is known for, and we were not disappointed in its four-slice toaster. It comes with seven browning settings, plus defrost, reheat, and bagel functions, all easily viewable with LED-lit controls. When your bread is done, you have both a soft-lift and high-lift option.
The slots are engineered to position each bread slice for even browning, and we found this element really delivered. No matter the setting or type of bread, everything came out of this toaster perfectly, evenly browned. We noticed that it provided the most coverage of toastiness—no outer border of un-toasted bread to be found. When we dropped in bagels, the wide slots fit them perfectly with the highest setting keeping the crust soft and the interior dark but not burnt. Lastly, we feel this toaster's very modern aesthetic will look good on any countertop. An added bonus with Zwilling's Enfinigy line is its accessories; there are pieces sold separately for toasting sandwiches or warming buns.
This option is on the pricier side, which is why we named it our Best High-End 4-slice toaster. The cost may deter some, but if you're looking for a quality, well-made, and reliable option, this one does the trick.
High-Lift Lever: Yes | Removable Crumb Tray: Yes | Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.3 x 8.1 inches | Weight: 8.8 pounds
PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Best Budget
Proctor Silex 4-Slice Toaster
Very efficient
Easy to clean
Sleek design
Inconsistent browning
If you're looking for a very affordable, no-frills toaster, there are tons of options, but one thing our testing proved is that there aren't a lot of basic four-slice toasters that won't regularly burn your toast or malfunction. Efficiency and a simple design are what made the Procter Silex 4-Slice Wide Slot Toaster stand out in our tests.
The only extra features this bare-bones, slightly compact model has are seven browning settings, a high-lift lever for English muffins and the like, and a cancel button for when you don't want to wait. During testing, this did get very hot when on the hottest setting, with the bread closest to the heating element (the farthest left slot) coming out a little darker than expected. The unevenness across the four slots was consistently noted, but it does serve up golden-brown toast when you figure out the learning curve.
We also love that this one doesn't look like a "Best Budget" option—it's sleek and would fit in with any kitchen decor. It is also very easy to wipe off and slide the crumb trays out for simple, effective cleaning.
High-Lift Lever: Yes | Removable Crumb Tray: Yes | Dimensions: 11 x 10.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 4.1 pounds
PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Best for Bagels
KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster
Extra-wide slots
Dings when done
Classic color options
Hard to keep clean
Even if you're not toasting fluffy New York-style bagels, forcing half a bagel into a too-narrow toaster slot can result in a lot of crumbs. If this is a regular occurrence in your kitchen, you need to buy a wide-slot toaster that is ideal for bagels. We found just the one with this KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster.
This model is available in three colors, offers five shade settings and a manual high-lift lever, and features 1.5-inch wide slots. In our tests, it repeatedly toasted up picture-perfect bagels on all the settings. Just pop the bagel in, press the bagel function, and when it dings, you'll have a bagel with a still-soft crust and even, golden brown crispiness on the inside.
We did find that this toaster skews a bit darker on the regular settings, so keep that in mind. It also appeared to show fingerprints, but those were easy to clean.
High-Lift Lever: Yes | Removable Crumb Tray: Yes | Dimensions: 11.5 x 12.5 x 8.3 inches | Weight: 7.2 pounds
PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Best for Waffles
Cuisinart 4-Slice Custom Select Toaster
Waffle, pastry, and English muffin settings
Affordable
3-year warranty
Hard to keep exterior shiny
Similar to bagels, if toasting frozen waffles into your toaster is a frequent event in your kitchen, life will be much more enjoyable if your toaster excels at it. Whether you top yours with homemade whipped cream or need a base for a waffle sundae, the Cuisinart 4-Slice Custom Select Toaster performed the best in our tests when it came to waffles.
Before we got to the waffle test, we found this Cuisinart model achieved evenly golden toast, with a decent gradation between settings. If you do enjoy bagels every now and then, it did also pass the bagel test, though you'll want to have it on a higher setting for a crispier bagel. When we tested this model's extra features, the waffle setting got them crispy and golden brown.
In addition to the waffle setting, this toaster has a setting for pastries and English muffins as well as defrost and a single slice. This translates to a lot of bang for your buck. One caveat is that it's hard to wipe down and does show fingerprints easily.
High-Lift Lever: Yes | Removable Crumb Tray: Yes | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 9.25 inches | Weight: 7.6 pounds
PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy PHOTO: The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Final Verdict
We chose the Cuisinart CPT-T40 4-Slice Touchscreen Toaster as our Best Overall option because of its attractive design, affordable price, and incredible performance during our tests. But if you're looking for an affordable pick that gets the job done, the Proctor Silex 4-Slice Wide Slot Toaster is for you.
![A selection of 4-slice toasters lined up on a kitchen counter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/KA6XwUWCeTj7HyWgxjqDKk5ciuE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-Toaster-Group-Fred-HardyII-2-a9b25030315146af9f841bf3e5a74561.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
How We Tested 4-Slice Toasters
We've been testing four-slice toasters for years, both at home and in our Lab’s dedicated test kitchen, where we pitted 20 of the most popular models against each other, side by side. Each was tested to see how well they toasted regular white bread, bagels, and frozen waffles on multiple settings. If special features were available, we tested those, too. We also wiped down each machine repeatedly, emptied the crumb trays, and stored them.
We Observed
- How well the four-slice toasters toasted fresh bread and bagels: We toasted four bread slices or two halved bagels during each test, filling all slots. To accurately gauge heat level and evenness, we ran each test on light, medium, and high settings. We recorded how long each setting took and compared doneness levels. We also noted how easy it was to insert and remove the bread.
- How long the four-slice toasters took to defrost frozen waffles: For toasters with a defrost function, we popped in a quartet of frozen waffles. We noted the cycle’s time—and whether the waffles were actually defrosted at the end. If available, the reheat setting was also tested to see if it worked as intended and how quickly it rewarmed.
- How easy the four-slice toasters were to clean: Toasters get messy inside, and regular cleaning prevents crumb buildup from imparting a burned flavor or even sparking a fire. We followed the manufacturer’s instructions for emptying the crumb tray and wiping down the unit, noting whether this was simple or difficult. We checked for fingerprints on the exterior and for dishwasher-safe parts.
We Rated
- Design: Modern toasters tend to have smooth, boxy exteriors peppered with multiple controls, so we gave high marks to aesthetically pleasing and less-bulky designs. We sought slots sized for various thicknesses of popular breads, including bagels and pastries. We looked for convenient placement of knobs, levers, and buttons, and for a power cord long enough for comfortable use that stored neatly under or in the machine.
- Features: At home and in the Lab, we check out all of each toaster’s features. These included independently controlled pairs of wide slots, high-lift levers, single-slice toasting, and a +30-second option, depending on the model. Each feature was tested to ensure it worked as intended. We noted useful features and any that just added to the machine’s bulk and complexity.
- Value: When testing was complete, we revealed the prices of each toaster. To determine the overall value of each unit, we compared the price with the model’s functionality, durability, and features. We looked for toasters that could stand up to everyday use and whether the cost was a steal, appropriate, or too high for what the machine offers.
![Closeup of the Dualit Vario Four-Slice Toaster crumb tray on a counter](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/6XG3aIEDF35tEe0aDziMTVBScwY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-Testing-Dualit-Vario-Four-Slice-Toaster-Fred-HardyII-301-9bfdedee5a7e4f3eab77621c32824cea.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Other Options We Tested
- KRUPS KH734D Breakfast Set 4-Slot Toaster: With six browning settings, a sleek design, and built-in cord storage, this Krups four-slice toaster is known to be a solid option. That said, we found it left a lot to be desired: The shading was inconsistent and very uneven across the functions. Toasting bread skewed toward very dark browning while toasting bagels skewed very light. On top of that, it was a "fingerprint nightmare."
- Cuisinart CPT-142 4-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster: We initially liked this Cuisinart for its space-saving design and affordability, but it skewed very hot, burning both bread and bagels, and even warping some of its plastic casing. It led us to believe that an oven broiler would work better than this. Needless to say, we don't recommend it.
- Breville BTA730XL Bit More 4-Slice Toaster: Breville is one of the most respected countertop appliance brands, and we expected its Bit More Toaster to be one of our top picks. This ultimately let us down, though. During testing, only the medium setting produced decent toast and an evenly browned bagel. The highest setting yielded burnt toast. Things got even worse with the bagel test when both sides ended up charred and inedible.
- Dualit Vario Four-Slice Toaster: We found this high-end contender looked slightly European in design, and it was definitely the most fun to toast with. Its very powerful lift lever was one of the few toasters to give a true cartoon-like pop up and out of the toaster. Beyond that though, we couldn't find other features to justify the cost. The toast settings need to be fine-tuned or you'll end up with too-light or too-dark toast, with inconsistent browning, and the exterior was hard to keep clean.
![testers examining toasters and toasted bread and bagels](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/LoYRrHNhhkSRzZ-4u8sN_tAxFxE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Testing-All-Clad-TJ824D51-Stainless-Steel-Digital-Toaster-Fred-HardyII-208.jpg-a2a51886969049aa8ce24d6e7bb46e55.jpg)
Fred Hardy
What to Look for in a 4-Slice Toaster
Shade Settings
These adjustable settings indicate the shade level, or how toasted your bread will be. These are either shown in numbers going up to 6 or 7, indicating the brownness of the toast (from light brown to dark brown), or in minutes counting down before the toast pops up.
Standard Features
Features found in most four-slice toasters include a crumb tray, lift lever (allowing you to lift the finished toast higher to avoid getting burned), and width slots. Depending on how wide they are, the width slots will allow you to fit and evenly toast more than just a regular slice of toast, such as bagels, artisan bread slices, pastries, and more.
Extra Features
Many four-slice toasters also include extra settings and features that may be useful depending on your needs. Examples include defrost, reheat, and keep-warm settings; a "lift and look" feature that lets you pause toasting to check doneness; "a bit more" option that lets you toast a little longer if the bread wasn't toasted to your liking; and a digital display.
![Toasted breads displayed on a tray next to the Buydeem DT640 4-Slice Toaster](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/p-OM90MdPMvEk3-iUZRfO8YTGjs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Testing-BUYDEEM-DT-6404-Slice-Toaster-Fred-HardyII-263.jpg-e7d63e8c41ca42a8974cc2ce6917e32c.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
FAQs
How do you clean a toaster?
Before cleaning your toaster, unplug it and make sure it's completely cooled down. Then, remove the crumb tray and shake loose crumbs from the tray into a trashcan or the sink. The tray can be washed by hand if needed and should be completely dry before returning it to the toaster.
It's also a good idea to turn the actual toaster upside down and give it a shake over the trash can or sink to dislodge any additional crumbs. If any crumbs remain, you can use a small brush to clean them from the toaster slots.
The outside of the toaster and controls can be wiped down with a damp cloth.
What do the numbers on a toaster mean?
The numbers on a toaster are meant to be a guide to the level of toast doneness, but they vary from toaster to toaster. Turning the dial to "2" on different toasters will likely result in very different levels of brownness.
On high-end toaster models, the numbers sometimes correlate to minutes, but again, that's not the case on all toasters.
It's best to experiment with a few slices of bread to figure out what each setting on your toaster produces and find the settings that meet your preferences.
What does the bagel setting on a toaster do?
The bagel setting lets the toaster know you're toasting something thicker, like a bagel or English muffin, which requires more time to heat through and toast evenly. The toaster automatically increases the toasting time when this function is used.
Does all bread toast at the same speed?
Different types of bread brown at different speeds. Depending on what type of bread you're toasting, you'll need to adjust the browning setting to get your favorite amount of doneness. Lighter bread, like white or potato, tends to brown faster and might require a lower browning setting than a sprouted bread that has a lot of seeds and whole grains in it. The best way to find your perfect slice is to experiment with your favorite bread and then remember that setting.
Can you put foil in a toaster?
Even though aluminum foil is designed to withstand heat, it's not a good idea to use it in a toaster; there isn't enough clearance in toaster slots to make sure the foil isn't touching the heating elements. Save the foil for a toaster oven or standard oven.
![Person holding bagels in a kitchen over a 4-slice toaster](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/vcnoxYxGcqJFQR1yDMbY0608q2c=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/4slicetoastertests-dcd93cb8e9684c788fced5bc83134b92.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Fred Hardy
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie knows a thing or two about bread, toasted or not. The Spruce Eats writer and reviewer not only wrote a book about the bread-making process ("Make Ahead Bread") but she's also written roundups on various kinds of toasters and toaster ovens for our site. Check out her picks of the best two-slice toasters.
Senior Editor Siobhan Wallace also contributed to this piece; she compiled testing data from our official Lab as well as insights from our home testers.