A toast to some of the best toasters in Canada (2024)

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Toasters may be the next best thing after sliced bread. From bagels to English muffins to waffles, and for a morning ritual, warm lunch or afternoon snack, this kitchen staple is a workhorse.

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Two-slice, four-slice, long-slot, wide-slot, plastic, metal, simple, designer, retro, modern and smart: the range of options that have popped up online and in stores is vast. Choosing one that suits your needs, that’s made to last, and that deserves to take up counter space can be daunting. Here’s a guide to some of the best in Canada.

Summary of the best toasters

Best overall: Cuisinart CPT-720 2-Slice Digital Toaster with MemorySet Feature
Best retro: Nostalgia Retro 2-Slice Toaster
Best affordable:
Best high-tech: Revolution InstaGLO R270 Toaster
Best splurge: Breville Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster

Best toasters explained

Best overall: Cuisinart CPT-720 2-Slice Digital Toaster with MemorySet Feature

Why we love it: Families will love the sleek unit’s MemorySet: up to four preferred toast settings can be entered and saved, so if you like your bread barely toasted while your partner prefers it crispy and brown, there’s no more fidgeting or fussing in the mornings; just pick your preference with the press of a button. Wide slots accommodate a variety of bread types, and it has defrost and single-slice options. There are seven shade settings from light to dark. Then there are seven bread functions designed to toast or defrost different products (white, grain, bagel, waffle, English muffin, sweet and gluten-free) based on their unique properties; some require more or less time due to their density, sugar content and other factors. The English muffin function, for instance, adds extra time to the toasting cycle to allow for a more dense bread type, while the bagel function is designed to toast bagels to perfection by reducing heat on one side of the toasting slot.

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A large digital display clearly shows your selections and features a countdown timer so you know exactly when that breakfast is going to pop up. The unit’s high-lift lever brings slices close to the top of the toaster, making it easy to remove the smallest pieces without having to stick your fingers into the slots. The handsome toaster has full stainless steel housing.

Price: $94
Where to buy: Amazon| The Bay

Best retro: Nostalgia Retro 2-Slice Toaster

Why we love it: In that classic 1950s aqua shade with chrome accents, this one’s a stunner. Even the easy-to-slide-out crumb tray is cute. But there’s more to this sturdy appliance than good looks. Extra-wide slots allow for bagel halves and thick slices of sourdough, while illuminated control buttons feature bagel, defrost and cancel options. The five browning levels let you adjust for preferred doneness. It’s a breeze to clean with a damp soapy cloth without any streaking.

Price: $97
Where to buy: Amazon | Wayfair

Best affordable:

Why we love it: A great toaster at a great price. With a dial selector for seven toast shades, the double-slice unit has extra-wide slots for bagels and thick breads plus a function for frozen items (Belgian waffle, anyone?) and a drop-down crumb tray. In black with contrasting stainless steel, it’s compact and lightweight. Would be a great gift for a starter kitchen.

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Price: $22
Where to buy: Walmart | Amazon

Best high-tech: Revolution InstaGLO R270 Toaster

Why we love it: If it’s good enough for Oprah… This premium touchscreen two-slicer with brushed platinum finish is next level. Its InstaGLO Heating System is ultra-fast, while a Smart toasting algorithm with a temperature sensor and real-time adjustments means bread is seared to lock in moisture without drying out, so it comes out crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Its custom settings accommodate no less than 34 bread types (aside from the usual suspects, these include cinnamon swirl bread, frosted pastry, pancake, protein waffle and round sandwich things). Boasting a universal gluten-free mode for all food settings, with algorithms tailored to the chemistry of non-gluten ingredients for best results, the sophisticated unit has seven toasting shades.

With a large, full-colour display panel, It also features a countdown timer, cheery finishing chime, “time to clean” crumb tray reminder and analog or digital clock sleep screen. The customizable home menu can store settings for your top 10 foods. The Smart auto-lower-and-lift mechanism adjusts to the height of your selection, so you never have to reach into the toaster. There are modes for the brand’s Panini Press and Warming Rack accessories (sold separately). Plus, it’s UL Certified to the highest standards of safety.

Price: $520
Where to buy: Amazon

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Best splurge: Breville Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster

Why we love it: This die-cast aluminum beauty is great for busy families or for those who are just plain hungry, with four extra-wide and extra-long slots—think baguettes, Everything bagels, or sourdough boules. Automated features that were developed from customer feedback include “Lift & Look” (so you can check on your toast during the toasting process) and “A Bit More” (so you can add extra time if needed) at the touch of a button, all without interrupting the cycle. Then there’s one-touch automated lowering — ensuring you can handle food with care. Along with defrost and bagel settings, the unit is intuitive and smooth to use. Dual variable browning control means you can pop in two pairs of slices and achieve their ideal toastiness while the LED indicator lets you know how much longer is left in the browning process. It has a luxurious look but it’s high-powered for efficient toasting and heating. Its Breville Assist Plug makes it safe and simple to store.

Price: $215
Where to buy: Amazon | Breville

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