Toasting bread has been happening since the 1920s, but it still isn't a perfect process.
"You'd think after 80 years, consumers could expect to get perfectly browned toast every time they use a toaster," Bob Markovich of Consumer Reports said.
But no!
Consumer Reports tested 34 toasters, assessing the evenness of browning against a color chart. While none delivered perfection -- many are getting pretty close. Some even offer features like a digital countdown to let you know when your toast will be ready.
"Manufacturers are fighting for your appliance dollars and your counter space, so they're pretty busy developing features to get you to open your wallet," Markovich said.
Testers found some features come at the expense of others. For example, the $90 Delonghi dtt312 has a lift-out grid for warming sandwiches like frozen Panini's. It sounds appetizing, but unfortunately the toaster is only mediocre at its main job -- toasting evenly.
For much less, the $55 Hamilton Beach Digital 22502 did a much better job toasting. And it has a bagel setting, too.
If you want a four slice toaster, again Hamilton Beach topped the ratings. A non-digital version sells for $60 -- digital is $10 dollars more.
If you are looking for a toaster oven, a $230 Cuisinart model TOB195 BCC is top-rated. It also has a convection oven feature and rated very well for toasting baking and broiling and has a three-year limited warranty.
Even so, Consumer Reports says toaster ovens are a compromise. They don't toast as well as a toaster or bake as well as an oven.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
