We recommend toasters that score at least 75% overall and pass our safety checks. We also look at member reviews around reliability.

This overall score is made up of performance (70%) and ease of use (30%).

The performance score is made up of browning evenness and consistency of results (50%), multigrain bread (20%), single-slice bread (15%) and frozen bread (15%).

The ease of use score is made up of controls (40%), cleaning exterior (30%) and crumb removal/cleaning (30%).

We toast bread that has come directly out of the freezer. Where available, the defrost setting is used. Slices are assessed for evenness of cooking and consistency of colour across cycles.

Score for toasting multigrain bread. We toast a soy and linseed bread for our test.

Using a reference photograph we see whether the toast is evenly browned, and to an appropriate shade. We use a supermarket white bread for this test.

Score for toasting a single slice of bread.

Whether the toaster is able to reproduce the same results over and over again without variation. A high score means that you will see consistent results.

We assess how easy it is to remove and replace the crumb tray for cleaning.

We assess how easy it is to operate and use the controls as well as how easy it is to lock the bread carriage in position.

Toasting time is the average time it takes to toast two slices of bread at once, starting from a cold toaster.

'Tested model' refers to toasters that are currently available in shops and online. 'Discontinued model' refers to toasters that are no longer available in shops, but may be available second-hand.

The manufacturer's recommended retail price.

Number of slices of bread the toaster accommodates.

Our measured dimensions.

Useful to know if you like to toast thick or long slices.

Manufacturer's stated warranty.

There is a claimed country of origin somewhere on the model itself.

Whether the power cord can be stowed away when the toaster is not in use, usually on the underside.

Setting that defrosts the frozen bread prior to toasting.

Whether there is a setting for heating a crumpet or a bagel. Check the specifications.

For four-slice toasters, separate controls may be useful for people with different toast browning requirements.

For four-slice toasters, separate controls may be useful for couples with different toast browning requirements.

Lets you raise smaller items above the toaster slots, so they're easier to remove.