5 stars

As a family, we decided to just bite the bullet and get a good toaster. Before our purchase, we came across a Cook's Country toaster review and it turns out that better than good could be had at a value price.

Cook's Country highly recommended this toaster and stated that it simply outperformed the others, producing evenly golden toast in test after test. This was important to us since our last toaster would only function for one cycle and then proceed to burning toast or just not toast at all.

With the Michael Graves Design™ 4-Slice Toaster, we have toasted everything from English muffins to Naan and the toaster’s carriage holds all foods securely and prevented any possibility of items falling through or getting caught.

Initially, the design of the Michael Graves toaster seemed a bit awkward to us in the store. This lead us to initially buy and alternative unit. However, poor performance lead us to return it and go ahead and get this unit, which, to our suprise, actually looks great on our counter top. Plus the levers, buttons, and lights are well designed. Moreover, unlike many toaster, the fit and finish is solid. This is simply a excellent toaster in every regard!!

With this toaster, we feel that we get luxury car amenities at a sub-compact car price with Prius hybrid fuel efficiency!

5 stars

I bought this toaster when my family size called for having a 4-slice toaster in the mornings! I lamented over the fact that most "better quality" toasters cost a few dollars or more and didn't want to spend that. On this website, I read a previous review that this toaster worked great, so I bought it. My mother was visiting and commented immediately how nice the toaster looked in my kitchen, and I was surprised at the good quality/high end look of it too, especially for the price! It doesn't take up as much space as some of the other 4-slice toasters I looked at either. And so far it works great too!

2 stars

This toaster toasts everything unevenly. The left side toasts 30 seconds longer and darker at the same setting (No. 2). I don't like the defrost setting for waffles and bagels. Only the middle section of the toaster heats up so one side stays soft and untoasted while the other side facing the heat gets toasted. The crumb tray (which is underneath) does not hold the crumbs very well. Why even bother having a tray then? Also, after using this daily for 1 week it still omits a nasty smell.

1 stars

While using this toaster for the "third" time the right side heating element burned out. I thought a fire was going to start in the toaster while it was toasting bread. Very dangerous! So it then became a two slice toaster. I wouldn't expect an appliance to fault on the third time using it. Especially being that this is Target's big name designer. I WILL NEVER EVER AGAIN buy a Michael Graves product.

5 stars

I bought a Cuisinart 4-slice toaster at what seemed a great price at a store liquidation. Then it totally burned everything at any setting of 2 or above. Since it had a scale of 1-5, that left no room for graduating the darkness at all. I finally gave it away to a starving college student who was happy to have it 'cause it looked cool (though I told her its problem).

I checked out the equipment reviews in my Cook's Illustrated online account (which I should have done in the first place), and THIS toaster was rated the best, and provides all the same functionality of the Cuisinart but actually WORKS and is RELIABLE. And it has proved so!

1 stars

The first time I used it to make toast, it emitted this noxious odor. The smell has gone away, but it still doesn't toast the bread. On the highest setting, one side of one piece will toast adequately. Then you have to switch the bread slices to toast the other slice. And it takes forever! I've never had a toaster take so long to toast bread and then have the bread pop up only half toasted. Also, the levers go all the way to the top so it makes a terrible sound when the toast pops up. (The toast flying through the air when the cycle is over or when you hit the cancel button is the best part if you're paying attention and can catch it.)

5 stars

Frustrated with the high-end $100+ toaster oven that could not even toast both sides of a slice of bread, it was time to research for a replacement. A review of toasters that was published in a 2008 edition of Cooks Illustrated rated the Michael Graves Hamilton Beach toaster the best in the 10 or 12 they had tested. I find it to be very accomodating with both white and whole wheat breads and especially bagels. It has selections for both plus a "cancel" button to cease toasting or warming. Great product, stylish and worthy replacement to the "never again" toaster oven in my house. Big Thumbs Up! Way Up!

5 stars

I did my homework when I decided to buy a toaster and it paid off! America's Test Kitchen's equipment ratings is where I go to find out the best kitchen equipment. This was their choice as the best toaster even when compared to many more expensive brands. I have to agree! The toast it produces is golden, crunchy, not too dry, and just right. Perfect! The settings work (which is not always the case) and the toaster looks great as well. I love the "defrost" setting, since we often toast frozen bagels. The toaster is quick and efficient. I wish it came in more colors, but the white and stainless is very attractive. I have all red small appliances so a red toaster would have looked good. But I am more for substance than style and am very happy with this item.

5 stars

I was considering the Cuisinart 4-slice toaster, but decided on this one instead after seeing the reviews on Target.com and Cooks Country. It is a great toaster that toasts evenly every time. It is a little larger than some 4-slice toasters, but very light weight. Since I don't leave my toaster on the counter, it is perfect. Best of all, my Target only had one left and I got it on sale for [....]. What a bargain.