consumer reports has endorsed the hamilton beach line. Cheap and easy to find.
It's such a simple device, you'd think any of them would work just as well.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by K Kruger:
Spendy, but this is my favorite. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I find that the toasters that work the best have the old-fashined metal heating elements.
Look for LOTS of exposed loops of wire, about the width of paper-clip wire, with scallops in it on both sides of the slot(s). These seem to provide more even heat across whatever is being toasted.
We have the "classic" but the count-down models are essentially the same thing with more modern styling. I would consider them a good middle-of-the-road toaster. Decent, but not too spendy.
If you see one quartz tube (looks like a white / glass ceramic rod) on both sides - avoid it. From what I've seen, these tend to heat un-evenly. (We had a Krups one like this, and hated it - bagels got a burned-stripe across the middle, with ends still un-toasted.)