Dash ClearView Toaster review: One of the quickest and most affordable toasters we tested

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I'm impatient in the kitchen and have been known to hit "cancel" on my slot toaster just to make sure my slice of sourdough isn't getting too dark. Not only do I want an even toast, but I want it quickly and without the risk of burning. When I tested the best long-slot toasters, I found a budget model that satisfied my requirements: the Dash ClearView Toaster.

Dash incorporated a window into the front of the toaster so you can monitor your bagel, frozen bread, and more. Plus, it retails for under $60. You won't always get a picture-perfect golden brown, but for the price, you can't be the Dash ClearView.

Design

Like most slot toasters, the Dash ClearView is simple to set up: take it out of the box, remove cardboard spacers and protective stickers, plug it in, and you're ready to go. The toaster has a compact and streamlined silhouette; even if you have limited counter space, it is easy to tuck into a corner or store in a cabinet. 

The exterior is covered by a plastic shield that comes in five colors. Not only can you match your decor or other appliances, but we found that the plastic doesn't scratch or show fingerprints as easily as stainless steel. You can wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and gentle dish soap.

The most notable design attribute of the Dash ClearView is in the name: a transparent window on the front of the toaster lets you watch the browning process. Anyone prone to accidentally over-toasting will be grateful for the ClearView window; you can use the built-in timer and your own judgment. The ClearView window's glass can be removed for a deep clean with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge.

Toasting

When I tested the Dash ClearView Toaster for the first time, I was impressed by its toasting speed. In just two minutes, I got a midlevel toast (a 3.5 on the ClearView's one to seven range) for room-temperature bread. A bagel took just slightly longer to reach medium brown (two minutes and 20 seconds), and a slice of frozen bread hit the mark at two minutes and 35 seconds. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't toast very evenly. I noticed patchy areas of darker and lighter brown on all three bread types (room temperature, frozen, and bagel). If uniformity is a big priority for you, then this model may not be the right choice. But for those of us who love a quick toaster that gets the job done (albeit imperfectly), the Dash ClearView Toaster is a quality pick.

Features

A traditional push lever on the side is the toaster's main control. At the lower right corner of the ClearView window, you'll find a knob with a "Cancel" button at the center. The knob can be turned to seven positions toasting levels. 

Three front buttons allow you to customize your toast: bagel (for toasting bagels and other thicker bread products), reheat (for bringing toast that's already cooled back up to a warm temperature without burning it), and defrost (designed for frozen bread, waffles, and so on).

Cons to consider

The Dash ClearView Toaster doesn't earn high marks on the evenness of its toasting. And, while the ClearView's lower price tag makes it an appealing option for shoppers on a budget, it's worth noting that this toaster only features one toasting slot that can accommodate two standard bread slices. Many long-slot competitors have two parallel slots that can each hold two slices (so they can toast four slices at once). 

What are your alternatives?

We love the DASH ClearView's low cost, quick toasting abilities, and clear front window for maximum visibility. That said, we found other worthwhile options when we tested the best long-slot toasters:

• Best overall long slot toaster: Breville "A Bit More" Long Slot Toaster
  The brushed stainless steel toaster is our favorite long-slot option: It offers exceptional toasting evenness, user-friendly controls, and the "A Bit More" pre-programmed mode, which gives an underdone slice of toast a small but mighty boost. 

• Best compact long-slot toaster: KitchenAid 2 Slice Long-Slot Toaster
  Like the DASH ClearView, the KitchenAid 2 Slice has an easy-to-clean plastic exterior and a slim profile that works nicely in smaller kitchens. We generally found that the KitchenAid toasted more evenly than the ClearView but was a tad slower. 

The bottom line

It's rare to find a top-performing slot toaster that costs less than $50, but the DASH ClearView Toaster delivers. We love this compact and quick-cleaning model, especially the clear front window that allows you to watch the toast-making magic. While we wish it could offer more even browning, the speed with which it can toast a thick bagel or a slice of frozen bread makes up for it.