Black & Decker 4-Slice Toaster

Toast is a deceptively simple test for a kitchen appliance. Drop in two slices, set a browning level, and you should get the same results day after day. After living with this Black & Decker four-slice toaster for several weeks, I found it capable of everyday toasting, but with quirks you’ll need to work around if you want consistent results.

Design and build

This is a compact four-slice unit with a low profile that slips easily under upper cabinets. At roughly 11.5 x 10 x 7.6 inches, it doesn’t hog counter space, and the extra-wide slots are the headline feature: thick-cut sourdough, Texas toast, and standard bagels all fit without wedging or scorching the edges. The overall look leans practical—clean lines, simple controls, and a matte finish that hides fingerprints better than polished stainless.

The body feels lighter than some competing four-slice models. That’s not inherently a problem—the toaster doesn’t slide around when you press the lever—but it does hint at a more budget build. The crumb tray locks into place securely and removes smoothly for cleaning, and there’s integrated cord storage to help tidy the counter. One oddity: the power cord is relatively short and exits toward the front/side instead of near the back. If your outlets are behind your appliances, you might need to rethink placement or use a short, appropriate extension.

Controls and everyday use

The control scheme is straightforward. A browning knob with six settings, a Bagel mode button, and a Cancel button to stop mid-cycle. In daily use, the browning scale runs cooler than some toasters I’ve used; for standard sandwich bread, my sweet spot landed between settings 3 and 4 for a medium toast. The Cancel button responds immediately, which I appreciate when a sugary bread starts to darken faster than expected.

One note about the lever: it needs a firm push to latch. A gentle nudge won’t always engage the switch and the toaster may not hold the bread down. I got used to pressing until I felt a positive “click,” after which it operated as expected. The pop-up height is adequate for most bread. English muffins and smaller slices still required tongs or a careful pinch at the top edge.

Toasting performance

Consistency is where the toaster shows its limits. Across many cycles, I noticed that browning can be patchy depending on the slot and the bread’s position. On standard white or wheat, the center line tended to brown faster than the outer edges. It’s not dramatic on medium settings, but it’s visible and, for perfectionists, a little irksome. Running a brief second cycle on a lower setting or rotating slices halfway through evens things out, but that’s not the set-and-forget experience most of us want at 7 a.m.

Heat-up time is quick, and the unit recovers reasonably well between batches. In a four-slice run, the second pair came out slightly darker using the same setting, which is common with entry-level toasters as the internal elements and housing hold residual heat. If you’re making back-to-back rounds for a crowd, consider dialing the browning down a notch after the first cycle.

Bagel mode and wide slots

The extra-wide slots are legitimately useful. Bagels and thick artisanal bread slide in easily without tearing or catching. However, Bagel mode didn’t behave like the “one-side only” function I expect from a true bagel setting. Rather than deactivating the outer elements and focusing heat on the cut side, both sides still received heat in my tests—just at a slightly different intensity. The result: the cut side got nicely toasted while the exterior warmed and browned more than I’d prefer.

My workaround: drop the browning setting by one click when using Bagel mode and place the bagel cut-side in, then check at the halfway point the first time you use a new bread. It’s not ideal, but it consistently kept the exterior from over-browning while getting the interior properly crisp.

Cleaning and maintenance

The removable crumb tray is the unsung hero here. It spans the full width, slides out smoothly, and doesn’t rattle around when seated. I found that emptying it every few days prevented burnt smells and reduced smoke when toasting sweeter breads. The interior wire guides that center the bread are spring-loaded and do a decent job of keeping slices upright. That said, they feel a bit more pliable than on pricier models. For very thick or unevenly cut bread, be gentle; forcing a wedge in can flex those guides and make slices lean toward the heating elements.

Exterior upkeep is easy. A quick wipe with a damp cloth keeps it looking tidy, and the plastic trim doesn’t get uncomfortably hot around the controls.

Cord and countertop management

The short cord and its forward-ish exit are the main ergonomic missteps. On a deep counter with a backsplash outlet, the cord draped awkwardly. Cord storage helps corral excess length, but it won’t magically extend your reach. If your outlet is more than a foot or so away, plan for a different spot or a safe, heavy-gauge extension. It’s a small detail, but when you’re arranging a busy breakfast zone with a coffee maker and kettle, it matters.

Durability notes

After several weeks of daily use, functionally everything still worked as day one. The lever mechanism remained positive, the buttons didn’t mush out, and the browning performance stayed consistent—foibles and all. I do have long-term durability questions about the internal bread supports. They’re on the thinner side and can flex if you regularly jam in thick bagels. Treating the slots gently and keeping the crumb tray clean should extend the toaster’s life. Heat and sugar-laden crumbs are the enemies of any toaster, but this one in particular benefits from regular housekeeping.

Speed, noise, and safety

Cycle times are in the average range; you won’t be waiting around impatiently, but it’s not a speed demon either. The Cancel button is a reliable escape hatch if a setting overshoots. The housing warms during long sessions but never reached concerning temperatures in my testing. There’s no loud beep or chime—just a mechanical pop when the cycle completes.

Value and who it’s for

This four-slice toaster nails the basics: four slots, extra width, simple controls, and low-maintenance cleaning. If you need to run multiple breakfasts at once or if your household favors thick bread and bagels, it covers those bases at an accessible price. Where it falls short is refinement. Evenness of browning varies more than I’d like, Bagel mode isn’t truly one-sided, and the cord placement complicates counter setup in some kitchens.

If you’re the type who notices and cares about uniform toast down to the millimeter, you’ll be frustrated. If you view toast as a quick utility breakfast—close enough is good enough, and you appreciate the convenience of four slots—you’ll probably find it acceptable, especially if you take a minute to learn its settings and idiosyncrasies.

Recommendation

I wouldn’t recommend this toaster to exacting users who want precise, even browning and a true one-sided bagel cycle. In my kitchen, it delivered serviceable results but required fiddling—rotating slices, tweaking settings between batches, and keeping an eye on bagels. The short, forward-exiting cord also limits placement.

That said, for households that value capacity, extra-wide slots, and a straightforward control layout at a budget-friendly price, it can be a practical pick if you’re willing to accept its quirks and keep it clean. If uniformity and bagel perfection are top priorities, I’d look elsewhere; if convenience and price win the day, this four-slice toaster will get the job done.