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The toaster has to be the most boring appliance in your kitchen. Almost everything else has evolved by leaps and bounds since its inception. We’ve got coffee machines that are built to detect everything from your mug size to your preference for iced drinks — they’ll actually brew at lower temperatures that allow you get that signature cold brew flavor. We’ve got blenders that will not only get the job done in 45 seconds or less, they’ll clean their damn selves (yes, really). And then, there’s the tired old toaster, with its basic push-down lever to brown your day-old bread. Womp, freaking womp. Since its commercial release in 1909, the toaster’s design has remained largely the same, albeit for a few shinier surface tweaks. As it turns out, though, we’ve all been sleeping on the best kitchen appliance since sliced bread: the Revolution toaster.
The brand sent me one to try and after using it for a year, I’m here to tell you that this thing is a marvel of modern design. It’s got a touchscreen that puts Cher’s Clueless closet to shame. It’s got a browning level for every type of starch you can imagine, from English muffins to waffles and pastries. It knows if you’re reheating or pulling a rock-hard Eggo from the freezer. And yet, somehow, it’s flown under all of our collective radars for the past six years, when it debuted in 2019.
My Revolution toaster review explains exactly what this little dream machine is capable of, how it holds up after a year’s worth of use and whether it’s *really* worth its $350 price tag.
Revolution Toaster Review
The Design
- My rating: 4/5
First thing’s first: The design. This thing is sleek. Available in a stainless-silver or a (cheaper) matte black version, it’s unassuming-yet-stylish on your kitchen counter.
This is not the kind of appliance you only pull out when you’re using it. Unlike its eyesore counterparts (looking at you, waffle maker), this is the type of gadget that you display proudly so as to let the world know that yes, that *is* the Revolution R180 Connect on my counter, thanks. (Said in the voice of Andy Sachs.)
This toaster, she’s chic. Hell, she’s downright sexy! I do wish there were a few more color options, hence the 4-star rating instead of 5 in the design department (what does a girl have to do to get a beige or a pistachio option, Revolution?), but other than that, no aesthetic notes.
The Functionality
- My rating: 5/5
Let’s talk about what this baby can do, shall we?
The greatest and most obvious functionality upgrade from your regular old waffle browner is its touchscreen, which enables you to choose your desired item (everything from bread to English muffins are fair game), the status of said item(choose from fresh, frozen or reheat) and your desired level of toasting: It goes from a 1 (extremely light) to a 7 (burnt to a crisp).
OK great, you might say. But does it actually toast?
It does, and it toasts well. Does it take some finesse? Yes. But I’m convinced the good people at Wired who gave this machine a sh*tty review didn’t actually use it all that long, because if they had, they would’ve discovered that both toast and bagels come out best at a “4,” while English muffins and waffles perform better at lower settings.
Just like finding your perfect glass of wine or a skincare serum that’s right for your skin, you definitely have to experiment with this machine to get your desired results. But once you’ve found your desired shade and crunch? *Chef’s kiss.*
What’s more, you don’t even have to remember your favorite settings—the machine saves your last-known toasting level for everything, so you’ll always get what you want, how you want it.
The Ease of Use
- My rating: 5/5
The Revolution R180 Connect couldn’t be easier to use if it was a plain-old push-down toaster.
If you’re the least bit tech-savvy (a.k.a. you can handle following a series of prompts to get to the Wi-Fi screen and enter your password), the initial setup, which will enable you to set the local weather and time that display when the machine isn’t being used, will take you less than five minutes.
Once you’re ready to go, simply touch the screen to select your preferences, all of which are pretty intuitive. You’ll swipe to select the item you’re toasting, choose “fresh,” “frozen” or “reheat ” then pick your desired browning level and press start—that’s it!
Certain items, like the bagel, also have an option for if it’s “large” at the bottom.
All in all, I think it’s one of the easiest high-tech gadgets I’ve used to date.
The Value
- My rating: 3/5
Does the Revolution toaster have a steep price tag? Indeed. But consider this: How long have you had your current toaster? Do you even know when you last replaced it? Cause I definitely don’t know long I had my old one—but I’d be willing to guess it was upwards of eight years.
If you divide the cost of the stainless-steel version I have ($349.95) by eight years, that’s just $43.75 annually—a price I would gladly pay to have beautifully bronzed bagels on command.
That said, there’s no guaranteeing this baby will last a full eight years. The one gripe that I have with this company is that the warranty on the machine is limited to one year and only covers a year of repairs. While there is a lengthier protection program available, you’ll have to shell out an extra $40 to get it, which is annoying after spending $300+ for the initial item.
All of that said, I would strongly recommend the added protection.
After using my Revolution for just under one year, the glue on the right side of my touchscreen became detached, causing it to glitch. Luckily, my warranty was still valid, so customer service was easily able to get me a new one at no extra charge (the team is a dream), avoiding a bagel drought crisis (Phew!).
Without the added protection, it might not have been an option, depending on when it glitched, and I would’ve had to buy a new one or go without—something I quickly realized was no longer an option for me. The thought of going back to Spam after dining on the filet mignon of toasters? *Shudder*—what am I, a peasant? Hard pass.
Overall
- My rating: 17/20
I hate to say it, gentle readers, but I fear this toaster is a need—not a want.
Now that I’ve gotten used to having the Revolution toaster around, I truly don’t believe I could ever live without it. It would be like using Limewire after experiencing the speed and convenience of Spotify—it simply can’t be done. One toasting level and a simple push-down lever? Impossible.
Beyond that, I’d argue that it actually elevates your kitchen décor. Your kitchen counter simply won’t look the same without it gleaming from the corner.
More importantly, it’s time to officially move out of the toasting dark ages, friends—it just is. Trust me: You’ll thank me later.
Personally, I’ll be upping my warranty protection, though I would 100 percent buy another outright should it come down to it. I *might* even love this thing more than my coffee maker, which brews the liquid that gives me life daily—but don’t quote me on that.
What’s your favorite kitchen appliance? Tell me in the comments below!
Xo, Nicole
