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We live in a world where our refrigerators have Wi-Fi and our ovens have cameras. It was only a matter of time before the humble toaster got a digital makeover. But does a toaster really need a touchscreen?
The Keenstone 4 Slice Smart Toaster aims to modernize breakfast with a sleek 75-degree angled touchscreen, dedicated bread type settings, and a memory function that remembers exactly how burnt you like your bagel. I spent a week testing this futuristic appliance to see if it’s a genuine upgrade to the morning routine or just another gadget with more things to break.
What Makes This Toaster “Smart”?
This isn’t just about glowing lights. Keenstone has integrated some genuinely useful logic into this machine.
- ErgoView Touch Screen: The control panel is angled at 75 degrees. This sounds minor, but it means you don’t have to hunch over the counter to see your settings. You can read it comfortably while standing.
- BreadID Technology: Instead of a generic “toast” setting, it has presets for Bread, Bagel, Waffle, Pastry, English Muffin, and Gluten-Free. The toaster adjusts the heating elements and timing based on what you select.
- Single-Slice Tech: Most 4-slice toasters heat up both slots even if you only put in one slice of bread, wasting energy and unevenly toasting the bread. This unit detects a single slice and focuses the heat there.
- Memory Function: If you are particular about your English muffin being exactly a “Level 4,” you can save that setting. Next time, it’s one touch away.
Hands-On Experience: The Toast Test
I put the Keenstone through a gauntlet of carbohydrates: frozen waffles, thick bagels, and standard white bread.
The Bagel Test
I sliced a bagel and selected the “Bagel” preset at browning level 4. The touchscreen is responsive—not quite iPhone smooth, but definitely not laggy. The result was impressive. The cut side was toasted golden brown, while the rounded outside was warm but soft. It correctly identified that bagels need one-sided intense heat.
The Single Slice Challenge
I tried toasting a single piece of sourdough. Usually, in a 4-slice toaster, one side of the bread gets burnt because the empty slot next to it radiates too much heat. Keenstone’s “Single Slice” mode actually worked. The bread came out evenly browned on both sides, and I didn’t feel like I was heating the whole kitchen.
The Countdown Timer
This is my favorite feature. A digital countdown timer shows you exactly how much time is left. No more staring at the toaster, wondering if you have time to pour coffee before it pops. It adds a level of predictability to breakfast that I didn’t know I needed.
Pros and Cons
After a week of use, here is the honest breakdown.
| What I Loved (Pros) | What Could Be Better (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Countdown Timer: Knowing exactly when toast will pop is a game changer. | Fingerprints: The touchscreen and stainless body love to collect smudges. |
| Angled Screen: The ergonomics are excellent; very easy to read. | Cord Length: It’s a bit short, limiting placement options. |
| Even Toasting: The presets actually change how it cooks, resulting in better texture. | Price: It is significantly more expensive than a basic knob-turn toaster. |
| Memory Mode: Great for households where everyone likes different browning levels. | Size: It’s a substantial unit. Measure your counter space first. |
Comparison: Smart vs. Standard
Is the tech worth the extra cash? Here is how it compares to a standard Cuisinart.
| Feature | Keenstone Smart Toaster (This Review) | Standard Cuisinart 4-Slice | Budget Plastic Toaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface 🖥️ | Color Touchscreen | Dials & Buttons | Dials |
| Timer ⏱️ | Digital Countdown | None | None |
| Presets 🍞 | 6 Specific Types | Bagel / Defrost | None |
| Single Slice 1️⃣ | Active Optimization | No | No |
| Price 💰 | Premium | Mid-Range | Cheap |
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Keenstone 4 Slice Smart Toaster is for the person who loves precision and hates guessing games. If you are tired of hovering over the toaster or popping the bread up early to check it, the digital timer and consistent presets solve those problems instantly.
While the touchscreen might seem like overkill to some, the functionality behind it—specifically the specific bread settings and the memory feature—makes it a genuinely better toaster than the analog competition. If you take your morning bagel seriously, this is a worthy upgrade for your kitchen.
