Toasters.(Kitchen, Bath & Laundry: More Style, Less Money)(Buyers guide)

Toaster or toaster oven? The decision will depend on how picky you are about that morning toast.

If you want perfectly browned bread, opt for the straightforwardness of a basic toaster. Toaster ovens generally don't toast bread as well. They leave tiger stripes on one side, and they take longer to do the job--4 to 6 minutes compared with 2 to 3 minutes for toasters, on a medium setting. But if you prefer a multifunction appliance that can not only toast but also bake muffins, heat frozen entrees, or broil a small batch of burgers or a small chicken--and the space savings that result from having one machine that can do the work of two--choose a toaster oven.

Either way, you can get good performance without spending a lot. For $20 or less, you can buy a competent product that will …