Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I like the looks of the Cuisinart CPT-640 with its simple controls and lack of complex functions that might limit the longevity of the unit. The problem starts when you first handle it and realize it has a tactile feel that is just as bad as the most economical models. The next major problem with the CPT-640 is that the heating wire is only wound approximately 8 1/2 times (see photo), not the more densely wound 14 times of the better models. Fewer winds of the heating wire mean it toasts slower and less evenly. It makes sense that it is also a way to lower manufacturing costs. I would guess Cuisinart will defend their use of less heating wire by saying it is lower wattage and is therefore more efficient. I'm all for efficiency but efficiency for who? There is an expense to be paid for less wire and that is the consumer's time in the kitchen. One piece of Sourdough took 2 minutes and 21 seconds, and as the photo shows, it wasn't toasted very dark nor evenly. A budget $25 model will toast just as even and fast, if not faster and more evenly than the Cuisinart CPT-640. Bottom line, if you're looking for a better than average toaster, this is definitely not it. Because it looks good and does make toast (albeit unevenly) I gave it two stars.