My biggest issue is with the lever. I have to push it down between 5 and 10 times before it will trigger, without fail. I've had this across most all toasters I've owned.

My second biggest issue is related to the same mechanism: the "pop" is impotent and does nothing to eject what's being toasted. The most I can hope for is that I can manually push the lever up.

The next biggest issue is with heating element distance. If there's anything that is wider than a slice of wonder bread it's going to get sizzled by the heating element. In the worst cases it causes smoke to be emitted for several runs afterwards.

this guy toasts

Agreed 100%.

We've been using a cheapo £10 tesco or argos one for the past few years. It toasts..

I used Dualit in various places, it does as good or bad a job, can't tell the difference.

I love the Dualit idea, but in the end can't justify the price, not for this particular kitchen item.

I have a ~20 years old Philips toaster cost around (1500 INR)20-30 dollars than. We don't use it every day, but I don't see what can go bad.

Seconded. My Philips toaster is more than 30 years old and in the super cheap bracket.

Every few years I have to shake out the bread remains and that's about all maintenance it gets.

Works like a charm and the outcome is very predictable.

Granted, I only use it for sliced toast bread. But I'm happy with the results.