Reviews You Can Rely On

Dash Clear View Review

The viewing window offers a fun and unique experience, but this toaster is a mediocre performer with regard to toasting consistency
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Dash Clear View Review
Credit: Dash
Price:  $70 List
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Manufacturer:   dash
By Genaveve Bradshaw and Benjamin Hickok  ⋅  Mar 29, 2023
58
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 12
  • Bread Toasting Quality - 35% 5.0
  • Ease of Use - 35% 7.4
  • Bagel Toasting Quality - 15% 4.0
  • Frozen Food - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Dash Clear View is a mediocre toaster compared to other models we tested. This see-through toaster is relatively easy to use, but its overall performance is below average, and it costs more than other much better performing toasters. If you are on the hunt for a new toaster, you can gander past this one and take a more serious look at a handful of better and more affordable models.
REASONS TO BUY
Long slots
Easy crumb tray access
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor bagel toasting
Inconsistent bread toasting

Compare to Similar Products

 
dash clear view
This Product
Dash Clear View
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best for Most People
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
 Top Pick Award
Best for Toast and Long Slot
Price $70 List
$49.99 at Amazon
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Amazon$25 List
$24.99 at Amazon
$70 List
$34.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line Mediocre toasting performance, with a somewhat-useful view window for observationOverall this toaster brings to the table a strong performance, is compact, and budget-friendlyAt the lower end of quality, but a budget-friendly option that worksAn aesthetically interesting option but only provides an average level of performanceImpressive performance at a low prices makes this a compelling 4-slice model
Rating Categories Dash Clear View Cuisinart CPT-122 Black+Decker 2-Slic... Bella 2 Slice Auto... Elite Gourmet ECT-3100
Bread Toasting Quality (35%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Ease of Use (35%)
7.4
8.2
6.6
7.1
6.4
Bagel Toasting Quality (15%)
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Frozen Food (15%)
6.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Specs Dash Clear View Cuisinart CPT-122 Black+Decker 2-Slic... Bella 2 Slice Auto... Elite Gourmet ECT-3100
Functions Bagel
Defrost
Reheat
Cancel
Bagel
Defrost
Reheat
Cancel
Bagel
Frozen
Cancel
Bagel
Frozen
Cancel
Gluten Free
Reheat
Defrost
Reheat
Cancel
Measured Slot Dimensions 10.4 x 4" 5.4 x 4.25" 5.4 x 4.75" 5 x 4.25" 9.8 x 4"
Measured Dimensions 15.7" x 6.6" x 7.8" 6.5" x 11" x 7.2" 7.3" x 12" x 8" 9.8" x 5.8 x 7" 14.7" x 7.1" x 7.7"
Measured Weight 4.6 lbs 2.6 Ibs 2.6 Ibs 2.1 lbs 4.3 lbs
Measured External Surface Temperature During Toasting 112 F 84.9 F 101.2 F 86.5 F 96.8 F
Measured Product Footprint 103.6 71.5 87.6 56.8 104.4
Measured Watts 1135 W 935 W 885 W 865 W 1339 W
End of Cycle Indicator None None None None None
Exterior Housing Material Plastic Plastic Plastic Plastic Stainless Steel
Color/Finish Options Seafoam, Black, Red, Gray, Cream, White White, Red, Black Black Aqua, Black, Blue, Red, Sage, White Black Plastic/Stainless
Standard/Long Slot Long Standard Standard Standard Long
Available with Long Slot? Yes No No Yes Yes
Available in 4 slot? No No Yes Yes No
Model Number DVTS501 CPT-122 T2569B BOB137 ECT-3100

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


A timelapse of toasting with the Dash Clear View.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Bread Toasting Quality


Our first test metric evaluated how well the Dash Clear View prepared toast on three available settings, low heat, medium heat, and high heat. Unfortunately, its performance overall was less than impressive, as it could not reliably and consistently produce the same results with the same settings in repeated tests.

The Dash Clear View on low heat.
The Dash Clear View on low heat.
The Dash Clear View on medium heat created unevenly toasted bread in...
The Dash Clear View on medium heat created unevenly toasted bread in several of our tests.
The Dash Clear View continued to produce inconsistent results in our...
The Dash Clear View continued to produce inconsistent results in our high heat tests.

The Clear View occasionally did a lovely job of browning an enjoyable slice of toast. Strangely, it couldn't provide the same results from an entire loaf of bread on the same exact heat settings. This held true across all of our heat settings, and it became apparent that the only consistent thing about this toaster is that no toast will be the same each time you use the device.

dash clear view - this see-through toaster allows you to keep a close eye on your food.
This see-through toaster allows you to keep a close eye on your food.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Dash Clear View is an average toaster when it comes to ease of use. A clear window, hence the name 'Clear View', lets you see the state of what you are toasting, although just because you can see the object you are toasting, this does not mean it's going to excel at toasting. However, it is removable, making occasional cleanings very easy.

A clear window lets you observe the items you are toasting.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

An oversized lever to start toasting is easy to use but is large enough that it's almost comically large. A surprisingly narrow crumb tray is located inconveniently on the back side of the toaster but is relatively simple to remove and empty.

The long and narrow crumb tray is located on the rear of the model, and is easy to remove and replace.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The operation of the toaster is quite simple. Three push buttons for Defrost, Reheat, and Bagel, illuminate when selected. A dial with seven heat settings controls browning, and there is a 'Cancel' button in the center of it.

Less convenient is the location of the buttons and lever. The lever is on the right side of the toaster, with the dial buttons on the front to the right of the viewing window, whereas many of the simpler toasters we've tested have all of their buttons and levers on a single side.

dash clear view - a dial controls settings, and incorporates a cancel button at its...
A dial controls settings, and incorporates a cancel button at its center.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Bagel Toasting Quality


Our third test metric evaluated each toaster's ability to toast bagels, and the Dash Clear View did a below-average job compared to the performance of its peers.

dash clear view - the bagel setting on this device did not actually toast our bagels.
The bagel setting on this device did not actually toast our bagels.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

On the bagel setting, our bagels came out under-toasted with no golden crispiness and no soft center. While the bagels were warm, they were not visibly toasted. Increasing the heat settings on the dial made little difference. Bagels still came out with no golden crispiness, and while the texture changed from soft to toasted, it lacked any toasted color.

dash clear view - the clear view undercooked bagels in our tests.
The Clear View undercooked bagels in our tests.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Frozen Food/Defrosting Quality


Across our frozen foods metric, the Dash didn't do much better than it did across other test metrics. Surprisingly, it did an exceptional job in our frozen bread tests.

Unfortunately, its success was limited to frozen bread, as it produced waffles that were unevenly cooked from one side of the slice to the other, and strudel that was consistently undercooked and unevenly heated.

dash clear view - food is clearly visible in the clear view.
Food is clearly visible in the Clear View.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Should You Buy the Dash Clear View?


Our team could not in good faith recommend the Dash Clear View over other toasters we tested based on its underwhelming all-around performance. We've tested a lot of models, including cheaper and easier-to-use toasters that offer much better performance.

What Other Toaster Should You Consider?


The Dash Clear View did not perform as well as many other models tested, including the Black+Decker 2-Slice T2569B and the Cuisinart CPT-122. Both are more affordable and offer greater all-around performance, making them much better choices.

Genaveve Bradshaw and Benjamin Hickok