Revolution InstaGLO R180B Review

While the Revolution InstaGLO R180B has an awesome user interface and is easy to use and keep clean, it proved to do a mediocre job toasting frozen foods, and it commands a pretty high price.

Performance Comparison

Bread Toasting Quality

Our first test measured how well the InstaGLO produced toast — a simple and fundamental feature that some products we've tested are surprisingly not that good at. However, this model is not one of those products and performed very well. We toasted bread on low, medium, and high settings with good results. On the lightest setting, the Revolution produced slices of toast with light gold coloration and an evenly crunchy texture.

The medium setting produced deep golden colors that were even and consistent but definitely on the darker end of what our testers considered a medium-level toast. On the highest setting, the toast evenly blackened, and while that may not be our personal preference, the results were consistent across multiple tests. Whether you like a lighter toast or a charcoal briquette, this toaster does a great job consistently making toast that will satisfy any preference.

Ease of Use

The Revolution started our ease of use series of tests strong. Unlike every other toaster we've tested, this is the only appliance with a crumb tray in the front. The easy-to-access crumb tray releases with a gentle press and does not require moving the toaster away from a wall or making a huge mess.

Unfortunately, the surface temperature of the InstaGLO would get fairly warm during use. It doesn't get high enough to cause initial burning, but it is fair to say things get a little toastier than we'd prefer.

The interface is where the Revolution shines, literally and figuratively, with an illuminated touch screen display. The user experience is simple and intuitive. There are seven heat settings for each food choice: bread, english muffin, bagel, waffle, and toaster pastry. There are also three preparation choices, which include fresh, frozen, and reheat.

The InstaGLO also utilizes an automatic lift and lower for inserting and removing items, adjustable screen brightness, and a countdown timer. When food is ready, it signals you with a pleasant chime. This model takes things next level, with a reminder to clean the crumb tray when it needs to be emptied, crumb tray removal with the press of the button, a clock, and even a sleep mode.

This model remained surprisingly very simple and easy to use for having so many options.

Bagel Toasting Quality

Our third test metric measured how well each toaster in our product lineup can prepare bagels, and the Revolution did not disappoint us. In fact, it did above average and better than the majority of the products we tested.

In our first round of bagel toasting, bagels achieved an evenly spread golden coloration and a crispy interior texture. The bagels showed no signs of burning, and the outside of the bagels was warmed but not completely toasted. The second round of testing produced results consistent with the first round and proved that the InstaGLO could consistently make a pretty great, but not quite perfect, bagel.

Frozen Food/Defrosting Quality

The Revolution was a real let-down in our frozen food tests, and the waffles it produced were unevenly cooked. One side ended up much darker than the other, and many of our waffles were burnt.

Unfortunately, the performance of the Revolution in our frozen bread tests was not much better than its poor performance in our waffle tests. The result from our frozen bread test was warmed bread that was never fully toasted. While bread started to exhibit the beginnings of a golden coloring, it was not spread evenly throughout.

Strudels fared no better with the InstaGLO. The strudels that it produced were warm at the perimeters but cold at the center. While the outside of the strudels browned, the strudels were never crispy and had very minimal crunch. Nothing was desirable about the strudels that this model produced.

Should You Buy the Revolution InstaGLO R180B?

If you like toast, don't care for reheating frozen goods, and want one of the coolest interfaces available in a toaster, then the Revolution InstaGLO R180B is a good choice for you. However, if frozen goods are important to you, you'll have to consider the trade-off in performance on frozen goods for a cool interface.

What Other Toaster Should You Consider?