We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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A little heat and a few minutes transform a basic slice of bread into something with a crisp, perfectly browned exterior, ready to slather with butter or top with smashed avocado. The right toaster makes this metamorphosis quick and easy, producing even and consistent results.
Pop-up toasters differ from toaster ovens in that they’re simple, compact appliances with just one function. Pop-up toaster boxes contain a metal heating element that radiates intense heat on one or both sides of the bread slice. When the temperature of the bread reaches approximately 310 degrees, a chemical reaction (called the Maillard reaction) takes place, caramelizing the sugars and starches in the bread to create a golden color and that characteristic taste.
We researched and evaluated a range of toasters and found the Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Toaster to be the very best. It has extra-wide slots to fit thick bagels and an attractive compact design that looks great on the kitchen counter.
Editors’ Favorite
Capacity: 2 slice | Power: 800 W | Dimensions: 6.5"D x 11"W x 7.2"H | Weight: 3.45 lb | Settings: 7 browning levels, plus Bagel, Defrost Reheat and Cancel
Features, performance, design and price make the Cuisinart Two-Slice Compact Toaster the best toaster on our list. Made by a trusted brand, this two-slot toaster boasts a trim design that won’t take up much counter space. At just 3.45 pounds, it’s lightweight too. However, it has wide slots that can easily fit bagels, artisan breads and pastries.
Powered by 800 watts, this toaster does a good job toasting quickly and evenly. Seven browning levels allow you to toast food the way you like it. And a high-lift lever makes it possible to remove slices of all sizes without burning your fingers.
This toaster also includes bagel, defrost, reheat and cancel buttons to suit different needs. It has a slide-out crumb tray for easy cleaning and guides at the base to keep the cord secure. Although it’s packed with useful features, it’s also affordable. With a price of less than $50 and a three-year warranty, it’s a good value that makes a nice addition to any kitchen.
Great Value
Capacity: 4 slices | Power: 1,300 W | Dimensions: 7.13" D x 14.68" W x 7.68" H | Weight: 5.34 lb | Settings: 1–6 (adjustable) browning levels, plus Defrost, Bagel and Reheat
The Elite Gourmet Long-Slot Four-Slice Toaster has two extra-long slots that can fit four standard slices of bread or two large or nonstandard slices, such as those you might get from sourdough loaves or challah. The extra-wide slots accommodate thick slices and other chunky bread products.
It has a sleek brushed stainless steel finish that looks contemporary and matches other stainless steel appliances. The bread lifter helps you remove small slices and products, like bagels, with ease. The toaster offers reheat and defrost settings and a retractable warming rack for items such as pastries and pita. Six shade settings are controlled by a simple dial.
Best Color Options
Capacity: 4 slice | Power: 900 W | Dimensions: 6.14" D x 15.28" W x 7.05" H | Weight: 3.35 lb | Settings: 6 browning levels, plus Bagel, Defrost and Cancel
The Bella Four-Slice Slim Toaster stands out for its modern design that looks great and doesn’t have a large footprint. In addition to being available in stylish matte colors, including sea glass and blossom, it has a trim, elongated structure. Although it has two slots, it can actually fit four slices total, as each one measures 10 inches in length. These features make it perfect for both contemporary kitchens and small countertops.
Powered by 900 watts, it toasts fast and browns evenly. The browning knob has six shade levels. Three buttons include bagel, defrost and cancel settings for versatility. Just like most quality toasters, the Bella Slim also has a high-lift lever for easily removing toast and a crumb tray that pulls out for emptying.
Bella is known for designing quality appliances at a reasonable price, and this toaster is no different. Overall, it’s a stylish, slim four-slice toaster in a choice of colors, making it a solid deal.
Bargain Pick
Capacity: 2 slices | Power: 900 W | Dimensions: 10.62” L x 6.1” D x 7.67” H | Weight: 2.52 lb | Settings: 1–6 browning levels, plus Bagel and Defrost
For a third of the price of our top pick, the Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster does almost everything you need from a toaster, as long as you don’t need an all-metal build, a status display or extra-extra wide slots.
The Amazon Basics 2-Slice has 900 watts of power and weighs only 2 and a half pounds. Its outer matte surface is cooler to the touch than some all-metal designs. A simple dial knob lets you choose between six shade settings, plus buttons for toasting bagels, defrosting pastries, and canceling operation.
The slots on the Amazon Basics toaster measure 1.25 inches wide, which fits many but not all bagels. It does have a manual lift lever to raise toast into reach. Customers note that the power cord emerges from the side and that it needs to be run empty several times before use to get rid of any internal manufacturing residue.
Best for Bagels
Capacity: 4 slice | Power: 840 W | Dimensions: 10.7"D x 10.8"W x 7.2"H | Weight: 1 lb | Settings: Dual controls with 7 browning levels, plus Bagel, Defrost Reheat and Cancel
We love that the Cuisinart Four-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster has 1.5-inch slots that are designed to fit bagels and other wide breads and pastries with ease. Even with four slots, it has a compact design that fits nicely on most counters.
This Cuisinart toaster is packed with useful features consumers love. These include dual controls for each pair of slots for excellent results. The dual browning knobs each have seven shade levels. In addition, each control panel includes bagel, defrost, reheat and cancel buttons — practical capabilities that are essential when it comes to making perfectly toasted bread, bagels, pastries and more.
Despite this toaster delivering 840 watts of power, it’s also lightweight. At just 1 pound, you can move it around with minimal effort. The cord wrap at the base stores the cord neatly so it’s not in the way. A high-lift lever and removable crumb tray round out its impressive feature set. This toaster is available at a midrange price point and is backed by Cuisinart’s generous three-year warranty.
Best for Its Extra-Wide Slots
Capacity: 2 slices | Power: 850 W | Dimensions: 7.28" D x 12.01" W x 8.07" H | Weight: 2.99 lb | Settings: 1–6 (adjustable) browning levels, plus Bagel and Defrost
When it comes to wide slots, the affordable BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster has got it covered. Its 1.5-inch slots are generously proportioned for almost all bagel slices and thick cuts of bread and Texas toast.
This 850-watt toaster is simple and straightforward, with a handsome modern vibe that looks good on your kitchen counter. A simple dial knob lets you pick between six shades of toast, while buttons help you designate bagel and defrost functions as well as cancel a toasting job.
Each extra-wide slot not only fits inch-and-a-half-thick slices, but also comes with centering guides to help ensure an even toasting result. Like other good toasters, its lever can be used to lift up finished toast within convenient reach, so you won’t burn your fingers.
Best for Multiple Presets
Capacity: 4 slice | Power: 1,800 W | Dimensions: 13"D x 13"W x 9.25"H | Weight: 7.3 lb | Settings: Dual controls with 7 browning levels, plus Bread, Bagel, Waffle, Pastry, English Muffin, Single, Defrost and Cancel
There are several reasons that the Cuisinart 4-Slice Custom Select is one of the best toasters on the market. Made by Cuisinart, it’s constructed of sleek stainless steel and has four wide slots. With 1,800 watts of power, it earns praise for toasting fast and evenly. In addition to these impressive features, its numerous preset functions also stand out.
We like that this toaster has dual controls — a set for each pair of slots. These include sliding shade guides with seven browning levels. Defrost and cancel buttons are also included. Dual knobs take the guesswork out of toasting to perfection, as they include bread, bagel, waffle, pastry and English muffin settings. Additionally, the single button allows you to get excellent results when toasting in just one set of slots.
High-lift levers and slide-out crumb trays are also features consumers appreciate. Plus, the base of the toaster has a cord wrap to keep it neatly stored when not in use. Cuisinart’s three-year warranty also comes with this toaster, which offers industry-leading protection.
Best Retro Toaster
Capacity: 2 slice | Power: 825 W | Dimensions: 10.8" D x 7.4" W x 6.9" H | Weight: 3.06 lb | Settings: 6 browning levels, plus Bagel, Defrost and Cancel
Whether you love a vintage home aesthetic or just like small appliances that grab attention, the Roto Mond Retro 2-Slice Toaster is the one to buy. It has a throwback design that looks great and comes in eight colors to match your kitchen.
Although it’s made to look retro, this toaster has modern features that home cooks love. It has a simple knob with six browning levels, plus it toasts evenly. In addition to the cancel and defrost buttons, it has a bagel setting and wide slots to fit your favorite bagels, pastries, thick breads and more. A high-lift lever allows you to easily remove toasted items.
Powered by 825 watts, this toaster is lightweight and doesn’t take up a lot of space. It also has a removable crumb tray for quick cleaning, and a cord wrap for mess-free storage. The affordable price is another reason to consider this unique toaster.
Best for Even Toasting
Capacity: 2 slice | Power: 900 W | Dimensions: 11.6"D x 8.6"W x 7.5"H | Weight: 5.71 lb | Settings: 5 browning levels, plus Toast, Cancel, A Bit More, Bagel, Frozen and Lift and Look
The Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster stands out for having Element IQ technology that automatically adjusts the heating elements for perfect results. This two-slot model has five shade settings, plus the ability to add more time without interrupting toasting. The controls include toast, cancel, “a bit more,” bagel, frozen and “lift and look,” and are located on the top of the toaster. This gives it a sleek, modern appearance.
The slots of this toaster go down and up with the touch of a button, plus “lift and look” makes it easy to check progress. An LED indicator counts down toasting time so you can monitor progress. The unique features make it the smartest toaster on our list.
A high-lift lever and slide-out crumb tray are also included, which are features most consumers want in a toaster. What’s more, this stylish, stainless steel model looks great and has a space-saving compact design. It’s backed by a one-year warranty.
Toasters aren’t just plain, unadorned boxes anymore — at least some of them aren’t. Today, you can find toasters that add style and verve to your countertop.
For example, stainless steel toasters, like the Cuisinart Customer Select, bring a sleek, contemporary look to your countertop. Retro designs, such as the Roto Mond Retro 2-Slice Toaster, can lend a bit of character to any kitchen. And you’re not limited to metallic-looking toasters anymore, either. In our research, we found toasters in trendy, up-to-date colors, like the Bella 4-Slice Slim Toaster in matte blossom and muted blue surf, among others.
Toaster style is a matter of preference but be prepared to spend more for a high-fashion toaster. Whatever finish you choose, keep in mind that the best toasters should be easy to wipe clean.
Toasters come with a variety of settings. Here are the main ones to look for:
Browning control usually comes in the form of a dial or knob on the toaster. For example, the Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Toaster has an easy-to-use knob. This control allows you to select your desired level of toasting, from very light to very dark.
Some toasters use a range of colors to indicate browning level; others use LED lights to indicate the toasting level. Some consumers prefer a numbered control system, which is more precise. The Cuisinart 4-Slice Custom Select Toaster has a sliding LED indicator for doneness that works while toasting.
You can also find some high-tech toasters with integrated LED screens on which you can set your desired level of browning.
There are many delicious types of bread just waiting to be toasted: rye, sourdough, white, whole grain and even gluten-free bread. And don’t forget the English muffins, bagels, Pop-Tarts and artisan breads.
No matter what you’re toasting, you undoubtedly want to achieve just the right level of golden goodness with your toaster.
These tips will help you reach that goal.
In our analysis of toasters, we started with 30 models by many top brands on the market. After looking at features, performance, designs and customer reviews, we narrowed down the list to the best.
Our cooking expert weighed in with advice about using toasters. We also assessed style and materials, and evaluated the various feature options, including shade settings, crumb trays, cord wraps, high-lift levers and available button controls.
We factored in how many slices the toaster could toast at once and that some slots are wide enough to accommodate bagels. How easy toasters are to operate and clean was also considered. In addition, we compared prices to help our readers find toasters to fit their budgets.
A. A reliable no-frills toaster, such as the Elite Gourmet Long-Slot 4-Slice Toaster, will cost you less than $40 or so, whereas a toaster with all the bells and whistles — including a stylish appearance — may cost upward of $100. The Cuisinart 4-Slice Custom Select Toaster costs about $100, while the Breville Die-Cast Toaster costs around $200.
While a toaster from a reputable manufacturer, like Cuisinart or Breville, might cost more, the money you spend upfront may grant you some peace of mind down the road. After all, most people don’t feel like shopping for a new toaster every year. Don’t forget to check the warranty length that comes with your toaster; Cuisinart, for example, offers a three-year limited warranty, while Breville only offers one year.
A. One of the most common complaints about toasters is that they don't toast evenly. There are several possible reasons for this, but one of the main problems is the uneven spacing of the conductive wires that heat up and brown the bread inside.
Not all toasters toast unevenly. The more you spend on a toaster, the more likely it is to toast evenly.
Uneven toasting might also happen to large slices of bread that don't entirely fit the toaster slot. If this is the problem, look for a toaster with extra-long slots.
A. A quality toaster should last six to eight years before it needs replacing. You can extend its lifespan by emptying the crumb tray regularly so it doesn't clog with food particles.
