Best Toasters

The Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster delivers mixed results according to TechGearLab's review, excelling primarily in bagel and frozen waffle preparation but falling short on consistent bread toasting. While it offers six browning settings and extra-wide slots ideal for bagels, reviewers noted significant unevenness in bread toasting, with light settings barely warming bread and medium settings creating patchy results. The bagel function performs well, producing consistently good results, but the overall unevenness makes it unsuitable for those seeking reliable, evenly toasted bread. This toaster is best for households that primarily toast bagels or frozen items.

The Breville 'A Bit More' 2-Slice Toaster offers thoughtful design and user-friendly features, particularly the 'Lift and Look' function that lets users check progress mid-cycle. TechGearLab rated it highly for ease of use and consistent performance, though noting uneven browning in one corner of each slice. While it delivers reliable results, especially on medium and dark settings, its bread toasting performance is described as merely moderate. This toaster is ideal for users who value convenience and consistent outcomes over absolute toasting perfection, but those seeking the best value or peak performance may want to consider alternatives.

The Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster offers reliable, even toasting with 6 browning levels and extra-wide 1.25" slots ideal for bagels and thick breads. Reviewers praise its compact design, cool-touch exterior, and convenient cancel function. However, the lightweight polycarbonate build leads some users to perceive it as inexpensive, and a few note issues with very large bagels not fitting properly. Best suited for small spaces and light-to-moderate use, it's not recommended for heavy daily household demand.

The Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster has garnered widespread acclaim for its sleek fingerprint-resistant design and four functional settings like 'lift and look' and 'a bit more.' Food & Wine's Liv Dansky praised its performance, particularly the frozen bread feature, and noted its popularity among users who've purchased multiple units. However, some reviewers have complained about uneven toasting and inconsistent heating. This appliance is ideal for those seeking a premium, aesthetically pleasing toaster with smart features, but those prioritizing perfect toasting consistency may want to consider alternatives.

The Proctor Silex 4-Slice Toaster features extra-wide slots designed for thick breads like bagels and Texas toast, along with a Toast Boost function for smaller items. It offers seven shade settings and an integrated cancel button for precise toasting control. The unit includes a pullout crumb tray for easy cleanup and an automatic shutoff feature for safety. Reviewers highlighted its ease of use and effective performance for various bread types, though detailed user feedback was limited.

The GE 2 Slice G9TMA2SSPSS offers a user-friendly interface with clear indicators and performs well reheating frozen bread, according to TechGearLab's review. However, it falls short in bagel toasting and handling frozen waffles and strudels. The stainless steel finish shows fingerprints and the toasting results are inconsistent. While it's affordable and aesthetically pleasing, reviewers found its performance mediocre compared to competitors like the Cuisinart CPT-122.