Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Toasters

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S vs Proctor Silex 4 Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, Cool-Touch Walls

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 3.5). The gap is mostly about light users seeking precise shade control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Toasters
Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S
$15.99as of Jul 8

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.

Strengths
  • 6 adjustable toasting levels for precise browning control
  • Extra wide 1.25" slots accommodate thick breads, bagels, and specialty items
  • Cool-touch exterior for safe handling
Watch-outs
  • Lightweight plastic construction feels cheap compared to metal-bodied toasters
  • Self-centering guides may not work well with very large or dense bagels
Proctor Silex 4 Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, Cool-Touch Walls
Ranked #6 in Best Toasters
Proctor Silex 4 Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, Cool-Touch Walls
$33.7as of Jul 8

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.

Strengths
  • Extra-wide slots easily fit Texas toast and bagels
  • Toast Boost feature helps retrieve smaller breads like English muffins
  • 7 toast shade selector with integrated cancel button for customization
Watch-outs
  • No specific cons mentioned in the provided sources
  • Limited information on build quality or durability

How they stack up

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S

The Elite Gourmet toaster offers precise 6 browning levels and cool-touch exterior, but its lightweight plastic build makes it less durable than the Breville 'A Bit More' or Proctor Silex models. While it's a good option for light use, it lacks the consistent performance and robust construction that the Breville delivers, especially in medium to dark settings.

Proctor Silex 4 Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, Cool-Touch Walls

The Proctor Silex 4-slice toaster offers more slots and a Toast Boost feature, but lacks the precision and performance of the Breville 'A Bit More' or Elite Gourmet models. While it's a solid mid-range option, it doesn't offer the same level of consistent browning or specialized settings that make the Breville models stand out.

Specs side-by-side

SpecElite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” SProctor Silex 4 Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, Cool-Touch Walls
Price$15.99
Slices24
Settings67
Functionstoasting bread, bagels, English muffins and moreCool-Touch Walls, Toast Boost, Auto Shutoff, Slide-out Crumb Tray
MaterialPolycarbonatePlastic
Dimensions5.75" D x 9.25" W x 6.25" H10.5 D x 11.0 W x 7.5 H
Wattage750 W700
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