The Best Toasters, Tried And Tested By Experts
There are plenty of toasters out there that can give you a good enough result. Ones that can give you a crispy enough toast. But the very best toasters create the perfect golden brown toast or crispy bagels every single time.
We’ve tested over 50 toasters over the years. Hundreds of bagels and different types of breads, at the cost of gaining a few pounds, have brought us here to give you the results for the best toasters on the market. We have toasters that hold 2 slices for those with less room and less need for toasting and 4 slice ones for those who run out of room too often when toasting. So sit back and enjoy while we show you the best toasters in toasting.
Summary of best toasters:
Best two slice toaster: Breville Bit More Toaster, $120 $90 at Amazon
Best budget two-slice toaster: Continental Electric Professional Series, $34 at Amazon
Another great affordable 2-slice toaster: Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster, $23 at Amazon
Best four-slice toaster: Breville Die-Cast, $189 at Amazon
*All products featured on RecipesCal are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
1) Best two-slice toaster: Breville A Bit More, $90
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Pros: Even, consistent browning across various settings, clear range of browning options, built-in countdown timer for toasting
Cons: Horizontal layout takes up more counter space
The Breville “A Bit More” toaster blends sleek design with thoughtful features, making it a standout addition to any kitchen. Its modern digital controls are simple to use, with a five-level browning slider and dedicated buttons for toast, bagels, and cancel. The signature “A Bit More” button lets you add extra time if your toast isn’t quite done—without restarting the cycle.
A smart countdown feature adds to the appeal: indicator lights dim progressively to show how much time is left until your toast is ready. In testing, this toaster delivered consistent results with white bread, sourdough, frozen waffles, and bagels. Although it takes a bit longer—over four minutes on the darkest setting—the even browning and versatility are worth the wait.
The only drawback? Its horizontal design means it requires more counter space than vertically-styled models, which could be an issue in compact kitchens. Additionally, the outward-facing side of the toast was occasionally a touch lighter, but this was a minor issue common to most toasters tested.
Specs: Size: 11.5" x 8.25" x 7.5" Weight: 4 lb. Warranty: One year Settings: Browning levels 1–5, Bagel, Frozen, “A Bit More,” Cancel
2) Best four-slice toaster: Breville Die Cast, $189
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Pros: Four independent slots for personalized toasting, motorized lift-and-look feature adds convenience and safety
Cons: Inner slots toast more intensely than outer slots
The Breville Die-Cast 4-Slice Toaster offers a high-end toasting experience, ideal for families or households with varied breakfast preferences. Unlike models with two extra-long slots, this toaster features four separate slots, letting you toast different items simultaneously—perfect for when one person wants a crispy bagel and another needs to defrost a waffle.
What really sets it apart is the motorized “lift and look” function, which gently raises your toast for a quick peek without canceling the cycle. It’s a stylish, user-friendly touch that also helps avoid the all-too-common (and dangerous) fork-rescue maneuver.
That said, we did find that the inner slots tend to run hotter, producing slightly darker toast than the outer ones. And while it comes at a premium price, the combination of thoughtful features, ease of use, and true customization makes the Breville Die-Cast a worthwhile investment for serious toast lovers.
Specs: Size: 11.5" x 10.25" x 7.5" Weight: 13 lb. Warranty: One year Settings: Browning levels 1–5, Bagel, Frozen, “A Bit More,” “Lift and Look,” Cancel
3) Best budget toaster: Professional Series Wide Slot, $40
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Pros: Excellent value for a stainless steel build, fits thick bread slices with ease
Cons: Ejects toast with a bit too much enthusiasm
If you’re looking for a quality toaster without the premium price tag, the Continental Electric Professional Series is a top pick for budget-conscious buyers. Priced around $40, it delivers impressive performance in a sleek stainless steel package—something rarely found in this price range, where plastic is the norm.
Despite its affordability, this compact toaster (just 9 inches wide) handles everything from thin sandwich bread to thick artisanal slices with ease, browning them evenly in under two minutes. It also includes bagel, frozen, and reheat settings, along with a cheerful ding to let you know your toast is ready. A removable crumb tray adds to the convenience, making cleanup fast and simple.
The only caveat? This toaster launches your bread like a spring-loaded catapult. Lightweight slices can fly right onto the counter—or, with some luck, land perfectly on top of the toaster itself. While it’s a bit dramatic, it’s certainly better than digging your toast out of a jammed slot. For the price, it’s a fun, functional, and surprisingly capable kitchen companion.
Specs: Size: 8.7'' x 7.7'' x 11.7'' Weight: 3.45 lb. Warranty: Three years Settings: Browning levels 1–6, Bagel, Defrost, Reheat, Cancel
4) Another great affordable toaster: Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster, $23
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Pros: Exceptional value for the price, reliable performance with multiple browning levels
Cons: Slight unevenness between sides of bread
For those seeking a no-frills, ultra-affordable toaster that still delivers solid performance, the Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster is a standout choice. With a rock-bottom price and surprising build quality, this model punches well above its weight class.
In testing, it kept pace with more expensive budget favorites like the Professional Series, offering consistent toasting and a good range of browning across its six heat levels. It includes all the essential settings most users need, making it a reliable option for everyday use. For the price, the construction feels sturdy enough, and it’s compact enough to fit comfortably on small countertops.
The only minor issue we noted was a touch of unevenness in browning between the two sides of each slice—a flaw shared by many toasters in its category. But considering the value it offers, this is a small trade-off. If you're shopping on a tight budget, the Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster is one of the best deals out there.
Specs: Size: 10.6" x 6.1" x 7.7" Weight: 2.52 lbs. Warranty: One year Settings: Browning levels 1–6, Bagel, Frozen, Cancel
How we found the best toasters
To find the top-performing toasters, we put each model through a series of hands-on tests using a variety of everyday breakfast staples. From classic white bread to thick-cut sourdough, frozen waffles, and bagels, we evaluated how well each toaster handled a range of textures, sizes, and heating requirements.
We started with white bread on low, medium, and high settings, timing each cycle and checking for even browning and noticeable differences between heat levels. To test real toasting power, we moved on to thick sourdough slices, then checked how well each toaster crisped up frozen waffles and browned the insides of bagels while leaving the outsides soft. Here’s what we focused on during testing:
1. Build Quality & Design
We looked for toasters that felt solid and durable. Wobbly bodies, flimsy levers, or loose knobs were instant red flags. While style and material varied by price point, we gave preference to compact designs that fit well in tight kitchen spaces without compromising usability.
2. Capacity & Toasting Performance
A great toaster should handle everything from slim sandwich bread to thick bagel halves. We checked whether each slot could fully lower larger slices and toast them evenly. We also ensured the browning range was wide, showing clear distinctions between settings—from lightly toasted to dark and crispy.
3. Defrosting That Actually Works
Not every toaster with a defrost function does it well. We tested how each unit handled frozen items like waffles, noting whether they came out golden and warm throughout or suffered from the dreaded cold center and burnt edges.
4. Ease of Use
Toasters should be simple and intuitive. We favored models with easy-to-understand controls—clear buttons, responsive knobs, and just the right number of settings. Unnecessary bells and whistles were a downside; we valued smart, functional design that made perfect toast easy every time.
In the end, the best toasters balanced reliable performance, thoughtful design, and user-friendly features—all without overcomplicating your morning routine.
This completes our list of the best toasters. If you want more posts about recipes and reviews, check our other blog posts here.