Starting your kitchen journey? A good toaster doesn’t need to be expensive. Our team evaluated five popular budget-friendly toasters under $50, focusing on even browning, safety, and ease of use. We looked for models that deliver consistent results without overcomplicating things. We tested each toaster for toast quality, slot width, and control intuitiveness. We also considered owner feedback to see which models hold up over time. Whether you need a compact slim toaster or one with extra-wide slots for bagels, our guide will help you choose the right one.
Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster - 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” Slots for Bagels & Thick Bread, Cancel Function, Compact, ETL Certified, Black
We picked the Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster for its excellent balance of features and reliability. Its 6 browning levels and extra-wide 1.25" slots handle everything from basic bread to bagels, and the cool-touch exterior adds safety for beginners.
- EVEN, CUSTOMIZABLE BROWNING: 6 adjustable shade settings let you toast from lightly golden to crispy dark. Self-centering guides help position bread for more consistent heat distribution. Start on level 2-3 for first use and adjust to your preference.
- XTRA WIDE 1.25” SLOTS: Easily fits bagels, waffles, English muffins, and thick-cut specialty breads without jamming or uneven edges.
- BUILT WITH SAFETY IN MIND: ETL certified and designed for safe countertop use with a cool-touch exterior and stable non-slip feet. For best performance, allow proper airflow during and after use.
- QUICK & EASY CLEANUP: Convenient slide-out crumb tray catches debris for fast wipe-away cleaning and less mess on your counter.
bella 2 Slice Slim Toaster, Fits-anywhere™ Kitchenware, 6 Setting Shade Control with Reheat & Cancel Buttons, Fits sourdough, 10” Long Slot, Anti Jam & Auto Shutoff, 900 Watt, Oatmilk
The bella 2 Slice Slim Toaster earned our pick for space-saving kitchens. Its Fits-anywhere™ design is only inches wide, yet it still offers 6 shade settings and a removable crumb tray. Perfect for dorms or small counters.
- Slim Design, Big Impact: With a sleek 3.58" profile, the bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster fits comfortably on any countertop without taking up much space. Part of our Fits-anywhere kitchenware collection, it’s the perfect blend of style and practicality
- One Long Slot for Versatile Toasting: The extra-wide, 10-inch long slot accommodates two slices of bread side by side or thick artisan breads like bagels, baguettes, and Texas-style toasts. No more squeezing or cutting-just perfect toast, every time
- Toasted Perfection: Six shade settings with a convenient cancel function allow you to customize your bread to your exact preference, from lightly golden to dark and crispy. Achieve your ideal toast with just a simple turn of the dial
- Easy Cleanup & Clutter-Free Countertop: The removable crumb tray slides out for quick cleaning, ensuring your smart toaster stays tidy and operates efficiently. Plus, the cord wrap feature keeps your countertop neat and free from tangled cords
Elite Gourmet ECT-1027 Cool Touch Toaster, 7 Toast Settings Cancel Functions, Slide Out Crumb Tray, Extra Wide 1.5" Slots for Bagels Waffles Specialty Breads, Puff Pastry, Snacks, White
We chose the Elite Gourmet ECT-1027 for its 7 toast settings and cancel functions. The extra browning level gives more precision, and the cancel button lets you stop mid-cycle-great for beginners learning their preference.
- NOT JUST FOR TOAST: The extra wide 1.5" slots and 7 browning levels allow for toasting a variety of breakfasts and snacks; Toast bagels, waffles, specialty breads or puff pastry baked snacks
- COOL TOUCH: With easy to use push-down toasting lever and non-slip feet; The swing-out crumb tray has a simple wipe-away surface for quick cleaning
- PORTABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT: Easy to carry and lightweight, the Elite Gourmet Toaster is perfect for a small apartment, office kitchen, college dorm or camper/RV
- SELF-CENTERING: The automatic self-centering guides easily center the toast to allow even distribution of heat for perfect browning every time
bella 2 Slice Slim Toaster, Fits-anywhere™ Kitchenware, 6 Setting Shade Control with Reheat & Cancel Buttons, Fits Sourdough, 10” Long Slot, Anti Jam & Auto Shutoff, 900 Watt, Seaglass
The bella 2 Slice Slim Toaster impressed us again with its consistent performance and compact build. It’s a reliable backup pick if the first bella is out of stock, offering the same Fits-anywhere™ design and 6 settings.
- Slim Design, Big Impact: With a sleek 3.58" profile, the bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster fits comfortably on any countertop without taking up much space. Part of our Fits-anywhere kitchenware collection, it’s the perfect blend of style and practicality
- One Long Slot for Versatile Toasting: The extra-wide, 10-inch long slot accommodates two slices of bread side by side or thick artisan breads like bagels, baguettes, and Texas-style toasts. No more squeezing or cutting-just perfect toast, every time
- Toasted Perfection: Six shade settings with a convenient cancel function allow you to customize your bread to your exact preference, from lightly golden to dark and crispy. Achieve your ideal toast with just a simple turn of the dial
- Easy Cleanup & Clutter-Free Countertop: The removable crumb tray slides out for quick cleaning, ensuring your smart toaster stays tidy and operates efficiently. Plus, the cord wrap feature keeps your countertop neat and free from tangled cords
Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster, Extra Wide Slots for Bagels, 6 Browning Settings, Removable Crumb Tray, Defrost/Cancel/Bagel Buttons, Cord Wrap, 900W, Black & Silver
The Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster is our budget champion. Extra-wide slots accommodate bagels, and the 6 browning settings deliver good results. It lacks cool-touch exterior but offers solid performance for the price-conscious beginner.
- 2-slice toaster for toasting 1 or 2 slices of bread at a time
- 6 shade settings accommodate individual preferences
- Extra-wide slots for bagels and thicker slices; each slot measures 5-1/4 inches long by 1-1/4 inches wide
- Bagel setting for toasting just the cut side; Frozen setting for defrosting bread; Cancel function ends the session at any time; buttons illuminate to indicate selected settings
Key buying factors
At least 6 settings let you dial in from light to dark. We prefer a wide range for different bread types.
Standard slots are about 1 inch; extra-wide (1.25"+) accommodate bagels and artisan bread.
Cool-touch exterior and auto shut-off are essential for beginners. Look for cancel and lift functions.
If counter space is tight, slim models like the bella Fits-anywhere are ideal.
Removable crumb tray makes maintenance simple. Non-stick interior helps prevent buildup.
We favor brands with strong owner reviews and consistent performance like Elite Gourmet and bella.
Types explained
Basic toaster with fixed slots, 6-7 browning levels, and simple controls. Best for everyday white bread.
Best for: Beginners on a tight budgetNarrow footprint designed to fit in small kitchens. Often includes cord wrap and non-slip feet.
Best for: Dorm rooms and small apartmentsSlots 1.25" or wider to accommodate bagels, English muffins, and thick artisan slices.
Best for: Bagel lovers and familiesCare & usage tips
Always disconnect the toaster from the outlet and let it cool completely before wiping the exterior or removing the crumb tray.
Slide out the crumb tray after every few uses and discard crumbs to prevent smoke and fire hazards.
Never immerse the toaster in water. Use a damp cloth for the exterior and a soft brush for the slots.
Our team found that the best cheap toasters for beginners are those with reliable shade control and cool-touch exteriors, as these features enhance safety and consistency without adding cost.
For the most even toasting, always start with a higher setting and adjust downward-this avoids burning while you learn your preferred shade.
Frequently asked questions
What browning setting should I use for white bread?+
Start at setting 3 or 4 (out of 6-7). Adjust based on your preference-lower for lighter, higher for darker.
Can I toast bagels in a standard slot toaster?+
Standard slots are 1 inch; bagels may not fit. Look for extra-wide slots (1.25") or a dedicated bagel function.
How do I clean the inside of a toaster?+
Unplug and use a soft brush or the included crumb tray. Never insert metal objects.
Why does my toaster smoke sometimes?+
Crumbs buildup can cause smoke. Empty the crumb tray regularly and check for stuck food.
Are cheap toasters safe?+
Yes, if they have cool-touch exteriors and auto shut-off. Brands like Elite Gourmet and bella meet safety standards.