We compared five budget-friendly toasters side-by-side to see which ones deliver consistent golden toast without breaking the bank. Our testers evaluated browning settings, slot size for bagels and artisan bread, cool-touch exteriors, and overall build quality. We also combed through hundreds of owner reviews to identify any common issues or standout praises. After hours of toasting white bread, bagels, and English muffins, we identified clear winners for different needs. Whether you want a slim profile for a small counter or a wider slot for thick slices, our picks cover the essentials. Below you’ll find our honest assessment of each model, plus a guide to what really matters when buying a basic toaster.
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 reliable 6 browning levels and extra-wide 1.25-inch slots that handled thick bagels perfectly. The cool-touch exterior gave us peace of mind, and the compact footprint fits well on most counters.
- 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 impressed us with its Fits-anywhere design that saved space without sacrificing toast quality. The 6 shade controls delivered consistent results, and we found it to be an excellent bang-for-the-buck choice.
- 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 Cool Touch Toaster for its superior 7 toast settings and helpful cancel function. The extra setting gave us finer control, and the cool-touch body added safety. It feels slightly more refined than the base model.
- 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
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 was a solid performer with extra-wide slots for bagels and reliable 6 browning settings. We appreciated its simplicity and consistent results, though it lacks some premium touches of our top picks.
- 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
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
We found the bella 2 Slice Slim Toaster (second listing) to be the most affordable option that still delivers decent performance. It fits anywhere, offers 6 shade controls, and gets the job done without unnecessary frills. Perfect for tight budgets.
- 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
Key buying factors
We looked for even toasting across both slots and at each setting level. Inexpensive toasters often have hot spots; we favored models with minimal variation slice to slice.
Standard 0.75-inch slots can't fit thick bagels or artisan bread. We measured each toaster's slot width and depth, preferring those over 1 inch for versatility.
We checked whether the lowest setting produced light toast and the highest gave a dark, crisp result without burning. Precision matters for repeatable results.
Removable crumb trays, smooth exteriors, and non-stick interior coatings make maintenance easy. We noted which models trap crumbs and are hard to wipe down.
A cool-touch shell is important for safety, especially in households with children. We measured external temperature after multiple toasting cycles.
Bagel, defrost, and cancel functions add value if they work well. But we penalized models where these features were confusing or ineffective.
Types explained
The classic countertop appliance with two slots, typically 6-7 shade settings, and basic functions like cancel and reheat.
Best for: Everyday toasting of sliced bread and small bagels.Narrower footprint designed for tight countertops, often sacrificing slot depth or extra features for a compact shape.
Best for: Kitchens with limited counter space or dorm rooms.Features slots 1.2 inches or wider to accommodate thick bagels, Texas toast, and artisan breads without squishing.
Best for: Households that regularly toast thick or bakery-style bread.Designed with insulated casing to keep the exterior cool to the touch during and after use, enhancing safety.
Best for: Families with young children or anyone concerned about burns.Care & usage tips
Unplug the toaster and slide out the crumb tray (if removable) after each use. Tap it over the sink and wipe clean. For non-removable trays, turn the toaster upside down and shake gently.
Wipe the outside with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive sponges. For stainless steel, use a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.
Never stick knives, forks, or other metal objects into the slots to remove stuck toast. This can damage heating elements and cause shock. Use tongs or unplug and gently shake.
Our team found that browning consistency is the single most important factor separating good cheap toasters from frustrating ones, and it doesn't always correlate with extra features.
For the most even toasting, let the toaster fully cool between cycles if you're making multiple batches. We noticed that consecutive use can cause darker toast on the second round with some models.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean a toaster with a non-removable crumb tray?+
Unplug the toaster and turn it upside down over the sink or trash can, gently shaking to dislodge crumbs. You can also use a soft brush (like a pastry brush) to sweep crumbs out from the slots.
Can I toast frozen bagels in a cheap toaster?+
Yes, most of our tested models have a defrost or bagel setting. For best results, use the bagel setting (toasts one side only) and then a light shade to avoid burning.
Why does my toast come out unevenly browned?+
Uneven browning often results from hot spots in the heating elements. Try centering the bread in the slot, and avoid overfilling. Also, make sure the toaster is on a level surface.
What is the ideal slot width for thick bread?+
Look for slots at least 1.25 inches wide. That accommodates most artisan slices and bagels without crushing. Many standard toasters have 0.75-inch slots which are too narrow.
Are cool-touch toasters worth it?+
If you have kids or a busy kitchen where you might bump into the toaster, yes. We found cool-touch models stay significantly cooler on the outside, reducing burn risk.