The 9 Best Toasters
Updated by · How we research
Nine two-slice, four-slice and long-slot toasters compared on browning, bagel modes, controls and warranty. The Breville BTA830XL leads for its motorized lift. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
No toaster browns bread perfectly evenly. In independent comparisons, nearly every model left some light or dark patches, and pricey smart toasters scored little better on plain toast than cheap ones. So you pay for extras, like long slots for artisan loaves or a motor that lowers the slices. Read on if you're replacing a worn-out toaster or buying a first one.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Breville BTA830XL keeps the top spot for its motorized lift and long slots, but the bigger news is how well cheap toasters did. Published lab comparisons gave the Black+Decker T2569B and Elite Gourmet ECT-3100 solid marks on plain toast, while pricey smart models barely beat them. Both join the list, along with a budget two-slicer and the Proctor Silex 24215PS.
Five old picks are gone. The KitchenAid KMT4115 has no current seller, the Black+Decker T4030 and Oster Metropolitan are discontinued, and the West Bend TEM4500W is really a breakfast station with an egg cooker. The Revolution Cooking R180 is being retired by its maker for a newer model. The Cuisinart CPT-180, Hamilton Beach 22796, Dualit Classic NewGen and Keenstone WT-330 stay.
Our evidence was three published toaster comparisons, one of which ran hundreds of slices, bagels and frozen waffles through each machine, plus makers' specs and federal recall records. Those records show fire-hazard recalls for older Hamilton Beach and Black+Decker toasters, but none for any model here.
February 16, 2021:
We made a major change during this update and have decided to consolidate a couple of our lists. Rather than having separate pages for 2- and 4-slice options as we did previously, we have decided to merge them to make things a bit more convenient for our readers. This way, you'll no longer have to check separate rankings to figure out which models is best for you. You'll also notice that many of our recommendations, such as the Hamilton Beach 22796, Dualit NewGen, Cuisinart CPT-180, among others, are available in both sizes, so compiling them all onto a single list just made sense.
Of course, in addition to compiling our lists, we also made some changes to our recommendations and found some great new models to include. The modern Revolution Cooking R180 is one such item. Its large touchscreen makes it a great choice for anyone who leans towards modern appliances, and its proprietary elements heat up and cook bread quickly, which can save you a few precious minutes on those mornings you wake up late. On the other end of the spectrum are models like the Dualit NewGen and Keenstone WT-330, which have a very retro look that brings to mind images of a 1950's dinner.
We have included 4-slice recommendations in two styles, those that actually have four individual slots, like the Dualit NewGen, KitchenAid KMT4115, and Black+Decker T4030, as well as those that have two elongated slots, such as the Breville BTA830XL. In addition to cooking four standard grocery-store sliced breads, these latter kind also accept long artesian slices that don't fit in many other models.
December 02, 2019:
While two-slice toasters are convenient and don’t take up a lot of counter space, sometimes they just won’t cut it when you’ve got a household of mouths to feed. That’s where these 4-slice models come in handy, and some actually feature a surprisingly small footprint, whether you keep them on the counter or choose to store them in a cabinet in between use.
New to the list is the KitchenAid KMT4115, which is from a popular brand in home appliances and a manufacturer that’s been around for a century. It’s offered in several color choices, including neutral stainless steel or the company’s signature Empire Red. (Many users go with the signature red color as it matches their KitchenAid mixer.) It features two easy-to-clean crumb trays that pop out from the back and emits a friendly beep when your toast is popping up. It’s easy to select your desired shade by turning the dial knob.
Although its manufacturer is better known for hardware and power tools, the Black+Decker T4030 offers a reliable performance and a host of handy toasting options, including one which thaws and browns bread, waffles, or pancakes straight from the freezer. Just select “Bagel” for a setting that will make the top (the cut side) crispy while ensuring the bottom side is warm but soft. It’s got handy light-up status indicators and extra-lift levers to keep your hands away from its hot surface when you retrieve your toast or bagel.
Another new addition is the Proctor Silex 24216, which comes at a budget-friendly price yet affords the reliability and performance any regular toast-eater comes to expect. Just pop in your bread, set the browning level, press down the slider, and it takes it from there. It’s built with safety in mind, with an exterior that stays cool to the touch.
For an innovative model that ensures you’ll have your breakfast sandwich ready in no time, look to the West Bend TEM4500W which not only can toast four slices or English muffin pieces, but can also cook an egg and heat up pre-cooked meat at the same time, thanks to the included tray-pans. It’s also capable of hard- or soft-boiling up to eight eggs at a time with the included basket. This appliance can really come in handy on road trips when you’re staying at a hotel and want an affordable breakfast, and no matter where you’re using it, it has a handy automatic shutoff feature for safety.
Speaking of safety, some general rules involving toasters include always unplugging them when they're not in use to minimize the risk of a fire. Also, never attempt to remove anything that's jammed in a toaster while it is plugged in, as this can deliver an electric shock; rather, unplug the toaster and wait until it has completely cooled before removing any food that has become lodged inside.
Special Honors
Smeg 2-Slice Toaster Smeg's rounded, retro two-slicer earned the highest score in TechGearLab's comparison of 16 toasters, with especially good bagels. It costs well above most toasters here and has no countdown display, but it comes in a long list of colors for kitchens built around a look. smeg.com
Two Slots, Four Slots Or Long Slots
A classic four-slice toaster is really two toasters side by side.
A two-slice toaster suits one or two people and takes the least counter space. Most pop-up toasters heat with bare nichrome wire, and a two-slicer usually draws somewhere between 600 and 1,200 watts (Wikipedia).
A classic four-slice toaster is really two toasters side by side. The good ones, like the Cuisinart CPT-180 and Proctor Silex 24215PS, give each pair of slots its own shade dial, so one person can have light toast while another has dark. That matters more than the extra capacity. If everyone likes the same shade, a single-control four-slicer saves little time over running a two-slicer twice. Four-slot toasters also tend to brown less evenly when only two slots are in use (TechGearLab).
Long-slot toasters hold two slices end to end in each of two slots. They're the answer for sourdough, rye and other loaves too long for a standard slot, and whole bagel halves lie flat. They're narrow and long, so check the shelf or counter depth before you buy.
Why Toast Comes Out Uneven, And What Bagel Mode Does
Nearly every toaster leaves some patches. In a comparison of 16 models, most showed at least some uneven spots, and expensive smart toasters didn't score much better on bread than cheap ones (TechGearLab). On four-slice and long-slot models, the inner slots can run hotter than the outer ones (Recipes Cal). Start on a middle setting, run one test slice, and adjust.
A bagel button turns down the outer elements so the cut side crisps while the rounded side only warms. Results vary: one review found a budget two-slicer browned bagels on one side only, as intended, but burnt one side of frozen waffles (Taste of Home). If you eat a lot of bagels, look for a bagel setting and slots at least an inch and a half wide.
Frozen or defrost settings add time to thaw bread first. A reheat button warms toast that has gone cold without browning it further. A cancel button stops the cycle and pops the bread up.
Crumbs, Recalls And Toaster Fires
Toaster fires usually start with crumbs, stuck food or an element that stays on. Several older models have been recalled for that last fault. Hamilton Beach recalled about 300,000 Classic Chrome toasters in 2011 because the elements could stay on after the bread popped up (CPSC), and Black+Decker recalled Infrawave toasters whose circuit boards could overheat (CPSC). We found no recall covering any toaster on this page.
Empty the crumb tray every week or two, and more often if you toast every day. Unplug the toaster before cleaning or when you're away, never push a fork or knife into the slots, and keep it out from under cabinets and away from curtains while it's on. Sugary or greasy pastries can drip onto the elements, so check the manual before toasting them, and use a low setting.
If you'd rather fix a toaster than replace it, Dualit sells replacement elements, timers and crumb trays for its classic models (Dualit). Most cheap toasters aren't built to be opened.
How we researched this
We compared 17 toasters, read makers' specifications and three published toaster comparisons from TechGearLab, Taste of Home and Recipes Cal, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.
Frequently asked questions
Is a four-slice toaster worth it?
Only if three or more people eat toast together, or if two people want different shades. Pick a model with a separate dial for each pair of slots, like the Cuisinart CPT-180.
What does the bagel button do?
It toasts the cut side of a bagel while only warming the rounded side. Put the cut side facing the inside of the slot, as the manual shows.
Which toaster is better for bagels, Breville or KitchenAid?
We found no test that put them head to head. One review found Breville's die-cast two-slicer browned bagels evenly, while KitchenAid's two-slicer did well but took a long time, and its high setting smoked.
Is an expensive smart toaster worth it?
For toast quality alone, rarely. Lab results put pricey smart models close to cheap ones on plain bread. You pay for motorized lifts, long slots, displays and build quality.
How long does a toaster last?
No maker publishes a lifespan, and we found no reliable data. Cheap models often fail at the lever or timer. Dualit sells spare parts, so its classic toasters can be repaired.
How much power does a toaster use?
The toasters here are rated between about 800 and 1,800 watts, but a cycle lasts only a few minutes, so the cost per day is a few cents at most.
