{"id":1967044,"date":"2024-03-11T12:12:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T17:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=listicle&p=1967044"},"modified":"2025-06-02T09:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T14:45:09","slug":"best-toasters","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/collection\/best-toasters\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Toasters, According to Our Product Testing Team"},"content":{"rendered":"[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST VALUE\" product_name=\"Proctor Silex Toaster\" pros=\"Very inexpensive\" pros1=\"Lightweight yet sturdy\" pros2=\"Not incredibly fancy, but looks nice on a counter\" pros3=\"Surprisingly resistant to fingerprints\" pros4=\"Easy to remove the crumb tray for cleaning\" pros5=\"3-year warranty\" pros6=\"Easy to use\" pros7=\"Extra-wide slots of a variety of bread slices\" cons=\"Plastic lever has the potential to break\" cons1=\"Few choices in color or finish\" cons2=\"May not be the most durable\" image=\"1967629\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Wayfair\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Fkitchen-tabletop%2Fpdp%2Fproctor-silex-2-slice-durable-toaster-psx1277.html\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Wayfair\" retailers_2_name=\"Walmart\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FProctor-Silex-Wide-Slot-2-Slice-Toaster-White-22216PS%2F253891831\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" retailers_3_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B09G8JFDP9?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n\r\nIn our search for the best toasters, we considered options of all different price points. The Proctor Silex toaster<\/a> exceeded our expectations for a budget toaster, earning it a place as the best value toaster we tested. Despite ringing up at less than $25, it offers delightfully warm and crispy bread on the low setting, good (albeit slightly uneven) performance on medium and evenly dark toast on the highest setting. It's super easy to use, and we love the extra-wide slots for a variety of breads, waffles and pastries, too.\r\n\r\nSure, the unit is basic and has its drawbacks. Cancel is the only button besides the toast dial; you definitely need to lift the lever for burn-free removal of squat slices and there's no bagel setting (although in our tests the unit certainly was capable of blonding one up without burning it). There's also no frozen\/defrost setting. But despite its limitations, the toaster was a top performer with frozen waffles, delivering a nice golden tone to both sides. It offers passable performance for toaster pastries, too. There's no designated setting, so we just used low heat. The center came out warm and the edges of the pastry did get brown.\r\n\r\nDespite the disadvantages that come with it being a relatively inexpensive model, we actually find the lightweight materials a plus for families with kids since its easy to move. It's also more stable than expected from a budget pick, plus it's pretty easy to clean\u2014in testing, it was surprisingly resistant to fingerprints, and the crumb tray was easy to remove. Those expecting an inexpensive toaster that performs as expected will find the Proctor Silex toaster a suitable option.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST ON AMAZON\" product_name=\"Amazon Basics Toaster\" pros=\"Very affordable\" pros1=\"Offers pretty even toasting, especially compared to pricier models\" pros2=\"Super easy to clean and empty crumbs\" pros3=\"Bagel symbol indicates which way to insert halves\" pros4=\"Includes a cancel button\" pros5=\"1-year limited U.S. warranty\" cons=\"Ridges in dial may pick up more dirt and grime\" cons1=\"No option for different colors and finishes\" image=\"1967624\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Amazon\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B072P11H8L?tag=tohmke-20\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n\r\nOnly available on Amazon, the Amazon Basics toaster<\/a> doesn't tout itself as smart or stylish. But for an Amazon Basic item, this toaster feels more substantial than others. It's affordable, compact and the finish is very attractive, with a black matte body, a brushed stainless finish on the side control panel and a black shade dial and control lever. It's classy, slip-resistant and durable.\r\n\r\nWe were most impressed with the liftable lever, which gave generous clearance for fingers to grab the short English muffin slices. The lowest toaster setting offered no browning, but the bread was nicely crispy. Medium produced a couple of black spots, and there's a thin rim around the edges that isn't quite as toasted as the rest. Despite that, it was really quite even compared to the other options we tested.\r\n\r\nWhile an excellent choice for toast, it leaves a little to be desired when it comes to bagels and waffles. Only one side of each bagel half was browned up, so the performance wasn't very even. But this was still more successful than some of the competitors. On the other hand, there was no redeeming the waffle setting\u2014one side came out 70% burnt and the other side was only slightly golden.\r\n\r\nThat said, low heat made a near-perfect pastry\u2014second only to the KitchenAid (which costs six times more). For the price and convenience of Prime shipping, it's worth snagging one of these if you don't need something outrageously fancy, but some more expensive models are a bit more functional.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST OVERALL\" product_name=\"Beautiful by Drew Toaster\" pros=\"Affordable price\" pros1=\"Beautiful accents, colors and rounded look\" pros2=\"Touchscreen operation feels luxe\" pros3=\"As-expected browning under all settings\" pros4=\"Extra-wide slots fit most breads, aside from a few squat options\" pros5=\"Easy to clean (matte colors and upper chrome forgiving to fingerprints)\" pros6=\"Lift function makes it easy to remove slices\" pros7=\"Removable crumb tray\" cons=\"Requires a light hand when pulling down the lever\" cons1=\"Power button flashes while off, which we found a little irritating\" cons2=\"Works a little slowly\" image=\"1967633\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Walmart\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBeautiful-2-Slice-Toaster-with-Touch-Activated-Display-White-Icing-by-Drew-Barrymore%2F872653889\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" \/]\r\n\r\nTopping our list of the best toasters is none other than the Beautiful toaster<\/a> from Drew Barrymore's Walmart line<\/a>. This toaster offers the same sleek look as the line's cookware set<\/a>, a bonus in our book. Because it comes in multiple colors\u2014black sesame, cornflower blue, lavender, oyster grey, rose, sage green, white icing\u2014it effortlessly blends in with a range of decor styles. Even better, the matte finish doesn't show fingerprints after regular use. It also arrived with zero dents or dings thanks to its robust, recyclable packaging. Win!\r\n\r\nTouchscreen operation adds a layer of luxe to this already pretty toaster, and the gold embellishments on the lever round out the look. When unplugged, the controls disappear for a pleasant neutral display. The lever also offers a lift function to help remove squat breads like English muffins. The toaster itself doesn't slide around during operation, but our testers recommend using a light hand while pulling down the lever to avoid tipping the toaster forward.\r\n\r\nDuring our tests, we were most impressed with the waffle setting, which browned all over and completely defrosted the waffle's interior\u2014something the other toasters we tested struggled with. Interestingly, the manual said not to toast pastries with runny fillings or icing. We went ahead anyway for science, using the lowest setting. It turned out fine, so in our opinion it's certainly possible to still enjoy pastries with this toaster.\r\n\r\nOn the lightest toast setting, this was one of the quickest toasters to finish. It adds a substantial crisp on both sides of the bread without any browning. The medium setting offers a nice all-over browning that even reaches the edges. Finally, the darkest setting gave our testing team some of the most even toasting we've seen (albeit too dark for our tastes). We didn't love the loud beeping and power button flashing on and off, but those were mild annoyances in comparison to how functional it worked.\r\n\r\nOverall, the toaster is easy to clean, looks lovely on the counter and offers as-expected browning for all settings. It's an especially great pick for those who don't love clunky appliances sitting on their countertop, thanks to the overall gorgeous look of this one. What more could you ask for in a mid-price toaster?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"MOST STYLISH\" product_name=\"SMEG Toaster\" pros=\"Gorgeous design is easy to use and backed by strong, quality materials\" pros1=\"11 different sizes, shades and finishes available\" pros2=\"Easy to clean and de-crumb\" pros3=\"Includes a stop button\" pros4=\"Has defrost and bagel buttons\" pros5=\"1-year warranty\" pros6=\"Available in a variety of colors\" cons=\"No lift function on the lever\" cons1=\"Easily shows fingerprints\" cons2=\"Won\u2019t fit squatter slices\" cons3=\"Expensive\" image=\"1967630\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Wayfair\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Fkitchen-tabletop%2Fpdp%2Fsmeg-50s-retro-style-2-slice-toaster-sgme1050.html%3Fpiid%3D17564139\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Wayfair\" retailers_2_name=\"West Elm\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.westelm.com%2Fproducts%2Fmrk-smeg-toaster-2-slice-e870%2F\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on West Elm\" retailers_3_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B010TSWBEA?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n\r\nThe only thing better than enjoying a freshly toasted piece of sourdough? Enjoying a freshly toasted piece of sourdough that was made with style<\/em>. The best toasters offer more than just good looks, and the SMEG toaster<\/a> does much more than look pretty on a counter. This toaster is a beautiful appliance<\/a>, featuring rounded corners, a shiny chrome finish, a brushed stainless top and a cute round lever. The distinctive retro style is a definite eye-catcher. It also comes in a whopping total of 11 different colors, sizes and finishes.\r\n\r\nSince it's made from alloy steel, it's surprisingly resistant to dents and dings. The feet are a rubbery silicone that prevent slips and slides. In terms of settings, options for defrost and bagels are both available, and the toaster performed decently with each. The SMEG toaster<\/a> fully defrosted the waffle, though there were several darker patches present on the surface. The bagel was a bit blonde for our taste, but a second round of toasting would bring it to a nice medium brown. In terms of pastry performance, it gave us a thoroughly warmed pastry with an ooey, gooey center. Yum!\r\n\r\nThe lowest toast setting offered zero browning, but there's a definitely crisp to the exterior of the bread. It's about as light as you could possibly go while still constituting as toast. Medium gave us an impressively even brown on all sides, but was overall pretty dark for mid-level toast. The highest setting produced fully black toast with one strip of bread at the bottom that was less toasted than the rest. We consider this one's performance on-par with the lower priced toasters on our list. However, those looking for something with a fun aesthetic that works as expected will find this one worth the higher price point.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST SPLURGE\" product_name=\"Caf\u00e9 Express Toaster\" pros=\"Gorgeous, high-end look and feel\" pros1=\"Some of the most even browning we\u2019ve seen on the middle setting\" pros2=\"Stays securely in place; no sliding\" pros3=\"Crumb tray easy to remove, clean and replace\" pros4=\"Bagel symbol indicates which way to insert halves\" pros5=\"1-year warranty\" pros6=\"Multiple toasting options\" cons=\"Not the best option for frozen waffles\" cons1=\"Pricier than other options on this list\" cons2=\"No retractable cord\" image=\"1967635\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Amazon\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B09647X35M?tag=tohmke-20\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_2_name=\"Wayfair\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Fkitchen-tabletop%2Fpdp%2Fcafe-2-slice-toaster-geca1432.html\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Wayfair\" \/]\r\n\r\nOne of the most frustrating parts of ordering a toaster online is not seeing it in person first, especially when the product is on the pricey side. However, we can assure you that the Caf\u00e9 Express toaster<\/a> is truly as beautiful as it is effective. An eye-catching brushed stainless finish with copper accents on the knobs and feet look put-together. Shoppers enjoy a choice of three shades: black matte, white matte and stainless steel. While fingerprints do show on this upper-price pick after operating and cleaning, they easily wipe away with a microfiber cloth.\r\n\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nThis toaster also boasts a liftable lever, but we didn't find it necessary in our tests\u2014we could easily retrieve our English muffin without employing that feature. While it won't win any awards for waffles (one side burnt in the center while the other side was evenly yet overly brown), toaster pastries came out with golden brown edges and a filling heated to the just-right temperature. Bagels are a tight squeeze, but the bagel setting doesn't burn them either\u2014you'll have no problem toasting up your yummy New York bagel haul from Goldbelly<\/a>.\r\n\r\nThose who prefer light toast may be disappointed with the uneven browning and varying intensity on the lowest setting. However, folks that fit squarely in the center (not too light and not too dark) will certainly appreciate the evenness and pleasant mid-toastiness that the medium setting offers. The highest setting was also one of the most passable of the group, with only the top third portion of the bread being slightly overdone.\r\n\r\nOverall, this is a nice-looking toaster that offers good bang for its buck and is our favorite of the high-end toasters we tried. Just note that it doesn't have a retractable cord, but we wouldn't dub that a deal-breaker.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST ALL-PURPOSE\" product_name=\"KitchenAid Toaster\" pros=\"Sleek look that comes in six shades and finishes\" pros1=\"Incredibly stable and lever feels high-quality\" pros2=\"Shade dial has an audible click, so you know it\u2019s properly set\" pros3=\"A bell sounds when each toast session is finished\" pros4=\"Bagel symbol indicates which way to insert halves\" pros5=\"1-year warranty\" pros6=\"Bagel and defrost settings\" cons=\"Toasts more slowly than other picks on this list\" cons1=\"3-prong plug may not work with all outlets\" cons2=\"Fingerprint magnet\" cons3=\"May not be the most durable\" image=\"1967628\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Perigold\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perigold.com%2FKitchenAid%25C2%25AE--KitchenAid%25C2%25AE-2Slice-Toaster-with-Manual-Lift-Lever-KMT2115-L7426-K~P001693921.html\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Perigold\" retailers_2_name=\"Walmart\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FKitchenAid-2-Slice-Toaster-with-Manual-Lift-Lever-Contour-Silver-KMT2115%2F39668326\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" retailers_3_name=\"KitchenAid\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com\/click-9070496-10441960?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitchenaid.com%2Fcountertop-appliances%2Ftoasters%2Ftwo-slice%2Fp.2-slice-toaster.kmt2109sx.html\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on KitchenAid\" retailers_4_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_4_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B007P204UM?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_4_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" \/]\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAs evidenced in our KitchenAid mixer review<\/a>, we're already pretty big fans of the appliance brand. That's why we're excited that the KitchenAid toaster's<\/a> easy controls, perfect browning and sleek look secured it a spot as the best all-purpose option. We chose the Empire Red model with reflective red plastic sides and a brushed stainless top band, though it's available in five other colors and finishes. Chrome vents on the side give it a retro automobile feel that we love.\r\n\r\n\"A\r\n\r\nThat said, this is definitely one of the best toasters for those who prefer light to medium-dark toast. The highest setting churned out smoking pieces that looked pretty inedible and the medium setting was a bit more brown than we'd expect. Most folks will find that the sweet spot is the lowest setting, which offers a golden brown, even toast that extends the whole length of each bread slice.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, though, is that the KitchenAid toaster performs well across the board. In our tests involving waffles and a toaster pastry on low, it performed nicely. The waffle had a nice golden brown on the parts that are brown, and the insides were warmed through. We were most impressed with the toaster pastry, which warmed up nicely in the middle and got a little golden around the edges. It also offers a perfect bagel with a golden-brown hue and a few dark spots\u2014but dang, did it take a while to get there.\r\n\r\nThis guy is slow and steady\u2014though he did win some of the races. There are also bagel and keep warm functions (a nice pro). For a mid-price toaster, this met our expectations and, in some ways (looking at you, Pop Tarts<\/a>), exceeded them.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"BEST SMART\" product_name=\"Breville Toaster\" pros=\"Has \u201cLift and Look\u201d and \u201cA Bit More\u201d buttons\" pros1=\"Modern and attractive look\" pros2=\"Toaster is very stable, without being \u201csticky\u201d\" pros3=\"Automated lever button\" pros4=\"Fits squatter slices at an angle\" pros5=\"Shows virtually zero fingerprints\" pros6=\"2- and 3-year warranties for purchase\" cons=\"Does not come with manual\" cons1=\"No choice of color or finish\" cons2=\"Pricey\" cons3=\"May be a bit slower than other options\" image=\"1967626\" image_credit=\"EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME\" pr_name=\"Breville\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breville.com%2Fen-us%2Fproduct%2Fbta820\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Breville\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00140SC64?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"Walmart\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBreville-Die-Cast-2-Slice-Toaster%2F162109744\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on Walmart\" \/]\r\n\r\nSmart toasters are a great fit for those who consider their toaster one of their most-used appliances (or for BLT fanatics<\/a> like us). Because of this, our list of the best toasters wouldn't be complete without this top-performing Breville smart toaster.<\/a> So, what makes this luxury small appliance<\/a> so smart? You won't find a gimmicky LED screen or touch controls here. Instead, it's what's inside<\/em> that takes this toaster to the next level.\r\n\r\n\"Breville\r\n\r\nBagels and toaster pastries come out perfectly bronzed, and waffles are defrosted with a pleasant golden-brown color on one side. Brava, Breville! In terms of toast, the lowest setting offers a really nice kiss of brown all over. The medium setting gives similarly even results, despite a grid outline of the rungs on one side of the bread as opposed to the solid browning present on the reverse sides. Each piece was pleasantly crispy. In our tests of the highest setting, some portions of the bread are just dark brown versus actual black. That may be a pro for some who prefer dark brown toast to blackened pieces.\r\n\r\nThis is one of only two toasters that could fit the 7.25-in. squat sourdough bread (at an angle). Remarkably, the Breville also hides fingerprints very well. You'd think no one has ever touched it! Extras include a \"Lift and Look\" button which pauses the toast cycle, raises up the bread for viewing, then lowers it. A button labeled \"A Bit More\" does exactly that, adding a bit more time to the toasting clock. Both buttons are a nice touch, and two of the features that makes this option a standout. A bar on the bottom shows the toaster's progress, so it's easy to know when breakfast is ready at a glance.\r\n\r\nOverall, we found this a good pick for home cooks that should last much longer than its inexpensive counterparts.\r\n\r\n\r\n

Products on Our Radar<\/h2>\r\n