Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
It’s pricey, but we recommend it if you want the best. Read More
This toaster is not only beautifully designed, it toasts evenly and very quickly. Read More
This newcomer is pricey but worth it if evenly sliced bread at every setting is important to you. It turns out batch after batch consistently too. Read More
This technology-enhanced model touchscreen controls and browns quickly and evenly, but is very expensive for a toaster. Read More
This is a bare-bones toaster with no settings other than cancel. However, it toasts quickly and evenly. Read More
The world of toasters has some exciting bells and whistles, but the best two-slice toasters also excel at what matters—crisping up bread slices, bagels, and frozen waffles without scorching them.
We tested top-selling models to find the best two-slice toasters at the right price. We deliberated about the perfect color for toast, searched for the bagel setting, and struggled to grab the small half of an English muffin from toaster slots. After testing, our favorite is the Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster (available at Amazon) . This Breville doesn’t come cheap, but its even toasting and solid build—plus some special features—make it an absolute pleasure to use.
If you're looking for something more robust, see our recommendations for the best toaster ovens or the best four-slice toasters.
The Zwilling 2-Slice Toaster is our pick for best upgrade.
This touchscreen toaster features all the bells and whistles for a premium 2-slice toaster.
Even toasting
Inexpensive
No special settings
Crumb tray isn't removable
Very beautifully designed
Even toasting
Expensive for a pop-up toaster
Sturdy and well built
Even toasting
Consistent toasting
Struggles to pop up English muffins
Fairly even toasting
Cheerful design
Struggles to pop up English muffins
Attractive design and sturdy construction
Quick toasting setting
Expensive for a pop-up toaster
Setting lights are difficult to see
Struggles to pop up English muffins
Even toasting
beautiful design
Unintuitive toasting bagels
Browns a little dark
Even toasting
Sides stay cool to touch
Struggles to pop up English Muffins
Solid
Well-built
Attractive design
Toasts unevenly
Very expensive
Struggles to pop up English muffins
Hi, I'm Sharon Franke, and I’ve been reviewing kitchen equipment for the past 30 years. In addition to testing and writing about everything from bagel slicers to bread machines, I’m a passionate home cook.
Before I became obsessed with cooking appliances and tools of all kinds, I spent seven years working as a professional chef in New York City restaurants. While I’m always on the lookout for the newest recipes and restaurants to try, when I’m cocooning at home—more often than not—it’s a toasted bagel that’s on my plate.
Consistency is everything when it comes to testing toasters. We weighted it very highly in our scores.
Each two-slice pop-up electric toaster we tested was rated first and foremost on how well it toasts bread. We looked for a range of toast shades and even toasting on all sides. We also tested for consistency across repeated use, and we checked out the bagel setting.
We also considered user experience, including how easy the controls are to use and whether the special features—defrost setting, bagel option, etc.—are actually helpful. The heating elements for all the toasters caused the appliances to get too hot to touch around the slots, so we tested whether English muffins and bagels popped up high enough to grab without burning your fingers.
We also evaluated how well each one was constructed, including wide slot and long slot toasters built to handle different types of bread. And while we didn’t include appearance or size in our ratings, we took them into consideration, as this is one kitchen appliance that will almost certainly take up counter space in your home.
Get the most out of your toaster with these tips.
Different types of bread require different settings to toast evenly. A slice of white bread might need a lower temperature and less time to toast well, while a thick rye bread might need a higher setting to reach the right crispiness.
Learning toaster settings is also important to get the toast you want. Be patient and let the toaster work properly instead of hitting the cancel button to check it. Stopping the toaster and starting it again is a great way to burn your toast, since the timer starts over, but the bread is nearly done.
Another common mistake is putting bagels into the toaster the wrong way. If your toaster doesn’t have a bagel setting, put the bagel soft side facing in to prevent it from toasting unevenly or burning. Bagels are dense and require more toasting time than a slice of bread, so learn your settings to avoid burning your breakfast.
Toasters are prone to gathering dust, lint, and even (disgustingly) bugs. Keeping your appliance clean is important, and requires more than just giving it a shake over your kitchen sink.
First, unplug the toaster so that you won’t electrocute yourself. Then, pull the crumb tray out and gently wash it with warm water and dish soap.
While the crumb tray dries, clean the bread slots with a damp cloth doused in vinegar. Make sure not to wet the toaster too much, because it will take a long time to dry. Wipe the toaster’s insides with a damp cloth to remove any leftover vinegar residue and let it dry upside down, giving it one last shake for good measure. If the idea of dust and bugs in your appliance understandably grosses you out, you can also purchase a cover to protect it.
Sharon Franke
Contributor
Sharon has been testing kitchen equipment for the past 30 years. Before becoming a cooking tools maven, she worked as a professional chef in New York City restaurants for seven years.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
Shoot us an email
