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10 Best Toasters 2022 | The Strategist

10 Best Toasters 2022 | The Strategist

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

I’m a self-professed toast snob, which has made me a little obsessive about finding the right toaster. In my mind, a toaster should produce a hot and crispy slice, no matter the sort of bread, within the blink of an eye. I prefer my toast to be ombré like a sunset, with a lemon-colored center and amber edges, but you should have a number of shade options for whatever you’re feeling. In this toaster-scape that’s chock-full of choices, it’s hard to find one that does this all easily.

So I talked with 11 fellow toast-heads and tested four different models — though I lost count of how much toast I’ve eaten over the past few months. There are the simple, industrial-inspired options — like your KitchenAids and your Cuisinarts — the retro-inspired, and even the avant-garde, like an Italian-designed Alessi covered in plissé pleats. But regardless of the look, the best toasters will make the perfect piece of toast every time you press that lever; here are some of my favorites.

Best overall | Best (less expensive) | Best long-slot | Best with extra-wide slots | Best (less expensive) with extra-wide slots | Best high design | Best (less expensive) high design | Best overall oven | Best (less expensive) oven | Best steam oven

Slots: Toasters are usually available in either a two- or four-slice capacity, and often the same model can come in either capacity. Where there’s more variability is in the width and length of the slot, which is why your favorite slice fits into one toaster but can’t even make it halfway through another. So let me introduce two industry terms: long-slot and extra-wide slots. A long-slot toaster is usually at least 14 inches long, with an almost exaggerated shape, and it is good for accommodating slices from artisan loaves. Extra-wide slots tend to be marketed as 1.5 inches wide, and those are nice if you’re dealing with a lot of bagels. These terms aren’t standard, and are all somewhat abstract, so I’ve called out if a toaster brands itself in a particular way — but read the descriptions from our experts to better understand slot specifics. In general, I found that toasters with extra-wide slots were the most versatile.

Browning settings: You’ve probably set a toaster dial wrong and ended up with a slice that looks like it was accidentally dipped into a black paint can. So even though most toasters have some sort of dial to represent different levels of brownness, these can vary between models. (A “1” on one may be the same as a “3” on another.) Here, I’m calling out how many levels of done, as well as if there are any specific adjacent functions.

Size: So you know if a toaster will fit into the spot you have in mind.

Extras: You could spend $20 or $200 on a toaster. They essentially do the same thing. But the more high-end you go, the more you (generally) get. That could include lights to make numbers easier to read for barely awake eyes. Maybe there are bread-specific features, like for white versus whole grain. Or it might be all about the design. This is an item that’s probably going to get prime kitchen real estate — so it should look the part.

KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever

$80 now 25% off

From $60

4 extra-wide slots | 5 browning settings | 11.4” x 11.62” x 7.48” | High-lift lever

I tested this KitchenAid toaster for three months (and am still using it at least three times a week), and from the time I put it on my counter to now, it’s popped out perfectly golden toast. It’s got five browning settings, each of which is distinct; 1 gives you a barely there blond, while 5 gets you to scorched territory. I prefer a 2, which produces that sundown shade I talked about earlier, whether I’ve put in a slice of an already brown multigrain from the bag or a hand-cut chunk of ciabatta.

There are two features that really make the design stand out from all the other toasters I have tested and owned. First are the extra-wide slots, which have let me toast slices from thicker loaves — something I couldn’t do with my past toasters. The high-lift lever also means I’m able to delicately take toast from the top without having to play the saddest game of hot potato. Plus, the KitchenAid lets out an assertive beep when toast is ready — so I never have to chew through cold toast because I couldn’t hear a ding. I have put it through the wringer with Pardilla family brunches, where pancake-like stacks of toast are passed around. That KitchenAid quality is no joke: One Amazon review I read before the brand sent it over described the toaster as “built as solid as a 1957 Buick.” I have accidentally banged the toaster around and there’s not a scratch on it. And there’s a certain Jetsons-like charm to it — I could see it lasting well into the future.

From $60 at Amazon

Buy

$80 at KitchenAid

Buy

Black+Decker 2-Slice Extra-Wide Slot Toaster

$73

2 extra-wide slots | 7 browning settings | 7.25 x 12.75 x 9.25 | Self-centering guides on slots

I heard about this Black+Decker toaster from Alexandra Shytsman, recipe developer and founder of recipe blog The New Baguette. Though this toaster doesn’t have the bells and whistles of others, it’s reliable and has earned a permanent place on Shytsman’s countertop for the past two years. It’s small but mighty: Its extra-wide slots are as advertised, and Shytsman puts everything from thicker-cut bagels to Ezekiel bread inside. The self-centering slots ensure an even toasting, and like our pick for best overall toaster, the lever on the Black+Decker helps Shytsman get the tinier items out of the toaster, like English muffins, without having to reach in with a tong.

$73 at Amazon

Buy

$73 at Amazon

Buy

Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster

$200

$200

2 long-slots | 5 browning settings with progress bar | 7.7” x 14. 9” x 7.5” | One-touch lowering, LED lights, “A Bit More,” and “Lift & Look” features

“It’s the toaster for toast people” is how Ali Slagle, author of I Dream of Dinner (So You Don’t Have To), described this Breville Die-Cast. The big selling point is the toaster’s duo of wider long-slots, designed for up to four slices. This allows you to get toast to a shade resembling the inside of a toasted nut, Slagle says.

But it also has a number of features to satisfy even the most discerning of toast people. “This might sound funny, but it’s a graceful machine,” Slagle says, adding that it “dings kindly when it’s ready.” Michael East of Griddle King likes that it doesn’t “pop” like other toasters, so crumbs aren’t left all over the place. There’s the cheekily named “A Bit More” button that you can press if you really just want a little extra bit of browning and “avoid doing a full second round of toasting,” Slagle says. “Lift & Look” is for those who are “nervous you went too high on the setting or are trying to really fine-tune the browning,” says Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio, who owns a similar version of this specific model. As does Laura Arnold, a culinary producer and cookbook consultant, who promises that “this toaster does all the work for you.”

Breville The Toast Select Luxe

$180 now 30% off

$126

2 extra-wide slots | 6 settings with progress bar | 8.2” x 7.9” x 13.4” | Preset toast types, “A Bit More” and “Lift & Look” functions

Anna Stockwell, a food stylist and recipe developer, hasn’t found anything bread that doesn’t fit through the wide-slotted Breville Select Luxe. “The slots are plenty wide for bagels and thick slices of sourdough,” she says. It’s an updated version of the Breville, above, and it comes with preset settings including for whole wheat bread and muffins. But Stockwell’s favorite function is “frozen,” as she keeps her gluten-free bread fresh in the freezer, which accounts for defrosting without sacrificing toastiness. This toaster also gets brownie points for aesthetics, which Stockwell describes as “ retro-chic.”

$126 at Amazon

Buy

$200 at Breville

Buy

Cuisinart Classic 2-Slice Toaster

$50

$50

2 or 4 extra-wide slots | 6 browning settings | Manual lift-lever, LED indicator lights

As a more affordable alternative, the Cuisinart Classic comes recommended by recipe developer Rebecca Firkser. The 1.5-inch toaster slots are the same thickness that Firkser typically cuts bread. Even with these extra-wide slots, it’s small enough for her kitchen. Firkser only has “a weirdly deep corner between the stove and sink that can’t do much else but store stuff,” and that’s where this toaster sits. It has been a fixture in her kitchen even after eight years, four apartments, seven roommates, “and many (many) slices of bread.” It’s lasted through high levels of heat, too — she prefers charred (but not burnt) pieces of toast. “It’s nothing fancy, but it does exactly what you need it to do, and does it well,” Firkser promises. Food stylist María del Mar Cuadra owns the also “unobtrusive” four-slice version and favors it to too-slow toaster ovens.

Smeg 4-Slice Toaster

$280

2 or 4 slots | 6 browning settings | 13” x 11.75” x 7.5” | Ball lever knobs, non-slip feet, enamel finish 

The retro Smeg toaster is a staple on wedding registries and new homeowner wish lists, and you can spot it on celebrities’ kitchen countertops, like Saturday Night Live’s Chloe Fineman and Food Network star Molly Yeh. And the aesthetics are a large part of the appeal. “It feels like the logical adult upgrade to the Easy-Bake Oven I loved so much as a kid,” says Hadley Sui, author of Oishisou!! The Ultimate Anime Dessert Cookbook. Sui always gets “a crisp surface with some chewy give in the middle of the slice” on the lowest setting. I tried it on everything from Arnold’s country-style white to Pepperidge Farm’s whole grain and frozen Belgian waffles from Trader Joe’s and never had to switch the dial over from 1. It’s not perfect: I found that sesame seeds can catch on the top edge of the toaster, and the Strategist’s kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman is convinced that her Smeg leaves one side of toast darker than the other. But if you’re able and willing to spend the money, and want a toaster that’ll mostly get the job done, the Smeg will definitely look the part.

Hay Sowden Toaster

$95

1 long-slot | 7 browning settings | 7. 7” x 6” x 7.7” | Warming tray on top

Hay is one of our most-written-about brands at the Strategist, known for its playful designs. This toaster is a member of Hay’s colorful Sowden collection, named after designer George Sowden, who created the pieces from his Milanese studio. It’s joy inducing, resembling a toy you’d find in a kid’s pretend kitchen. The red dial on the blue version reminds me of a clown’s nose even. But don’t be deceived by how the toaster looks, however. The Sowden means business. I found that cleaved-off pieces of ciabatta become perfectly crunchy and crispy-edged. Though the very tip of a taller toast might stick out. The tray top also doubles as a place to freshen once-flaky pastries.

Panasonic FlashXpress Toaster Oven

$170 now 12% off

From $150

No slots | 5 browning settings | 13” x 10.25” x 12” | Temperature control, adjustable interior brightness, LED indicator lights, pre-set cooking functions

“If I could have one appliance, and one appliance only, it would be a toaster oven,” writes Strategist contributor Sarah Leon. In the middle of a renovation, she had to improvise a makeshift kitchen, and this Panasonic became an essential, if unexpected, star of it. Part of the toaster oven’s magic is based on its “smart sensor,” which automatically turns the machine’s heat on and off to keep what’s inside at just the right temperature. “It heats up very quickly and doesn’t have to be on for a long time,” she explains. And her husband has even cooked lobster in it. “Something about the infrared technology also means that it makes the best toast. I can’t explain it; you’ll have to trust me,” Leon says.

From $150 at Amazon

Buy

$137 at Walmart

Buy

Hamilton Beach 31142 Toaster Oven

$70

No slots | Three toast-specific settings | 9.88” x 16.54” x 13.11” | Additional functions including for baking and broiling, adjustable temperature, three knobs

You can only choose between three toast-specific settings on this Hamilton Beach, but that’s more than enough for Snackable Bakes author Jessie Sheehan. Each is represented by a drawing of toast on the right side of the last dial — the middle of the three gives Sheehan a super-hot slice that becomes perfectly butter-soaked in spots. Deli-style bagels are also just a turn of a dial away. In between “bake” and “broil,” a convenient “bagel” function toasts the side of a bagel that’s cut while purely warming the round part. It also helps her make a mean chicken parm for her younger son, while her husband relies on it to roast pepitas destined to go in salads. “There’s absolutely nothing sexy about it, and yet it is a workhorse that has never failed me,” Sheehan says.

$70 at Amazon

Buy

$50 at Walmart

Buy

Balmuda The Toaster Oven

$299

No slots | 15 settings on timed dial | 14.1” x 12.6” x 8.2” | Modes for sandwiches, artisan breads, and pizza, with optional oven temperatures 

This is the tricked-out toaster made famous by Emily Mariko. “The Toaster Oven” — as it’s called, designed by Japanese home-appliance brand Balmuda — is double the price of Panasonic’s. But it really is the Ferrari of steam ovens. In Balmuda’s case, you pour a teaspoon of water into a top opening to heat up what’s inside. It’s undoubtedly unique — the company sent me one to try out — with toast getting a lighter texture compared to other toasters. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, a food writer and editor who also owns one, supplied a more scientific explanation for this: As “the steam replicates a professional bread oven,” the crust becomes crunchier, while the center of bread stays moist and corners get crisper. The effect really re-creates the taste of just-baked bread, as promised.

But it’s the bonus features you’re getting that helps that $300 price tag. I got gooey, better-than-panini-pressed grilled cheese with the sandwich-specific setting. Hoeffner uses the pizza function to get as close to a box-fresh slice as possible. Even her croissants turn “extra fluffy and fantastic to pull apart.” Hoeffner adds: “It’s the perfect countertop appliance,” especially if you don’t have much to spare.

$299 at Amazon

Buy

$299 at Nordstrom

Buy

• Carrie Carrollo, copywriter and digital content creator
• Michael East, owner of Griddle King
• María del Mar Cuadra, food stylist
• Rebecca Firkser, recipe developer
• Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, food writer and editor
• Sarah Leon, Strategist contributor
• Alexandra Shytsman, recipe developer and founder of The New Baguette
• Ali Slagle, author of I Dream of Dinner (So You Don’t Have To)
• Hadley Sui, author of Oishisou!! The Ultimate Anime Dessert Cookbook
• Anna Stockwell, food stylist and recipe developer
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor
• Emma Wartzman, Strategist kitchen and dining writer

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The 10 Very Best Toasters

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

The Best Toasters (2022), Tested and Reviewed

If you have a small kitchen and limited countertop space, the best toaster may not be a top priority. Yet there are times when there is simply no replacement for its convenience—like when you have a kid and that kid decides that bread, and frozen waffles, and bagels, and English muffins, and the rest of the toastable gluten-verse are going to be the foundation of his food pyramid. And if you're truly short on space, a toaster beats a toaster oven any day.

For all the toastable-gluten heads out there, we went on the hunt for the best toaster. We wanted to find one well-designed enough to fit neatly into a small space, sturdy enough to stand up to near constant use, and reliable enough to perform a grab bag of tasks ably, whether during a rushed school-day breakfast or leisurely weekend brunch. We also wanted to know if there was there ever a reason to spend $300 on a toaster—or would a $35 one suffice?

In order to find out, we made a lot of slices of toast in toasters from across the price spectrum. They ranged in price from $18 to $300, and came either in two-slice or four-slice formats. In the end we actually wanted to recommend six winners, which will satisfy toasting needs regardless of space limitations or budget.

Read on to learn more about our winners, the other toasters we tested, and the specifics of how we tested each toaster.

Table of contents: 

The best two-slice toaster overall
The best budget two-slice toaster
Another great budget two-slice toaster
The best high-design toaster
The best four-slice toaster overall
The best budget four-slice toaster
How we tested 
What we looked for
Other toasters we tested
The takeaway


The best two-slice toaster overall: Breville Die-Cast

The Breville Die-Cast is an investment, but the sleek, leverless model called to us as soon as we took it out of the box—and once we set it up and started toasting and reheating, it didn't disappoint. Well-built, with a weighty frame and a stylish minimalist exterior, it was extremely stable on the counter without feeling bulky. The toasting slots were generously proportioned to handle both tall and thick slices, and the digital controls were attractive and intuitive to use. It turned out remarkably consistent results during all three tests, evenly toasting each slice of bread, easily defrosting and crisping waffles, and ably accommodating bagels. Some of the little touches that made it even more appealing: a smooth motorized lift that lowers and raises the slices from the toaster at the touch of a button, the sliding knob that sets the level of toastiness and flashes to count down the remaining cook time, and the pleasant "ding" that sounds to remind you when the job is done—a feature we suspect could be a godsend during hectic morning multitasking. One glowing Amazon reviewer dubbed this model the Cadillac of toasters—and after putting it through its paces, we agree.

Breville Die-Cast Toaster

$150 at Williams Sonoma

$150 at Breville


The best budget two-slice toaster: Professional Series Wide Slot 

Does the idea of spending $100 on a toaster make you incredulous? Relax. If you're willing to sacrifice some of the little luxuries, you can still get a good toaster: a reliable, everyday option for the price of a few boxes of Pop-Tarts. At first glance, the brushed steel exterior of the Pro Series looks sleek and feels sturdy and high-quality. It's still lightweight and petite though, should you need to tuck it away in a cabinet now and then to save on counter space. Unlike the other budget toasters tested, the Professional Series browned bread all the way to the edges of the slice perfectly. The extra-wide slots could easily accommodate pre-sliced sandwich bread and thick, hand-cut slices of sourdough alike.

The removable crumb tray is easy to clean, and it took under two minutes to get a light golden brown slice at the medium setting. The toaster has one function we suggest ignoring: A gluten free button. Because gluten-free bread is made from such a range of flours, one button is unlikely to catch the varied toast times needed. Still, beyond that trendy quirk, we loved this humble little toaster.

Professional Series 2-Slice Stainless Steel Wide Slot Toaster

$30 at Wayfair

$30 at Bed Bath & Beyond


Another great budget two-slice toaster: Oster Jelly Bean

Though, predictably, the build-quality of all the lower priced plastic toaster models was a little flimsy, the Oster toaster was better than almost all of the competition. Among the contenders surveyed, stainless steel (or faux-stainless) was the default finish, but the Jelly Bean goes a different route: The model we tried came with a curvy, matte charcoal exterior which, though not necessarily high-design, cleaned easily and seemed conveniently fingerprint- and smudge-proof. (And, if you’re looking for a pop of color in your kitchen: Amazon lists a bright eggplant purple as another option.) For the most part, the Oster Jelly Bean ticked off all the toasting boxes with passably consistent sliced bread, perfectly crisped waffles, and golden, chewy toasted bagels. The evenness of its toasting is particularly impressive at higher settings—so if you like your bread on the crunchy side, take note. A few quibbles: most slices come out of the toaster with a little “bald spot” on top—the result of the bread not sitting fully submerged in the slot. And the lever squeaks a bit when depressed. Annoying? Yes. Worth sacrificing the bargain performance? Probably not.

Oster Jelly Bean 2-Slice Toaster

$40 at Amazon

$30 at Target

$43.79 at Walmart


The best high-design toaster: Smeg '50s Retro-Style Toaster

We were suspicious that the Smeg toaster was going to be all style and no substance, but we were wrong. Using this machine is like having a little retro Italian sports car on your kitchen counter, with a well-built and expertly proportioned cherry red exterior, a sleek chrome toasting lever that sits in the hand like a gearshift, and a minimalist, intuitive control knob that spins with a satisfying click. And it doesn’t just sit there and look good: after toasting at low, medium, and high settings, slices emerged evenly browned (if a little on the dark side—this toaster does seem to run hot). Waffles and bagels came out with the a good texture balance of chewy and crunchy. The generous slots can easily accommodate tall slices, and a simple-to-slide-out crumb tray makes cleanup easy. Yes, it's a lot to spend on a toaster, but if you have the budget for it and design is a priority, you can feel good about taking the plunge on the Smeg. The Smeg toaster also comes in a variety of colors besides red, including black, chrome, cream, yellow, baby blue, light pink, pastel aqua.

Smeg Toaster

$200 at Amazon


The best four-slice toaster overall: Breville Die-Cast

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the best four-slice toasters are essentially doublewide versions of our two-slice picks. From a pure design standpoint, we initially leaned toward the long-slot toasters in our lineup, which can pack more slices into a slimmer space and are great if you have a small kitchen or clutter is a problem. But ultimately, we weren't wowed by the performance of these models and realized that, while bulkier, the side-by-side four-slot design of the Breville offered more customization for families or roommates—if one person wants a bagel and the other a waffle, or if one likes toast barely browned and the other likes toast as dark as a carbon shingle, that can all get done at the same time. The top-of-the-line Breville model is powered with 1800 watts and can be set to "toast," "bagel," or "defrost" via an illuminated LED side panel.

Breville 4-Slot Toaster

$200 at Breville


The best budget four-slice toaster: Oster Four-Slice

The Oster 4-Slice Toaster wasn't as nice as the Breville, but it also comes at a much-reduced price. Its extra-wide slots easily accommodate whatever you'd like to toast. You can tailor your toast level from light to dark (with seven levels in between to ensure the exact amount of crispness you desire), and the toaster offers options for bagels, frozen items, and reheating. The toaster's retractable cord also makes storage a breeze.

Oster 4-Slice Toaster

$73 at Target


How we tested the toasters

When it comes to toasting the perfect slice of toast, sliced white sandwich bread is the ultimate blank slate—so, for the first round, we grabbed a few bags of Wonder Bread to gauge how each machine could handle the basics. We toasted several pieces of bread at a low, medium, and high setting, got out a stopwatch to measure the toasting time, and compared each setting for consistency. We also tested the toasters with thicker slices of bread to see how they'd stand up to heftier carbs. To determine the toasters' defrosting and reheating capabilities, we used frozen waffles. For the final challenge we tried sliced bagels.

Best toasters, top 10 rating of good toaster models in 2022