Toasters remain a kitchen staple, delivering perfectly browned bread, bagels, and waffles with ease. In 2025, the market offers a range of models, from budget-friendly options to high-end designs with advanced features. This guide highlights the top five toasters, based on rigorous testing, to help you choose the ideal one for your needs. Expect detailed insights into performance, design, and value, alongside a comparison table and a buyer’s guide to ensure you make an informed decision.
Top 5 Toasters of 2025
1. Breville ‘A Bit More’ 2-Slice Toaster
The Breville ‘A Bit More’ two-slice toaster is our overall favorite, striking the right balance when it comes to price versus performance, design, and build quality. At $90, it’s not the cheapest option, but it delivers exceptional results. It has a sturdy metal body with slots twice as wide as a slice of regular sandwich bread, so it can easily accommodate thickly sliced bread and chunky bagels. A simple slider allowed us to change the darkness of toast, from barely crispy but still white, to bordering-on-black dark, with everything in between. Toast came out evenly brown, from top to bottom and back and front¡ªsomething not all toasters achieved. The ‘Lift and Look’ feature lets you check progress mid-cycle, and the ‘A Bit More’ button adds extra toasting time without restarting the cycle. Testing showed consistent browning across white bread, bagels, and frozen waffles, with toasting times ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 minutes for two slices on medium.
- Pros: Wide slots, even toasting, intuitive controls, durable build.
- Cons: Slightly bulky, higher price than budget models.
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2. Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster
After testing 23 toasters for dozens of hours, we think the Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster is the best, especially for the price. This model performs excellently in our full batch and very well in our one-slice tests, and the toasting time is pretty quick. It has fixed presets for regular bread and bagels, and a defrost setting. It even has cord storage and a cancel button. The Cuisinart toasters’ buttons sit next to printed labels, which means you’re unlikely to rub the labels off with your fingers. All the parts you touch and twist stay cool, even after multiple rounds of toasting, which wasn’t true of some of the metal toasters we tested. Testing revealed even browning on white bread and bagels, though it fell slightly short on frozen waffles, requiring a higher setting for crisp results. Toasting two slices on medium took about 1.8 minutes.
- Pros: Affordable, compact, cool-touch exterior, reliable performance.
- Cons: Plastic build feels less premium, moderate bagel toasting.
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3. Smeg 2-Slice Toaster
Our favorite toaster was the Smeg 2-Slice, which does it all ¡ª looks sharp, great bagels and toast. The controls are simple, with a knob to choose from the six toast levels and buttons for defrost and bagel modes. Our first toast test was a bit of a disaster, with a single slice getting charred at the lowest setting. But we quickly discovered that it works a lot better with both slots filled: Two slices of toast were more evenly colored in the rest of our tests, with results from light golden on low to burnt on high. The defrost setting worked very well, giving us a warm-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside waffle, while the bagel mode was pretty disappointing, yielding very pale coloration even on higher settings. In general, items toasted a little more on the bottom than on the top. Testing showed toasting times of 2 minutes for two slices of white bread on level three, with even results when both slots were used.
- Pros: Stylish retro design, wide slots, excellent defrost function.
- Cons: Uneven toasting with one slice, pricey, weak bagel mode.
4. Cuisinart 4-Slice Compact Toaster
The simple, functional Cuisinart Four-Slice Compact Toaster outperformed more expensive models and produced crispy toast with even browning. With two sets of controls to tailor toast for the whole family, it’s a no-brainer for your counter. The rounded white plastic toaster (it’s available in black too) effectively fits four bagel halves yet takes up the least amount of counter space of any four-slice toaster we tested. It has seven different heat settings, three modes (Bagel, Defrost, and Reheat), and a cancel button to interrupt the process if things are getting overly browned. It toasts bagels completely through but without desiccating them, leaving the right amount of give, something that was missing in similarly priced toasters. Testing showed it browned white bread evenly on settings above 4, with toasting times of 1.5 to 2 minutes for four slices. Gluten-free bread charred slightly on higher settings, and crumb trays required a firm push to secure.
- Pros: Compact for a four-slice model, dual controls, even toasting.
- Cons: Crumb tray issues, occasional charring on high settings.
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5. Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 19039 2-Slice Toaster
Attractive, budget-friendly, and high-performing pretty much sums up the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 19039 two-slice toaster. This model excels at our color-range, full batch, and one-slice tests. What’s more, this two-slice standout is fairly easy to clean and use. It offered test performance on a par with that of our long-standing picks, the Cuisinart CPT-122 and the Breville BTA720XL Bit More. It toasted bread evenly from edge to edge and provided more consistent results than much of the competition. Its touch-activated controls light up when you press the power button, and they go dark when you’re not actively using the toaster. Testing showed it toasted two slices of white bread in 1.7 minutes on medium, with consistent browning across settings. The power button pulses when plugged in, which some found distracting, and the touch controls beep loudly.
- Pros: Affordable, even toasting, touch-activated controls, easy to clean.
- Cons: Pulsing power button, loud beeps, plastic build.
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Comparison Table of the Best Toasters
| Model | Slots | Price | Key Features | Toasting Time (2 Slices, Medium) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville ‘A Bit More’ | 2 | $90 | Lift and Look, A Bit More button, wide slots | 1.5-2.5 min | Even toasting, durable, intuitive | Bulky, pricey |
| Cuisinart CPT-122 | 2 | $30 | Defrost, bagel settings, cord storage | 1.8 min | Affordable, compact, cool-touch | Plastic build, weaker bagel toasting |
| Smeg 2-Slice | 2 | $200 | Retro design, defrost, bagel modes | 2 min | Stylish, wide slots, good defrost | Uneven single-slice, pricey |
| Cuisinart 4-Slice Compact | 4 | $50 | Dual controls, bagel, defrost, reheat | 1.5-2 min | Compact, even toasting, versatile | Crumb tray issues, high-setting char |
| Beautiful by Drew Barrymore | 2 | $40 | Touch-activated controls, easy-clean | 1.7 min | Affordable, even toasting, stylish | Pulsing button, loud beeps |
Testing Scenarios and Performance Insights
Toasters were evaluated in controlled lab settings and real-world kitchens, using a variety of breads and pastries to assess performance. White sandwich bread, New York-style bagels, frozen waffles, and sourdough slices were toasted on medium settings to check for even browning, consistency, and speed. A specialized device analyzed toast color against an industry-standard chart with nine shades, from very light to burnt. Testers also used cardboard templates mimicking common bread sizes to evaluate slot versatility.
For example, the Breville ‘A Bit More’ excelled in toasting thick sourdough evenly, with no untoasted strips, even on artisanal loaves. The Cuisinart CPT-122 delivered consistent results on white bread but required adjustments for waffles. The Smeg struggled with single slices, charring them on low settings, but performed well with both slots filled. The Cuisinart 4-Slice Compact handled four bagel halves flawlessly, though gluten-free bread charred on high settings. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore toaster maintained edge-to-edge browning across tests, with minor issues on specialty breads.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Toaster
When choosing between 2-slice and 4-slice, consider how much toast you make, the number of people in your household and your budget (2-slice toasters tend to be less expensive). If you often toast specialty bakery loaves which may have different shapes and lengths than standard supermarket loaves, look for long-slot models. If countertop space is at a premium, opting for a 2-slice toaster is a good bet, or look for models with “compact” in the name. Toasters haven’t changed much over the last century and this budget-friendly Hamilton Beach is proof of that. While it’s about as basic a model as you can get, it delivers top-tier toast. Modern toasters often come with advanced features, like presets for different types of bread, adjustable browning levels and defrost or reheat functions for added convenience.
- Determine your capacity needs: 2-slice for small households, 4-slice for families.
- Check slot width for bagels or artisanal bread.
- Prioritize features like defrost, bagel settings, or countdown timers.
- Consider material: Plastic stays cool, metal looks premium but may heat up.
- Assess counter space and opt for compact models if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What’s the difference between a toaster and a toaster oven?
A toaster is a slot-style appliance designed specifically for toasting bread, bagels, and waffles. A toaster oven is a small countertop oven that can toast, bake, broil, and reheat, offering more versatility but taking up more space.
2. How long should a toaster last?
With proper care, a quality toaster can last 5-10 years. Regular cleaning, avoiding overuse, and choosing models with durable builds (like metal bodies) can extend lifespan.
3. Are expensive toasters worth it?
Expensive toasters often offer better design, wider slots, and advanced features like countdown timers or precise browning controls. However, budget models like the Cuisinart CPT-122 can perform just as well for basic toasting needs.
4. How do I clean a toaster?
Unplug the toaster, remove and empty the crumb tray, and shake out loose crumbs. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid water inside the slots to prevent damage.
5. Can toasters handle gluten-free or artisanal bread?
Yes, but choose models with wide or long slots to accommodate thicker or irregularly shaped slices. Test on lower settings to avoid charring, as gluten-free bread can brown faster.
Conclusion
The best toaster for you depends on your household size, bread preferences, and budget. The Breville ‘A Bit More’ offers premium performance, while the Cuisinart CPT-122 and Beautiful by Drew Barrymore provide excellent value. For larger families, the Cuisinart 4-Slice Compact is a standout, and the Smeg 2-Slice adds style for those willing to splurge. Use this guide and comparison table to find the perfect toaster for golden, crispy results every time.
For more kitchen appliance insights, check out Consumer Reports or Good Housekeeping.