--- title: "Best Toasters of 2026" description: "Ten toasters compared, from budget 2-slice models to 4-slice and long-slot picks. See which suits bagels, thick bread and a busy family breakfast." canonical: https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/ published: 2026-10-28 updated: 2026-10-28 category: "Kitchen" language: "en-US" --- # The 10 Best Toasters of 2026, Ranked > **Our verdict:** The best toaster in 2026 is the BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B. It tops our ranking with 8.7 out of 10. Updated October 2026 · 26 models compared · [How we rank](https://vettedten.com/how-we-rank/) ## Our toaster picks Fewer picks than usual: no dearer model makes the top half. - **Best Choice:** [BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#black-decker-2-slice-toaster-t2569b), 8.7 out of 10. A plain 2-slice toaster with extra-wide slots for bagels and thick bread, six shade settings and a removable crumb tray. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CVTT4S) - **Value for Money:** [bella Fits-Anywhere 2-Slice Slim Toaster](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#bella-fits-anywhere-2-slice-slim-toaster), 8.6 out of 10. A slim long-slot toaster about 3.6 inches wide, built for small kitchens. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYJBB2JQ) - **Best Budget:** [Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#amazon-basics-2-slice-toaster-extra-wide-slots), 8.1 out of 10. A basic black-and-silver 2-slice with extra-wide slots and the three buttons most people use. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072P11H8L) ## All 10 toasters, compared We compared 26 pop-up toasters sold in the US, then ranked ten of them by how happy owners are. They cover 2-slice and 4-slice models, long-slot designs and a motorized die-cast machine, from budget plastic to stainless and die-cast metal. Every product links to its full review below. | No. | Product | Score | Badge | | ---: | --- | ---: | --- | | 1 | [BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#black-decker-2-slice-toaster-t2569b) | 8.7 | Best Choice | | 2 | [Proctor Silex Wide-Slot 4 Slice Toaster 24214PS](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#proctor-silex-wide-slot-4-slice-toaster-24214ps) | 8.7 | | | 3 | [bella Fits-Anywhere 2-Slice Slim Toaster](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#bella-fits-anywhere-2-slice-slim-toaster) | 8.6 | Value for Money | | 4 | [GE 2-Slice Stainless Steel Wide Slot Toaster G9TMA2SSPSS](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#ge-2-slice-stainless-steel-toaster-g9tma2sspss) | 8.5 | | | 5 | [BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots TR1478BD](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#black-decker-4-slice-toaster-tr1478bd) | 8.5 | | | 6 | [Cuisinart 4-Slice Metal Classic Toaster CPT-180P1](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#cuisinart-metal-classic-4-slice-toaster-cpt-180p1) | 8.3 | | | 7 | [Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster BTA820XL](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#breville-die-cast-smart-toaster-bta820xl) | 8.3 | | | 8 | [Elite Gourmet 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster ECT-3100](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#elite-gourmet-4-slice-long-slot-toaster-ect-3100) | 8.1 | | | 9 | [Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#amazon-basics-2-slice-toaster-extra-wide-slots) | 8.1 | Best Budget | | 10 | [Breville the 'A Bit More' 2-Slice Toaster BTA720XL](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/#breville-the-a-bit-more-toaster-bta720xl) | 7.9 | | ### No. 1 and No. 2 are level The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B and the Proctor Silex Wide-Slot 4 Slice Toaster 24214PS score the same, so either is a safe pick. The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B goes first because it leaves owners a little happier. ## The full toaster reviews ### 1. BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B 8.7 out of 10 · Best Choice A plain 2-slice toaster with extra-wide slots for bagels and thick bread, six shade settings and a removable crumb tray. It suits anyone who wants simple toast without extras. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 1st of 10 - How many rated it: 4th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Extra-wide slots take bagels and thick slices of bread - Six shade settings and a cancel button - Removable crumb tray for quick cleanup - Two-year limited warranty Keep in mind: - Only two slots, so a family breakfast takes a few rounds - Six shade settings, one fewer than several toasters here [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CVTT4S) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/black-decker-2-slice-toaster-t2569b/) ### 2. Proctor Silex Wide-Slot 4 Slice Toaster 24214PS 8.7 out of 10 A budget way to toast four slices. A basic plastic toaster with wide slots that owners rate highly for the price. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 2nd of 10 - How many rated it: 5th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Four extra-wide slots fit Texas toast and bagels - Toast Boost lifts English muffins and other small pieces - Seven shades with cancel, a pullout crumb tray and a cord wrap - Three-year limited warranty and auto shutoff if toast jams Keep in mind: - Two separate shade dials, so matching all four slices means setting both - Plastic body feels light and the lever is basic - No bagel or defrost button [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C159T442) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/proctor-silex-wide-slot-4-slice-toaster-24214ps/) ### 3. bella Fits-Anywhere 2-Slice Slim Toaster 8.6 out of 10 · Value for Money A slim long-slot toaster about 3.6 inches wide, built for small kitchens. Owners rate it well for the money, with fewer extras than the wider models. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 7th of 10 - How many rated it: 3rd of 10 - How new it is: 1st of 10 Why it's here: - One long slot holds two slices, Texas toast, thick bagels or a baguette - Slim 3.6-inch width with a cord that tucks away - Six shade settings, cancel and a high-lift lever - Removable crumb catcher and a matte finish that wipes clean Keep in mind: - No bagel or frozen setting on this model - Crumbs escape the tray more than on pricier toasters - Tall slices can stick out of the slot [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYJBB2JQ) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/bella-fits-anywhere-2-slice-slim-toaster/) ### 4. GE 2-Slice Stainless Steel Wide Slot Toaster G9TMA2SSPSS 8.5 out of 10 A stainless 2-slice with wide slots and seven shades. It is a step up in looks from the plastic budget models without a premium price. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 4th of 10 - How many rated it: 6th of 10 - How new it is: 2nd of 10 Why it's here: - Wide slots about 1.4 inches across for bagels, pastries and waffles - Seven shade settings with LED-lit buttons - Stainless steel finish - Pull-out crumb tray Keep in mind: - Slots are about 5.5 inches long, so a long artisan slice will not fit - One-year limited warranty - Fingerprints show on the stainless [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NWGNQPS) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/ge-2-slice-stainless-steel-toaster-g9tma2sspss/) ### 5. BLACK+DECKER 4-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots TR1478BD 8.5 out of 10 A plain plastic 4-slice with extra-wide slots and the buttons most families use. It is a low-cost way to toast four pieces at once. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 3rd of 10 - How many rated it: 1st of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Four extra-wide slots with self-centering guides for bagels and thick bread - Two sets of controls, each with a shade dial and bagel, frozen and cancel buttons, so each pair of slots toasts on its own - High-lift lever raises short pieces - Pull-out crumb tray Keep in mind: - Light plastic body - No progress light or countdown, so you judge doneness by eye [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMS3KZO) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/black-decker-4-slice-toaster-tr1478bd/) ### 6. Cuisinart 4-Slice Metal Classic Toaster CPT-180P1 8.3 out of 10 A brushed stainless 4-slice with a separate dial for each pair of slots. Owners like its steady shade and its price against the premium machines. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 6th of 10 - How many rated it: 2nd of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Two independent controls, so each pair of slots can toast to a different shade - Extra-wide 1.5-inch slots with bagel, defrost and reheat buttons - Stainless exterior, slide-out crumb tray and a cord wrap - Three-year limited warranty Keep in mind: - The metal exterior gets hot while it runs - No way to peek at the toast before the cycle ends - Some owners report it wearing out sooner than its heavy build suggests [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000A1ZN1) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/cuisinart-metal-classic-4-slice-toaster-cpt-180p1/) ### 7. Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster BTA820XL 8.3 out of 10 A motorized die-cast 2-slice that lowers and lifts the toast for you. It is the feature-heavy choice here, and it costs the most of the 2-slice models. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 5th of 10 - How many rated it: 8th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Motor lowers the bread and lifts it out, and Lift and Look checks progress without ending the cycle - A Bit More button adds a short extra burst of toasting - Extra-wide, deep slots take thick bagels and artisan slices, with bagel and frozen settings - Die-cast aluminum body, an LED progress indicator and a removable front crumb tray Keep in mind: - Some owners report an outer heating element going cold after a year or two - A few report uneven browning, mostly on the bagel setting - Several times the price of a basic 2-slice, with a short warranty for the money [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00140SC64) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/breville-die-cast-smart-toaster-bta820xl/) ### 8. Elite Gourmet 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster ECT-3100 8.1 out of 10 Two long slots that each take two slices or one long slice. A low-cost way to toast four pieces, with long slots that suit thick artisan bread. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 8th of 10 - How many rated it: 9th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Two long slots, each about 10 inches, for thick sourdough, Texas toast and artisan loaves - Six browning levels with reheat, defrost and cancel - Stainless housing with a removable crumb tray and a warming rack Keep in mind: - Wide at about 14.7 inches, so it needs real counter space - Controls are basic, with no bagel button or progress display - Light build for a 4-slice toaster [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYW76FK) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/elite-gourmet-4-slice-long-slot-toaster-ect-3100/) ### 9. Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots 8.1 out of 10 · Best Budget A basic black-and-silver 2-slice with extra-wide slots and the three buttons most people use. It is a plain, low-cost toaster for bagels and everyday bread. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 8th of 10 - How many rated it: 9th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - Extra-wide slots take bagels and thicker slices - Six browning settings with bagel, defrost and cancel buttons - Removable crumb tray - Cord wrap for storage Keep in mind: - One shade control for both slots - No progress light or countdown, so you judge doneness by eye - Light plastic body that feels basic [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072P11H8L) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/amazon-basics-2-slice-toaster-extra-wide-slots/) ### 10. Breville the 'A Bit More' 2-Slice Toaster BTA720XL 7.9 out of 10 The cheaper way into Breville's Lift and Look and A Bit More features. It is a brushed stainless 2-slice with a progress light and a wide slot. What makes up the score, each part placed against the other nine in this guide: - How happy owners are: 10th of 10 - How many rated it: 7th of 10 - How new it is: 3rd of 10 Why it's here: - The A Bit More button and the Lift and Look lever let you extend or check a cycle without starting over - Extra-wide, deep slots with bagel and frozen settings - LED progress indicator and a front crumb tray that slides out - Brushed stainless housing looks good on a counter Keep in mind: - Lever is manual, so no motorized lift like the die-cast BTA820XL - Costs well over the budget 2-slice toasters - Slots are shorter than on long-slot models [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COMHC12) · [Full review](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/breville-the-a-bit-more-toaster-bta720xl/) ## Before you buy a toaster ### Should I buy a 2-slice or a 4-slice toaster? A 2-slice is enough for one or two people and takes about 7 to 8 inches of counter width. A 4-slice, such as the Black+Decker TR1478BD or Proctor Silex 24214PS, is about 11 inches wide and toasts a family breakfast in one or two rounds. The trade-off is size and price against speed: a 4-slice costs more and takes more room, and some have separate controls for each pair of slots, as on the Cuisinart CPT-180P1. ### What is the difference between a long-slot and a regular toaster? A long-slot toaster has slots about 10 inches long that hold two slices side by side or a long artisan slice, as on the bella and the Elite Gourmet ECT-3100. The bella is slimmer than a two-slot model, but both slices share one shade setting. A regular toaster has short slots that each take one slice, so a thick bagel and a thin slice fit separately, though most share one shade control. ### Why does my toaster toast unevenly, and which types do it best? Cheaper toasters often have heating elements that run hotter at the center of the slot or in one slot more than the other, and a worn element makes it worse. Separate controls per pair of slots, as on the Cuisinart, let you correct for it, and a thin slice in a wide slot can brown on one side, so centering guides help. ### What is the best toaster for bagels and thick bread? Look for extra-wide slots (1.25 inches or more, and 1.5 inches is better for thick bagels), a bagel setting that toasts the cut side and warms the other, and a lift that raises small pieces. For Texas toast and artisan loaves, a long slot like the bella's or the Elite Gourmet's is easier than a short one. ### How long should a toaster last, and is a more expensive one worth it? Plan on several years from a basic model and longer from a well-built one. Owners most often report a sticking lever, a slot that stops heating, or a dial that wears out. A pricier toaster buys a metal or die-cast build and extras such as a motorized lift, not a guarantee of life: look at the warranty, which runs from one year on the GE and Elite Gourmet to three on the Cuisinart and Proctor Silex. Also check for a UL or ETL mark. ### Are toasters with digital controls and extra-lift levers worth having? An extra-lift lever is worth it: it raises a short slice or English muffin so you do not fish it out with a fork, and it is on the Black+Decker and bella. Progress lights and countdown displays, as on the Breville models, tell you how long is left, but they add cost and are not needed to toast well. A 2-slice draws about 900 W and a 4-slice 1,300 to 1,800 W on a standard 120V circuit, which is about a cent or two of electricity per batch at 18 cents per kWh. For baking, broiling or air frying, you want a toaster oven, which is a different product. ## How we ranked these ten toasters Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Too few review sites cover toasters for their verdicts to lead, so this ranking is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 26 models for this guide before settling on these ten. Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026. [How we rank, in full](https://vettedten.com/how-we-rank/) ## Our No. 1 toaster **BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster with Extra-Wide Slots T2569B**: A plain 2-slice toaster with extra-wide slots for bagels and thick bread, six shade settings and a removable crumb tray. 8.7 out of 10. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002CVTT4S) ## More kitchen rankings - [Electric Grills](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/electric-grills/): No. 1 Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill FG551 - [Knife Sets](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/knife-sets/): No. 1 Home Hero Stainless Steel Knife Set - [Cookware Sets](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/cookware-sets/): No. 1 Made In Stainless Clad 10-Piece Cookware Set - [Bread Machines](https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/bread-machines/): No. 1 KITCHENARM 29-in-1 SMART Bread Machine --- Canonical page: https://vettedten.com/us/kitchen/toasters/ · Every guide: https://vettedten.com/llms.txt · For AI agents: https://vettedten.com/agents.md