The 7 Best Toasters in 2026

The Breville die-cast 2-slice feels like the toaster your kitchen actually wants. Its Lift & Look and A Bit More controls give you real-time control over browning—peek without canceling and add a few seconds to nail the exact shade—while the LED progress indicator makes timing predictable. Wider slots and a dedicated bagel setting handle artisan slices and dense pastries without uneven toasting, and the defrost function reliably brings frozen bread back to life. Auto-lower and auto-lift add a touch of convenience, and the removable front crumb tray keeps cleanup straightforward.

It’s a compact, well-built unit with thoughtful automation that delivers consistent results. On the flip side, it’s a standard two-slice toaster with a 900W motor and a typical one-year warranty, so it won’t suit large households needing high throughput. For most users who value precision and ease, though, its features and dependable performance make it our Best Overall pick.

For the price, the KitchenAid KMT2115ER gives you exactly what most people really need from a toaster: reliable, flexible toasting with a couple of thoughtful touches. The extra-wide slots handle everything from thin slices to thick artisanal bread and bagels, and the bagel setting is genuinely useful — the element on one side reduces output to gently brown the outside while still heating the inside. The five-step shade control makes it easy to get consistent results, and the high-lift lever removes the usual frustration of fishing out small pieces.

Cleaning and everyday use are straightforward thanks to the removable crumb tray, though the unit is hand-wash only and lacks fancier digital controls or specialty functions you might find on higher-end models. If you want a no-nonsense toaster that covers all the basics well and handles bagels and thicker breads without fuss, this one delivers solid value for money.

This Breville Die-Cast 4-Slice Toaster feels like a real step up if you often toast larger or artisanal bread. The extra-wide slots easily handle thick slices and bagels, and features like Lift and Look and A Bit More make it simple to check progress and add time without ruining the cycle — great for getting consistently even results. The bagel and defrost settings are reliable, and the LED browning indicator helps you dial in the exact color you want.

Where it really shines is convenience: the automatic lowering and a handy front crumb tray make daily use and clean-up fuss-free, which is perfect for busy mornings or families. A couple of things are fairly standard — the 1800W power and 1-year warranty are what you’d expect at this level — but overall the combination of capacity, smart controls, and solid build make it an excellent pick for a best 4-slice option.

What makes the SMEG 2 Slice Toaster stand out is how thoughtful details come together to create a polished, purposeful appliance. The powder-coated enamel finish and chrome-backlit control knob give it an upscale, tactile feel that looks great on a countertop, while the built-in cord wrap and anti-slip feet keep the surrounding space neat. Functionally, the extra-wide slots and self-centering racks mean it handles different bread sizes with even browning, and the removable stainless-steel crumb tray is both practical and visually consistent with the rest of the build.

A few elements are standard for the category—six browning levels and the familiar Reheat, Defrost, Cancel, and Bagel settings are exactly what you’d expect—but they’re executed cleanly here. Overall, the toaster’s durable steel construction and considered ergonomics make it more than just pretty: it’s a well-designed everyday tool that balances style, durability, and straightforward usability.

If you like watching your toast as it browns, the DASH Clear View Toaster delivers exactly that — a clear glass window lets you monitor progress without guesswork. The extra-wide slot handles bagels, waffles and thicker slices easily, and the seven browning settings give predictable results once you find your preferred level. It’s especially handy for households that value visual control over automatic presets.

Beyond the window, it’s a very practical little appliance: one-touch defrost, reheat and bagel functions, plus auto-shutoff for safety. The slide-out crumb tray and removable glass make cleanup quick, and the compact footprint is nice for smaller counters. On the flip side, it’s not a luxury model — the finish and controls are straightforward rather than premium, and there’s no digital readout or advanced connectivity. Overall, for anyone who wants simple, reliable toasting with the benefit of real-time visual monitoring, this toaster is a great, budget-friendly choice.

If you regularly work with thick artisanal loaves, bagels or hearty pastries, the Breville Toast Select Luxe lives up to its "Best For Wide Slots" billing. The noticeably wider slots make it easy to slide in oversized slices without squashing them, and the six bread presets automatically tweak toasting time so denser breads come out evenly browned instead of burnt on the edges.

Beyond slot size, the variable browning control paired with an LED progress indicator gives you confidence in the final result — you can see how much time is left and dial in your preferred toastiness. Lift & Look and the A Bit More functions are practical: check progress without canceling the cycle, or add a few seconds for that last bit of color. Cleaning is simple thanks to a front pull-out crumb tray, and the compact two-slice footprint fits small counters nicely. The 1-year warranty and 1000W power are fairly standard, but overall the toaster’s wide-slot design and smart presets are what make it stand out.

If you're after a dependable toaster that won’t drain your wallet, the Amazon Basics 2-Slice is a solid pick. It hits the essentials well: six shade settings let you dial in everything from light golden to well-toasted, and the bagel and frozen settings make it easy to handle different items without guesswork. The extra-wide slots (5-1/4" by 1-1/4") accommodate bagels and thicker slices, and the extra-lift lever makes small pieces easy and safe to retrieve. Illuminated buttons are a nice touch for clarity, and the removable crumb tray and cord wrap keep cleanup and storage simple.

There’s nothing flashy here — it’s a straightforward two-slice toaster designed for singles or couples — but that’s part of the appeal for a budget category. The crumb tray is located at the back, which some might find slightly less convenient, and it doesn’t have premium materials or smart features. For everyday toasting at an affordable price, though, it performs exactly as you’d hope.