We've Tested 81 Toasters to Find the Best for Sourdough, White Bread, and Bagels
We’ve toasted more than 2,000 slices (and counting) to bring you the best toasters for every kitchen and budget.
Tested by Eva BleyerKitchen Appliances Lab Reviews Analyst
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Many toasters can crisp bread, but the best ones toast light sandwich bread and thick bagels evenly and quickly without burning breakfast. I’m a contributing product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where my colleagues and I have tested more than 80 toasters over the past decade and 21 new models in the last three years.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Cuisinart Custom Select 2-Slice Toaster
- Best value: Dash Clear View Toaster
- Best design: Smeg 2-Slice Toaster
- Most compact: Bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster
To find the best models, we evaluate two- and four-slice models, plastic and metal options, and long-slot and smart versions. After rigorous Lab testing and long-term data from consumer testers, these models stand out for consistency, even toasting, a wide color gradient, and a compact size that fits neatly on your counter. The Cuisinart 2-Slice Custom Select Toaster has been a favorite for years for its reasonable price and high-performance scores.
Best Deal
Pros
- Presets for common breakfast items
- Single slice feature
- Great at defrosting and toasting frozen bagels
Cons
- Lower heat levels don't toast much
BEST FOR: A straightforward, quality machine that can handle a wide range of toasting jobs.
We’ve tested many Cuisinart toasters in the Lab, and they regularly receive high scores. This function-rich model is easy to use and produces excellent toast without breaking the bank.
The toaster has preset settings for common breakfast items like bagels, waffles, pastries, and English muffins, taking some of the guesswork out of the morning rush. While extra-long slices of sourdough don’t fit, the slots are wide enough for bagels and even bulky brioche buns.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This model scored high marks in our color consistency test, in which we consecutively toast batches of bread (two at a time, five times) to see how well the machine can regulate toasting time to keep the color consistent as the toaster gets hotter. The 10 slices of toast looked almost identical, and the toaster automatically adjusted the cooking time from 2:10 at the start to 1:29 for the final toasting.
On settings below medium, our bread came out very pale, essentially uncolored, so if you like darker toast, choose level five or higher.
The toaster did a great job with a frozen bagel. In about two and a half minutes, my bagel was crisp, warm, and lightly golden. The toaster also has a single-slice setting to make one evenly colored slice of toast without heating both slots.
| Dimensions | 8.38" x 13" x 9.38" |
| Toaster style | Two-slot |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Settings | Bagel, waffle, pastry, English muffin, defrost, single slice, and shade selector |
Pros
- Clear window for monitoring toast
- Long-slot design fits long pieces of bread or two slices of sandwich bread
Cons
- Toast pops out forcefully
BEST FOR: Choose this unique Dash model if you want something easy on the wallet and your countertop space.
This toaster offers a superior combination of performance, features, and an affordable price. At about $50, its long-slot design fits a single piece of artisan sourdough or two slices of sandwich bread side by side.
The toaster is also narrow, so it takes up less space. I love the window that lets you watch your bread toast. It also comes in bold colors to add a pop of color to your countertop.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: We appreciated how easy it was to remove the crumb tray to keep the toaster tidy. This model received a perfect score during our color consistency test; all slices of bread toasted consecutively came out the same shade of golden brown.
One consumer tester reported, “I like that it toasted my bread evenly every time,” but they didn’t love that “the popping up of the bread had way too much power. I had to watch the toaster as it worked to make sure it didn’t pop my bread up and out onto the floor.”
| Dimensions | 15.7" x 6.6" x 7.8" |
| Toaster style | Long-slot two-slice |
| Material | Plastic |
| Settings | Defrost, reheat, bagel, and shade selector |
Pros
- Produces a wide range of toast shades
- Great for frozen bread and bagels
- Comes in many colors
Cons
- Slots can't fit a long slice of bread
BEST FOR: Design-minded cooks who also love great toast.
This pretty toaster has Smeg’s signature retro look. But it’s not just a nice statement piece on the counter in dozens of colors; it also performs well. In fact, I have this toaster at home and use it almost daily.
It has six browning levels with half-stops in between, and the two slots are large enough to hold a thick bagel or English muffin, though not quite long enough for a piece of artisan-style sourdough (you’d have to cut it in half).
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: When I made toast on five shade settings, this toaster showed clear variation from low to high. It also worked quickly, taking less than two and a half minutes on the middle setting and three and a half minutes on the highest.
When I made 10 pieces of toast back-to-back for our color consistency test, the toaster shortened the cooking time by 30 seconds on the last toast to ensure the bread came out looking the same.
I regularly use the defrost button to toast frozen bagels, and it does a great job of thawing and browning the bread.
| Dimensions | 12.74" x 7.6" x 7.72" |
| Toaster style | Two-slot |
| Material | Enamel-coated steel |
| Settings | Reheat, defrost, bagel, and shade selector |
Pros
- Multiple color options
- Very consistent browning results in testing
Cons
- Slower than other toasters we've tested
BEST FOR: Kitchens where countertop or storage space is at a premium.
This toaster won a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Award for its innovative, space-saving design. This toaster takes the word “slim” to another level. It’s 3 1/2 inches wide and still fits two standard pieces of toast or two bagel halves. It comes in five trendy colors, and there’s even a four-slice option if you have a little more space to spare.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This toaster consistently made even pieces of toast in the Lab, and two at-home testers reported the same results. The toaster worked equally well when toasting one or two slices of bread at a time.
Though this toaster was slightly slower than other models, if you have three minutes to spare, you’ll be rewarded with perfectly golden toast for smashed avocado or a dollop of ricotta.
This lightweight model has a simple pull-out crumb tray for easy cleaning. Even if you don’t have space for this toaster on the counter, you can stash it in a cabinet or pantry.
| Dimensions | 3.6" x 14.9" x 6.9" |
| Toaster style | Long-slot two-slice |
| Material | Plastic |
| Settings | Shade selector |
Pros
- Even color on both sides of bread
- Alert when toast is ready
- Able to defrost and toast a frozen bagel
Cons
- Takes longer than others we tested
BEST FOR: Handling bagels, buns, or extra-thick bread slices.
Lotus’s two-slice model has seven shade levels with half-stops between each, offering more precise control over your toast than most other models we’ve tested. It also has an audible alert that lets you know when breakfast is ready.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This toaster easily handled a frozen bagel, defrosting and lightly toasting it in three minutes. It also does a great job with individual bread slices; using the single-slice feature, my bread came out perfectly even on both sides.
Lower settings are very light on this toaster, and they work quickly. Level one took just one minute, but my white bread was barely warm. However, the toaster also doesn’t burn delicate white bread. On the highest setting, which took just over three and a half minutes, my toast was evenly dark brown without a hint of charring.
During the color consistency test, the machine automatically adjusted the cooking time from 2:19 to 1:55 to account for the warming interior. As a result, the 10 back-to-back slices were basically identical.
| Dimensions | 7" x 12" x 8.25" |
| Toaster style | Two-slot |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Settings | Bagel, defrost, single slice, and shade selector |
Other good toasters
- Beautiful 2-Slice Toaster with Touch-Activated Display: This under-$40 toaster has a light-up digital display that responds to your touch. It comes in a range of pastel shades, but I found the touchscreen harder to use than a more manual model.
- Breville Eye Q 2-Slice Toaster: Internal sensors on this high-tech model stop cooking as soon as your toast reaches your desired color.
- Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster: A basic, affordable toaster with a stainless steel exterior that’s more elegant than standard plastic models. However, it lacks the settings for different kinds of bread found in other toasters we like.
- Kalorik Touchscreen Toaster: This user-friendly toaster has a touchscreen interface. It performed well with two slices of toast, but not as well with a single slice.
- Laura Ashley 2-Slice Toaster: A floral-themed toaster that offers cottagecore style at an affordable price, but our toast always came out too pale.
- Thyme & Table 2-Slice Toaster: A sleek, affordable toaster that offers good temperature variation for two slices of toast but is less consistent with a single slice.
How we test toasters
My expert colleagues and I in the Kitchen Lab have tested 21 slot-style toasters since 2023, building on the Lab's testing of 81 models over the past 10 years. We put each model through the same series of tests to evaluate ease of use and performance:
✔️ Ease of use: We review the owner's manual, evaluate how intuitive the controls are, and consider whether slices pop up high enough for easy grabbing, as well as ease of cleaning.
✔️ Temperature: We record the temperature of the outside of each unit during toasting for safety.
✔️ Toasting range: We toast on at least five settings and compare the toast side by side from light to dark. We use a BSI shade gauge (shown here) to evaluate each piece.
✔️ Toasting consistency: We toast consecutive batches at the medium setting to see how consistent the results are and whether the toaster adjusts cooking time as the slots heat up to help prevent overbrowning.
✔️ Single toast test: We toast a single slice to check for even coloring.
✔️ Capacity: We see if the slots can fit thick bagels, long bread slices, and small English muffins. We also test both frozen and room-temperature bagels to assess even toasting inside and the effectiveness of the defrost setting.
✔️ Durability: We send select models to consumer testers for several months of home use to gather feedback on durability and everyday performance beyond our Lab testing.
What to look for when shopping for the best toaster
✔️ Style and capacity: Consider how many slices of toast you regularly make at once and the size of bread you use.
- Four-slice toasters: This is a good size for households of three or more.
- Two-slice toasters: If counter space is a concern, consider a more compact two-slice toaster.
- Long-slot toasters: Long-slot toasters are gaining popularity due to the wider availability of rustic-style bread. Opt for long slots if you love sourdough or other artisanal loaves. You’ll rarely fit a slice in a traditional toaster without cutting it in half.
- Wide-slot toasters: These are great for bagels, rolls, and thicker slices of bread.
✔️ Material: The exterior material is more about looks than anything else. In our tests, we didn't find that the material affected toast quality. Plastic tends to be less expensive, but not always as aesthetically pleasing as brushed or stainless steel.
✔️ Settings: Look for a toaster with the right settings for bread style and color.
- The bagel setting toasts only the inside of a bagel and warms the outside to avoid an overly crunchy bite.
- A defrost setting is great for frozen waffles or bread; it typically takes longer, so you get the same toasted results as if the item were fresh.
- The reheat setting toasts briefly and is great for toaster pastries or adding a touch more color.
- Shade selector: All toasters let you select a doneness level (e.g., pale blond to dark brown). You usually use a slider, dial, or touchscreen to choose your toast color. We’ve had success with all three types of controls.
✔️ Extra features: While not every toaster comes with special features, there are some nice-to-haves to consider.
- A glass window lets you peek inside as it works, reducing the risk of burning or undercooking.
- A motorized carriage eliminates the manual task of pushing the toaster lever down; it works automatically with a button.
- A high-lift lever lets you elevate your toasted slice to avoid stuck bread or burned fingertips.
- A digital interface is easy to read and operate, offers a sleek look, and often provides more toasting options.
How do you safely clean a toaster?
Keep these simple steps in mind to safely maintain your toaster:
- Unplug the appliance and let it cool completely.
- Remove the crumb tray and empty crumbs into the trash. Then, hand-wash the crumb tray with warm, soapy water.
- Gently turn your toaster upside down over a sink or trash can to release any loose crumbs. You can also use a soft brush to remove any stubborn crumbs from the interior.
- Wipe the toaster's exterior with a damp cloth.
- Let the toaster dry completely before plugging it back in.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lizzy Briskin is a contributing analyst and writer for the Kitchen Lab. She conducted the most recent round of toaster testing for this guide and has tested everything from kitchen knives to juicers in the Lab. She has a professional culinary degree and has been a food writer and recipe developer for over 10 years.
Eva Bleyer is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Lab, where she has tested a wide range of kitchen products, including blenders and indoor grills. Eva has tested many toasters in the Lab and at home. She is always on the lookout for the next best toaster to create delicious toast, whether it's topped with fluffy scrambled eggs or cottage cheese and seasonal fruit.
Eva (she/her) is the Reviews Analyst in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She tests kitchen appliances, cooking tools, and cookware using standardized lab protocols in order to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. With more than 15 years of experience in the food industry—including work as a food stylist, personal chef, and food brand marketing manager—she brings both culinary expertise and practical insight to every review. Eva earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University. She completed her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute (now the Institute of Culinary Education) and holds foundational and intermediate barista certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association.
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