10 Best Toasters 2025: Reviews and Recommendations
July 18, 2025
Overview
Start your mornings right with perfectly toasted bread! This comprehensive guide to the 10 best toasters of 2025 provides in-depth reviews and recommendations to help you find the perfect appliance for your kitchen. We've evaluated a range of top-rated toasters, considering factors like toasting performance, features (bagel settings, defrost functions, etc.), durability, and design. Whether you're looking for a simple two-slice model or a feature-rich four-slice toaster, our expert picks will guide you toward making a delicious and informed choice for your breakfast needs in the coming year. Discover the best toasters to elevate your breakfast experience!
Our picks
The Best Overall Toaster of 2025: Smart Toaster™, $199.95
The Best 2-Slice Toaster for Small Spaces: Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster, $29.95
The Best 4-Slice Toaster for Families: KitchenAid 2-Slice Toaster, $89.99
The Most Convenient Toaster with Bagel Settings: Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster, $19.49
The Best Budget-Friendly Toaster for Value: GE 4 Slice Toaster, $39.00
The Most Feature-Rich Toaster for Toasting Variety: Cuisinart 4-Slice Toaster, $29.95
Best Overall Toasters of 2025
Our top picks for toasters that excel in performance, features, and design.
8
Listful
Score
A Bit More
$89.95
The 'A Bit More' toaster impresses with modern conveniences like the 'Lift and Look' feature, which lets you check progress without halting the cycle. Extra-wide slots handle thick bread and bagels, yet it scored 8/10 as some users noted longer toasting times and uneven results in our tests. The exterior does become very hot, so care is needed during use. For those seeking precise control in a smart design, this toaster provides a novel solution.
The Good
• The 'A Bit More' button allows for precise toasting adjustments without restarting the cycle.
• The 'Lift and Look' feature lets you check toast progress without interrupting the cycle.
• Extra-wide slots accommodate larger bread slices and bagels.
The Bad
• The toaster's exterior can become very hot during operation, posing a burn risk.
• Some users report uneven toasting, with certain areas darker than others.
• The toaster operates slower compared to other models, taking longer to achieve desired browning.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
Top-Rated 2-Slice Toasters
Perfect for smaller kitchens and individuals, these toasters offer great value and efficiency.
7.5
Listful
Score
SMEG 2 Slice Toaster
$199.95
If style is what you're after, the SMEG 2 Slice Toaster brings a retro flair that distinctly elevates your kitchen's aesthetic. In our testing, it delivered even toasting on both sides, making it reliable for crisping your bread or bagels. However, we noticed it lacks a cycle countdown indicator, and toast can come out darker in successive batches. Its exterior also gets excessively hot, so be cautious during operation. Nonetheless, it ranks decently overall with a score of 7.5/10, blending style with decent functionality.
The Good
• Stylish retro design enhances kitchen aesthetics.
• Toasts evenly on both sides and in both slots.
• Includes bagel, defrost, and reheat functions.
The Bad
• Toasts become darker after consecutive batches.
• Exterior gets excessively hot during use.
• Lacks a cycle countdown indicator.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
6.5
Listful
Score
Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster
$19.49
The Amazon Basics 2-Slice Toaster is a budget-friendly pick that shines with versatility, thanks to its extra-wide slots. It's equipped with a bagel setting, defrost function, and illuminated buttons, but during our review, we found it didn't toast evenly, which affects its overall performance. Additionally, its exterior gets hot during use, requiring careful handling. This toaster scored 6.5/10, so if you’re looking for basic functionality at a low cost, it’s worth considering.
The Good
• Extra-wide slots accommodate thick slices and bagels.
The Bad
• Uneven toasting, with toast coming out darker in front than in back.
• Exterior gets hot during use.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
7
Listful
Score
Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster
$29.95
Looking for a toaster with robust features at an affordable price? The Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster might be your answer. During our testing, it stood out with its extra-wide slots perfect for bagels, alongside a defrost function and toast boost feature. However, some users reported durability issues with the lever, and its stainless steel design required frequent cleaning. With a score of 7/10, it offers a balance of design and functionality with minor setbacks on longevity.
The Good
• The toaster features extra-wide slots to accommodate thick slices of bread and bagels.
The Bad
• Some users reported that the lever to pop the toast up broke after a few weeks of use.
• The stainless steel exterior is prone to smudges and fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
7.5
Listful
Score
BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster
$38.99
The BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster delivers consistency in toasting, ideal for racing through your morning routine. It excelled in our experience with consistent results across batches and extra-wide slots for larger bread. However, it is slightly slower than competitors and its surface heats significantly. Scoring a 7.5/10, it mixes reliable performance with a handful of limitations to be mindful of during busy mornings.
The Good
• Extra-wide slots accommodate bagels and thick bread slices.
• Toasts consistently from batch to batch.
The Bad
• Top of the toaster between the slices gets excessively hot.
• Slow at toasting.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
7
Listful
Score
KitchenAid 2-Slice Toaster
$89.99
The KitchenAid 2-Slice Toaster is built for style and durability with its metal construction, yet in our tests, the toasting results could be lighter than expected even on high settings. Good for bagels with its dedicated setting, it struggles with uneven browning. Lacking a countdown indicator, it's challenging to time your toast. Scoring a solid 7/10, it suits those who value appearance and dependability, yet prefer lighter toast.
The Good
• Extra-wide slots accommodate various bread types, including bagels and thick slices.
• Features a bagel setting that toasts the cut side while gently warming the outer surface.
• Durable metal design adds style to the countertop.
The Bad
• Toasts bread lightly even on the highest setting, which may not suit those preferring darker toast.
• Some users report uneven toasting, with one side darker than the other.
• Lacks a cycle countdown indicator, making it difficult to know when toast will be ready.
Toasting Performance: Light / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
6.5
Listful
Score
Cuisinart 4-Slice Toaster
$29.95
With its distinct compact design and cool-touch exterior, the Elite Gourmet Cool Touch Toaster promotes safety and ease of cleaning. Although we found its toasting uneven, requiring bread flipping, it excels in accommodating various bread sizes. The longevity and performance might not match higher esteemed toasters, giving it a 5.5/10, yet it’s a practical pick for those prioritizing cost and safety over performance.
The Good
• Features a bagel setting that toasts one side only, as it should.
The Bad
• Lacks a countdown indicator to tell you when your toast will be done.
• Inconsistent toasting across different slots.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
5.5
Listful
Score
Elite Gourmet Cool Touch Toaster
$34.99
The Cuisinart 4-Slice Toaster extends functionality beyond its medium performance. Equipped with a bagel setting and defrost function, during our review, we noted inconsistent toasting across the slots impacting efficacy. While it provides solid features in a traditional design, its 6.5/10 rating reflects setbacks like the absence of a countdown timer for readiness indication. Ideal for those balancing function with style in moderate frequency.
The Good
• Extra-wide slots accommodate various bread sizes and thicknesses.
• Cool-touch exterior ensures safety during use.
• Removable crumb tray allows for easy cleaning.
The Bad
• Some users report uneven toasting, requiring bread flipping.
• Toasting time can be longer than expected for darker settings.
• Build quality feels lightweight, raising durability concerns.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: false / Defrost Function: false / Cancel Button: true
Best 4-Slice Toasters for Families
Explore spacious toasters designed for quick and easy breakfast preparation for groups.
6
Listful
Score
GE 4 Slice Toaster
$39.00
The GE 4 Slice Toaster is designed for versatility with extra-wide slots and seven shade settings. Although rich in features, during our review, we discovered uneven toasting and time-consuming cleaning processes that impacted usability. It scored 6/10, thanks to its convenient illuminated buttons yet accompanied by a burning smell and additional maintenance requirements. It suits those prioritizing budget over precision.
The Good
• Features wide slots accommodating various bread sizes.
• Includes illuminated buttons for easy operation.
• Offers 7 shade settings for customizable toasting.
The Bad
• Some users reported uneven toasting.
• Some users reported a burning smell during operation.
• Some users found cleaning the toaster time-consuming.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
9.5
Listful
Score
Smart Toaster™
$199.95
Top-rated in our reviews, the Smart Toaster™ showcases a premium build with sleek design and the innovative 'Lift & Look' feature, making breakfast a sophisticated affair. It consistently provides even toasting, although its exterior can get hot and inner slices brown more rapidly. Scoring 9.5/10, it stands out with its high-end allure and efficient automation, rendering it the pinnacle choice for those seeking top-tier toasting.
The Good
• The 'Lift & Look' feature allows users to check toast progress without interrupting the cycle.
The Bad
• The toaster's exterior can become excessively hot during use, posing a burn risk.
• Some users report uneven toasting, with inner sides browning faster than outer sides.
Toasting Performance: Medium / Bagel Setting: true / Defrost Function: true / Cancel Button: true
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