The 4 best toasters of 2026, after testing 9 models
We browned bagels, breakfast pastries and gluten-free bread in nine models to find the ones that actually make mornings easier.
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A great toaster should do more than brown bread. It should deliver consistent, crunchy results no matter what you're making, yet I've found many of these gadgets struggle with basic tasks. So I tested nine of the best toasters, including two- and four-slice models, to find the ones worth your countertop space.
In this story
To put these top-rated models through their paces, I toasted dozens of slices of bread, Pop-Tarts, frozen waffles and — as a Brooklynite, a nonnegotiable — fresh bagels. I tried each toaster's browning levels, used preset functions when available and paid close attention to texture and consistency. I looked for crispness, a golden color and, in the case of Pop-Tarts, that just-right gooey center. After weeks of real-world testing, these are the four toasters I'd confidently trust with my breakfast.
Best toasters for 2026
Size:7.13"D x 10.75"W x 7.13"H | Power:900 watts | Material/finish: Brushed stainless steel | Slots:Two | Slot width:1.5" | Toast settings:Six | Additional settings:Bagel, defrost, reheat
Topping my list is this Cuisinart pick, which punched above the rest (sometimes, quite literally) with its consistent, even results and desirable browning range.
How it works:You turn the dial at the bottom to select from six browning settings (the higher the number, the longer the toast time). Then slide the knob down to begin the toasting process. Additionally, this toaster has buttons for three presets — bagel, defrost and reheat — plus a button for canceling your "order" as needed.
Why it's great:This pick was the best two-slice toaster of the bunch. It created deliciously gooey Pop-Tarts when I turned the dial to level 1. And on the bagel setting, it produced crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside results — plus each slot measures 1.5 inches wide, roomy enough to fit even the puffiest Brooklyn bagel.
Perhaps most impressive — and why I ultimately chose this toaster as my top pick — is that, when I toasted white bread on the various levels, it yielded what I'd consider the best "palette." Each setting browned the bread just a little more, and all but the lightest piece of toast (which basically looked like it did before it went in the toaster) were delicious, with an even color. As a convenient bonus, this two-slice toaster features a slide-out crumb tray for easy cleanup and a cord wrap to keep your counter looking tidy.
What I'd change:While cooked through, the waffles I toasted needed a higher-than-expected setting to achieve an even, ideal crunch.
- A wide variety of modes, including defrost and reheat modes
- Six browning settings — more than many other models we tested
- Slide-out crumb tray makes cleanup easy
- Three-year warranty
- Well-priced for the design and features
- Exterior gets hot to the touch — not enough to feel unsafe, but if you have kids, you may want a cooler-touch model
- Finish shows fingerprints easily
Size:12"D x 7"W x 8"H | Power:850 watts | Material/finish: Stainless steel | Slots:Two | Slot width:1.5" | Toast settings:Seven | Additional settings:Bagel, defrost
When it comes to budget-friendly picks, this toaster from Hamilton Beach has what it takes to deliver the (golden-brown) goods at a great value.
How it works:Like our top overall pick, you select the toast level by turning the dial at the bottom (there are seven settings), then just slide down the knob. There are also two presets — bagel and defrost — and a cancel button for when you need to check on or quickly remove your toast.
Why it's great:This toaster's seven browning settings yielded what I'd consider three or four edible — and two beautiful — pieces of toast, with even coloring from side to side. The Pop-Tarts were warm and gooey (and perfectly crunchy around the edges). When toasted on the third setting, the bagel turned out medium-crisp, and inside, it was deliciously chewy.
Despite this toaster's compact frame, I had no problem getting all of these foods, including puffy, wide Brooklyn bagels, into its generously sized grooves. I also really liked the "toast boost," which helps lift food out of the toaster — handy for smaller pastries or pieces of bread you might have a hard time retrieving.
Other highlights include a slide-out crumb tray and an auto-shutoff feature that automatically turns the toaster off at the end of each cycle, even if the toast becomes jammed. Hamilton Beach also offers a version of this toaster with a digital timer at a reasonable price.
What I'd change:Like with the Cuisinart toaster, I had to go up a setting (to two or three) to get my waffle crunchy. And the Hamilton Beach's highest setting set off my smoke detector, though that happened with many of the toasters I tested.
- Seven browning settings
- Lightweight and relatively compact
- Auto-shutoff for safety
- Slide-out crumb tray makes cleanup easy
- Exterior gets hot to the touch — not enough to feel unsafe, but take heed if you have curious kids
- Has fewer presets than others we tested
Size:10.7"D x 10.8"W x 7.2"H | Power:825 watts | Material/finish: Stainless steel/plastic | Slots:Four | Slot width:1.5" | Toast settings:Seven | Additional settings:Bagel, defrost, reheat
Whether you have a big family or like to host, this four-slice toaster from Cuisinart will help you get the most out of your toast.
How it works:It's similar to the Cuisinart two-slice toaster spotlighted above, but has double the slots and double the dials/buttons. Drop your food into the 1.5-inch-wide slots, then turn the corresponding dial or preset buttons (bagel, defrost and reheat). There's a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning.
Why it's great:My Pop-Tarts were deliciously gooey. On the third browning setting, my bagels turned out a little darker than with some other models and therefore a little crispier. But I still enjoyed them and found them chewy on the inside.
Testing the seven browning settings yielded a scrumptious palette of toast, better than any four-slice toaster I evaluated. I loved that there are two sets of buttons and browning dials so that you can toast two sets of food at once, according to different family members' or guests' preferences.
When I first saw this toaster online, I was concerned the white plastic shell might not look elevated, but after getting it in my hands, I can say it appears very durable and stylish on my white counters. Another pro: The glossy finish helps mask fingerprints!
What I'd change:This toaster can get hot to the touch. As with my top Cuisinart pick, I had to crank the shade dial up to the second or third setting to achieve peak crunchiness in my waffles.
- Bagel, defrost and reheat modes
- Seven browning settings
- Slide-out crumb tray
- Three-year warranty
- Can make two batches of toast according to different specifications
- Exterior gets hot to the touch
- Takes up a good chunk of counter space
Size:12"D x 7"W x 8"H | Power:900 watts | Material: Coated stainless steel | Slots:Two | Slot width:1.5" | Toast settings:Seven | Additional settings:Bagel, frozen, gluten-free
Touchscreen appliances are easier to clean than options with dials and buttons, and this toaster from Drew Barrymore's home collection is nothing short of illuminating.
How it works:You tap the power button to the right of the slider to wake the toaster, then select from seven browning settings. There are three presets to choose from — bagels, frozen bread or gluten-free. For added visibility, each touchscreen button is lit by an LED.
Why it's great:I put this toaster through the usual paces, using it to crisp up Pop-Tarts, bagels, waffles and toast across each setting. The Pop-Tart was warm and gooey. The bagel was light, but still hot and crispy. Most importantly, this toaster yielded the most desirable toast selection in terms of color, taste and texture of any touchscreen toaster I evaluated.
To clean it, simply wipe down the front panel — no need to worry about crumbs getting into button grooves. There's also a slide-out crumb tray and a base cord wrap for easy maintenance and storage.
The warm glow of the touchscreen buttons makes this toaster feel really approachable (almost like a warm welcome to your morning). It comes in 10 hues, including neutrals and pastels, for adding a pop of color to your kitchen or mixing and matching with other Beautiful appliances.
What I'd change:This toaster gets hot to the touch, and some bagels and pieces of toast were browned more on one side than the other.
- Modern, unique look
- Comes in 10 colors
- Has a gluten-free bread setting
- Touchscreen is easy to see
- Dial-free design is easy to clean
- Exterior gets hot to the touch
- Didn't brown bread and bagels as evenly as others
Best toasters comparison chart
| Material |
Slice capacity |
Slot width |
Toast settings |
Additional settings |
Price |
Smoke alarm triggered? |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart Classic Metal Two-Slice Toaster |
Stainless steel |
Two |
1.5" |
Six |
Bagel, defrost, reheat |
$45 |
No |
| Hamilton Beach Two-Slice Toaster |
Stainless steel |
Two |
1.5" |
Seven |
Bagel, defrost |
$28 |
Yes |
| Cuisinart CPT-142P1 Four-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster |
Stainless steel/plastic |
Four |
1.5" |
Seven |
Bagel, defrost, reheat |
$45 |
No |
| Beautiful Two-Slice Toaster with Touch-Activated Display |
Coated stainless steel |
Two |
1.5" |
Seven |
Bagel, frozen, gluten-free |
$40 |
No |
On the menu: I tapped nine top-rated toasters to toast breakfast items of the fresh, frozen and gooey variety.
(Kristin Granero/Yahoo)Factors to consider when choosing a toaster
What should you look for when shopping for a toaster? Here are some make-or-break considerations.
✓ Capacity and slot style:If you're not serving a crowd, a 2-slice toaster should do the trick. Most toasters feature slots positioned side-by-side to keep your food separate, but some have large, long openings that let you toast larger pieces of bread or fit more than two slices in each slot. These appliances are typically narrow, making them a great option for those with limited space.
✓ Slot width:Plan to toast bagels and Texas toast? Make sure the slots on your toaster measure at least 1.5 inches wide, like all the models in our top picks.
✓ Operation style:Traditional toasters have physical presets and cancel buttons and a dial you turn up or down (essentially adding more or less time) to create your desired level of browning, plus a knob with a slider. For a more seamless look (and fewer nooks and crannies to clean), consider a touchscreen option.
✓ Browning levels:Every toaster I tested had at least five shade settings. While having additional range can feel like a perk, I found the cooking times assigned to each number varied, and that more shade numbers didn't always equate to a more desirable range. (My experience has been that bread toasted at top levels tends to burn to a hard, charred crisp and is therefore inedible anyway.)
✓ Additional settings:Outside of being able to choose how toasty your bread or pastry will get with the shade dial, many toasters have dedicated buttons for defrosting, reheating and toasting bagels or frozen foods specifically. For example, our top pick from Beautiful has a gluten-free bread option, the Breville Two-Slice Toaster I tested has a button for "a bit more," and the Whall Two-Slice Touchscreen Toaster I tested has settings for English muffins and pastries.
✓ Safety:Watch those browning levels. Many of the toasters I tested emitted more smoke, and therefore set off my smoke detectors, when I used the top one or two shade settings. Aside from sticking to lower shade settings when possible, you'll want to ensure your toaster is kept in a place where there's ample room around it, with nothing wet or flammable in the vicinity. Discard excess crumbs regularly.
The ultimate glow-up: The Beautiful Two-Slice Toaster lights up with the tap of the touchscreen, almost like it's saying, "good morning." (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
How we test toasters
I spent several days putting nine top-rated toasters through their paces, using different toaster-friendly foods and various toaster settings. To rank on our list, the toasters had to excel in the following:
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Toast test:I toasted slices of white bread at each browning level to assess the range of color and texture, noting how many pieces I'd consider edible — and more importantly, desirable.
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Pop-Tart test:I toasted Pop-Tarts, per the brand's recommended lowest toaster setting, to see how well each toaster could warm up their fillings and tan their crusts.
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Eggo test:I toasted waffles on each toaster's second-lowest setting — using "frozen" presets where available — to see how well each toaster could thaw them and crisp them up.
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"New York, New York" test:I toasted big, fresh bagels from my favorite Brooklyn bagel shop on each toaster's third setting — using "bagel" presets where available — to see how well the bagels could fit, and how well they would crisp!
Aside from seeing how evenly each appliance toasted the foods above, I also noted how hot and smoky they got. Additionally, I considered factors like ease of use, versatility and cleaning/maintenance. Finally, I considered whether each toaster was aesthetically pleasing, important for an appliance that will likely be a permanent fixture on your countertop.
I tested each toaster's multiple shade settings using identical slices of white bread to evaluate browning. (From left) results from the Bella Two-Slice Slim, Hamilton Beach Two-Slice Toaster, Black+Decker Two-Slice Toaster and Beautiful Two-Slice Toaster.
(Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
I also toasted bagels, pastries and frozen waffles. (From left) the results from the Cuisinart Two-Slice Metal Toaster, Whall Touchscreen Toaster, Elite Gourmet Four-Slice Toaster, Cuisinart Four-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster and Breville 'A Bit More' Long Slot Four-Slice Toaster.
(Kristin Granero/Yahoo)Other toasters we tested
So many toasters, so little time! Here are the other models I evaluated in my quest to find the best:
Bella Two-Slice Slim :Measuring less than 4 inches in diameter, this toaster is the narrowest (and cutest) of any I tested. It's also incredibly lightweight, plus straightforward to use, and I like how the coated shell — available in five shades — was warm but still touchable post-toast. Bread toasted on the lowest setting comes out really pale, and I preferred how the Hamilton Beach toaster got my bagel, well, a little toastier (its slots were also a tad roomier), but this is a still-solid option for those with narrow countertops.
Black+Decker Two-Slice Toaster :This toaster served up what I'd consider three to four edible variations of toast — those toasted on the two lowest shades most presentable. The slots are roomy, and food pops up with gusto. The toaster is lightweight, and the exterior felt hot, but not scorching, post-toast. I ultimately went with Hamilton Beach for my budget pick because I thought it toasted my Pop-Tarts and bagels better. Of note, the sixth setting on the shade dial set off my smoke detector.
Whall Two-Slice Touchscreen Toaster :OK, this thing is really fun. The entire front panel is an LED that showcases a menu of toaster-friendly foods and labels — [white] bread, grain bread, bagel, pastry, waffle and English muffin. You touch the associated icon, then tab through the digital shade dial to select your level of toastiness (a digital countdown lets you know just how long it will take). The toasted bread slices showed even browning from side to side, but on the bagel test, the crust got much darker than the cut side. Plus, the Beautiful toaster had what I'd consider an extra "desirable" piece of toast in its final bread palette, earning it my touchscreen pick.
Elite Gourmet Two-Slice Toaster :This long, narrow toaster differs from the slim Bella toaster in that its buttons and dials are located along the long side and that it has three presets — bagel, defrost and reheat. It had more than enough room to hold four slices of toast as well as my Brooklyn bagels. But the shade dial yielded one fewer piece of edible toast, and the toast slices weren't browned as evenly from side to side as those made with the Cuisinart Four-Slice Toaster.
Breville 'A Bit More' Long Slot Two-Slice Toaster :If the Bella was the cutest and the Whall the most fun, this toaster from Breville was the sleekest, with a smooth, stainless steel shell and streamlined buttons along the side. I had no problem fitting four slices of bread, and I like how the toaster has dedicated bagel and frozen-food presets. But bread toasted at the lowest two settings had barely any color or texture, rendering me a little bit too reliant on the "a bit more" function. And having only five settings appeared to present a faster track to burning/smoking: Setting #4 set off one of my smoke detectors, and #5 set off my second.
The Whall Two-Slice Touchscreen Toaster lets you choose from a full digital menu, but the trade-off is a more limited "shade" range. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
Toaster FAQs
How often should I replace my toaster?
A toaster is an essential kitchen tool , but don't use one if it looks rundown or damaged, has a lot of (irremovable) crumb buildup or is starting to rust. You should also plan to replace your toaster if you notice changes in evenness and toastiness, which can signal a problem with the heating elements. Most importantly, get a new toaster at the first sign of lingering burning smells — or (cord) fraying or sparking.
What's the best way to clean my toaster?
Look for toasters that can be easily wiped clean with a towel and warm water, such as those with touchscreens or minimal, wipeable buttons. You'll want to ensure they're unplugged and completely cooled down beforehand. Regularly emptying crumb trays also helps reduce fire hazards.
Should I get a toaster or a toaster oven?
It depends on what you eat most. If you eat a lot of toast, frozen waffles, bagels and/or pastries, a pop-up toaster is probably the smarter choice, as they tend to take up less space than a toaster oven. A toaster oven is best if you also want to reheat leftovers or make sandwiches (grilled cheese, anyone?).
Update, June 24, 2026: We checked prices and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick for the best toaster remains unchanged.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
