Whether you are rushing to make toast before work, or enjoying a lazy Sunday perfecting your smoked salmon and cream cheese toast, you need a reliable 2 slice toaster. You need a toaster that browns evenly on both sides, has adjustable shade settings, and a crumb tray. Your toaster should help you, not irritate you by toasting unevenly or burning your last slice of bread.
Having extra features like defrost, cancel, and bagel are an added bonus. Take a look –here– for my list of important features that you should consider before buying a toaster.
A 2-slice toaster is ideal for a single person, a couple, or a small family. They are smaller than 4-slice toasters and take up less space on your counter. The choice of pop up toasters on the market can be confusing. There are so many options to choose from when it comes to cost, features, design, and size.
My reviews below will help you make a decision on which 2 slice toaster is best for you. If you are in a rush, skip down to ‘My Top 2 Slice Toaster Suggestions’ or ‘Which 2 Slice Toaster is Best For Me’.
Amazon Basics 2 Slice, Extra-Wide Slot Toaster
This is a basic, well priced toaster, ideal for a young person setting up home for the first time. It won’t break the bank and it will give you hot toast for breakfast. It also has some neat features.
The Amazon Basics is a two-slice toaster. It offers extra wide, 1.25 inch slots for bagels. This is a feature not usually found on less expensive toasters. The bagel setting works by toasting the bagel only on the cut side. It has 6 different shade settings to suit your individual preferences.
You can also defrost bread in case you forgot to take it out of the freezer the night before. There is also a cancel function so you can stop the toasting mid way. Smaller pieces of bread are easily removed by using the handy extra-lift lever.
Keeping your kitchen counter neat is easy with the cord wrap feature. And, you have a crumb tray to catch stray crumbs and make you look like you did a great job cleaning up. The toaster comes in a stylish black and silver color combination. This is one of the best 2-slice pop up toasters for under $50.
A Quick Look
- Basic 2-slice toaster from Amazon basics
- Extra-wide slots for toasting bagels
- 6 shade settings
- Cancel and defrost settings
- Crumb tray
- Extra-lift lever
What We Like
- Less expensive toaster for a young home owner
- 6 shade settings
- Handy cancel and defrost functions
- Crumb tray and cord wrap for neat kitchen counters
What We Don’t Like
- Won’t suit a larger family
- Some users complained that the plastic smell remained for many weeks
- This is a cheaper model and may not last for years
Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster
Hamilton Beach® make great toasters that are well priced and come loaded with features. They are attractively designed and are reliable. This is a less expensive toaster that will make a great gift for a young person moving into their own home.
It will hold 2 slices and has wider slots for making something more exciting than just toast. Try toasting bagels, artisan breads or making Texas toast. The bagel setting only toasts the cut side for a perfect hot crispy Sunday breakfast treat.
The Hamilton Beach® 2-slice toaster has a great defrost function that is perfect for toasting frozen waffles or pancakes, or the bread you forgot to take out of the freezer. The high-lift toast boost prevents you from toasting your fingers when you want to take out smaller breads like English muffins. It has 6 adjustable shade settings that are easily selected with a knob. The toaster comes in a stylish black and brushed stainless steel finishes. It has illuminated buttons that look great on your kitchen island.
A Quick Look
- Well priced 2-slice toaster from a renowned manufacturer
- Extra-wide slots for toasting bagels and artisan breads
- 6 shade settings
- Cancel and defrost settings
- Cool-touch exterior
- High-lift toast booster for muffins and smaller breads
What We Like
- Less expensive toaster for a young home owner
- 6 shade settings
- Handy cancel, defrost, and bagel functions
- Cool touch exterior
- Easy-to-remove crumb tray
What We Don’t Like
- Won’t suit a larger family
- Some users complained that the highest setting was not hot enough for English muffins
- This is a less expensive model and may not last for years
2 Slice, CUSIMAX Stainless Steel Toaster with Large LED Display
If you are a bagel fanatic, you need a toaster with extra-wide slots, and the 2-Slice CUSIMAX Stainless Steel Toaster is the perfect choice. These slots are 1.5 inches wide, compared to many other toasters that offer wide slots at only 1.25 inches. The slots are also perfect for other thick-cut artisan breads, English muffins, croissants, and Texas toast.
The CUSIMAX has an LED display, for those people who love screens and blue lights. It is very clear and easy to read, so it should not scare away less tech-savvy people. On the LED screen you can watch a count-down of the remaining time until your toast is ready. Something like a space rocket launch, but not so dramatic. You also get a visual reminder of the selected browning settings and Bagel or Defrost function.
Choose from 6 browning settings that range from lightly golden to deep dark brown. Did you forget to take the bread out of the freezer? No problem with the handy Defrost function. It can also be used for your frozen crumpets and waffles. There is a high-lift lever to stop you from burning your fingers, and a crumb tray for easy cleaning.
This is a stylish 2-slice toaster with an attractive stainless steel finish in a two-tone of black and silver. It makes a great gift for new home owners who are facing an empty kitchen after moving in. This is a good choice 2 slice toaster for under $50.
A Quick Look
- 2-slice toaster
- Stylish look in black and silver stainless steel
- Super clear LED display, ideal for non-tech users
- Extra-wide 1.5 inch slots for toasting bagels and croissants
- 6 browning settings
- Cancel, defrost, and bagel settings
- Extra-lift lever
What We Like
- Stylish compact design in stainless steel
- LED display that won’t boggle the mind
- 6 browning settings
- Wide slots for bagels, muffins, and croissants
- Cancel, defrost, and bagel functions
- Easy-to-remove crumb tray
What We Don’t Like
- The LED display may be too simple for high-tech fans
- No mention of a cool-touch exterior
Cuisinart CPT-160 Metal Classic 2-Slice Toaster
The Cuisinart CPT-160 Metal Classic 2-Slice Toaster is priced slightly higher and as such, should be expected to last longer than cheaper models. I like the stylish brushed stainless steel finish and the compact design. My kitchen counter is not huge, so I always prefer home appliances with more compact designs.
The company is known for launching the world’s first food processor and has been operating since 1973. This has to give you a feel-good vibe, knowing that your toaster comes from a reputable manufacturer.
This 2-slice toaster has 1.5 inch wide slots for speciality breads, muffins, crumpets, and bagels. There are 6 shade settings that will suit all preferences. I especially like the reheat button that allows you to warm up your toast again and not burn it – perfect for when your mobile rings mid-way during a toasting cycle.
Also included is an extra-lift carriage lever and a slide-out crumb tray. The toaster comes with a 3-year warranty, which will put your mind at ease should something go wrong. For those who are concerned about health issues, this toaster is BPA-free.
A Quick Look
- 2-slice toaster from a well established manufacturer
- Compact design in brushed stainless steel
- Extra-wide slots for toasting bagels and artisan breads
- 6 shade settings
- Cancel, defrost, and bagel settings
- Extra-lift carriage lever
- Convenient cord wrap
What We Like
- Stylish compact design
- 6 shade settings
- Wide slots for bagels, muffins, and artisan breads
- Cancel, defrost, and bagel functions
- Easy-to-remove crumb tray
- 3-year warranty
What We Don’t Like
- No mention of a cool-touch exterior
- The bagel setting toasts both sides – not sure if this is a traditional bagel setting
- For fanatics – brushed stainless steel can show fingermarks
REDMOND 2 Slice Toaster, Full Touch Screen LED Display
If you want to upgrade your toaster to a modern-day style, like you do with your mobile phone, you probably want a full LED touchscreen device that brings you right into the year 2022.
The REDMOND 2 Slice Toaster features a full touch screen LED display with only one manual lever that allows you to drop down your bread. If this is not for you, skip to the next toaster on my list!
I must say, the sleek and fuss-free design of the REDMOND 2 Slice Toaster is very eye-catching. It has a one-piece stainless steel design and is small in size, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counter top space.
After dropping down your toast using the only manual lever, you can select the browning level you want by pressing the Browning Setting. It will change from 1 to 6 depending on your choice. Also on the touch screen are Cancel, Reheat, and Defrost functions.
Despite its smaller size, the toaster has great 1.5 inch wide slots for bagels. When the Bagel Setting is selected, it will only toast on the cut side of the bagel, and keep the other side warm. The wider slots are also ideal for English muffins, croissants, waffles, Texas Toast, and pop-tarts for the kids.
A Quick Look
- 2-slice toaster from a well established manufacturer
- Sleek compact design in stainless steel
- Smaller size takes up less counter spaces
- Full Touch Screen LED Display
- Extra-wide 1.5 inch slots for toasting bagels and artisan breads
- 6 browning settings
- Cancel, reheat, and defrost settings
What We Like
- Stylish sleek smaller design
- 6 browning settings
- Bagel function
- Wide 1.5 inch slots for bagels, muffins, and homemade breads
- Full Touch Screen LED Display if you are into touch screens
- One-piece stainless steel finish is easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- Full LED Touch Screen may not suit all users
- No mention of heat resistant exterior
Breville BTA820XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster, Brushed Stainless Steel
If you are looking for an expensive modern toaster and are only finding hard-to-understand Touch Screen LED models, this toaster will sort you out. The Breville BTA820XL is expensive but it offers quality and the confidence of a long standing brand name.
For those who enjoy trivia – the name Breville comes from a mix of the last names of the two Australian founders, Bill O’Brien and Harry Norville. If you only are interested in the toaster, here are some of the cool features.
It offers wider slots for bagels, artisan breads, muffins, croissants, and waffles. There is a handy defrost function for frozen breads and frozen treats for the kids. It has 5 levels of browning and a simple LED bar that shows you the progress of your toasting cycle. You do not need to be a tech-expert to understand this progress bar.
The Breville BTA820XL has two innovative features that I have not found on other toasters. The first is called ‘Lift & Look’ and does exactly that. Take a quick look at your toast as it pops it up and then drops it down again. The second is ‘A Bit More’. Not 100% happy with the browning? Press A Bit More and get those few extra seconds of toasting. Finished in brushed stainless steel, this model will look very stylish on your kitchen island or counter top.
A Quick Look
- 2-slice toaster from a well established manufacturer
- Stylish design in brushed stainless steel
- Wider slots for toasting bagels and artisan breads
- 5 browning settings with LED progress bar
- Cancel, defrost, and bagel settings
- Innovative ‘Lift & Look’ and ‘A Bit More’ functions
- Removable crumb tray
What We Like
- Stylish compact design
- 5 browning settings with easy-to-understand LED bar
- Wider slots for bagels, muffins, and artisan breads
- Wide 1.5 inch slots for bagels, muffins, and homemade breads
- Useful ‘A bit More’ and ‘Lift & Look’ functions
- Easy-to-remove crumb tray
What We Don’t Like
- High price won’t suit everyone’s pocket
- At this price, it would be nice to have a warming rack on the top for heating up buns or pastries
My Top 2 Slice Toaster Suggestions
Best Amazon Basics Budget 2 -Slice Toaster – Amazon Basics 2 Slice, Extra-Wide Slot Toaster
Best Brand Name Budget 2-Slice Toaster – Hamilton Beach 2 Slice
Best Bagel 2-Slice Toaster – 2 Slice, CUSIMAX Stainless Steel Toaster with Large LED Display
Best 2-Slice Toaster With LED Display – REDMOND 2 Slice Toaster, Full Touch Screen LED Display
Best Value for Money – Cuisinart CPT-160 Metal Classic 2-Slice Toaster
Best Expensive 2-slice Toaster – Breville BTA820XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster, Brushed Stainless Steel
Which 2 Slice Toaster is Best For Me?
If you are looking for value for money, I would recommend the Cuisinart CPT-160 Metal Classic 2-Slice Toaster. For great looks and a full touch screen LED display, techno-fans will enjoy the REDMOND 2 Slice Toaster, Full Touch Screen LED Display. Do you want to give a wedding couple a really stylish expensive toaster as a gift? The Breville BTA820XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster, Brushed Stainless Steel is the perfect choice.
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