Toast is the heart of every Western breakfast. The first meal of the day just isn’t complete without that golden brown piece of freshly toasted bread.
The traditional way of making toast was to set it on the grill until it was the perfect shade of brown. This is still the best way to toast your bread.
Nowadays, however, everyone seems to be in a rush. We do not have extra time in the morning to fire up a grill and toast our bread.
That is why we have toasters. This little kitchen appliance is the only way we can still enjoy delicious toast every morning without having to sacrifice much of our precious time.
With hundreds of toaster options in the market, it can be quite daunting to choose one for your kitchen.
The good news is that we’ve done the dirty work for you. We’ve gone over dozens of popular toaster options and picked the one we think is of best value.
For us, the Ikich 2 Slice Toaster is the best 2-slice toaster.
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This toaster doesn’t come with many fancy features, but it does its job—and it does it well.
In case this toaster doesn’t fit your needs, we’ve made a short list of toasters that are all good options. But before we get to our list, let’s first talk a bit about the things you need to consider when choosing a toaster.
9 Things to Consider When Choosing a 2-Slice Toaster
Before spending money on a new toaster, you should consider these 9 things. They could save you from buying something that might not work for you.
It will also save you time as you sift through the hundreds of toaster options in the market.
1. Power
One of the most important things you should consider before purchasing a toaster is its power rating. This will determine how much time it will take to toast your bread.
For some people, it is more important that their toast gets done as fast as possible. Others are concerned about power consumption and their electric bill.
2-slice toasters typically have a power rating between 700 and 1500 watts. A good power rating would be around 900 watts.
This is just enough power to toast your bread quickly without adding too much to your electric bill.
Getting something below 900 watts will be slower to toast and anything above 1000 watts, for a 2-slice toaster, might be a little overkill.
It all really boils down to what you prefer. 900 watts is the safezone. But if you need more power (or you don’t need that much power), by all means, go with the one that you think will work best for you.
2. Shading Options
Shading options control how light or dark your toast will be when it finishes a cycle. The greater the number, the darker your toast will be.
It is important to keep in mind that there is no universal standard for shading options on toasters. A number 3 on one toaster will not toast your bread exactly the same as a number 3 on a toaster from a different manufacturer.
For that reason, it is a good idea to get a toaster that has a decent amount of shading options. This will ensure that you can find an option that toasts your bread just the way you like it.
You might have to go through a little bit of trial and error to find the setting that gives you the perfect slice of toast.
A decent amount of shading options would be 6. This is also what is common on most popular toasters.
If you need more shading options, some models offer up to 12!
3. Size
Another thing you should consider before purchasing a new toaster is its size. You want something that will fit perfectly in your kitchen.
If you have limited space in your kitchen, getting a smaller toaster will be the most reasonable thing to do. Something that doesn’t take up a lot of space but isn’t too small that it will affect the toasting performance.
4. Weight
The weight of your toaster is also an important thing you need to consider. This is especially true if your toaster won’t get a permanent spot on your countertop.
Carrying a heavy toaster in and out of storage is not the most fun activity.
Even if your toaster has a permanent spot in your kitchen, a lightweight one will still be better when you need to wipe down your countertops.
The positive thing about getting a heavier toaster is that you will probably be getting better quality materials. All metal toasters are definitely going to weigh more than one that is made of cheap plastic.
That’s something you need to keep in mind when choosing a toaster.
5. Ergonomics
Cord length, button placement, and label legibility are all important things to consider before buying a toaster
Make sure that the cord is long enough to reach the nearest outlet without you having to move the toaster from its spot on your countertop. Getting a toaster with a short cord will force you to move it around or get an extension cord.
The buttons or knobs on your toaster also have to be positioned in a certain way that they are easy to access. This is important if you plan to use your toaster every day.
A toaster with buttons and knobs that are not easily accessible will quickly become an inconvenience.
Labels on your toaster need to be legible so you know, at a glance, which settings you are selecting.
6. Appearance
The way a toaster performs is much more important than the way it looks. This is not to say, however, that appearance shouldn’t matter when it comes to toasters.
There are people who take aesthetics very seriously. Even when it comes to kitchen appliances.
A toaster that not only does its job well but is also visually appealing, is perhaps the best kind of toaster.
Toasters come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It is up to you to decide which one will look best on your own countertop.
One thing to keep in mind when you are in doubt is that it is hard to go wrong when you go with a toaster that has either a stainless steel or chrome finish.
What you want to look for is a toaster that you will enjoy using the most.
7. Extra Features
Many toasters in the market today come armed with a bunch of different features. It is important to know which features will be useful to you and which ones are unnecessary.
Some features you might see are LED displays, sound alerts, touch buttons, cooling fans, warming racks, and a lot more.
Most of these features are not necessary for making great toast, but you might find that a few are quite useful and make toasting a lot more fun.
8. Warranty
One very important thing to consider before buying a new toaster is the warranty. This is something people often overlook.
Warranties are especially important when you are getting a more expensive toaster. You can save a significant amount of money on repairs and replacement parts if you make sure your toaster comes with a good warranty.
9. Price
Ultimately, your decision should be based on your budget. No matter how great a toaster is, if it doesn’t fall within your budget range, then that toaster isn’t the right one for you.
The good news is that you can find great toasters in almost all price categories. Your job is to find the best one that is within your budget.
Top 2-Slice Toasters
Ikich 2-Slice Toaster – Editor’s Choice
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- Power: 900W
- Shading Options: 9
- Size: 7.5 x 8.5 x 11.4 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Extra Features: LED countdown
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Price: $$
The Ikich 2-slice toaster claims the top spot on our list. This is for a number of reasons.
At first glance you will immediately guess that this is a solidly built toaster—you won’t be wrong.
This toaster is built from high-grade fire-retardant plastic and stainless steel on the outside and high-quality metals on the inside.
Its simple but modern design makes this toaster fit right into any kitchen.
It isn’t only aesthetics and build quality that makes this toaster a great option. More importantly, this toaster is great at making toast.
With an impressive 9 shade settings, this toaster is perfect for the whole family. You can make toast that is very light, very dark, and everything in between!
With so many shade options you’re sure to find one that will toast your bread just the way you like it.
You’re also going to get your toast quickly with this toaster. Its power rating of 900W makes this toaster really quick to produce heat.
We love this toaster because it comes with just the right amount of features. It’s not bloated with features you don’t need.
One neat feature it has is the LED display at the center of the shade settings knob. It displays a countdown timer when your toaster is working.
Smeg TSF01RDUS Retro 2-Slice Toaster – Unique Design
- 2 extra wide slots with self-centering racks
- Automatic slice pop up
- Anti-slip feet
- Removable stainless steel crumb tray
- 6 browning levels and 3 pre-set programs: reheat, defrost, bagel
- Power: 1000W
- Shading Options: 6
- Size: 12.7 x 7.6 x 7.7 inches
- Weight: 5.4 pounds
- Extra Features: Gear handle lift lever
- Warranty: N/A
- Price: $$$$
The Smeg TSF01RDUS Retro 2-Slice Toaster is definitely a thing to behold. With its bright red finish and chrome accents, it’s sure to turn the heads of everyone who enters your kitchen.
This toaster comes with 6 shade settings and 3 pre-set programs. It has reheat, defrost, and bagel settings.
The bagel setting on this toaster will heat up the center elements hotter so you get a bagel that is well toasted on the inside and not burned on the outside.
You can also get this toaster in 6 other colors. They have it in black, chrome, cream, pastel blue, pastel green, and pink.
Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster – Budget Friendly
- TOAST THICKER BREADS: This 2 slice toaster is perfect for toasting all kinds of bread, whether you’re making...
- EASILY RETRIEVE SMALLER BREADS: Toast Boost gives smaller breads like English muffins and gluten-free bread slices...
- STOP THE TOAST CYCLE ANY TIME: Use the Cancel button on this metal toaster to stop the toasting cycle at any time....
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOAST SHADE: Get the perfect amount of golden brown. This toaster has 7 toast shades to toast bread...
- AUTO SHUTOFF FOR PEACE OF MIND: The toaster automatically shuts off at the end of the toast cycle, even if toast...
- Power: 750W
- Shading Options: 7
- Size: 11.2 x 6.3 x 7.1 inches
- Weight: 2.69 pounds
- Extra Features: Toast boost
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Price: $
If you’re on a budget and you’re looking for a toaster that can still make great toast, then look no further than the Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster.
This little toaster is super simple, but gets the job done. It has 7 shade settings and a cancel button if you need to stop the toasting before the cycle ends.
It comes with a convenient cord storage on one end of the toaster. This lets you easily wrap the cord up before putting your toaster in the storage.
One handy features this toaster has is a toast boost. This lever makes it much easier for you to retrieve your breakfast or snack from the toaster slots.
AmazonBasics 2-Slice Toaster – Compact and Lightweight
- 2-slice toaster for toasting one or two slices of bread at a time; 6 shade settings accommodate individual...
- Extra-wide slots for bagels and thicker slices; each slot measures 5-1/4 inches long by 1-1/4 inches wide
- Bagel setting for toasting just the cut side; Frozen setting for defrosting bread; Cancel function ends the session...
- Extra-lift lever for safely removing smaller pieces; 37-inch power cord (when routed out the back); cord wrap;...
- Buttons illuminate to indicate selected settings
- Power: 900W
- Shading Options: 6
- Size: 10.7 x 6.4 x 7.6 inches
- Weight: 2.17 pounds
- Extra Features: Frozen and bagel buttons
- Warranty:1-year limited warranty
- Price: $$
This is the smallest and the most lightweight toaster on our list. If you’re looking for a great toaster that’s easy to carry around then this AmazonBasics 2-Slice Toaster is the perfect choice.
Weighing in at only 2.17 pounds, this kitchen appliance can be lifted from your counter for cleaning with no problem at all.
You will also have no problem storing this toaster when you need to. It only measures about 11” x 6” x 8”.
What about toasting performance? This toaster can toast fast! It has a power rating of 900W. With that amount of power, you won’t be kept waiting.
It’s also known to toast your bread evenly and consistently. It is no wonder it has over 1,000 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Revolution Cooking R180 2-Slice Smart Toaster – Smart Toaster
- FASTER – Patented InstaGLO technology reaches full glow in seconds, unlike conventional toasters, significantly...
- SMARTER – Smart settings with internal sensors adjust toast time on the fly. Auto-lower-and-lift adjusts to the...
- TASTIER – InstaGLO crisps the outside without drying the inside, delivering the perfect crunch while leaving the...
- PERFECT TOAST IN 3 EASY TAPS – Select from 7 food types (Bread, Bagel, Large Bagel, English Muffin, Waffle,...
- NEW! PANINI MODE – The R180S includes a new mode for our Panini Press accessory. Use it to make melty sandwiches...
- Power: Not specified
- Shading Options: 7
- Size: 11.7 x 6.1 x 8.4 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Extra Features: Touchscreen controls / double helix heating elements
- Warranty: N/A
- Price: $$$$$
If you’re looking for a toaster that is going to revolutionize the way you toast your bread, your best choice will be the R180 by Revolution Cooking.
This toaster has more bells and whistles than any other toaster you will find on the market.
Everything on this toaster is controlled by a large touchscreen display. It controls your shade options, pre-sets, and more.
When you’re not toasting bread, the touchscreen display can even be used as a kitchen clock.
This toaster also has an impressive heating system. Its double-helix etched metal heating elements reach full heat in just 2 seconds! It doesn’t require preheating and it consumes less energy.
Wrapping up with the Best 2 Slice Toaster
None of the toasters on our list interests you? Don’t worry, there are hundreds of other good toasters out there!
We hope this article has equipped you with enough knowledge about toasters to go out there and pick the best one for you.
