The Best Two Slice Toaster

How seriously do you take your toast?

If you’ve never replaced the pop-up toaster that you received at your wedding shower, prepare to be surprised. Toasters have come a long way since Lucy Ricardo was burning Ricky’s breakfast every morning. You might have more to consider before buying a toaster than you would if you were in the market for a new home.

Hopefully, this buying guide will steer you to just the right appliance.

Capabilities

First, decide how you’ll use your toaster.

Slots come in a wide variety of lengths and widths to accommodate ordinary sliced bread, Pop-tarts, bagels, frozen waffles and English muffins. Many models, such as the Black+Decker and Krups listed above, have extra-wide slots. Some have self-adjusting guides for centering breads according to their thickness. It’s a nice feature that ensures even browning.

Note the slot size before you buy. It would be a crying shame if your Texas toast didn't fit in your new toaster.
Performance and Brand Reputation

There are some pricey, great-looking toasters on the market, but they don’t necessarily make good toast. Do your homework.

First and foremost, the toaster should heat items quickly and consistently. It must be durable; many consumers hang on to quality toasters for a decade or more. Whatever model you buy should come with a warranty.

Consider brand reputation. It would be interesting to know how many toasters have been sold under trusted names like Cuisinart and KitchenAid. Having said that, Aicok is not an especially high-profile brand, but consumers seem happy with it. Also, a manufacturer that makes outstanding food processors may turn out lousy toasters.

The internet has made it easy to get feedback on products that you’re thinking of buying. Check the reviews posted by verified purchasers. Brand name isn’t always enough to go on.
Avoid reviews that start this way: “What an awesome toaster! I just bought it today … ” You may have to do some digging, but find reviewers who have actually plugged in their toasters and used them for at least a couple of months.

Features

Today’s models are nothing like your grandmother’s. Some can do just about everything except fry the eggs that you’ll have with your toast.

Here are some bells and whistles that may appeal to you:

• Cancel options to prevent burning
• Self-adjusting guides to center the toast
• Defrost settings
• Anti-jam features
• Gluten-free settings for dense breads
• High-lift levers for accessing small slices
• Automatic shut-offs
• Adjustable brownness settings
• Settings for bagels that brown one side more heavily than the other
• Glass sides for monitoring brownness
• Crumb trays for easy cleanup
• Under-base cord storage
• Digital displays showing brownness
• Cool-touch exteriors

Price

Prices vary wildly depending on what the toasters are made of and what they can do. In order to spare you sticker shock, we listed only toasters that sell for less than $300. Most are in the $25 to $50 range. The Dualit brand makes a toaster that’s finished in 24-karat gold, but unless you’re preparing breakfast for Queen Elizabeth, a toaster needn’t set you back $1,100. Toasters are usually affordable and are often on sale.

Don’t always assume that price reflects performance. The Oster model on our list retails for around $30. Oster is a trusted brand. This toaster has a cute retro design and comes in a variety of colors. It has a number of nice features, and it gets high marks from people who buy it. In short, there’s nothing wrong with it. The same could be said for the Hamilton Beach product.

On the other hand, some outrageously priced toasters get middling reviews from consumers and consumer advocates who rate products.

Design, Materials and Appearance

You’ll discover a jaw-dropping assortment of materials, styles and colors. Exterior finishes range from brushed nickel to copper to chrome. The Cuisinart CPT-320 on our list is constructed of stainless steel, and the Hamilton Beach 22502 boasts a no-smudge finish. If you’ve always dreamed of a snazzy red toaster, check out the KitchenAid model.

There are designs for every taste. The Fortune Candy model, which is made of eco-friendly materials, is as sleek and sexy as a little black dress. The Bella Linea’s distinctive retro design would be right at home in a 1940s diner.

Modern toasters are yet another means of expressing your personal flair. If you don’t have personal flair and don’t want it, focus on features rather than appearance. Cool designs tend to be reflected on price tags.

Size

Don’t forget to consider the real estate in your kitchen. Most two-slot toasters are fairly small, but some are especially tall or chunky. Measure your counter space and storage cabinets beforehand.

Class of 2017

If toasters had yearbooks, these models would likely be acknowledged:

Most Popular – Black+Decker TR1278B 2-Slice Toaster, Bagel Toaster
The Black+Decker is consistently a best-seller.

Best Looking – KitchenAid KMT2203CA Toaster
Looks aren’t everything, but this KitchenAid, available in red or black, is pretty sharp. It also has a reputation for making very good toast.
Miss Congeniality – Oster TSSTTRJBG1 Jelly Bean 2-Slice Toaster
This affordable, user-friendly Oster is a big favorite in consumer surveys. What’s not to like?

Most Likely to Succeed – Breville BTA820XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster
The 900-watt Breville has push-button controls and an internal smart chip to regulate the heating cycle. A gentle beep alerts users when breakfast is ready, and the toast is just about perfect every time.

All the experts agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Morning is a time for focusing on the hours ahead and prioritizing tasks. Who needs the distraction of burned, soggy or unevenly toasted bread?

With just the right toaster, your toast will be the toast of the town.

Be the first to write a review, or check for additional reviews in the Further Reading section below.

New: Our editorial list of additional articles. We decided to gather informartion all around the internet and present you a list of helpful, external links to interesting reads about reviews, pros & cons and similar products.

Do you want to know more about double slice toasters? Check out the links below to gain knowledge about the whole topic of two slice toaster products.

This page about Two Slice Toaster was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
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