CURRENT EDITION

Toaster

MARKET NOTE

Seven models genuinely cleared the evidence bar; I did not pad to eight. Street-price bands: excellent budget $25–$50; stronger four-slice or specialty $60–$130; long-slot design around $150–$200. The CPT-142/122 and Hamilton Beach prove that extra price rarely buys better basic toast. Common hype traps: touchscreens, motorized lifts, retro paint, celebrity branding, and “smart” presets without me

EDITION 01RESEARCHED 2026-07-147 SOURCESREFRESH DUE 2027-01

2 PRODUCTS · RANKED

House weights favor construction, performance, and value.

Current top recommendation: BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster.

  1. 01

    $29

    BLACK+DECKER BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster — Toaster

    BLACK+DECKER

    Top Pick

    BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster

    At $29, full-batch color evenness and toasting speed both rated excellent by Consumer Reports, results many $70-plus toasters miss. Brushed-steel front and two-year warranty outlast typical budget plastic.

    Its substance is measured: Consumer Reports scored both full-batch color evenness and toasting time excellent, with very good one-slice performance. The stainless exterior, high-lift carriage, seven shades, and two-year warranty are meaningful upgrades at a sub-$40 price.

    Full review
  2. 02

    $40

    Cuisinart Cuisinart Compact 2-Slice Toaster — Toaster

    Cuisinart

    Cuisinart Compact 2-Slice Toaster

    A $40 two-slotter that still posts excellent CR scores for color range and speed, backed by a three-year warranty rare at this price. Bagel handling lags newer rivals, so stick to sandwich bread.

    CR gave it excellent scores for shade range, batch evenness, one-slice performance, and speed. Wirecutter still recommends it, and the three-year warranty is excellent for roughly $40. The value is honest, but newer TechGearLab and Bon Appétit testing exposes mediocre bagel behavior, so choose it primarily for sandwich bread.

    Full review