For anyone who loves bread, a toaster is an essential kitchen appliance to have on hand. Although untoasted bread is amazing, warm, crispy, perfectly toasted bread is even better. Why deprive yourself the luxury of toasted bread when there are so many quality toasters?
In 2022, the toaster is becoming more and more advanced. Long gone are the days of burnt bread or under-toasted bread, since toasters have become more technologically sophisticated than ever. Here are the top contenders for the position of Best 2 Slice Toaster in 2022.
Top 8 Best 2 Slice Toaster Reviews 2022
1. KitchenAid Pro Line Series – Best Overall
KitchenAid is known for creating high quality, affordable kitchen appliances that are durable and long lasting. This Pro Line Automatic Toaster from KitchenAid is a great piece with all the necessary features included, and then some more to add to its value!
The design of the KitchenAid Pro Line toaster is by far one of the most elegant on this list. Simple and to-the-point, the exterior is dramatically beautiful while also being non-presumptuous. The toaster can either fade into the background or be highlighted when it’s in use.
The most unique feature that this toaster model boasts is its automatic Keep Warm feature that turns on after toasting is completed to keep your toast warm for three minutes, even if you don’t retrieve it immediately. This is a fantastic feature for busy people especially!
Some other features included in this model include an automatic lever that raises and lowers toast, 7 toasting shades (well above the average 3), and available settings for toasting bagels and frozen sliced bread.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Automatic Keep Warm feature (3 minutes)
- 7 toasting shade options
- Settings for bagels and frozen bread
- Automatically raises and lowers bread (no outside lever)
- 4 color options available
- Excellent brand
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Toasts slower than some other models
- Expensive
2. Cuisinart CPT-420 2 Slice Toaster – Best Value
This Cuisinart 2 slice toaster is beautiful and technologically advanced, by far one of the absolute best value toasters on this list. A solid brand with a solid reputation, the CPT-420 toaster model is durable and long-lasting, just as a toaster should be!
This is one of the only 2 slice toasters on this list that features a digital display. Surprisingly though, even despite this technology, the CPT-420 is quite user friendly. There are 7 different shade settings available along with defrost, bagel, and reheat functions, all in easy reach.
The most uncommon feature included with this Cuisinart toaster is the countdown feature exhibited on the digital display. Users can now watch over their toast with an actual timer to time their other activities so that the rest of breakfast is ready when the toast is!
The exterior of the CPT-420 toaster is a sleek stainless steel, and the settings are activated with easy to push buttons. It’s a stylish unit with a compact size, so it’s excellent for small kitchens where it’s likely to end up as a feature on the countertop.
Pros
- Stylish aesthetic
- Stainless steel exterior (BPA-free)
- 7 shade settings
- Defrost, bagel, and reheat settings
- Digital display
- Countdown timer
- Durable
- Compact size
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- Will only work with 110/120 volts; users must make sure their electricity is compatible
- Slightly more costly than other models
3. HoLife 2 Slice Stainless Steel Toaster – Most Durable
This affordable and reliable toaster comes from a less-than-popular brand, but the HoLife toaster is a surprisingly durable and quality kitchenware piece. With comprehensible settings and a good style, this 2 slice toaster makes a good case as one of the best toasters of 2022.
The HoLife toaster can toast regular bread, but it’s also able to handle bagels and English muffin. Whether they’re frozen or room temperature is irrelevant since this toaster comes equipped with a handy defrost setting too.
This 2 slice toaster has 6 shade settings. Users have had success toaster all types of bread items successfully, including waffles and pop tarts! There is an LCD digital timer countdown screen with this unit, so it’s easy to know how much longer you have before the bread is ready.
The slots on this toaster are 1.5 inches wide, which is plenty wide for a variety of functions. The automatic pop up function is convenient and keeps things simple and straightforward for the cook. The only real downside to this toaster is that it gets hot on the outside when in use.
Pros
- Extra wide slots
- 6 shade settings
- Can toast many kinds of bread (sliced bread, artisanal breads, bagels, English muffins, waffles, pop tarts, etc.)
- LCD screen with countdown timer
- Easy-to-use settings
- Sleek stainless steel exterior
- Extremely affordable price
- Anti-overheat protection
- Automatic pop up feature
- Defrost setting
Cons
- Gets hot on the outside when in use; users must be careful
- Lesser known brand name
4. Smeg Retro Style – Most Stylish
If you’re into the retro style and are looking for the perfect high-quality, beautiful 50s retro toaster, this 2 slice toaster from Smeg is for you! With 7 different color options and a carefully designed exterior, this is perfect for people who value style as well as functionality.
There are 6 toasting shades available, and users are even able to choose half-steps in between each step for a more customized toasting experience (thus essentially creating 12 different shades). True to form, this Italian toaster has made the simplicity of toasted bread into an art!
Among the other settings available are a reheat setting and a defrost setting, along with specific functions for bagels and English muffins. It features wide toasting slots, along with a stainless steel crumb tray, non-slip feet, and a durable exterior that can handle a beating.
Beyond all these already amazing features, this 2 slice toaster from Smeg also comes with self-centering racks to encourage even toasting. With loads of both beauty and functionality, who could say no to this amazing toaster?
Pros
- Gorgeous exterior design
- 7 color options available
- High quality Italian brand
- Extra wide toasting slots
- Non slip feet
- Durable
- 6 toasting shades
- Reheat, defrost, and bagel settings
Cons
- More expensive than other models
- Users may need to use tongs to remove the bread from the slots due to a lack of the lift feature
5. Breville Smart Toaster – Most Technologically Advanced
The Breville brand produces high end kitchen appliances for a low, budget friendly price. This Smart Toaster from Breville is indeed high end and has certainly earned the spot of Most Technologically Advanced Toaster for a reason!
This particular toaster comes with extra perks not included with just any toaster. For example, the “A Bit More” and “Lift and Look” features make it super easy to toast bread just as you like it. The first setting browns the bread “a bit more”, and the lift and look lets the user see the bread.
The slots themselves are extra wide, and there are toasting options for regular bread, bagels, and for defrosting. There is an LED setting panel that controls the toast browning levels and toasting time. The brown level is set with a touch-control slide bar.
The exterior of the Breville 2 Slice Smart Toaster is a stainless steel finish, making this an extremely sleek and stylish kitchen appliance. Plus, the LED bar adds a high-tech look that will add a level of sophistication to your kitchen aesthetic when the toaster is on the countertop.
Pros
- Sleek stainless steel exterior
- Extra wide toasting slots
- 5 shade settings
- Extra settings (“A Bit More” and “Lift and Look”)
- Settings for sliced bread, bagels, and defrosting
- LED control panel
- Compact
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Low wattage (only 900 watts)
- More costly
6. Hamilton Beach Cool Wall – Best Safety
Hamilton Beach is a popular brand name in the kitchen appliance industry. It’s a good idea to buy from a company with a solid track record of excellence, and Hamilton Beach definitely lives up to that standard. This Cool Wall 2 Slice Toaster is another great item from this brand.
One of the best things about this Hamilton Beach toaster is that it’s fully capable of handling various toasting jobs. From room temperature to frozen breads, the Cool Wall can handle it all. Bagels, sliced bread, and waffles will all toast perfectly in this model.
The settings on the Cool Wall 2 Slice Toaster provide just enough variation to be finely tuned, but also are simple enough to avoid complications. There are 5 different shade settings available, which is more than the usual three that most toaster models offer.
This toaster is a step above the rest in terms of its Cool Wall feature. Because the exterior construction of this model is made of plastic and the heat is adequately deferred, the outside of the toaster remains safely cool to the touch during the toasting process.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Wide slot size
- Cool walls
- Can toast from frozen or room temperature
- Crumb tray
- 5 shade settings
- Settings for bagels, sliced bread, and waffles
- Automatic boost function
Cons
- Not as aesthetically pleasing as some other models
- Less durable
7. ODA Kitchen Extra Wide – Mosst Unique
The ODA Kitchen 2 slice toaster is the only one that loads bread horizontally rather than vertically. It’s a unique design that’s unmatched by any other toaster; some users will prefer this design for its functionality and ease of use.
This is one of the easiest toasters to clean of 2022 as well as one of the most unique. There is a removable crumb tray included, and because the toaster loads sideways, it’s possible for the user to clean other parts of the toaster that are otherwise inaccessible in other toaster models.
An easy to use control knob allows the user to select a shade setting between 1-6. In this toaster model, there are both defrost and reheat settings available, which makes it less stressful for the user to accidentally forget their toast and have to warm it up later!
Because of the sideways loading method that this toaster has, it’s no hassle to toast any kind of bread. Whether the bread is short, tall, wide or narrow, this toaster handles it with ease. The clever design of this toaster really is one that lots of customers will appreciate.
Pros
- Unique design
- Easy to clean
- Crumb tray included
- Defrost and reheat settings
- 6 shade settings
- Toast slot works for any size/shape of bread
- Attractive design
- Burn-proof (users don’t need to worry about the outside of the unit getting too hot)
- 3 year warranty
Cons
- Unconventional design might confuse some customers
- Large size; takes up a lot of counter space
8. Keemo Prime Toaster – Best for Busy People
The Keemo Prime 2 slice toaster is another cleverly designed toaster with an interesting design and unequaled unique features and settings. Customers are praising this toaster from the less well known Keemo brand because of its superb performance and mechanisms.
This toaster has 7 shade settings, which is more than the average 2 slice toaster. In addition, there are both defrost and reheat settings included, along with a cancel button to stop toasting in the middle of a toasting cycle if necessary.
The Keemo Prime toaster has a built in warming rack that keeps recently toasted breads warm and ready. It’s able to toast all different shapes and sizes of bread, including the most normal bread like bagels and slices all the way to croissants and artisan breads.
This particular Keemo toaster has a striking stainless steel design complete with solid black accents and a sleek control panel. It makes a good impression when placed on a countertop, and certainly will be an appliance you’re proud of for its durability and functionality.
Pros
- Beautiful exterior
- 7 shade settings
- Defrost and reheat settings included
- Cancel button
- Can toast all types of bread
- Extra-large bread slots
- Built in warming rack
- Compact size
- Affordable
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Less popular brand
- Toasting results are less consistent than other brands
Things to Consider Before Buying
There are a lot of things to consider before buying a 2 slice toaster! Even though any one of the toasters discussed above would be a great choice, you’re the customer and only you know what you need from a toaster.
Before making any purchase, it’s a good idea to assess your needs. What do you plan to use your toaster for? How often do you plan to use it? What functions are important to you? What’s your budget? These are all necessary questions to ask before making a final purchase decision.
Functionality
Some toasters can handle toasting a lot of different items while others are limited only to sliced bread from the grocery store. Like always, consider how you plan to use your toaster. Do you want to toast pop tarts and waffles as well as bread? Or do you only plan to toast sliced bread?
Certain toasters have special functions available for toasting other food types such as the ones mentioned above. If you’re planning to use your 2 slice toaster for a variety of foods, check in on the functionality of the toaster you’re interested in to make sure that it can handle those foods.
Slot Size
This one might be surprising to some potential customers but checking in on the slot size of various toasters is actually pretty important! If you’re planning to toast bread like sourdough or French loaves, or basically any specialty bread, larger slots may be advantageous.
Cleanability
Toasters are notorious for being difficult to clean. In the past, most toasters were so difficult to clean that at some point owners had to simply get a new toaster. But today, with recent advanced in kitchenware technology, toasters are becoming easier and easier to clean.
Of course, some features make toasters easier to clean. For example, a removable crumb tray is a key feature to keep an eye out for. This particular feature makes cleaning much easier and more straightforward than it otherwise would be.
Size
Toasters vary greatly in size, from the bulky and overwhelming to the compact and slim. Even if a toaster can accommodate large pieces of bread, it may still be designed in a way where it doesn’t take up very much space.
In contrast, a toaster can also only handle smaller bread sizes and still remain bulky and take up a lot of counter space. A combination of a good slot size and a compact overall size is ideal, so keep on the lookout for this so that you get the best bang for your buck.
Affordability
Some toasters are more expensive than others. Every customer has to consider their personal budget when purchasing a toaster. Decide how much you’re willing to spend before you start the hunt; it’s a smart move to decide your budget before hunting because you will be more realistic.
Just because a toaster is more expensive does not mean that it’s better. In fact, some of the best toasters on the market are some of the cheapest! So, don’t be fooled by the price tags. Make sure to do complete, thorough research to vet out the best toaster for your needs.
Settings and Ease of Use
Certain toaster models have settings that are much more extensive and complex than other models. Of course, there are some excellent toasters with super simple settings too, but there are some cooks who like to have more control over the cooking experience.
The most basic settings included with a 2 slice toaster allow the user to choose from light, medium, or dark for each bread slot. More complex settings may include a bagel toasting option (which toasts one side more than the other) or a defrost function.
Some toaster models have a similar setting system to the “light, medium, dark” system, but with more careful selections that are available. No matter the setting system, it’s important that it’s straightforward and easy enough to use that it’s possible to use the toaster every day.
Special Features
Just like any kitchen appliance, some 2 slice toaster models come equipped with special features that make toasting a different experience. Some of these features may prove valuable to certain users, while other customers may not rank them quite as high in terms of value.
One super important feature of a 2 slice toaster is the cancel button. This button allows the user to immediately stop toasting at any time, so as to avoid accidental burning. The crumb tray is another incredibly useful feature that aids in the clean-up process.
Another special feature to look for is the self-adjusting guide feature. This feature makes it so the toast is evenly centered in the toasting slots, thus allowing the bread to be toasted as evenly as possible.
Conclusion
Toaster are spectacular appliances, but with so many on the market today making a decision about which one to buy can be a struggle. Luckily, there are plenty of top rated toasters to choose from that all make great choices, no matter which one you pick!
Hopefully these tips and considerations will make your toaster buying journey into a breeze. After all, buying a new appliance should be fun! Think of all the possibilities you’ll have on your hands with your new toaster. This really is an appliance that’s at home in every kitchen.