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The best toasters for reliable, even toast
The Cuisinart Custom Select wins for steady browning and useful presets; the Dash and Bella offer cheaper options for different kitchens.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Cuisinart 2-Slice Custom Select Toaster CPT-620 | Dash Clear View Toaster DVTS501 | bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster |
| Price | about $60 | about $42 | about $20 |
| Why | Good Housekeeping names it best overall, citing useful bread presets, a single-slice mode and strong consistency. In its repeated-batch test, ten slices came out nearly identical as the toaster adjusted its cycle time. | Good Housekeeping calls it a value pick and reports perfect results in its consecutive-batch color consistency test. Its long slot accommodates artisan bread or two standard slices side by side, and it costs less than the Cuisinart. | RTINGS names it its best cheap two-slice toaster, reporting even browning and reasonably quick cycles. Good Housekeeping also found consistent results with one or two slices, and listed it at about $20 on Amazon. |
| Good to know | Its lower shade settings may produce barely browned toast. | Toast can pop up forcefully and land outside the toaster. | It has few features and can leave crumbs on the counter. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AIGood Housekeeping names it best overall, citing useful bread presets, a single-slice mode and strong consistency. In its repeated-batch test, ten slices came out nearly identical as the toaster adjusted its cycle time.
Good to know: Its lower shade settings may produce barely browned toast.
See on Amazonpicture by AIGood Housekeeping calls it a value pick and reports perfect results in its consecutive-batch color consistency test. Its long slot accommodates artisan bread or two standard slices side by side, and it costs less than the Cuisinart.
Good to know: Toast can pop up forcefully and land outside the toaster.
See on Amazonpicture by AIRTINGS names it its best cheap two-slice toaster, reporting even browning and reasonably quick cycles. Good Housekeeping also found consistent results with one or two slices, and listed it at about $20 on Amazon.
Good to know: It has few features and can leave crumbs on the counter.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Look for even browning across repeated batches, slots that fit the bread you eat, and settings you’ll actually use. Long-slot designs handle artisan slices, while compact two-slot models are easier to store.
Who this is for
These picks suit people shopping for a simple countertop toaster, from those who want flexible everyday settings to buyers focused on price or saving space.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Cuisinart 2-Slice Custom Select Toaster CPT-620
Good Housekeeping names it best overall, citing useful bread presets, a single-slice mode and strong consistency. In its repeated-batch test, ten slices came out nearly identical as the toaster adjusted its cycle time. It has settings for bagels, waffles, pastries, English muffins and defrosting. Good Housekeeping found a frozen bagel crisp and lightly golden in about two and a half minutes. The slots fit bulky bagels and brioche, but not extra-long sourdough. Toast tends to stay very pale below medium, so people who like darker toast should use higher settings.
Good to know: Its lower shade settings may produce barely browned toast.
See on AmazonBest value: Dash Clear View Toaster DVTS501
Good Housekeeping calls it a value pick and reports perfect results in its consecutive-batch color consistency test. Its long slot accommodates artisan bread or two standard slices side by side, and it costs less than the Cuisinart. The clear viewing window lets you watch toast without stopping the cycle, and the slim footprint saves counter space. It includes bagel, reheat and defrost settings. One tester said it browned bread evenly, but found the pop-up forceful enough to send toast flying. Choose another toaster if that launch is likely to annoy you.
Good to know: Toast can pop up forcefully and land outside the toaster.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster
RTINGS names it its best cheap two-slice toaster, reporting even browning and reasonably quick cycles. Good Housekeeping also found consistent results with one or two slices, and listed it at about $20 on Amazon. Its single long slot fits two standard slices or one longer slice, and the slim body is just 3.6 inches wide. It keeps controls simple, with six shade settings and a cancel button. It lacks bagel and frozen-food modes, and RTINGS reports crumbs can fall past the tray. Skip it if you want lots of presets or toast tall, bulky bread.
Good to know: It has few features and can leave crumbs on the counter.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Good Housekeeping tested toast shade range, consecutive batches, single slices, controls, cleaning and exterior temperature; its overall pick browned ten slices nearly identically. RTINGS says it has tested more than 30 toasters, scoring evenness, speed, bagels, capacity and crumb management. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon or the store when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Pictures marked "picture by AI" are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.