The 14 Best Toasters To Buy For Value In 2023

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Life truly is better when you have a toaster. If you have a couple of slices of bread on hand, a crunchy bite of toast is a crack-of-dawn pick-me-up that requires the bare minimum effort — an important quality if you aren't a "morning person." It could be the fuel to munch on while you wait for the tea to steep, the perfect pairing with a jolt of java, or enjoyed alongside a tall glass of orange juice. In a matter of minutes, you have a warm, cozy start to the day.

While toasters have been around since the invention was first patented in 1906 (via Hagley Museum and Library), they seemingly only perform one function. But, the latest items on the market prove that the bar can be raised in toaster technology. We'll guide you through some of the more cutting-edge models. We'll also provide some chic retro-inspired designs to add a little character to your kitchen counter. And for children and the young at heart, we'll throw in some whimsical novelty fare. Don't worry, we're also factoring in the important cost of entry.

This unique, quirky design for a toaster from Nostalgia looks like it came straight out of an episode of "The Jetsons." The Retro 3-in1 Breakfast Station is a major time saver for Rosie the Robot or whoever might be preparing the morning vittles as it's equipped to not only make toast but a full-course breakfast feast.

Its steamer basket can hard boil half a dozen eggs or heat up some healthy veggies. Underneath the steamer basket, you'll find a handy nonstick grill that can sizzle up some classic breakfast meats like bacon and sausage. With its three functions, it's not difficult to imagine how this toaster can be useful beyond breakfast.

As it's only capable of toasting two slices of bread at a time, this is probably a more appropriate device for smaller households. But its multi-functionality is an excellent fit for kitchens with limited space or a lack of an oven range.

What better and easier way to brighten up a kiddo's morning than with a Mickey Mouse toaster from Disney? Your breakfast table can be a FastPass ticket to the Magic Kingdom with this adorable appliance.

Beyond providing the most important meal of the day, seeing the happy face of indisputably the GOAT of cartoon characters might spark curiosity in the culinary arts. Maybe the young one will go from the Mickey Mouse Club to joining a cooking club. Also, consider adding a slice of cheese post-toast for a lunch option — mice are notorious fans of cheddar.

This is a no-frills toaster, so don't expect it to work well with bagels or defrosting. But, it is part of a long line of Mickey-themed appliances, cookware, and dishware offered by the Mouse House. For dedicated Disney devotees who want to deck out their kitchen accordingly, this is a must-buy.

If you are currently a cat owner or have ever been one, you're familiar with the morning routine. It's just before sunrise, you're fast asleep, and your precious pet pounces on the bed, wakes you up, meowing in your face, begging for food and attention. Well, why not flip the script a bit and not only feed kitty but have kitty feed you?

For dedicated Sanrio fans and cat people around the world, this perfectly pink Hello Kitty Two-Slice Toaster can provide a bit of a truce in the daily battle with our feline friends. It serves up two slices toasted with the visage of the precious whiskered face of Hello Kitty herself.

As with many novelty toasters that boast putting a pop culture icon onto a hot slice of bread, there's little this toaster can offer beyond that. It does provide a smile, but don't expect it to defrost, reheat, or warm up a solid bagel.

If you're tight on kitchen space and looking for a compact toaster of the long slot variety, Lofter has designed a sleek and slender 2 Slice model. It's small but mighty. Although it's a particularly narrow long slot toaster, it's still designed to accommodate thicker bread slices if that's your jam.

A key feature we should highlight about Lofter's toaster is that it has a warming rack that allows you to gently heat up your favorite breakfast pastries. Our recommendation would be to use it for danishes or croissants.

This toaster comes with all the requisite specs we have come to expect from any modern toaster. It has six toast settings to suit individual preferences, as well as defrost and reheat settings. Unfortunately, it does not have a specific setting for toasting bagels. However, it has extra-wide slots that measure 1.7 inches, which provides enough room to get your schmear on.

If you're going to drop a bit more dough on a multi-functional toaster oven, why not go with a heavy hitter from the likes of Black+Decker? As a brand that's been around for over 100 years and is well-known for its line of appliances and hardware, you can trust and have faith in the reliability of its products.

Let's be transparent about the size of this Black+Decker Extra-Wide Toaster Oven, as it is a rather large device — much longer and wider — compared to your standard toaster. It has enough space for a 13-inch by 9-inch pan, in fact. But it's a sensible purchase if you have storage space for it, or if you lack an oven and can place it on your countertop.

The roomier space accommodates three racks. It also provides two timers, which are extra helpful when you're cooking several different types of food at the same time.

For those who are gluten-free, we have good news for you. The QuikServe Toaster from West Bend specializes in getting your toast on whether you're into gluten or steering clear of it by including a gluten-free setting.

Gluten-free bread is characteristically very dense compared to bread that contains gluten, and it will turn into a brick under high heat. The setting on this toaster takes that into consideration and provides a lower temperature. While it also comes with a longer cook time, the results are worth the wait.

One additional unique feature of this toaster is its serving tray. Rather than popping up when the toast is ready, it's delivered to you hot and fresh at the bottom of the appliance via a drop-down serving tray.

While it is a very slim toaster, it is bulky in height and length. The control functions are on the longer side, so factor these dimensions into consideration before purchasing.

For those who want controls on the shorter side to suit their kitchen layout and are seeking a retro-inspired design, Oster has a 2-Slice Toaster with Quick-Check Lever that will be the perfect fit. In contrast to other retro designs, which tend to have pastel pops of color, it offers a selection of bolder hues, such as a crimson red shade and a cobalt blue. Black and white are also available if colors aren't a concern. So if pink and turquoise aren't your favorite, but mid-century decor is your aesthetic, go with this Oster model.

It offers a quick-check lever so you can peek at your toast mid-cycle and determine whether or not it's toasted enough to your liking. It also keeps up with the competition by having extra-wide slots, a bagel setting, and a defrost setting. And, there's an easily-removable crumb tray to ensure your device stays clean and well-maintained.