The 3 Best Cheap Toasters - Spring 2025

The best cheap toaster we've tested is the Black+Decker 2-Slice Toaster T2569B. This simple model is one of the least expensive models we've tested and offers one of the best toasting performances. It has a fantastic toasting range: you can get anything from barely warmed to definitely charred bread with one of its five settings. This means you can make golden-brown toast with one of the settings (4) or use a higher setting to properly brown denser bread in a single cycle. It evenly toasts the entire surface of the bread on both sides and performs consistently batch after batch.

Its toasting performance doesn't leave much to be desired, but the downside of this inexpensive option is its lack of extra features. It has basic functions like 'Bagel,' 'Frozen,' and 'Stop Cycle,' but there are no cycle countdown indicators to let you know when your toast will be ready. It's made of plastic, giving it a less premium look and feel than metal toasters.

If your preferred breakfast involves smaller items like English muffins or frozen waffles, the Oster 2-Slice Toaster with Quick-Check Lever may be a better option. This inexpensive toaster doesn't offer the same fantastic toasting range as the previous pick, so denser breads might need an extra cycle, even if you use the highest setting. However, its slots are shallower when raised, making it easier to grab smaller items. The 'Quick-Check Lever' feature lets you lift the slots and check your toast's progress without interrupting the toasting cycle.

It toasts the surface of the bread evenly on both sides. It does a good job of toasting consistently, although it tends to produce slightly darker toast after a few batches, so it's not as consistent as the Black+Decker 2-Slice Toaster T2569B. Overall, though, it's a good, cheap option. As a bonus, its wavy plastic shell gives it a retro look, and this toaster comes in a few different colors.

If there's a high demand for toast in your home, you might need a 4-slice toaster. The Black+Decker 4-Slice Toaster TR400SSD is the best inexpensive toaster with four slots we've tested. This toaster offers a higher capacity for busy mornings, with two sets of slots you can operate independently. It has a fantastic toasting range, so you can easily make golden-brown toast from sandwich bread and brown denser carbs like rye bread in a single cycle. It toasts very evenly on both sides of the bread and produces similar results after multiple batches.

Like the other toasters on this list, it lacks quality-of-life features like cycle countdown indicators. However, it does have settings for frozen items and bagels and a cancel button, like most toasters. If you want something fancier, the Beautiful 4-Slice Toaster with Touch-Activated Display is slightly more expensive but has a high-end look. It comes in pastel colors like 'Sage Green' and has cycle countdown indicators for each set of slots. However, its button controls don't let you fine-tune the shade setting like a dial, so you're stuck with the seven preset settings. While it can brown denser bread in a single cycle, if you're using basic sandwich bread, none of the settings yields golden-brown toast.