The Best Toaster
An inexpensive, reliable toaster that makes evenly browned toast and lasts a decade-plus of daily use — exactly what a toaster should be. · Updated June 25, 2026
Cuisinart 2-Slice Toaster
Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster
Also at cuisinart.com · Target
star.shop researches products across the internet, Reddit, Wirecutter, and other review sites, filters out SEO spam and fake reviews, and recommends the single best option, so you can buy with confidence, no digging required.
Pros
- Toasts evenly and consistently across batches — the thing that actually matters in a toaster
- Cheap (around $22) and widely available, so it's easy to replace if it ever dies
- Compact footprint that fits even crowded counters
- Simple controls and a small plastic body that shrugs off heat without breaking
- 10–15 years of daily use from Cuisinart toasters in this class
Cons
- Standard-width slots won't fit thick artisan slices or long bread
Minor nitpicks
- Not user-repairable — when it eventually fails you replace it rather than swap a part (though at ~$22 that's a non-issue for most buyers)
- Lacks status-symbol looks of a Dualit or Smeg
- Plastic build feels less premium than stainless or metal toasters
The other picks
- r/BuyItForLifeDualit Classic Toaster — Handmade, fully repairable, and a design-museum icon — but expensive, underpowered on 120V US power, and owners admit it doesn't make better toast
- r/BuyItForLifeSunbeam Radiant Control Toaster (vintage) — Legendary auto-lowering, bread-temperature-sensing design that fans call the best toaster ever — but only available secondhand or restored
- WirecutterBreville BTA720XL 'Bit More' Toaster — Wirecutter's upgrade pick with a handy 'a bit more' button, though Reddit reports poorly placed buttons and a few early knob failures
The sources we read for this pick (1)
- WirecutterWirecutter: The Best Toaster