Best Toasters Under $50: Budget Picks That Toast Evenly

Pros

• Highest review count in this roundup, over 14,000 ratings averaging 4.4 stars
• 4-slice capacity toasts a full breakfast in one cycle for a family of two to four
• Consistent browning edge-to-edge for a toaster in this price bracket

Pros

• One of the least expensive 4-slice toasters that still holds a 4.3-star rating across nearly 10,000 buyers
• Toast boost lever raises short slices for easy removal without touching the hot housing
• Simple mechanical dial that's easy to use and unlikely to need recalibration
• Wide enough slots (1.2 inches) for most sandwich bread and standard bagels

Pros

• Toast boost lever raises short slices high enough to grab without tongs
• Simple mechanical dial rarely needs recalibrating
• Consistently rated 4.3 stars across more than 7,000 buyers

Pros

• Cuisinart's shading consistency at close to the lowest price in the Cuisinart lineup
• Compact 8-inch footprint fits tight counters and small apartments
• Slide-out crumb tray empties without disassembling the toaster
• 3-year warranty, longer than every other toaster in this roundup except the CPT-320

Pros

• 1.5-inch slots at a budget price, wide enough for bagels and thick bread without forcing
• Stainless exterior looks and wipes cleaner than the plastic-bodied competitors at this price
• Extra-lift lever raises short slices high enough to remove without touching the hot housing

Pros

• Clear windows let you watch browning progress without lifting the lever
• Compact 7-inch footprint is one of the smallest toasters in this roundup
• Simple to clean, no crevices around the viewing windows to trap crumbs

Pros

• Extra-wide slots handle standard bagels without much compression
• Toast boost lever raises short items for safer removal
• Simple dial controls with minimal parts to fail

Pros

• 7-shade dial offers finer control than the typical 6-setting budget toaster
• 1.3-inch width handles bagels and thick bread better than most toasters at this price
• 4.3-star rating holds up despite the brand being less recognized than Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach

Pros

• Long-slot design with a stainless housing at a price closer to plastic budget models
• 1.3-inch slots comfortably fit bagels and thick artisan bread
• 4.3-star rating across 5,200 buyers is solid for a less mainstream brand
• Bagel, reheat, and defrost cover the functions most households actually use

Pros

• Bagel and frozen functions cover the settings most households actually use daily
• Slide-out crumb tray simplifies regular cleaning
• West Bend's build quality is consistent with its higher-rated 4-Slice Extra-Wide sibling

Pros

• Extra-wide slots fit bagels and thick bread
• Manual high-lift lever for small items
• Removable crumb tray
• Several color finishes