What if I told you perfectly golden-brown toast doesn’t need a fancy, expensive machine? Many of us reach for the toaster every morning. It’s a small appliance, but it makes a big difference in starting the day right. However, when you look for a toaster under $50, the choices can feel overwhelming. You worry about uneven toasting, flimsy levers, or a device that quits after just a few months.
It feels frustrating when you spend a little money only to get a big disappointment. You want reliability without breaking the bank. Finding that sweet spot between quality and cost is tricky, and nobody wants to waste time researching dozens of models.
This guide cuts through the noise. We have tested and analyzed the best toasters that cost less than fifty dollars. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which affordable model delivers consistent, delicious toast every time. Get ready to say goodbye to burnt edges and hello to your new favorite breakfast buddy!
Top Toaster Under $50 Recommendations
- Slim Design, Big Impact: With a sleek 3.58" profile, the bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster fits comfortably on any countertop without taking up much space. Part of our Fits-anywhere kitchenware collection, it’s the perfect blend of style and practicality
- One Long Slot for Versatile Toasting: The extra-wide, 10-inch long slot accommodates two slices of bread side by side or thick artisan breads like bagels, baguettes, and Texas-style toasts. No more squeezing or cutting—just perfect toast, every time
- Toasted Perfection: Six shade settings with a convenient cancel function allow you to customize your bread to your exact preference, from lightly golden to dark and crispy. Achieve your ideal toast with just a simple turn of the dial
- Easy Cleanup & Clutter-Free Countertop: The removable crumb tray slides out for quick cleaning, ensuring your smart toaster stays tidy and operates efficiently. Plus, the cord wrap feature keeps your countertop neat and free from tangled cords
- Effortless Access: Retrieving smaller slices like English muffins is a breeze with the high-lift lever, giving you easy access without burning your fingers. It’s thoughtful details like these that make this appliance a must-have for every kitchen
- NOT JUST FOR TOAST: The extra wide 1.25" slots and 6 browning levels allow for toasting a variety of breakfasts and snacks. Toast bagels, waffles, specialty breads or puff pastry baked snacks.
- COOL TOUCH: With easy-to-use push-down toasting lever and non-slip feet. The swing-out crumb tray has a simple wipe-away surface for quick cleaning.
- PORTABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT: Easy to carry and lightweight, the Elite Gourmet Toaster is perfect for a small apartment, office kitchen, college dorm or camper/RV.
- SELF-CENTERING: The automatic self-centering guides easily center the toast to allow even distribution of heat for perfect browning every time.
- CANCEL FUNCTION: Easily cancel any toasting cycle in the middle of toasting by simply adjusting the knob. No need to push up on the lever to reduce the risk of damage.
- EXTRA WIDE TOASTING SLOTS to fit extra thick slices of bread products such as Texas Toast, bagels and specialty breads.
- 6 ADJUSTABLE TOASTING LEVELS to select the perfect browning shade for your bread. From slightly warm to dark and crunchy.
- REHEAT WARMING FUNCTION allows you to easily reheat and warm previously toasted breads quickly at a lower temperature without burning.
- CONVENIENT CANCEL BUTTON lets you quickly cancel and release the toast in the middle of the toasting cycle.
- RETRACTABLE WARMING RACK for warming pastries, croissants, buns, rolls, pitas and more.
- 2-slice toaster for toasting 1 or 2 slices of bread at a time
- 6 shade settings accommodate individual preferences
- Extra-wide slots for bagels and thicker slices; each slot measures 5-1/4 inches long by 1-1/4 inches wide
- Bagel setting for toasting just the cut side; Frozen setting for defrosting bread; Cancel function ends the session at any time; buttons illuminate to indicate selected settings
- Extra-lift lever for safely removing smaller pieces
- Slim Design, Big Impact: With a sleek 3.58" profile, the bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster fits comfortably on any countertop without taking up much space. Part of our Fits-anywhere kitchenware collection, it’s the perfect blend of style and practicality
- One Long Slot for Versatile Toasting: The extra-wide, 10-inch long slot accommodates two slices of bread side by side or thick artisan breads like bagels, baguettes, and Texas-style toasts. No more squeezing or cutting—just perfect toast, every time
- Toasted Perfection: Six shade settings with a convenient cancel function allow you to customize your bread to your exact preference, from lightly golden to dark and crispy. Achieve your ideal toast with just a simple turn of the dial
- Easy Cleanup & Clutter-Free Countertop: The removable crumb tray slides out for quick cleaning, ensuring your smart toaster stays tidy and operates efficiently. Plus, the cord wrap feature keeps your countertop neat and free from tangled cords
- Effortless Access: Retrieving smaller slices like English muffins is a breeze with the high-lift lever, giving you easy access without burning your fingers. It’s thoughtful details like these that make this appliance a must-have for every kitchen
- EFFORTLESSLY TOAST THICKER BREADS: Wider than the slots on many 2 slice toasters, the toast slots on this Hamilton Beach toaster are extra wide to easily fit thicker breads and bagels.
- EASILY RETRIEVE SMALLER SIZED BREADS: The Toast Boost feature on the 2 slice toaster lifts smaller breads like English muffins so they're easier to retrieve after toasting.
- KEEP COUNTERTOPS CLEANER: Conveniently remove and discard crumbs from the bottom of the bread toaster with the pullout crumb tray, so they don't end up on your countertop.
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOAST SHADE: Use the shade selector to make lighter or darker toast. Choose from 7 toast shades. Simply press the cancel button to stop the toast cycle and get your toast. No need to wait
- NEATLY STORES AWAY: The built in cord wrap in the base of the toaster makes it easy to neatly store the toaster 2 slice when it's not being used.
- Slim Design, Big Impact: With a sleek 6.14" profile, the bella 4-Slice Slim Toaster fits comfortably on any countertop without taking up much space. Part of our Fits-anywhere kitchenware collection, it’s the perfect blend of style and practicality
- Two Long Slots for Versatile Toasting: The extra-wide, 10-inch long slot accommodates two slices of bread side by side or thick artisan breads like bagels, sourdough, baguettes, and Texas-style toasts. No more squeezing or cutting—just perfect toast, every time
- Toasted Perfection: Six shade settings with a convenient cancel function allow you to customize your bread to your exact preference, from lightly golden to dark and crispy. Achieve your ideal toast with just a simple turn of the dial
- Easy Cleanup & Clutter-Free Countertop: The removable crumb tray slides out for quick cleaning, ensuring your smart toaster stays tidy and operates efficiently. Plus, the cord wrap feature keeps your countertop neat and free from tangled cords
- Effortless Access: Retrieving smaller slices like English muffins is a breeze with the high-lift lever, giving you easy access without burning your fingers. It’s thoughtful details like these that make this appliance a must-have for every kitchen
- Multifunctional Toaster – Kickstart your mornings with fresh toast or perfectly warmed bagels with the Mueller UltraCrisp 4 Slice Toaster.Features two extra-long slots that fit up to four slices, with Cancel, Defrost, and Reheat functions, self-centering guides, and intelligent heating technology for perfectly even toasting every time!
- Full Control – Six browning settings let you take control of your toasting level so you can enjoy your toast exactly how you like it. Memory recall keeps your settings saved, but with sleek touch buttons and LED display, it’s just as easy to switch between settings.The single lever activates both slots, even if you toast one slice.
- Extra-Wide Slots – With each slot at 1.6 inch wide, the 4 slice toaster lets you fit long, thick slices of artisan bread, Texas toast, bagels, English muffins, and plenty more of your favorites. Perfect size for the modern family, with hungry mouths to feed each morning! Perfect as a new home essentials, Mueller toasters also make an excellent gifts for mom, combining functionality with style.
- Effortless Cleaning – Toasters naturally gather crumbs, but with our removable crumb tray, maintenance is a breeze. The convenient under-base cord storage keeps your toaster compact and your countertop tidy. Crafted with premium components, this brushed stainless steel toaster is a guaranteed asset to your kitchen and a must-have for any apartment essentials list.
- Superior Quality With Mueller - We are here to offer you only the best quality products designed to make your life easier. If you need any help, please feel free to contact us, our professional customer support is always here for you!
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding Your Best Toaster Under $50
You want perfectly golden toast every morning without breaking the bank. Buying a toaster under $50 is totally possible! This guide helps you pick the best budget-friendly machine for your kitchen needs.
Key Features to Look For
Even cheap toasters have important settings. Check these features first:
- Browning Control Dial: This is crucial. Look for a wide range of settings, usually 1 through 6 or 7. This lets you choose light brown or deeply toasted bread.
- Wide Slots: Standard bread fits fine. But if you eat bagels, thick-cut artisanal bread, or frozen waffles, you need wider slots (usually 1.25 inches or more).
- Bagel Setting: A good bagel setting toasts only the cut side while gently warming the outside. This prevents hard, burned crusts.
- Cancel Button: Always look for a visible Cancel button. This stops the toasting cycle immediately if your bread starts smoking or you forget about it.
- Crumb Tray: An easily removable crumb tray makes cleanup fast. Don’t settle for a toaster where crumbs pile up inside.
Important Materials for Durability
The materials affect how long your toaster lasts and how safe it is.
Exterior Shell
Most toasters in this price range use **plastic** or **stainless steel** exteriors. Plastic is lighter and cheaper, but stainless steel looks better and often handles heat slightly better. Be careful with plastic models; they can get very hot on the outside.
Interior Components
The heating elements inside should be made of durable **Nichrome wire**. This material heats up fast and lasts a long time. Always check user reviews to see if the heating elements fail quickly in cheaper models.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality in a budget toaster often means reliability. Several design factors influence this:
What Improves Quality:
- Sturdy Levers: A lever that feels stiff and clicks securely into place usually means better internal mechanics. Flimsy levers often break first.
- Non-Slip Feet: Rubber feet keep the toaster steady on the counter, preventing accidental tipping.
- Cord Storage: Some smart designs let you wrap the cord underneath the unit, keeping your counter tidy.
What Reduces Quality:
- Uneven Toasting: This is the biggest complaint. If reviews frequently mention one side burns while the other stays pale, the heating element placement is poor.
- Cheap Plastic Housing: If the plastic smells strongly of chemicals when first used, it suggests lower-grade materials.
- Weak Pop-Up Spring: If the toast barely pops up, you must fish it out with a fork (which is dangerous!). A strong spring lifts the toast high.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about *how* you use toast. This helps narrow down your search.
For the Busy Commuter:
You need speed and reliability. Look for a dedicated **Frozen setting**. This setting adds extra time to thaw the bread before toasting it properly. A simple two-slice model is often best.
For the Breakfast Enthusiast (Bagels & Waffles):
Prioritize the **Bagel function** and **Wide Slots**. If you toast thick items often, the extra width is worth the price difference.
For Small Kitchens:
Consider a **two-slice toaster** with a vertical design. These take up less counter space than wide, four-slice models. Ensure the crumb tray slides out easily for quick cleaning.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Toasters Under $50
Q: Can I find a reliable 4-slice toaster under $50?
A: Yes, you often can. However, 4-slice models in this price range might have slightly less durable levers or less even heating across all four slots compared to premium models.
Q: Are plastic toasters safe to use?
A: Yes, modern plastic toasters meet safety standards. Just remember that the plastic exterior gets very hot during use. Never touch the sides while it is operating.
Q: What is the “defrost” setting used for?
A: The defrost setting adds extra toasting time automatically. This warms up bread straight from the freezer before it starts the regular browning cycle. It prevents soggy or cold centers.
Q: Why is my toast burning on one side only?
A: This usually means the heating elements inside are poorly spaced or one side has a failed element. Check customer reviews specifically for complaints about uneven toasting before buying.
Q: How often should I empty the crumb tray?
A: You should empty the crumb tray at least once a week if you toast daily. This prevents old crumbs from burning and causing smoke.
Q: Does the brand name matter much in this budget range?
A: Brand names offer some assurance, but many reliable, lesser-known brands make excellent budget toasters. Focus more on verified user reviews than just the name on the box.
Q: What is the difference between a bagel setting and a regular setting?
A: The bagel setting only toasts the inside (cut side) of the bagel intensely while using lower heat on the outside (crust side). The regular setting toasts both sides equally.
Q: How long should a good budget toaster last?
A: If well-made, a toaster under $50 should last between three to five years with regular use. If it stops working after one year, it was likely a low-quality unit.
Q: Should I look for stainless steel?
A: Stainless steel looks nicer and resists stains better than white or black plastic. If your budget allows the small extra cost, it is a good upgrade for aesthetics.
Q: Can I toast items other than bread?
A: Only use the toaster for bread, bagels, toaster pastries, or frozen waffles designed for toasting. Never put cheese, buttered bread, or anything wet into the slots. This creates a fire hazard.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!