Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster Review: Is the Cheapest Option Actually Good?

In a world of smart appliances, touchscreens, and toasters that cost as much as a car payment, sometimes you just want a piece of bread turned into toast. You don’t need an app for that. You need heat.

That’s the philosophy behind the Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster. It promises absolutely no frills—just functional, consistent toasting at a price point that makes you wonder how they even manufacture it. But “cheap” can often mean dangerous, uneven, or flimsy.

I picked up this budget-friendly staple to answer a simple question: Can the most generic toaster on the internet actually compete with the big name brands, or are you better off spending a little more? Here is my honest review.

Quick Specs & Verdict

1. Unboxing & First Impressions

[Image: The Amazon Basics toaster sitting on a kitchen counter, showing the simple packaging and the unit itself.]

True to the “Basics” name, the unboxing experience is minimal. It comes in a plain brown recyclable box. No glossy marketing photos, no excess plastic.

Pulling it out, the unit is incredibly lightweight. The body is primarily black plastic with some silver-painted accents and a metal top. It feels inexpensive—if you tap the side, it sounds hollow. However, the footprint is compact, which is a huge plus for small counters.

Pro Tip: Like almost all heating elements, this toaster has a “factory smell” on the first run. I highly recommend running it on the highest setting (6) twice without bread in a ventilated room to burn off that manufacturing residue before you toast your first bagel.

2. Key Features & Performance Deep Dive

Extra Wide Slots

Usually, budget toasters have narrow slots that shred your bagel as you try to jam it in.

• Real World Use: I tested this with store-bought “thick cut” bagels and Texas Toast. They slid in easily. The wire guides inside center the bread reasonably well when the lever is pushed down.
• The Benefit: You don’t have to surgically slice your bagel to make it fit.

The “Bagel” & “Defrost” Buttons

It’s rare to see dedicated mode buttons on a toaster this cheap, but the Amazon Basics unit includes them.

• Performance: The Bagel setting is designed to toast the cut side while just warming the outside (though in my testing, it still toasted the outside a bit, just less). The Defrost mode is great for frozen waffles—it adds a bit of time to the cycle so the center thaws before the outside burns.
• The Benefit: Versatility without complexity.

6 Shade Settings

The dial is simple, clicking firmly between settings 1 through 6.

• The Sweet Spot: In my testing, setting 2.5 to 3 is the “Golden Standard” for white sandwich bread. Setting 4 gets you a solid crunch. Setting 6 is essentially charcoal, so use with caution!
• Consistency: The toasting was surprisingly even for the price. It wasn’t perfect—the top edge of the bread sometimes gets a little darker than the bottom—but it’s perfectly acceptable for breakfast.

3. Pros & Cons

✅ The Good	❌ The Bad
Unbeatable Price: It is often the most affordable option with these features.	Short Cord: The power cord is quite short (about 2-3 feet), so you need to be close to an outlet.
Compact: Takes up very little counter space.	Lightweight: The unit is so light that you have to hold the toaster down with one hand while pushing the lever with the other, or it might tip.
Cool Touch Sides: The plastic sides don’t get searing hot like metal toasters do.	Basic Aesthetics: It looks very utilitarian. It’s not a statement piece.
Easy Cleanup: The crumb tray slides out easily from the back.	Lever Feel: The lever feels a bit flimsy, like it might snap if you are too aggressive.

4. Who Is This For? (Best For)

• College Students: This is the quintessential dorm toaster. It’s cheap, small, and works.
• First Apartment Renters: If you just spent all your money on a security deposit and a mattress, this is the toaster you buy.
• AirBnB Hosts: It’s intuitive (everyone knows how to use a dial) and cheap to replace if a guest breaks it.

5. Who Should Avoid It?

• Design Snobs: If you have a kitchen full of Smeg or KitchenAid appliances, this plastic unit will stick out like a sore thumb.
• Heavy-Duty Sourdough Eaters: While the slots are wide, they aren’t super long. Large, oval slices of artisan bread will stick out the top.

Long-Term Testing Notes

After 30 Days of Use: The toaster is still going strong. The “new plastic” smell disappeared completely after the first two uses. One quirk I’ve noticed over time is that the crumb tray needs to be emptied frequently; because the unit is small, crumbs can build up quickly near the heating elements if you aren’t diligent. The browning consistency has remained stable—setting 3 is still setting 3.

Final Verdict & Recommendation

The Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster is the definition of “it does what it says on the tin.” It is not a luxury item. It does not have a touchscreen. It does not ding pleasantly when done (it makes a loud POP sound as the lever flies up).

However, it makes toast. It handles bagels. It defrosts waffles. And it does all of this for a fraction of the price of big-name competitors. If you view a toaster as a simple tool rather than a lifestyle accessory, this is the one to get.

Should you buy it? Yes, if you want the best value for your money. No, if you want premium materials or longer slots for artisan bread.

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