Best Toasters (2 and 4 slice) in Canada: Top Picks for Your Perfect Morning Breakfasts

Our List of the Best Toasters in Canada (January 2023)

Best 2-Slice Toaster - Breville (BTA820XL) 

The first model that deserves to be called one of the best toasters in Canada is the Breville, which is a compact 2-slice model that comes with a few handy features like browning controls and fast heating. Moreover, the Breville uses a durable die-cast metal body. It’s easy to clean too, all you have to do is wipe the exterior. There’s also a handy Lift and Look feature that allows users to sneak a peek at the bread to check how brown it is without stopping the cycle.

Based on Our Tests

While testing, I loved the monitor feature of this Breville 2-slice toaster, as it allowed me to check my toasts without stopping the cycle. I also liked that its wide slots can take various bread sizes.

Best Design - Keenstone

Types of Toasters 

Shopping for a new toaster in Canada, you may encounter different types, each of which has its benefits. To help you understand what type would work for you, let’s take a closer look at them:

• 2-slice. Such pop-up toasters are among the most popular models on the market. As the name suggests, they allow users to toast 2 slices of bread simultaneously. It’s an ideal option for solo users or those who have smaller kitchens and limited counter space. 2-slice toasters are usually cheaper, so they would suit budget shoppers as well. However, this type is generally quite limited in terms of controls and adjustments.
• 4-slice. Again, as the name implies, this type works to toast 4 slices of bread at the same time. Such toasters are perfect for larger households and families. It’s also a good option for hasty mornings when your family doesn’t have the time to wait for each person’s bread to brown. 4-slice toasters are a bit more expensive and require more counter space. Some of them allow for separate controls for each 2 pieces of bread, which lets users brown each pair to the desired extent.
• Toaster oven. This type might resemble a combination of a microwave and a regular toaster. Toaster ovens can also bake or defrost food, which makes them very versatile and popular among many users (1). Generally, toaster ovens take up more space than regular models. And while you can still find smaller options, keep in mind that they also have a smaller capacity, which isn’t ideal if you plan to use your toaster oven for baking too.
• Long-slot.  Such toasters have longer slots (usually one or two) that can accommodate 2 slices of bread each (2).  Long-slot models are not that common, but since they are a bit on the thinner side, they work great for smaller kitchens. They are also quite easy to clean, as larger slots typically allow for easier access.

Things to Look for When Buying a Toaster in Canada

Navigating among the best toasters in Canada can be quite confusing as they all vary depending on the features, design, and multiple other aspects. So, let’s check the most important factors to help you narrow your list down: 

• Type. As you already know, there are multiple types of toasters you can come across. If you are a solo user and don’t need to brown more than 2 slices of bread simultaneously, then a 2-slice model should suffice. Families typically pick larger models with bigger capacity, such as toaster ovens or 4-slice toasters. 
• Slot size. Some models come with slots that can accommodate thicker slices of bread.  Such toasters are also slightly easier to clean as you have a wider opening for the bread.
• Maintenance. Firstly, it’s better to pick a toaster with a crumb tray that is easy to remove. Additionally, if the ease of cleaning is very important to you, you may want to opt for a model with wider bread slots and a non-stick interior. It may also be a good idea to pick a toaster with an exterior that doesn’t have any tricky curves or crevices where the dirt can accumulate. 
• Controls. If the toaster you are considering is more than just basic and allows for adjustments, it should be easy to operate. Therefore, the controls have to be simple and easy to read. Most importantly, the control buttons have to be positioned away from the hot areas of the toaster.
• Power rating. Measured in watts, the power rating can give you a rough idea of how fast the toaster can brown the bread. More powerful models typically take less time and make crisper toasts. Low-wattage toasters often make the bread chewy instead of crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Exterior. Firstly, consider the color if you want it to match your kitchen design. The majority of toasters come in neutral colors like white, silver, or black. However, there are manufacturers that offer brighter solutions, so if you want your new device to stand out, you can pick an uncommon color. Pay attention to the material as well. While plastic is a popular choice among many manufacturers, steel exteriors are more durable.
• The material. There are both plastic ones among toasters and metallic ones. Some people think the plastic ones are not good. But the truth is that they are not any different, and the quality of the toast is not going to be any different either.
• Extra features. If your budget allows for it, you can shop for a more expensive model that comes with a few bells and whistles. For instance, there are toasters that allow users to toast their bread longer than regular models. Others have a keep-warm function, which would keep your bread warm until you are ready to eat it. Some toasters come with digital displays, variable temperature, defrost function, bagel setting, and so on.  
  The bagel setting would be best for when you need only the inside of your bagel toasted and the outside kept warm. This would be a more complicated option for some toasters, but if you don’t mind spending extra bucks, this can be the perfect setting for you. Sometimes, there is also a defrost option that may come in handy many times. Sometimes you would just need to defrost your bread or waffles. What this setting will do is that it will apply heat to the bread or the waffle slowly but longer, so what you will get in the end is the same as if it was fresh and you had just bought it from a bakery.
• Lift Lever. The lift lever in toasters helps a lot with pushing the bread up when they don’t pop up by themselves. Many toasters have this option, but some of them don’t have it. So, if you think you might burn your hands while trying to pick up the rest of the bread, make sure the toaster of your choice has one.
• Shade Setting. The ability to choose your toast shades may be an underrated function but is essential nonetheless. While you may think that the shade setting is controlled by the time the toaster gets to work, and it sometimes does, you can better control the shade on your toast through the browning scale. Therefore, if you are invested in how much shade your toast has without compromising the crispness, you should opt for toasters with a large browning scale.
• Check. This feature is one of my favorite toasters. The check feature is handy if you want to monitor your toast. You can continue from where you stopped if you are not satisfied with the progress. Some toasters have this function, so prioritize it.
  
• A bit more. This function extends the toasting period if you are unsatisfied with the result. It is usually tagged as “a little longer” or “a bit more” on toasting machines. This function is good for flexibility, and checking out toasters with one is recommended.

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