Head-to-head · Best Toasters

Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster vs Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about light users seeking precise shade control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Toasters

Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster

4.1

4 sources3 derived$22.9as of Jul 31

TechGearLab's review of the Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster came out split: it does bagels and frozen waffles well and struggles with plain bread. Six browning settings and extra-wide slots serve bagels nicely. Bread is another story, with light settings barely warming it and medium settings producing patchy, uneven results. The bagel function is consistently good. Households that mostly toast bagels or frozen items will be fine; anyone who wants reliably even toast won't.

Strengths

— Makes great bagels with even browning and ideal texture contrast
— Effective for frozen waffles, producing crispy results
— Affordable price point at $22.90

Watch-outs

— Uneven toasting performance with light and medium settings
— Inconsistent results across slices, especially with regular bread

$22.9 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Toasters

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster

4.2

2 sources1 derived$15.99as of Jul 31

The Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster browns evenly across 6 levels, and its extra-wide 1.25" slots take bagels and thick breads. Reviewers praised the compact design, the cool-touch exterior, and the cancel function. The lightweight polycarbonate body reads as inexpensive to some owners, and a few found very large bagels won't fit properly. Small spaces and light-to-moderate use suit it; a household toasting all day should buy something sturdier.

Strengths

— 6 adjustable toasting levels for precise browning control
— Extra wide 1.25" slots accommodate thick breads, bagels, and specialty items
— Cool-touch exterior for safe handling

Watch-outs

— Lightweight plastic construction feels cheap compared to metal-bodied toasters
— Self-centering guides may not work well with very large or dense bagels

$15.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster

The Amazon Basics toaster excels in bagel toasting and is affordable, but its uneven performance on bread makes it less reliable than the Breville 'A Bit More' or Elite Gourmet models. While it's a budget-friendly option, the inconsistent results across slices make it a poor choice for those seeking even toasting on regular bread types.

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster

The Elite Gourmet toaster offers precise 6 browning levels and cool-touch exterior, but its lightweight plastic build makes it less durable than the Breville 'A Bit More' or Proctor Silex models. While it's a good option for light use, it lacks the consistent performance and robust construction that the Breville delivers, especially in medium to dark settings.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Amazon Basics 2 Slice Toaster	Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster
Price	$28	$15.99
Slices	2	—
Settings	6	6
Functions	Bagel	toasting bread, bagels, English muffins and more
Dimensions	11"D x 6.5"W x 7.6"H	5.75" D x 9.25" W x 6.25" H
Wattage	900 watts	750 W
Material	—	Polycarbonate

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