Let’s be real—buying a toaster shouldn’t be complicated. It has one job: make bread hot and crunchy. But when I saw the Amazon Basics 4-Slice Toaster hovering around the $25 mark, I had to ask: Is this a hidden gem of frugal engineering, or am I about to set off my fire alarm?
I bought it, unboxed it, and spent the last week eating way too many bagels to find out. Here is my unfiltered take.
Verdict: 4/5 Stars
It’s not going to win any beauty pageants, and it feels a bit like a toy, but it toasts bread surprisingly well for the price. If you just need a simple toaster for a dorm, first apartment, or backup, this is a solid win.
The Hard Specs
- Power: 900 Watts
- Settings: 6 Shade Levels (Dial)
- Modes: Bagel, Frozen (Defrost), Cancel
- Slot Size: Extra-wide (1.25″ width) for bagels
- Dimensions: ~ 11″ x 6.5″ x 7.5″
- Extras: Removable crumb tray, high-lift lever, cord wrap
First Impressions: “Is this thing hollow?”
When I pulled the box off my porch, I thought Amazon had sent me an empty package. This toaster is light. Weighing in at just over 2 lbs, it feels incredibly plastic-heavy.
The Look: It’s a mix of matte black plastic and a silver-painted control panel. From a distance? It looks sleek and modern. Up close? You can tell it’s budget-friendly. It’s compact, though, which I love. It tucks right under my cabinets without hogging counter space.
The Smell Check:
- Day 1: Yes, the reviews are true. Upon the very first “dry run” (toasting nothing, just to burn off factory dust), it smelled like hot plastic and ozone.
- Day 2: The smell was gone. Pro Tip: Run it on the highest setting 2-3 times in a well-ventilated room before you put any food in it.
The Performance Test
1. The Standard White Bread Test
I set the dial to 3 (Medium).
- Result: A decent golden brown, though one side was slightly darker than the other. It wasn’t burnt, just… “tan” on one side and “sunburned” on the other.
- Speed: Fast. It pops quicker than my old heavy-duty toaster.
2. The Bagel Test
This is where cheap toasters usually fail. I grabbed a thick New York-style bagel, cut it in half, and jammed it in.
- Fit: No jamming required! The “Extra-Wide” slots are legit. It swallowed the bagel easily.
- The Button: I hit the Bagel Mode button (it lights up red—nice touch). This mode reduces heat on the outer elements so you don’t burn the bottom of the bagel while toasting the cut side.
- Result: Surprisingly good. The cut side was crispy, the bottom was warm but soft.
3. The “Pop” Velocity
This toaster has an aggressive ejection mechanism. When my English muffin was done, it didn’t just pop up; it practically launched itself. If you are startled easily, maybe don’t stand directly over it.
Real Talk (The Cons)
I want to love it because it’s cheap, but here are the flaws I couldn’t ignore:
- The “tipping” issue: Because it is so lightweight, when I push the lever down, the back of the toaster lifts off the counter unless I hold the unit steady. You almost need two hands to operate it.
- Short Cord: The power cord is only about 37 inches long. If your outlet isn’t directly behind the counter, you might need an extension cord.
- Unevenness: If you are a perfectionist who needs edge-to-edge uniform browning, this isn’t for you. It heats up hotter in the center than the edges.
- Fingerprint Magnet: The black plastic stays clean, but that silver control panel collects fingerprints like it’s a crime scene investigation.
Comparison: Amazon Basics vs. The Competition
I compared this against the Cuisinart CPT-122, which is usually the next step up in the “budget plastic toaster” category.
- Build Quality: The Cuisinart feels slightly denser and the lever action is smoother. The Amazon Basics feels rattlier.
- Toasting: Honestly? They are nearly identical. The Cuisinart might be 10% more consistent, but is it worth paying double the price? Probably not.
- Looks: The Cuisinart has a textured plastic body that looks a bit more “retro.” The Amazon Basics is purely utilitarian.
Winner: If you have the extra $20, go Cuisinart. If you want to save that money for actual groceries, stick with Amazon Basics.
Pros & Cons Summary
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 💰 Unbeatable Price (Usually under $30) | 🪶 Too Lightweight (Moves when you push the lever) |
| 🥯 Wide Slots fit thick bagels perfectly | 🔥 Plastic Smell on first few uses |
| ⏱️ Fast Toasting speed | 📏 Short Power Cord |
| 🧊 Dedicated Buttons for Bagel/Frozen | 🍞 Uneven Browning on higher settings |
FAQ: Questions From The Community
Q: Does the outside get hot to the touch?
A: The plastic sides get warm, but not “burn your skin” hot. However, the metal top gets extremely hot. Keep curious cat paws away.
Q: Can it fit long slices of sourdough?
A: No. The slots are wide (thick), but standard length. You’ll have to cut long artisan bread in half to fit it in.
Q: Does it have a tray to catch crumbs?
A: Yes! There is a little tray that slides out from the back. It’s small, so empty it often, otherwise, you’ll smell burning crumbs eventually.
Transparency Note: This review is based on market research and aggregated user feedback. We are reader-supported: If you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial rating.
