Let’s be real for a second: we all want that Pinterest-perfect kitchen. You know the one—butcher block counters, open shelving, and those gorgeous, pastel-colored Italian appliances that cost as much as a used Honda Civic. I have stared longingly at the Smeg toaster for years, but I just cannot bring myself to drop nearly $200 on a device whose sole job is to make my bread slightly crunchy.
Enter the Keenstone 2 Slice Retro Stainless Steel Toaster. It popped up on my Amazon feed looking suspiciously like the object of my desire, but at a fraction of the price. Naturally, I was skeptical. Is it just a pretty face? Will it burn my house down? Does it actually toast?
I bought one, put it on my counter, and spent the last month throwing every carb imaginable at it—from frozen waffles to thick New York bagels. Here is my unfiltered, deep-dive review.
Verdict: 4.2 / 5 Stars
If you are chasing the “retro aesthetic” on a budget, this is the winner. It looks stunning on the counter and performs reliably for daily tasks. It isn’t quite as heavy-duty as the luxury brands, and it’s not the fastest toaster in the west, but for the price point, it is an absolute steal.
The Hard Specs
Before I get into my emotional journey with this appliance, here are the cold, hard facts:
- Power: 825 Watts (120V)
- Material: 18/8 Food-Grade Stainless Steel (BPA Free)
- Slots: 2 Extra-Wide (1.5 inch)
- Functions: Bagel, Defrost, Cancel
- Browning Settings: 6 levels
- Dimensions: Approx. 11.6″ L x 7.2″ W x 11.6″ H
- Safety: Cool-touch exterior housing (mostly)
- Extras: Removable crumb tray, cord storage wrap under base
First Impressions: The “Vibe” Check
When the box arrived, I was genuinely surprised by the packaging. It didn’t feel cheap. Pulling the toaster out, the first thing that hit me was the finish. I ordered the Beige/Cream model to match my neutral kitchen palette, and the color is spot-on. It’s not that sickly yellow-beige; it’s a creamy, rich off-white that looks incredibly high-end.
The body is primarily stainless steel, not plastic, which is a huge win at this price point. It has a nice weight to it—about 3 or 4 pounds—so it doesn’t slide around the counter when you push the lever down. The chrome accents around the top and the base give it that classic 1950s diner look.
The Controls:
The knob has a satisfying “click” as you turn it through the 6 shading settings. The buttons (Bagel, Defrost, Cancel) have little LED lights that glow blue when active. It’s a small detail, but it makes the machine feel modern despite the retro shell.
The Performance Test
Okay, it looks good. But does it work? I broke my testing down into three categories: The Standard White Bread, The Frozen Waffle, and The Thick Bagel.
Test 1: The Standard White Bread (Setting 3)
I started with the baseline. Two slices of generic store-bought white bread, setting the dial dead center at Level 3.
The Process:
The lever action is smooth. It doesn’t have that hydraulic, slow-motion descent you get with a $300 Wolf Gourmet toaster, but it catches firmly at the bottom. The heating elements lit up evenly within seconds.
The Result:
About 2 minutes later, pop. The toast was ejected with enough force to lift it reachable, but not so much that it flew onto the floor (we’ve all had that toaster, right?).
The Toast Quality:
- Evenness: 8/10. One side was a perfect golden brown. The other side had slight grill marks but was mostly consistent. It wasn’t the “photocopy perfect” toast you see in commercials, but it was miles better than my old $15 plastic toaster.
- Texture: Crisp on the outside, still slightly soft in the middle. Perfect for butter spreading.
Test 2: The “Straight from the Freezer” Waffle (Defrost Mode)
This is where cheap toasters usually fail. They either burn the outside while the inside is still frozen, or they dry the waffle out into a hockey puck.
I popped two rock-hard frozen waffles in and hit the Defrost button. I kept the dial at 3.
The Result:
The Defrost mode seems to add a preliminary warming cycle before the actual toasting begins. It took a bit longer—maybe 3 to 3.5 minutes total—but the waffles came out hot all the way through. They had a nice crunch without being burnt. If you are a parent making breakfast for kids before school, this feature actually works.
Test 3: The NYC Bagel (Bagel Mode)
This is the ultimate boss fight for any toaster. I bought thick, dense everything bagels. The slots are advertised as 1.5 inches wide, and I can confirm: they fit. I didn’t have to squish the bagel to get it in.
Bagel Mode Explained:
On many toasters, “Bagel Mode” just adds time. On the Keenstone, it supposedly alters the heating elements to toast the cut side and just warm the outer crust.
The Result:
I set it to Level 4 (bagels need more heat). The cut face of the bagel came out a deep, crunchy brown. The back (seeded) side was warm but not hard. This is exactly what you want. You don’t want to burn the seeds/garlic on the outside of an everything bagel. The Keenstone handled this surprisingly well.
Daily Usability & Quirks
Living with it for a month revealed a few nuances that you don’t notice on day one.
1. The Cord Situation:
The cord is attached at the front-right of the base (if you’re facing it). This is a little annoying depending on where your outlet is. However, the cord storage underneath is decent, allowing you to wrap up the excess so your counter doesn’t look messy.
2. The “High Lift” Lever:
This is an underrated feature. If you toast English muffins, they often get stuck deep inside the slots. The Keenstone lever can be pushed up manually after the toast pops, lifting the bread an extra half-inch so you don’t burn your fingers fishing it out.
3. Cleaning:
The crumb tray slides out from the back. It’s standard. It catches about 90% of the crumbs. I still had to turn the toaster upside down over the sink and shake it like a maraca once a week to get the stubborn bits out, but that’s true of literally every toaster I’ve ever owned.
Real Talk: The Cons
I promised you an honest review, so I’m not going to sugarcoat the flaws.
1. It’s Not a Speed Demon:
This toaster takes its sweet time. If you are running late and need toast in 60 seconds, this isn’t it. The low-and-slow approach yields better toast, but patience is required.
2. The Exterior Warmth:
While the marketing claims “cool touch,” the stainless steel sides do get warm. Not “burn your skin off” hot, but definitely “don’t let your toddler hug it” warm. The top metal part gets legitimately hot, so watch your fingers.
3. The Dial Sensitivity:
The difference between Setting 3 and Setting 4 is substantial. On my unit, 3 is “golden” and 4 is “deep crunch.” I wish there was a bit more granularity there. You have to learn the sweet spot for your specific bread type.
4. Lightweight Lever Feel:
While the body feels premium, the plastic plunger lever feels a little lightweight. It hasn’t broken, and it works fine, but that is the one touchpoint where you remember you paid $40, not $200.
The Comparison: Keenstone vs. The Field
vs. Smeg 2-Slice Toaster (~$190)
- Looks: 90% match. From 5 feet away, you can’t tell the difference.
- Build: Smeg is heavier and the enamel feels thicker.
- Performance: Smeg is slightly more consistent, but not $150 more consistent.
- Winner: Keenstone for value. Smeg for pure flex.
vs. Walmart Mainstays / Basic Toaster (~$15)
- Looks: No contest. The cheap ones look like sad plastic boxes.
- Performance: The cheap ones usually have narrow slots (goodbye bagels) and uneven heating coils.
- Winner: Keenstone. The wide slots alone are worth the upgrade.
vs. Buydeem Retro Toaster (~$60)
- Looks: Buydeem has a more “modern retro” look with rounded distinct controls.
- Performance: Very similar.
- Winner: Tie. It comes down to which design you prefer. Keenstone is more “classic 50s,” Buydeem is more “kawaii.”
Pros & Cons Cheat Sheet
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 🎨 Stunning Retro Design (Smeg Dupe) | ⏳ Slower toasting speed |
| 🥯 Extra-wide slots fit thick bagels easily | 🌡️ Sides get warm after repeated use |
| 🧼 Stainless steel body (easy to wipe down) | 🎛️ Jump between settings 3 and 4 is big |
| ❄️ Defrost function works perfectly | 🔌 Cord placement can be awkward |
| 💰 Incredible value for the aesthetic | 🤏 Lever feels slightly plasticky |
FAQ: Questions From The Community
Q: Does the toaster have a warranty?
A: Generally, Keenstone offers a 1-year warranty. I haven’t had to use it, but looking through other user reports, their customer service seems responsive via Amazon messaging.
Q: Can it toast Pop-Tarts?
A: Yes! But be careful. The filling gets molten hot. I recommend Setting 1 or 2 for Pop-Tarts. Do not use the high settings or the icing will burn.
Q: Is the color painted on or is it colored metal?
A: It appears to be a high-quality powder coating or enamel paint over the stainless steel. It hasn’t chipped or peeled in my month of testing, even with daily wiping.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a toaster that acts as a piece of decor as much as a functional appliance, the Keenstone 2 Slice Retro Toaster is a fantastic buy. It brings character and warmth to the kitchen counter without demanding a luxury price tag.
Is it the most technologically advanced toaster on the planet? No. It doesn’t have a touchscreen or a sensor that detects bread moisture. But it toasts bread, it handles bagels like a champ, and it looks beautiful doing it.
For the price of a few fancy lattes, you can upgrade your kitchen’s entire aesthetic. In my book, that’s a win.
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.
