10 Best Toaster For Artisan Bread 2026 in the United States

The Smeg 50's Style Retro Aesthetic 4 Slice Toaster stands out with its distinctive pastel blue color and retro design, making it an attractive choice for those who appreciate vintage style. The toaster features two extra wide slots, perfect for artisan bread, which is often thicker than standard bread. The self-centering racks ensure even toasting, while the automatic slice pop-up and anti-slip feet add to the convenience and safety of use.

The removable stainless steel crumb tray simplifies cleaning, which is a nice touch for maintaining the appliance. With six browning levels, you can customize the toast to your preference, and the three preset programs (reheat, defrost, bagel) offer versatility for various toasting needs. The lift and look feature is absent, which means you can't check the toast without interrupting the cycle. This could be a minor inconvenience for some users.

The appliance is relatively lightweight at 4.43 pounds and operates at 1400 watts, ensuring quick toasting. However, the toaster’s larger dimensions (8"D x 16"W x 9"H) might require more counter space. The toaster's durability is backed by its stainless steel construction, ensuring it can withstand daily use. This toaster is well-suited for anyone who enjoys artisan bread and wants a stylish appliance that offers essential toasting functions along with a touch of retro charm.

The GE 2 Slice Stainless Steel Toaster is designed to meet a variety of toasting needs with some clear strengths. Its extra-wide slots (1.38 inches by 5.50 inches) make it a good fit for toasting artisan bread, bagels, waffles, and other thicker products. With 7 adjustable shade settings, you have flexibility to achieve your preferred level of browning, whether you like your toast light or dark.

The even toasting feature ensures consistent results, which is important for achieving that perfect slice every time. The removable crumb tray is a practical addition, making it easy to keep the toaster clean. Additionally, the illuminated buttons add a touch of convenience by clearly showing which setting is selected.

However, the toaster does have a few limitations. While it includes the essential functions such as toasting, it lacks specific features like a bagel setting or a defrost function, which some users might find useful for more versatile toasting options. At 850 watts, it may be slightly less powerful compared to some other models on the market, which could affect toasting speed. The compact size is great for saving counter space but might be a downside if you need to toast larger quantities frequently. Despite these drawbacks, the toaster's performance and user-friendly design make it a popular choice. If you’re looking for a reliable, straightforward appliance to toast artisan bread and other bakery products, this GE toaster is a solid option.

The Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster, 2-Slice, Brushed Stainless Steel, is designed to cater to the needs of artisan bread lovers. One of its standout features is the wider slots that accommodate larger bread slices, thick bagels, and dense pastries, ensuring versatility. The adjustable browning control with an LED indicator is useful for achieving your preferred toasting level, making it simple to monitor progress. Innovative features like 'Lift & Look' allow you to check your toast mid-cycle without stopping the process, and the 'A Bit More' button adds extra time if needed, which is a nice touch for perfecting your toast. The bagel setting ensures even heating, and the defrost function is handy for toasting frozen bread without a hitch.

Cleaning is made easy with a front crumb tray that can be pulled out and emptied without hassle. On the downside, the toaster's 2-slice capacity might be limiting if you have a larger household or frequently need to toast multiple pieces simultaneously. The product weighs 5.71 pounds, which is relatively heavy for a toaster, potentially making it less convenient to move around in the kitchen. Additionally, priced on the higher side given its features, it might not be the best choice for those on a tight budget. Despite these minor drawbacks, its build quality and the combination of user-friendly functions make it a practical choice for those who appreciate a good piece of toast and don’t mind spending a bit more for added convenience.