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Buying a toaster shouldn’t be complicated. You put bread in, push a lever down, and expect hot, crispy toast to pop up a few minutes later. Yet, so many modern toasters overcomplicate things with digital touchscreens or fail at the basics by burning the edges while leaving the center cold.
The Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Toaster (22794) keeps it simple. It promises extra-wide slots for your bagels, a high-lift boost for English muffins, and a sleek stainless steel look—all for a price that won’t break the bank. I picked one up to see if this best-seller actually performs or if it’s just another cheap appliance that will die in six months.
What You Need to Know
This isn’t a “smart” toaster. It doesn’t have an LCD screen. It has buttons and a dial. Here is why that matters:
- Extra-Wide Slots: Standard toasters often struggle with thick artisan bread or New York-style bagels. This model has slots wide enough to accommodate them without shredding the sides when you push them down.
- Dedicated Bagel Mode: This button toasts the cut side of the bagel while gently warming the rounded side, so you don’t end up with a rock-hard bagel crust.
- Toast Boost: Ever burn your fingertips trying to fish a small English muffin out of a hot toaster? The lever on this unit lifts higher than normal to push small items up for easy grabbing.
- 7 Shade Settings: A simple dial allows you to choose between lightly warmed (1) and burnt-to-a-crisp (7).
Hands-On Experience: The Breakfast Test
I put the Hamilton Beach through a standard week of breakfast duty. Here is how it handled different carbs.
The Bagel Test
I sliced a thick everything bagel and dropped it in. The extra-wide slots worked as advertised; it slid in easily without getting stuck. I pressed the “Bagel” button. The result was solid: the cut side was golden brown and crispy, while the outside was warm but soft. It avoided the “crouton effect” where the entire bagel becomes hard.
The Frozen Waffle Test
Frozen waffles are tricky because they need to thaw and then crisp up quickly. I used the “Defrost” button. It adds a bit of time to the cycle to thaw the item before toasting. The waffle came out evenly heated with no cold spots in the middle, which is a common failure point for cheap toasters.
The English Muffin Test
This was to test the “Toast Boost.” After popping, the muffin was sitting low in the slot. I pushed the lever up, and sure enough, it lifted the muffin high enough that I could grab it without touching the hot metal. Simple, but effective.
Pros and Cons
It’s reliable, but it’s not perfect. Here is the honest breakdown.
| What I Loved (Pros) | What Could Be Better (Cons) |
|---|---|
| Value: Excellent performance for the sub-$40 price point. | Exterior Heat: The stainless steel sides get hot to the touch. |
| Bagel Function: Actually works to toast only one side effectively. | Cord Length: The cord is short (standard safety feature), limiting placement. |
| Toast Boost: Saves your fingers from burns. | Lightweight: The unit is light, so you have to hold it down when pushing the lever. |
| Evenness: Delivers consistent browning on standard sandwich bread. | Fingerprints: The chrome finish attracts smudges easily. |
Comparison: Which Toaster is For You?
Here is how the Hamilton Beach stacks up against a premium option and a basic plastic one.
| Feature | Hamilton Beach 22794 (This Review) | Cuisinart CPT-160 | Amazon Basics 2-Slice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots 🍞 | Extra Wide | Wide | Standard |
| Material 🛡️ | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Plastic |
| Bagel Mode 🥯 | Yes (One-sided) | Yes | No (Just timing) |
| Price 💰 | Budget Friendly | Mid-Range ($50+) | Cheap |
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Toaster is the toaster you buy when you just want toast. It doesn’t try to be a spaceship; it tries to be a reliable kitchen appliance. And it succeeds.
If you eat a lot of bagels or thick artisan bread, the wide slots are a genuine lifesaver. While the lightweight build feels a little cheaper than a heavy Cuisinart, the actual toasting performance is indistinguishable for half the price. It’s a solid, functional upgrade for any kitchen counter.
Product Video “Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster”
This Toaster Just Makes Perfect Toast Hamilton Beach 2 Slice #HamiltonBeach#ToasterReview
