Black & Decker 2-Slice Toaster

A straightforward toaster that covers the basics well

My kitchen tests for any toaster start with the kind of bread I actually eat: standard sandwich slices during the week, thicker sourdough on weekends, and the occasional bagel when I want something more substantial. After several weeks with the Black & Decker two-slice, I’ve come away with a clear sense of where it shines and where it asks for small compromises.

Design and footprint

This is a compact, no-nonsense two-slice unit with extra-wide slots and a simple control layout: a browning knob, a dedicated bagel button, a standard toast mode, and a cancel button. It takes up a modest footprint on the counter—about 13 inches long, 8-ish inches wide, and 9 inches tall—so it fits comfortably under standard cabinets. The housing feels sturdy enough for daily use, and the rubber feet keep it planted when you press the lever.

One important note: the power cord is short. The usable length from the back of the toaster to the plug is roughly a foot and a half. If your outlets are tucked behind appliances or you rely on a power strip at the back of the counter, plan accordingly. I had to reorganize a bit to make it work without draping the cord.

Controls and ease of use

• Browning control: The shade dial has a sensible range that runs from lightly kissed to well-done. It’s responsive and a touch on the sensitive side between medium and dark, so a small adjustment can make a noticeable difference. Once you learn your preferred setting for a given bread, repeatability is solid.
• Bagel mode: This reduces heat on the outside elements so the cut face browns more while the exterior warms. In practice, it does exactly that, avoiding the scorched-outside, pale-inside problem that budget toasters often have.
• Cancel button: Instant stop. Handy if you smell toast getting away from you or if you want to check progress without committing to a full cycle.
• Crumb tray: A slide-out tray makes cleanup painless. Pull it, dump the crumbs, quick wipe, done.

There’s no dedicated “reheat” or “defrost” button. For frozen bread, I had good results starting one shade lighter than usual and running a slightly longer cycle or a quick second pass as needed.

Performance and consistency

At 850 watts, this toaster isn’t chasing speed records, but it’s efficient enough that I didn’t feel like I was waiting around. On a typical morning, a medium shade cycle takes a few minutes and yields evenly browned slices. The first cycle of the day trends slightly lighter than back-to-back cycles (normal behavior for most toasters), so I nudge the dial up a hair for that maiden run or accept a lighter first slice.

Evenness is better than expected for an entry-level two-slice. With supermarket sandwich bread, both sides come out consistent with only a whisper of edge fade—hardly noticeable under butter. Thicker slices and artisan sourdough also toast well thanks to the extra-wide slots, which easily accommodate taller, puffier bread and bagel halves. Slot length is standard, though, so very long slices need a flip-and-finish to toast the top edge fully. English muffins and buns fare well; I prefer a notch above my bread setting to get the nooks crisp without drying them out.

Bagels are where this unit’s dedicated mode pays off. The cut side gets a crisp, golden surface while the exterior stays chewy. I tried plain and sesame halves from a local bakery; both browned evenly without hotspots or scorching. If you like a darker bagel crust, bump the dial slightly—bagel mode tends to err on the side of moderation.

Thermal recovery between batches is acceptable. Running four to six slices back-to-back didn’t trigger dramatic shade drift, but I did dial down slightly on the third and fourth cycles to maintain the exact color I wanted. That kind of minor adjustment is normal for toasters without active temperature feedback.

Everyday usability

The lever operates smoothly and locks in with a confident click. The pop-up action lifts bread high enough that I rarely had to fish anything out with tongs, even with shorter slices. The exterior gets warm during longer cycles but never crossed into “watch your knuckles” territory in my testing; still, standard caution applies, especially around kids.

Crumb management is clean. The tray captures most debris, and the interior doesn’t shed crumbs everywhere when you move the toaster. I’d still recommend a weekly quick clean if you use it daily—slide out the tray, tap it, and wipe the exterior with a damp cloth once it’s cooled.

Noise is minimal—no loud beeps, just the mechanical pop at the end of a cycle.

Build quality and stability

Despite its relatively modest wattage, the unit feels solid and stays put during use. The materials are sensible for a budget-friendly appliance—no creaks in the lever, no wobbly dial, and the buttons have a positive press. After several weeks of daily use, there were no performance hiccups or uneven element heating that sometimes plagues low-cost toasters.

If I were nitpicking, the dial markings could be a touch clearer. A numbered scale makes it easier to return to your favorite setting. Here, I ended up making a small pencil dot where my “daily bread” lives and a second mark for bagels. It’s a minor quality-of-life improvement you can DIY in ten seconds.

What it handles well

• Everyday sandwich bread: Even, predictable results from light to dark.
• Bagels and thicker slices: Extra-wide slots and an effective bagel mode deliver.
• Repeated batches: Holds consistency well with small shade adjustments.

Where it falls short

• Cord length: The short cord limits placement; plan to keep it close to an outlet.
• Slot length: It’s a standard two-slice length, not a long-slot design. Oversized artisanal slices may require a rotate-and-toast second pass.
• No dedicated defrost or reheat: You can work around it with manual settings, but if you frequently toast from frozen, a model with a defrost program may be more convenient.

Practical tips for better results

• For frozen bread, start one shade lighter than your usual setting and add a short second cycle if needed.
• Use bagel mode only with the cut side facing inward; that’s where the extra heat goes.
• Expect the first cycle of the day to be slightly lighter; bump the dial a notch if you want exact repeatability from cold.
• Clean the crumb tray weekly to maintain performance and reduce odors.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker two-slice gets the fundamentals right: consistent browning, slots that genuinely fit thick bread and bagels, a bagel mode that behaves as advertised, and simple controls that don’t require a manual. It isn’t feature-packed, and the short cord may force some counter reshuffling, but once placed, it’s a dependable daily driver.

Recommendation: I recommend this toaster for anyone who wants a reliable, no-frills two-slice that handles bagels and thicker bread without fuss. It’s a good fit for small kitchens and for users who value straightforward controls over a long list of programs. If you need long slots for oversized artisan loaves, a longer cord for flexible placement, or dedicated defrost/reheat modes, look for a model tailored to those needs. For everyday toast and bagels, though, this one simply works—and that’s exactly what most mornings call for.