If You're Short on Counter Space, You Need This 'Genius' Toaster

When debating between buying a toaster and a toaster oven, the choice often boils down to the size of your kitchen. While toaster ovens are versatile—they quickly cook chickens, bake pizza, or roast vegetables—they also demand a sizable bit of counter real estate. Slimmer pop-up toasters, on the other hand, can be the perfect fit for space-constrained cooks who want browned bread, bagels, and English muffins.

For a top-notch toaster that expertly achieves precise toast shades, fits rustic homemade slices, and reheats frozen baked goods like a champ, check out the Ikich Long Slot Toaster. The Amazon best-seller has more than 7,000 perfect ratings, with several users even calling the toaster "genius."

The Ikich toaster has six different browning settings, from heat-kissed golden to a dark char, and is built with a heating wire surrounding each slot to toast bread evenly and quickly. It also has a defrost option for frozen waffles or pancakes, as well as a reheat function if the morning rush pulls you away from your breakfast plate.

Designed with roomy 10-inch by 1.5-inch slots, the toaster easily fits four slices of standard bread or two slices of longer artisanal loaves—great news for the multitude of home bakers who started making sourdough in the past year. But unlike other four-slice toasters, the Ikich device has a compact 6.29-inch by 14.56-inch footprint. Plus, you can tuck its power cord into a nook under the machine for convenient storage.

To buy: Ikich Long Slot Toaster, $34 (originally $49) at amazon.com

Perhaps best of all, this toaster includes an innovative built-in warming rack. With just the push of a lever, you can heat pastries like buttery croissants and scones, as well as biscuits and rolls.

Reviewers gush about the sheer number of baked goods the Ikich can warm up, from thick Texas toast to muffins. "I like this toaster because it has long slots, can easily fit bagels and over-sized (homemade) bread, and the toast settings are reliable," a shopper wrote. "I'm no longer under- or over-toasting my bread and bagels."

Another added, "The slots are long for slices of sourdough, wide enough for muffins, and the warming rack is great for croissants. The heat control is better than any I've had before."

Users also say the toaster's removable crumb tray makes it a breeze to clean, and the slim shape fits in kitchens of all sizes. "This is the perfect toaster for our narrow space," one said. "We didn't think we could get a four-slice toaster!"

The Ikich toaster is normally $49, but right now you can snag one for $34 with an Amazon coupon. Add it to your cart ASAP for golden toasty glory.