Best Toasters for Under $50

It seems like everyone is rushing around in the morning to get to work or to drop the kids off at school. Oftentimes, this leaves a minimal amount of time to fix what has been deemed the most important meal of the day - breakfast. Instead of foregoing breakfast, many of us grab a piece of toast and head for the door. Naturally, to make toast, you need a toaster. But why settle for an ordinary and uninteresting one? Whether they are conversation pieces or multi-functioning a, great toaster can be found for under $50.

The first great toaster I found was Back to Basics Egg & Muffin 2-slice Toaster & Egg Poacher. This machine retails for around $40 and is perfect for anyone on the go. This toaster has extra-wide slots so it fits bagels, English muffins, or thick slices of bread. However, unlike a normal toaster, it has a pod that cooks eggs. While the pod is billed as an egg poacher, I was able to hard-boil the eggs in the machine too. The egg pod also has a basket-like insert that will warm up breakfast meat (sausage, ham, etc.). All these functions enable you to make a complete breakfast sandwich similar that you would get at any fast food establishment while you're completing your morning routine. The best part is the super-easy clean up. A rinse of the egg pod and crumb tray and you're ready for the next day's breakfast. This machine is much easier than pulling out a frying pan or even using a microwave in the morning.

The next best toaster is DeLonghi's Kenwood 2-slice Radio Toaster. I have always been a big fan of DeLonghi's products. This interesting toaster is no exception. The toaster has sort of a retro radio look and would be the perfect companion to an antique-themed kitchen. It enables the user to jam to your favorite tunes while your toast is making. With its two extra-wide slots and thermostat, it definitely is also a very functional piece. Clean up is a breeze with the handy crumb tray. While I find most DeLonghi products are usually more expensive, this toaster is a steal at around $33. Surprisingly enough, the radio gets great reception, too.

Lastly, the next best toaster is Villaware. Villaware makes a great toaster for small children and big kids alike. Retailing for about $28, I found the stainless steel Cinderella toaster to be a delight. Originally, the toaster was released along with Disney's Cinderella video release, but they still can be purchased online at www.amazon.com. Your children will delight that this toaster actually plays a waltz when your toast is complete sending you straight to the Prince's ballroom. You can also push a heart-shaped lever on the machine and the toast will pop up with a heart image on one side and Cinderella's slipper on the other. And, if princesses aren't your cup of tea, Villaware makes similar version of this toaster in a Mickey Mouse version, as well as a Winnie the Pooh/Tigger model. Both play appropriate songs related to the characters and make images of the characters on the toast. Just as every Villaware toaster I have seen, these toasters have a removable crumb tray for easy clean-up. Plus, you'll never have to beg your children to finish their toast again!

Whether you are looking for a toaster that can whip up an entire breakfast or is a great conversation piece, it definitely can be found for a good price if you know where to look. Online retailer's can be especially helpful in finding these unique items that your regular big-box retailers may not carry. All of the products featured can be found on www.amazon.com.