World's Skinniest Toaster?

This appliance is only about 3.5-inches wide!

Author

James White
December 20, 2024

Believe it or not, today’s review marks the first product I’ve reviewed in nearly three weeks! My production schedule has been packed with Best of the Year, Worst of the Year, an update video, and a Q&A session. But today, we’re back to the bread and butter: a toaster review requested by viewers. Plus, I’ve got some fresh deals and useful tips to share.

So let’s get started with…

NEW VIDEO ALERT
Skinniest Toaster Ever?

Is this the world’s skinniest toaster?

My latest video is online now, and this time I’m putting the slimmest toaster I’ve ever seen to the test! The Bella 2-Slice Slim Toaster promises to deliver perfectly browned toast while taking up almost no counter space. But does its performance match its sleek design?

Here’s what I tested:
🍞 Single slice vs. double slice: Can it toast evenly?
🔥 Browning levels 1-6: From light golden to smoke alarm territory.
🥯 Bagels & English muffins: Will they fit, and will they toast properly?
💰 A $20 toaster vs. a $200 Breville: Can this budget option hold its own?

Click below to find out if this skinny toaster is a compact miracle or just a countertop gimmick!

If you don’t have time to watch, you can always read the written version here.

DEALS
Ninja Oven: 32% Off

I still use my Ninja oven nearly 5 years later.

Nearly five years ago, I reviewed the Ninja Foodi Air Fry Oven, and you might be surprised to hear that it’s still on my kitchen counter and gets regular use. Right now, it’s on sale for about $150, down from its usual price of $220, as part of a Limited Time Deal on Amazon. I love this oven because it heats up quickly, cutting out the lengthy preheating time that traditional ovens require. It’s been a reliable workhorse in my kitchen for almost five years, and it’s a product I still highly recommend.

If you’d like to see this in action, check out my original review from early 2020.

Beats Studio Pro: 51% Off

I've been a fan of Beats headphones practically since their debut, and their higher-end models usually come with a premium price tag. Right now, the Beats Studio Pro headphones are at the lowest end of their usual price range, which typically peaks around $350. Scoring a pair of Studio Pros for under $200 is an excellent deal—and a fantastic gift idea for the audiophile in your life.

Dreamfarm Collection: 30% Off

Over the years, I’ve probably tested more than half of the products offered by Dreamfarm, and several of them have earned a permanent spot in my kitchen. When I saw this collection of Dreamfarm kitchen utensils marked down by 30%, I knew I had to share the deal. These make great gift ideas or an excellent upgrade for anyone looking to replace their current set of kitchen utensils. Amazon even labels this listing as “Customers usually keep this item,” which, in my experience, is a more reliable indicator of consumer satisfaction than the star ratings, which can sometimes be manipulated.

Maximize fridge space
Store items in clear bins by category to make finding things easier.
This can also help reduce food waste.

ON THIS DATE
Breakfast Sandwich Maker (2022)

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker

As a kid - and admittedly even as an adult - my go-to breakfast item on the road was always the classic Egg McMuffin. It wasn’t until I tested this little unit on this date in 2022 that I started making them regularly at home - and I continue to do so to this day. Although the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker looks like a complex feat of engineering, it’s actually quite simple to use and the results are as good or better than my beloved McDonald’s version.

SMART SHOPPING 🛒
Three Tips for Wiser Shopping

Ask for a Price Adjustment. If you buy something and it goes on sale shortly after, some stores will refund the difference if you ask.

Utilize Cashback on Specific Categories. Some cashback programs or apps offer higher returns on certain categories like groceries or electronics. Discover Card, for example, runs quarterly cashback bonuses of up to 5% for things like gas or groceries. That’s the primary reason I have a Discover card!

Look for Overstock Retailers. Stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods offer name-brand products at lower prices due to overstock. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone into a Marshalls or Ross only to see an item I recently reviewed being sold for half of what I paid for it!

SHORT SPOTLIGHT 🎞️
Charging Bracelet

It’s just a cable.

For this Short Spotlight, I’m featuring the Charging Bracelet. I’ll admit, like many viewers, I initially thought it was a wearable charging bank, but it’s actually just a charging cable designed to be worn on your wrist. The packaging wasn’t exactly clear, and I suspect that might have been intentional. While a wearable charging bank would have been a nice touch, having a charging cable “on hand” (literally) is still a clever idea. That said, I’m not much of a bracelet wearer, so it’s not something I’ve found myself using often. Check out that Short here.

As we head into the final weekend before Christmas, the hustle and bustle is in full swing! Stores and airports are packed with people tying up those last-minute holiday loose ends. While I have my next video in progress, it might not go live until after Christmas. If that’s the case, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Until next time,
James