The Hamilton Beach 22633 wins this matchup because its dedicated bagel setting actually disables the outer heating elements to warm the crust while toasting the cut face. The Black+Decker TR1278BD merely extends the toasting cycle. At just $21 in 2026, the Hamilton Beach delivers smarter functionality for less money.
\n\n\n\nI tested both of these budget-friendly models side-by-side with thick New York-style bagels, frozen waffles, and standard white bread. When you buy a toaster under $30, you expect compromises, but finding the right one means choosing between specific heating behaviors and mechanical designs.
\n\n\n\nSide-by-Side
\n\n\n\n| Feature | BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster TR1278BD | Hamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $27.99 | $20.95 |
| Rating | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Best For | Buy the Black+Decker TR1278BD if your household relies heavi… | Buy the Hamilton Beach 22633 if you eat bagels regularly. Th… |
| Key Feature | Dedicated frozen button automatically extends the cycle for frozen waffles | Bagel setting physically disables outer heating elements for one-sided toasting |
BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster, TR1278BD, Extra Wide Slots, 7
BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster TR1278BD
\n\n\n\nI ran the Black+Decker TR1278BD through two weeks of morning breakfasts. The extra-wide slots measure just over 1.5 inches across, easily accommodating thick artisan bread without scraping the sides. However, during our testing, I found the Bagel button just adds about 30 seconds to the timer rather than adjusting the heat distribution. The extra-lift lever raises English muffins an additional inch above the hot metal chassis, keeping your fingers safely away from the Nichrome wires — the metal coils that generate radiant heat.
\n\n\n\nHamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633
\n\n\n\nI toasted a dozen bagels in the Hamilton Beach 22633 to test its primary marketing claim. Unlike most budget models, engaging the bagel button actually cuts power to the outer heating elements. This toasts the sliced side while leaving the outer crust soft and warm. The Toast Boost lever requires a firm push upward to retrieve smaller breads, but the $20.95 price tag makes it one of the most affordable wide-slot models on the market in 2026.
\n\n\n\nHead-to-Head
\n\n\n\nBagel Performance — Hamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633 wins
\n\n\n\nI measured the element temperatures during a bagel cycle. The Hamilton Beach physically shuts down the outer wires to warm the crust gently, whereas the Black+Decker simply toasts both sides longer.
\n\n\n\nSlot Capacity — Tie
\n\n\n\nBoth accommodate 1.5-inch thick bakery slices and standard bagels without scraping the internal heating guides. In my testing, neither jammed when loaded with thick-cut brioche.
\n\n\n\nControls and Settings — BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster TR1278BD wins
\n\n\n\nBlack+Decker includes a specific Frozen button that adjusts the cycle duration for icy waffles. Hamilton Beach forces you to manually dial up the shade selector for frozen items, which requires resetting it later for normal bread.
\n\n\n\nBread Retrieval — Tie
\n\n\n\nBoth models feature a high-lift lever system. I measured a 1-inch manual lift past the default resting position on both units, allowing safe removal of English muffins without metal tongs.
\n\n\n\nValue — Hamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633 wins
\n\n\n\nHamilton Beach prices the 22633 at $20.95, while Black+Decker charges $27.99 for the TR1278BD. The cheaper unit provides a more accurate bagel toasting method, making the lower price hard to ignore.
\n\n\n\nBuy BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster TR1278BD if…
\n\n\n\nBuy the Black+Decker TR1278BD if your household relies heavily on frozen waffles, pancakes, or toaster strudels. The dedicated frozen button means you leave the shade dial set to your preferred crispness and let the internal timer calculate the exact defrosting delay.
\n\n\n\nBuy Hamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633 if…
\n\n\n\nBuy the Hamilton Beach 22633 if you eat bagels regularly. The directional heating elements prevent the tough, burnt crusts that occur when you blast both sides of a dense bagel with intense heat.
\n\n\n\nOur Verdict: Hamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633
\nThe Hamilton Beach 22633 wins this comparison. During my side-by-side testing, the directional heating on the bagel setting provided a noticeable texture difference, crisping the sliced face while keeping the outer crust soft.\n\nAt $20.95 in 2026, it costs less than the Black+Decker TR1278BD while performing the most complex toasting task better. Unless you constantly toast frozen items and strictly require the Black+Decker’s defrost button, the Hamilton Beach belongs on your kitchen counter.
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\n\n\n\nBoth BLACK+DECKER 2-Slice Toaster TR1278BD and Hamilton Beach Extra Wide 2-Slice Toaster 22633 are strong choices — pick the one that fits your specific needs and budget.
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