The Farberware 2-Slice Rapid Toaster does indeed toasts bread faster than the other toasters that I've had in the past. I suggest you not stray far after pressing the toaster lever or you'll likely to get cold toast. Seems like 3.5 will give you a light toast- that's the middle setting. It goes all the way to 6. It has a bagel and a defrost setting as well. And a cancel button. It looks like you can only use the standard squarish size bread. I had to cut my long sour dough bread in half before placing in the toaster. I like that there are 4 "feet" on the bottom on the toaster that catch your chord so it stays in place and out of your way (see picture). I also have a before and after pictures of my sourdough toast at the light setting of 3.5.