Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster BTA820XL
Best stainless-steel toaster
- Modern design
- Auto bread lifter
- LED toasting countdown
- One-touch toasting time extension
- Expensive
- Reports of uneven toasting
The Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster has several clever features, including a blue LED toasting countdown, motorized slots that easily submerge and eject toast and a button that gives you the option to extend toasting time by a bit more. What's more, most reviewers say, it toasts bread consistently, batch after batch. Owners praise this toaster's attractive die-cast metal housing, saying it doesn't sacrifice performance for style. On the downside, we did read a smattering of complaints that not all breads toast evenly. For a less expensive toaster, reviews point to the Cuisinart Compact 2-Slice Toaster CPT-120 (*Est. $30) , a model that lacks the Breville toaster's advanced features but is a good basic toaster with enough options for most uses.
There are good reviews of the Breville Smart Toaster at ConsumerReports.org, CoolHunting.com and from Good Housekeeping. It also gets top marks at Amazon.com in user ratings.
| Breville BTA820XL Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster | |
(288 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
|
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org provides the most comprehensive toaster reviews we found. In a recent update editors test and evaluate 38 toasters, including the Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster, based upon performance, consistency and ease of use.
Review: Toasters, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Not Dated
2. Amazon.com
At Amazon.com, we found mixed reviews for most toasters. The Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster isn't a total exception, but it gets better reviews than most, even though it's expensive. A handful of owners complain of erratic toasting quality. Overall it earns a 4-star average rating (out of a possible 5) in more than 130 owner-written reviews.
Review: Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster, Contributors to Amazon.com
3. Good Housekeeping
Editors test toasters for ease of use, even browning and features. Out of 26 toasters evaluated for this report, the Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster BTA820XL is the top pick in the "worth the splurge" category.
Review: Top Pop Up Toasters, Editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, Sept. 2008
4. CoolHunting.com
Editors at CoolHunting.com, which covers products "at the intersection of art, design, culture, and technology," test four sleek toasters using two types of bread. Editors get their hands on the Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaser BTA820XL before it hits the market and compare it to upscale models by Viking, Alessi and Krups. They give the Breville toaster the highest overall rating, and note that the bread "had an unrivaled level of evenness, with a consistent brown color from crust to golden crust."
Review: Toaster Challenge, Doug Black, March 14, 2008
Toasters Runners Up:
3 picks by top review sites.
3 picks by top review sites.
Black & Decker TR1400SB 4-Slice Stainless-Steel Toaster
Black & Decker
New $22.45
(231)
Hamilton Beach 2-Slice Toaster - Brushed Metal
Hamilton Beach
New $24.71
(112)
Cuisinart CPT-122 Compact 2-Slice Toaster
Cuisinart
New $28.69
(150)
T-fal 8746002 Classic Avante 2-Slice Toaster with Bagle Function, Black
T-fal
New $23.89
(216)
T-fal TL6802002 4-Slice Digital Toaster, Black
T-fal
New $29.00
(480)Best Reviewed
Toasters
- Best two-slice toaster Cuisinart Compact 2-Slice Toaster CPT-120 *Est. $30
- Four-slice toaster Cuisinart Compact 4-Slice Toaster CPT-140 *Est. $50
- Best bagel toaster T-Fal 4-Slice Digital Toaster Long Slot *Est. $45
- Best stainless-steel toaster Breville Die-Cast 2-Slice Smart Toaster BTA820XL *Est. $130
- Novelty toaster Back to Basics TEM500 Egg and Muffin Toaster *Est. $40
Get info about new reports and updates
