The Best Luxury Toasters for 2026: Breville, Smeg and the Surprising Value Pick
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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A toaster is a small appliance you use almost every day, which is exactly why it’s worth getting right. The best ones toast evenly from edge to edge, handle thick bagels and long sourdough slices, and look good on the counter.
We based our picks on testing from Wirecutter, Serious Eats and America’s Test Kitchen, plus owner-reported issues collected by ConsFirst. We haven’t tested these toasters ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Quick answer: the Breville BTA720XL “A Bit More” is the best toaster to splurge on for two slices. For four slices, the Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster is the top performer if you’re willing to pay about $250. Smeg is the pick for style. And if you just want great toast for little money, Wirecutter’s top pick is the Cuisinart CPT-122.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Key detail | Approx. price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville BTA720XL Bit More | Best two-slice splurge | Lift & Look and A Bit More buttons; very even toasting | About $110 list; often on sale |
| Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster (4-slice) | Best four-slice | Top performer in Serious Eats’ four-slice tests | About $250 |
| Smeg toaster | Best design | Iconic retro style; good for long slices | Check current price |
| Cuisinart CPT-122 | Best value | Wirecutter’s top pick; 3-year warranty | About $22-40 |
*Prices from Wirecutter and Breville listings. Check current prices.
The best toasters
1. Breville BTA720XL “A Bit More”: best two-slice splurge
Best for: daily toast lovers who want consistency.
Wirecutter’s upgrade pick and a Serious Eats favorite, the Bit More toasts bread, bagels and frozen waffles exceptionally evenly. Its Lift & Look button raises the slices so you can check without canceling the cycle, and the A Bit More button adds a short extra burst. Wirecutter listed it at about $110, and Breville’s own site has shown it on sale for much less. ConsFirst collected owner reports about durability and one-sided heating, so register your warranty.
Pros
- Very even toasting
- Clever Lift & Look and A Bit More controls
- Handles bagels well
Cons
- Some durability complaints
- Pricier than basic toasters
2. Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster: best four-slice
Best for: large households and weekend brunches.
Serious Eats found the Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster the best-performing four-slice toaster it tested. It’s a splurge at about $250, and ConsFirst notes the risk that its motorized lift can fail, which makes it worth buying from a retailer with easy returns.
Pros
- Top four-slice performance
- Premium die-cast build
Cons
- Expensive
- Motorized lift is a potential failure point
3. Smeg toaster: best design
Best for: kitchens where style matters.
Smeg’s retro toasters come in many colors and are a design statement. Serious Eats and America’s Test Kitchen suggest Smeg is best for style and for long sourdough slices, but not for value or reliability compared with the Breville picks.
Pros
- Iconic look
- Many colors
- Fits long slices
Cons
- Pricey for performance
- Reliability concerns
4. Cuisinart CPT-122: best value
Best for: anyone who just wants good toast.
Wirecutter’s top pick costs about $22 to $40 and comes with a three-year warranty. It’s proof that great toast doesn’t have to cost much.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Basic design
Is a luxury toaster worth it?
Here’s the honest truth: Wirecutter’s top pick costs about $22 to $40. Expensive toasters don’t necessarily make better toast. What you pay for with a premium model is consistency, smarter controls, a sturdier build and design. The Breville Bit More’s Lift & Look and A Bit More buttons solve two everyday annoyances: wondering how your toast is doing and needing just a little more color. A four-slice die-cast model adds capacity and heft. A Smeg adds color and personality to the kitchen.
If you eat toast every day, love bagels or artisan bread, or want an appliance that looks beautiful on the counter, a premium toaster is a small luxury you’ll enjoy daily. If you toast occasionally, the Cuisinart will serve you perfectly well.
Which toaster is right for you?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the best everyday two-slice toaster | Breville Bit More |
| Toast for a family or host brunches | Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster |
| Want a design statement in a color you love | Smeg |
| Want great toast for the least money | Cuisinart CPT-122 |
| Also want to bake, roast and air fry | A countertop oven instead |
Why some toasters toast unevenly
Toasters brown bread with heating elements on each side of the slot. Uneven results come from elements that heat inconsistently, slots that don’t center the bread, or a design that lets heat escape at the top. Thick or irregular slices make it worse. Good toasters use self-centering guides to hold bread an even distance from the elements and well-designed elements that heat the full height of the slot. If your toaster browns one side more than the other, owners sometimes rotate the bread halfway, but a consistent toaster shouldn’t need it.
What about Balmuda?
Balmuda’s famous steam “toaster” is actually a compact toaster oven, not a pop-up toaster. If you want a countertop oven that also toasts, see our guide to the best countertop ovens.
How to choose a toaster
Evenness
The best toasters brown the whole slice without pale edges or burnt centers. It’s the main thing reviewers test, and it’s where the Breville Bit More shines.
Slot size
Look for wide slots for bagels and thick bread, and long slots if you buy artisan loaves. Two-slice long-slot toasters fit long slices; four-slice toasters handle more at once.
Controls
Useful extras include a bagel setting that toasts one side, a defrost mode, a lift lever for small items and the ability to check progress without canceling.
Build and reliability
Metal bodies feel premium, but motorized lifts and electronics add failure points. Check warranty length and owner reviews.
Cleaning
A removable crumb tray makes cleanup easy. Empty it regularly to prevent smoke and fire risk.
Two-slice vs four-slice
| Two-slice | Four-slice | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | Smaller | Larger |
| Best for | Couples, small households | Families, brunch hosts |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Our pick | Breville Bit More | Breville Die-Cast Smart |
Toaster care tips
- Unplug and cool the toaster before cleaning.
- Empty the crumb tray weekly.
- Never use a metal utensil to free stuck bread.
- Wipe the exterior with a soft, damp cloth; avoid abrasives on stainless or painted finishes.
- Don’t toast buttered or iced items unless the maker says it’s safe.
Complete your breakfast setup
A great toaster pairs well with one of the best luxury espresso machines, a blender from our Vitamix vs Blendtec comparison and a gift-worthy kitchen from our gifts for home cooks list.
How we researched this guide
We don’t test toasters in-house. Our picks draw on Wirecutter, Serious Eats and America’s Test Kitchen testing, and owner-reported issues collected by ConsFirst. Prices are from Wirecutter and Breville listings and change often.
FAQ
What is the best luxury toaster?
The Breville BTA720XL Bit More for two slices, or the Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster for four.
Is a Smeg toaster worth it?
For style, yes. For value and reliability, reviewers prefer Breville.
What is the best toaster overall?
Wirecutter’s top pick is the inexpensive Cuisinart CPT-122.
Is Balmuda a toaster?
It’s a compact steam toaster oven, not a pop-up toaster.
It adds a short extra burst of toasting without restarting the cycle.
