In our reviews of the best toasters, this one came out on top. The Breville Smart Toaster BTA840XL This toaster is an expensive option, but this machine exudes quality and refinement. We were impressed by its exceptional toasting ability and seamless user experience.
Everything about it is upscale. It's not just nice to look at - the Breville Smart Toaster BTA840XL has a host of amazing extra features to help you customize your toasting experience. Even the most discerning toast-lover will be satisfied.
Breville Smart Toaster BTA840XL: Performance
Everything about the design of the Breville Smart Toaster screams upscale. For starters, the brushed die-cast aluminum gives it a sleek and modern look that fits in any kitchen.
In addition to its pleasing aesthetics, the Breville engineers packed this toaster with design functions. This includes its smooth automatic and motorized lift. Rather than pulling down a lever, all you need to do to start toasting is to press the toast button. The bread will lower and raise itself as if it were on an elevator. It's an impressive feature that looks and feels luxurious.
The slots are extra wide – perfect if you enjoy toasting bagels, artisanal bread, or pastries. Its removable crumb tray makes this bread toaster simple to clean, as you only have to pull out the trays from the front and empty the crumbs.
At 9.5 pounds, this 4-slice toaster is on the heavier side. This can be a burden if you plan to take it on and off your kitchen counter and store it between uses. However, considering this toaster's sleek, modern appearance, you may want to keep it out on display. It's an attractive machine that creates an impression, much like the Smeg 2 Slice TSF01PGUS.
This toaster has two premium features: Lift and Look and A Bit More. The Lift and Look feature lets you check on the browning mid-cycle. You just press a single button, and the bread automatically pops up, stays up for a few seconds, and lowers back down. This feature works hand-in-hand with the A Bit More function, which allows you to add an additional 30 seconds to the toasting time without changing the main shading dial. Using these functions helps take the guesswork out of your toasting so you can get the perfect toast on any bread without having to guess at the shading or peer down inside, waiting to stop the toaster at the perfect moment.
Among the toasters we tested, this Breville toaster was the best performer. In our testing, we evaluated each toaster for evenness, consistency, frozen bread, and bagels. The Breville Smart Toaster BTA840XL excelled in each of these areas. Every slice of bread we toasted came out nicely done. The browning was even on both sides of the bread, with minimal visible bar marks. We also had the same results using each of the four slots available on the toaster.
While some toasters burn bread after prolonged use due to overheating, this one does not. In this test, we toasted several slices of bread consecutively using the same slot. The slices of bread came out evenly toasted on both sides. This toaster also had no problems with frozen bread. The frozen slices came out nicely toasted and with minimal bar marks. The Breville Smart Toaster BTA840XL handles frozen bread almost as if it were room temperature.
We also tested on bagels. This toaster is not only great at toasting bagels, but it also has a special feature that only toasts one side, so it can produce a bagel that is crunchy on the inner side and soft and chewy on the outer. Basically, everything you'd want in a toaster.
This toaster is safe. Although it was not the coolest to touch in our testing, its exterior temperature of 110.7 degrees Fahrenheit was over 15 degrees cooler than the hottest toaster. You won't have to worry about burning yourself while using the toaster's controls, nor will your children burn their fingers if they briefly touch the sides. With its automatic shut-off feature, the Smart Toaster prevents fire by turning itself off when a jam occurs.
Breville includes a one-year warranty with this toaster. That's not amazing, but it's not uncommon among the toasters we reviewed. There is email support for any questions or problems you may encounter and a toll-free helpline if you would prefer to talk to someone in person. You can also download a digital version of the user manual on the company’s support website.
Should you buy the Breville Smart Toaster BTA840XL?
The Breville Smart Toaster is loaded with modern features, and the sleek design will enhance any countertop. The Lift and Look feature and the A Bit More function help you to get the perfect toast every time. Plus, the automated controls make toasting bread simple. There's no denying that the combination of its high-end design and outstanding performance make this a great toaster. However, can you buy a less expensive one that will toast your bread just fine? Quite possibly. Check out our Dash Clear View DVTS501RD review to find a cheaper option.
