Why you'll love it: The
SMEG Two-Slice Toaster has award-winning retro chic and browns bread beautifully.
Founded in 1948, SMEG is a family-run Italian business that churns out eye-catching, high-end appliances. When it launched in 2014, the SMEG Two-Slice 50’s style toaster nabbed a Good Design award given by a Chicago museum and the following year, it picked up two more prestigious design awards.
The toaster comes in six colors, including red, black, pastel blue, pink, pastel green, and chrome. Its sturdy powder-coated steel body looks great and cleans easily. The backlit chrome knob and chrome base add to the sophisticated design, while the stainless steel ball lever knob is a perfectly-placed accent.
While the SMEG Two-Slice Toaster may look old-fashioned, it is a thoroughly modern machine. It comes with many of the features found on today’s other highly-regarded toasters, including six browning levels and bagel, defrost, reheat and cancel settings. The removable crumb tray is extra wide and pops out easily with the push of a button.
User reviews on Amazon are highly positive, with users gushing about the SMEG’s aesthetics. “I didn't know that I could be so attracted to a kitchen appliance,” said a reviewer. “All our guests always comment on our toaster,” commented another buyer. They also rave about the unit’s consistent ability to churn out evenly toasted bread.
Around the web, professional reviewers give the toaster high marks, including those at Expert Reviews, Top 10 Reviews, Best Products, Time4Toast, and Tech Gear Lab.
Pros: Super stylish, sturdy, fast and consistent toasting, excellent bagel function.
Cons: Expensive, the unit warms up quickly; unattractive and unmanageable cord
Buy the SMEG 2-Slice Toaster on Amazon for $149.95