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Breville

Breville Bit More 2-Slice Toaster: the downsides first

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#1 of 8
$$2-sliceScore 4.1/5
20%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)

Picked by both Wirecutter and Serious Eats for very even toast, plus handy Lift & Look and A Bit More buttons. It costs about twice the Cuisinart, has a 1-year warranty, and some owners say one side stops heating after a year or so.

Top complaints

  • Breaks or starts toasting one side

    Amazon's summary says durability gets negative feedback, with multiple owners reporting it broke after about 2.5 years, and others saying only one side toasts. Wirecutter has read reviews saying it starts toasting unevenly after a year or two, and a reader said one side stopped heating after 6 months.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Wirecutter
  • Lever won't stay down

    Amazon's summary says several owners report the lever won't stay down.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Pricey for a 1-year warranty; low lift

    Wirecutter notes the 1-year warranty versus Cuisinart's 3 years, and long-term testers wish it lifted toast higher. Amazon owners are split on value.

    Source: Wirecutter, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

What owners love

  • Most consistent toast in Wirecutter's test

    Wirecutter says it made the most consistent toast of any model it tested, golden all over with no pale patches, even after several back-to-back batches. Serious Eats found it browned bagels, waffles and bread evenly.

    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • Useful extras

    Lift & Look, a 30-second A Bit More button, and a side-specific bagel mode that Wirecutter says makes a better bagel.

    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • Held up in long-term use

    Two Wirecutter staffers have used theirs since 2018 and report it still works well and is easy to clean.

    Source: Wirecutter
Good for
  • The most even 2-slot toast
  • A proper one-side bagel setting
  • Peeking at toast mid-cycle

Scores (tap for why)

  • Even toasting4.5
    Why 4.5?Even edge to edge with no pale edges (Wirecutter); even on bagels, waffles and bread (Serious Eats). Some Amazon owners report one-sided toasting.
    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Amazon.com product page
  • Batch-to-batch consistency5.0
    Why 5.0?Wirecutter: the most consistent toast of any model it tested, even after several back-to-back batches.
    Source: Wirecutter
  • Settings & features4.5
    Why 4.5?5 browning levels, frozen, a side-specific bagel mode, A Bit More, Lift & Look, and a done beep you can mute (Wirecutter, Serious Eats).
    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • Easy cleaning3.5
    Why 3.5?A Wirecutter editor calls it easy to clean; Serious Eats says the brushed steel is more smudge-prone than the Die-Cast.
    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • Durability3.0
    Why 3.0?Wirecutter's long-term units are fine since 2018, but the warranty is 1 year, and Amazon owners report breakage and one-sided failures; 20% rate it 1-2 stars.
    Source: Wirecutter, Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: the most consistent toast and great features, but it may not last long enough to justify the price, and it has a 1-year warranty.
  • Serious Eats: Best stainless steel toaster: even browning and useful extras; the finish smudges more than the Die-Cast, and sourdough needs flipping.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked toasters whose biggest complaint is something else.

#2 in toastersBreville Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster

The best toaster Wirecutter has tested and Serious Eats' smart four-slice pick, with a motorized lift and every extra. It costs around $250, and both outlets worry it may not last; Amazon owners report some units failing within months.

Its catch: may fail early#3 in toastersCuisinart 4-Slice Custom Select Toaster

Serious Eats' favorite four-slice toaster for its many bread-type settings, longer slots and quick recovery between batches. Wirecutter's unit had a faulty lever, and Amazon owners often report early breakdowns and levers that won't stay down.

Its catch: lever won't stay down; early failures#4 in toastersSmeg 50's Retro Style 2-Slice Toaster

A design favorite that Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping say also toasts well, with a wide shade range. At over $200 it still gets Amazon reports of one-sided toasting, levers that won't stay down and failures within a year, and Wirecutter had two near-burnt batches.

Its catch: one-sided or burnt toast

Head-to-head

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