The Verdict
The SMEG 2 slice retro toaster brings iconic 1950s aesthetic appeal to your morning routine with a durable steel body, polished chrome base, and matte black finish. Operating at 980 Watts, this compact appliance balances distinctive countertop style with dependable everyday performance across six browning levels and dedicated specialty settings.
Why We Love It (Key Features)
- Versatile Browning and Presets: Six browning levels give you precise control from lightly golden to deeply toasted, while dedicated Bagel, Reheat, and Defrost settings handle frozen slices or one-sided bagel toasting without guesswork.
- Extra-Wide Self-Centering Slots: Two 1.4-inch slots accommodate thicker artisan slices and breakfast breads, using self-centering internal racks to keep slices positioned for an even toast.
- Countertop-Friendly Cleanup: An automatic pop-up mechanism pairs with a removable stainless steel crumb tray and an integrated cord wrap to keep your prep area neat and crumb-free.
- Expandable Functionality: You can pair the unit with the separately sold SMEG TSSR01 Sandwich Rack accessory to prepare toasted sandwiches directly in the toaster.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Distinctive 50s retro design featuring a steel body and polished chrome base
- Compact footprint (8-in x 12-in x 8-in) ideal for saving countertop space
- Versatile toasting controls including 6 browning levels, bagel, defrost, and reheat modes
- Extra-wide 1.4-inch slots with self-centering racks
- Easy maintenance thanks to a removable stainless steel crumb tray and integrated cord wrap
Cons
- Two-slice capacity may not keep pace with large households needing to toast multiple servings simultaneously
- Sandwich rack accessory (TSSR01) is not included in the box and must be purchased separately
Who Should Buy This?
This toaster is ideal for design-conscious homeowners, couples, or small households who appreciate vintage-inspired decor and want a dependable, compact breakfast appliance that enhances their kitchen counter rather than hiding away in a cabinet.
Frequently Asked Questions: SMEG 2 Slice Retro Toaster
What are the dimensions and power specifications of the SMEG 2 slice retro toaster?
The toaster measures 8 inches by 12 inches by 8 inches, weighs 5 pounds, and operates at 980 Watts.
Can the slots fit thicker slices of bread or bagels?
Yes, the toaster features two 1.4-inch extra-wide slots equipped with self-centering racks to accommodate different bread sizes and thicknesses, along with a dedicated bagel setting.
How do you clean and maintain the toaster?
Routine cleanup is simple thanks to a removable stainless steel crumb tray that slides out, while an integrated cord wrap beneath the base keeps excess cord organized on the counter.
5.0 out of 5 stars PERFECTLY TOASTS - 1ST ONE SENT TO ME ONLY DID ONE SIDE - REPLACEMENT IS PERFECT I was going to return this before trying it as I read the reviews AFTER buying it; then I cancelled the return and decided to give it a go. Let me say, the first couple of days I toasted one-sided items, and it was working well – thus, my decision to cancel my return. THEN, today I put in regular bread for toasting, and lo and behold, it toasts more rapidly on one side, so if you want both sides toasted, you can expect one side to be burnt. The other side will be ok. If you toast to a normal setting you would like, you get one side toasted perfectly, and the other side barely toasted at all. I’m going to have to return it. What is nice about it: The toaster is big, the color is nice, it looks great on the counter, the holes are wide. I really like it and want to keep it, but it’s not going to happen since it doesn’t do what it is supposed to do very well – TOAST. My reason for buying a new toaster is/was just this reason My other one only toasts one side of the bread, so why would I spend this kind of money for the same problem. My search is on! If you know of a toaster that works well in the “toasting” department, give me a shout out.UPDATE: 5/14/17 – Well, my old toaster finally had to go and because I loved this one & it’s look I decided to give it another try. The last one must have been defective for sure; this one works fabulously! So Far, that is. And I have high hopes that it will continue. I love this toaster. I would recommend it to anyone; just know that if it doesn’t toast properly out of the box, ask for an exchange as you probably just got one that was defective (as I did the first go around). BUT, like I said, this one toasts perfectly – both sides evenly toasted when it pops out, and isn’t this what we want. Not one that pops up and one side is toasted while the other side isn’t barely toasted. Give this one a try. It might take 2 tries, but I love this thingnow.Variation: Size: 2 SliceColor: Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Love my toaster! Great toaster! Heavy duty/sturdy; will likely last a long time (as opposed to my previous toaster, which was not inexpensive, but failed after a couple of years). Beautiful esthetics; nice, wide slots; versatile controls.Variation: Size: 2 SliceColor: Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect! Exactly as shownVariation: Size: 2 SliceColor: Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice even toasting in an attractive toaster. After trying a slightly less expensive toaster with more features that didn’t toast well, we decided to try this while it was on sale. This one does a great job of evenly toasting both sides of both frozen and regular types of breads. We tend to have mostly frozen items (english muffins, breads, waffles) and it does a great job of thawing out the breadly items then toasting them to the selected level.As expected, there was a slight odor on the first couple of “burn-in” sessions before we used it, but nothing the kitchen exhaust fan didn’t quickly clear. One hesitation I had before purchasing was the lack of the “high lift” feature of other toasters, but this model seems to have a greater standard lift range so we haven’t had any problems reaching smaller pieces of bread. Hopefully it will last a while, so time will tell … but overall I recommend it.Variation: Size: 2 SliceColor: Slate Grey
5.0 out of 5 stars Best toaster I’ve ever owned. Variation: Size: 2 SliceColor: Pastel Green
5.0 out of 5 stars Great look, and great toast Looks great and I know it sounds crazy but toast actually tastes better, difference from last average toaster is its crisper, and seems to toast quickerVariation: Size: 2 SliceColor: Red