Smeg TSF01 toaster review: a little luxury that makes everyday toasting that much better

Smeg is renowned for its stylish, high-performance small kitchen appliances, offering a wide range of colors and finishes that cater to every taste. As a big fan myself, I must admit, I get an almost embarrassing amount of excitement from owning a matching kettle and toaster set.

After recently reviewing the stunning Smeg KLF03 kettle, it was time to dive into its matching toaster counterpart. Whilst I was initially smitten by its aesthetic appeal, I quickly got to work testing its functionality – and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed by what I found.

Take a look at my thoughts below to find out whether it deserves a place among the best toasters on the market.

Smeg TSF01 toaster review: price and availability

The Smeg TSF01 has an RRP of £149.95 (around $180) and can be purchased from Smeg and a variety of selected retailers, including John Lewis and Harrods.

As with a variety of Smeg's other appliances, there's a sizeable range of colours and finishes available. I've been testing the bold red shade, which I believe is one of the most popular.

Smeg TSF01 toaster review: design and features

At first glance, the Smeg TSF01 might seem like any other 2-slice toaster – albeit a more stylish one. However, it packs an impressive range of features that set it apart from the competition.

One standout feature is its extra-wide bread slots, allowing you to toast much more than just a standard slice. That means no more cutting your beautifully baked sourdough in half before toasting it. It’s the little things, right?

When it comes to customisation, the TSF01 caters to a variety of tastes with six variable browning levels and three illuminatedU preset programs: reheat, defrost and bagel.

The reheat function is perfect for warming forgotten slices, whilst the defrost setting quickly thaws frozen bread and toasts it to perfection. The bagel function ensures one side is perfectly browned while the other remains untoasted – which is apparently the correct way?

Design-wise, the toaster includes a fully removable stainless steel crumb tray which you push to eject. The integrated one metre cord can be adjusted to suit your needs, adding further convenience.

Now, let’s talk accessories. Smeg offers a sandwich toasting rack and a bread and pastry warmer, and they’re currently available for free with the purchase of a TSF01 or TSF03 toaster through participating UK and NI retailers between 19th February and 1st April 2025.

To claim yours, simply fill out a form with your details and upload your proof of purchase. If that’s not an excuse to buy one, what is?

Smeg TSF01 toaster review: performance

Testing the Smeg TSF01 has been an absolute joy, and honestly, there’s little to fault. Yes, it’s on the pricier side and slightly larger than some models, but its premium design and features more than justify the cost.

Every slice of toast I made came out perfectly on the regular setting, and having six browning levels instead of the standard four was a welcome upgrade. As someone who usually just tosses a frozen slice of bread or a bagel into a basic toaster and hopes for the best, the extra settings were a game-changer. The bagel function, in particular, was a standout, and it delivered a perfectly toasted bagel every time.

I also appreciated the large stop button, which was far easier to use than those on other models. No more frantically pressing random buttons and hoping the toast pops up!

Since I always store my sliced bread in the freezer to keep it fresh, I was especially eager to test the defrost function. Setting the browning to its lowest level restored my frozen bread to a soft slice – just as fresh as when I first bought it. When I cranked the browning level up to 4 or 5 for toast straight from the freezer, it worked flawlessly as well.

Overall, the Smeg TSF01 is an exceptional toaster that combines style, functionality and convenience. Yes, it's pricey, but it’s a little luxury that makes everyday toasting that much better.

Smeg TSF01 toaster review: verdict

You can't really go wrong with the Smeg TSF01 toaster. Despite being slightly larger and pricier, its premium features, ease of use and thoughtful design make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their toasting experience.

Smeg TSF01 toaster review: alternatives to consider

In our opinion, one of the best toasters on the market is the Sage The Smart Toast. Available in both two and four slice options, it offers settings similar to the Smeg TSF01. However, instead of a bagel setting, you'll find a crumpet setting – how delightfully British!

If you’re a fan of the retro style of the TSF01, another option worth considering is the KitchenAid Artisan Toaster. Whilst it narrowly takes the crown for being one of the most expensive toasters you can buy, the Artisan comes in seven vibrant colours for the 2-slice version. We absolutely love it!