Technology fills today’s kitchens. While this busy room is still the heart of the home, today, every appliance speaks to both cooking needs and design aesthetic. Toasters are a basic kitchen appliance, but Breville has taken their models to new heights. These toasters incorporate the latest technology and features that customize toasting to your personal preferences.

Do you like your toast crispier than other members of your family? Luckily, on some models, each slot has its own browning control. Ever have your toast pop up and then wish it could toast only a little longer? Some Breville toasters can do exactly that. Or would you like to peek at your toast without stopping the timer? Yep, Breville toasters let you do that, too.

If sleek and feature-packed are on the short list for your next toaster, you’ve arrived at the right place. Our shopping guide will take you through everything Breville toasters have to offer. If you’re ready to buy, take a look at our favorite models.

• Extra-wide: Do you cook bagels or Texas toast? Then, extra-wide slots might be a good option for you. These wide slots open the door to more toasting options and don’t leave you trying to either shove bread in or pull toast out of a slot that’s too small. These models may have extra-wide slots, but the overall size of the toaster is almost identical to models with average-sized slots.
• Extra-long: For those with gourmet tastes, extra-long slots give you the space to cook far more than your average piece of toast. Try baguettes cut lengthwise or opt for a round loaf of French bread. You can also use the extra-long slots to cook four rather than two pieces of toast.
• Two slots: If you’re cooking for one or two people, two slots is probably enough. Two-slot Breville toasters can be found with either normal, extra-wide, or extra-long slots.
• Four slots: Breville makes toasters with four extra-wide slots. Whether you’re cooking bagels or a fat slice of homemade bread, these toasters can fit it without a problem.

Breville is known for its high-end, die-cast toasters, but what is it that makes these toasters so special? The die-cast process produces better dimensional accuracy, stability, and incredible heat resistance. The walls of the casing can be much thinner and lighter but still incredibly strong and durable. Overall, you get a stronger, lighter, more durable, heat-resistant toaster. That's worth a few extra dollars.

From blenders to mixers, there are so many wonderful appliances you can line your kitchen counters with that counter space is always at a premium. If you’re short on space, a two-slot toaster is the most compact option by Breville. Of course, extra-long slot and four-slot models are the largest.

A fun feature that lets everyone get the perfect slice of toast is Breville’s variable browning feature. On these models, the toasting time can be independently set for each slot. You can have one slice that’s warmed and another that’s delightfully crisp.

No matter what you do, bread will leave crumbs. Removable crumb trays let you empty the toaster after each use. You may still have some crumbs left behind, but the majority will be cleared out when the crumb tray is emptied and cleaned.

While Breville places all timer controls on the side of their toasters, control buttons can either be found on the side or top. The control location doesn’t affect efficiency or toasting results. However, models with buttons on the top are slightly less likely to be tampered with by children. Top buttons may be easier to see if you have limited neck mobility while side buttons might be easier for those in a wheelchair.

Whether the toaster has variable browning control or not, all Breville toasters have light indicators on the browning setting in addition to numbers. Sometimes a visual indicator is easier to read when you’re across the kitchen or in a hurry.

Bread can be delicate, which makes Breville’s 1-touch lowering feature perfect if you like to eat pastries and thinly cut breads. With a touch of a button, the toaster tray lowers itself into the toaster. The controlled movement of the tray not only preserves your toast but also puts less wear and tear on the components of the toaster.

Breville has design features based on customer feedback. One of those is the "lift and look" lever, which allows you to peek at the toast without stopping the timer or ruining the lowering mechanism.

Have you ever had your toast pop up only to realize that it still needed "a bit more" time to reach perfection? The "A Bit More" button does just that — it adds more time for the perfect toast.

Breville incorporates some unique features without loading their toasters down with a long list of preset buttons. Besides the “Lift and Look” and “A Bit More” buttons, the only presets include the “bagel” and “frozen” settings. When you really think about it, that's probably all you'll ever need.

• Stainless steel: Stainless steel has been the kitchen standard of excellence for decades. Breville's stainless steel models have a uniform matte finish on the top and all sides.
• Plastic: Not everyone’s a fan of stainless steel, and Breville makes sure to appeal to a wider variety of tastes. Their white plastic models have the same quality and features as the stainless steel options for those kitchens where stainless isn’t the norm.
• Die-cast: The die-cast finish is where Breville toasters really shine. The seamless stainless steel exterior of these models have an almost industrial look. If you want a toaster that looks modern and has the features to back it up, a die-cast model might be in your future.

Breville toasters have a ready alarm with adjustable volume control. The settings — mute, low, or high — are great when you’re out of the room or when you want to keep things quiet while little ones are sleeping.

For $80, you can have an extra-long slot plastic Breville toaster or, in the same price range, a stainless steel toaster with two regular-sized slots. The plastic model with five control settings includes a “Lift and Look” button rather than a lever. In the $80 to $130 range are an extra-long stainless steel model and a die-cast model with two extra-wide slots (both have five control options). The last of the Breville toasters costs around $180. These models have either four extra-wide slots or two extra-long slots, and both have five control buttons. However, the model with four slots has variable browning control for each pair of slots.

• If you're trying a new type of bread, Breville suggests starting with the browning setting at level three. You can make personal preference adjustments from there. Remember that additions of fruits or nuts to the bread may lengthen the toasting time.
• The “A Bit More” button has a white indicator light around it, so you know when it’s been turned on. It can be turned off at any time by pressing the button a second time. Once turned off, the indicator light will also turn off.
• Your first toast with a Breville toaster won’t actually include any bread. Breville recommends putting the browning control to the highest setting, lifting and lowering the “Lift and Look” lever, and running the toaster through a complete cycle without any bread in the toaster.

Q. How do I get all the crumbs out of my toaster? There are some that are still inside but not on the crumb tray.
A. The crumb tray is the first place to start. Remove the tray, and gently wipe it with a damp cloth until all the crumbs are gone. Any remaining crumbs can be removed by turning the toaster upside down over a garbage can and shaking the toaster so the crumbs can fall out.

Q. What kind of warranty does Breville have?
A. All Breville toasters have at least a one-year warranty. Contact them directly for any warranty-related issues. If contacting them for warranty information, be sure to write down the model number, batch code, and serial number from the toaster. You'll also need a receipt of purchase.

Q. Can the power cord be hidden in the toaster for storage?
A. Breville toasters have a concealed cord storage compartment into which the cord can be wound and stored. If you want to keep your toaster on the countertop, this feature keeps cords from cluttering your cooking space.