The SMEG 2 Slice Toaster offers premium retro design with uneven mechanics, best for retro or mid-century kitchens built around display. Rated 4.4 out of 5 across 3,871 user ratings. The main drawback: the lever is the most common failure point. We scored it 4.2 out of 5.
Smeg's TSF01 is a two-slot toaster people buy for the way it looks: a steel, chrome-accented body styled after Smeg's 1950s design line, six browning levels, self-centering racks and Reheat, Defrost and Bagel presets behind a single dial. Buy it if you want an appliance that earns its counter space visually and handles everyday bread and bagels without fuss. The mechanics are less convincing - the lever is the most common failure point, and toast evenness and long-term durability are inconsistent rather than reliably good.
NoFussDeal rates the SMEG 2 Slice Toaster 4.2 out of 5 at $229.99. Last updated September 26, 2026.
The TSF01 employs 980W heating elements paired with a 6-position rotary dial providing incremental browning control from light (setting 1) to dark (setting 6).
The TSF01's two slots are built for everyday bread and halved bagels, backed by a dedicated bagel mode. Self-centering racks hold each slice upright and centered between the elements automatically, without the user needing to prop or adjust anything, which Smeg credits with more uniform browning.
Reheat, Defrost, Bagel and Cancel are all run from a single backlit chrome knob, set before the lever goes down, alongside the six browning levels. Keeping every function on one control means there is nothing fiddly to learn and very little to clean around.
Smeg lists the TSF01's body material as stainless steel with polished chrome-finished controls, and at 5 pounds it's noticeably heavier than most plastic-bodied toasters in this price range - a difference you can feel when picking it up. The toaster carries Smeg's standard one-year warranty.
The toaster's performance and appearance stand out. Three of the seven owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 93: we started at 88 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.
Smeg lists the color as Cream and the material as Stainless Steel. Four of the seven owner reviews we read mention it. All of them gave the product four or five stars. Score 93: we started at 88 and added 5 because the owner reviews that mention it are positive.
Three of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.
All of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opini…
All of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.
Smeg lists the warranty description as 1 Year Warranty. None of the seven owner reviews we read mention it. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.
Three of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 76: we started at 88 and took off 12 because it…
Three of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 76: we started at 88 and took off 12 because it draws mostly complaints.
78% of ratings are five stars and 5% are four. 4% are three stars and 13% are one or two. A sizable share of ratings sit low, so weigh the drawbacks below as heavily as the praise. Score 88: its 4.4 star average on a 100 point scale.
Four of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opin…
Four of the seven owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 17% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 82: we started at 88 and took off 6 because opinion is split.
Based on 3,871 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.4 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon
| 5 stars | 79% | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 stars | 5% | |
| 3 stars | 3% | |
| 2 stars | 3% | |
| 1 stars | 10% |
I don’t usually get excited about kitchen appliances, but this Smeg 2-Slice Toaster has genuinely impressed me. First off, the gloss black finish is gorgeous—sleek and neutral, it blends eff… Read it on AmazonMegtropolis · Oct 20, 2025
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… Read it on AmazonAReview4U · Oct 14, 2016
I have wanted a Smeg appliance for a long time but due to the high prices I held off. I finally ordered the 4 slice toaster and I am so glad I did! Best toaster I have ever had and it is so … Read it on AmazonCarol Scott-Sugimoto · Nov 01, 2025
This toaster performs one function: toasting. Ok, 2 functions, because it also defrosts. One function while taking a lot of counter space and costing a chunk of change -- but it is worth eve… Read it on AmazonSmintySue · May 06, 2025
I have only used it for toast so far. It works well and we love the look. I would recommend this productAnonymous Reviewer · Dec 06, 2025
Fantastic toaster. This is next level toasting, people. It works even better than all the hyped out reviews. And look at it! A work of art; naturally it is Italian designed. Worth every sing… Read it on AmazonKathy Bayham · Aug 13, 2025
Remove the TSF01 from its packaging and take off any protective film or wrapping. Give it a few inches of clearance from walls and overhead cabinets for ventilation, and place it on a stable, heat-resistant section of countertop within reach of a grounded outlet. Smeg lists the footprint as roughly 8 inches deep, 12 inches wide and 8 inches tall, weighing about 5 pounds.
Slide the removable stainless steel crumb tray into its front-access slot until it sits flush. Run an empty cycle or two before your first real use - like most new toasters, it's normal to notice a faint smell as manufacturing residue burns off the elements the first couple of times.
Start with the dial around the middle of its six positions for standard sandwich bread, then adjust up or down a notch based on the result. Denser or thicker breads generally need a higher setting than thin sliced bread; keep track of what works best for the breads you toast most often.
Try the Defrost, Bagel and Reheat functions individually before you need them for real. Each is selected on the chrome knob before you lower the lever.
Lever behaviour is the sorest point on this model, so know the mechanism before you panic. The carriage is held down by a small electromagnet working against a strong lift spring, and it only holds when the toaster is plugged into a live outlet and the latch area is clear. A unit that never clicks from day one is usually one that arrived wrong rather than one that wore out. Try it the day it lands, not a month later. Smeg covers the TSF01 with a one-year warranty, and this is a fault worth claiming on immediately.
Both, honestly. Performance and appearance are its two strongest points, yet toast quality and consistency are less dependable, which is the same split that follows most retro toasters. Smeg fits self-centring racks that hold a slice upright between the elements, the right structural answer to side-to-side unevenness, and six browning levels give room to calibrate. Expect the first slice from cold to run paler than the ones after it, then find your everyday number and leave it there.
Smeg builds the TSF01 with a dedicated bagel mode, so halved bagels and English muffins are part of the design rather than an afterthought. The self-centring racks matter here, holding each slice upright and stopping it from slumping against one element. The real limit is slot size: this is a compact two-slice toaster, so a long sourdough slice can stand proud of the slot and need turning end for end for the last stretch. Cut bakery loaves to sandwich size and it copes without fuss.
Smeg quotes 12 inches wide, 8 deep and 8 tall at around 5 pounds, which is a wide low footprint rather than a tall one, so measure the run before you clear a space, especially under cabinets. Anti-slip rubber feet keep it planted when the carriage snaps up, and that matters because the lift spring is brisk and toast can travel further than you expect. Leave a hand's width behind and above for heat, and site it where the crumb tray can be reached without dragging the whole toaster across the worktop.
The finish is the reason most people buy it, so treat cleaning as upkeep rather than chore. A damp cloth then a dry buff after use keeps the coloured body and the chrome knob free of fingerprints and the fine greasy mist that settles near a hob. Abrasive pads, and sprays applied directly to the body, are what dull a polished surface. The stainless crumb tray slides out and should come out weekly, since crumbs resting against the elements sit behind smoke, patchy browning and latch trouble alike. Never immerse it.
Someone who wants the toaster on display and has made peace with the trade that implies. Smeg's own feature set is short and unapologetic: six browning levels plus reheat, defrost, bagel and cancel, a removable crumb tray and non-slip feet, and that is the whole repertoire. Whether that is enough depends on how much you value the design, which is why value is debatable. If you will enjoy looking at it every morning and your household toasts ordinary bread, it earns its place. If you want maximum function per inch of counter, it does not.
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The Smeg TSF01 earns its spot on design merits: real steel construction, a genuinely wide six-level browning range, and self-centering racks backed by a dedicated bagel mode. It costs considerably more than a typical two-slice toaster, and that premium buys looks and materials more than extra toasting capability. The mechanics are less convincing than the looks - toast evenness and long-term reliability are both inconsistent from unit to unit, and the lever is the single most common source of frustration. This is a toaster for buyers who want it visible on the counter and are willing to accept some inconsistency in exchange for that.
The SMEG TSF01 succeeds as a design-forward toaster with self-centering racks and a build that feels sturdier than most plastic competitors, but it doesn't out-toast cheaper machines on performance alone - buyers are paying primarily for looks and materials. Reliability and toast evenness are inconsistent rather than dependable, and the lever is the recurring weak point. For someone who wants a Smeg on the counter and can live with some inconsistency, it delivers; a buyer chasing pure toasting performance per dollar should look elsewhere.
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