Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 review

The Smeg Toaster is on many people's wishlists when updating their kitchen, but is it any good? In this Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 review we tested it on bread and bagels for even toasting and quality of design, to see if it is one of the best toasters you can buy. 

It feels incredibly high quality as soon as you take it out of the box, and the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 has a beautiful and easily cleaned die-cast aluminium exterior that pairs with other appliances easily. This is thanks to the range of colors available, and while we reviewed the 4 Slice Toaster, the Smeg TSF01 2 Slice Toaster has the same great features, but in (roughly) half the size. 

Smeg 4 Slice Toaster: specifications

• Colors: pink, cream, pastel blue, pastel green, red, black, silver
• Type: 4-slice toaster
• Weight: 8.36 pounds
• Programs: reheat, defrost, stop
• Heat settings: 6
• Material: stainless steel, powder-coated exterior 
• Dimensions: 13 x 11.77 x 7.72 inches

Smeg Toaster design

The Smeg 4 Slice Toaster does not deviate from classic toaster designs. However, the stainless steel accents make sure that every element feels high-quality to use.

For a start, the levers have tactile circular handles that activate the toaster when pushed down, and they automatically jump back up when the toasting cycle is finished. 

You can set the toaster at various intensities, between 1 and 6, using the dial at the front. One handy element is that you can set both sides at different levels, meaning you and your partner can have different levels of brownness when using the toaster simultaneously. 

Using the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03

When pushing your bread down into the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 you'll see that the control dial lights up, as do the defrost and reheat buttons. 

I set my toast to level three, which is a true medium, but I found that there is a good range of toasting levels in the six settings which means every household will be able to cater to different preferences. 

When done, your toast will pop up automatically and audibly. It sticks out of the top of the toaster with a good clearance, so you won't struggle to take out bread, bagels and English muffins.

However, when the toast pops up the dial goes straight back to the top of the toaster, so it isn't possible to lift your toast out any higher using the toaster lever. This is a feature you'll find in other toasters and it can be useful for when you're toasting soda bread or sourdough, which can often be flatter and may not stick so high out of the top of the toaster. 

As you can see, the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 did an impressive job of toasting evenly, and this was consistent across both slices and on either side of each slice. 

There were a few visible lines at the very top of the toast, but the golden color was very well distributed. 

I did toast bagels in the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 and it did a good job of creating that same even exterior, but it's a shame that there is no specific bagel setting for a high-end toaster such as this. Many similarly-priced toasters such as the Breville Die-Cast 4-Slice Smart Toaster have bagel settings that only toast one side, so if you eat a lot of bagels, it may be worth picking up a different toaster,

Cleaning the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03

The powder-coated exterior is very easy to wipe clean, should you get any crumbs or oil splatters on the outside. As for the inside, you can pull out two crumb trays at the back of the toaster to remove any fallen crumbs. 

To do this you just press the drawers and they will pop out, which is a fun alternative to pulling out the drawers. 

Should you buy the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03

The Smeg 4 Slice Toaster TSF03 feels high quality at every step of the toasting process, and the classic Smeg design will pair with some of the best blenders, juicers, and even stand mixers on the market. It has a 50s feel that's designed to last, and there is a huge range of colors to choose from, meaning it's suitable for just about any kitchen. 

It's lacking in some of the features you'll find in similarly-priced toasters from Breville and KitchenAid, such as a bagel setting and a lift-up lever that helps to remove oddly shaped bread. However, if you love the look and want something that will evenly toast your bread, bagels, muffins and more, don't hesitate to buy it in either the four-slice or the two-slice designs. 

About this review, and the reviewer

Millie Fender is our Editor for all things small appliances at Homes & Gardens She spends a lot of time testing everything from toasters to air fryers in her own apartment, and recommending the very best ones to readers. 

All our reviews are tested from home, and the Smeg 4 Slice Toaster review is no exception. Millie put it to the test for a few weeks to make her morning toast, before sending it back to Smeg, who kindly lent it to her for the purposes of this review.