Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Toasters

Breville Die Cast Smart Toaster BTA820XL 2-Slice vs Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (3.8 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about light users seeking precise shade control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Breville Die Cast Smart Toaster BTA820XL 2-Slice
Ranked #5 in Best Toasters
Breville Die Cast Smart Toaster BTA820XL 2-Slice
$110as of Jul 8

The Breville Die-Cast Smart Toaster has garnered widespread acclaim for its sleek fingerprint-resistant design and four functional settings like 'lift and look' and 'a bit more.' Food & Wine's Liv Dansky praised its performance, particularly the frozen bread feature, and noted its popularity among users who've purchased multiple units. However, some reviewers have complained about uneven toasting and inconsistent heating. This appliance is ideal for those seeking a premium, aesthetically pleasing toaster with smart features, but those prioritizing perfect toasting consistency may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths
  • Sleek design that doesn't show fingerprints
  • Four convenient functions including 'lift and look' and 'a bit more'
  • Effective heating mechanism for consistent toasting
Watch-outs
  • Some users report uneven toasting with one side darker than the other
  • One reviewer noted that it dries bread more than toasting it
Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Toasters
Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S
$15.99as of Jul 8

The Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster offers reliable, even toasting with 6 browning levels and extra-wide 1.25" slots ideal for bagels and thick breads. Reviewers praise its compact design, cool-touch exterior, and convenient cancel function. However, the lightweight polycarbonate build leads some users to perceive it as inexpensive, and a few note issues with very large bagels not fitting properly. Best suited for small spaces and light-to-moderate use, it's not recommended for heavy daily household demand.

Strengths
  • 6 adjustable toasting levels for precise browning control
  • Extra wide 1.25" slots accommodate thick breads, bagels, and specialty items
  • Cool-touch exterior for safe handling
Watch-outs
  • Lightweight plastic construction feels cheap compared to metal-bodied toasters
  • Self-centering guides may not work well with very large or dense bagels

How they stack up

Breville Die Cast Smart Toaster BTA820XL 2-Slice

The Die Cast Smart Toaster competes with the Breville 'A Bit More' in terms of smart features but lacks the consistent performance on medium settings. While both offer 'lift and look' functionality, the 'A Bit More' delivers better browning results and is more reliable overall, making it a better choice for those seeking dependable toasting.

Elite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S

The Elite Gourmet toaster offers precise 6 browning levels and cool-touch exterior, but its lightweight plastic build makes it less durable than the Breville 'A Bit More' or Proctor Silex models. While it's a good option for light use, it lacks the consistent performance and robust construction that the Breville delivers, especially in medium to dark settings.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBreville Die Cast Smart Toaster BTA820XL 2-SliceElite Gourmet 2-Slice Cool Touch Toaster – 6 Browning Levels, Extra Wide 1.25” S
Price$150$15.99
Slices22
Settings6 settings6
Functions4toasting bread, bagels, English muffins and more
MaterialMetalPolycarbonate
Dimensions11.6"D x 8.6"W x 7.5"H5.75" D x 9.25" W x 6.25" H
Wattage750 W
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