Not much has changed in the world of toasting over the past 100 years. You pop your bread in, you choose a setting, and you wait for it to pop.
Yes, there has been some confusion over whether the number on the setting means the time your bread will take or the intensity of the toasting (it’s the latter by the way). But, beyond that, you wouldn’t think there was much you could do to reinvent the humble appliance.
Until now, that is. I just got my hands on Sage’s new Eye Q Auto Toaster and it may be about to transform breakfast time. It’s designed to stop toasting as soon as your slice reaches the perfect shade, so you’ll never have a piece of rock-hard sourdough again. How does it all work? Let me break it down for you.
Sage’s the Eye Q 850 Auto 2 Slice Toaster at a glance
Pros
- Toasts by colour, not time
- You'll never need to change your setting again
- Toast glides up and down rather than popping
- Large crumb tray and easy-clean surface
- Cord can be stored inside the toaster so it's not messy on the counter top
Cons
- Limited colours available
- Premium price tag
Key specifications
| Types | 2-slice and 4-slice |
|---|---|
| Colours available | Stainless steel and noir |
| Number of shade settings | 7 |
| Functions and features | Eye Q Optic Sensor, motorised lower and raise, sourdough setting, crumpet/bagel setting, timer mode, crumb tray, non-stick surface, progress indicator |
| Dimensions | H19.1 x W20.7 x D31.7cm |
| Weight | 2.7kg |
| Power | 950-1200W |
It toasts by colour, not time
This toaster uses special optic sensors that scan the colour of your slice 10 times a second, tracking browning in real time and stopping the toasting as soon as it reaches the perfect shade.
Each of the seven settings represents a different level of toastiness, rather than a fixed amount of time. So, while sourdough takes longer to toast than a standard slice, the appliance will keep working until it reaches your preferred shade.
It works no matter the size, shape or type of the bread you’re popping in too. Darker, wholemeal slices come out beautifully, and the dedicated crumpet setting ensures the flat side is evenly browned to your perfect shade while the other side is warm, yet still soft.
The sourdough setting will change your mornings forever
Back to the sourdough, and it’s this specific setting that particularly impressed me. I love a slice of sourdough for brunch: a thick crust, uneven bubbles, and a chewy centre topped with a lovely, gooey egg.
But getting it toasted just right is tricky. Too little and there’s not enough crunch, but too much time and it’s like sawing through wood and you’re at risk of flinging your entire breakfast off the edge of the plate.
Again, this toaster comes to the rescue. Press and hold the centre button to activate the sourdough setting and this toaster automatically adjusts the Eye Q Optic Sensors to your slice, scanning it until the edges have crunch but aren’t crisp and the centre is no longer soft. Brunch perfection with minimal effort.
Your toast glides up rather than pops
I didn’t realise how much I would appreciate this motorised extra until I saw it in action. Once you press the centre button, the toaster lowers your toast down in a slow, controlled movement. Then, once it’s reached the right shade, it gently raises it back up – no ‘pop up’ action in sight.
Not only is it very satisfying but it adds a bit of theatricality to breakfast. It’s not necessary but it’s a luxury I thoroughly enjoyed. Making toast has become a bit of an event.
Plus, other add-ons like an extra-large crumb tray, easy-clean build, clever cord management, and a progress indicator show how much thought has gone into the overall design.
Things to note
A toaster this smart doesn’t come without the premium price tag, but given how much technology is squeezed inside, it’s almost understandable. That said, for the price, I’m disappointed there aren’t more colour options.
With just stainless steel and a sleek black colourway available, it feels like this toaster is missing a trick. We like our kitchen appliances to add style to our countertops (and ideally match), after all.
My verdict
Overall, this is an impressive and exciting new take on a kitchen stalwart. It’s not an essential purchase, but the colour sensors take the guesswork out of browning different types of bread and the considered design extras make toasting feel almost special.
It won’t be for everyone but if you take your toast seriously or simply appreciate innovative and premium appliances, this is the gadget for you.
Shop the Sage the Eye Q Toaster range at sageappliances.com.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
