Sensio Bella Professional Slice Toaster

I spent way too many hours reading reviews and studying features of toasters. My husband finally chose for me and had Bella sent to the house. I just could not bring myself to spend that much money on a toaster. How different could it really be? Toast is toast. I had read someone commenting that the bread was toasted on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. I was skeptical. I make my own bread..sourdough, rye, and multigrain. I toasted multigrain first and was amazed. The toast was crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. It really is different. Even my son noticed the difference. The seeds and grains of the bread were actually enhanced by being warmed but not dry. I make bread in all sizes and it accommodates them all. Great for short pieces of bread-no need for tongs. Long oblong pieces fit great.

Pros: long slots, sleek style, easy to clean, built solid, have read you can replace the heating elements, toasts evenly, toasts only the outside...Read more

I read so many reviews, it drove my wife nuts. "It's a toaster for crying out loud!" I had previously purchased a toaster that is also highly reviewed here at Amazon.com, but I was very disappointed. It just would not toast evenly, although it was fast.
I finally trusted the previous reviews here at Amazon.com and pulled the trigger. I wanted a toaster that could handle larger home-made breads and correctly toast bagels on only one side. This toaster delivers all of that and more. It toasts everything I throw at it, and like a previous reviewer said - it is such an even finish it looks like it was sprayed on! Seriously - toast comes out of this thing looking like the toast you see in ads for breakfast foods, it is that good. If you are really stressing and searching everywhere for a GOOD toaster, this is it!
If I had to list a downside, I would say that it is not the fastest toaster on the planet. I believe the unique composition of the toaster contributes to...Read more

This toaster is huge. Note the dimensions when you buy it. I didn't. The first one I received made a loud pop right after I turned it on and was then dead. Amazon was great about picking up the dead one and getting me a new one promptly.

I've had the new one about a month and it works perfectly. It holds large pieces of sourdough bread and has settings for frozen, single slice and bagels.