Breville Eye Q Toaster Review: Neat Sensors, but Less-Than-Perfect Toast
Breville’s Eye Q is a toaster that uses optical sensors to check bread 10 times a second and stop when it reaches the selected shade. The review finds the technology intriguing and the controls easy to use, but says it does not make better toast than an ordinary toaster, which makes its high price harder to justify.
The two-slice model costs $300 and the four-slice version $400, with seven shade settings, an “A bit more” button and modes for bagels, crumpets and sourdough. It can also use a traditional timer for foods such as frozen waffles; there is no dedicated frozen setting because the sensors judge the finished colour. The reviewer tested it with a large family over several weeks and found it usually made acceptable toast, alongside thoughtful details such as a tidy cord storage design and a roomy crumb tray.
- Sensors monitor toast and stop at the chosen shade.
- Toast quality is comparable to a regular toaster.
- Prices start at $300 for the two-slice model.
New here? Start with this
A toaster heats bread until it browns, and most models use a timer or thermostat to control how long it stays in. Different breads and slices can brown at different rates, so many toasters offer settings that let people choose how light or dark they want the result.
Breville is a kitchen-appliance maker, and its Eye Q toaster uses optical sensors to monitor the bread’s colour as it heats. It is designed to stop when the bread reaches the selected shade, with separate modes for foods such as bagels and crumpets.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Eye Q offers a thoughtful, easy-to-use design, with optical sensors that adjust to the bread’s colour and settings for different foods. For people who value those features, its consistent, acceptable results and convenient details may justify paying more than for a basic toaster.
The case against
The review found that the sensor technology did not produce better toast than an ordinary toaster, so the Eye Q’s $300–$400 price is difficult to justify on performance alone. Its colour-based sensing may also be less convenient for frozen foods, which need the traditional timer rather than a dedicated frozen setting.