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Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 vs Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 is cheaper at $39.95. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 or Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 is the cheaper at $39.95.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster
US price $39.95 $275
BrandCuisinartSmeg
Released
Slots 2 2
Slice capacity 2 2
Slot width (in) 1.5 in 1.4 in
Browning settings 7 6
Bagel function Yes Yes
Defrost function Yes Yes
High lift lever Yes

Sources — Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122: cuisinart.com (verified 2026-06-19). Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster: smeg.com (verified 2026-06-19).

What's the difference between the Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 and Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (2 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Slot width (in): Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 1.5 in vs Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster 1.4 in
  • Browning settings: Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122 7 vs Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster 6

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Cuisinart 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster CPT-122

Only one whitelisted hands-on tester—NYT Wirecutter—reviewed this exact model, and it names the CPT-122 its overall top pick, praising unusually even browning and fast toasting (1 minute 20 seconds on medium) for a budget toaster. Flaws: occasional pale edges versus the pricier Breville, a crumb tray narrower than the toaster floor, and typical modern-toaster longevity doubts (may not last more than ~5 years). TechGearLab was excluded (site down); Consumer Reports isn't whitelisted. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Browns bread more evenly than almost any other model tested; overall top pick for the money; Toasts fast — fully done on medium in 1 minute 20 seconds; Better built than most cheap toasters; sturdy controls, stays cool to the touch, generous 3-year warranty.

Flagged: Not quite as even as the pricier Breville — occasional pale borders/edges; Crumb tray is narrower than the toaster floor, so removing it doesn't give full access to the mess at the bottom; Plastic levers and printed labels are less durable; prone to quality-control issues and may not last more than ~5 years.

Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster

Only one whitelisted tester, Reviewed (USA Today), covers this exact model, across two hands-on articles that reuse the same toaster blurb, so this is effectively a single assessment rather than independent corroboration. Reviewed calls the Smeg 2-Slice a beautifully designed retro 'conversation piece' that offers 'excellent toasting' with even browning, but flags it as expensive for a pop-up toaster. Testing was qualitative, with no published measurements for this model. RTINGS and TechGearLab were not usable and are excluded. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Excellent, even toasting; Beautiful retro design and rich finish; a standout conversation piece; Ranks among Reviewed's favorite pop-up toasters; settings lock firmly into place.

Flagged: Expensive for a pop-up toaster; you pay for novelty and looks.

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