Best Toaster for Bagels: Breville A Bit More Review 2026
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If you want the best toaster for bagels, you need one that toasts the cut side and doesn’t scorch the crust. The Breville A Bit More 2-Slice Toaster (BTA720) has a Bagel button built for that job. We read the manual, the maker’s claims, an independent review and buyer reviews to see how it holds up. We don’t test products, so nothing here comes from hands-on use. The short version: the bagel results look good and the build gets praise. The trade-offs are slower cycles, drier toast and crumbs. We also flag a few gaps where the facts we have run out.
- Specific Uses For Product Toasting
- Wattage 1000 watts
- Slot Count 2
- Special Features Automatic Shut-Off
- Voltage 120 volts
- Number of settings 6
- Display Type LED
- Number of Programs 4-inch
Quick Verdict: A Good Bagel Toaster That Runs Slow
The Breville A Bit More makes sense if you toast bagels often and like having control over the result. The manual says the Bagel setting adds heat to the middle elements, so the cut inside browns without burning the outside. RTINGS reports that this one-sided toasting works, and that both slots brown alike.
The costs are real, though. RTINGS also noted slower cycles and drier toast, plus crumbs to clean up. If speed matters more to you than bagels, jump to the alternatives below. Otherwise, you can see the current listing on Amazon and read how recent buyers describe it.
Is this the best toaster for bagels?
It’s a strong candidate if bagels are your main toast. The Bagel setting toasts the cut side, and RTINGS says it works. It has slower cycles and can dry out toast, so it may not suit everyone.
This review covers one model, so we can’t crown it over every toaster out there. For a wider view, see our toaster guides.
Specs and Features That Matter for Bagels
Key specs from the manual
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 slices |
| Body | Brushed stainless steel |
| Size (W x D x H) | 8.2″ x 11.3″ x 7.3″ |
| Power | 120 V, 60 Hz, 900 W |
| Controls | Variable browning control, LED progress indicator, Bagel, Frozen, A Bit More, Lift & Look, Cancel |
| Slot size | 20 |
| Warranty | One-year limited (listed on Amazon, confirm with Breville) |
| Price tier | Check Price |
Specs come from Breville’sinstruction manual. The footprint is small, and RTINGS lists the compact size as a plus.
Features and what each one does for you
- Bagel: toasts the cut inside without burning the outside, per the manual. That’s the whole point for bagel eaters.
- Frozen: handles frozen bread. One buyer says it works well.
- A Bit More: adds a little extra toasting if the first pass wasn’t enough. One buyer uses it for small touch-ups.
- Variable browning control: lets you set the shade you like.
- LED progress indicator: shows how the cycle is going, according to the maker.
- Lift & Look: the maker pitches it as extra control. [NEED INFO: how Lift & Look works, from the manual]
- Cancel: stops the cycle.
- Slide-out crumb tray: the maker says it makes cleaning easier.
What does the bagel setting do?
The Bagel setting adds heat to the middle elements. That toasts the cut inside of the bagel without burning the outside, according to the manual. RTINGS reported that the one-sided toasting works as described.
That’s the main reason bagel fans look at this model. One buyer says the bagel function came out perfect every time. Pair it with the variable browning control to set the shade you like, and see tips for toasting bagels evenl, for general technique.
Will a thick bagel fit the slots?
It depends on the bagel. The maker says the slots are extra wide and deep for thick bagels, but we don’t have slot measurements. Check the manual’s size limits, and never force a bagel in.
The slot claim is marketing, and we can’t confirm it. The manual sets clear limits: bread must be the right size, must not stick out above the slots, and must not be so thick or long that it jams the carriage. An oversized bakery bagel could break those rules. Measure yours against the slot size once you have it.
Safety and care notes from the manual
These come only from Breville’s manual:
- Don’t leave the toaster unattended while it’s in use.
- If food jams, unplug the toaster and let it cool before removing it. Never use metal utensils.
- Keep the crumb tray in place and empty it regularly.
- Use bread that fits the slots and doesn’t jam the carriage.
For anything not listed here, check your manual. Our [[INTERNAL: how to clean a toaster guide | how to clean a toaster]] page covers general upkeep.
We read three buyer reviews. That’s a small sample, and all three were positive, so weigh it accordingly.
What Experts and Buyers Report
What RTINGS found
RTINGS praised even browning, matching performance from both slots, working one-sided bagel toasting and a compact size. Its complaints were slower cycles, drier toast and crumbs to clean up. You can read the RTINGS review of this toaster yourself.
RTINGS did the hands-on testing here, and we’re only passing along what it reported. We have no cycle timings, so we can’t say how much slower the toaster is.
Patterns in buyer reviews
We read three buyer reviews. That’s a small sample, and all three were positive, so weigh it accordingly.
One buyer, a family of four, used the toaster for more than eight years and called it easy to use, easy to clean and consistent. When it finally stopped working, Breville couldn’t repair it and sent a new, updated version instead. That buyer now trusts the brand for other appliances.
Another buyer likes the Frozen and Bagel functions, says the results came out perfect every time, and uses the A Bit More button for small touch-ups. They also think it looks good enough to leave on the counter. A third buyer returned a different toaster over a wobbly dial, unpredictable times and uneven browning. They bought this Breville instead and call it solid, with very even toast.
None of the three mentioned slow cycles or dry toast, which RTINGS did flag. When sources disagree like this, we lean on the more detailed independent review and treat buyer praise as supporting evidence.
Maker claims versus reality
| Maker claim | What other sources say |
|---|---|
| Extra wide and deep slots for thick bagels and dense pastries | No slot measurements in our sources. The manual still limits bread size to avoid jams. |
| LED progress tracking, extra toasting control and Lift & Look give more control | One buyer likes the A Bit More button for small touch-ups. RTINGS found slower cycles. |
| Slide-out crumb tray makes cleaning easier | One buyer calls it easy to clean. RTINGS still lists crumbs to clean up, and the manual says to empty the tray regularly. |
The claim that matters most to anyone hunting for the best toaster for bagels is the bagel setting. That one comes from the manual, and RTINGS backs it up. The slot-size claim is the weakest, because we can’t check it.
Pros, Cons, and Who Should Buy It
Pros
- The Bagel setting toasts the cut inside without burning the outside (manual), and RTINGS says it works.
- Even browning, with both slots performing alike (RTINGS).
- Compact size: 8.2″ x 11.3″ x 7.3″ (manual), and RTINGS lists it as a plus.
- Frozen setting and A Bit More button add flexibility (buyer reviews).
- Buyers describe it as solid and good-looking enough to leave out.
- One buyer reported helpful service after a failure. That’s a single report, not a pattern.
Cons
- Slower cycles (RTINGS).
- Drier toast (RTINGS).
- Crumbs to clean up, even with the crumb tray (RTINGS).
- Bread size limits (manual), and no slot measurements in our sources.
Who it suits
It suits anyone shopping for the best toaster for bagels who wants to adjust the result. A household that toasts bagels or frozen bread often will use the Bagel and Frozen buttons. It also fits a small counter, since the footprint is compact.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want fast toast, since RTINGS flagged slower cycles. Skip it if you dislike drier toast. And hold off if you buy very large bakery bagels until you’ve confirmed the slot size.
Price tier: Warranty: one-year limited, as listed on Amazon. Confirm the terms on Breville’s warranty page before you buy. You can also read more buyer reviews on Amazon
Alternatives to Consider
We have no sourced facts on other models for this post, so the alternatives below point to guides or wait for your input.
A budget 2-slice toaster
If a Bagel button isn’t a must, a simpler 2-slice model may do the job. See budget-friendly 2-slice toasters for options.
A toaster oven for large bagels
We can’t name a model without facts. For the general trade-offs, see for options.]].
A 4-slice toaster for bigger households
One 4-slice toaster with specs and sources. Add this only if you want to cover families who toast for several people at once.
How We Research This Review
We don’t test products. For this review, we compared Breville’s manual and product specs, the maker’s marketing claims, RTINGS’ independent review and three buyer reviews. We keep manual facts, maker claims and buyer opinions separate. We also say when sources disagree or when something is missing, like slot size here.
Safety points come only from the manufacturer’s manual. For the full process, see how we review products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you toast frozen bagels in the Breville A Bit More?
The toaster has separate Frozen and Bagel buttons, and one buyer says both worked perfectly for them. We don’t have manual details on using the two together, so check the manual before you try it.
Is the Breville A Bit More easy to clean?
It has a slide-out crumb tray that the maker says makes cleaning easier, and one buyer calls it easy to clean. RTINGS notes crumbs to clean up, and the manual says to empty the tray regularly.
Unplug it and let it cool before you clean anything.
How long does the Breville A Bit More last?
We can’t give a lifespan. One buyer reported more than eight years of use before it stopped working, and the warranty is a one-year limited one, per the Amazon listing. Treat both as single data points.
Does the Breville A Bit More toast evenly?
RTINGS reports even browning, and says both slots perform alike. One buyer who returned another toaster for uneven browning says this Breville makes very even toast. That’s consistent, though still a small set of sources.
Final Thoughts on the Breville A Bit More
The Breville A Bit More is a reasonable pick for the best toaster for bagels if you value a dedicated bagel setting and even browning over speed. The manual and RTINGS back the bagel feature, and buyers like the build. The cost is slower cycles, drier toast and crumbs. A few details are still missing, including slot size and price tier, so check those first. If it sounds right, take a look at the Breville A Bit More toaster on Amazon
