The Sage the Toast Select Luxe STA735BST4GUK1 is a 2-slice toaster aimed at buyers who want something more refined than a basic chrome box on the worktop. With its black stainless steel finish and solid build, it feels every bit the premium small appliance.
It focuses on precise browning and everyday convenience rather than gimmicks, with variable settings, a dedicated reheat programme and a lift function for safely rescuing smaller slices. User reviews average 4.3 out of 5 from a modest but reassuring number of owners, suggesting most people are pleased with the performance and finish.
At this price it sits toward the premium end of the 2-slice toaster market, so it’s best suited to households that toast daily and care how their appliances look and feel, not just how cheap they are.
This Sage toaster is best for smaller households or couples who mainly toast standard sliced bread, crumpets and the odd bagel, and want consistently even results rather than just the cheapest option. With two slots and six browning levels, it caters comfortably for everyday breakfast runs without dominating the worktop.
If you appreciate premium finishes in your kitchen, the black stainless steel body will appeal. It’s a step up from basic plastic models, both in looks and feel, and will sit nicely alongside other high-end appliances. The 2-year manufacturer warranty also makes sense for someone investing in a longer-term worktop fixture.
It suits buyers who like straightforward controls rather than complicated menus. Rotary and touch controls keep things intuitive, while the reheat and lift functions take the stress out of timing and burnt fingers. First-time toaster buyers will find it simple, and more demanding users will appreciate the ability to fine-tune browning.
However, it’s not ideal if you regularly toast from frozen, as there’s no defrost setting. Families who need to churn out four slices at a time might also prefer a 4-slice model to avoid queues at busy breakfast times.
The overall build quality stands out. The stainless steel body and black stainless finish give it a robust, upmarket feel that should resist everyday scuffs better than cheaper plastic toasters.
Browning control is nicely judged, with six crust settings and variable browning, so you can dial in anything from a light golden finish to a deep crunch. That makes it easier to keep everyone in the household happy.
The dedicated reheat option is genuinely useful on busy mornings – it brings toast back up to temperature without pushing it into burnt territory. Combined with the built-in timer, it takes some of the guesswork out of breakfast.
The lift function is another practical win. It raises smaller slices higher, so you’re less likely to burn your fingers fishing out crumpets or shorter slices. Non-slip feet and a removable crumb tray help keep the toaster stable and the worktop clean with minimal effort.
A 2-year manufacturer warranty is better than the bare minimum on small appliances, which adds some peace of mind for a premium-priced toaster.
The most obvious omission is a defrost function. Many toasters at this price point include a dedicated frozen bread setting, so if you regularly toast straight from the freezer you may find this limiting.
For a premium model, the feature set is fairly straightforward. There’s no electronic browning control or extra smart options, so you’re mainly paying for build, design and solid basics rather than advanced tech.
With only two slots, it won’t be the quickest option for larger families who need multiple rounds of toast in a hurry. A 4-slice model may be more practical in a busy household.
Finally, while the stainless construction looks and feels high quality, it will show fingerprints more readily than a matte plastic toaster, so you may need to give it an occasional wipe to keep it looking its best.
Living with the Sage Toast Select Luxe is refreshingly straightforward. The combination of rotary and touch controls keeps everything intuitive: set your browning level, drop the bread, and you’re done. The timer helps you get a feel for how long each setting takes, so after a few uses you’ll know exactly what to expect.
The compact footprint (around 20 cm high and 34 cm deep) makes it an easy fit on most worktops, and the 1-metre power cord offers some flexibility for where you position it without leaving loops of cable everywhere. Non-slip feet keep it firmly in place when you press the lever down.
The lift function works particularly well in day-to-day use, especially with crumpets or smaller artisan slices. Being able to raise the carriage without restarting the cycle makes it easier to check progress and retrieve toast without risking burnt fingertips.
Cleaning is simple thanks to the removable crumb tray. Rather than having to tip the entire toaster over the bin, you just slide the tray out, empty it and slot it back in. The stainless body will need the odd wipe-down to remove smudges, but it feels solid and should handle regular cleaning without issue.
At its core, the Sage Toast Select Luxe is built around a 1000-watt heating element, which is pretty typical for a quality 2-slice toaster and provides a good balance between speed and even toasting. In everyday terms, that means quick cycles without feeling rushed or scorching the bread.
The six crust settings and variable browning give you a good amount of control. Subtle adjustments allow you to move from very light to well done in small steps, rather than big jumps between settings. For households where everyone has their own idea of the “perfect” toast, this flexibility is a real benefit.
The dedicated reheat programme is another strong feature. Instead of blasting already-cooked toast as if it were raw bread, it gently brings slices back up to temperature. That’s ideal if you’re juggling breakfast with kids, calls or a busy morning routine and often leave toast sitting for a few minutes.
Safety and stability features are quietly helpful. The lift function reduces the risk of burnt fingers when retrieving smaller items, while the non-slip feet stop the toaster from sliding around on smooth countertops. A built-in timer provides a more predictable experience than basic models where you rely entirely on feel.
That said, the feature list is deliberately simple. There’s no defrost function for frozen bread and no electronic browning control, so if you’re after lots of different dedicated modes you may find it a little bare-bones for the price. Here, Sage has focused on getting the core toasting experience right rather than adding more buttons.
With a current price around £119, this is firmly in premium toaster territory for a 2-slice model. You can certainly find cheaper options that will still brown bread, but they won’t offer the same combination of build quality, finish and thoughtful usability.
The solid stainless steel construction, stylish black stainless finish, precise browning control and genuinely useful reheat and lift features all help justify the higher price, especially if the toaster will be used daily. The 2-year warranty also adds value by extending peace of mind beyond the typical one-year cover.
The 4.3 out of 5 owner rating suggests that most buyers feel they’ve received good performance for what they paid, though it’s not perfect. Given the lack of a defrost function and the fairly straightforward feature set, this is not the outright best value choice on spec alone, but it is a strong proposition if you care about design and reliable results over raw feature count.
The Sage the Toast Select Luxe STA735BST4GUK1 is a well-made, attractive 2-slice toaster that focuses on doing the basics very well. It offers precise browning, a genuinely useful reheat mode, and a lift function that makes everyday toasting safer and less fiddly, all wrapped in a premium black stainless steel body.
It’s best suited to style-conscious smaller households who toast regularly and are happy to pay a bit more for a solid, long-lasting feel and consistent results. If you often toast from frozen or need to feed a crowd, the lack of a defrost setting and the two-slice capacity may push you towards a different model.
If you’re after a reliable, good-looking toaster that feels a cut above the budget competition and you’re comfortable with a higher price for that quality, the Toast Select Luxe is a strong contender.
