{
  "id": 8270346,
  "title": "Breville’s Wild New Toaster Swaps the Timer for Optic Sensors to Tell When Toast Is Done",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/brevilles-wild-new-toaster-swaps-the-timer-for-optic-sensors-to-tell",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-17T21:24:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/breville-eye-q-smart-toaster-review/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Breville Eye Q 850 Auto Toaster, priced at $300, introduces a novel approach to toasting by replacing traditional timers with an optic sensor. This sensor watches the bread's color during the toasting process, finishing when the bread reaches the ideal doneness. The toaster boasts a sleek, matte black brushed stainless steel casing and ceramic top, with a thoughtfully placed green optic sensor monitor in the left-side slot. This feature provides a visual indication of the toast's progress, replacing the conventional time-based method. While the technology promises precision and consistency, the reviewer experienced mixed results. Sourdough and lighter bread types turned out well, but darker breads, such as regular and sourdough varieties, exhibited inconsistent results, sometimes becoming overly crispy or even smoking. The toaster's safety features, such as automatic stop when no bread is inserted and a removable, dishwasher-safe crumb tray, add to its reliability. However, factors such as the volume of the toasting cycle's chime and the need for additional power cord storage could be areas for improvement. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Breville Eye Q Auto Toaster presents a compelling option for those seeking a high-end, technologically advanced toaster.",
  "summary": "The Eye Q may be too pricey for most households, but it’ll dazzle toast lovers with a padded budget.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}