Engineered in England and hand-assembled to the last detail, the Dualit 2-slice toaster is that ideal accomplishment--a hardworking kitchen appliance with an elegant presence. Its boxy-yet-curvy retro shape is undeniably handsome and its structural components withstand the rigors of a high-octane kitchen. In fact, the toaster can output up to 65 slices per hour, should the entire block ever depend on you for breakfast or tea.

The key to Dualit's exceptionally even browning is the toaster's system of patented ProHeat elements, a series of flat bars behind a smooth, transparent coating. The result is an efficient, durable design, suitable for everything from brioche to sandwiches. The elements are encased by a rugged, stainless-steel housing that you may not even recognize as a relative of its lightweight, plasticky peers. Each slot measures 28 mm wide and is extra deep to allow for the use of the Dualit Sandwich Cage (sold separately). One adjustable leg accommodates uneven surfaces and rubberized feet protect your countertop.

The Dualit toaster has manually operated functions and is designed for people who like to engage with their appliances. Operation is simple but rewarding. Instead of a pop-up function that can prematurely cool toast, the unit comes with an ejector knob that you raise when you're ready for it.