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First Impressions: Italian Design Flair in a 4-Slice Toaster
The De’Longhi Eclettica CTY4003.W is one of the most visually distinctive toasters available under £60. Where most rivals offer variations on the same stainless steel box, the Eclettica has a considered, contemporary design language — a smooth glossy white BPA-free metal body, clean control layout, and a counter presence that immediately signals premium intent. At its current sale price of £54 (down from £79.99 RRP), it offers an unusually high level of design and specification for the money.
Design & Build Quality
The CTY4003.W is constructed from BPA-free metal with a glossy white lacquered finish. It feels solid and well-balanced — noticeably weightier than plastic-bodied rivals. Two pull-out crumb trays — one per slot pair — make cleaning straightforward. The footprint is generous: 30.3 cm wide and 31 cm deep, so measure before ordering. The design pairs well with the matching Eclettica kettle, and colour options include Glossy White, Biscuit Beige and Glossy Pink.
Toasting Performance
At 1800W, the Eclettica heats up quickly. One reviewer specifically praised the deep slots that accommodate large slices — a practical strength that backs up the premium look. The browning levels use a progressive control, covering a wide range from lightly warmed through to deeply golden. The wide slots handle crumpets, bagels and thick artisan bread with ease. A minor caveat: a handful of users report slight browning unevenness on very thick slices — a trade-off common to most 4-slot designs at this price point.
Independent Controls
The Eclettica’s 2+2 independent control panels are a genuine practical strength. Each pair of slots has its own browning dial, so different household members can toast simultaneously at their own preferred settings — a feature that typically appears on toasters costing considerably more.
Functions: Defrost, Reheat and Extra Lift
The Defrost function adds time to bring frozen bread up to temperature before browning. Reheat warms already-toasted bread without additional browning. Cancel stops the cycle instantly. The Extra Lift position raises the carriage higher than the standard end-of-cycle point for easy retrieval of smaller items. One feature the Eclettica does not include is a mid-cycle lift-to-look function — you cannot check browning progress without cancelling the cycle.
Value for Money
At its current sale price of £54 — down 32% from a £79.99 RRP — the De’Longhi Eclettica is exceptional value. The design pedigree, BPA-free metal build and 1800W performance put it comfortably ahead of plastic-bodied rivals at the same price.
Verdict
The De’Longhi Eclettica CTY4003.W is among the most elegant and well-specified 4-slice toasters available under £60. Italian design sensibility, BPA-free metal construction, 1800W performance, independent 2+2 controls and the extra-lift feature combine into a toaster that earns its premium aesthetic. Minor quibbles about the lack of a lift-to-look function aside, at £54 this is one of the best value propositions in the 4-slice toaster category right now.
