The humble toaster is easily one of the most used items in everyone’s kitchen. It helps us start the day off on the right foot, whips us up a buttery crumpet snack whilst we wait for the kettle to boil, and has even been known to dispel monster hangovers if you have enough bread for a toast-a-thon. But with such a mammoth selection out there, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what kind of toaster is best suited to us.
In our buying guide, we’re going to cover which features you need to look out for when buying a new toaster such as if they have a crumb tray. We’ll be looking at 2- and 4- slice options from some of our favourite brands such as Dualit, Breville & Russell Hobbs. Most importantly, we'll cover everyone’s budget, from cheap buys under £50 to those looking to spend a bit more and get a toaster for life.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Dualit | 2 ![]() Breville | 3 ![]() Cuisinart | 4 ![]() De'Longhi | 5 ![]() Sage | 6 ![]() Breville | 7 ![]() Russell Hobbs | 8 ![]() Daewoo | 9 ![]() Bosch | 10 ![]() Dualit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | 2-Slot Lite Toaster | Impressions 4-Slice Toaster | Style Collection 4 Slot Toaster | Brillante 4-Slice Toaster | A Bit More 2-Slice Toaster | 2-Slice Toaster | Textures 2-Slice Toaster | SDA1060 Glass Toaster | Village Collection 2 Slice Toaster | Classic 2 Slice Vario Toaster |
Features | A Toaster With New Tech That Will Deliver Time After Time | A High Performer That Will Keep Your Tabletop Mess-Free | Simple and Chic With Independent, Extra-Wide Slots | Ideal for Those With a Big Family and a Big Kitchen | A Hi-Tech 'Smart' Toaster for the Gadget Lovers | A Stylishly Textured Toaster From a Global Leading Brand | A Bargain Buy With Added Functions | Transparent Glass Toaster to Keep An Eye On Your Toasts | Straightforward, Steady and Great Value for Money | A Tank of a Toaster That Will Last for Life |
Price | £74.99 | £36.00 | £74.86 | £59.96 | £80.00 | £25.00 | £20.50 | £38.94 | £34.99 | £130.99 |
Size | 17 x 27 x 20 cm | 21 x 34.1 x 31 cm | 28 x 28.2 x 18.5 cm | 31 x 29 x 20 cm | 22 x 27 x 18 cm | 42.4 x 32.5 x 20.7 cm | 27.6 x 16.2 x 18.3 cm | 42.5 x 18 x 21.5 cm | 19 x 31 x 16 cm | 21 x 26 x 22 cm |
Slices/Slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots | 4-slice (2-slice version also available), wide slots | 4-slice (2-slice version also available), wide slots | 4-slice, wide slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots | 2-slice, wide slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots | 2-slice | 2-slice, wide slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Watts | 1100kW | 2100kW | 2000kW | 1800kW | 1000kW | 900kW | 1000kW | 900kW | 980kW | 1200kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, peek and view, high lift | Defrost, reheat, cancel, high lift, Lift & Look | Defrost, adjustable heating, reheat, bagel | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat, peek and view | Defrost, adjustable heat, crumpet, lift and look | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat, high lift | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat | Defrost, reheat, adjustable heat | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat | Defrost, high lift, adjustable heat, reheat |
Energy Efficient | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Auto shut-off function | Yes | Yes |
Link |
Getting the right size toaster for you and your belly (or bellies) is essential. If you’re living alone then chances are that you only need a toaster that can produce 2 slices at a time. Plus, you’ll appreciate the smaller size they come in if you don’t happen to have much space in your kitchen.
But if you have an army of hungry little horrors (partners included) or just really love a good piece of toast, you will benefit from purchasing a larger toaster that can easily produce 4 or more slices at a time. These toasters can also sometimes have separate heating controls for each slot, which is a bonus if the people in your household had varying toast preferences.
Also, another thing to consider is an extra-wide toast slot. If you think you are something of a toast connoisseur, then you are going to want to experiment with different types of artisanal bread and other delights. Make sure that this is a viable option by getting a toaster that can facilitate this.
Ever fancied making your own bread to toast? Take a look through our bread makers article.
Of course, we understand that the first and most important function of your toaster is that it provides a consistent and even toasting. So, buying a toaster with an adjustable heat setting will help you achieve your perfect slice.
But nowadays toasters come with an array of other useful services. For example, a crumb tray that will help keep the toaster clean, reheat option to quickly zaps the toast again if you missed it the first time, and a defrost option for those that keep their bread in the freezer, as well as other options such as an eject button and high lift, so no more singed fingers.
Don't forget, you'll need to store your bread somewhere. Have a look at our favourite bread bins.
The more power, the quicker the toast. However, if your model is going to be pumping out massive amounts of heat this often means it’s aimed at speed and not consistency, which will leave the bread with uneven toasting. The ideal power for a 2-slice is around 1200kW whereas for a 4-slice something closer to 1800kW is better.
Also, check to see if it comes with energy efficiency. This gives you the option of only using the number of slots you need. If you only want one slice of toast but two slots are heating up, one side is going to come out much browner than the other. Having this will make the toaster much more efficient and will save on energy.
If you or anyone in your household has a gluten allergy, browse our selection of gluten-free breads.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
26205 - High Gloss Black Trim
£74.99
Size | 17 x 27 x 20 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 1100kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, peek and view, high lift |
Energy Efficient | Yes |
VTT470 - Cream
£36.00
Size | 21 x 34.1 x 31 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 4-slice (2-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 2100kW |
Functions | Defrost, reheat, cancel, high lift, Lift & Look |
Energy Efficient | No |
CPT180GU - Light Pistachio
£74.86
Size | 28 x 28.2 x 18.5 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 4-slice (2-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 2000kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heating, reheat, bagel |
Energy Efficient | Yes |
CTJ4003 - Black
£59.96
Size | 31 x 29 x 20 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 4-slice, wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 1800kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat, peek and view |
Energy Efficient | Yes |
BTA720UK - Brushed Steel
£80.00
Size | 22 x 27 x 18 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 1000kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, crumpet, lift and look |
Energy Efficient | - |
VTR002 - Cream
£25.00
Size | 42.4 x 32.5 x 20.7 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice, wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 900kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat, high lift |
Energy Efficient | - |
21641 - Black
£20.50
Size | 27.6 x 16.2 x 18.3 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 1000kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat |
Energy Efficient | Yes |
£38.94
Size | 42.5 x 18 x 21.5 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 900kW |
Functions | Defrost, reheat, adjustable heat |
Energy Efficient | Auto shut-off function |
TAT3A0133G - Black
£34.99
Size | 19 x 31 x 16 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice, wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 980kW |
Functions | Defrost, adjustable heat, reheat |
Energy Efficient | Yes |
20245 - Stainless Steel
£130.99
Size | 21 x 26 x 22 cm |
---|---|
Slices/Slots | 2-slice (4-slice version also available), wide slots |
Crumb Tray | Yes |
Watts | 1200kW |
Functions | Defrost, high lift, adjustable heat, reheat |
Energy Efficient | Yes |
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications