Best toaster 2024 in the UK – our tried and tested top 9

Find the best toaster for you, based on the tests we've carried out here at Ideal Home. In this guide, you'll find toasters with varying slice space, looks, styles and features from well-loved brands, meaning there's bound to be one to suit you.

All of these toasters bring heaps of style to any kitchen counter and come in matching sets so that you can pair your new toaster with one of the best kettles.

We tested these toasters on factors such as value for money, sustainability, and performance in a range of tests, including how long toasting took and the number of functions they could perform, with some having settings for bagels and speciality breads bundled in.

Discover more about how each of these testers performed in our tests below, or for more kitchen must-haves, take a look at the best microwaves.

Best toasters - the quick list

Not got a lot of time on your journey to buying the best toaster? That's where our very handy quick list comes in, which allows you to see the pros and cons of our favourite toasters at a glance.

Best four slice toaster

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Quality toasting is important, but the best toaster will sit on your kitchen counters for years to come. That's why our top pick is the De'Longhi Ballerina Toaster, which boasts wide slots, levers with added lift, and the most beautiful and high-quality design which looks a treat when sat next to the matching kettle on your counters.

We also think the De'Longhi Ballerina Toaster is reasonably priced for how luxe it feels to use. Its design was noticeably sturdy during testing and the toast comes out with far fewer lines on the bread.

What we did miss was the ability to set each side of the toaster to different brownness settings, which is something De'Longhi has featured on other toasters and is perfect for picky families in a hurry.

During testing, we also loved the dial which sets the duration of toasting time with the De'Longhi Ballerina Toaster. It is tactile and gradual, meaning you won't have to compromise if your ideal slice is between 3 and 4.

Best toaster and kettle set

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Hand-built in the UK since 1945, this is the toaster and kettle set to buy if you don't want to fork out for another one for many years to come. It's a steep investment, yes, but the price reflects the fact that its makers believe it’s a toaster that will last a lifetime.

While its unique patented ProHeat elements are virtually indestructible, if anything should go wrong, parts are super easy to replace or repair. That makes this a sustainable, quality and durable buy - the full works.

There’s no automatic pop-up, although it does have lovely wide slots, you just lower your toast manually using the lever at the front then turn the browning control to the desired setting and it starts to count down.

It browned faster and more evenly than most other models on test, producing perfectly browned bread in a little over a minute and a half. Most others took more than two minutes and while 30 seconds might not seem much, if you’re rushing to get the kids to school, that could make all the difference.

Our Dualit Classic review has the full low-down on the iconic brand and its sustainability efforts, as well as how the kettle performed in testing.

Best toaster for large slices

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The Funky Toaster lives up to its name and will tick your boxes if you love the look of Smeg buys but don't quite have the budget.

The controls are appealing, with defrost and cancel buttons front and centre, which make a satisfying click when pressed. The quality of the toasting was seriously impressive; it had one of the most even finishes in our lineup, with no visible difference between the two sides of the bread.

You can buy this toaster in three colours, but we tried it (and loved it) in cream. You can control the dial on both sides of the toaster, so if a lack of variable settings is off-putting, this one will suit your family's various toast preferences.

We also really enjoyed the Funky Kettle that pairs with this toaster and together, they make a show-stopping pair in a kitchen.

Best budget toaster

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The Morphy Richards Verve Toaster is a budget-friendly toaster with a range of great features. We love the levers, which allow you to lift and look like your bread toasts and the slider dial means you can adjust your level of toasting completely.

We tested the four-slice, but there is also a two-slice with the same sleek finish if you've got less space. The Morphy Richards Verve Toaster comes in cream, black and white. It's not the best range of colours but if you have a neutral kitchen it will slot in perfectly. We tried out the matching kettle too and had a few complaints, so if you're after a matching pair this could be the one for you.

The slots of the Morphy Richards Verve Toaster are relatively wide, and your toast will pop up once done so you can leave it to brown while you prepare your morning cuppa.

Best 2 slice

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With an exterior that’s pure 1950s Americana – the shape’s not unlike that of a classic 1950s Airstream motorhome – we thought it might be all about the looks of this machine. And while the design is five stars, luckily the performance is too.

Although it’s not huge, it does everything you need it to, and it does it all well. There are six browning functions; we opted for mid-way but noticed that once the toaster was warmed up, we could dial it down a bit.

It also has a defrost button so there aren’t any ‘Oh no, I forgot to take the bread out of the freezer’ moments, while the side toasting function is good for bagels and the reheat is perfect for those of us who sometimes get distracted and leave the toast to cool.

The two wide toasting slots were more than big enough to cope with doorstop slices carved from a whole farmhouse loaf, as well as standard supermarket medium pre-cut bread. For a gorgeous-looking toaster if your budget is a bit bigger, look no further.

Our full Smeg toaster and kettle review has the full information.

Best deep toaster

This toaster has a distinct shimmer to it, which might suit your kitchen if you've gone for a metallic-finish kitchen. It’s slimline and easy to clean, and the weight of the controls makes it feel high quality.

The crumb tray is quick and easy to remove for cleaning, and overall it works very well. The only annoying thing was that we found that large pieces of bread stuck out of the top of the toaster, so we had to flip them halfway through to toast them evenly.

The two slots are wide and as with most others toasters we looked at, it has a high-lift function making things easy to remove without getting burnt. There’s no setting for just browning the cut side of a bagel but as we don’t object to ours gently toasted on both sides, rather than the more traditional one side, that didn’t pose a problem.

Best toaster for bagels

The Cuisinart Style Collection 4-Slot Toaster is the perfect choice for bagel lovers. It's a more common feature in American toasters to have a bagel setting, which will toast the inside of the bagel while leaving the outside nice and chewy, but because Cuisinart is an American classic brand, we got to experience the joys of a bagel setting for ourselves. One thing to note is that you should place the bagel with the outside facing in if you want the inside to be toasted on the bagel setting.

Available in some really lovely colours, including rose, pistachio, frosted pearl, and silver, we really enjoyed that you can pair this toaster with either an upright or a pyramid kettle. The two sides can be operated independently, with different timer settings and the ability to defrost one side and toast a bagel on the other. The cancel setting will push your bread up with quite a loud mechanical noise, and we were underwhelmed by the lift of the levers, which didn't go very high.

Best country style toaster

We're a little (ok, a lot) obsessed with the Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot 2-Slice Toaster. Its patterned exterior is sure to add a sunny start to your day, and there are matching kettles, mugs and even plates available for those who want to add another element of coordination. The retro-style design is carried through to the rather simple controls, which include a 1-5 dial as well as an eject, frozen and reheat setting. When you push down the lever there's no lift-to-look, but we did think the Russell Hobbs toasted evenly and were very happy with how it performed in testing.

These slots are extra wide, so those who like a wedge of toast in the mornings won't be disappointed. There's also a four-slice model available for those who want a toaster for the whole family.

Best smart toaster

Are you pretty picky about how you have your toast? Then you'll go crazy for this Attentiv (yup) toaster, which actually has Colour Sense technology to get the exact shade you want every time.

You heard that right - the technology within this toaster automatically monitoring the toasting time of your slice so that it never overdoes it. And once you've got to optimal toastiness, you can save your settings for the next round.

During testing, we were sold by the touch screen panel that you use for controls, and we loved the long, wide slots on offer too.

How we test toasters

While a new toaster isn't the most costly appliance you need to invest in for your home, the best on the market aren't exactly cheap. That's why we've put all of the toasters in this guide to the test - so that you know whether they are worth your cash before you part with it.

As part of our testing policy, we have hands-on experience with all of the products we recommend at Ideal Home. We tested the toaster in this round-up, as well as the matching kettles across one day, as well as testing them for energy efficiency.

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Other factors such as sustainability, price, range of features and size were also crucial to the testing process.

FAQs

Do toasters go on sale for Black Friday?

The most advantageous time of the year to pick up the best toaster for your home is likely to be in November, as Black Friday sales ramp up.

Our Black Friday deals page has all of the information you need to know about the event itself, but the bottom line when it comes to shopping toasters is that this shopping extravaganza is definitely going to be the best time for you.

In previous years we've seen top-rated toasters that we've tried and tested from this list go on sale, with significant discounts. So if you're saving for a particular set, we'd bookmark this page and come back to it in November, as we'll be updating you then the best we can with all of the worthwhile toaster discounts we see.

How much should I spend on the best toaster?

You can pay as little as £15 for a toaster in the supermarket, but top brands like Smeg and Dualit will set you back as much as £250 for a stylish statement option. We found plenty of great toasters for well under £50, but as a general rule the more you pay the more features you're likely to get as standard. Other extras can include a wider range of colours and a more sturdy-feeling metal exterior.

Should I buy a two-slice or four-slice toaster?

If there’s just one or two of you and you’re not a fan of fancy loaves then we’d say a simple two-slot model with just a couple of functions will probably suffice. Two-slot models are also better if you’re a bit tight on space as it’s a product that usually has a permanent, easy-to-access home on your worktop.

For couples and families, a four-slot or four-slice model is a better option – ensuring preparing toast for your brood at breakfast time or simply serving up eggs on toast for two is an altogether speedier affair. If you’re fixated on a particular look, don’t despair, many brands produce two- and four-slot toaster models that look the same.

Why do I need a toaster?

Simply put, it’s a kitchen staple that has been saving us time since it was invented in the early 20th Century. Unless you prefer to constantly check your bread under the grill to see if it’s ready, a toaster really is the easiest and most efficient way to make perfect toasted bread, bagels, and crumpets.

More than 100 years after the first, basic model was patented, our kitchens really wouldn’t feel complete without one. There are hundreds of different models on the market, from simple two-slot bread toasters to all-singing, all-dancing four-slot machines, so we’ve checked some of the best two- and four-slice models to help you decide which one’s for you.

Buying a toaster – what key features should I look for?

What can it toast?

First and foremost, of course, a toaster needs to, well, toast. Bread obviously, but also thicker items such as crumpets and English muffins, and some even have warming features for rolls and croissants. If you like your bread thickly sliced, or hand-cut then, look for one that has slots made to accommodate any size, with mechanisms that hold bread central, whatever its width. A four-slice model with a single slot is good for toasting pitta or artisan breads.

Can it defrost bread and keep my toast warm?

As well as a decent variable control to give you your chosen perfect shade of brown, you should also look for defrost and keep warm functions.

Look at build quality and maintenance

Look at the quality of the build as well as the design. After all, it’s probably something that will be used every day so you’re going to want it to last and perform well for years. Easy-to-remove crumb trays are also important, as is a surface that’s clean with just a quick wipe.

A high ‘pop-up’, which ensures you don’t get your fingers burnt when removing smaller slices of toast or crumpets from the machine is also a good idea, particularly if you have children.