THE best toaster will brown your bread just the way you like it and is versatile enough to cook other foods, too.
We've rounded up our pick of the best models, explained what to look for when choosing the right toaster for you, and answered some frequently asked questions.
What to look for in a toaster
Size
When it comes to selecting your chosen-toaster, the first thing to consider is size. Most designs are two-slice options, but if you have a big family then you might want to upgrade to a four-slice model.
If you plan to cook things like bagels or toasties, look for an option with variable width and extra wide slots. The wider slots mean that bigger items can fit in, and metal frames that come together to hold your item in place mean that, even if it’s just a thin piece of toast, it will be in the right position to be browned evenly.
Value
A decent toaster should have a crumb tray, and buttons for reheat, defrost and cancel — although you might be happy to sacrifice one or two of these functions for a cheaper price.
Having a range of different shade settings can be important as well. The more numbers there are, the more likely you are to find a shade to suit you.
Think of what you need and the best price of a toaster which can provide these things for you.
Design
Of course, there's no point splashing out on a fabulous toaster that doesn't suit your colour-scheme and makes you want to hide it in the cupboard.
Think of your colour scheme and how much space you have to place your gadget.
What is the best toaster?
It might be easy to immediately think of household names like KitchenAid, Smeg and De'Longhi when deciding on the best toaster around, but in reality, it comes down to your personal needs.
Some designs are great but they might not go well with your interior aesthetic, whereas others are basic but could be the finishing touch to your dream kitchen.
Decide on your budget, needs and colour-scheme first of all, then you can find the perfect one for you.
If you're always reaching for bagels or thick bread from your local bakery (yum) then you're going to need one that has extra thick slots to save slices getting stuck inside.
Sound a little more complicated than you thought? Don't worry, we've found the best toasters on the market today, whatever you're looking for.
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We tested: Breville Edge 2 Slice Toaster - Stainless Steel
- Breville Edge 2 Slice Toaster - Stainless Steel, £35 from Argos - buy here
On the cheaper end of the toaster-spectrum is Breville's Edge 2 Slice Toaster at just £35 from Argos.
The variable slot width allows you to insert both thick and thin slices of bread, and you can choose your browning level, as well as defrosting bread too.
Our review? It's great and looks more expensive than it is.
From the super lightweight feel, to the smooth experience, there's nothing bad to say about this no-nonsense toaster.
Of course, it's nice to have four slots, if you're making breakfast for more than one person, but for £35, you're getting what you pay for.
If you're doing up your new kitchen, why not buy the matching kettle too?
READ MORE
We tested: KitchenAid Artisan 2-Slice Toaster
- KitchenAid Artisan 2-Slice Toaster, £199 from Selfridges - buy here
This high-end appliance has everything you might need from a toaster, including the ability to toast just one side of the bagel and make toasted sandwiches.
There are seven different shades to choose from and a high lift function for those smaller breads.
As KitchenAid has a strong reputation, we were expecting big things from the Artisan 2-Slice Toaster and it sure looks the part, as a sturdy no-nonsense kitchen appliance.
All you have to do is place your bread in and then it automatically lowers down, and you have seven different browning settings so you can have your toast exactly how you like it.
We especially loved toasting a bagel using the bagel setting, because it ensures that the outside isn't toasted. However, there are quite a few cheaper toasters out there which do that too.
For £199, you're mainly paying for a good looking toaster that is durable, does the job particularly well and toasts your bread specifically to your needs.
We tested: Sage The Smart Toast™ 2-Slice Toaster
- The Smart Toast™ 2-Slice Toaster, £139.95 from Sage - buy here
Ever experienced getting your thick bread slices stuck in the toaster? You can avoid that crumby mess with Sage's Smart Toast™ 2-Slice Toaster because each slot is extra wide.
Featuring a one-touch automation, this toaster is on the fancy end of the spectrum with an LED strip that tells you how much longer your toast has to go.
We particularly loved the 'a bit more' button for achieving perfectly-toasted toast, and the eject button is oh-so smooth, giving you a premium experience.
Whether you need to toast frozen bread or a crumpet/bagel, you can select your browning level and it won't let you down.
In terms of appearance, it's not too bad either, in a shiny, easy-to-clean silver.
If you're fed up of never getting it right when it comes to toast, then this is sure to solve all those issues. Is it worth £139.95? Yes, but it depends on whether you care about having a deluxe toasting experience or not.
Progress EK4127PBRG Jupiter 2-slice toaster
- Progress EK4127PBRG Jupiter 2-slice toaster, £29.99 from Amazon - buy here
Progress’s compact Jupiter toaster features a stylish matte and high gloss finish with rose gold fixtures. You can also get a matching kettle.
There are just two slots but they’re wide enough to fit thicker slices of bread, with a compression grill to hold the bread in place so it toasts evenly.
You have seven different browning shades to choose from, all controlled using the dial on the front. Around the shade dial you also have the reheat, defrost and cancel buttons.
In testing, we found this budget-friendly toaster did a pretty decent job - our toast was evenly browned and ready very quickly, and when we had to reheat the toast, there was no burning at all. It also had a handy crumb tray at the bottom, so there was no mess.
It doesn’t have a high lift function though, which means when toasting smaller items, you do have to try and fish it out afterwards - but it’s a minor inconvenience at this price point.
Salter EK2652GRG 2-slice toaster
- Salter EK2652GRG 2-slice toaster, £36.99 from Amazon - buy here
On this toaster there are two wide slots, designed to fit thicker slices of bread, with compression grills to hold them in place.
In terms of control, there’s a dial on the front with six different shades to choose from. Next to it are three buttons in a row where you can choose to reheat, defrost or cancel. Underneath the appliance you have a hidden crumb tray to catch all the spills.
When we tested this toaster it achieved great results and our bread browned evenly. It was also straightforward to use, with all the buttons easily accessible.
One thing to note: the stainless steel looks very stylish but it can mean a bit more cleaning as your fingerprints will show up.
Breville VTT470 Impressions 4-slice toaster
- Breville VTT470 Impressions 4-slice toaster, £35 from Sainsburys - buy here
This budget-friendly toaster from Breville is ideal for larger families as you can toast four slices of bread at the same time.
It has nine different shade options, making it extremely versatile, although all four slices have to have the same shade.
The high lift function means you can lift out smaller items easily and can check your toast’s progress if different members of your family want different levels of toasting.
Wilko 4-slice toaster
- Wilko 4-slice toaster, £35 from Wilko - buy here
This 4-slice toaster from Wilko offers incredible value and is essentially two toasters in one.
There are two sets of shade dials and control buttons so you can brown bread for different amounts of time in one go.
The marble and chrome design will look stylish in any modern home and it comes with a two-year guarantee.
Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater polka dot 2-slice toaster
- Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater 2-slice toaster, £59.99 from Currys - buy here
This quirky design is a collaboration between Russell Hobbs and Emma Bridgewater and you can get a matching kettle.
Unlike your standard toasters, this one is a fun rounded shape, adding to its design appeal.
There are six shades to choose from, plus all your usual defrost, reheat and cancel buttons.
De'Longhi CT04.GY Argento Silva toaster
- De'Longhi CT04.GY Argento Silva toaster, £58 from De'Longhi - buy here
This premium 4-slice toaster from De'Longhi’s Argento Silva range is inspired by 50s retro styling and features curved edges and moulded handles.
The two sides of the toaster can be used independently with the six shades adjusted according to your preferences.
There’s also a high lift function for removing smaller pieces of toast.
Smeg retro two-slice toaster
- Smeg retro two-slice toaster, £140 from Amazon – buy here
Design fans will appreciate being able to buy a Smeg toaster to coordinate with their kitchen – the appliance comes in white, black, red, chrome, cream and pastel blue, green and pink.
The silver version is just lovely, though you may want to opt for a solid colour if fingerprints are going to be a problem.
As well as looking great, this model has all the usual bells and whistles you’d expect at this price point including six browning levels, defrost and reheat functionality and a removable touch-release crumb tray.
Dualit four-slot Vario toaster
- Dualit four-slot Vario toaster, £179.99 from Nisbets – buy here
Dualit’s Vario toaster has barely changed since it was launched by the West Sussex-based brand back in 1945.
The special twist timer allows you to hone your level of toastiness to perfection and the manual pop-up lever lets you keep your slice warm in the toaster until you’re ready with the butter.
All Dualit toasters score extra points in the eco department too: their ProHeat toasting elements are replaceable, meaning that these are some of the few toasters can actually be repaired if they stop working.
Beko Cosmpolis four-slice toaster
- Beko Cosmpolis four-slice toaster, £54.99 from Curry’s – buy here
It wasn’t its snazzy good looks and all-round versatility that put the Beko Cosmopolis toaster onto our list, though it’s certainly stylish enough (and even has a matching kettle).
It was the fact that it’s one of the few toasters out there that is able to toast extra-tall bread, the likes of which you get from a breadmaker.
The two sides can also be operated independently of each other, making it great for families that need different shades of toast.
Cookworks two-slice toaster
- Cookworks two-slice toaster, £14.50 from Argos – buy here
You get a lot of bang for your buck with this neat and simple budget toaster from Cookworks, Argos’s own-label brand.
It has seven toasting levels, defrost and reheat buttons and a removable crumb tray, and is available in a range of colours including white and black.
Plus, it comes with a year's guarantee.
Morphy Richards Hive 2-Slot Toaster
- Morphy Richards Hive 2-Slot Toaster, Black, £29.99 from John Lewis - buy here
Sporting a premium gloss, the Morphy Richards Hive 2-Slot Toaster doesn't look like it's less than £30.
There are seven browning settings, two classic slots and even a warming section too.
It's a basic toaster, without the basic appearance.
Russell Hobbs Worcester 4 Slice Cream St/Steel Toaster
- Russell Hobbs Worcester 4 Slice Cream St/Steel Toaster, £35 from Argos - buy here
Russell Hobbs' Worcester 4 Slice Toaster is available in four colours, but we think cream is most stylish.
Just like every quality toaster, it has seven toast settings, four wide slots, a removable crumb tray and a high-lift function to remove your slices.
Pick it up from your local Sainsburys for free delivery.
Bugatti Volo Toaster
- Bugatti Volo Toaster, £219 from Harrods - buy here
Can't afford a Bugatti car? This Volo Toaster is the next best thing.
It's the ultimate gadget to step up your kitchen applicance- game, complete with a bun warmer, spacious toasting racks and sleek Bugatti branding.
While you're here, you might as well grab the elegant Jackie Kettle by Bugatti to match.
Where to buy a toaster
Toasters are widely available from high street shops and even supermarkets.
You can also find a huge selection online, including at Amazon, Argos, Currys, John Lewis and Wilko.
How much are toasters?
Toasters can start from less than £10 and go up to hundreds of pounds.
Price isn’t necessarily an indicator of quality though - having all the right features is much more important.
What are the best toaster brands?
Like other kitchen appliances, the best toaster for you will depend on your preferences and the features you’re looking for so there’s no single brand that’s the best as such.
That said, a longer manufacturer’s guarantee is a good sign that the toaster is more reliable and will last longer - but even this could vary between models from the same brand.
You could however start off with some well known brands such as Bosch, Breville and Russell Hobbs.
How to clean a toaster
Before you do anything, make sure your toaster is unplugged - this is very important.
Most toasters now have a crumb tray and you can simply slide this out and empty it in the bin. It’s a good idea to give this a wash too, if you haven’t for a while. Washing up liquid followed by a rinse is fine — just make sure it’s dry before you put it back at the end of the clean.
Next, turn your toaster upside down over a bin or the sink and give it a good shake so any loose crumbs will fall out. Use a sturdy pastry brush to remove any crumbs lodged in the corners. And if you have any stuck on bits of food, use the handle of a wooden spoon to scrape it off and scrub away any debris with a clean toothbrush.
For the outside, simply give it a wipe down with a dampened microfiber cloth. You can dab on a bit of washing up liquid if it’s greasy but make sure none of it gets inside the toaster. Wipe down with a damp cloth afterward.
Once your toaster is clean, just slot the crumb tray back in and you’re ready to use it again.
More in Sun Selects Home
Enjoyed our round-up of the best toasters? We've got loads more recommendations for your house in Sun Selects home.
We've also picked out some of the best kettles to match these toaster.
Or if you're looking for a set, check out our round up of kettle and toaster sets.
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