Best toasters 2026: top 2-slice and 4-slice toasters for perfect toast

Our line-up of Best Buy toasters will ensure you choose one that serves up slice after slice of perfect toast.

We've tested hundreds of toasters, from budget to premium models, and we know which are worth buying and which you should avoid. 

Keep scrolling to see our two-slice toaster reviews or jump straight to our four-slice toaster reviews.

The two-slice toasters we tested

The biggest brands and the most popular two-slice toasters are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the two-slice toaster test results below. 

A selection of the most popular two-slice toasters we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best two-slice toasters from our tests.

Argos Cookworks Illuminated 827/522

Available from Argos (£19.00)

Most recently tested September 2020

Matching kettle No

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.7x3.3x12.5, 79cm cable length, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Argos Cookworks T3233AE 313/8285

Available from: Argos (£14.00)

Most recently tested February 2024

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 14.9x2.8x14.1, 80cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Bosch TAT2M123GB MyMoment Delight

Most recently tested February 2024

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black colour, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 14x3x12.3, 92cm cable length, extra lift, bun warmer, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Breville EDGE VTT981 2 Slice

Most recently tested October 2021

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Stainless steel, manual dial browning control, nine browning levels, 14.8x3.4x13.2, 88cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Breville High Gloss VTT967 Cream

Matching kettle No

Need to know Cream and stainless steel, manual dial browning control, nine browning levels, 14x2.7x12.5, 94cm cable length, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Daewoo Stirling SDA2627GE

Most recently tested April 2024

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.7x3.3x12.5, 77cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Haden Starbeck 207197

Most recently tested April 2024

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.8x3.4x11.8, 80cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Kenwood Ripple TCP06.00BK

Most recently tested December 2025

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, also comes in white, blue and green, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.6x3x19, 72cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Lakeland Stainless Steel 2-Slice Toaster

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Silver, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 14.1x3.1x14.2, 77cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and bagel features

Logik LO2PTB23

Available from: Currys (£19.99)

Matching kettle: Yes

Need to know: Black, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 13.8x3x11.9, no long slot, 82cm cable length, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Morphy Richards Hive Cream

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Cream, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 14x2.9x14.3, 79cm cable length, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Rangemaster Classic Collection

Most recently tested November 2021

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know: Cream, also comes in grey or black, manual dial, six browning levels, 15.7x3x14.3, no long slot, 106cm cable length, extra lift, no bun warmer, cancel, defrost, reheat and bagel functions, no lift and look or countdown timer

Russell Hobbs Groove 26390

Most recently tested January 2023

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black and gold, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 13.6x3.2x11.1, 62cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat functions

Smeg TSF01 Pastel Blue

Matching kettle No

Need to know Comes in pastel blue, white, black, cream, red, green and pink, manual dial browning control, 11 browning levels, 14.7x3.4x11.2, 89cm cable length, cancel, defrost, reheat and bagel functions

Tefal Includeo TT5338

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.6x1.3x10.5, 91cm cable length, extra lift, cancel feature

More two-slice toasters from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the two-slice toasters from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

The four-slice toasters we tested

The biggest brands and the most popular four-slice toasters are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the four-slice toaster test results below. 

A selection of the most popular toasters we tested is listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the toasters from our tests.

Argos Cookworks Illuminated 838/6276

Available from Argos (£30.00)

Most recently tested April 2023

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 14.7x2.9x13.2, 78cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Asda George Home Black and Wood Scandi GTT201BW-20

Most recently tested November 2021

Matching kettle No

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 14.7x3.2x13.6, 79cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, reheat features

Breville Aura VTR019 4 slot

Matching kettle No

Need to know Black and gold, manual dial browning control, nine browning levels, 13.9x3.4x12.3, 68cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, reheat features

Breville Curve VTT786

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, also comes in grey, white and navy, manual dial browning control, nine browning levels, 14x3.2x14.6, 90cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Haden Highclere 197252

Most recently tested December 2020

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Cream, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 13.7x3x12.4, 78cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Kenwood Dawn Collection TFP09 Stone Blue

Matching kettle No

Need to know Blue, also comes in cream, black, grey, green and purple, manual dial browning control, five browning levels, 13.9x3x12.1, 83cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, reheat features

Lakeland 4 Slice Stainless Steel 63424

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 14.8x3.1x13.7, 79cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost and bagel features

Morphy Richards Illumination Black

Most recently tested December 2020

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 15.2x3x11.9, 77cm cable length, cancel, defrost and reheat features

Morphy Richards Venture 240130

Most recently tested May 2025

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Stainless steel, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.5x2.9x33, 89cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, reheat and bagel features, lift 

Rangemaster Classic Collection 4 Slice

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Comes in cream, grey and black, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 15.7x3x14.3, 106cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, bagel and lift and look features

Russell Hobbs Stylevia 26292 4 Slice Black

Most recently tested October 2022

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, six browning levels, 13.9x2.9x11.3, 81cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, reheat features

Smeg TSF03WHUK

Most recently tested October 2021

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Stainless steel, manual dial browning control, 11 browning levels, 14.9x3x12.1, 89cm cable length, cancel, defrost, reheat and bagel features

Zwilling Enfinigy 53010-003-0

Most recently tested May 2025

Matching kettle Yes

Need to know Black, manual dial browning control, seven browning levels, 13.8x3.2x31, 113cm cable length, extra lift, cancel, defrost, reheat and bagel features

More four-slice toasters from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the four-slice toasters from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

How we test toasters

In our lab tests, we assess each toaster on the following:

Toasting performance

We check how evenly slices of fresh white bread are toasted. We look at the whole of the slice, noting any variation in colour across the slice. 

We also look for untoasted tops and stripes, and make sure that both sides of the bread are toasted to the same degree. 

In the browning coverage assessment, we check how much of the toast has achieved a golden brown, without any significantly pale or dark areas. Finally, we check how quickly the toaster was able to toast a slice of fresh bread.

Ease of use

We assess a range of tasks, including inserting bread into the slots and pushing the lever down, removing items without burning your fingers, using the controls and the crumb tray, and whether the instructions are clear and easy to understand.

Versatility

We check how well the toaster can fit conventional supermarket loaf slices, tall toastie slices, large breadmaker slices, and thick items such as crumpets.

What are the three types of toasters?

When buying a new toaster, you'll have a few types to choose from:

Two-slice toasters

• These are the most popular and are widely available.
• Most are fairly compact and are a good choice for small kitchens with limited counter space.
• Controls are usually on the short end of the toaster.

Four-slice toasters

• If you live in a larger household, you might want a toaster that can brown four slices at once, although our tests show it can be tricky to find one that browns all four slices evenly. 
• Look out for independent controls that enable you to set different browning levels on each pair of slots.
• Make sure you've got enough worktop space to accommodate the larger size.
• Controls are usually on the front of the toaster.

Long-slot toasters

• Long-slot toasters have one or two longer slots, which can accommodate two slices each.
• They are less common, but are a good compromise for those who want to toast four slices at once but don’t have room for a bulky appliance, as they have a slimmer profile. 
• They’re also great at fitting in taller slices or oddly shaped bread, as you can fit them in on their sides.
• The quality of long-slot toasters varies hugely.

Best toaster features to consider

Here's what to look out for when choosing a new toaster.

Standard features

These tend to come as standard on even the very cheapest toasters:

• Cancel – stops the toasting cycle
• Defrost – adds extra time to the toasting cycle to defrost then brown. This means you don't have to adjust the browning setting, which is handy if it's set to your ideal level of toast already. Check the manual first though, as with some toasters you have to press the defrost button before you lower the bread, whereas with others it's the other way round.
• Reheat – quickly warms up your toast
• Crumb tray – captures any stray crumbs. Empty weekly if you use your toaster every day.

Nice-to-have features

Spending a little more can get you some handy features:

• High lift – great if you love to toast crumpets or muffins, this raises small items out of the toaster so you won’t burn your fingers when fishing them out.
• Bagel setting – some turn the heat down on one side so your bagel ends up with a traditional doughy edge and a toasted centre. Others simply add extra time to the toasting cycle to allow for the extra thickness of the bagel.
• Lift and look – also called ‘peek and pop,’ this feature lets you check on your toast without cancelling the cycle. Some Sage toasters also have a 'bit more' button for a burst of extra toasting time.
• Countdown timer – as the name suggests, this counts down the time until your toast is ready, so you know exactly how long you have to make a cup of tea or get your butter out of the fridge.
• Bun warmer – either a clip-on rack or a pop-up version that’s integrated into your toaster, although you might be better off warming buns and croissants in the oven.
• Sandwich toasting cage – hinged metal cages that let you make quick and easy toasties and do away with your toastie maker. Sometimes sold as an additional accessory (eg for some Dualit toasters). A cheaper alternative for toasting cages is reusable toastie bags.

How to care for and maintain your toaster

Ideally, you should clean the crumb tray in your toaster weekly, to avoid accumulating stale crumbs which can attract vermin and pose a fire risk.

Plastic or coated steel finishes (such as those found on coloured toasters) tend to be easier to keep clean. If a wipe with a damp cloth doesn’t do the trick, mild detergent can be used.

Polished finishes often need rinsing and drying too, to avoid streaks. An environmentally friendly ecloth can be a good way to get rid of fingerprints and restore a shiny finish.

Be careful with cream cleaners though, as their abrasive texture can leave scratches. 

Want to get rid of your old toaster? Read our guide: How to recycle electrical items.