In need of a new toaster? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered all the best toasters together in this guide to make it easier to find the right one for you.
There’s nothing worse than a slice of toast that’s black in the middle and soft and breadlike around the edges, which is why it’s worth putting a bit of time and research into buying your next toaster.
There are a number of factors you need to consider when choosing a toaster. These include the cooking features, design, controls and size of the device. The latter is especially important if you have a large family to feed or are looking for a toaster to use in more professional settings, as in these scenarios two slots might not cut it.
Other factors to consider include whether the toaster has a manual pop-up lever and whether it offers more advanced temperature controls for toasting other baked goods such as crumpets, muffins and bagels.
We’ve thoroughly tested every single toaster on this list to help you find only the best for your bread.
Whether you’ve just moved out of your family home and are investing in your first toaster or your old one is ready to retire, here are all the best replacements available right now.
Best toasters at a glance
Best overall toaster: Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster – check priceEasiest to maintain: Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice – check priceA sturdy and effective two-slot toaster: Dualit Studio 2-Slice Toaster – check priceA toaster with four huge slots: Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster – check priceA retro-looking two-slot toaster for up to four slices of bread: Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster Best for traditional controls: Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster
How we test
Learn more about how we test toasters 1. We tested the performance of our toasters by considering speed, evenness of browning, and the level of control on offer. 2. We used a variety of different baked goods, from bagels to crumpets, thick-sliced loaves to English muffins, and looked for even-browning, no matter the product.3. We also tried defrosting frozen bread, reheating cold toast, and light warming softer breads.4. We were satisfied if they toasted a variety of breads quickly and evenly, and were impressed by controls that allowed you to choose your level of browning with precision and ease.
Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster
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Pros
Very even browning
Consistent results
Extra-wide slots
Cons
Pricey
£100
Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice
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Pros
Clever lid to keep toaster clean
Deep slots
Consistent results
Cons
Only available in one colour
£119
Dualit Studio 2-Slice Toaster
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Pros
Handsome design
Very sturdy
Fast toasting
Very even results
Cons
No special functions
Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster
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Pros
Excellent toast
Huge slots
Toast two or four slices at once
Cons
No reheat mode
No single-slice setting
£125
Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster
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Pros
Wide slots
Attractive design
Bagel function
Cons
Some potential bread placement challenges
Pricey
£120
Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster
View deals
Pros
Great looks
Bagel, defrosting and reheating modes
Toast two or four slices at a time
Cons
Smallish slots
No single-slice setting
£100$74
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Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster
The best overall toaster
Trusted Score
Pros
Very even browningConsistent resultsExtra-wide slots
Cons
Pricey
It’s no wonder we gave the Dualist 4 Slot Lite toaster a perfect five-star rating. Not only does it accommodate up to four large slices of bread, it boasts genuinely useful extra features that make the toaster especially reliable.
The toaster has been around for years, in fact we reviewed the model back in 2017, but it’s stood the test of time and remains one of the best toasters available today.
The 4 Slot Lite features four extra-wide 36mm slots, a dial to control browning, dedicated defrost and bagel buttons plus a genuinely useful ‘Peek & Pop’ function which allows you to check on your toast’s progress without cancelling the cooking cycle.
This isn’t where the clever tools end. Dualit’s own ‘Perfect Toast’ technology adjusts the toaster’s settings according to its current temperature, so every slice is browned consistently.
For example, if you’ve just used the device but still need to toast more, the toaster will automatically reduce its usual cooking time in order to match the results of the first batch.
Once your toasted items have finished you can then lift the lever to raise your item further by 1.5cm, which is enough to comfortably grab the goods without burning your fingers.
To test the evenness of the browning, we toasted two slices of white bread vertically alongside two horizontally. After a full toasting cycle of two minutes and 15 seconds, we found both sets of toasts were toasted impressively evenly.
At a whopping 90cm, the 4 Slot Lite’s cable length is perhaps overly generous but luckily there’s cable management underneath so you can store away any unsightly excess.
Although this isn’t the cheapest toaster available, it’s undoubtedly a worthy investment especially thanks to the built-in intelligent features which promise consistent results every time.
If you’re on a tighter budget but still need a reliable four-slice toaster, we’d recommend the Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster which is slightly cheaper but still promises consistent results.
Reviewer: Caramel Quin
Full review: Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster
Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice
Easiest to maintain
Trusted Score
Pros
Clever lid to keep toaster cleanDeep slotsConsistent results
Cons
Only available in one colour
If you want a toaster that’s easy to clean, has a modern finish and takes the effort out of toasting your morning bagels, look no further than the Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice.
Boasting large toasting slots, useful controls and even an anti-dust lid, the I-Master Series 5 is built to take the frustration out of toasting.
It’s extra wide and deep toasting slots can easily accommodate bread slices of up to 15cm, and thicker items such as bagels and crumpets. The I-Master’s lever also lifts bread up to 3cm which means no more burnt fingers when fishing for your toast.
With up to seven toasting levels and even a crispy side function that allows you to toast the inside of your bagel or baguette while keeping the outer side soft, you can expect perfectly toasted bread every time.
If you aren’t sure about which level to opt for, the I-Master allows you to check your bread during its toasting without needing to restart the whole process if it’s not quite ready.
Once you’ve found your optimum toaster setting you can then save this as a favourite mode, which removes any future guesswork in getting your ideal slice of toast. Setting this up is easy too, thanks to the intuitive buttons on the toaster’s side. Simply press and hold the ‘favourite’ button and it’ll save your choice.
Impressive performance aside, one of the standout features of the Haier I-Master Series 5 toaster is its anti-dust lid. When the toaster is not in use, the lid prevents dust from falling in and covers up the unsightly layer of toast crumbs that forms over time.
There’s also a removable slide-out crumb tray that collects crumbs, which you can then conveniently tip into the bin without making any mess.
Boasting easy maintenance, impressive performance and useful features that’ll make you wonder why all toasters aren’t like the Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice, this pick is an instant winner.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full reviewer: Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice
Dualit Studio 2-Slice Toaster
A sturdy and effective two-slot toaster
Trusted Score
Pros
Handsome designVery sturdyFast toastingVery even results
Cons
No special functions
The Dualit Studio 2-Slice Toaster is a toaster that aims to deliver a stylish design and innovative technology at an affordable price.
The toaster is slightly cheaper than the 2-slice version of Dualit’s 4-Slot Lite Toaster, but it has seen some of the more interesting functions pared down to standard ones. That said, it’s still a fast and consistent toaster.
The Studio 2-Slice Toaster has a striking design that looks great in most kitchens without being overly distracting. It’s sturdy but lightweight and comes in sleek black, white and grey colours with a generous 90cm cable and hooks underneath to wrap it.
There are defrost and reheat buttons on either side of the browning dial, which lights up in red to become a cancel button once the lever is pushed down.
The slots are 3.5cm wide, but Dualit cautions that the thickest slice the toaster will fit is 2.8cm. However, the toasting slot isn’t the tallest, so we recommend toasting taller bread horizontally.
We found setting 4 to be perfect for medium-white slices and the toaster is fast, browning bread in just 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Reheating takes 30 seconds and bread can go from frozen to crispy in under 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
If you’re looking for a solid, straightforward 2-slice toaster with a stylish design, the Dualit Studio won’t disappoint. However, bigger families will want to look at 4-slice options on this list.
Reviewer: Helen Harjak
Full review: Dualit Studio 2-Slice Toaster
Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster
A toaster with four huge slots
Trusted Score
Pros
Excellent toastHuge slotsToast two or four slices at once
Cons
No reheat modeNo single-slice setting
The Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster has some of the biggest slots you’ll find, making it perfect for toasting almost any bread you might have in your kitchen.
The Domus Four-Slice Toaster has a large, bulbous design that doesn’t quite have the same retro appeal as say the Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster or the Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster. It’s even big and heavy compared to many other four-slot machines.
However, this toaster is sturdy and feels fantastic to use. There are 9 browning levels and you have the option to lift the lever and peek at the toast without cancelling the toasting process.
Like the Dualit 4 Slot Lite, the Domus Four-Slice Toaster adjusts the toasting time based on the background temperature to avoid over-cooking bread and give consistent results every time.
The toaster also has the same frozen and bagel settings, though there’s no reheat button. This means there’s no way to warm up your toast again without risking browning it further and there’s no single-slot button to avoid heating up an empty slot when you want to toast an odd number of slices.
The slots are 140cm long and are deep enough that you shouldn’t need to lay standard supermarket bread on its side to get an even browning. The toaster also produces some of the best toast we’ve ever eaten, with the large slots ensuring bread is toasted all the way to the edge.
If you’re looking for a toaster that can handle chunky homemade bread and larger loaves, then the Dualit Domus is a great option.
Reviewer: Simon Handby
Full review: Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster
Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster
A retro-looking two-slot toaster for up to four slices of bread
Trusted Score
Pros
Wide slotsAttractive designBagel function
Cons
Some potential bread placement challengesPricey
The Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster is a stylish toaster capable of browning four slices of bread in its two slots, making it a larger alternative to the brand’s two-slot, two-slice TSF01.
The Smeg TSF02 has a glossy retro design that matches Smeg’s other appliances. It comes in a wide range of super shiny colours, including cream, white, black, red, pastel blue, chrome, pink and pastel green.
The design is also sturdy, meaning the toaster is unlikely to tip over when you push the lever down, and there’s a long 88cm cable that can hook under the toaster for easy storage.
Of course, the standout feature here is the two large slots. These are spacious, allowing you to toast very long bread, including slices of sourdough and halved baguettes.
Beneath the lever, there’s a 6-level browning dial split into two increments, allowing you to toast your bread at 2.5 or 3.5 if you wish. There’s also a reheat button on the dial, meaning you don’t need to guess which level the dial should be at before hitting reheat.
Like the Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster and the Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster, this toaster also has a specific bagel programme which can be used for bagels, flatbreads, muffins and baguettes. However, both slots do share the same set of controls.
We found the slots to be not quite long enough to place two slices of supermarket bread horizontally without them overlapping, while horizontal slices were left pale at the top where they stuck out of the toaster.
For this reason, we’d recommend either opting for smaller loaves when toasting four slices or sticking to just two slices at a time for the most even browning.
The Smeg TSF02 is a gorgeous toaster with slots long enough for sourdough slices and half baguettes and a handy bagel function. However, there is only one set of controls so, for those looking to make two types of toast at once, opt for the Morphy Richards Evoke 4-Slice Toaster instead.
Reviewer: Helen Harjak
Full review: Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster
Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster
Best for traditional controls
Trusted Score
Pros
Great looksBagel, defrosting and reheating modesToast two or four slices at a time
Cons
Smallish slotsNo single-slice setting
If you’re searching for a great-looking family toaster and prefer traditional-style controls then the Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster is a fantastic choice.
This toaster has a classic design with four parallel slots set in a relatively compact body. We reviewed the gleaming stainless steel version, but the toaster is also available with subtle metallic pearl, pink and green panels.
Each pair of slots has its own lever and step-free rotary browning control marked from 1 to 6, along with buttons to reheat, defrost and toast bagels. There are no single-slot options, so you’ll need to heat an empty slot if you only want one (or three) slices.
The slots themselves are advertised as extra deep, though we weren’t convinced by this label as they measured 130mm deep, 135mm long and 26mm wide in our own tests. Though they easily fit home-baked sliced bread, bagels and cut baguettes, the slots can be a bit small for standard supermarket bread.
The toasting slots aren’t dampened so you can be sure you’ll hear when they pop up, and the buttons and controls feel quite old-school. However, they also feel durable and the toaster comes with a three-year warranty for added reassurance.
When it comes to performance, we found the Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster offered even toasting across the full range of breads we tested. Thick breads left a noticeable grid pattern, with bagels toasting nicely on setting 2 and chunky home-baked bread receiving a medium-light browning on setting 4.
If you’re looking for a good family toaster with classic style, look no further than the Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster.
Reviewer: Simon Handby
Full Review: Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster
We also considered…
Ninja Foodi 3-in-1 Toaster, Grill & Panini Press
Grill, toast and make paninis
KitchenAid Artisan Toaster 5KMT2204 Review
A striking two-slot toaster with a bold, curvaceous design
Sage A Bit More 2 Slice Review
This premium toaster has some clever features
We’ve reviewed
See all reviews
FAQs
Is a 2-slice or a 4-slice toaster better? It depends on how much toast you want to make at one time. A four-slice toaster is better for larger families and spacious kitchens, while a two-slice toaster will often be smaller and cheaper, allowing you to save money as well as space on your kitchen counter. There are some larger two-slot toasters capable of fitting up to four slices of bread, but squeezing the bread in can be tricky. Are more expensive toasters better? Not necessarily. While more expensive toasters will often offer more features and faster toasting times, price isn’t always an indicator of quality. It’s best to do your research rather than buying a toaster based on cost alone.
Comparison specs
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Quiet Mark Accredited
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Number of slots
Slot dimensions
Defrost option
Dualit 4 Slot Lite Toaster
£100
–
–
–
–
Dualit
–
31 x 28 x 20 CM
–
B003LL1X3I
–
–
–
4
0 0
–
Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice
£119
–
–
–
–
Haier
–
162 x 300 x 225 MM
–
–
2023
12/01/2024
Haier I-Master Series 5 Toaster 2 Slice
2
150 35
–
Dualit Studio 2-Slice Toaster
–
–
–
–
–
Dualit
–
–
–
B01GJ6L0LQ
–
–
–
2
0 0
Yes
Dualit Domus Four-Slice Toaster
£125
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Dualit
No
290 x 290 x 210 MM
3.2 KG
B07WTVBC2K
2019
29/09/2022
46603
4
140 130 35
Yes
Smeg TSF02 4-Slice 2-Slot Toaster
£120
–
–
–
–
Smeg
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
0 0
Yes
Cuisinart Signature Collection 4 Slice Toaster
£100
$74
–
CA$87
Unavailable
Cuisinart
No
283 x 249 x 190 MM
2.8 KG
B098FCLQX2
2021
29/09/2022
CPT-180
4
135 130 26
Yes
›
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