The best toasters to give you the perfect crunch

Who doesn't love toast? Whether you’re hungry for two, four, or six slices of golden goodness, we’ve got you covered

The best toaster

by William Austin-Lobley |
Updated on

Toast is simple. Toast is easy. Toast is life. Buttery, eggy, cheesy, jammy or whatevery, there’s no getting away from that fact the making bread slightly more cooked than it was when we bought it, makes it ten-times more delicious. No one knows why - it’s one of life’s greatest mysteries. But we aren’t here to seek the truth to the universe’s most important questions – we’re just here to bring you the technology that will bag you the best toast possible.

We’ve scoured the web to locate the best selection of toasters. We’ve got options for those looking to keep things simple, with modest two-slice toasting needs. We’ve got solutions for families who need to be hitting four slices to get out of the house on time. We’ve even gone so far to include a few quirky ones that might have you thinking again about all of your preconceived notions of what a toaster can be. At the close of the list, you’ll even stumble across a few toasting accessories – yes, they exist.

Looking for something a little more filling? Read our rundown of the best sandwich toasters

Here are our recommendations for the best toasters.

The best at a glance:

Russell Hobbs 24090 Adventure Toaster

De'Longhi CT04 Argento 4-Slice Toaster

Smeg TSF01 2-Slice Toaster

Dualit 46025 2-Slot Long Lite Toaster

Russell Hobbs Colour Plus 2-Slice Toaster

Breville Impressions 4-Slice Toaster

Dualit 60144 6-Slice Toaster

Smart Tunnel Toaster

Cooks Professional 2 Slice Glass Toaster with Viewing Window

Tefal Toast N Egg Two Slice Toaster and Egg Maker

The best in detail:

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What's the best toaster?

Russell Hobbs 24090 Adventure Toaster1 of 10

Russell Hobbs 24090 Adventure Toaster

Quite why this toaster carries the name 'Adventure' is beyond us, but it sure is a fine (and affordable) four-slice toaster. Sacrificing a little in the way of looks for great functions, this toaster allows for two batches of toast to be made independently, each with its own setting. The slots are wide too, so they'll accommodate artisan breads, English muffins and bagels.Pros: Affordable four-slice toaster with two temperature controls. Cons: Plain design.Slots: Four wide, for up to four slicesBrowning gradients: SixFunctions: Reheat, frozen bread mode, high lift, Lift & Look, mid-cycle cancel

De'Longhi CT04 Argento 4-Slice Toaster2 of 10

De'Longhi CT04 Argento 4-Slice Toaster

This four-slice, wide slotted solution from De'Longhi is a fine example of how refined a toaster can look and perform. The four slots are split across two independent mechanisms and heaters, meaning that you can simultaneously toast to different degrees. Pros: Wide slots, great two-sided temperature control. Stunning bold design. Cons: Light on features considering size. Slots: FourBrowning gradients: SixFunctions: Defrost, re-heat, mid-cycle cancel

Smeg TSF02 4-Slice Toaster3 of 10

Smeg TSF02 4-Slice Toaster

This designer retro '50s toaster is, frankly, a thing of beauty. The aesthetic is sure to stun anyone who looks upon it, and the toast it produces is top notch. It's a simple device but done well. Anyone who knows anything about kitchenware will know that the name Smeg is a guarantee of quality.Pros: Incredible style and will last for years.Cons: Very expensive. Slots: Two, for up to four slicesBrowning gradients: VariableFunctions: Bagel, defrost, warming, mid-cycle cancel

Dualit 46025 2 Slot Long Lite Toaster4 of 10

Dualit 46025 2 Slot Long Lite Toaster

Deep in the Dualit laboratory, one genius technician has been quietly working on a device that'll change the world forever – Ideal Toast Technology. This technology calculates each variable of your inserted bread item to guarantee a perfect golden-brown toast every time. Plus, there's a detachable warming rack and the long slots allow ample room for panini and sliced baguettes. Pros: Excellent features and slim design from an industry-leading brandCons: ExpensiveSlots: Two long, for up to four slicesBrowning gradients: EightFunctions: Bagel, defrost, Peek & Pop, mid-cycle cancelIncludes warming rack

Russell Hobbs Colour Plus 2-Slice Toaster5 of 10

Russell Hobbs Colour Plus 2-Slice Toaster

Are you looking for a good-looking toaster that'll toast you some bread? Well, Russell Hobbs has you covered. The extra wide slots make it suitable for bagels, English muffins and crumpets too. It's even got Faster Toasting Technology for those who can't bear waiting for that tasty crunch. If you're looking to get a matching kitchen set, you can get a kettle and microwave to match. Pros: Affordable, reliable and nice looking. Cons: Only a two-slice toaster, and lacking in extra features.Slots: Two extra-wide, for two slicesBrowning gradients: Six Functions: Defrost, frozen bread mode, Lift & Look, mid-cycle cancel

Breville Impressions 4-Slice Toaster6 of 10

Breville Impressions 4-Slice Toaster

If you've got a big toast hungry family (or just an insatiable toast appetite) then this four-slice machine has what you need. It can toast to a brownness chosen by you, reheat and defrost. The only downside is that you can't set independent temperatures across the two sections. Available in a range of colours, including red, black and cream. Pros: Striking design from a trustworthy name, and great browning/temperature control. Cons: No per-side temperature control. Slots: Four wide, for up to four slicesBrowning gradients: NineFunctions: Defrost, bagel, reheat, high-lift lever, mid-cycle cancel

Dualit 6 Slice Toaster 60144 u2013 Polished7 of 10

Dualit 6 Slice Toaster 60144 – Polished

The legends are true – it does exist. This six-bay toaster will have any household popping slices like you wouldn't believe. Thankfully, Dualit has had the foresight to allow you to switch between using two, four and the full six bays, so there's no wasting power. Fun fact: This beast is capable of toasting 240 perfectly golden-brown slices of toast per hour. Pros: A design classic with six-slice capacity. Two, four, or six slice toasting available to save power. Cons: Expensive and large. Slots: Six 28-mm wide, for six slicesBrowning gradients: Variable with mechanical timerFunctions: Defrost, bagel, reheat, high-lift lever, mid-cycle cancelSandwich cage available

Smart Tunnel Toaster8 of 10

Smart Tunnel Toaster

Looks like the product development team over at Smart got the memo that toasters weren't science-fiction enough for some people. The Tunnel Toaster is more than just a design statement though, as the shape and heat control will allow you to evenly toast bread, bagels, croissants and panini.Pros: Large toasting space for multiple bread types.Cons: Uninspiring white design with a limited slice capacity. Slots: One, tunnelBrowning gradients: SevenFunctions: Defrost, re-heatToasts pitta breads, bagels, crumpets, small baguettes

Cooks Professional 2 Slice Glass Toaster with Viewing Window9 of 10

Cooks Professional 2 Slice Glass Toaster with Viewing Window

One of the most exciting things about making toast is waiting to see how toasted you've got your bread. But this is also a downside – how can you know for sure what's happening in there? If you crave toasted consistency, then Cooks' offering is for you thanks to its viewing window. Pros: Glass window and width to fit many bread types. Cons: Industrial look, only two slices. Slots: One long, for two slicesBrowning gradients: SevenFunctions: Defrost, bagel, re-heat, mid-cycle cancelRemovable glass window

Tefal Toast N Egg Two Slice Toaster and Egg Maker10 of 10

Tefal Toast N Egg Two Slice Toaster and Egg Maker

Egg on toast is one of the major food groups – but it can be a pain to simultaneously cook eggs over a stove and toast bread, as nailing the timing is a lost art form. Tefal has decided to make life easier for you with the Toast N Egg. You can boil four eggs or poach one in four minutes, while your toast browns on the same machine. Simple. Pros: All-in-one breakfast machine! Cons: A little ugly, and only two slices. Slots: Two wide, for two slicesBrowning gradients: VariableFunctions: Defrost, re-heat, mid-cycle cancelPoaching tray for eggs and warming tray

Do you know what goes really well with a slice of toast? A cup of tea – read our picks of the best kettles

Whether you prefer white or wholemeal, crumpets or muffins, croissants or bagels, panini or baguettes, there’s something in this list that is going to meet all of your toasting dreams. If you're looking for even more flare to your toasting life, here are some desirable accessories:

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Toaster Accessories

AIEVE 2 Pack Toaster Bamboo Tongs1 of 2

AIEVE 2 Pack Toaster Bamboo Tongs

Toasted bread and other such goods are, as we've established, delicious. But they're also hot and sometimes a little too small to be got at easily from the slot. Buy these tongs – problem solved.

Reusable Teflon Toaster Bags2 of 2

Reusable Teflon Toaster Bags

Create cheese toasties or warm up food, all from your toaster. These bags can handle temperatures up to 250-degrees Celsius and be used 80 or more times.

William Lobley is a Content Writer and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in gaming, technology and the outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.

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