Best toasters 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

We've selected our favourite Best Buy toasters to help you choose a model that will serve up slice after slice of perfect toast - at breakfast as well as any other time of the day.

We've tested hundreds of toasters, from budget to premium models, so we've got the inside track on which ones are worth buying – and which to avoid. 

Read on for our current Best Buy toaster recommendations plus tips and advice on choosing a new toaster for your home. 

Go straight to our toaster reviews to see all the models we've tested.  

Best toasters for 2024

Each of the toasters recommended below has aced our rigorous lab tests, which include in-depth toasting evenness and speed assessments. We also check to see if different-sized slices of bread will fit each toaster and how easy it is to use.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations. If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

 Want to buy a matching kettle and toaster? See our guide to the Best kettle and toaster sets.

How to buy the best toaster

It's a pretty simple gadget, but there are still plenty of things to think about when buying a toaster.

Here's a quick rundown of what to consider when narrowing down your search: 

• How much are you willing to spend? Pricier toasters will usually have more capacity and extra features, such as illuminated countdown controls and specialist toast settings for items like bagels and crumpets. They may also have stylish designs and premium metallic finishes. Paying more is no guarantee of good results, though. We've found some brilliant cheap toasters and, disappointingly, bad expensive ones.
• How much toast do you need to make at a time? If you've got lots of mouths to feed at breakfast, you might want to opt for a four-slice toaster.
• What do you want to toast? Most toasters struggle with larger bread types, leaving a strip untoasted or - annoyingly - not fitting them at all. If you like teatime treats such as crumpets and bagels, look for extra-wide slots, and check our reviews for the more versatile models.
• Is design important to you? With open-plan living commonplace in many homes, most toasters on the market have aesthetics in mind. You can buy anything from a retro-look toaster to a stylish steel model. Patterned or textured models are popular, but bear in mind that these and polished metal finishes can be harder to keep clean.
• Do you need easy-to-use controls? If controls are too small, hard to read or twist, you could find it an everyday frustration. Read more about the Best easy-to-use toasters from our tests.

See How to get the most out of your toaster for advice on using your toaster's features.

Toaster types explained

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

Two-slice toasters

• These are the most popular and widely available options.
• 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, though it can be tricky to find one that browns all four slices evenly. 
• Look out for independent controls that let you brown each pair to different levels.
• 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 – for toasting frozen bread
• Reheat – quickly warms up your toast
• Crumb tray – captures any stray crumbs. Empty at least weekly if you use your toaster every day

Nice-to-have features

Spending a little more can get you some handy features, such as:

• Extra lift – great if you love to toast crumpets or muffins. It raises small items out of the toaster so you won’t burn your fingers when fishing them out
• Bagel setting – this turns the heating down on one side so your bagel ends up with a traditional doughy edge and a toasted centre
• 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. You might be better warming buns and croissants in the oven, though
• 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. Check our ultimate cheese toastie guide to discover how toasters fared compared to other appliances in making delicious toasties.

Get a toaster that has all the features you want by checking our toaster reviews.

How much do I need to spend on a toaster?

Toasters range from around £5 for a no-frills, own-brand model to more than £200 for a feature-laden, premium-brand toaster.

These pricier toasters tend to offer features such as illuminated controls and countdown timers, and have special settings for things like bagels and crumpets. They also can come with accessories such as sandwich toasting cages. 

Paying more doesn't guarantee you'll get glorious golden toast, though. Some expensive models have flunked our tests, producing bread that's barely warm, or horribly uneven. We've also found some brilliant Great Value toasters for less than £20. 

Use the Great Value filter on our toaster reviews to find the cheap toasters we recommend.

For ideas for making toast and beyond, see BBC Good Food's leftover bread recipes.

Is it worth buying a designer branded toaster?

Designer toasters from brands such as Dualit are a popular choice for statement kitchens, but can cost more than £100 each. So are they worth the investment? 

You can expect premium materials and finishes from a branded appliance, but it’s not just looks you’re paying for. High-end toasters often come with extras, such as bagel toasting settings and lift-and-look functions.

Our bi-annual toaster brand survey shows there are big differences between the best and worst toaster brands. It's worth reading our advice before you buy, to find out which toaster brands tend to develop faults more quickly and the type of faults they are prone to.

To find out which companies make longer-lasting toasters, see our guide to the most reliable toaster brands. 

How should I dispose of or recycle my old toaster?

According to Recycle Now, around one million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste are generated every year. Every item that has either a plug, a charger, batteries or carries a crossed-out wheelie bin logo can be recycled, and that includes toasters.

If you're giving your kitchen a makeover and your old toaster is still working, you can donate it to a charity shop. Many of them will even come and collect from your home, especially if you have other items you wish to donate.

For toasters that are no longer in working condition, your best bet is to take them to your local recycling centre. Some councils will collect bulky waste items from you, but for smaller items like toasters it's easier (and cheaper) to take them yourself. 

Find your nearest recycling location (including stores and council sites) using Recycle Now’s electrical recycling locator.

For more advice on recycling, read our guide on How to recycle electrical items.