Compared and ranked from published reviews and specs
The Best Toasters in the UK for 2026
A good toaster is one of the hardest-working appliances on any UK worktop, yet prices now span from around £30 to well over £170, so the right choice depends far more on how you use it than on the badge. To find the best toasters in the UK, we compared the current field on toasting performance, build and repairability, features and value, drawing on manufacturer specifications, current retailer pricing and aggregated customer feedback. Below are five genuinely different picks, ranked from best overall down, with a clear note on who each one suits and who should look elsewhere.
Our top picks
Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic Toaster
Sage the Smart Toast 2 Slice Toaster (BTA825)
Smeg TSF01 2 Slice Toaster
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 14 September 2026
- Updated
- 14 September 2026
- Last verified
- 14 September 2026
- Sources
- 6 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our rankings or WATTB Scores. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we rank.
How we picked · This guide draws on official manufacturer specifications, current indicative pricing checked across multiple UK retailers (including John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Dualit, Sage and Smeg's own stores), published expert reviews and aggregated customer feedback, combined with our editorial assessment. Read our full method →The top 5 Toasters in the UK for 2026
- Rank 1Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic ToasterWATTB Pick— Best overall (built to last)WATTB89/100From £175 (indicative)
- Rank 2Sage the Smart Toast 2 Slice Toaster (BTA825)— Best for toasting featuresWATTB89/100From £130 (indicative)
- Rank 3Smeg TSF01 2 Slice Toaster— Best on looksWATTB79/100From £125 (indicative)
- Rank 4Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4 Slice Toaster (26071)— Best for familiesWATTB80/100From £41 (indicative)
- Rank 5Morphy Richards Equip 2 Slice Toaster (222064)— Best value budget buyWATTB77/100From £30 (indicative)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
Compare at a glance
- Best for
- Best overall (built to last)
- Type
- 2-slice
- Power
- 1.2kW
- Price
- From £175 (indicative)
- Best for
- Best for toasting features
- Type
- 2-slice
- Price
- From £130 (indicative)
- Rank 3Smeg TSF01 2 Slice ToasterWATTB79/100
- Best for
- Best on looks
- Type
- 2-slice
- Power
- 950W
- Price
- From £125 (indicative)
- Best for
- Best for families
- Type
- 4-slice
- Power
- 1500W
- Price
- From £41 (indicative)
- Best for
- Best value budget buy
- Type
- 2-slice
- Power
- 800W
- Price
- From £30 (indicative)
The picks in depth
Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic Toaster
Why it won
A repairable, hand-built British icon that should outlast almost anything else on this list if you can accept its manual, learn-the-timer character.
User-replaceable ProHeat elements and parts make it genuinely repairable, not disposable
Hand-assembled in the UK with a reputation for lasting many years
Extra-wide 28mm slots and a slot selector to run one side and save energy
Trade-off: Mechanical timer does not auto-eject toast, which takes some getting used to
Why it ranks here
It ranks first on repairability and build: hand-assembled in West Sussex and stamped with the assembler's mark, with patented ProHeat elements and other parts that are replaceable rather than sealed in. It also has extra-wide 28mm slots, Peek & Pop to check progress mid-cycle, and a slot selector to heat one side only. Its manual timer and indicative £175 price keep it a considered purchase.
Buy it if
- You want a toaster whose elements and parts can be replaced if they fail
- You regularly toast thick-cut or artisan bread and want 28mm slots
Skip it if
- You want the toast to pop up on its own; the mechanical timer does not auto-eject
- Your budget is under £100
Where it wins
- Replaceable ProHeat elements and parts, versus the Sage's more conventional sealed build
- Extra-wide 28mm slots and a slot selector to heat only one side
Where it loses
- No motorised lift, Lift & Look or A Bit More; you learn the timer and lift the lever yourself
- Around £45 dearer than the Sage at indicative prices (£175 vs £130)
Closest alternative: Sage the Smart Toast 2 Slice Toaster (BTA825) — Choose the Sage instead if automated, easy-to-judge browning matters more than a repairable build, and you would rather spend around £130.
Is it worth it? From ~£175 (£174.99 direct from Dualit, as of September 2026), indicative; the premium buys repairability and hand assembly rather than automation. Dualit's standard guarantee is one year.
Sage the Smart Toast 2 Slice Toaster (BTA825)
Why we recommend it
The most feature-complete two-slice toaster here, with a motorised lift and Lift & Look that take the guesswork out of daily toast.
Motorised lift plus Lift & Look and A Bit More make browning easy to judge and control
Extra-wide self-centring slots and multiple modes handle most breads well
Well reviewed for even toasting and everyday usability
Trade-off: Around £130 is a lot for a two-slice toaster
Why it ranks here
It ranks second as the feature-led two-slice: a motorised lift that lowers and raises the bread, Lift & Look to check browning without cancelling the cycle, A Bit More for a short extra burst, extra-wide self-centring slots, crumpet/fruit-loaf and defrost modes and an LED progress display. Reviewers praise its even results and ease of use. It sits below the Dualit because it is a more conventional sealed appliance.
Buy it if
- You want a motorised lift and browning you can check without cancelling the cycle
- You toast uneven slices, crumpets or fruit loaf and want dedicated settings
Skip it if
- You only toast occasionally; around £130 is a lot for a two-slice
- Repairability matters to you more than convenience features
Where it wins
- Motorised lift, Lift & Look and A Bit More, versus the Dualit's manual timer with no auto-eject
- Around £45 cheaper than the Dualit at indicative prices (£130 vs £175)
Where it loses
- No replaceable elements; it is a more sealed appliance than the Dualit
- Self-centring wide slots, but no stated 28mm width like the Dualit's
Closest alternative: Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic Toaster — Choose the Dualit instead if you want a hand-assembled toaster with replaceable parts and are happy with a manual timer for around £45 more.
Is it worth it? From ~£130 (around £128–£139 as of September 2026), indicative; the premium buys automation and convenience. A four-slice BTA845 runs around £160–£180 (RRP £179.95).
Smeg TSF01 2 Slice Toaster
Ranked above a higher-scoring pick: We rank it above the Russell Hobbs on build quality and its heavier, more premium finish; the Russell Hobbs is the stronger pick purely on value.
Why we recommend it
The retro design statement of the group, worth it if the 1950s-style looks matter as much as the toast.
Distinctive retro design in a wide range of colours to match a kitchen
Heavy, well-finished build with auto-centring wide slots
Full set of everyday modes: six browning levels, bagel, defrost and reheat
Trade-off: Expensive relative to its toasting performance
Why it ranks here
It is the design pick: a rounded, colour-matched retro enamel body in a wide range of colours, backed by a 950W two-slice with six browning levels, auto-centring wide slots, and reheat, defrost and bagel functions. We rank it above the Russell Hobbs on its heavier, more premium build and finish; customer feedback is more mixed than for the top two, praising the design more consistently than the toasting for the price.
Buy it if
- The retro look matters to you as much as the toast
- You want a toaster in a colour that matches your kitchen
Skip it if
- You judge a toaster on results per pound; the Russell Hobbs costs about a third as much
- You want the automation of the Sage at a similar price
Where it wins
- Heavier, better-finished build and retro styling in many colours
- Auto-centring wide slots in a compact two-slice body
Where it loses
- Around £84 dearer than the Russell Hobbs at indicative prices (£125 vs £41)
- Two slots and 950W, versus four slots, dual browning controls and 1500W on the Russell Hobbs
Closest alternative: Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4 Slice Toaster (26071) — The Russell Hobbs is the stronger pick purely on value and capacity; choose the Smeg if the styling and heavier build are worth the premium.
Is it worth it? From ~£125 (RRP £149.95, as of September 2026), indicative; you pay mainly for the design, and prices vary by colour and retailer.
Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4 Slice Toaster (26071)
Why we recommend it
A capable, affordable four-slice that feeds a household quickly without the premium price tag.
Four slots with dual independent controls suit different tastes at once
Strong value at around £41 with the usual bagel, defrost and reheat modes
Positive customer feedback on even results for the price
Trade-off: Slots can be shallow for very thick or artisan slices
Why it ranks here
It is the family pick: four wide slots on a 1500W element with two independent browning dials, so one pair can run lighter than the other in the same cycle, plus bagel, defrost, reheat, cancel and a high-lift lever. Customer feedback is generally positive on value and even results. It ranks below the Smeg on build and finish, and some reviewers note shallower slots and slightly slower toasting.
Buy it if
- You regularly toast for several people at once
- Household members like their toast done differently
Skip it if
- You often toast very thick or artisan slices; the slots are not the deepest
- You want a premium finish or heavier build
Where it wins
- Four slots and two independent browning controls, versus two slots on the Morphy Richards
- 1500W versus the Equip's 800W
Where it loses
- Around £11 dearer than the Morphy Richards at indicative prices (£41 vs £30)
- Takes more worktop space than a two-slice
Closest alternative: Morphy Richards Equip 2 Slice Toaster (222064) — Choose the Morphy Richards if you only toast for one or two and want to save money and space.
Is it worth it? From ~£41 (around £40.99 as of September 2026), indicative; the cheapest way into four slots on this list.
Morphy Richards Equip 2 Slice Toaster (222064)
Why we recommend it
A tidy, low-cost two-slice that covers the essentials for around £30, ideal as a first or spare toaster.
Very affordable at around £30 with seven browning levels
Extra-wide slots plus defrost, reheat and independent slot operation
Two-year guarantee on registration is generous for the price
Trade-off: At 800W it is slower than more powerful toasters
Why it ranks here
It is the budget pick at the lowest indicative price here, about £30, with seven browning settings, extra-wide slots that take crumpets and bagels, defrost, reheat and cancel, independent slot operation and a two-year guarantee on registration. It ranks fifth because its 800W element toasts more slowly than the higher-wattage picks and the build is plainer.
Buy it if
- You want everyday toast at the lowest sensible price
- You need a toaster for a first flat or a spare kitchen
Skip it if
- You want fast toasting; at 800W it is the lowest-powered pick here
- You need four slots or a premium look and feel
Where it wins
- Around £11 cheaper than the Russell Hobbs at indicative prices (£30 vs £41)
- Two-year guarantee on registration and a smaller two-slice footprint
Where it loses
- Two slots versus four, with no dual browning controls
- 800W versus 1500W, so toasting is slower
Closest alternative: Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4 Slice Toaster (26071) — Step up to the Russell Hobbs if you need four slots and independent browning controls for around £11 more.
Is it worth it? From ~£30 (as of September 2026), indicative; the lowest price here, with a two-year guarantee once registered.
What matters when you’re choosing
The factors that make the difference here — and how to weigh them.
- Two slices or fourMatters most
- Capacity is about your household, not quality. Four of these five picks are two-slice, which suits singles, couples and tight worktops. The Russell Hobbs Honeycomb is the four-slice option, and its two independent browning dials let one pair of slots run lighter than the other in the same cycle. Sage also makes a four-slice Smart Toast (BTA845) at around £160–£180 if you want Sage features with more capacity.
- Slot width and depthMatters most
- For thick-cut or artisan bread, slot size matters more than price. The Dualit's extra-wide slots are stated at 28mm, and the Sage and Smeg have wide self-centring slots. Width is not the whole story: some reviewers note the Russell Hobbs's wide slots are not the deepest for doorstep slices, so check depth too if you toast very tall loaves.
- Manual timer or motorised liftWorth weighing
- The Dualit uses a mechanical timer that switches the elements off without popping the toast up, so you lift the lever yourself. The Sage sits at the other end: a motorised lift lowers and raises the bread, Lift & Look lets you check browning without cancelling, and A Bit More adds a short extra burst. The Smeg, Russell Hobbs and Morphy Richards use conventional levers with cancel, reheat and defrost.
- Wattage and speedWorth weighing
- Stated power runs from 800W on the Morphy Richards to 1500W on the four-slice Russell Hobbs. Lower wattage tends to mean slower toasting, which is the main compromise on the budget Equip; reviewers also report the Russell Hobbs is a little slower than the most powerful rivals.
- What the premium buysWorth weighing
- Indicative prices run from about £30 to £175. Above roughly £125 you are paying for different things: repairability on the Dualit, automation on the Sage, and retro design on the Smeg. If you judge a toaster only on everyday results per pound, the £30–£41 picks cover the core job.
How to choose
Want to buy once and repair rather than replace?
Choose the Dualit NewGen Classic: its ProHeat elements and other parts are replaceable rather than sealed in. Be ready to learn its manual timer, and check the retailer's guarantee, as Dualit's standard cover is one year.
Want the easiest everyday toast?
The Sage Smart Toast's motorised lift, Lift & Look and A Bit More take the guesswork out of browning, for around £130. It is a more conventional sealed appliance than the Dualit.
Is the look as important as the toast?
The Smeg TSF01 is the design pick, with a colour-matched retro body. Customer feedback praises the finish more consistently than the toasting for the price, so buy it for the styling.
Feeding a family, or on a tight budget?
The Russell Hobbs Honeycomb gives four slots and dual browning controls for around £41. For one or two people, the Morphy Richards Equip covers the essentials for about £30 with a two-year guarantee on registration, at the cost of slower 800W toasting.
How we ranked this list
This guide draws on official manufacturer specifications, current indicative pricing checked across multiple UK retailers (including John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Dualit, Sage and Smeg's own stores), published expert reviews and aggregated customer feedback, combined with our editorial assessment. We have not tested these toasters ourselves; prices are indicative and change frequently.
Prices and availability last checked September 2026; these change, so confirm current details with the provider before buying.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best toaster in the UK for 2026?
For most people we rate the Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic as the best overall, because it is hand-assembled in the UK with user-replaceable ProHeat elements, so it is built to be repaired and kept for years rather than replaced. If you would rather have automation than repairability, the Sage the Smart Toast is our runner-up: its motorised lift, Lift & Look and A Bit More features make it the easiest to use day to day, for a lower price of around £130.
Is a 2-slice or 4-slice toaster better?
It depends on your household, not on quality. A two-slice toaster suits singles, couples and small kitchens where worktop space is tight, and most of the premium models here are two-slice. A four-slice toaster, like the Russell Hobbs Honeycomb, makes more sense for families or anyone regularly feeding several people at once, especially models with two independent browning controls so different people can have their toast done differently in the same cycle.
Are expensive toasters worth it?
They can be, but for different reasons. The Dualit earns its higher price through repairability and longevity, since replaceable elements mean a fault need not end the toaster's life, which can work out as good long-term value. The Smeg is largely a design purchase, so it is worth it if the retro styling matters to you as much as the toast. If you judge a toaster purely on everyday results per pound, a mid-price or budget model will do the core job for far less.
How much should you spend on a good toaster?
As a guide, around £30 buys a dependable budget two-slice such as the Morphy Richards Equip, while roughly £40 to £50 covers a capable four-slice for a family. Premium two-slice toasters with motorised lifts, retro styling or hand-built construction run from about £125 up to £175 or more. All of these figures are indicative and move with retailer promotions, so it is worth comparing prices across John Lewis, Currys, Argos and the brands' own stores before buying.
Which toaster is best for thick or artisan bread?
Slot width is the deciding spec here, not price. The Dualit's extra-wide 28mm slots are the most accommodating on this list for thick-cut and artisan loaves, and the Sage's extra-wide, self-centring slots also handle uneven slices well. Budget models such as the Morphy Richards Equip take thicker cuts too, but if you routinely toast very deep doorstep slices it is worth checking a model's slot depth as well as its width, as some four-slice toasters like the Russell Hobbs are wide but not especially deep.
What the evidence shows
Rankings draw on manufacturer specifications (Dualit, Sage), retailer specifications and indicative pricing (John Lewis, Argos, Currys and the brands' own stores), Which? buying guidance and aggregated customer feedback. Wattages, slot widths and functions are maker- or retailer-stated; this guide is based on published sources, not WATTB testing.
Limitations
- Prices are indicative and change often; the Smeg in particular varies by colour and retailer against a £149.95 RRP.
- Toasting speed and evenness are drawn from reviewer and customer reports, not measured by us; slot depth is not stated consistently across models.
Sources & further reading
6The information and claims in this guide draw on the references below. We check these when a guide is published or updated.
- Product informationPrimary source
Dualit 2 Slice NewGen Classic Toaster (opens in a new tab) — Dualit
Supports: Dualit price (£174.99), 1.2kW, 28mm wide slots, hand-assembly in West Sussex, replaceable ProHeat elements, Peek & Pop, slot selector, bagel and defrost functions, one-year guarantee
- Product informationPrimary source
Smart Toast 2-Slice Lift & Look Toaster (BTA825) (opens in a new tab) — Sage Appliances
Supports: Sage BTA825 features: motorised lift, Lift & Look, A Bit More, self-centring wide slots, LED indicator and extra settings; indicative pricing around £128-£139
- Customer & expert reviews
How to buy the best toaster (opens in a new tab) — Which?
Supports: Independent UK toaster testing context and buying-guidance on choosing between 2-slice and 4-slice models, slot width and browning performance
- Pricing
SMEG TSF01 2-Slice Toaster (opens in a new tab) — John Lewis & Partners
Supports: Smeg TSF01 specification and indicative UK pricing (RRP £149.95, typically from ~£125), 950W, six browning levels, bagel/defrost/reheat and auto-centring slots
- Pricing
Russell Hobbs 26071 Honeycomb 4 Slice Toaster (opens in a new tab) — Argos
Supports: Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4-slice price (~£40.99), 1500W, six browning levels, two independent (dual) browning controls, wide slots, bagel/defrost/reheat/cancel and high-lift feature
- Pricing
Morphy Richards 222064 Equip 2 Slice Toaster - Black (opens in a new tab) — Argos
Supports: Morphy Richards Equip price (~£30), 800W, seven browning settings, extra-wide slots, defrost/reheat/cancel, independent slot operation and two-year guarantee on registration
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