Breville Bold 2 Slice Toaster VTR037
A budget 2-slice in glossy colours that matches Breville's Bold kettle.
Check Price on AmazonThe 10 Best Toasters of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best toaster in 2026 is the Breville Bold 2 Slice Toaster VTR037. It tops our ranking with 9.2 out of 10.
Our picks
Russell Hobbs Inspire 4 Slice Toaster 24381
A plain, affordable 4-slice that does what a family needs.
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Russell Hobbs Textures 2 Slice Toaster 21641
One of the cheapest toasters worth buying.
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Morphy Richards Equip 2 Slice Toaster
A straightforward budget 2-slice with variable-width slots and seven browning levels.
Check Price on AmazonAll 10, compared
Ranked by our score out of 10. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Breville Bold 2 Slice Toaster VTR037Best Choice
9.2 out of 10
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2
Russell Hobbs Textures 2 Slice Toaster 21641Value for Money
9.1 out of 10
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3
Russell Hobbs Inspire 4 Slice Toaster 24381Best Premium
8.8 out of 10
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4
Morphy Richards Equip 2 Slice ToasterBest Budget
8.7 out of 10
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- 5 Breville Edge Deep Chassis 2 Slice Toaster VTT981 8.6 out of 10 Check Price
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6
Kenwood Dawn 4 Slice Toaster TFP09
8.4 out of 10
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7
Bosch DesignLine Compact Toaster TAT3P420GB
8.2 out of 10
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8
Philips Eco Conscious Edition 5000 Series Toaster HD2640/10
8.1 out of 10
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9
Smeg 50's Style TSF03 4-Slice Toaster
7.9 out of 10
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10
Swan Retro 4 Slice Toaster ST19020
7.3 out of 10
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The full reviews
1.Breville Bold 2 Slice Toaster VTR037
A budget 2-slice in glossy colours that matches Breville's Bold kettle. Self-centring slots, seven browning settings and the basic presets cover everyday toast.
Why it's here
- A budget price for a branded 2-slice
- Seven browning settings with defrost, reheat and cancel
- Self-centring slots with a high-lift lever
- Cord storage and a removable crumb tray
Keep in mind
- Only a 12-month guarantee
- Plastic body and glossy finish scuff and mark with use
- Slots are not extra wide, so thick bagels need care
2.Russell Hobbs Textures 2 Slice Toaster 21641
One of the cheapest toasters worth buying. Extra-wide slots and six browning levels at a budget price.
Why it's here
- Extra-wide slots for bagels and crumpets
- Six browning levels with frozen, cancel and reheat
- Removable crumb tray
- The cheapest option in this class
Keep in mind
- Plain plastic build
- Matt finish shows fingerprints
- Only 850W, so a little slower than pricier models
3.Russell Hobbs Inspire 4 Slice Toaster 24381
A plain, affordable 4-slice that does what a family needs. Each pair of slots works independently, and owners rate it highly for even results.
Why it's here
- Independent operation of each pair of slots
- Six browning levels with frozen, reheat and cancel buttons
- High-lift feature for small slices
- Removable crumb tray and a long registered guarantee
Keep in mind
- Slots are standard width, so thick bagels and sourdough can be a squeeze
- Plastic body looks basic next to metal models
- Some owners find it slow on the lower settings
4.Morphy Richards Equip 2 Slice Toaster
A straightforward budget 2-slice with variable-width slots and seven browning levels. Several colours match Morphy Richards kettles.
Why it's here
- Seven browning levels with reheat, defrost and cancel
- Variable-width slots for different breads
- Removable crumb tray
- A budget price with a multi-year guarantee
Keep in mind
- No bagel or single-side setting
- Slots are not extra wide for thick bagels
- Only two slices at a time
5.Breville Edge Deep Chassis 2 Slice Toaster VTT981
A brushed stainless steel 2-slice with a deeper body, so tall slices toast right to the top. Owners like the finish at this price.
Why it's here
- Deep chassis toasts tall slices to the crust
- Variable-width slots for thick and thin bread
- Lift and look, high lift, defrost, reheat and cancel
- Brushed stainless finish with a non-slip base
Keep in mind
- Steel sides get warm during long toasting
- Two slices only, with no separate controls
- Stainless finish takes fingerprints
6.Kenwood Dawn 4 Slice Toaster TFP09
A budget-friendly 4-slot toaster in soft colours that match the Dawn kettle. It runs two slices independently and has a hi-rise lift.
Why it's here
- Independent two-slice toasting on a 4-slot body
- Five browning levels with defrost and reheat
- Hi-rise lift for small slices
- Cord storage and a removable crumb tray
Keep in mind
- Only a 1-year guarantee
- Plastic body feels lighter than the metal models here
- No bagel or single-side setting
7.Bosch DesignLine Compact Toaster TAT3P420GB
A compact stainless steel 2-slice with an integrated bun warmer and automatic bread centring. It suits small kitchens.
Why it's here
- Stainless steel body with a small footprint
- Integrated fold-away warming rack for rolls
- Infinitely variable dial plus defrost and retoast
- Auto shut-off if bread jams and a crumb drawer
Keep in mind
- 970W, so toasting is not the fastest
- Slots are not extra wide, so thick bagels are a squeeze
- Steel sides can warm up while toasting
8.Philips Eco Conscious Edition 5000 Series Toaster HD2640/10
A 2-slice made with bio-based plastic and a lower-power 830W element. It has eight browning settings and a two-year guarantee.
Why it's here
- Eight browning settings
- Bio-based plastics in the body
- Two-year warranty
- Defrost and reheat settings with a crumb tray
Keep in mind
- Costs more than similar plastic 2-slice models
- Lower wattage means slower toast than some rivals
- Slots are standard width
9.Smeg 50's Style TSF03 4-Slice Toaster
The retro 4-slice that most UK kitchens picture when they think of a design toaster. Two independent control panels run two slots each, and the slots are wide enough for bagels and thick sourdough.
Why it's here
- Two independent control dials, so a pair of slots can toast alone
- 36mm slots take bagels, thick slices and crumpets
- Reheat, defrost and single-side bagel presets
- Two removable crumb trays, one per pair of slots
Keep in mind
- Among the dearest toasters here, and a lot to pay for toast
- Takes up a wide stretch of worktop at around 33cm deep
- Glossy colours show fingerprints and need regular wiping
10.Swan Retro 4 Slice Toaster ST19020
A retro-styled 4-slice in several colours. It suits kitchens that want a Smeg look for much less.
Why it's here
- Retro looks in several colours
- Defrost, reheat and cancel buttons
- High-lift eject and a removable crumb tray
- Four slots in a body about 29cm wide
Keep in mind
- Few owner ratings compared with rivals
- Lower 1600W power than rivals
- No bagel or single-side setting
Before you buy
Is a 2 slice or 4 slice toaster better for my household?
A 2-slice suits one or two people and takes less worktop, about 28cm wide against 30cm or more for a 4-slice. For three or more, or a breakfast rush, a 4-slice saves waiting. Check whether the slots share one control: models like the Smeg TSF03 and Russell Hobbs Inspire have independent pairs, which is useful when two people want different browning.
What should I look for in a toaster?
Look at slot width, browning levels and presets first. Defrost, reheat and cancel are standard, and bagel or single-side toasting is handy. High-lift and lift-and-look help with small slices. A removable crumb tray makes cleaning easy, and cool-touch sides and auto shut-off are safety features worth having.
Do I need a toaster with wide slots for bagels and sourdough?
If you eat bagels, crumpets or thick sourdough, yes. Standard slots can jam or toast unevenly with thick slices. The Smeg TSF03 has 36mm slots, and the Russell Hobbs Textures has extra-wide slots. The Breville Edge has variable-width slots. The Morphy Richards Equip and Bosch slots are not extra wide, so thick bagels are a squeeze.
Are expensive toasters worth it compared with cheap ones?
For everyday toast, a budget toaster does the job. Premium models add metal builds, wider slots and independent controls. The Smeg suits buyers who want a design piece. If you only make a few slices a day, a budget model such as the Breville Bold or Morphy Richards Equip is enough.
Which toasters toast evenly on both sides?
Even toasting depends on the elements and slot design rather than price. Owners report good evenness from the Russell Hobbs Inspire and the Smeg TSF03. Self-centring slots, as on the Breville Bold and Bosch, help bread sit between the elements. A cold toaster can toast the first slice lighter, so a slightly higher setting or a second pass may help.
How do I clean a toaster and how long should one last?
Unplug it and let it cool, then slide out the crumb tray and wipe it clean. Tip the toaster upside down gently to shake out loose crumbs, and wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Never poke metal into the slots. A budget toaster usually lasts several years with daily use, and premium models with replaceable parts can last far longer. Kettle and toaster sets and toastie makers are separate purchases and are not ranked here.
How we ranked these ten
Every score here comes from our ranking model, not from anyone's opinion. It weighs owner ratings by how many there are, how recent they are and how reliable they look, then factors in value. We compared 14 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1
Breville Bold 2 Slice Toaster VTR037
A budget 2-slice in glossy colours that matches Breville's Bold kettle. 9.2 out of 10.