What’s the best toaster UK families can buy in 2026?

Tested by Mumsnet home editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Dualit NewGen Toaster review

The Dualit NewGen isn’t cheap, but if you're willing to pay for decades of perfect toast, this is the one for you.

So, what do you get for this rather hefty price tag? There's variable temperature settings, and I loved that I could adjust the countdown timer for the ideal level of browning. The 'Peek and Pop' feature was another highlight; it was super easy to use and handy for checking in on progress without cancelling the toasting. I also liked the slice number selector, which saves electricity as it only heats up the exact number of slots you need.

Finally, though form is obviously not as important as function, it looked very sleek on my kitchen counter – I'd happily keep this out on display for years to come. And on that note, some Mumsnetters post that their Dualits have lasted them years, with Heronatemygoldfish reporting that they'd go for the brand every time: "You 'pop' it yourself so there's no flying crumbs. We've had ours 20 [years] now. One set of replaced elements and one new timer. They sell spares for all parts so it's about as eco as it comes."

So, while it may be pricey, you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck!

Some toast aficionados swear that the only way to achieve truly great toast is to buy a long-slot toaster that can accommodate four slices, then toast your bread landscape, two slices at a time.

Although this Argos toaster isn't massively exciting to look at (especially when compared to the fancy Dualit NewGen), reviewers rate the brand's products because they get the job done. It has seven different toast settings and a defrost setting, and you can vary the width of the slots to ensure perfect results no matter what you're grilling.

Most importantly, it should help you banish the irritating uncooked strip at the top of your bread. Plus, it's great for toasting longer items like pitta bread or large sourdough slices.

Tested by Mumsnet editor Rebecca Roberts: Read our in-depth Russell Hobbs Inspire Toaster review

The Russell Hobbs Inspire Toaster lives up to its promises, delivering even toasting, efficiency, and handy extra features like lift-and-look. Paired with the matching Inspire Kettle, I loved the stylish touch it added to my kitchen countertops, so much so that together they were a clear contender for Mumsnet's best matching kettle and toaster set round-up. I also found cleaning the toaster was nice and easy thanks to the convenient pull-out crumb tray.

However, it struggled with larger slices of bread and required them to be inserted vertically, resulting in undercooked stripes on each slice. While flipping the slices resolved this issue, it was still a slight inconvenience.

Despite this issue, the Inspire remains one of our best toasters under £50. You probably won't get as many years out of it as the Dualit NewGen, but it's over £120 cheaper, plus its aesthetic appeal and overall toasting performance make it a practical and stylish choice for any kitchen.

This toaster has extra deep slots to ensure thorough toasting of bread of all sizes, and it features a high-lift function, meaning you can extract smaller items like crumpets and bagels without burning your fingers.

Like the premium Sage Smart Toaster, it also has a nifty 'lift-and-look' feature - but thankfully, the Breville comes at a much, much cheaper price. This function is ideal for keeping an eye on the progress of your toast, all while minimising the risk of overdone slices ending up in your kitchen bin. We also like the variable width slots which allow it to grill all manner of baked goods to perfection.

The main downsides? Reviewers report it gets very hot, so you'll need to exercise extra caution when removing slices. There's also a few grumbles about it not lasting as long as expected, so if you want something with more longevity, the Dualit's your best bet.

Tested by Mumsnet home editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Sage The Smart Toast review

This toaster, designed by Heston Blumenthal, is as ‘extra’ as the man himself. There’s even a motorised carriage that glides the toast in, which impressed me immensely. Necessary? No. Fun? Absolutely.

I loved the 'Quick Look' setting that let me check on browning progress without restarting the cooking process, and there's even a setting especially for crumpets and fruit loaf too.

I also liked the LED display that showed how far through the cooking process I was, plus it looked super stylish on my worktop. The only downside is the big price tag, though I do think it'd be a reliable, long-lasting buy for most kitchens, and it's arguably the most high-tech option on our list. In fact, I'd go as far to say it's one of the best toasters I've ever used - high praise indeed.

Tested by Mumsnet home editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth De'Longhi Icona Toaster review

If style is your top priority when choosing a toaster, the De'Longhi Icona is a standout option. With its retro design featuring chrome-style accents and a glossy finish, this four slicer combines both form and function.

In terms of performance during testing, the Icona handled a variety of bread types well, toasting them to near perfection. The slices toasted in the outer slots were sometimes unevenly browned, but overall I rated its performance. It also has lots of other handy features: it will defrost frozen bread right out of the freezer, reheat cold toast, and has extra-wide slots which can tackle most bread slices. I also loved the bagel function.

Of course, there is a matching kettle and - if you really want to push the boat out - a matching coffee machine too for the ultimate retro aesthetic. Just bear in mind it is quite bulky, so make sure you have enough space on your kitchen sides. It's also pricey at its full RRP (£115), so I recommend grabbing it in the sales - it's currently got a whopping £60 knocked off.

Tested by Mumsnet home editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Zwilling Enfinigy Toaster review

If the Dualit NewGen and the De'Longhi Icona feel too old fashioned for you, and you'd prefer something a little more modern, may we suggest the Zwilling Enfinigy.

With a sleek design and a minimalist aesthetic, the Enfinigy is a very stylish kitchen appliance. But don't let its good looks fool you. This toaster is built to last and has an impressive five-year warranty.

When I tested the Zwilling out, I loved its range of settings; there are seven toasting levels, along with a reheat, defrost and bagel setting, all of which worked great. While I missed a lift-and-look function, the toasting performance was excellent, producing evenly browned slices when using standard bread. However, achieving the perfect browning for thicker items like crumpets and ciabatta required a bit more experimentation.

While the price tag may seem steep, the Enfinigy offers excellent value when you consider its long guarantee. If you're looking for a stylish, durable, and high-performing toaster, I think this is a worthy investment.

Tested by Mumsnet editor Jenny Wonnacott: Read our in-depth KitchenAid Breakfast Suite 2-Slice Toaster review

If you like a uniformed aesthetic and want a toaster that fits in well with your other kitchen appliances, you're in luck as KitchenAid, the brand famous for their iconic stand mixers, also make toasters too.

Their luxury two-slice toaster was a winner for me when it came to style; with its sleek matte black finish, it blended perfectly with my dark countertops and sat very nicely alongside the matching kettle and mixer. Setting it up was very simple, and using it was even easier; I just needed to pop my bread in and it was good to go. Adjusting the shade settings took a round or two to get just right, but overall the process is straightforward.

I liked how quickly it toasts, and the extra-wide slots accommodated my homemade bread slices perfectly. My only gripe is the high price tag - at just over £100, it's very expensive, particularly for a two-slicer. That said, its performance and design make it a worthwhile investment if you can afford to splash out.