The best sandwich toasters
Crisp outside, melted in the middle and the filling sealed in: sandwich toasters that turn out a proper toastie in minutes.
A toastie maker earns its space in the cupboard on the first cold lunchtime. The deep-fill kind presses the bread into pockets and cuts each sandwich into two sealed triangles, so the cheese stays inside while the outside turns golden.
The differences come down to power, cleaning and what else the machine can do. Most here run at 850 to 900W; the Breville and the Russell Hobbs have plates that unclip for the dishwasher, while the others wipe clean with a damp cloth. The Russell Hobbs also comes with waffle and grill plates. Whichever it is, let the plates heat fully before the sandwich goes in, and butter the outside of the bread for the crispest finish.
What matters
- Deep-fill plates that cut and seal, so the filling stays in.
- Plates that come out for the dishwasher, or a non-stick surface that wipes clean.
- Power: most run at 850 to 900W; the Russell Hobbs at 750W.
- Extra plates for waffles or paninis, if one machine has to do it all.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Breville Ultimate Deep Fill Toastie Maker (VST082)
£36.99 RRP
Extra-deep plates, with 20% more room than any other Breville toastie maker, press each sandwich into two sealed triangles, and the plates unclip for the dishwasher afterwards. The Breville name has been tied to toasties since its first sealed sandwich toaster in 1974.
What owners say: Owners rave about the ham and cheese toasties it turns out, and like lifting the plates out to wash them.
Heads up: Breville’s waffle plates (VST079) fit it too, but they’re sold separately.
A closer look: Small and large slices both fit, so there’s no need to trim the bread. Let the plates cool fully before unclipping them for the dishwasher, and make sure each one clicks back into place before the next toastie, so the lid closes flat and the edges seal.
- Extra-deep plates
- Cuts and seals triangles
- Removable, dishwasher-safe plates
- Ready-to-cook light
- Stands upright, cord storage
Best for: Deep toasties, easy cleaning
- Power
- 850W
- Removable plates
- Dishwasher-safe
- Other plates
- Waffle, sold separately
#2 of 5
Best budget
Tower Deep Fill Sandwich Maker (T27013)
£23.99 RRP
A no-fuss 900W toastie maker with four deep pocket moulds for two sealed sandwiches, and a thermostat that keeps the plates at an even heat. Tower began in Wolverhampton as a metal-spinning firm, Midland Metal Spinners.
What owners say: Owners say it browns the bread beautifully, and find the red and green lights make it simple to get right.
A closer look: Wait for the ready light before the sandwich goes in, then latch the lid so the ridges between the pockets cut and seal each toastie cleanly. Registering it online after buying adds two years to Tower’s standard one-year guarantee.
- 900W
- 4 deep pocket moulds
- Automatic temperature control
- Power and ready lights
- Locking latch, cool-touch handle
Best for: A quick, simple toastie
- Power
- 900W
- Removable plates
- No
- Other plates
- None
#3 of 5
Global Gourmet by Sensio 4-Slice Sandwich Toaster
£24.99 RRP
Its plates are deeper than many standard models’, leaving room for extra cheese or vegetables, and shaped pockets seal the edges so the filling stays tucked in. The ‘4 slice’ means four slices of bread: two full toasties at a time.
What owners say: Owners find it heats up fast and copes well with all sorts of fillings.
A closer look: Two toasties per round suits a quick lunch for two, with a second batch going in straight after. When it’s cool, a wipe with a damp cloth is all the plates ask for, and the cord winds away under the housing before it goes back in the cupboard.
- 900W
- Deep-fill non-stick plates
- Makes 2 toasties
- Power and ready lights
- Locking clasp, cord storage
Best for: Generous fillings
- Power
- 900W
- Removable plates
- No
- Other plates
- None
#4 of 5
Quest Deep-Fill Sandwich Toaster (35630)
£30.50 RRP
A stainless steel toastie maker with a thermostat that holds the heat steady, black cool-touch handles and a locking clip. Quest pitches it at student kitchens, and it stands on end to save cupboard space.
What owners say: Owners say it feels solidly built and turns out evenly cooked, crisp toasties.
A closer look: Heat it until the ready light comes on, then close the lid and fasten the locking clip so the edges seal. Once it’s cool, wipe the non-stick plates with a soft cloth rather than anything abrasive, and keep it near a socket, as the cable is on the short side.
- 900W
- Makes 2 deep toasties
- Thermostat control
- Power and ready lights
- Stands upright, cord storage
Best for: Student kitchens
- Power
- 900W
- Removable plates
- No
- Other plates
- None
#5 of 5
Best 3-in-1
Russell Hobbs Creations 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker (26810)
£56.99 RRP
Three sets of plates in one machine: deep-fill toasties, waffles and a grill plate for paninis, each clipping out for the dishwasher. Russell Hobbs rates its non-stick coating as three times as durable as an older model’s.
What owners say: Owners say it feels well made and warms up quickly, and they’re glad the plates come out for washing.
A closer look: Change plates only once the machine has cooled right down, and keep the two spare sets together in a drawer or the original box so none go missing. The grill plate is the one for ciabatta and paninis, which are too chunky to seal in the toastie pockets.
- Deep-fill, waffle and grill plates
- Dishwasher-safe plates
- 750W
- Clip-lock, stores upright
- Carry handle
Best for: Toasties, waffles and paninis
- Power
- 750W
- Removable plates
- Dishwasher-safe
- Other plates
- Waffle and grill, included
How they compare
| Feature | #1Breville Ultimate Deep Fill | #2Tower Deep Fill | #3Global Gourmet 4-slice | #4Quest 35630 | #5Russell Hobbs 3-in-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best budget | Best 3-in-1 | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 8.3 |
| Price | £36.99 RRP | £23.99 RRP | £24.99 RRP | £30.50 RRP | £56.99 RRP |
| Power | 850W | 900W | 900W | 900W | 750W |
| Removable plates | Dishwasher-safe | No | No | No | Dishwasher-safe |
| Other plates | Waffle, sold separately | None | None | None | Waffle and grill, included |
| Best for | Deep toasties, easy cleaning | A quick, simple toastie | Generous fillings | Student kitchens | Toasties, waffles and paninis |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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