Sandwich toasters became a big hit back in the 1980s, but people soon started chucking them out with the rubbish once they realised the filling was prone to escape and stick on the soleplates forevermore. The good news is that today’s sandwich makers are a different breed and these easy-to-use and easy-to-clean machines should see you through years of hot sandwich utopia.
Many of the modern sandwich toasters are highly versatile too, doubling up as, for example, a grill or waffle maker. But with a few rogue appliances still sitting on the high street shelves, how do you know which sandwich toaster to buy? And what’s the difference between all the good ones?
Read on to find out how to make the best purchase for your needs and the machines we think are a cut above the rest. So whether you prefer chicken, mozzarella and pesto or cheese, bacon and fig, we’ll ensure you get your terrific toasties.
How to buy the best sandwich toaster for you?
What should I consider before buying my sandwich toaster?
How many sandwiches do you want to be able to make in one go? Do you mind what size they are – some allow for much larger slices of bread than others – and indeed thicker breads such as sourdough or ciabatta? Do you want the sandwiches to be decadently deep-filled or are you happy with thinner ones? Are you always in a hurry and would therefore prefer one that heats up extra-quick? Do you want it to be more than a sandwich maker – a grill, perhaps, or even to make pancakes and pies? How much space do you have to store your appliance?
What features should my sandwich toaster have?
Whatever type you go for, there are a few essentials to tick off. All sandwich toasters, for example, should seal the sandwich well. The non-sick surface should be efficient. And there should be even browning across the sandwich.
How easy are they to clean?
Nobody wants to get their sandwich maker out of the cupboard, only to have to scrape bits of crusty old cheese off the edges. Make sure you can wipe it clean. Better still, the soleplates will be removable and dishwasher-friendly, although this will be less important for some than others.
How much do I need to spend?
Don’t assume you get what you pay for as some of the models we tested for under twenty quid were superior to ones we tested at three times the price (and which didn’t make this roundup). That’s not to say all toastie makers at the cheaper end of the scale are worth buying, though, so do your research before making your purchase. Meanwhile at the top end, sandwich makers can go for over £100, but we think you shouldn’t have to pay that, even for a robust and versatile machine. The most expensive in our roundup still come in at under £90 (just).
The best sandwich toasters to buy
Breville Deep Fill 2 Slice Sandwich Toaster: The best all-rounder
Price: £26 | Buy now from John Lewis
Just as people often use the world Hoover for vacuum cleaner, there was a time when the name Breville was synonymous with sandwich toasters. While the influx of other brands means that’s no longer the case, they still manufacture some decent models, our favourite of which is this one. The removable non-stick plates heavier than most, giving an immediate impression of quality. The cut and seal system mean you get two neat triangles, with minimum if any spillage, and the browning is spot on and consistent all over. The recipe suggestions get you thinking outside the box (who knew cake bites were a thing?) and you can bung the plates in the dishwasher afterwards. On the downside, we found you can’t fill it quite as deeply as with some other machines.
Key specs – Model number: VST074; Dimensions: H9.4cm x W27.6cm x D23.5cm; Plates removable?: Yes; Warranty: 2 years
George Foreman Enhanced Five Portion Grill and Melt: The best large sandwich toaster
Price: £90 | Buy now from Amazon
Cooking up to five portions of food at a time, this is an awesome bit of kit for larger households with hungry mouths to feed. It feels robust and well engineered and as with some others, the top lid flips open for open grilling – this is where the variable temperature control comes into its own, although it’s also useful for ensuring uniform toastiness on the outside of sandwiches. The plates are removable and wash like a dream and the drip tray is effective and particularly useful for when cooking meat. The melt function is good too – you take out the top plate to cook things like open sandwiches and cheese on toast. But it’s not as easy to store as some others and the non-stick is adequate, but not excellent.
Key specs – Model number: 22160; Dimensions: H14.5cm x W29cm x D390cm; Plates removable? Yes; Warranty: 2 years
Salter Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster: The best budget buy
Price: £19 | Buy now from Amazon
If you like to get your gnashers round a nice thick toastie (and would no more eat a sarnie with skimpy single slice of ham and paper-thin cheese than order a burger without at least four extra layers), then you’ll be impressed with this machine which – as luck would have it – also happens to the cheapest in our roundup. This makes it a good option for those who prefer home-made bread (complete with crusts) to the supermarket pre-sliced loaves and we also give the thumbs up for the great build quality, quick heat-up time, easy-to-clean plates (paper towel if no mess) and the power and ready lights. End results aren’t quite as crisp as some, though – we’d have preferred a more consistent golden hue.
Key specs – Model number: EK2017; Dimensions: H11cm x W30cm x D25cm; Plates removable? Yes; Warranty: 1 year
Cuisinart 2 in 1 Grill and Sandwich Maker: The best 2-in-1 sandwich toaster
Price: £90 | Buy now from Amazon
You get a lot of bang for your buck with this machine, whose two interchangeable plates mean you can use it as a grill (think steak, seabass, haloumi, vegetables, paninis) or as sandwich maker (and there’s no need to stop at bread as it will do the likes of omelettes, French toast, calzone too) – with versatility enhanced by variable heat settings. And unlike many machines that promise deep-fill but the ingredients spill out into one big sticky mess, this one stays true to its word with the lockable handle also ensuring even browning. Cleaning is a doddle, thanks to dishwasher friendly parts, and the recipe book gets five stars. The big handle means it’s not as easy to store as others, though.
Key specs – Model number: GRSM2U; Dimensions: H14cm x W25.5cm x D29cm; Plates removable? Yes; Warranty: 5 years
Tefal Snack: The best sandwich toaster for versatility
Price: £65 | Buy now from Amazon
Here’s another multipurpose machine – the most versatile of the lot. You get two sets of plates included – one for toasties, one for waffles - and once you get the hang of those, the word’s your oyster as there’s a whopping 16 extra plates (About £15 each) you can buy separately for the likes of bagels, biscuits, pies, pancakes donuts and more. Fear not about storage challenges as there’s a handy case for them. Sandwiches are on the thinner side, but with a great golden hue and this gets extra brownie points for being particularly non-stick (easy to keep clean), compact (easy to store) and, unlike many other machines, there’s an on/off switch for those who prefer keeping it plugged in at the wall.
Key specs – Model number: SW852D27; Dimensions: H15cm x W22.5cm x D28cm; Plates removable? Yes; Warranty: 1 year
Cookworks 4 Portion Sandwich Toaster: The best for families with children
Price: £25 | Buy now from Argos
If you have a lot of mouths to fill, then this will do you proud, producing four sandwiches at a time – although it’s better for families than, say, shared students houses as the sarnies aren’t all that big. This means cutting off the crusts from larger loaves, although we found the smaller pre-sliced ones are a perfect fit. On our tick-list were quick heat-up time, efficient non-stick coating, no spillage, even browning and easy to store, but we were less impressed with the non-removable plates (which makes cleaning a bit trickier) and it won’t pack a very deep sandwich.
Key specs – Model number: LW 605B; Dimensions: TBC; Plates removable?: No; Warranty: 1 year
Lakeland Fold-Out Grill: Best for extra thick-cut sandwiches
Price: £50 | Buy now from Lakeland
If you thought the Salter machine made good door stop sandwiches, then feast your eyes on this beauty, for which even the thickest bread and stickiest fillings pose no challenge. It’s all thanks to the innovative hinging that allows for five different height settings so can adjust it accordingly and avoid even minimal squishing and leakage. And if you prefer an open top sandwich (cheese-on-toast to the rest of us) or you want to cook steak, grilled peppers or halumi, then that’s possible too. You can even fold it out to 180° to turn it into a kind of indoor barbecue or whip up a cooked breakfast or steak, grilled peppers or haloumi – and with the plates angled so the fat drains into the built-in drip collector, it’s a healthy option too. There’s a handy ready-to-go light and we found the cleaning tool, which is included, a genuine boon although overall, it’s not quite as easy to keep clean as some other machines.
Key specs – Modelnumber: 31555; Dimensions: H16.5cm x W36.5cm x D37cm; Plates Removable?: Yes; Warranty: 3 years
Judge Mini Electric Sandwich Toaster Maker: Best for solo households
Price:£19 | Buy now from Amazon
Small but mighty, this compact machine is the ideal sandwich toaster for those wanting to make a single sarnie at a time. As you’d expect, it slots away easily into a kitchen cupboard (upright is fine), and although its white plastic outer covering gives it quite a cheap-end look, we found it to be excellent quality, creating a good level of toasting all over. You can easily wipe it clean with a damp cloth once it’s cool, but irritatingly you can’t remove the plates. As for niggles, it’s not the quickest to cook and occasionally fails to seal everything in.
Key specs – Model number: JEA50; Dimensions: 7.5cm x W13cm x D21cm; Plates removable?: No; Warranty: 2 years
