Best four-slice toasters for busy family mornings
Serving up breakfast in a hurry? Here are the best fast and efficient four-slice toasters, as recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated May 17, 2024
Manic mornings and busy breakfast times are a standard part of family life, but when you’re attempting to feed multiple hungry mouths before school, relying on a two-slice toaster can feel like a bit of a juggle, trying to avoid burned slices as you rush from one child to the next.
A larger four-slice toaster can not only be more efficient, but it can also provide additional space, helping accommodate larger slices and alternative breads such as ciabatta and sourdough. Many four-slice toasters also offer a specific setting for bagels (only toasting one side), as well as handy reheating and defrosting options, so you can serve up fresh, buttery toast even when your loaf is fresh from the freezer.
Like many modern kitchen appliances, the price of four-slice toasters can vary considerably, so how do you know which one is right for you and your family?
To bring you our pick of the best four-slice toasters with options to suit every budget, we first tapped into the tried-and-tested recommendations of Mumsnet users, seeking their views on the toasters they rate and would happily recommend to others. After considering wider consumer feedback and the views of consumer champions and experts, we’re confident our choices are some of the best toasters you can buy today.
Looking for more kitchen inspiration? Don't miss our guides to the best integrated dishwashers and American fridge freezers, as recommended by Mumsnetters.Best
Stylish polished silver design
Extra wide slots to fit all loaf sizes
High-lift mechanism for smaller items
Bagel, defrost and warming settings
The energy-saving option allows you to toast each slot independently
Five-year guarantee
Costly
Price on writing: £220 | Dimensions: H22 x W36 x D21cm | Power: 1260 watts | Extra features: Bagel, defrost and warming functions | Warranty: Five years (exclusive to John Lewis)
When asked for toaster recommendations on the Mumsnet forums, Dualit is a brand that gets mentioned time and time again. While they come with a fairly eye-watering price tag, they’re repeatedly praised for their high performance, long-lasting and reliable designs.
The polished silver Dualit NewGen Four Slice Toaster is no exception and may be the only toaster you ever need to buy. With extra-wide 28mm slots, this stylish four-slice toaster can accommodate slices of varying sizes, so you won’t need to flip the bread halfway through. It has functions including a bagel, defrost and warming setting, and we also love the high-lift mechanism, allowing you to easily remove smaller items such as pancakes and potato cakes without burning your fingers.
On the days when you’re only looking after number one, you can even save energy by toasting each slot independently, using the mechanical timer to ensure your toast is browned to perfection.
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Budget-friendly price point
Slimline design
Long slots that can accommodate tall bread
Cancel, defrost and reheat functions
Less aesthetically pleasing for modern homes
Toasts slowly
Narrow slots struggle with crumpets and thick sliced bread
Price on writing: £26 | Dimensions: H18.8, W41.5, D19.5cm | Power: 1400 watts | Extra features: Cancel, defrost and reheat functions | Warranty: One year
When considering value for money, they don’t come much more affordable than this Cookworks Long Slot Four Slice Toaster. While its simple no-frills design may not be the most stylish choice for a modern kitchen, Mumsnet users and reviewers praised this ‘cheap and cheerful’ toaster for its slimline design and ability to accommodate taller slices of bread.
Despite the budget-friendly price point, this toaster still includes handy functions often seen on more costly toasters, including a defrost and reheat setting. There’s no specific bagel setting on this toaster, however, and while the slots are long, some reviews found them too narrow for thicker slices of bread and crumpets.
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De’Longhi Icona Vintage Four-Slice Toaster
Vintage, retro design
Variable browning control
Variable width slots
Bagel function
High lift for smaller items
Costly (though currently on offer!)
Crumb tray is at the back
Price on writing: £60 | Dimensions: H21 x W30 x D31cm | Power: 1800 Watts | Extra features: Defrost, reheat, high-lift tray and bagel function | Warranty: Unspecified
If you want to make a statement in your kitchen, you’ll love this vintage 1950s-style toaster from the De'Longhi Icona range. Mumsnet users raved about the retro design and elegant high gloss finish, but with a powerful 1800 watts, it also makes your breakfast fast and efficient too.
With variable browning control, you can toast each set of two slices independently - ideal if your family have differing views on that elusive perfect shade.
As well as a stand-alone bagel setting that only toasts one side, this toaster adjusts automatically to the thickness of your bread, resulting in consistent browning every time. We also love the matching kettle - the pair just happen to feature on our best kettle and toaster set round-up too.
It’s worth pointing out, however, that this toaster takes up a fair bit of space on your countertops. The removable crumb trays are also at the back, making it a little trickier to clean than some four-slice toaster designs.
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Russell Hobbs Midnight Blue Eclipse Stainless Steel Four-Slice Toaster
Striking ombre design
Fast toasting
Variable browning control
Lift and look function
No bagel setting
May struggle with larger bread sizes
Price on writing: £53 | Dimensions: 12.87 x 11.42 x 8.03cm | Power: 2400 watts | Extra features: Frozen, reheat and lift and look functions | Warranty: Two years, plus one year when registered online
We love the ombre design of the Russell Hobbs Eclipse Four Slice Toaster, available in a choice of two striking colourways - Midnight Blue or Copper Sunset, with a matching kettle sold separately.
Made from durable stainless steel, this four-slice toaster is a great option for families who all want to eat breakfast together, regardless of their preferences. You can set two different browning levels for each set of two, or make use of the look and lift function, checking the results halfway through without cancelling the cycle.
There’s no bagel setting on this toaster, and it’s worth mentioning that some reviewers found it struggled with larger bread sizes (so you may need to flip the bread halfway through). That said, the brand claims it toasts 55% faster than some other Russell Hobbs designs. Retailing at under £60, it’s also more affordable than most.
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Variable browning levels
Cancel function
Extra-long slots
Lift and look function
No bagel setting
Some reviewers found it toasted one side more than the other
The power cable is on the short side
Price on writing: £71 | Dimensions: 44.5 x 23 x 23 cm | Power: 1400 watts | Extra features: Cancel, defrost, reheat and crumpet setting | Warranty: One year
With a brushed stainless steel design with shiny chrome accents, the Breville Edge Four Slice Toaster will look right at home in your modern kitchen.
With extra-long slots, it can accommodate a variety of different-sized breads, including ciabattas and sourdough with ease. You’ll even find a specific function for crumpets - resulting in a perfectly browned base and crispy top ready to be slathered with a generous helping of butter.
We love the lift and look function on this toaster - letting you sneak a peek at your toast during the cycle. While the Breville Edge offers useful functions such as a defrost and reheat mode and variable browning control, some reviewers found it to be a little inconsistent, sometimes toasting more on one side of the bread than the other.
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Four extra-wide slots
Stylish stainless steel finish
'A Bit More' and 'A Quick Look' settings
Variable browning control
LED lights show toasting progress
Easy to remove the crumb tray
Costly
Price on writing: £179 | Dimensions: 33.5D x 34W x 23H centimetres | Power: 2000 watts | Extra features: Wide slots, defrost, crumpet and fruit loaf, look and lift, variable browning control | Warranty: Two years
While it doesn’t come cheap, Mumsnet users really rate the Sage Smart Toaster and many reviewers claim it’s the best four-slice toaster they’ve ever had.
With four extra-wide slots, this toaster can accommodate everything from your regular loaf of bread to artisanal bread, bagels, hot cross buns and pastries. There’s even a specific setting for crumpets and fruit loaf, so your needs are covered, whatever your breakfast of choice.
It has variable browning control, and we love the LED lights that show your toast’s progress. Then there's the look and lift function, which allows you to check in should you wish to during toasting. Not quite browned enough? The aptly named ‘a bit more’ feature will help you get the perfect shade, without the risk of burning your toast and it ending up in the kitchen bin.
Last but not least, the easily accessible crumb trays on the Sage Smart are certainly worth a mention, sliding out at the front to make maintenance simple and fuss-free.
What to consider when shopping for a four-slice toaster
Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best four-slice toaster for your family:
What do you want to toast?: How long and wide are the toaster slots? Some toasters can struggle with bread sizes that are larger than a standard loaf, so check the specifications carefully. Toasters with extra-wide and deep slots can accommodate bread of various heights and thicknesses including artisan breads, sourdoughs and pitta breads, without the need to flip the bread halfway through. If you’re a fan of unburned bagels and hot buttery crumpets, you may also want to look for toasters with specific bagel and crumpet modes.
Variable browning control: Can you cook slices independently? The best four-slice toasters allow each ‘pair’ to be toasted together, meaning you can pick the perfect level of browning based on your family’s needs. While most allow you to specify the time or shade, some toasters come with innovative ‘lift and look’ settings, allowing you to check in on your toast mid-cycle without cancelling.
Extra settings: If your children’s toast obsession means you’re always running out of fresh bread, a frozen setting can be useful, allowing you to toast bread straight out of your freezer for fast and efficient breakfasts. A warming function can be handy if your child gets distracted in the morning, reheating the toast without further browning.
Cost: The cost of four-slice toasters can vary considerably - ranging from a budget-friendly £25 to an eye-watering £200+. While the more costly designs may feel like a huge investment, many Mumsnet users found that pricier models tend to last longer - especially if used regularly.
How do you clean a toaster?
It may go without saying, but before attempting to clean your toaster, you should make sure it’s unplugged from the mains and has had a chance to cool down after your usual breakfast routine.
Most toasters come with removable crumb trays, helping catch any bits and debris that may break off the bread during toasting. Crumbs can build up pretty quickly through regular use, so as part of your toaster’s regular maintenance, you should slide out the trays and empty the crumbs into your kitchen bin before washing them with warm water. Allow them to dry completely before popping them back into place.
If you’ve been toasting more rustic bread or thicker loaves, you may also want to turn the entire toaster upside down above the bin, gently shaking it to release any debris caught inside the toasting slots.
Stainless steel toasters and high gloss designs can show fingerprint marks which can look unsightly, so as a final touch, use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior and restore shine.
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What are the different settings on a toaster?
While the exact settings will vary from one four-slice toaster to another, here are some of the most common settings to look out for and their uses:
Number settings: Most toasters have a variable browning control, usually in the form of numbers 1 - 5. For pale, lightly toasted bread, the lower numbers may be just the ticket, but if your preference is for dark brown, crispy toast, you may want to up the dial.
Defrost setting: A defrost setting can be useful for toasting bread that has come straight from the fridge freezer - or simply defrosting bread when making sandwiches or packed lunches.
Bagel setting: While you can, of course, add bagels to any toaster, a stand-alone bagel setting can produce better results by only toasting on one side. A bagel setting will brown the flat side of the bagel without burning the top, resulting in the perfect crunch.
Cancel button: A cancel button allows you to stop the cycle before it’s finished, turning off the heating elements and lifting the toast so you can release it. This can be useful if you think it’s browning more than you’d like.
Check button: While not all toasters have this, a ‘look and lift’ function allows you to sneak a look at your toast mid-cycle without cancelling the cycle altogether.
Are pricey toasters worth it?
Based on Mumsnet users’ experiences, it certainly appears that you get what you pay for. While our Dualit top pick doesn’t come cheap, Mumsnet users rave about its performance, ease of use, functions and longevity, with many sharing that their toasters have been used and enjoyed for years. That said, if you are less concerned with deep slots, bagel or defrost functions, it is possible to opt for a reliable budget-friendly choice.
How we chose the best four-slice toasters
Recommendations from real parents
All of our recommendations for toasters came from Mumsnet users themselves. We searched the Mumsnet forums for posts about the four-slice toasters and brands that our users raved about, whether they were cooking plain old toast, bagels or hot cross buns.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered verified reviews and feedback from trusted food industry experts. We want to be confident that the toasters we recommend are fit for purpose and excel when making your favourite toasted snack, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by consumer champions.
Authentic consumer reviews
We then thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, John Lewis, and Argos to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist, so you can be confident our selection will help you serve the perfect slice every time.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising expert opinions and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Lucy loves nothing more than a fresh slice of buttery toast to start the day. With two daughters who both have very different views on the perfect level of browning, the independent browning controls on her Dualit four-slice toaster have become a bit of a lifesaver on those manic mornings before school.
Lucy has also written numerous kitchen guides for Mumsnet, covering everything from the best kettles for hard water to the top budget dishwashers, and she has even tested out every selection on our best Tupperware page, so she knows a thing or two about what Mumsnetters want from their kitchen purchases.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
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