Toastie Makers: Independent UK Buying Advice and Recipes
Find the right toastie maker, then make a better toastie
We compare the toastie makers sold in the UK on what decides a good toastie: how deep the plates are, whether the edges seal, how evenly they brown and how easy they are to clean. Then we show you exactly what to put in them.
See the best toastie makers Or make the perfect cheese toastieOur top toastie maker picks
| Model | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Breville Deep Fill (VST041) | Best overall | The benchmark sealed, deep fill sandwich toaster: crisp edges and room for proper fillings |
| Breville 3-in-1 (VST098) | Removable plates | Toastie, waffle and grill plates that unclip for the dishwasher |
| Tower T27013 Deep Fill | Budget | Does the core job well for under about £25 |
| Russell Hobbs 4-Slice Deep Fill | Families | Four sealed toasties per round |
| Morphy Richards Mico | Microwave | Genuinely browned toasties with no worktop appliance |
| Sage The Perfect Press | Panini press | Floating hinge and even heat for thick sourdough and ciabatta |
The reasoning, alternatives and a full comparison table are in the best toastie maker guide.
What is a toastie maker?
A toastie maker (also called a sandwich toaster or sandwich maker) is a hinged pair of heated, non-stick plates that toasts a sandwich from both sides at once. The classic UK design has shell-shaped plates with raised rims: as you close the lid, the rims press the bread together and cut each sandwich into two sealed triangles, so the filling melts inside a crisp, golden case. Most electric models take 3 to 5 minutes per round.
The same idea comes in several forms, and picking the right one matters more than picking the right brand:
| Type | How it works | Best for | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric sealed (standard) | Shell plates seal and cut two triangles | Classic cheese and ham toasties, thin sliced bread | Best toastie makers |
| Deep fill | Deeper plates and a stronger latch for thick bread | Generous fillings, thick white or bloomer slices | Best deep fill |
| 3-in-1 | Swappable toastie, waffle and grill plates | Small kitchens that want one gadget for three jobs | 3-in-1 toastie makers |
| Panini press / contact grill | Flat or ridged plates, often with a floating hinge | Thick sourdough, ciabatta and open fillings | Best panini presses |
| Microwave toastie maker | Plates that absorb microwave energy and get hot enough to brown | Students, offices and anyone without worktop space | Microwave toastie makers |
| Camping / stovetop iron | Hand-held iron used on a gas hob or campfire | Camping, festivals, no electricity | Camping toastie makers |
Not sure which suits you? Types of toastie makers explained goes through each one, and are toastie makers worth it? gives the honest case for and against owning one.
Best toastie maker for you
The "best" toastie maker depends on how you like your toasties and where you will use it. Start with the guide that matches your situation:
- Best toastie maker overall
Our ranked shortlist across budgets and types, with a full comparison table.
- Best microwave toastie maker
No worktop space or no kitchen? How microwave models compare with electric ones.
- Best 3-in-1 toastie maker
Toasties, waffles and grilled paninis from one machine with swappable plates.
- Best for cheese toasties
The machines that seal best, so the cheese melts inside instead of leaking out.
- Best deep fill
Room for thick bread and proper fillings without forcing the lid shut.
- Best with removable plates
Plates that come out for the sink or dishwasher: the easiest machines to keep clean.
- Best cheap toastie maker
The budget models worth buying, and what you give up below about £25.
- Best camping toastie maker
Toastie irons and jaffle makers for the campfire or a gas stove.
Shop by brand
Breville popularised the sealed sandwich toaster and still sets the standard for deep fill, Morphy Richards makes the best-known microwave toastie maker, and Tower, Salter and Russell Hobbs fight it out on value. Our brand guides explain each range and which model to buy.
- Breville toastie makers
Deep fill, removable plates and the 3-in-1: which Breville to buy.
- Morphy Richards Mico microwave toastie maker
The UK's best-known microwave model: how it works and timings by wattage.
- Ninja toastie makers
What Ninja sells for toasties and whether it beats a Breville.
- Morphy Richards toastie makers
The electric range and how it compares.
- Tower toastie makers
Budget sandwich toasters that are worth a look.
- Salter toastie makers
Deep fill and 3-in-1 models on a budget.
How to choose a toastie maker: five things that matter
- Fill depth. Standard plates suit thin and medium sliced bread and a modest filling. Deep fill plates take thick slices and generous fillings without the lid fighting you. See deep fill vs shallow fill.
- Sealing edges. If you want the classic sealed triangle, look for plates with a raised cutting rim. Flat panini plates press but do not seal, so runny fillings escape.
- Removable plates. Burnt-on cheese is the main reason people stop using toastie makers. Plates that unclip for washing cost a little more and are worth it. Read how to clean a toastie maker.
- Power and evenness. Most two-slice models run at roughly 700–900W. More watts mean faster preheating, but even browning depends on the element layout as much as the number.
- Size and storage. Four-slice machines feed a family in one go but take more cupboard space. Models that stand upright with a cord wrap suit small kitchens. See the best compact toastie makers.
Our full toastie maker buying guide works through each point, and the running cost guide shows why a toastie maker is one of the cheapest ways to make a hot lunch.
Toastie recipes
Every recipe gives exact quantities and timings for a standard electric toastie maker, with notes for pans, air fryers and microwave toastie makers. Start with the classic, then branch out:
- The perfect cheese toastie
The reference method: bread, cheese, butter and timing.
- Ham and cheese toastie
The most popular filling, done properly.
- Cheese and beans toastie
The UK classic, without the leaks.
- Tuna melt toastie
Creamy, crisp and quick.
- Breakfast toastie
Bacon, egg and cheese sealed in toast.
- Nutella and banana toastie
The sweet one, without the burnt sugar.
All toastie recipes · 40+ toastie filling ideas
No toastie maker? You can still make a great toastie
A heavy frying pan with a weight on top, a hot oven or grill, or an air fryer all make a good toastie; you just lose the sealed edges. Our guide to making a toastie without a toastie maker compares every method, with step-by-step versions for the frying pan, air fryer and oven.
Fix common toastie maker problems
Most toastie disappointments have simple causes. Toasties sticking? Usually the plates were not hot enough or the coating is worn: see why your toastie is sticking. Cheese escaping? Read how to stop toasties leaking. Machine not heating or browning unevenly? Work through our troubleshooting guide before you replace it.
All guides · Comparisons · Where to buy
Why trust ToastieMaker.com
We are an independent UK site covering one small appliance in depth. Rankings cannot be bought, and we decide what to recommend before looking at where it is sold. Our product assessments combine manufacturer specifications, plate design, owner-reported problems and UK price history; we do not invent test scores. Read how we research and our affiliate disclosure.
Toastie maker FAQs
What is the best toastie maker in the UK?
For most people, a deep-fill electric sandwich toaster from a major brand such as Breville gives the best mix of sealed edges, even browning and room for fillings. If you are short of space or live in student halls, a microwave toastie maker is the practical alternative. Our best toastie maker guide ranks the current options.
What is the difference between a toastie maker and a sandwich maker?
Nothing, in the UK: "toastie maker", "sandwich toaster" and "sandwich maker" all describe the same appliance. A panini press is different: it has flat or ridged plates that press the sandwich without sealing the edges.
Do microwave toastie makers actually work?
Yes. Their plates absorb microwave energy and get hot enough to toast and crisp the bread, so you get a properly browned toastie in a few minutes. They are less crisp and less even than a good electric machine, but far better than a microwaved sandwich. See microwave vs electric.
How long does a toastie take in a toastie maker?
Usually 3 to 5 minutes after the machine has preheated, which takes another 3 to 5 minutes. Deep fill and thick bread need the longer end. See how long to cook a toastie for timings by method.
Should you butter the outside of a toastie?
On a non-stick toastie maker you do not have to, but a thin layer of butter on the outside gives a more even, golden and crisp finish. Mayonnaise browns even more evenly. Compare them in butter or mayo for toasties.