John Lewis Toastie Makers: What to Expect and How to Choose
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John Lewis sells a fairly tight, mid-to-premium range of toastie makers: branded sandwich toasters from names like Breville and Morphy Richards, premium panini presses and contact grills from brands such as Sage and Cuisinart, and at times own-label John Lewis or ANYDAY small appliances. It is rarely the cheapest place to buy, but it is a good place to buy a better machine with clear guarantee terms.
Quick answer: Go to John Lewis if you want a premium panini press or a well-made branded sandwich toaster and value its customer service and guarantee terms. For a cheap basic toastie maker, Argos, supermarkets or Amazon are usually better value.
On this page
What John Lewis typically stocks
The John Lewis range is curated rather than exhaustive and changes over time, so check johnlewis.com for what is listed today. Typically you will find:
| Category | Typical brands | Best for | Typical price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own-label small appliances | John Lewis, ANYDAY | Simple, well-designed basics (sandwich toasters appear only some of the time) | Roughly £20–£40 |
| Branded sandwich toasters | Breville, Morphy Richards, Russell Hobbs | Classic sealed UK toasties | Roughly £25–£50 |
| Premium panini presses and grills | Sage, Cuisinart, Tefal, Ninja | Big panini, adjustable heat, sturdy build | Roughly £60–£250+ |
John Lewis own-brand and ANYDAY
ANYDAY is John Lewis's value own-brand range, sitting below the main John Lewis label. In small appliances it is best known for kettles and toasters in simple, coordinated designs. A sandwich toaster under either label is not always in the range, so do not assume one is available.
When John Lewis-branded electricals are listed, product pages usually state the guarantee length (two years is common on own-brand small appliances). Check the page for the specific product rather than assuming.
Premium brands: is it worth spending more?
The main reason to shop at John Lewis for this is the upper end of the market. Two brands are worth understanding before you spend:
Sage
Sage (known as Breville outside the UK and Europe) makes heavy panini presses and contact grills with adjustable heat and floating hinges. They make excellent pressed sandwiches but do not seal toasties the way a classic sandwich toaster does. See our Sage toastie maker guide.
Cuisinart
Cuisinart's griddle and sandwich machines often come with interchangeable plates and a solid build. Our Cuisinart toastie maker guide covers which suit toasties best.
If what you want is the triangle-sealed British toastie, a premium panini press is not automatically better than a good £30–£40 deep fill sandwich toaster. Our toastie maker vs panini press comparison explains the difference in results, and best panini press lists the strongest presses.
How to shop for a toastie maker at John Lewis
Read the product specs tab
John Lewis product pages usually have a detailed specifications section. Check plate type (sealed, flat, ridged, interchangeable), whether plates are removable or dishwasher safe, wattage and dimensions. Our buying guide explains why each matters.
Delivery, click & collect and returns
John Lewis has generally offered home delivery and click & collect, including collection from some Waitrose shops. Its returns policy for unwanted items is usually reasonably generous within a set window, and faulty products are covered by your consumer rights on top of any guarantee. Policies and fees change, so check the current terms on the John Lewis website.
Compare the same model elsewhere
Branded machines sold at John Lewis are often also sold by Currys, Amazon and Lakeland. Prices vary, and any extra guarantee terms John Lewis offers may tip the balance even if it is a little dearer. Our where to buy hub compares the main retailers.
Which type to choose at John Lewis
Because the range spans basic sandwich toasters to heavy premium presses, it helps to decide on the type before browsing:
- Classic sealed toastie: a branded deep fill sandwich toaster. It is the cheapest category at John Lewis and the best tool for the job. See best deep fill toastie maker.
- Toasties plus waffles: a 3-in-1 or interchangeable-plate machine, often from Tefal or Russell Hobbs. See 3-in-1 toastie makers.
- Café-style panini and grilling: a contact grill or panini press with adjustable heat. This is where the premium brands justify their price.
If you are buying as a gift, a sandwich toaster with removable plates is usually the safest choice: it is easy to use, easy to clean and suits almost any kitchen.
Who should buy at John Lewis
- Good fit: you want a premium press or grill, you value in-store advice and clear guarantee terms, or you are buying as a gift and want easy returns.
- Poor fit: you want the cheapest workable toastie maker, or a microwave toastie maker, which John Lewis does not typically focus on (see our microwave guide).
Alternatives to compare
If the John Lewis range does not have what you want, or you want to check value, these are good benchmarks (not John Lewis listings; prices change):
- Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST041): the classic sealed toastie maker at a mid price. Check price on Amazon
- Sage panini press: if you have decided on a premium pressed sandwich instead. Check price on Amazon
For the whole market, see our best toastie maker guide.
FAQs
Does John Lewis make its own toastie maker?
John Lewis and its ANYDAY range cover a number of small appliances, but a sandwich toaster is not always part of the line-up. Check johnlewis.com for whether an own-brand model is currently listed.
Is John Lewis more expensive for toastie makers?
It is often a little dearer than Amazon or Argos for the same branded model, though not always. Compare the exact model name, and factor in any extra guarantee or return terms John Lewis offers.
What guarantee do John Lewis appliances have?
Own-brand John Lewis electricals commonly carry a two-year guarantee, and some products may come with extra guarantee terms when bought there. Terms vary by product, so check the product page before buying.
Is a Sage panini press better than a Breville toastie maker?
They do different jobs. A Sage press makes large pressed panini with adjustable heat; a Breville sandwich toaster seals and cuts bread into crimped triangles. For the classic British toastie, the sandwich toaster is the better tool.