Tower vs Salter Toastie Maker: The Budget Head-to-Head

By toastiemaker.com · Updated 16 Oct 2026

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Tower and Salter are two of the UK's best-known budget small-appliance brands, and their toastie makers compete closely on price. In practice there is less between them than the branding suggests: both sell basic 2-slice sandwich toasters, deep fill models and 3-in-1 swap-plate machines. The better buy is usually whichever specific model has the features you want, deeper plates or removable plates, at the lower price on the day.

At a glance

Price bands are typical, not live. Model line-ups change, so check what is currently listed before you buy.

Round 1: Range

Tower has built its brand on affordable appliances sold in colour-matched ranges, so you will often find a sandwich maker in the same finish as a Tower kettle and toaster. Its toastie makers span basic 2-slice, deep fill and 3-in-1 machines with swap-in waffle and grill plates. See our Tower toastie maker guide.

Salter is one of the oldest names in UK housewares, best known for kitchen scales, and now sells a wide range of small appliances. Its toastie range typically includes standard and deep fill sandwich makers and multi-plate snack makers. See our Salter toastie maker guide.

Winner: Draw. Both cover the main types.

Round 2: Toastie quality

At this price, quality depends mostly on plate depth and how well the plates seal. Deep fill models from either brand handle beans, chilli and loaded cheese better than standard plates, which tend to squeeze filling out of the sides. Salter's deep fill sandwich makers are a common pick in budget roundups for exactly this reason.

Multi-plate 3-in-1 machines usually have shallower sandwich plates than dedicated deep fill models, so they are better for simple fillings. That trade-off applies to both brands. Our deep fill vs shallow fill comparison explains the difference.

Plate size is the other thing to check. Budget sandwich makers from both brands are sized for standard square sliced bread; large bloomer or sourdough slices overhang and will not seal. If you like bakery bread, trim it to fit or read our best bread for toasties guide. Browning evenness on budget machines also varies more between individual models than between brands, so a few owner reviews that mention pale corners or a scorched centre are worth heeding whichever logo is on the lid.

Winner: Salter, narrowly, for deep fill options.

Round 3: Versatility

If you want toasties, waffles and grilled sandwiches from one box, both brands sell 3-in-1 machines. Check what plates are included, how they clip in, and whether the spare plates have somewhere to live. Our 3-in-1 toastie maker guide covers what separates good swap-plate machines from fiddly ones, and toastie maker waffles shows what the waffle plates can do.

Winner: Tower, narrowly, for value multi-plate options.

Round 4: Cleaning

Basic 2-slice sandwich makers from both brands usually have fixed plates. The multi-plate machines have removable plates, which you can wash in the sink, and the manual may say whether they are dishwasher safe. Removable plates make a big difference to how often you will use the machine; see best toastie maker with removable plates and how to clean a toastie maker.

Winner: Draw. Depends on model, not brand.

Round 5: Durability and coatings

Budget non-stick coatings generally wear faster than on more expensive machines, whichever logo is on the lid. The difference between a coating lasting one year or several often comes down to care: no metal utensils, no abrasive scourers, and not overheating an empty machine. If your toasties start sticking, our why is my toastie sticking guide explains what to do.

Both brands offer manufacturer guarantees, sometimes extended if you register; check the box for the exact terms of the model you buy.

Winner: Draw.

Round 6: Price and value

Both brands typically sit in the roughly £15–£35 band and are regularly discounted. Neither consistently undercuts the other. Compare like for like: a deep fill Tower against a deep fill Salter, or a 3-in-1 against a 3-in-1, and buy the cheaper one with the features you want. Our best cheap toastie maker guide lists budget picks across brands.

Winner: Draw.

Round 7: Styling and storage

Tower leans harder into design, with ranges in matching colours and finishes, so if you want a sandwich maker that sits neatly next to a Tower kettle and toaster, it is the natural choice. Salter's styling is generally plainer and more functional, though it too sells coordinated ranges at times.

For storage, a basic 2-slice sandwich maker from either brand is compact and can usually stand on its end. Multi-plate machines need room for the spare plates, so check whether they nest together. If space is very tight, our best compact toastie maker guide has options designed for small kitchens and caravans.

Winner: Tower for looks; draw on storage.

Final recommendation

Choose by feature rather than brand. If you want a cheap machine for deep, sealed toasties, Salter's deep fill sandwich maker is a sensible starting point. If you want toasties plus waffles and grilling for very little money, or a sandwich maker that matches a Tower kitchen set, Tower's 3-in-1 machines are the obvious look.

Compare more: best toastie maker, best deep fill toastie maker and all comparisons.