Too hot to handle: These are the best toasters

Sleek never looked better. Russell Hobb's best-selling four-slicer comes in this moody Midnight Blue that looks fantastic. Not only does this toaster look very groovy, but it comes equipped to deal with the fussiest of toaster-enjoyers. It has independent variable browning control, lift and look to check on your bread - as well as cancel, reheat and defrost. Plus, there's an ever-so-useful removable crumb tray to keep it in tip-top shape.

Our review: "This toaster is a brilliant all-rounder — it looks good, is a decent size and has a host of brilliant functions. My favourite has to be the 'lift and look' function, so I can check on the status of my toast without having to cancel the whole cycle (ideal for those who are prone to burning it). I really like its sleek design too. I'd say it's more grey than blue though in colour which, to be honest, I think is better, as it will suit more kitchen interiors. It is a slightly pricier toaster than I'd usually go for, however, the quality is made to last, so it's worth it."

With a self-centring function for even toasting, this stylish white and rose gold two-slice toaster from Tower is another favourite of ours. The easy-to-use buttons allow you to cancel the cycle at any time, reheat and even defrost your bread. Not only is it stylish, but this toaster is practical with variable-width toasting slots for bagels, crumpets and more. It has adjustable browning control and time, a removable crumb tray and useful cable storage for a tidy worktop.

Our review: "I chose this two-slice toaster mainly because it matched my home décor, but it's super practical for me. I live on my own so a two-slice toaster is a perfect size for a couple of slices of toast or a bagel cut in half. You can adjust the level of toastiness and clean up is easy, too, as all the crumbs get collected in the bottom and can be conveniently chucked in the bin afterwards."

Convenient and intuitive, this Lumiosa electric toaster from De'Longhi is tasteful, and cooks toast to perfection. With progressive browning controls, this toaster can handle any preferences. It adds a touch of taste, glamour and minimalism with the rich matelassé finish. It has all the bells and whistles that you'd expect from a decent toaster, such as a removable crumb tray, extra-lift for easy removal of small slices and integrated controls.

Our review: "Typically I've always gone cheap-and-cheerful with my kitchen appliances, but this investment toaster is one I know is going to last. Available in a choice of stylish colours to suit most modern kitchens (I have Twill White), the toaster looks beautiful and sits proudly on my countertop. It has dual controls so you can just use two slots at a time if you wish, with the option to adjust browning, defrost, cancel and reheat for each. It has a removable crumb tray and has never fallen foul of fingerprints. The only thing I would change is the extra lift - it doesn't lift as high as I'd like so getting bagels and hot cross buns out has proven tricky."

Cook up your toasted favourites with this Cookworks four-slicer, which comes in several styles. We love the cream model, which looks classy with a vintage twist. No matter what's for breakfast, this Cookworks model is set to warm up and deliver well-toasted treats. No matter bagel, crumpet or brown bap, you're in good hands with a wide slot and high-lift feature. Plus, the crumb tray keeps the mess to a minimum. We like this toaster.

Our review: "A brilliant toaster. I love that it fits four slices in. It can cook bread even;y with ease. Plus, it looks fantastic and is easy to clean. My only 'con' is that the breadcrumb storage can leak when the toaster is moved."

If you're looking for a pop of retro, we love this Dunelm four-slicer. Not only is it surprisingly good value, but it looks absolutely stunning. But, it's not just a looker, it's packed with some fabulous features that you need from a toaster. These include integrated variable browning control dials, adjustable bread width slots, a high lift facility and a mid-cycle cancel function. It comes with a two-year guarantee, too, so it makes a fab addition to your kitchen.

Plus, you can grab a matching retro pink microwave and kettle.

Our review: "I love my Dunelm toaster. I was attracted by the pink - obviously - and I'm such a fan of retro kitchen appliances. We are not disappointed by this bargain buy. Though it's a little on the bulky side, it cooks our toast well - and we're able to cancel and check on our bread whilst it's toasting. We have the matching kettle and microwave, too."

Perfect for busy families, we like this Spectrum Brushed Stainless Steel Four-Slice Toaster. It comes with a four-slice capacity and a high-lift facility to help you retrieve your toast safely. Its attractive chrome-esque finish is versatile and will fit in nicely with any kitchen. Boasting defrost, reheat, and mid-cycle cancel functions, this toaster is easy to use and clean.

Customer review: "I've knocked one star off only for the fact that it can be a little overzealous with some kinds of lighter bread; it takes practice to avoid burning these, and you need to keep an eye on it. I use a lot of sourdough, which is absolutely fine. It's a great-looking toaster, less bulky than some similar styles, but still able to handle a range of slice sizes, including tea cakes. I've had it for a month and so far very happy. It was a better price, with slightly more consistent reviews than comparisons in other stores."

This Russell Hobbs set is designed with premium textured high gloss plastic and is currently available in black or white. Whether you choose to go with the two-slice or four-slice toaster, this matching set has certainly got you covered for breakfast times. The kettle has a capacity of 1.7L, and the toaster has variable browning control and cancels function for personal toasting preference. Additionally, we love the handy "lift and look" feature, which means you can check on the browning process without having to cancel!

Customer review: "I brought both the kettle and toaster at the same time. The kettle is great as it also has a marker inside so you can fill it to make either 1,2 or 3 cups. it boils very quick and is easy to fill."

The John Lewis ANYDAY 2-Slice Toaster, Grey is your convenient countertop companion, featuring reheat, defrost, and cancel functions, along with 6 baking settings for personalized toasting. Easy cleaning is ensured with a removable crumb tray, and the high-lifting rod automatically pops up toast after baking for added convenience. Intuitive and easy to use, it's a favourite of ours.

Customer review: "I bought this and the kettle for my 'mature' parents 91 and 88!! They love it. Nice and easy to understand but really good quality."

We love this 'A Bit More' two-slice toaster from Sage. Coming in a sleek silver, this handy appliance promises to cook your carb of choice to perfection, with a progress indicator so you know when it's nearly ready. Need a little more browning time? Send it back with the 'A Bit More' for a little more time under the grill. Plus, there are dedicated crumpet and fruit bread settings - simply adjust and enjoy! Check how your bread is doing without interrupting the cycle with Quick Look_™_. Step aside your average two-slot, this is a superior toaster in every way.

Our Review: "Worth busting out the Lurpak and Bonne Maman! Sage 'A Bit More' toasts bagels, crumpets, fruit bread, and toast to perfection - even from frozen. It's a robust brushed stainless steel toaster that's slightly larger than the average two-slice. However, the concealed power cord storage in the base means you can fit the appliance snuggly in a nook when it's not in use. Self-centring slots close in around the bread to hold it in place; this means you can toast anything from chunky bagels to slim potato cakes. There are four large buttons to make toasting your favourites hassle-free. Additionally, there is an easily accessible crumb tray drawer in the bottom left of the appliance.

"The A Bit More function is this toaster's biggest asset. It just gives a touch more crispiness. I tried it on toast, bagels and crumpets, and it's almost like the toaster is thinking as it toasts. The result is perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, without any burned bits. An illuminated status bar above the browning level gauge shows the toasting progress by decreasing flashing blue lights. You can even adjust the volume level of the beep, which indicates your toast is ready.

"It takes a little bit longer than an average toaster, but it gets the job done perfectly, and if you're in any doubt, you can do a Quick Look to check. The exterior stays cool to the touch, and the whole appliance cools down quickly after use.

"Just a word on fruit bread: I recommend lowering the browning setting to 1 as fruit bread doesn't need as much toasting, and nobody wants burnt raisins. When you begin to smell that lovely aroma of cinnamon is ample toasting time. Just press the red cancel button to retrieve your toasted treats. My favourite was toasting bagels from frozen, using the Frozen button. I was impressed by how evenly cooked and crisp the bagels were. Now, where are my Pop-Tarts?"

The Salter Deep-Fill Sandwich Toaster & Waffle Maker can help you to make delicious sandwiches, waffles or paninis. This mighty toastier maker has three sets of removable deep-fill plates to make any carby treat with your favourite fillings. The operation is simple, with a LED indicator - as well as cool-touch handles. Plus, when all the cooking is done, the plates are non-stick and easy to clean away. It stores away quite well, too.

Customer review: "I got this for my mum for Christmas, primarily as a panini press. We have used this many times over the last couple of months and it is definitely a hit with us. The machine itself is only small so you can only toast one panini at a time, but it is also compact enough that storage isn't a big problem. The machine heats up well, but after waiting some time the light never seemed to come on to tell us it had reached temperature. We have used it several times now and no matter how long it is left to heat up the light never illuminates. That's ok though as it is quite obvious when it is hot enough. Haven't tried the other two plates yet, but looking forward to waffles soon!"

Savour delightful toast or crumpets with the Bosch TAT2M127GB MyMoment Delight 2 Slice Toaster - Cream. Customise your perfect toast with 6 settings. The defrost function lets you toast straight from the freezer, and the reheat function with bun warmer is perfect for croissants. Easy-access controls and a stylish design make mornings a breeze. Plus, there is Lift and Look - for checking on your toast.

Customer review: "Lovely Bosch 2 slice toaster. My old toaster never really toasted my bread on full. The Bosch doesn't take up much room and toasts brilliantly on level 3."