A toaster is one of the cheapest appliances to run on UK 240V mains, but wattage still varies from 850W to 1700W across this category, and that gap adds up over a year of daily breakfasts. This guide ranks eight models by energy draw, slot versatility, and price so you can pick the right one for your kitchen and your electricity bill.
What to look for
01Wattage and actual running cost
Wattage is the single most useful number when comparing toasters for energy efficiency. The models here range from 850W (Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 2-slice) up to 1700W (Russell Hobbs 24090 4-slice). At the UK average electricity rate of around 24p per kWh, a two-slice 850W toaster costs roughly 0.2p per two-minute cycle, while a 1700W four-slicer costs around 0.4p. That sounds trivial, but if you run four cycles a day, the 1700W model costs approximately £1.40 more per year than the 850W option. For a household of one or two, an 850W two-slice model is almost always the energy-smart choice. Larger families who fill all four slots every morning will find the per-slice cost of a 1500W four-slicer competitive with running a 2-slice model twice. Always check the wattage label on the base before buying.
02Slot width and what fits in a UK kitchen
Standard UK bread is roughly 12cm wide, but a thick-cut farmhouse loaf, a crumpet, or a bagel half can reach 4cm in depth. Extra-wide slots, typically 3.5cm to 4cm across, handle all of these without forcing the bread down and scorching one side. Most models in this guide advertise extra-wide slots, but the Quest 4-slice specifically calls out long slots for crumpets and bagels, which matters if your household eats those regularly. Slot length is equally important: a standard slot is around 14cm, while longer slots accommodate a full-length baguette slice. If your worktop space is tight, note that a 4-slice toaster is usually around 35cm long, compared to roughly 28cm for a 2-slice, so measure your 600mm worktop run before ordering.
03Browning levels and consistency
Every model here offers six browning levels, which is the practical minimum for getting consistent results across different bread types and thicknesses. What separates the field is how evenly the heat is distributed. Russell Hobbs markets its 24080 and 24090 models with 'Perfect Toast Technology', a claim pointing to more uniform element coverage. The Honeycomb range uses a textured high-gloss shell that does not affect browning but does make the exterior easier to wipe down. If you live in a hard-water area and use a kettle alongside your toaster, limescale in the air will not affect toasting, but it is worth noting that crumb trays on all eight models here are removable, which keeps maintenance simple. A reheat function, present on the Quest, Honeycomb, and Breville Curve, warms toast without re-toasting it, saving a full cycle's worth of energy.
04Price versus long-term value
The cheapest model at its 90-day low is the Russell Hobbs 24080 2-slice at £12. 50, while the most expensive at current price is the Breville Curve 4-slice at £43.00. Paying more does not automatically mean better energy efficiency: the 850W Honeycomb 2-slice at £23.00 current price uses the same wattage as the 850W Russell Hobbs 24080 but adds a reheat function and high-lift feature. The sweet spot for most UK households is the £23.00 to £39.00 range, where you get wide slots, six browning levels, and a removable crumb tray without paying a premium for styling alone. Watch for price drops: the Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4-slice has traded as low as £22.38 against a current price of £38.00, a saving of over £15.00.
Our top picks
Best for solo households watching energy useRussell Hobbs Honeycomb 2 Slice Toaster
At 850W, the Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 2-slice (currently £23.00, 90-day low £18.00) is the lowest-wattage model in this group, making it the most energy-efficient choice for one or two people. Extra-wide slots handle crumpets and thick-cut bread, the high-lift feature retrieves small items safely, and the removable crumb tray keeps cleaning quick. Six browning levels and a reheat function round out a genuinely capable machine at a sensible price.
Best budget 2-slice for occasional toastersRussell Hobbs 2 Slice Toaster with
The Russell Hobbs 24080 runs at 850W and has dropped to £12.50 at its 90-day low, making it the most affordable entry point here. Perfect Toast Technology aims for even browning across the slot, wide slots take most UK bread sizes, and the lift-and-look feature lets you check progress without cancelling the cycle. A no-frills choice that keeps both upfront cost and running cost low.
Best 4-slice for busy family morningsRussell Hobbs 4 Slice Toaster with
The Russell Hobbs 24090 runs at 1700W but toasts four slices simultaneously, so the per-slice energy cost is competitive with running a 2-slice model twice. Currently priced at £39.00 (90-day low £21.00), it includes Perfect Toast Technology for even browning, wide slots, a lift-and-look feature, and a frozen bread function.
Best 4-slice if you want reheat and independent controlsRussell Hobbs Honeycomb 4 Slice Toaster
The Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 4-slice runs at 1500W, 200W less than the 24090, and adds independent slot controls so you can toast two slices at a different browning level to the other two. Currently £38.00, it has traded as low as £22.38 in the past 90 days. The textured high-gloss finish wipes clean easily, and the reheat function avoids a full second toasting cycle, saving a small but real amount of energy each time.
Best for a stylish kitchen with a slightly bigger budgetBreville Curve 4 Slice Toaster with
![Breville Curve 4 Slice Toaster with High Lift & Wide Slots | Black & Chrome [VTT786] — Toasters deal](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F71ueTVuGa9L._SL200_.jpg&w=256&q=75)
The Breville Curve VTT786 is currently £43.00 (90-day low £33.00) and runs at an unspecified wattage in the mid-range. Its high-lift mechanism and wide slots handle everything from standard sliced bread to thick bagel halves, and the black-and-chrome finish suits most UK kitchen colour schemes.
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to run a toaster in the UK?
At the UK average electricity rate of around 24p per kWh, an 850W toaster costs roughly 0.2p per two-minute cycle. A 1500W model costs around 0.3p, and a 1700W model around 0.4p per cycle. Running four cycles a day for a year, the difference between an 850W and a 1700W toaster is approximately £1.40. The cheapest models to run in this guide are the 850W Russell Hobbs Honeycomb 2-slice and the 850W Russell Hobbs 24080.
Is a 2-slice or 4-slice toaster more energy efficient?
It depends on how many slices you toast at once. A 2-slice toaster at 850W used twice to make four slices consumes roughly the same energy as a 1700W 4-slice toaster used once. If you consistently fill all four slots, a 4-slice model is no less efficient and saves time. If you usually only toast one or two slices, a 2-slice model at 850W is the more energy-efficient choice because you are not heating unused elements.
What wattage toaster should I buy for a UK home?
For one or two people, an 850W 2-slice toaster is the most energy-efficient option and perfectly adequate for daily use on UK 240V mains. For a family of three or more who toast four slices at a time, a 1500W to 1700W 4-slice model is more practical. Avoid paying for wattage you will not use: a 1700W toaster running half-empty every morning costs more to run than an 850W model used to capacity.
Do toasters with a reheat function use less energy?
Yes, in practice. A reheat function warms toast that has gone cold using a shorter, lower-intensity cycle rather than a full toasting cycle. This uses noticeably less energy than re-toasting from scratch and also reduces the risk of burning. The Quest 4-slice, Russell Hobbs Honeycomb range, and Breville Curve all include a reheat function. If you often make toast in advance or toast bread for children who eat slowly, a reheat function is worth prioritising.
Are wide-slot toasters worth it for UK bread sizes?
For most UK households, yes. Standard supermarket sliced bread fits in any toaster, but thick-cut loaves, sourdough, crumpets, and bagel halves all benefit from extra-wide slots of around 3.5cm to 4cm. Every model in this guide advertises wide or extra-wide slots, so you are unlikely to have a problem with any of them. The Quest 4-slice specifically highlights long slots for crumpets and bagels, which is useful if those are a regular part of your breakfast routine.