One ponders, in an idle lunch moment, if John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, knew precisely what he’d started when he placed a filling between two slices of bread.
That evening back in 1762 was seismic for the global dining scene. The man had just invented the sandwich.
Almost every culture and country on the planet has a version; a dish that consists of a filling with bread on either side. There are the simple: egg cress, cheese, BLT. And there are the opulent: think Rubens or lobster rolls. Heck, even a doner kebab in a pita could count as one.
They’re a perfectly filling dish all on their own, but the one way to improve on perfection? Get that baby toasted.
A menu staple for university students and busy office workers, a decent toastie can turn a bad day around, make leftovers the star of the show and be paired with a host of sides, aside from the obvious (a pile of crisps).
“But I already have a toaster, ES Best”, you might sigh, “What need is there for a toastie machine?”. Well hungry friends, while we’re not here to slag off the honourable slice of toast, machines like the ones we’re talking about do more than simply brown bread.
They’ll seal your fillings in for ultimate crust crunch while keeping ingredients like cheese from oozing out. The sealing feature also means you can deep fill your sarnie and add sauces without making a mess of your appliance and countertop. Cook smarter, not harder.
If you’re sick of hearing your tummy rumble and long for a fast, filling meal to get you through the day, we’ve rounded up the best sandwich toasters to spend your money on.
Some grill while others have space to accommodate a panini if you want to take your toastie up a notch.
Shop the best sandwich toasters below
Ninja ST200UK Foodi 3-in-1 Toaster, Grill & Panini Press, Black
Leader in multifunctional kitchen appliances Ninja has done it again with this sarnie toaster that offers three functions under its sleek hood. Operating as a slot toaster, grill and a panini press, there are seven modes to play with: Toast, Bagel, Defrost, Grill, Panini, Bake and Reheat.
The toaster is wide enough to accommodate two bagel halves, so no need to squish the rounds in or watch for wayward crumbs getting too close to the heating element. To grill, simply flip the mechanism to change the cooking position. It’s easy to use and designed mindfully - the crumb tray means you’re not spending all your time getting rid of burnt odds and ends.
Buy now £149.99, John Lewis
CUISINART Sandwich maker
Whether you fancy an omelette, fruit pastries, French Toast, quesadillas or a simple toasted cheese sarnie, kitchen electricals leader Cuisinart has made toastie-making an art.
This XL machine will do best in big households, with non-stick plates accommodating plenty of tasty fillings to make sealed sandwiches. There’s a variable temperature control to get the perfect level of brown every time.
It’s sold with a five year guarantee.
Buy now £80.00, Selfridges
BREVILLE VST083 Sandwich Toaster - White
With a cut and seal system, Brevile’s sandwich toaster makes getting a quick lunch or dinner onto your plate a breeze. Made with stainless steel and non-stick plates, it’s easy to clean. The kitchen essential can be stored upright too, making the most of your cupboard storage space.
It will only make triangle sealed sandwiches, so if you’re looking for something with more cost-per-use, you might want to look at a multi-functional appliance instead. That said, it’s a cracking price for an even better product.
Buy now £21.00, Argos
Breville Ultimate Deep Fill Toastie Maker, 2 Slice Sandwich Toaster
One for the toastie purists, Breville’s appliance makes four golden crispy triangles out of two sandwiches. Add as much filling as you can muster; the deeply grooved plates can take it. It’s not just for lunchtime specials: swap the detachable dishwasher-safe plates for Breville VST079 Waffle Plates and prepare to take your breakfast up a notch.
It has a speedy heat-up time with an indicator to let you know when it’s ready. For those worried about countertop space, it’s a compact machine that can be stored upright in a cupboard when it’s not hard at work churning out sammies.
Buy now £34.00, Amazon
Karaca Multigrill XL Electric Indoor Grill and Toast Machine
If you’ve a kitchen that’s on the smaller side or want a grill to add to a caravan, this multi-grill is the perfect option. It can make hot sandwiches and a host of other meals on its hot plates with adjustable cooking levels to get to the right temperature.
When it says XL, it’s not kidding - you can toast up to eight slices of bread in one go, making it perfect for families and big groups. There’s also a defrosting option, helping you make the most of freezer leftovers you saved for a rainy day.
Buy now £99.95, Amazon
Salter EK2017 XL Deep Fill Sandwich Toastie Maker - Black
Enjoy mouthwatering toasted sandwiches free from overstuffed contents and undercooked crusts. With larger-than-normal plates, this Salter sandwich maker allows you to stuff your bready creations with cheese, ham, cured meats, veggies or whatever else you fancy for a sandwich that’s perfectly toasted.
The plates boast a non-stick finish for effortless cleanup, and there is automatic temperature control and ready light indicators to get your sarnie on the table quickly and easily.
Buy now £21.99, Robert Dyas
Tower T27032RG 3-in-1 2 Portion Sandwich Toaster - Rose Gold
This multi-functional toaster comes with interchangeable plates so you can whip up toasties alongside waffles and bites on the grill too.
The non-stick coating means you can cut back on oil and butter, making a healthier dish. There’s a safety cut-out function to protect against accidental bumps and jostling, while auto temperature control and power indicator lights help making bistro-level toasties a breeze.
Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £45.00, Argos
BREVILLE VST025 Cafe-Style Sandwich Press - Brushed Stainless Steel
If you’re looking for a way to cut back on your lunchtime sandwich habit, Breville’s sandwich press is an excellent persuader. The brushed stainless steel design looks straight out of a bijou cafe and can make up to three toasted paninis at a time. It will also cook focaccia and can make grilled cheeses effortlessly. The lid is lockable to ensure a golden sear and it’s compact to store out of sight when you’re not using it too. We’re sold.
Buy now £35.99, Currys
Salter EK3677 Handbag Toastie Maker
A novelty item that puts the fun in function, Salter’s handbag-shaped toastie maker is one for students and budget-conscious sarnie-eaters. The simple design makes two toasted sandwiches at a time and comes with auto temperature controls that heat all the way up to 200°C with a three minute pre-heat time.
The non-stick design means it’s easy to clean up too.
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
George Foreman Electric Grill
The cooking possibilities are actually endless with a George Foreman. The grill - named after the famous American boxing star - packs a powerful punch. It has a stylish bronze hue that will fit seamlessly in most kitchens but it’s not all style over substance.
You can cook just about anything, from your Full English Breakfast essentials, to your lean and clean chicken dinner with space for five portions (depending on the size you choose). There is a drip tray to keep your counters clean, adjustable feet for angled cooking and it can be stored vertically to be more space efficient. The plates are non-stick and easy to keep spotless.
Buy now £44.99, Amazon
Russell Hobbs Deep Fill Four Sandwich Toaster 24550
Toast four sandwiches at once in this easy-to-use device to nail lunch for the whole family in record timing. The plates are deeper than they appear to fit larger toasties and are non-stick for ease in cleaning up. The toaster itself is fairly slim with cord storage for ease in slipping into a cupboard when not in use.
Buy now £40.00, Argos
Breville VST026 4 Portion Sandwich Press
This spacious sandwich maker can house up to four toasties with a simple press design yet remains compact in size. Pop your concoction inside - no matter the bread - and push down to have a perfectly toasted creation in a matter of minutes. It heats up quickly and is very easy to clean.
Buy now £43.00, Argos
Tefal GC722D40 Optigrill Plus X-Large Grill
This is not your average toastie maker. This model from Tefal is a full-on grill with heaps of automatic programmes to cook a whole host of common dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, sausages, fish, seafood and pork.
There is also the ability to control it manually with four adjustable temperature settings and an indicator to ensure that your meat is cooked to your specific preference whether you like it rare or well done. The plates are removable, dishwasher-safe, non-stick and there is a drip tray included for ease in cleaning.
It can serve up to eight people and will make sure that you never have undercooked food again.
Buy now £151.24, Amazon
