Toasters: Pricewatch runs the rule over value for money

Smeg four-slice toaster 1950s retro style €179.99

If you are in the market for a retro pink toaster you will not find a better one than this. If pink is not your colour, the company also carries alternatives. Apart from the pinkness, the most noticeable thing about this is the lettering.

Smeg wants everyone knows it made this product just as many of those who buy it will want everyone to know about it. Style apart, it is a grand toaster and has all the functions you might expect. But the thing about a toaster is there is only so much it can do and it’s not like this is going to toast bread any better than the cheapest toaster.

It looks cool for sure but we reckon spending €140 on something as basic as a toaster is ridiculous.

Verdict: Style over substance

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Star rating: Two stars

Delonghi Toaster Icona four-slice €99.95

It is all about vintage in the toaster world now, apparently. When we priced this last week in Arnotts it had a sale price of €79.95, but the price quoted here is what it normally sells for in the department store.

It is not cheap by any measure but we reckon it is still good value for money if you are in the market for a high-end toaster that will last a long time and look good in your kitchen. The function buttons and the temperature gauge are to the front which makes it more likely you will use the bagel or defrost setting – although if you are anything like Pricewatch you will just use the one setting for everything.

Verdict: Stylish and sturdy

Star rating: Four stars

Simple Value two slice toaster €7.49

This was the cheapest toaster we were able to find and it comes from Argos. It is obviously not much to look at and is not the sort of thing you secretly hope visitors will notice and be quietly impressed by.

We are not entirely convinced it will last a lifetime either but at this price we would hardly expect it that. While it has less power and functionality than other toasters we tried it does brown bread in much the same fashion for a fraction of the price.

Verdict: Perfectly functional

Star rating: Three stars

Magimix Vision two-slice toaster €199

This is up there with the most absurd products we have ever reviewed. Magimix is a brand beloved of many and it undoubtedly makes excellent products. And this is one. But €200? Seriously?

It toasts bread much the same as any toaster, but its unique selling point is that it has a glass window which allows you to watch the toast as it browns. This is mildly diverting for all of 14 seconds and after that you might find yourself wondering if you have more money than sense.

It has some natty functions including automatic self-centring which facilitates the perfect toasting of breads and buns of all shapes and sizes. But we have never found ourselves wishing we had a self-centring toaster and it is something we could handily live without.