The Best 3-in-1 Toastie Makers (Sandwich, Waffle and Grill)
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The best 3 in 1 toastie maker for most people is the Breville 3-in-1 Ultimate Snack Maker (VST098), because its sandwich plates are true deep fill with sealed edges and every plate goes in the dishwasher. The Russell Hobbs Creations 3-in-1 is the best value, and Salter's XL machines suit anyone using larger bread. Buy a 3-in-1 only if you will really use the waffle and grill plates; otherwise a dedicated toastie maker is simpler.
Quick answer:
- Breville 3-in-1 Ultimate Snack Maker (VST098): best overall
- Russell Hobbs Creations 3-in-1 (26810): best value
- Salter Kuro XL 3-in-1 Snack Maker: best for bigger bread
- Salter XL 4-in-1 Snack Maker (EK2143): best for an extra omelette plate
- Tower 3-in-1 Deep Sandwich Maker (T27032): best budget 3-in-1
- Tefal Snack Collection (SW852D): best modular system
On this page
What a 3-in-1 toastie maker is
A 3-in-1 is a sandwich toaster with a base and lid that accept interchangeable plates. The usual set is sealed sandwich (toastie) plates, waffle plates and flat or ridged grill plates for paninis, burgers or halloumi. You unclip one pair, clip in another, and the same heating element does all three jobs. Some machines stretch to four or more plate types; Tefal's Snack Collection is a full modular system.
The benefit is obvious: three appliances for roughly the price and space of one. The catch is that the machine is designed around compromise, and the spare plates have to live somewhere. The rest of this guide is about picking a machine where the compromise is small.
Comparison table
Price bands are typical UK prices, not live prices.
| Model | Plates included | Sandwich plates | Dishwasher-safe plates | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville VST098 | Sandwich, waffle, panini | Deep fill, cut-and-seal | Yes (listed) | £30–£50 |
| Russell Hobbs 26810 | Sandwich, waffle, panini | Deep fill | Check listing | £30–£45 |
| Salter Kuro XL 3-in-1 | Sandwich, waffle, grill | XL size | Check listing | £30–£45 |
| Salter XL 4-in-1 (EK2143) | Toastie, waffle, panini, omelette | XL size | Check listing | £35–£50 |
| Tower T27032 | Sandwich, waffle, grill | Deep fill | Check listing | £25–£45 |
| Tefal SW852D | Triangle toastie, waffle (more sold separately) | Standard depth | Yes (listed) | £50–£80 |
The best 3-in-1 toastie makers
Breville 3-in-1 Ultimate Snack Maker (VST098)
Breville's 3-in-1 avoids the most common failing of swap-plate machines: weak toastie plates. Its sandwich plates are deep fill with Breville's cut-and-seal edge, so the toasties are close to what you would get from its dedicated deep fill models. You also get panini and waffle plates, all detachable and listed as dishwasher-safe, plus a height-adjustable lid that helps when grilling thicker bread on the panini plates.
It stands upright with cord storage, and retailer listings put its power at roughly 820–900W, which is plenty. The main downside is the usual one: two spare pairs of plates to store. Our Breville 3-in-1 review covers it in depth.
- Deep fill, sealed toastie plates
- All plates dishwasher-safe
- Adjustable lid height
- Spare plates take cupboard space
- Costs more than budget 3-in-1s
Russell Hobbs Creations 3-in-1 Deep Fill (26810)
The Creations 3-in-1 is the current version of the Russell Hobbs deep fill sandwich, panini and waffle maker that many UK kitchens have owned in its older 24540 form. It offers the same trio of plates as the Breville, usually for a little less, with deep fill sandwich plates that handle generous fillings.
Listed power varies between roughly 750W and 820W depending on the retailer, so it is a touch slower to heat than the Breville. For occasional waffles and daily toasties it is a sensible, cheaper alternative. See our Russell Hobbs toastie maker guide and the Breville vs Russell Hobbs comparison.
- Three plate sets for less
- Deep fill sandwich plates
- Widely available
- Slightly lower power
- Check dishwasher guidance for your version
Salter Kuro XL 3-in-1 Snack Maker
Standard toastie plates are sized for supermarket medium sliced bread, so larger bloomer-style slices overhang and do not seal. Salter's XL machines use bigger plates to address that. The Kuro XL 3-in-1 pairs XL sandwich plates with waffle and grill plates in a black finish, and it is a good fit for anyone who buys large loaves or wants a heftier toastie.
Larger plates take a little longer to heat and need more worktop and cupboard space. More on the brand in our Salter toastie maker guide.
- XL plates take larger slices
- Three cooking modes
- Bulkier than standard 3-in-1s
- Bigger plates to store
Salter XL 4-in-1 Snack Maker (EK2143)
If three plate types are not enough, Salter's XL 4-in-1 adds omelette plates to the usual toastie, waffle and panini sets. Omelette plates are deeper wells that cook beaten egg into neat, folded portions, which is handy for quick breakfasts and lunchboxes. It uses the same XL plate size as the Kuro, so it suits bigger bread too.
The more plate sets you own, the bigger the storage question. This one makes sense if you will genuinely use the omelette plates; if not, the 3-in-1 is tidier. For ideas, see toastie maker omelettes.
- Four plate types including omelette
- XL plates
- Most plates to store
- Pricier than 3-in-1 equivalents
Tower 3-in-1 Deep Sandwich Maker (T27032)
Tower's 3-in-1 brings interchangeable sandwich, waffle and grill plates to a lower price point, and it has been sold in several colour finishes including rose gold. The manual describes it as a deep fill snack maker rated at 900W, which is strong for the price.
Stock of specific colours comes and goes, so check availability before you set your heart on one. Build quality is a step below Breville, as you would expect at this price. See the Tower toastie maker guide.
- Low price for a 3-in-1
- 900W deep fill plates
- Colour options
- Lighter build
- Availability varies by finish
Tefal Snack Collection (SW852D)
Strictly a 2-in-1 out of the box (triangle toastie and waffle plates), the Snack Collection earns its place because it can grow: Tefal UK lists 16 plate sets to collect, from panini to pancakes and wafers. The plates are removable and dishwasher-safe, and the box is designed to store them.
At 700W it is less powerful, and the toastie plates are shallower than deep fill. Buy it for variety, not for the best possible toastie. Our Tefal toastie maker guide lists the plate options.
- Expandable with many plate sets
- Dishwasher-safe plates
- Storage-minded design
- 700W
- Shallower toastie plates
- Extra plates cost extra
How we chose
- Toastie plates first. Most 3-in-1 owners make toasties far more often than waffles, so we favoured deep, sealing sandwich plates.
- Plate fit and release. Plates that clip in firmly heat evenly; loose plates brown patchily. We favoured designs with simple, positive release buttons or clips.
- Cleaning. Removable plates are the point of a 3-in-1; dishwasher-safe listings score extra.
- Power. Around 750–900W for two-portion machines.
- Storage. Upright storage, cord wraps and plate storage solutions.
Plate quality: what to look for
Sandwich plates
Look for "deep fill" in the description and a pronounced cutting edge around each triangle. Shallow 3-in-1 sandwich plates are the most common weakness, producing flat toasties that leak. The best deep fill toastie makers show what good plates look like.
Waffle plates
Waffle plates on a 3-in-1 make thinner, Belgian-ish waffles rather than thick American ones, because the plate depth is limited. A thinner batter cooks more evenly. Our toastie maker waffles recipe is written for exactly these plates.
Grill or panini plates
Ridged plates give panini stripes and drain fat from burgers and halloumi. Because the hinge on most 3-in-1s is fixed rather than floating, very thick sandwiches will not press evenly; for that, a panini press is better.
Where to store the spare plates
This is the practical question nobody mentions in the box. Two spare pairs of plates take up roughly as much room as a large chopping board. A few options that work:
- Store the plates flat in a drawer, separated by a tea towel or a sheet of kitchen roll so the non-stick surfaces do not scratch each other.
- Stand them on edge in a plate rack or pan-lid organiser inside a cupboard.
- Keep the original box for the plates if your cupboard space allows; some brands design packaging for this.
- Never stack metal pans or utensils on top of non-stick plates.
Always let plates cool fully before swapping or storing them. Swapping hot plates is a burn risk and can warp the clip mechanism.
Is a 3-in-1 worth it over a dedicated toastie maker?
Yes, if you will make waffles or grill at least occasionally and you value dishwasher-safe plates. No, if you only ever make toasties: a dedicated deep fill machine like the Breville VST041 makes an equal or better toastie, costs less and has nothing extra to store. Our best toastie maker guide covers single-purpose picks, and the buying guide explains each feature.
For ideas beyond waffles, see what to make in a toastie maker.
FAQs
Can you buy replacement plates for a 3-in-1 toastie maker?
Sometimes. Brands with modular systems, such as Tefal's Snack Collection, sell plates separately. For most other 3-in-1s, spare plates are hard to find once a model is discontinued, so treat the plates with care and avoid metal utensils.
Do 3-in-1 toastie makers make worse toasties?
Cheaper ones often do, because their sandwich plates are shallow. Better models, like the Breville VST098 with deep fill cut-and-seal plates, make toasties close to a dedicated machine. Check plate depth before you buy.
How long do waffles take in a 3-in-1?
Usually around four to six minutes, depending on batter thickness and power. Waffles are ready when steam has mostly stopped escaping from the sides. Our waffle recipe gives a batter that suits shallow waffle plates.
Are the plates on 3-in-1 machines dishwasher-safe?
Many are, but not all. The Breville VST098 and Tefal Snack Collection list dishwasher-safe plates. Even when allowed, hand washing tends to keep non-stick coatings in better condition for longer.