Breville vs Morphy Richards Toastie Maker
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For a classic electric sealed toastie, Breville is the stronger choice: its deep fill sandwich toasters are the UK benchmark and the range is wider. Morphy Richards wins in one specific case, which is if you need a microwave toastie maker, because its Mico is the best-known microwave model in the UK. Beyond that, the choice comes down to price on the day and which plate style you want.
Quick answer: Pick Breville if you want an electric toastie maker that seals deep, generous triangles, especially the Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST041). Pick Morphy Richards if you can only use a microwave (halls, offices, some caravans) and want the Mico, or if a Morphy Richards electric model is notably cheaper when you shop.
On this page
At a glance
| Breville | Morphy Richards | |
|---|---|---|
| Best-known toastie maker | Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST041) | Mico microwave toastie maker |
| Electric range breadth | Wide: deep fill, removable plates, 3-in-1, 4-slice | Smaller and more variable |
| Microwave option | Not a focus | Yes, the Mico |
| Typical sealing style | Cut-and-seal triangles, deep plates | Cut-and-seal on electric models; pressed on the Mico |
| Typical price band (electric) | Roughly £25–£50 | Roughly £20–£40 |
| Where to buy | Everywhere: Argos, Currys, Amazon, supermarkets | Argos, Amazon, some supermarkets and electricals shops |
Prices are typical bands, not live prices. Check the current price before you buy.
Round 1: Range and choice
Breville has been making sandwich toasters for decades and still treats them as a core product. Its UK range usually covers standard and deep fill sealed toasters, models with removable plates, 3-in-1 machines with waffle and grill plates, and family-size versions. That depth means there is usually a Breville that fits any budget or kitchen. Our Breville toastie maker guide maps the range.
Morphy Richards is a broader small-appliance brand known particularly for kettles, toasters and irons. Its electric sandwich makers are solid, but the line-up is smaller and changes more often. Where it stands out is the Mico microwave toastie maker, which has no real Breville equivalent. See our Morphy Richards toastie maker guide.
Winner: Breville for electric choice; Morphy Richards for the microwave niche.
Round 2: Toastie quality
The single most important feature for a British toastie is how the plates seal. Breville's deep fill plates are shaped to crimp the bread edges and cut each sandwich into two sealed triangles, with enough depth to hold beans, chilli or a hearty cheese and onion. Independent reviews and owners consistently rate them highly for this. Read the detail in our Breville Deep Fill review.
Morphy Richards electric sandwich makers use a similar cut-and-seal design and make a good everyday toastie. The Mico works differently: its plates contain a susceptor that heats in the microwave and browns the bread. Results are surprisingly crisp for a microwave, but they are not as evenly golden or tightly sealed as a good electric machine. Our microwave vs electric comparison explains why.
Winner: Breville, particularly for generous fillings.
Round 3: Speed and convenience
A typical 2-slice electric toastie maker needs a few minutes to preheat and then around 3–5 minutes to cook, depending on filling and wattage. Breville and Morphy Richards electric models are broadly similar here.
The Mico skips the preheat and needs no worktop space or socket of its own, which is a real advantage if you are in student halls that ban grill appliances or working with only a microwave. Cooking time depends on your microwave's wattage. Our microwave toastie maker guide gives timings by wattage.
Winner: Draw. Electric for results; Mico for situations where an electric machine is not an option.
Round 4: Cleaning
Both brands sell fixed-plate machines that you wipe clean in place once they have cooled a little. Breville also has removable-plate models, which you can wash in the sink and are far easier to keep clean; that is a strong reason to pick Breville if you hate scrubbing. See best toastie maker with removable plates.
The Mico is small and light, so it is easy to wash by hand, but follow the care instructions for the susceptor plates: harsh scourers can damage them. Our cleaning guide covers both types.
Winner: Breville, thanks to removable-plate options.
Round 5: Value and price
Breville deep fill models usually sit in the roughly £25–£50 band and are frequently discounted at Argos and Amazon. Morphy Richards electric sandwich makers often cost a little less, and the Mico tends to be similar in price to a budget electric toastie maker.
Given the difference in toastie quality and the wider range, Breville usually offers better value for an electric machine, unless a Morphy Richards model is on a big discount. If budget is the main driver, also look at our best cheap toastie makers.
Winner: Breville on balance.
Round 6: Reliability and guarantee
Both are established UK brands with manufacturer guarantees on their small appliances, and both sometimes offer longer cover if you register the product. Guarantee lengths vary by model and change over time, so check the box or brand website. On any toastie maker, coating wear is the most common long-term complaint; gentle cleaning and no metal utensils matter more than the brand. If a machine stops heating, see toastie maker not working.
Winner: Draw.
Final recommendation
For nearly everyone buying an electric toastie maker, Breville is the better brand to start with, and the Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster is the model to beat. Choose Morphy Richards when you specifically need the Mico microwave toastie maker, or when a Morphy Richards electric model is clearly cheaper and you only make simple fillings.
Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST041)
Deep, cut-and-seal plates that hold proper fillings without leaking, a long track record and wide availability. The default choice for classic British toasties.
- Deep sealed triangles
- Widely available and often discounted
- Simple and quick to use
- Fixed plates to wipe clean
- Takes worktop space
Morphy Richards Mico Microwave Toastie Maker
Browns bread in a microwave using susceptor plates, with no preheat and no extra socket. Ideal where electric grills are not allowed.
- Works in any compatible microwave
- Compact and easy to store
- Less even browning than electric
- Timings depend on microwave wattage
Want to see more options? Browse our best toastie maker guide, the microwave toastie maker guide or all our comparisons.
FAQs
Is Breville or Morphy Richards better for deep fill toasties?
Breville is generally the stronger choice for deep fill toasties, because its deep fill sandwich toaster is designed specifically to hold generous fillings and seal tightly. Morphy Richards electric models are fine for standard fillings.
Does Breville make a microwave toastie maker?
Breville is not known for microwave toastie makers in the UK. If you need one, the Morphy Richards Mico is the best-known option.
Which is cheaper, Breville or Morphy Richards?
Morphy Richards electric sandwich makers are often a little cheaper, but Breville models are regularly discounted, so the gap varies. Compare the exact models on the day.
Can I use the Morphy Richards Mico in a combination microwave?
Follow the Mico instructions on which microwave modes are allowed. Microwave toastie makers are generally designed for standard microwave mode only, not grill or convection settings.