Dualit NewGen Toaster review: our verdict on this Mumsnetter favourite

Price on writing: £170 | Buy now from John Lewis

Is there anything more comforting than a warm slice of toast generously slathered with butter? Whether you opt for a classic white loaf or like to mix it up with sourdough, bagels or crumpets, this simple snack is undeniably satisfying, especially when the process is made fuss-free with the best toaster.

One brand reigns supreme on the Mumsnet forums when it comes to toasters: Dualit. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a thread asking for toaster recommendations that doesn't end up with glowing praise for the brand. But with two-slice models retailing at around £170, is the NewGen really worth the eye-watering price tag? I put the iconic toaster to the test to find out, using it extensively with different types of bread. Read on for my verdict...

Kitting out your kitchen? Don't miss our guides to the best dishwasher and fridge freezer according to Mumsnetters.

Our verdict

• Ease of use: 4.5/5

• Toasting performance: 5/5

• Ease of cleaning: 4.5/5

• Design: 5/5

• Value for money: 4/5

After testing out the Dualit NewGen for two weeks, I can see why Mumsnetters rave about this stylish toaster so much. It's easy to use, looks fantastic on a kitchen countertop and, most importantly, produces impressive results with a variety of bread types. The 'Peek and Pop' lever is also a standout feature as it allows you to check on progress and avoid burnt toast ending up in your kitchen bin!

The obvious downside is the cost; it's very pricey for a toaster. That said, many Mumsnet users swear by Dualit toasters and kettles, claiming they last way beyond their guarantee, so if you can afford it, it may work out cheaper in the long run than buying several subpar toasters.

How easy was the Dualit NewGen Toaster to set up?

Pretty easy. The instructions were very clear and there was even a handy guide on how to adjust the timer dial for different bread types and levels of freshness.

Before the first use, it had to be plugged in and turned on while empty to condition the ProHeat elements. This was slightly disconcerting as small amounts of smoke came from the toaster slots, but this is totally normal according to the instructions so my panic was thankfully very brief.

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How easy was the Dualit NewGen Toaster to use?

I found the Dualit NewGen very easy to use. Admittedly, I have used a similar older model before so the design wasn't totally new to me, but the instructions are so clear and the controls are highly intuitive, so I think it'd be simple to master as a first-time user.

With this model, I had to turn the slice counter (the higher dial on the right) to select the number of slots to heat up – not only does this ensure even browning, but it also saves energy too as only the slots you need heat up. You just need to remember to adjust as necessary before toasting.

Then, to start toasting, I just turned the timer dial to my desired setting between '0' and '3'. The timer does make a winding sound; I didn't mind this, but it may irritate some – a friend wasn't a fan of it at all, but I found it was useful for indicating when the toaster was done.

The guide in the instructions was useful to determine the setting, but it did initially take some trial and error with different bread types and slice sizes. However, this is where the useful 'Peek and Pop' feature came in handy (pictured above). I simply pushed the lever down and the toast raised, so I could check on progress without stopping the timer. This feature was a highlight, though it's worth noting it was more of a struggle to lift thicker items like crumpets as they seemed a little too wide for the lever function.

Overall, I was very impressed with the ease of use of the Dualit and I only docked half a mark in this area as there's no cancel button. You can push the timer to '0' to stop the toasting, but a simple one-press button would have made this process more simple.

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How does the Dualit NewGen Toaster perform?

I was highly impressed with the toasting capabilities of the Dualit NewGen. Testing it out with a variety of bread types including white, brown, sourdough and crumpets, I wanted to get a sense of how it performed beyond just a standard loaf. And the answer is: very well.

Toast was evenly browned on both sides, and the only instances of unevenness were on the crusts when I'd set the timer for too long initially and the bread was overdone for my liking. The defrost function also worked well on bread straight from my freezer.

The only downside is that the toast doesn't automatically lift like you would get with a standard toaster, though this is only a minor gripe as a quick push of the lever raises it up.

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Dualit NewGen Toaster: design and style

This sleek Dualit model gets top style points from me. The metallic design looked great on my kitchen worktop, and I loved the the classic aesthetic which has become iconic for the brand. I tested the 'Polished' (silver) model, though there are an impressive 15 colourways to choose between – the striking red also caught my eye.

It felt sturdy and robust – Dualit toasters are all hand-built in the UK – and it has a much more luxurious look than your bog-standard two-slicer. And, if two slices won't quite cut it, there's a four-slice option available for £220.

I also think it would work well alongside the Dualit selection of kettles if you're wanting a matching kettle and toaster set for your kitchen.

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How easy is the Dualit NewGen Toaster to clean?

Very easy. The removable tray made the clean up a doddle, collecting crumbs for quick disposal, and the outer casing was simple to wipe clean with a non-abrasive cloth. It's also recommended that you clean inside the slots with a soft brush regularly too.

With the metallic stainless steel design, I expected fingerprints on the casing to be a downside, but thankfully this wasn't an issue at all during testing.

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Price: does the Dualit NewGen Toaster offer value for money?

The NewGen's biggest downfall is undoubtedly its steep cost. With an RRP of £170, it's astonishingly expensive for a toaster, putting it out of the reach of many families. However, if you have the money spare, it could prove a worthy investment, as many Mumsnetters report that their Dualits have lasted for 10+ years.

The NewGen comes with a five-year guarantee through selected retailers like John Lewis, but if you find any issues down the line you can buy replacement parts to extend its lifetime too, which gives extra peace of mind.

So, does it offer good value for money? Ultimately, it's more than I'd usually pay for a toaster, but I'd say thanks to its longevity, style and toasting performance, it is worthwhile but only if you can comfortably afford the initial outlay.

How we tested

I tested the Dualit NewGen Toaster in my north London kitchen. During testing, I carefully rated it on its features, ease of use, ease of cleaning, design, value for money, and the results it produced, evaluating how it performed in a real-life kitchen setting in comparison to other toasters I've used.

• Tested in a four-person household over a two-week period

• Used daily for a variety of bread types

• Cleaned regularly during testing

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About the author

Natasha Gregson is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, with an expertise in home and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. With numerous years of editorial experience under her belt, her work has also been featured in prestigious national publications like The i Paper and Stylist Magazine, and she's written on a wide range of topics.

A keen foodie, Natasha has been on a mission for Mumsnet to find the top toasters, nobly munching her way through all manner of bread slices (and crumpets!) to find quality options for Mumsnetters. It's a hard task, but someone's got to do it.

She's also worked extensively on other kitchen content for Mumsnet, including researching and writing about the best tea towels, slow cookers, air fryers, and much more.

When she’s not busy seeking out the best buys and advice for Mumsnetters, you can find her searching for the next best restaurant, watching live music, curling up with a good book, cross-stitching, or enjoying a good hike or swim.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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