We test each kettle and toaster individually, even if they’re part of a matching set. We’ve discovered that more often than not, one appliance is far better than the other, or occasionally, they’re both terrible. For kettles, we time how long it takes to boil a full kettle of cold water from the tap, as well as 1l for comparative purposes. Each litre of water was measured using the same jug, as it’s not uncommon for litre markings on a kettle to be incorrect or unavailable. This kettle and 2 slice toaster set from the Salter Elder range fits effortlessly into any kitchen and is ideal for new homeowners or those wanting to refresh their kitchen appliances. With 3 kW of power for rapid boil and a 1.7 L capacity, this kettle is ideal for busy families allowing hot drinks within minutes, while the toaster is complete with 6 levels of browning plus defrost, reheat and cancel functions, and easily makes your perfect piece of toast so you can start your day the right way. Focus on overall appearance rather than specifics: Think retro-style, textured finishes or clean, modern lines – these are common themes in the world of small appliances so you won’t struggle to get your hands on a kettle and toaster in the same style. To make it easy to choose, we group the kettle and toaster sets into the following catergories: retro, modern and contemporary.

ENERGY EFFICIENT » The Heritage Kettle boils water, and fast! The clear water window has markers indicating the water level in the kettle, so you only use what you need. It also features a removable filter to prevent limescale build up. Additional filter included Head to our round-up of the best kettles to see some of the highest-scoring models we've tested. Tips on mixing and matching kitchen appliances Next, consider the features of both appliances and their capacity. Make sure they’re both a suitable size for daily use – such as a four-slice toaster instead of a two-slice in larger households – and include the functionality you need, such as easy pouring from a kettle, and a defrost option if you often make toast straight from the freezer. If one appliance fits the bill but the other one doesn’t, it may be worth looking at a different range. Don’t buy both just because they match; consider each appliance carefully to make sure it suits your needs, or you may end up replacing one of them further down the line. How much should I spend on a toaster and kettle set? STYLISH SIMPLICITY » Pretty and practical, what’s not to love? The conveniently cordless kettle has a BPA free lightweight stainless-steel body and 360° swivel base. The traditional design makes this kettle both easy to use and easy on the eye Ensuring simple maintenance, the toaster has a removable crumb tray, while the kettle is completed with a removable limescale filter

The kettle is just as good-looking, with a handle that’s easy to grip and a light-up lever to show when it’s boiling. It’s also surprisingly light to carry around, so less of a struggle when full. A good-sized water window with multiple markings in litres means it’s simple to boil only as much water as required, while the minimum boil, though not marked, is an economical 250ml. In our tests, it performed well, boiling a litre of cold water in two minutes and 15 seconds. This modern jug kettle fits effortlessly into many kitchens, and the 360° swivel base ensures easy use for right and left-handed users Ideal for updating your kitchen or gifting a new homeowner, this set from Salter includes a stylish teal kettle and 2 slot toaster For the products that go the distance, see our guides to the top kettle brands and top toaster brands. The problem with matching sets In most cases, you're simply paying for looks over performance, and that only really works if you plan on using your kettle and toaster as decorative features rather than functioning appliances.

The kettle has a wider than usual spout but still pours smoothly. There’s also a clearly marked water window, showing the max and min fill, as well as cups from four to seven (not litres). Its water window lights up blue when it’s on, while a button on the lid flips it up for filling – good for those who sometimes mix up levers. It’s speedy, too: a litre of cold water took just two minutes and 12 seconds to boil. What could prove to be a problem is the kettle’s minimum fill – around 900ml – meaning that if you only want to make one or two small cups, you will always be boiling more than you need. Another way to keep costs down is to buy from a reliable brand. We’ve found that some kettle and toaster brands are prone to faults, so it's likely you’ll need to replace them every few years. Think about where you place your appliances on your kitchen worktops: If they’re not right next to each other, you’ll be able to get away with models in slightly different shades of the same colour rather than exact matches.This set’s glossy faceted exterior with geometric shapes belies its modest price. Despite being one of the more affordable options in our roundup, it still has some premium features, such as a defrost option on the toaster and internal kettle illumination.