If you mainly make toasted sandwiches with large slices of bread and generous fillings, start by checking the size and depth of the plates on a combined appliance. If you want to switch between waffles, toasted sandwiches and paninis, look at which plates actually come with it. If you only make waffles, a dedicated waffle maker may be enough, but it won’t replace a toasted sandwich maker.
If you use large slices of bread or generous fillings, check the plate depth and the size of bread the appliance can accommodate. Tefal describes the Snack XL plates as wide and deep, while E.Leclerc mentions that they are suitable for large slices.
If you like to switch between waffles, toasted sandwiches and paninis, check which sets of plates are included. If storage space and cleaning matter too, look at how the appliance can be stored and how its plates should be cleaned.
If sandwiches are an occasional treat or aren’t part of your meals, a dedicated waffle maker is worth considering. The Tristar WF-2195 has an adjustable thermostat, but its plates aren’t removable and it’s designed for Belgian waffles.
First decide whether your priority is thick toasted sandwiches, a variety of dishes, or easy storage and cleaning.
Choose this if: large slices and generously filled toasted sandwiches are a regular part of your meals. Tefal and E.Leclerc recommend the Snack XL SW701110 for this purpose.
Bear in mind: its two sets of plates cover waffles and toasted sandwiches, but don’t offer as many formats as a wider collection of plates.
Choose this if: you regularly switch between waffles, toasted sandwiches and paninis. Moulinex says the Breaktime SW611812 comes with three types of interchangeable plates.
Bear in mind: a variety of plates doesn’t necessarily mean there’s enough depth for very generously filled sandwiches.
Choose this if: you mainly make Belgian waffles and want to adjust how they cook, as you can with the Tristar WF-2195.
Bear in mind: this model doesn’t have plates for toasted sandwiches or paninis.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Large slices and generous fillings | Depth of the toasted sandwich plates and the size of bread they can accommodate; “multifunction” alone isn’t enough. | If you want to make a generously filled toasted sandwich without cutting back on the filling, the space between the plates comes first. Around 46% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Variety of dishes | Types of plates included and whether they’re compatible with any other sets you’re considering. | If you alternate between waffles, toasted sandwiches and paninis, having the formats you use regularly matters more than maximum plate depth. This would be the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Storage and cleaning | Whether it can be stored vertically, whether the plates are removable and whether they’re dishwasher-safe on the model you choose. | In a kitchen where space is limited, being able to store the appliance and clean its plates easily can make all the difference. Around 18% of consumers would put these practical considerations first. |
An adjustable thermostat doesn’t mean the appliance has plates for sandwiches. The Tristar WF-2195 is designed for Belgian waffles and its plates aren’t removable.
If you often make toasted sandwiches, check that the relevant plates are included with the model you’re considering.
An appliance may accept several types of plates without having enough room for large slices and generous fillings. Tefal highlights the depth of the Snack XL plates, but not all of its combined appliances.
Check the bread size, plate depth and whether the appliance can close with the filling you plan to use.
Tefal says the Snack Collection includes plates for waffles and sandwiches, while its other 16 sets of plates are sold separately.
Think about what you actually make and compare it with what’s included with the model you choose.
Sets of plates bought separately also need somewhere to be stored.
Power ratings don’t tell you how easy an appliance is to clean after making a cheese toastie or a filled waffle. The fixed plates on the Tristar WF-2195 and the removable plates listed for the Tefal Snack XL call for different cleaning routines.
If you plan to use the appliance often, check whether its plates can be removed and whether they’re listed as dishwasher-safe.
The range includes combined appliances such as the Snack XL SW701110, designed for large slices, and the Snack Collection SW853D12, which has interchangeable plates.
The Premium Gaufres® 019642 is designed in part for people who want to adjust the colour and texture of their waffles, and comes with plates for other dishes too.
The Breaktime SW611812 lets you switch between waffles, toasted sandwiches and paninis using interchangeable plates.
The WF-2195 is a dedicated waffle maker that cooks two Belgian waffles at a time.
These combined appliances are suitable for meals for one when you want to make waffles and toasted sandwiches, and perhaps paninis too. If you like very generously filled sandwiches, check the plate depth on the model you choose.
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Worth considering if you switch between waffles, toasted sandwiches and paninis when cooking for one. Joybuy’s product listing for this model mentions interchangeable plates for all three. If you use generous fillings, check the usable depth of the toasted sandwich plates before choosing.
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Worth a look if you want to make both waffles and sandwiches. The product name states that two sets of plates are included. Check exactly which plates they are, as well as the bread size and filling depth the appliance can accommodate, if generously filled toasted sandwiches are your priority.
Look for a toasted sandwich maker whose plates are explicitly described as deep and suitable for your slices of bread. Tefal describes the Snack XL SW701110 as having wide, deep plates, and E.Leclerc says this model accommodates large slices. Also check that the appliance closes with the filling you plan to use.
Not necessarily. Tefal says the Snack Collection includes plates for waffles and sandwiches, but its other 16 sets of plates aren’t included. Check what comes with the specific model you’re buying before counting on another format.
The statutory guarantee of conformity covers non-conformities under the conditions set out by law. France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that claims can be brought within two years of the goods being delivered.
In France, the “one-for-one” take-back scheme allows you to hand over an old appliance when buying a new one of the same type, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition. To arrange this, ask the retailer concerned about its take-back options.