ArgosCookworks Illuminated 748/1653

Two-slice

Colour:Grey

£19Typical price

Test score

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Cheap toasters with extra features are a rare find, so it’s a treat to see the Argos Cookworks Illuminated 2 Slice toaster come with a lift and look feature for checking how brown your toast is without cancelling the cycle. Is a feature-packed toaster for less than £20 just too good to be true? We took it to our test lab to find out. Read the full review for our expert verdict.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
How quickly and evenly does it toast?
Is it easy to use and clean?
Is there anything else I should know?
Should I buy it?

Digital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.

KEY TEST RESULTS
Browning coverage
Ease of use
Versatility

Oct 2024Last checked by Which?
Sept 2020First reviewed by Which?
Jul 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

A woman in a red dress admires framed, uniquely burnt toast pieces on an orange wall, labeled with humorous names.

How we test toasters

16 Sept 2025

Peformance

Overall
Evenness
Browning coverage
Speed

How we test peformance

Evenness: How evenly slices of fresh white bread are toasted. We look at the whole of the slice, noting any variation in colouring across the slice. We also look for untoasted tops and stripes and make sure that both faces of the bread are toasted to the same degree. Models tested before December 2010 do not have a result for this test, but will have a browning coverage rating instead. Browning coverage: How much of the toast has achieved a golden-brown colour, without any significantly pale or dark areas. Speed: How quickly the toaster was able to toast a slice of fresh bread.

Versatility

Overall
Fitting conventional slices
Fitting tall slices
Fitting large breadmaker slices
Removing small items

How we test versatility

How good the toaster is at fitting conventional supermarket loaf slices, tall "toastie" slices, large breadmaker slices, and thick items such as crumpets. Some older toasters don't have a rating for toasting thick items.

Ease of use

Overall
Loading
Unloading
Instructions
Using the browning control
Using the crumb tray
Cleaning

How we test ease of use

How easy it is to use the toaster. We assess a range of taks, including inserting bread into the slots and pushing the lever down, removing items without burning your fingers, using the controls and the crumb tray, and whether the instructions are clear and easy to understand.

General
Type	2
Number of slices	Two-slice
Main colour	Grey
Secondary colour	None
Type of browning control	manual dial
Browning levels	7
Bread slot sizes	13.7x3.3x12.5
Long slot	No
Cable length	79cm
Matching kettle	No

Features
Extra lift	No
Bun Warmer	No
Cancel	Yes
Defrost	Yes
Reheat	Yes
Bagel	No
Lift and look	No
Countdown timer	No

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ArgosCookworks Illuminated 748/1653