Toroidal and laminated EI transformers can meet the same electrical requirement while producing very different machine designs. The choice belongs to the enclosure and application, not a universal ranking.
Size and mounting
Toroidal designs often offer a compact round footprint and a lower profile. EI and other laminated formats can provide a rectangular package, familiar mounting and easier access to certain winding arrangements.
Check the real enclosure, service access and fastener positions. The useful comparison is installed volume, not only the transformer body.
Magnetic and acoustic behavior
Toroids commonly produce a lower external magnetic field, which can help near audio and sensing circuits. Construction, orientation and mounting still determine the actual result.
Mechanical noise depends on core, impregnation, winding and mounting. A low-field design can still vibrate if the mechanical installation is poor.
Thermal and cost drivers
Copper, core material, winding labour, encapsulation, screening and testing can each dominate cost. Compare designs at the same ambient, insulation class and approval scope.
A small first sample is not enough to judge production cost. Ask what changes at higher volume and which tests are performed on every batch.