Quick Summary: The best panini press is the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddle. This is a counter-top appliance that can be used as a grill, panini press or grill, half griddle, and full griddle. It is great as a panini press, but you are limited only by your imagination with this, the top panini press.
They’re called ‘panini presses,’ but many of these sandwich makers are still capable of being used to prepare several other great dishes. If they have particularly powerful heat sources, you may be able to more or less use them like standard ovens.
Making panini sandwiches using other devices might be more challenging, so these sorts of uniquely specialized devices are necessary for that purpose. However, the great thing about panini presses is that anything that can be used to make a panini can make a lot of other things as well.
Panini press usually only takes a few slight modifications, and these devices were designed to be modified that way. Many of the best panini presses are also known for their extensive features.
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10 Best Panini Presses Comparison
 | 1. Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Griddler (Best Overall)This is functionally several different devices in one smooth and stainless product, since it can be used as everything from a panini press to a griddle and grill. | Read Our Review |
 | 2. Oster Titanium-Infused Panini Maker (Best Budget)As a cook, you'll get results thirty percent more rapidly than you would otherwise with this panini press and grill; it has specialized cleaning features that will simplify everything afterwards. | Read Our Review |
 | 3. Waring Commercial WPG250 120-volt Panini GrillA huge panini maker that will give you the chance to cook other main courses and side dishes as well, making it a multipurpose and powerful product that could replace several cooking tools. | Read Our Review |
 | 4. DeLonghi America, CGH912C Indoor GrillThe device has grill plates that can be removed quickly, and thanks to the drainage receptacles, cleaning the grill should be particularly easy for everyone. | Read Our Review |
 | 5. Breville Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini PressSince the lower plate is completely flat, it's a panini press that cooks things very consistently; the product should not get scratched or damaged easily. | Read Our Review |
 | 6. Oster Extra Large Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic Panini MakerThis advanced sandwich maker is capable of heating food at a rate that's thirty percent quicker than you would expect, and the surface will be effective for eight times longer than average. | Read Our Review |
 | 7. George Foreman GRP4842P Multi-Plate Evolve GrillThe grill from George Foreman has thoroughly non-toxic and non-stick grilling plates, along with a digital panel that is easy to see and use at all points while making dinner. | Read Our Review |
 | 8. Cuisinart Griddler, Elite, SilverYou can actually use this grill to sear food, and you'll be able to get the device to temporarily reach temperatures of five hundred degrees when that happens. | Read Our Review |
 | 9. Cuisinart GR-150P1 GR-150 Griddler Deluxe, Brushed StainlessThere are actually six different cooking modes available with this panini press; the cover can also be adjusted easily, so you can store this product very simply and safely. | Read Our Review |
 | 10. Cuisinart Electric Griddler, Stainless SteelIt's a Cuisinart grill that has several components that can be washed in dishwashers; it's a high-tech cooking tool with digital types of controls and an impressive LCD digital display. | Read Our Review |
Reviews of 10 Best Panini Presses
Best overall
1. Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler.
Why you will love it: This grill can do it all. Cuisnart Gr 4n 5 in Girddler is great if you are cramped for space. You could get by with this being your only cooking source. It is very flexible and does not take up an incredible amount of space. Settings are straightforward and easy to understand. It cleans up easily.
This is the Cadillac of panini grills. You can cook almost anything with this panini maker, and make the best panini sandwiches you have ever had.
This is a counter-top unit that takes a bit of space, but you can use it is a panini press, sandwich maker, a regular grill, full grill or griddle as well as a half-grill or griddle.
With five options you can easily prepare a complete meal with this appliance. This panini press can also be a contact grille. The surface can also be doubled by leaving the plate in the open position.
The plates have a non-stick coating, and you may remove them and reverse them for more creative options. The plates are dishwasher safe and
The surface is also a nontoxic panini press. Cuisinart GR-4n panini press is 13.5 inches long, 11.5 inches wide and eight inches tall. Switch to and from grill to griddle by flipping the plates over.
This unit has a lot of adjustments available, so you have options. Temperature can be controlled to a very precise level. A cookbook and a scraping tool are included, and there is a users manual. While this panini press does have a lot of options, the controls are simple to use and easy to understand.
Red and green lights let you know when the Cuisinart GR-4N panini press is ready for cooking. It has a floating hinge that adjusts itself to the food you are cooking, allowing you to have a wide variety of thicknesses, and it cooks both sides evenly.
The surface, or exterior, is stainless steel, making for easy cleanup and the 5 in 1 griddler will look sharp for years. The plates are made of non-stick aluminum.
Pros:
- Great flexibility and easy to use
- 200 square inches of cooking space
- Relatively small, fits well on a typical counter
- 5 in 1 griddler and panini press
Cons:
- Grease management not as good as it could be
- Buttons that release plates can break
- There is no timer or automatic shutoff
Best Budget
2. Oster Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic 2-in-1 Panini Maker and Grill.
Why you will love it: Oster i packs a powerful and handy punch with its best panini grill. Ceramic coating helps it cook faster and evenly. It is at the lower end of the price range, but just because it is cheap does not mean it is cheaply made. This panini press is a simple, low-cost option that works very well.
This Panini grill and sandwich maker is highly functional and offered at a good price. It does not do everything, but what it does, it does well. The press can be opened 180 degrees to make a flat surface that can turn it into a countertop grill.
Oster panini press has a DuraCeramic coating that is nonstick, and will resist flaking or peeling. It cleans up easily. The ceramic coating allows it to cook faster. There is a tray for grease to drain away, and two small cups to catch that grease. It comes with its own cleaning tool and instruction manual.
This is a simple unit, but one of the best things is that the Oster Duraceramic panini press has a floating hinge system. This allows the panini press to adjust to different sandwich thicknesses and adds to its versatility. This panini press also has adjustable feet, to facilitate draining while you cook.
This panini press will fit easily on your countertop. it is 12 inches wide and 10 inches deep, and four inches tall. It weighs about five pounds, so is very portable as well. The top can be opened to increase your cooking space.
The plates are unique for this type of kitchen appliance. The non-stick ceramic coating gives you the benefit of ceramic cooking which heats up faster than other devices made of metal. The only downside is that over time the plates, which cannot be removed, will turn brown.
They are still fine to use, but it does lessen the appearance. The floating hinge is not height adjustable, but you can fold that back into a full grill easily.
Pros:
- Can be used as a grill easily
- Good grease drainage system
- Ceramic coating heats up fast
Cons:
- Plates not removable,
- Cleaning is not always easy
- Plates can turn brown over time
3. Waring large Italian style Panini Grill & Sandwich Maker
Why you will love it: The words “cast-iron” imply heavy-duty performance, and that is what you get with this grill. The cast iron makes it durable. The hinge is also adjustable, and you can make sandwiches up to three inches thick. This is also a big unit that can handle a few sandwiches at the same time.
Waring Large Italian Style Panini grill & Sandwich Maker is an industrial strength panini press that could be used in a busy restaurant, so it will handle anything you can throw at it in your home.
This panini press is designed for restaurant use, and tough enough to handle that, but it could be used by an individual as well. It would be great for a small restaurant that does not require constant use. When used constantly breakdowns have been reported.
This sandwich maker is heavy, because of the cast iron, weighing in at about 70 pounds. It has a cooking surface that is 16 inches wide and 17 inches deep. It is almost 10 inches tall. The cast iron has great points but is not always easy to clean. You will like the draining system as it is easy to use and effective.
The outside is made of stainless steel. The inner workings of cooking spaces are made of cast iron. It has a removable drip tray, The plates can be turned over so you can get the grill marks, or have a flat surface like a grill. The top plate adjusts itself up to three inches. It will cook up to 570 degrees.
Waring Italian Stlyle Panini Grill has adjustable feet so you can set it up to drain effectively It has indicator lights to tell you when it is ready for cooking.
The bottom line is that this unit has a great reputation when it is not in constant use. It can be used several times a day, but when used constantly problems tend to emerge. It may not be as tough as you would like if your restaurant is always very busy.
Pros:
- Cast iron cooking surface for even cooking
- Big enough to handle a lot at once
- Versatile enough to cook chicken and steaks
Cons:
- It is big and heavy, more for restaurant use
- Has had reported breakdowns with a lot of use
- Too strong for home use, not always strong enough for commercial use
4. DeLonghi America, Inc CGH912C Indoor Grill & Panini Maker.
Why you will love it: This panini press is a fairly small appliance that packs a big punch. It has five cooking functions and can be a panini press or a full griddle. It has removable plates for easy cleaning and a great oil drain system. Sleek design, not too expensive and highly functional.
The panini is an Italian sandwich, and DeLonghi is an Italian company. They should know how to make the best panini. It is simple by design, without a lot of bells and whistles, but what you do get is a great panini grill and griddle all in one.
DeLonghi America Panini Maker has a glass lid that is separate from the body. This allows you to see the meat as it is cooking. Removable plates give you more options. You can convert the appliance from a panini grill to a regular grill, and go back an forth with ease. These cost more than fixed plates but this one makes the grade because it is at a fairly low price to start with.
It is even more valuable with two sets of plates inside that you can customize into five cooking functions. You can even do more than one function at a time.
This panini press has cool-touch handles so you won’t burn your hands trying to remove the plates. Buttons on each end make the plates easily removed as well. It has a ceramic coating that gives even heating throughout the surface.
DeLonghi America Panini Press has a large cooking surface, that you can make even bigger by adjusting the lid, so you can cook a few sandwiches at a time. The removable plates add versatility, and also make cleanup easy. These plates can be run through a dishwasher, but some people prefer to wash them by hand.
The DeLonghi America has a stainless steel body with a sleek design that will look good in any kitchen. It comes with a spatula and two oil drainage collectors. It weighs around 12 pounds. The cooking surface is 12 by 6.5 inches and can be increased.
Pros:
- Easy to clean drip tray
- Lid is see-through and retains heat
- Simple design, easy to use
- 5 in 1 griddler
Cons:
- Temperature does not stay consistent
- Takes a long time to heat up and be ready
- Non stick coating can peel off eventually
5. Breville BSG620XL Panini Duo 1500 Watt Nonstick Panini Press
Why you will love it: This is a small simple press that is a solid performer. It is not designed to do everything but is designed to make a great panini sandwich. Breville panini press has a flat bottom plate for fast even cooking and has a floating hinge with height settings.
When Breville set out to make this unit, it wanted to make one good enough for commercial use that would work in the home. For a not-too-expensive panini press that will last a long time, this one will be hard to beat.
It has a 1500-watt heating element, so can handle heavy duty cooking of any kind, which makes a panini sandwich a breeze. This feature makes Breville BSG620XL one of the best panini presses available.
The Breville Panini and sandwich maker has a stainless steel frame and a durable build. It has a premium quality look that is unmistakable. The adjustable handle and grip are sturdy and well built. This unit is 11.3 inches deep and 11 inches wide. It is five inches tall. Relatively small and weighs around nine pounds.
Breville Non-stick Panini Press is a heavy duty unit but will work great in your home, as well as being able to handle some light commercial use. The bottom plate is flat which means fast cooking.
The top plate is ribbed, which is where you get the grill marks that make a panini what it is. It has the floating hinge adjustable so you can handle a sandwich of any thickness. It has adjustable feet to facilitate draining, and they are built to not slip, so there is not likely to be an accident.
Breville Panini Press has lights to indicate when it is ready. The power cord also is stored within the unit when not in use. It comes with a user manual and recipes. One drawback is that only one side has the ridges that makes the grill marks that are hallmarks of a panini.
This makes creating the classic sandwich a bit of a challenge, but it can be done with a little care. It can cook a lot of other things well too, so its versatility might overcome that issue.
Pros:
- The top plate can be adjusted
- Powerful unit means faster cooking
- Sturdy design should last a long time
Cons:
- Drainage of grease could be better
- Not as easy to clean as you might wish
- Only one side has grill ridges
6. Oster Extra-large Titanium-infused Dura Ceramic Panini maker
Why you will love it: When it says extra large, it isn’t kidding. It can handle three big sandwiches at a time. The cooking area is 15 inches wide and 13 inches deep. It will open up 180 degrees to create a cooking surface twice that size when you use it as a grille. This appliance can make a lot of food at one time, and it does it very well.
This kitchen appliance by Oster is sturdy in its build and opens into a much larger area for cooking than you would expect. It is made of stainless steel and has a ceramic coating inside.
Oster titanium infused sandwich maker has adjustable feet and two drip-cups for good drainage. It has a scratch resistant surface. Cleaning tools, owners manual, and recipes are included.
The two-in-one in the name is legit. It is a fine panini maker and converts to a regular indoor drill easily. It is easy to clean with the tool that is included. It has the DuraCeramic non-stick coating that makes it more durable than regular ceramic type grills.
The ceramic type unit also heats up faster and cooks more evenly than metal units. It does not have any PFOA or PTFE chemicals in the ceramic material, so it is very safe to use.
Oster Extra Large Panini Press has a floating hinge that allows you to have sandwiches of different thicknesses without a hitch. It has a sturdy build so it should last a long time. It can cook faster than you may expect.
This panini press is at its best with making sandwiches, and you get the grill makes that make it a panini. The ceramic surfaces can also handle a lot of heat, and you can make a lot of different kinds of foods in addition to panini.
Pros:
- PTFE and PFOA free ceramic coating
- Easy to clean
- Portable and easy to store
Cons:
- Food can slip out of the grill
- Mixed reviews on how easy it is to clean.
- Plates are not removable
7. George Foreman GRP482P Multi-plate Evolve Grill & Panini Press.
Why you will love it: This is a small grill that is also a panini maker. This panini press has ceramic plates, a waffle plate, and is made of platinum. You will be amazed at what all this small unit can do. It has several plates that are movable and interchangeable for almost unlimited options.
This grill adds the benefit of being able to make waffles, in addition to being a grill or panini sandwich maker. You can also cook chicken or steaks, and veggies.
Another bonus is a searing burst of 500 degrees for 90 seconds, which gives you even more possibilities.
This panini press has a digital control panel that shows you the cooking time and temperature of the grill. You may cook between 325 and 450 degrees when you are not using the power bursts. The buttons are also level, or even, with the grill, making external cleanup easy.
Ceramic coated plates give a nonstick finish that makes cleanup easy as well. The plates are all removable and can be put in a dishwasher. There is an easy release that keeps the areas you touch cool, so you can remove the plates even if they are hot.
Adjustable angle tilts the grill too, so you can rain grease and fat easily. When the George Foreman grill was introduced, it was revolutionary. Since then others have caught up.
This one is another leap forward with its ability to cook almost anything, and it does so at a great price. The cooking surface is about 13 inches by 15 inches.
The ceramic grates are what takes this one to a new level. The hinges work well, so you can make a panini or switch to a level cooking surface easily. Foreman frill and sandwich maker is also advertised as one that can make breakfast as well as any other meal.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble and keep clean
- Ceramic grates that are removable
- Good value at the price
- 5 in 1 griddler
Cons:
- Slightly small cooking area
- Sear button seems overhyped
- Some say coating wears off
8. Cuisinart Griddler & Panini Press, Elite, Silver
Why you will love it: You’ll get a Cuisinart product that can seemingly do anything when you buy this one. Cuisinart panini press has a broad design and a neat row of controls and indicators that will help you as you try to use this product to cook almost anything.
Effective Grilling Plates
The quality of the grilling plates really makes a huge difference with products like this. These grilling plates have non-stick coatings that last, and they can be both easily reversed and removed when needed.
Multiple Capabilities
You won’t be able to make seared dishes with a lot of similar products, since they are not capable of handling such high temperatures. This griddle is one of the exceptions. The fact that it can also be adjusted to become a grill, sandwich maker, a high-quality panini press, and a half or a full griddle only makes things better.
Top Cover
It’s important to think ahead with devices like this since you will need to store them at some point. Cuisinart Griddler Panini Press has an outer cover that can be modified, so using and storing it is easier.
Pros:
- It has unique grilling and searing features
- Multipurpose functionality saves you money
- Can be used for multiple purposes.
Cons:
- Some people might not like the external design of the grill and press.
9. Cuisinart GR-150P1 GR-150 Brushed Stainless Griddler & Deluxe Panini Press
Why you will love it: Almost every aspect of cooking is going to be easier when you do so using a product like this one. This is a stylish and sleek little panini press, and it makes good use of all of its components.
Drip Receptacle
Cleaning up after preparing any meal can be frustrating, especially with grilled food. Not only does this sandwich maker and panini grill have a receptacle for drippings, but that receptacle is actually fully integrated. You’ll make even less mess as a result.
Power
This panini maker is an 1800-watt press, which is much more substantial than many of the others on the market. Cuisinart Deluxe Panini Press also can handle a full five hundred degrees on the Fahrenheit scale, which also is not always the case.
Accessories
You’ll get tools for both scraping and cleaning with this high-quality panini press. The additional accessories can also be washed in dishwashers, making things less stressful. You’ll even get a book of recipes.
Pros:
- Can put this small and efficient panini press anywhere.
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Control dials are very small and less user-friendly.
- Hard to read digital screen.
10. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Electric Griddler & Panini Press.
Why you will love it: Here’s a shiny panini press that handles well and that should give you the range of dishes that you want. This panini press is a well-proportioned and compact product that should always look clean and gleaming.
Display
Even the devices that have displays will not necessarily have displays that use LCD technology, making this one of the best panini presses on our list. You can get a lot of important information very quickly using this display.
Temperature Range
You can modify the temperature levels very easily on a device like this. When you do so, you can set the temperature to one hundred and seventy-five degrees at the low end, and four hundred and fifty degrees at the high end.
Accessible Controls
The controls for this Cuisinart Electric Panini Press are digital, and they are much easier to operate than plenty of similar controls for products like this one.
Pros:
- A very modern designed panini press.
- Perfect for any kitchen
Cons:
- Temperature maintenance is difficult.
- The commendable temperature range is also relatively low.
How to Choose The Best Panini Press
Your budget
A basic panini maker with no heat source can be bought for as little as $20. Grills, with their own heat source, are usually $100 to $200, but professional restaurant grills can go for more than $1,000. Determine how much you will use the panini press, and match that to your budget.
The options available
Best panini presses are pretty simple to use, but if you have a grill indoors, you can get very fancy. Pay attention to the options. Some have enough flexibility to cook steak, vegetables and even bread.
The best panini presses are those that allows you to cook many things in addition to great sandwiches.
Grilling features
Some grills are multi-function and include a grill setup. There can be three cooking modes, The lid can be made into a second flat area and cooking surface. It can be turned into a griddle this way.
Also, pay attention to whether the panini press has a drip tray to catch any grease that may develop.
Grill vs. Griddle
A griddle is basically an additional cooking surface like a flat frying pan. The plates are what put the grill marks on the sandwich, which is what makes it a panini.
Some allow you to remove these plates and that adds cooking options, while some do not. More functions to affect the final price.
Related Reading: Best Electric Griddles
Best of both
Some grills allow you to use the panini maker as either a grill or griddle. Some will allow you to use them at the same time even with different settings. These are the highest end, or best panini press, and are at the higher end of the price range.
However, even the higher price would be less than buying the- two appliances separately.
How strong is it?
There are light duty panini grills that do basic things. There are also heavy duty ones that will do just about anything and are very tough appliances.
Consider how much the panini press will be used, what it will be used for, and where it will be used when making your choice.
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