Best Griddlers & Contact Grills (2026)

A griddler (or contact grill) uses two heated plates that close together to cook food from both sides simultaneously — cutting cook time roughly in half compared to a single-surface griddle. Most griddlers also open flat to work as a standard griddle or open-top grill. The right griddler depends on how many cooking modes you want, how much surface area you need, and whether you’re primarily making sandwiches and paninis or also cooking burgers, chicken, and full meals.

Here are the 11 best griddlers available today, from compact sandwich presses to premium multi-function countertop appliances.

Griddler	Best For	Cooking Modes	Link
DeLonghi CGH1020D Livenza	Best Premium Multi-Function	4 modes, dual temp zones	Amazon
Breville BSG520XL Duo	Best for Speed	Rapid heat to 390°F	Amazon
Cuisinart GR-150 Deluxe	Best Large Surface	5 modes, 240 sq in	Amazon
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1	Best Mid-Range	5 modes, dishwasher-safe	Amazon
Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill	Best Splurge	Opens flat, reversible plates	Amazon
BELLA Electric Panini Press	Best Budget	Compact sandwich press	Amazon
George Foreman Evolve	Best Versatility	500°F sear + bake pans	Amazon
Cuisinart GR-300 Elite	Best 6-in-1	6 modes, SearBlast 500°F	Amazon
Cuisinart Griddler Five	Best Stainless Design	5 modes, LCD display	Amazon
Chefman Panini Press	Best Compact Sandwich Maker	Floating hinge, compact	Amazon
Hamilton Beach 4-in-1	Best Small Footprint	4 modes, 100 sq in	Amazon

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Top 11 Griddlers

#1 DeLonghi CGH1020D Livenza All Day Combination Contact Grill — Best Premium Multi-Function

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The DeLonghi Livenza is the most capable griddler on this list. It has four cooking modes (contact grill, panini press, open grill, open griddle) and — uniquely — independent temperature controls for the top and bottom plates. This means you can run different temperatures on each plate simultaneously, which lets you char grill one side of a steak while gentle-cooking the other, or brown the top of a panini while keeping the bottom from burning. The plates are dishwasher safe and the unit folds flat for storage.

Pros:

• Independent top and bottom temperature controls — unique on this list
• 4 cooking modes including open flat griddle and contact grill
• Dishwasher-safe plates
• Folds flat for compact storage
• High maximum temperature for searing

Cons:

• Premium price
• Larger footprint than simpler sandwich presses

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#2 Breville Duo BSG520XL Panini Griddler — Best for Speed

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The Breville BSG520XL heats up to cooking temperature faster than anything else on this list — the small surface area concentrates heat quickly and the plates reach 390°F rapidly. Contact cooking from both sides simultaneously means food cooks faster than a single-surface griddle. Ideal for quick weekday lunches and sandwiches where you want results in under 5 minutes from cold start.

Pros:

• Fastest heat-up time on this list
• Contact cooking halves cook time vs. single-surface griddle
• Compact and easy to store
• Good for quick weekday sandwich cooking

Cons:

• Smaller cooking surface than the Cuisinart or DeLonghi options
• Limited cooking modes compared to the 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 units

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#3 Cuisinart GR-150 Griddler Deluxe — Best Large Surface

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The Cuisinart GR-150 Deluxe has the largest cooking surface in the Cuisinart griddler lineup — 240 sq in — and five cooking modes: contact grill, panini press, full griddle, full grill, and half-griddle/half-grill. The SearBlast option cranks heat to 500°F for steaks and proteins that need a true high-heat sear. At 240 sq in you can cook 4 burgers or 2 full chicken breasts at once in contact grill mode.

Pros:

• 240 sq in — largest cooking surface among the Cuisinart lineup
• SearBlast function reaches 500°F for steak-quality sears
• 5 cooking modes cover most contact grill and griddle use cases
• Large enough for family-sized meals

Cons:

• Larger footprint requires more counter or storage space
• No independent top/bottom temperature control (unlike the DeLonghi)

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#4 Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler — Best Mid-Range

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The Cuisinart GR-4N is the mid-range sweet spot in the Cuisinart lineup — 5 cooking modes (contact grill, panini press, full griddle, full grill, half-griddle/half-grill) at a lower price than the GR-150 or GR-300. The reversible plates are dishwasher safe. Optional waffle plate add-on expands it to a 6th function. Good performance for daily sandwich, panini, and burger cooking without the premium price of the top-tier Cuisinart models.

Pros:

• 5 cooking modes at mid-range price
• Dishwasher-safe reversible plates
• Optional waffle plate add-on available
• Trusted Cuisinart griddler platform with good long-term reliability

Cons:

• Smaller cooking surface than the GR-150 Deluxe
• No SearBlast high-heat mode
• Waffle plates are sold separately

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#5 Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill — Best Splurge

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The Breville BGR820XL is the most premium single-purpose contact grill on the list. The top plate opens 180 degrees flat, turning the unit into a full open-surface griddle or grill — not just a partial position. The reversible plates flip between smooth (griddle) and ribbed (grill) surfaces. Heats fast, holds temperature well, and the build quality is noticeably above the Cuisinart units. If you want the best-built contact grill without worrying about price, this is it.

Pros:

• Top plate opens 180 degrees flat — true open grill mode
• Reversible plates: smooth griddle or ribbed grill
• Fast heat and excellent temperature maintenance
• Premium Breville build quality

Cons:

• Premium price — among the most expensive on this list
• Less cooking mode variety than the DeLonghi or Cuisinart Elite units

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#6 BELLA Electric Panini Press & Sandwich Grill — Best Budget

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The BELLA panini press is the most affordable option on this list. The 72 sq in cooking surface is compact — sized specifically for sandwiches and paninis, not full meals. It heats up quickly and the non-stick plates release sandwiches cleanly. The slim design stores easily in a cabinet. If you primarily want a countertop sandwich and panini press without all the multi-function extras, this does it at the lowest price on the list.

Pros:

• Lowest price on this list
• Compact and easy to store
• Heats quickly for fast sandwich cooking
• Non-stick plates for easy cleanup

Cons:

• 72 sq in surface is only large enough for 1–2 sandwiches at a time
• Sandwich/panini only — no open grill or griddle modes
• No temperature control — single heat level

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#7 George Foreman Multi-Plate Evolve Grill — Best Versatility

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The George Foreman Evolve goes beyond the standard contact grill with a set of interchangeable plates that includes ceramic grill plates, a deep dish bake pan, and a muffin/cupcake pan. The digital temperature display and 500°F SearBlast function handle steaks and burgers. The bake pan and muffin pan expand this into a countertop baking appliance — genuinely useful if you want one unit that can handle grilling, contact cooking, and baking tasks.

Pros:

• 500°F searing capability
• Interchangeable plates include bake pan and muffin pan
• Digital temperature display for precision
• Versatile beyond contact grill use

Cons:

• Multiple plates to store and manage
• More complex than simpler griddlers
• The bake pan functions are novelty for most users

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#8 Cuisinart Griddler Elite GR-300 WS — Best 6-in-1

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The Cuisinart GR-300 Elite adds a 6th cooking mode over the GR-150 — a top-melt griddle position that lets you melt cheese onto food without the top plate pressing it flat. SearBlast reaches 500°F for steak-quality searing. At 240 sq in it matches the GR-150’s cooking area. The main reason to choose the GR-300 over the GR-150 is the 6th cooking mode and the top-melt function, which is genuinely useful for open-face dishes and melts.

Pros:

• 6 cooking modes — the most of any Cuisinart griddler
• Top-melt mode: melts cheese without pressing food flat
• SearBlast 500°F for high-heat searing
• 240 sq in cooking surface

Cons:

• Higher price than the GR-150 for one additional cooking mode
• Same cooking surface area as the GR-150 — no size advantage

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#9 Cuisinart Griddler Five — Best Stainless Design

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The Cuisinart Griddler Five uses a stainless steel exterior body and an LCD display with precise temperature control (175–400°F) — more refined-looking than the plastic-body Cuisinart models. Five cooking modes match the GR-4N: contact grill, panini press, full griddle, full grill, half-griddle/half-grill. A good choice if kitchen aesthetics matter and you want a griddler that looks at home on a modern countertop alongside stainless appliances.

Pros:

• Stainless steel exterior — more refined appearance than plastic-body models
• LCD display with precise 175–400°F temperature control
• 5 cooking modes
• Dishwasher-safe plates

Cons:

• Max 400°F — lower ceiling than the GR-150 or GR-300’s SearBlast 500°F
• Smaller cooking surface than the GR-150 or GR-300

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#10 Chefman Panini Press Grill and Sandwich Maker — Best Compact Sandwich Maker

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The Chefman is designed specifically for sandwiches — the floating hinge adjusts to accommodate thick sandwiches and breads of varying heights without getting stuck. Non-stick plates, compact footprint, and a drip tray for fat collection. If your primary use case is paninis and grilled sandwiches and you want the most compact unit that handles thick bread well, the floating hinge is the differentiating feature.

Pros:

• Floating hinge accommodates thick sandwiches and breads
• Very compact — stores upright in minimal cabinet space
• Non-stick plates for easy food release and cleanup
• Drip tray included

Cons:

• Sandwich/panini focused — no open grill or flat griddle modes
• Smaller surface than the Cuisinart or DeLonghi units
• No temperature adjustment

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#11 Hamilton Beach 4-in-1 Grill and Electric Griddle Combo — Best Small Footprint

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The Hamilton Beach 4-in-1 is the most compact multi-mode griddler on this list — 4 cooking modes in a unit with a 100 sq in cooking surface and a lightweight plastic body. Good for solo cooking or dorm/apartment use where counter space is very limited and you want the flexibility of multiple cooking modes. The 4-in-1 functionality (full griddle, full grill, half-griddle/half-grill, contact grill) covers the main bases without the size or price of the Cuisinart units.

Pros:

• Very compact and lightweight — the smallest footprint on this list
• 4 cooking modes for a versatile range of tasks
• Low price point
• Fits in small kitchens and dorm setups

Cons:

• 100 sq in surface only handles 1–2 servings at a time
• Plastic body feels less premium than stainless options
• Lower performance ceiling than the Cuisinart or DeLonghi units

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What to Look for in a Griddler

Number of Cooking Modes

Most griddlers offer some combination of: contact grill (both plates closed, cooking from both sides), panini press, full griddle (open flat, bottom plate only), full grill (open flat, ribbed plates), and half-griddle/half-grill. More modes = more versatility. The 5-in-1 and 6-in-1 units (Cuisinart GR-150, GR-4N, GR-300) cover the most cooking scenarios. If you just want a panini press, simpler and cheaper units (BELLA, Chefman) work fine.

Cooking Surface Area

Contact grills cook from both sides simultaneously, so the effective cooking “output” is higher than a single-surface griddle of the same size. That said, surface area still determines how many items you can cook at once. For 1–2 people, 100–150 sq in is sufficient. For families of 4, aim for 200+ sq in — the Cuisinart GR-150 and GR-300 at 240 sq in are the best options at this size.

Maximum Temperature

Most griddlers max out at 350–400°F — sufficient for paninis and grilled chicken. For steak-quality searing, you need 450°F+. The Cuisinart GR-150, GR-300, and George Foreman Evolve all reach 500°F with their SearBlast/high-heat modes. The DeLonghi Livenza also reaches high searing temps. If searing proteins is a priority, check the max temperature spec before buying.

Plate Type and Cleanup

Removable, dishwasher-safe plates are significantly more convenient to clean than fixed plates. Most Cuisinart models have removable dishwasher-safe plates — a practical advantage for regular use. The BELLA and Chefman units have fixed plates that require wiping down. If daily use is the plan, removable plates are worth the extra cost.

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Final Thoughts

The DeLonghi Livenza is the best overall griddler — independent temperature zones set it apart from everything else on the list. For the best balance of features and price in the Cuisinart lineup, the GR-4N is the go-to mid-range pick, and the GR-150 is the upgrade if you need a larger cooking surface and 500°F searing. On a tight budget, the BELLA handles sandwiches and paninis without extras. For a pure-premium contact grill with excellent build quality, the Breville BGR820XL is the splurge worth making.

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Related: Best Electric Griddles · Best Griddles for Glass Top Stoves · Top 5 Large Electric Griddles

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a griddler and a panini press?

A panini press is a simplified contact grill designed primarily for sandwiches — two heated plates that close to press and grill a sandwich from both sides. A griddler is a more versatile multi-function contact grill that also opens flat to function as a griddle, open grill, or half-griddle/half-grill. A panini press does one thing well; a griddler does multiple things at the cost of more complexity and price.

Can you cook steak on a griddler?

Yes, if the griddler reaches a high enough temperature. For a proper sear on steak, you need 450°F+ on the cooking surface. The Cuisinart GR-150, GR-300 (both with SearBlast 500°F), George Foreman Evolve, and DeLonghi Livenza can all sear steak effectively. Lower-temperature models (BELLA, Chefman, Hamilton Beach) max out at 350–400°F — they’ll cook steak through but won’t develop the same sear crust.

Are griddler plates dishwasher safe?

It depends on the model. Most Cuisinart griddler plates are dishwasher safe — the GR-4N, GR-150, GR-300, and Griddler Five all have removable dishwasher-safe plates. The DeLonghi Livenza plates are also dishwasher safe. The BELLA and Chefman have fixed plates that must be wiped clean on the unit. Check the spec sheet before buying if dishwasher cleanup is important.

What griddler is best for everyday use?

The Cuisinart GR-4N is the best griddler for daily use — 5 cooking modes, dishwasher-safe removable plates, reliable performance, and a mid-range price. It handles the most common daily tasks (paninis, grilled chicken, burgers, eggs on the open griddle mode) without the premium price of the DeLonghi or Breville BGR820XL.

How much surface area do I need in a griddler?

For 1–2 people, 100–150 sq in is sufficient for most tasks. For a family of 4 or cooking larger portions, 200+ sq in is more practical — the Cuisinart GR-150 and GR-300 at 240 sq in handle this comfortably. Remember that contact grills cook from both sides simultaneously, so cooking speed compensates somewhat for smaller surface areas.