Top 10 Panini Presses — Best Overall + Best Value in 2027

1. Breville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS

This tops the list because it is the only press here with two independent temperature controls, letting the top and bottom plates run different heats so the crust crisps while delicate fillings stay intact. Reversible ceramic plates flip ridged-to-flat, pop out for cleaning, and are PFOA- and PTFE-free. Opened flat it yields 240 square inches and climbs to 450°F, with one-touch Burger, Sear, and Panini presets.

This is for the cook who wants a single machine covering paninis, burgers, and griddle work rather than a sandwich-only appliance. At $249.95 it is the most expensive pick on this list and takes a larger countertop footprint than a dedicated press. Compared with the Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe below it, the Breville's ceramic plates feel heavier-duty and the browning is deeper, which is what the roughly $55 premium buys.

2. Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe GR-150

Second place goes to the convertible that delivers the most cooking modes per dollar: six configurations, including contact grill, panini press, full griddle, full grill, and half-and-half. It runs 1,800 watts across a 240-square-inch surface with dual-zone temperature control and a floating hinge. The SearBlast setting reaches 500°F for steaks, and the adjustable Top Melt cover finishes cheese without scorching the bread. Reversible nonstick plates come out and go in the dishwasher.

Families who grill as often as they press sandwiches get the most from this at $195. It is bulkier and heavier than most presses, and the plates feel lighter-duty than the ceramic ones on the Breville ranked above. Against the De'Longhi below, it costs roughly four times as much but adds griddle and flat-grill modes, dual zones, and more than twice the cooking area.

3. De'Longhi Retro Panini Press CGH800

At $49.99 this earns Best Value because it carries a height-adjustable floating hinge, the single feature that separates a real press from a sandwich crusher. The hinge keeps the top plate parallel over anything from a thin grilled cheese to a stacked burger. Die-cast aluminum plates with embedded heating elements spread heat evenly, an adjustable thermostat dials in browning, and a slanted design with a drip cup drains grease.

Budget shoppers who still want genuine panini performance should stop here. The plates are fixed, so cleanup is wipe-down only, and there is no flat-open griddle mode. Its roughly 105 square inches handles two sandwiches at once, about half the area of the Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe above. Compared with the Griddler Five below, it saves $50 but gives up removable-quality nonstick and a sear function.

4. Cuisinart Griddler Five GR-5

This ranks fourth on nonstick durability: testers report the coating shrugs off hardened, burned-on cheese after a year of weekly use, staying scratch- and rust-free. It offers five cooking functions, an LCD display, a built-in sear function, and a floating hinge that adapts to sandwich thickness. Controls are deliberately simple, and at $99.95 it is compact relative to what it can actually do on a daily basis.

Buyers who press sandwiches several times a week and hate scrubbing will get the most from it. The trade is fixed plates that cannot go in the dishwasher and a single temperature zone rather than the dual zones on the Griddler Deluxe ranked above. Against the De'Longhi below it, the extra $50 buys the sear function, the LCD, and markedly tougher nonstick.

5. Breville Panini Duo BSG520XL

Fifth place reflects focus: this is a purpose-built press, and its floating hinge with four height settings is why it browns evenly across stuffed sandwiches. The flat bottom plate cooks fast and thorough while the ribbed top lays down grill marks, both coated in durable Quantanium nonstick. It draws 1,500 watts, and the bottom plate measures roughly 11.25 by 8.75 inches, enough for two sandwiches at once.

Dedicated panini fans who never intend to grill a steak should buy this at $89.95. Plates are not removable, and there is no griddle or flat-grill mode, which is why it sits below the convertible Griddler Five. A locking storage clip and nonslip feet let it stand vertically. Against the All-Clad below, it costs $210 less but offers no automation and no dishwasher-safe plates.

6. All-Clad AutoSense Indoor Grill

This lands sixth on automation rather than value: AutoSense measures food thickness and adjusts cooking time automatically, so a panini or a steak finishes without a thermometer. The 1,800-watt smokeless design seats removable, dishwasher-safe plates, and the stainless construction handles meals for up to eight people. Build quality is the best on this list, and the hands-off cooking genuinely works for thick, unevenly stacked sandwiches.

Households that want a premium set-and-forget contact grill and press sandwiches only occasionally are the real audience. At $299.95 it is the most expensive option here and plainly overbuilt for a grilled cheese. The Breville Sear & Press at rank one costs $50 less and gives dual-zone manual control plus a dedicated Panini preset, which is why it outranks this despite less automation.

7. Hamilton Beach 25460A Panini Press

Seventh place is about capacity per dollar: 10-by-8-inch nonstick plates fit one large sandwich, two regular ones, or two quesadillas, and the lid opens wide enough for nearly any thickness. Both plates heat, so nothing needs flipping. Current trims use PFAS-free ceramic nonstick that wipes clean easily, a storage latch locks it shut for upright storage, and a green ready light signals when it has reached temperature.

At $49.99 this suits anyone whose main use is quesadillas and thick stuffed sandwiches on a budget. The plates are fixed and wipe-clean only, and there is no adjustable temperature control at all. That last omission is why it sits below the De'Longhi at the same price, which adds a thermostat and a true height-adjustable hinge in exchange for smaller plates.

8. Cuisinart Griddler Elite GR-300

Eighth position reflects precision at a price: this steps up from the Deluxe with an electronic display, a built-in timer, and dual independent temperature controls on deep reversible grill and griddle plates. The floating hinge handles varied thickness, and the digital readout makes results repeatable rather than guesswork. It works as a contact grill, panini press, or flat griddle, and sells for $169.95.

This is for buyers who want a timer and numeric readout alongside panini duty and will actually use them. It costs $70 more than the simpler Griddler Five and takes a larger footprint on the counter. Against the Griddler Deluxe at rank two, it adds the digital interface and timer but drops to $169.95 while giving up the SearBlast and Top Melt features.

9. Chefman 3-in-1 Panini Press RJ02-180

Ninth place is earned by versatility at $39.99: it works as a sandwich press, a contact grill, or opens flat to 180 degrees for use as a full indoor grill. The floating hinge spans the thinnest grilled cheese to the most stuffed burger, and the 9-by-9.5-inch nonstick plates fit thick subs or four slices of bread. A removable drip tray and raised ridges channel excess grease away.

Bargain hunters who want a flat-open grill mode usually reserved for pricier units should look here. Plates are not removable for the dishwasher, and temperature control is basic rather than thermostatic. Compared with the Hamilton Beach above it, the Chefman costs $10 less and adds the flat-open mode and a floating hinge, but its plates are smaller and the nonstick is less refined.

10. George Foreman GRP1060B Grill

This closes the list as the cleanup champion: removable, dishwasher-safe plates plus the signature sloped surface that drains grease into a tray. The 60-square-inch plate cooks four servings and handles paninis, burgers, and chicken equally. Newer copper-finish plates are advertised as five times more durable and preheat roughly 35 percent faster. At $39.99 it is among the cheapest options and is stocked nearly everywhere.

Cooks who prioritize lean results and dishwasher-safe plates over control will be satisfied. The trade is real: no floating hinge, no thickness adjustment, and no temperature dial, so thick stuffed sandwiches get crushed at the edges. The Chefman above costs the same and adds a floating hinge and flat-open mode, but its plates cannot go in the dishwasher the way these can.

How we ranked these

We scored ten presses on how they actually cook: heat evenness and press quality (25%), hinge behavior across sandwich thickness (20%), plate design including removability and dishwasher safety (15%), versatility across grill, griddle, and flat-open modes (15%), cleanup and build quality (15%), and price-to-performance (10%). Hands-on reporting from Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping, CNET, and America's Test Kitchen was cross-checked against Breville, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and De'Longhi spec sheets.

We deliberately ignored wattage headlines and the raw count of advertised cooking functions. Both are marketing artifacts: a 1,500-watt press with a true floating hinge out-toasts an 1,800-watt unit with sloppy plate contact, and a sixth mode nobody uses adds no value. We also skipped app connectivity, color finishes, and bundled recipe booklets, none of which affect crust, melt, or how long the machine survives weekly cleanup.

What to look for

Two things decide whether you like a press: the hinge and the plates. A floating or height-adjustable hinge keeps the top plate parallel as it rises over fillings, so a stacked sub cooks through instead of getting crushed at the edges. Removable, dishwasher-safe plates (Breville Sear & Press, All-Clad, George Foreman) turn cleanup into a two-minute job; fixed plates mean careful wipe-downs forever. Everything else is preference.

The common mistake is buying a six-mode convertible when you only ever make sandwiches. Multi-grills are bulkier, heavier, and more expensive, and the extra plates live in a cabinet unused. If paninis are the point, the $89.95 Breville Panini Duo or the $49.99 De'Longhi CGH800 beats a $195 Griddler on counter space and daily convenience. Buy the convertible only if you genuinely want indoor grilling too.

Related questions

What is the best panini press overall in 2027?

The Breville Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS) at $249.95 takes the top spot. It pairs a floating hinge with two independent temperature controls, so the top and bottom plates can run different heats. Reversible ceramic plates flip between ridged and flat, pop out for cleaning, and are PFOA- and PTFE-free. Open flat, it gives 240 square inches and climbs to 450°F.

What is the best cheap panini press?

The De'Longhi Retro Contact Grill & Panini Press (CGH800) at $49.99 is our Best Value pick. It carries a height-adjustable floating hinge that rivals presses costing twice as much, die-cast aluminum plates with embedded heating elements for even heat, an adjustable thermostat, and a slanted body with a drip cup. About 105 square inches handles two sandwiches at once.

Which panini press is easiest to clean?

The George Foreman GRP1060B at $39.99. Its plates come out and go straight into the dishwasher, and the signature sloped cooking surface drains grease into a tray instead of pooling it under your food. The 60-square-inch plate cooks four servings. Newer copper-finish plates preheat roughly 35% faster and are advertised as five times more durable.

Is a Cuisinart Griddler better than a dedicated panini press?

Only if you want more than sandwiches. The Griddler Deluxe (GR-150, $195) gives six configurations, dual-zone control, SearBlast at 500°F, and 240 square inches on 1,800 watts. But it is bulkier and heavier than a purpose-built press, and its nonstick plates feel lighter-duty than Breville's ceramic ones. For sandwiches alone, a dedicated press wins on footprint.

Which press handles the thickest sandwiches?

The Hamilton Beach 25460A at $49.99 opens widest, and its 10" x 8" plates fit one large sandwich, two regular ones, or two quesadillas. Both plates heat, so nothing needs flipping. Current trims use PFAS-free ceramic nonstick that wipes clean. The tradeoff is fixed plates and no adjustable temperature dial, so browning control is limited.

What does a floating hinge actually do?

It lets the top plate rise while staying parallel to the bottom one, so pressure and contact stay even across the whole sandwich. Without it, the lid tilts: edges get crushed and over-toasted while the center stays cold and unmelted. It is the single most important feature on a press, and De'Longhi, Breville, Cuisinart, and Chefman all offer one.

Which press has the best automation?

The All-Clad AutoSense at $299.95 measures food thickness and adjusts cooking time automatically, so you press a panini or grill a steak without watching a thermometer. It runs 1,800 watts smokeless, seats removable dishwasher-safe plates, and serves up to eight. It is the most expensive pick here and genuinely overbuilt if sandwiches are all you plan to make.

Is there a budget press that also grills flat?

The Chefman 3-in-1 (RJ02-180) at $39.99 opens flat to 180 degrees for full indoor grilling, works as a contact grill, and presses sandwiches. Its floating hinge spans thin grilled cheese to stuffed burgers, and the 9" x 9.5" nonstick plates fit thick subs or four bread slices. A removable drip tray handles grease. Plates are not removable.

FAQ

What is the difference between a panini press and a contact grill?

A dedicated panini press is optimized to toast and compress sandwiches, usually with a ribbed top plate and a flat bottom one. A contact grill like the Cuisinart Griddlers or Breville Sear & Press adds reversible plates, a flat-open mode, and higher heat, so it grills meats and works as a griddle too. Many current machines do both jobs.

Do I really need removable plates?

They help a lot. Removable, dishwasher-safe plates on the Breville Sear & Press, All-Clad AutoSense, and George Foreman GRP1060B make cleanup trivial. Fixed plates on the De'Longhi CGH800, Breville Panini Duo, and Hamilton Beach 25460A require careful wipe-downs while still warm. If you press more than a couple of times a week, prioritize removable plates.

Are ceramic nonstick plates better than traditional nonstick?

Ceramic and PFAS-free coatings, used by Breville and current Hamilton Beach models, avoid older chemistries and wipe clean easily. Some testers find classic nonstick releases food slightly better when new, though the gap narrows with use. Cuisinart's Griddler Five nonstick shrugged off burned-on cheese after a year of weekly testing. Both types press sandwiches well; pick the chemistry you prefer.

Can I cook things other than sandwiches on a panini press?

Yes. Convertible models grill burgers, chicken, steak, and vegetables, and flat-open modes turn into a griddle for eggs and pancakes. Even simple presses handle quesadillas well — the Hamilton Beach 25460A fits two at once. The Breville Sear & Press includes one-touch Burger and Sear presets alongside its Panini mode, reaching 450°F for real browning.

Does higher wattage mean a better press?

No. Wattage is the most oversold number on the box. A 1,500-watt press with a well-designed floating hinge and flat, evenly heated plates will out-toast an 1,800-watt unit with poor plate contact. The Breville Panini Duo runs 1,500 watts and browns beautifully. Judge heat evenness and hinge behavior first; treat the wattage figure as a rough capacity hint.

What size plates do I need?

For two sandwiches at a time, roughly 100 square inches is enough — the De'Longhi CGH800 hits about 105. Hamilton Beach's 10" x 8" and Chefman's 9" x 9.5" plates give more room for quesadillas or thick subs. The Breville Sear & Press and Griddler Deluxe both open flat to 240 square inches, which is family territory.

Is dual-zone temperature control worth paying for?

It is if you press stuffed sandwiches often. Running the top and bottom plates at different heats lets you crisp the crust without scorching delicate fillings. The Breville Sear & Press, Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe, and Griddler Elite all offer it. For plain grilled cheese and quesadillas, a single adjustable thermostat like the De'Longhi's does the job fine.

Which press is best for someone who only makes sandwiches?

The Breville Panini Duo (BSG520XL) at $89.95. It is purpose-built: a four-position floating hinge, a fast flat bottom plate paired with a ribbed top for grill marks, and durable Quantanium nonstick. The bottom plate measures about 11.25" x 8.75", so two sandwiches fit comfortably. A locking storage clip and nonslip feet keep it tidy. Plates are not removable.

How do I keep grease from making a mess?

Look for a sloped cooking surface and a drip tray. The George Foreman GRP1060B tilts food so fat runs into a collection tray, which also makes for a leaner result. The De'Longhi CGH800 uses a slanted design with a drip cup, and the Chefman 3-in-1 has a removable drip tray plus raised ridges that channel grease away.

Do I need a digital display and timer?

Only for repeatability. The Cuisinart Griddler Elite (GR-300, $169.95) adds an electronic display, a built-in timer, and dual independent temperature controls to deep reversible grill/griddle plates. If you cook the same items and want identical results every time, that readout earns its keep. Otherwise the simpler Griddler Five at $99.95 does the same cooking for less money.

Sources

• https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-panini-press/
• https://www.seriouseats.com/best-panini-press-5199825
• https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/g26902538/best-panini-presses/
• https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-panini-presses-4157657
• https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/product-reviews/best-panini-press
• https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/grills/bgr700.html
• https://www.cuisinart.com/griddler-elite/GR-300NAS.html
• https://www.delonghi.com/en-us/cgh800-retro-contact-grill-panini-press/p/CGH800
• https://www.hamiltonbeach.com/panini-press-gourmet-sandwich-maker-25460a
• https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-indoor-grill/

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