5 Best Indoor Grills, Tested by Our Kitchen Pros
You don't need a backyard (or nice weather!) to grill burgers.
Expert consulted: Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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Whether it's the middle of winter, a summer heatwave, or you simply don't have outdoor space for grilling your favorite recipes, an indoor grill lets you make burgers, chicken, and charred vegetables year-round from the comfort of your kitchen. Best of all, food can look and taste similar to what you'd get from an outdoor grill.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Cuisinart Griddler FIVE
- Best value: George Foreman Electric Indoor Grill and Panini Press
- Best for small kitchens: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill with Viewing Window
- Best large capacity: Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer
As a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, I've tested many indoor grills over the years, assessing heating speed and consistency, ease of use, grease drainage, and cleanup. And in the last decade alone, we've tested more than 30 models by grilling pounds of hamburgers, toasting dozens of slices of bread, and pressing many panini to find our top-tested picks.
Best Deal
Pros
- Precise temperature control
- Dishwasher-safe grill plates
- Converts to a griddle
Cons
- Top plate can drip when cooking greasy foods
This Cuisinart indoor grill offers five different cooking configurations. You can use it as a contact grill, a panini press, a full grill, a full griddle, or a half grill/half griddle.
Temperature ranges from 175°F to 450°F in 25-degree increments, and there's a sear function that lets you heat the grill to 450°F in two-minute increments. Even better? The ceramic nonstick plates are dishwasher-safe for quick cleanup.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: It pressed up an impressive tomato-mozzarella panini that was beautifully browned, crispy, and had a gooey center. Hamburgers were also nicely cooked on the open grill. We also cooked eight pancakes at once on the full griddle!
Our experts found the digital controls easy to use and appreciated being able to set a specific temperature for more precise cooking, unlike other models. We recommend placing foil or parchment paper under the back legs for easy cleanup—the top plate can drip when cooking greasy foods.
| Dimensions | 7" x 12" x 10.5" |
| Weight | 11.6 lbs |
| Temperature range | 175–450ºF |
| Cooking configurations | Contact grill, panini press, open grill, open griddle, half griddle/half grill |
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe drip tray
- Compact and lightweight design
- Great for making a single panini
Cons
- Grill plates don't remove for cleaning
George Foreman grills have historically performed well in testing in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab. This very compact, lightweight, and affordable model from George Foreman is no different. While this isn't an indoor grill packed with special features like other models on the market, I was impressed with how well it performed in our Lab tests, at just around $36.
This indoor grill turns on automatically once plugged in, and there is no way to adjust the temperature, but the green light indicates that the plates are fully heated.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In my tests, it served up a panini that was perfectly melted all the way through with even grill marks. I was also surprised by how two quarter-pound burgers cooked inside with the juices going into the dishwasher-safe drip tray without spilling anywhere else on the counter. This model was harder to clean during testing because the grill plates aren't removable, so you have to clean the entire model in the sink.
| Dimensions | 10.49" x 3.1" x 7.53" |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs |
| Temperature range | One temperature |
| Cooking configurations | Contact grill |
Pros
- Can also be used to bake, roast, broil, and dehydrate
- Includes a probe thermometer for accurate cooking
- Large enough for a family of four
Cons
- Heavy compared to others
Quite the multitasker, this large-capacity indoor grill from Ninja does the work of many appliances in one: It's an air fryer and a powerful indoor grill. It also features roast, bake, broil, dehydrate & crisp settings. The heavy-duty grill plate and 500ºF max temperature are great for grilling, and according to the brand, can fit up to six steaks or 24 hot dogs at once.
The Ninja stands out with a lid that creates an oven-like environment, helping the appliance cook quickly without squishing the food. Ninja consistently performs well in our Lab tests, nabbing the top spot for the best air fryer, and the intuitive design and control panel are equally impressive.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This indoor grill cooked a medium-well flank steak quickly—in about 10 minutes—but we felt it was best suited to fast-cooking foods like hamburgers and hot dogs because it can get smoky. We also love that it comes equipped with a temperature probe to insert into your meat as you're cooking for perfectly done (a.k.a. never overcooked or unsafe) results. Keep in mind that this model is quite large and, as a result, quite heavy as well.
| Dimensions | 15.75" x 16.54" x 11.1" |
| Weight | 22.4 lbs |
| Temperature range | 105-500°F |
| Cooking configurations | Closed grill |
Pros
- Lid includes viewing window so you can keep an eye on cooking
- Adjustable temperature dial for precision
- Dishwasher-safe grill plate and drip tray
Cons
- Can make your kitchen smoky without proper ventilation
The Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill is great for small kitchens because, at just over eight pounds, it's easy to store or move around to create space as needed. This model features an adjustable temperature dial for precise cooking (ranging from 200°F to 450°F) and a preheat light to let you know when the grill is ready, so you can get your best grill marks.
It has an extra-large drip tray that fits right underneath the grilling surface, directing drips into the tray as you grill and preventing spills onto your countertop. Plus, the grill plate and drip tray are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This indoor grill churned out burgers with distinct dark grill marks on one side of the burgers, but the Lab did get smoky while I was grilling, even with the lid closed, so make sure to open a window when in use. While this model offers a no-frills user manual, I found the cooking recommendation charts included easy to follow and utilize, especially if you're new to indoor grilling.
| Dimensions | 12.4" x 16.73" x 6.81" |
| Weight | 8 lbs |
| Temperature range | 200-450°F |
| Cooking configurations | Closed grill |
Pros
- Easy-to-use digital interface
- Removable nonstick dishwasher-safe plates
- Dual-zone heating
Cons
- Will automatically shut off after extended use
This easy-to-clean, versatile indoor grill from GreenPan offers 7 (!) configurations for cooking; it can be used as a griddle, panini press, grill, and waffle maker, to name a few. With dual-zone heating, the digital interface lets you heat each side to a different temperature with separate timers. You can grill breakfast sausages on one side at 450ºF and griddle pancakes on the other side at 350ºF. It features a proprietary nonstick coating that releases ingredients easily in testing and is dishwasher-safe.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In my testing, I made panini that were fully melted with a crispy exterior and no soggy areas, and several types of waffles that were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, including homemade gluten-free ones. When I grilled burgers, they got a nice char on one side and a slightly more faded char on the other.
I also didn't find the grill as smoky as those of other models tested. My only issue during testing was that the grill automatically shuts off if it gets too hot after a while, though this is a safety measure.
| Dimensions | 14 x 13 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches |
| Weight | 5.6 pounds |
| Temperature range | 175–500ºF |
| Cooking configurations | Panini press, open griddle, open grill, closed griddle, closed griddle, waffle maker, half griddle/half grill |
How we test the best indoor grills
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, we've tested more than 30 indoor grills over the last decade. Our experts evaluate how easy each grill is to set up and use, including its temperature controls and overall design.
We assess features like drip trays and grease management to determine how well the grill contains messes during cooking. We also review the user manual and rate how easy the grill is to clean after use. In addition, we cook a variety of foods to evaluate performance, including heating consistency, browning, and overall cooking results.
✔️ Hamburgers: Our analysts evaluate each grill in action using quarter-pound burgers. They note how many patties fit on the cooking surface to help determine the size of group the grill can feed. Using the manufacturer's recommended settings, they evaluate browning and grill marks on both sides of the burgers and record internal temperatures to assess cooking performance and consistency.
✔️ Heat distribution: To assess how evenly a grill heats, we cover the cooking surface with slices of white bread and evaluate the browning pattern. This helps identify hot and cool spots across the grill.
✔️ Panini function: While not all indoor grills feature a panini function, we make a panini on each indoor grill. We take the internal temperature of the panini, evaluate the grill marks and the interior melting, note any sogginess, and, most importantly, see how it tastes.
✔️ Other functions: If an indoor grill has waffle plates, we test that as well, following our waffle maker testing procedure.
What to look for when shopping for the best indoor grill
✔️ Size: For one to two people, a cooking area of up to 80 square inches is ideal. An area of 100 to 150 square inches can feed three to five people. For larger groups, you will likely have to cook in batches since indoor grill sizes generally cap at about 150 square inches.
✔️ Design: There are a few different types of indoor grills available. Anything you can grill outdoors can be cooked on either of these types of indoor grills.
- Open grills mimic the design of outdoor grills without a lid—you have to flip the food to cook it evenly.
- Contact grills have top and bottom grill plates that can quickly cook your food on both sides simultaneously (think: panini press).
- Some are closed or smokeless versions as well, which usually use a lid and add water in the drip tray to keep your kitchen from getting smoky.
✔️ Versatility: Some models open flat and allow you to swap out the grill plate with a griddle or waffle plate. There are even indoor grills that come with a toaster oven or air fryer, like our pick from Ninja. The more cooking configurations that the indoor grill provides will give more opportunities to use it, but can also make for more pieces to store.
✔️ Heat range: Certain models do not allow you to set a specific cooking temperature, while others are adjustable within a range. If you want a good sear on your steak or burgers, make sure it reaches 500ºF.
✔️ Cleanability: Grills that have dishwasher-safe removable plates make cleanup a breeze. Choosing a model with a drip tray, especially a dishwasher-safe one, cuts down on cleaning too. Many models also offer splash guards or lids to prevent grease splatter on countertops.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer has tested a wide range of kitchen gear for Good Housekeeping over the past four years. She holds a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition, and Public Health from New York University. She's also a trained cook from the Natural Gourmet Institute. She conducted the most recent side-by-side testing of indoor grills.
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, overseeing kitchen gear testing and content. She’s evaluated more than 50 grills for Good Housekeeping.
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
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