Best indoor grill

women standing around table getting ready to grill
(Image credit: Kelsey Chance/Unsplash)

It's always a good time to grill! Corn on the cob, some burgers, veggies, and a steak over an open flame are a big part of many families' mealtime rituals. If you live in an area where grilling outside year-round is difficult, you can replicate the tastes of the outdoors with an indoor grill.

Indoor grills are versatile appliances that live in your cupboard until you need them. Once heated, these smokeless grills turn out perfectly seared steaks, tender veggies, and juicy burgers that taste every bit as good as your full-time outdoor grill. These models are the best you can buy.

Staff pick

Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler

(Image credit: Cuisinart)

Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler

Do-it-all

The Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler makes breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has an integrated drip tray.

Pros:

  • Five uses
  • Reversible non-stick plates
  • Easy-to-adjust controls
  • Red/green indicator lights
  • Easy to clean
  • Press-down lid

Cons:

  • All-metal body gets extremely hot

The Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler is a great companion for any kitchen, serving five uses that can handle breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The temperature controls on the Griddler are easy to use, and the red and green indicator lights tell you when the grill has reached the proper temperature. The integrated drip tray catches grease, preventing messes, and the plates are all dishwasher-safe. The Griddler is a s a grill, panini press, and griddle that you can use for big meals or cooking for one or two. If you want an all-in-one appliance that doesn't leave your kitchen smoky, this is one of the best indoor grills you can buy.

Best for families

Hamilton Beach searing grill

(Image credit: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.)

Hamilton Beach searing grill

Serves up food for six

The indoor grill from Hamilton Beach makes ample food and has a viewing window to monitor food progress.

Pros:

  • Serves six
  • Glass viewing window on the hood
  • Dishwasher-safe removable plates
  • 200 to 450-degree temperature range
  • Large drip tray

Cons:

  • No on/off switch

For families, the Hamilton Beach searing grill is top-notch. This model sears and grills food for six with easy-to-clean removable ceramic plates that you can wash by hand or in the dishwasher, and it has an impressive 118-square-inch cooking surface. The Hamilton Beach has a glass viewing window, so you can keep an eye on food without needing to lift the hood. This indoor grill has one knob to control the temperature, a light that lets you know the unit is preheating, and it sears and cooks a large amount of food to absolute perfection.

Best value

indoor grill for two

(Image credit: George Foreman/Spectrum Brands)

George Foreman 2-serving classic grill

Dinner for two

If you're looking to save a few bucks while grilling up some burgers, the George Foreman grill will do the trick. 

Pros:

  • Doesn't take up much room
  • Dishwasher-safe plates
  • Fast heat-up time
  • Non-stick formula
  • Fat-removing slope

Cons:

  • Hood isn't weighted

For couples or when cooking solo, the George Foreman indoor grill and panini press is a great option. It's a small appliance that doesn't take up much countertop or cupboard space and puts food on the table fast. The plates are non-stick, easy to clean, and free of PFOAs. The George Foreman offers a unique adjustable grilling angle that removes fat during the grilling process, and it can sit flat for paninis and toasting. Best of all, the grill gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Best lid

Elite Gourmet tabletop grill

(Image credit: Elite Gourmet)

Elite Gourmet tabletop grill

See what's cooking

The Elite Gourmet Tabletop Grill is griddle-shaped and comes with a large domed lid so you can see what's happening on the cooking surface.

Pros:

  • Big glass lid
  • Thermostat on the power cord
  • Drip pan
  • Dishwasher-safe parts
  • Large cooking area
  • Stays cool to the touch

Cons:

  • Cleaning instructions could be better

The Elite Gourmet tabletop grill's griddle shape lets you cook vegetables, meats, and other foods at the same time. The thermostat is located at the end of the power cord and moves between on/off and five temperature settings. Elite Gourmet's lid is worth a mention. Made from tempered glass and dome-shaped, the cover lets you see what's happening on the cooking surface. It's fantastic! The Elite Gourmet stays cool to the touch, so you can use it on any table, deck, or countertop without worry.

Best compact

Kitchen + Home stove top grill

(Image credit: Amazon)

Kitchen + Home stove top grill

Small but mighty

This stovetop grill from Kitchen + Home is perfect for those without a lot of countertop space.

Pros:

  • Small
  • High quality
  • Built-in drip pan
  • Useable on gas and electric stoves
  • Smoke-free

Cons:

  • Only makes one serving
  • Not dishwasher-safe

If you're short on space, the Kitchen + Home stovetop grill should be your next appliance. It's made from double-coated stainless steel and free of harmful chemicals and plastics. This model fits right over your stove burner and turns out perfectly cooked foods without smoking up your living space. You control the grill's temperature by adjusting your stovetop burner, so there's no learning curve involved. And if you camp, you can pack this with the rest of your gear and use it with any portable propane burner.

Serving up our top three

If grilling is important to you and you don't want to depend on the weather, an indoor grill is crucial to your appliance collection. The Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler is our first choice. It boasts five unique cooking settings and user-friendly temperature controls. You can grill a sirloin or even press a sandwich and ensure everything is cooked to taste. Clean-up is made simple, too, thanks to the drip tray and dishwasher-safe plates.

When cooking for a group, the Hamilton Beach searing grill is best. There's enough room to make food for six, the temperature control is front and center, and we adore the glass top window that lets you check on food without lifting the hood.

The budget-priced George Foreman 2-serving classic grill takes up very little room, heats up quickly, and makes enough food for two. With this compact appliance, you can grill, sear, toast bread, make paninis, and throw everything in the dishwasher when you're done.

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