Whether you’re making sandwiches for lunch, hosting a summer barbecue, or you just love crispy wraps and burritos anytime of the year, a panini press is a must-have addition to your kitchen. We’ve rounded up our favorites, so you can make an informed decision. A lot of these panini presses double as a grill or griddle, so you’re getting two or three appliances in one.
Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler
Best panini press overall
This panini press is one of the most popular models on the market today, and for good reason. This 5-in-1 unit sits on your countertop and will act as a contact grill, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle, in addition to a panini press. The design is sturdy and reliable, with stainless-steel housing and a floating cover that can move to accommodate how thick your sandwich is (let’s face it: when you get a little too greedy with the bacon, you end up with a pretty darned big sandwich).
The 11- by 9-inch cooking plates are removable, reversible, and non-stick, so you won’t be ingesting anything besides delicious panini. The drip tray will also help catch spills and grease, thus minimizing clean-up effort. While making your panini, you can control the temperature seamlessly using the built-in controls, letting you bring your sandwich to the optimal crispy-to-gooey ratio.
Why we love it:
- Like buying 5 appliances in one, with multiple grilling and griddle options
- Easy to use temperature controls
George Foreman Removable Plate Grill and Panini Press
Easiest panini press to use
Cook meals in 10 minutes with very minimal fuss with the George Foreman Removable Plate Grill and Panini Press. With its excellent heat-up time, you can quickly make up to 4 servings of food for your family. This machine has indicator lights that let you know when it is plugged in and when it is preheated and ready for cooking. Its non-stick, dishwasher-safe removable plates make cleanup quick and simple, perfectly fitting for a busy lifestyle.
Why we love it:
- Perfect for busy families; cook 4 servings of food at once
- Removable plates are dishwasher safe
Hamilton Beach Panini Press Grill
Best budget panini press
You don’t have to pay top dollar for a panini press to produce crispy, melty paninis. This appliance from Hamilton Beach is easy on the wallet without sacrificing quality. The floating lid allows you to grill sandwiches, wraps, and burritos of varying thicknesses, producing even sear marks on whatever you want to press. Want to heat up an open-face sandwich or even a slice of pizza? You can lock the lid in place so that it hovers on top of your food without actually touching it — there’s nothing worse than lifting up a press only to realize your pizza lost its cheese! The cooking surface is 10 by 8 inches and gives you plenty of cooking space that can accommodate two or even three sandwiches. The nonstick surface wipes down clean in a jiffy with only a damp cloth.
Why we love it:
- Non-stick surface is easy to clean
- Floating lid to cook and reheat a variety of foods
Chefman Panini Maker and Grill
Best 2-in-1 panini maker
This Chefman press opens up 180 degrees, allowing it to double as a countertop grill, thus saving you kitchen space as well as money. But what really sets this panini press apart from the others is its floating hinge that allows thicker sandwiches and meats to fit while cooking evenly. The panini press also includes a removable plastic drip tray that catches spills and grease, making your clean-up job even easier.
Why we love it:
- Doubles as a countertop grill
- Nonstick grill plates for easy use and cleanup
Cooking at home can be easy and fun with a panini press. Oftentimes what stops us here is the thought of cleaning up. It’s just too much trouble…But with these appliances that is no longer an excuse, nor is it something you have to worry about. These panini presses will double and triple what you’re able to do in the kitchen, all while being easy to clean up. Feed your family quickly, grill up some sliders for friends, or have a perfectly grilled panini that is just as good (or better!) than any sandwich you can buy.
