4 Best Panini Presses of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our Top Panini Press Picks

• Best Overall: Cuisinart 5-in-1 Electric Griddler
• Best Value: Chefman Electric Panini Grill
• Best Combination Press: GreenPan Elite Contact Grill, Griddle & Waffler
• Best Pocket Sandwich Maker: Dash Pocket Sandwich Maker

Tested by Taylor Murray

Most people have little experience with panini presses outside of their favorite lunch cafe, or, at least, haven't thought about them much. Panini presses are not that different from indoor and smokeless grills (which we have tested and covered extensively) and many on the market can do both. Generally speaking, a panini press, sometimes also called a sandwich press, is a type of grill specifically designed for heating sandwiches, paninis being the most famous example. The press consists of two heated plates that close over the sandwich, heating the bread and contents evenly from both sides while simultaneously applying pressure to ensure good contact with the heat. The result is a sandwich with crispy, toasted bread and warmed, melted fillings. The characteristic feature of a panini is the grill marks on the bread, which are made by the grooves in the press. The heat and pressure from the panini press transform a standard sandwich into a hot, crispy and often gooey delight.

Panini presses aren't limited to sandwiches, though. Many panini press models can also be used to cook burgers, make quesadillas, or grill vegetables and meat. Some panini presses can open up flat so that the two layers can be used as an indoor grill. Some of these also have reversible plates that offer a smooth side and a raised line grill side. While there can be a lot of crossover between panini presses and indoor grills, we chose to run this specific test to identify which machines are best at making grilled, toasted sandwiches (though we didn't knock points off for those that offered versatility when it came to usage).

Some types of panini presses are called pocket sandwich makers. These are unique in design as they are smaller and press two sides of bread together to create small, sealed triangular sandwiches. We also included these in our test, though they could be considered a class of their own.

How We Tested

There are many panini presses and indoor grills available today, but to limit our testing we focused on machines that highlight panini-making as a main feature. We were able to narrow it down to 10 machines based on popularity, reviews, price points and features. After identifying the machines to be tested, we read through each machine's manual and analyzed it for quality and detail. Some manuals were easy to understand yet covered a lot of material, while others barely covered the bare minimum. We noted specific aspects of each machine, like size, weight, special features and if anything was dishwasher-safe.

Next, we got down to testing. We started by toasting two to four slices of plain white bread on each machine over medium heat to see if there was any unevenness in browning. The second test for each machine was a simple sandwich because most consumers are going to use a panini press to make the ultimate grilled cheese. We buttered both sides of a white bread and American cheese sandwich and toasted it with the machine on medium heat. White bread is notoriously soft, so we checked to see if the machine smashed the bread at all or if the machine had a locking mechanism to prevent that. We noted how well the cheese melted, how even the exterior browned, and if any parts burned before the rest had a chance to crisp. We also tasted each to see if the machine imparted any flavors while the sandwich cooked. After this test, we switched to a more complex sandwich. We opted to test a sourdough sandwich with sliced ham and shredded Gruyere. Sourdough is much thicker and sturdier than white bread

To finish the testing, we cleaned each machine top to bottom to find out if there were any tricky-to-clean places. If the plates were dishwasher-safe, we washed them to make sure they weren't damaged by the process and gave each a good wipe down if they weren't.

What to Consider When Buying a Panini Press

Open vs. Contact: There are open and contact panini presses. Open models allow you to open the machine to a completely flat surface so it can double as a griddle or indoor grill. Contact presses can only be operated by closing the lid down on top of the food or sandwich. We preferred the open models as they allow the greatest amount of versatility.

Size: If you plan to make a few sandwiches at once or a larger sandwich (like a loaded roast beef panini), you'll need one that can accommodate that. Also consider storage space, as larger units can be bulky and some machines can get quite heavy. Compact size can be great for small kitchens and some panini presses are designed to sit on their edge for an ultra-slim profile.

Cooking Surface: The cooking surface should be nonstick for easy food release and quick cleanup. Some models are made of cast iron, which is durable and retains heat but can be fussy to clean. Others have a nonstick coating which is, of course, much easier to wipe up after cooking. All of the machines we tested had a nonstick coating and some were dishwasher-safe to boot.

Heat Control: Not all panini presses have adjustable heat settings, but it's a helpful feature if you plan on using the press for more than just sandwiches.

Design: Some of the presses we tested had a floating hinge, which means that in addition to the hinge that connects the top and bottom, there is a secondary swivel point on the upper level so it can come in contact with the sandwich completely horizontally. Those without this feature tend to push the sandwich forward as you push down and unevenly touch the top of the sandwich.