11 Best Panini Presses for Picture-Perfect Sandwiches Every Time

Buy at Amazon, $239.96 (was $279.95)

This top-notch panini press can do it all. With easily-removable plates, you get five functions in one. Use it to grill steaks, make pancakes, press sandwiches, and more. The reason this model is pricier (and worth the investment) is its built-in heating elements. Unlike others that house the heating beneath the plates, the DeLonghi embeds them within, allowing for even cooking.

Promising review: “I was a bit skeptical at first, but instantly fell in love with the first use. My family and I really enjoy this new kitchen gadget and it’s pretty much used daily. It’s not huge and bulky, so it’s perfect to keep up on any kitchen counter. Cooking has never been easy for me since we’re a large family, but having this appliance has made life so much easier. The food turns out amazing with great tastes & flavors. It doesn’t over dry food like other appliances similar to this tend to do. The exchangeable plates are so easy to switch out and wash. I love how you can change the temps on each side, so you’re able to multi task on the cooking. My husband & kids use it to cook favorite foods/meals which is awesome cause this means less work for mom! By far one of my favorite appliances!”

Buy at Amazon, $64.17

If you don’t have the counter space for a large panini press but still want grilled sandwiches and healthy cooking options, this pan-and-press set will fit all your needs. The pan itself is made of durable, hard-anodized aluminum and three layers of non-stick coating for easy cleanup (it’s dishwasher safe, too!). The sturdy, stainless steel press provides even heat distribution and picture-perfect grill marks.

Promising review: “This is incredible! I think what’s most incredible is how light it is for the performance. Gives great grill marks and the press is heavy. I cook everything that I want to grill in it. Would definitely recommend!‘

Buy at Amazon, $30.99

If you want an easy-to-use panini press without the bells and whistles (and price-tag) of other models, look no further. This compact press fits on even the most cluttered countertops, and provides fast, even cooking. The auto-shutoff means you can’t burn or overcook your food, no matter how you try.

Promising review: “Getting tired of eating sandwiches and wraps? Order this bad boy – it makes everything taste so much better. I use it for wraps & peanut butter sandwiches, and it’s a life changer.”

Buy at Amazon, $79

There’s a reason thousands of Amazon reviewers have given this panini press a near-perfect rating. With its multiple cooking functions, you can use as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle and half grill/half griddle. The plates are not only non-stick and dishwasher-safe, they are reversible (from grill to griddle) so you don’t need to buy and store extra plates. Plus, the adjustable temperature controls allow you to have total control over your settings.

Promising review: “I bought this after buying a panini maker from another manufacturer who I was very happy with but the product just wasn’t big enough. I wanted a product that I had more control over and trust me the griddler gives you that and more. I love the fact that you can remove the plates and that you can grill and use it as a stove top for breakfast meals. And the fact that you can remove the cooking plates with the push of a button and clean them in the dishwasher is a plus. I myself have found no reason to use the dishwasher as the coating on these plates pretty much wipes clean in regular dish soap. So far I’ve just used the griddler for mainly Cuban sandwiches and they are outstanding. Unlike my previous panini maker the griddler opens up wide so that you can cook even large cuts of meat in it. All in all I am extremely happy with this product and if you love your sandwiches cooked to perfection , this is the product to buy!“

Buy at Amazon, $31.99 (was $29.99)

George Forman is the original indoor grill master, and this updated version of the his popular kitchen appliance doesn’t disappoint. From its wipeable “George Tough” non-stick coating to the machine washable drip tray that collects excess fat, this model proves that George is still our go-to for healthy grilling.

Promising review: “Have used for about three weeks now. This grill is perfect. Even though you cannot remove the grills to clean, you just wipe them clean with a paper towel and it totally cleans. I grill everything on it, including broccoli, onions, steaks, sandwiches. Does not carry taste over on the next thing grilled (even salmon). I don’t think I would bother with the removable grills. Also, I put NOTHING on the grills when I am cooking. Pam is NOT needed. Also noted that I used hardly any salt, oils or other seasonings. The grill seems to bring out the flavors more than cooking other ways. Cooks so fast, you will be amazed. Amazingly easy! Can’t say enough positive about this product, as you can probably tell!”

Buy at Amazon, $19.99

This colorful, mini panini press is the most effortless kitchen appliance you’ll ever own. It heats up in minutes and cooks your sandwiches (or omelets!) evenly every time. It comes with a handy cookbook and access to the Dash recipe database, so you’ll find plenty of ways to use this little guy.

Promising review: “I swear by this little device – I love it so much that I even bought it for our work gift exchange just to spread the love. Honestly, I use this several times a week simply because of how quick and easy it is to use. It doesn’t have a ton of buttons to fiddle around with and it gets hot fast! You have hot, delicious sandwiches in a matter of minutes. The only thing I wish is that the cooking plates came out for easier cleaning, but that’s about it. For the price and size, this little device is efficient, stores great and works wonderfully.”

Buy at Amazon, $99.95

Cuisinart is one of the most reliable brands for kitchen appliances, and this panini press is no exception. It’s not as expensive as other models, but it has everything the budget presses don’t. The digital interface is easy to program, and everything is dishwasher-safe (not just the drip tray!), so you can simply remove the cooking plates when you’re ready to clean up. It’s also small enough to keep on your counter, or store away in a standard size kitchen cabinet.

Promising review: “Ok, I LOVE this griddle I use it all the time! I cooked burgers on it last night that were super quick and easy! The fat runs off the griddle plates into a removable storage bin, the plates are reversible from a flat top to a grill. There are also waffle surfaces available, they are the perfect size to make extra waffles to freeze and warm them up in a toaster. The temperature control is a great feature. Anyway I’m what you might call a sandwich connoisseur and this makes some of the best sandwiches!“

Buy at Amazon, $57.10

With nearly a thousand 5-star reviews on Amazon, this stylish panini press cooks fast and evenly for elevated sandwiches and grilled meats. The power indicator light lets you know when the gadget is fully heated and ready to go, and the non-stick surface makes clean up merely a wipe away.

Promising review: “I love this machine, if you eat a lot of sandwiches or quesadillas, this will be great for you. I clean mine with a damp paper towel and it is nonstick. It takes about 5 mins to cook, a lot faster than a skillet and you don’t have to flip anything, I love that. … I have been looking and have purchased many of these type of machines, this is by far the best, would not hesitate to order it again!“

Buy at Amazon, $49.95 (was $59.95)

This lightweight panini press lets you control the temperature depending on what you’re cooking. It’s not as large as other models, so it can conveniently live on your countertop without taking up too much space.

Promising review: “I had a larger Panini maker but found it hard to store and lift out of a lower cabinet. When it stopped working after years of use, I bought this one specifically for it’s size since there are only two of at our house now. I have used it for sandwiches and grilling steaks. Will also use it for quesadillas. I am loving its light weight and it’s ease to store.”

Buy at Amazon, $29.95

The floating hinge on this panini press is adjustable, so you can press sandwiches or meats of varying thicknesses without smashing. It heats up quickly and evenly cooks on dual non-stick plates. You can purchase this in two sizes to accommodate your countertop and cooking output.

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Promising review: “I bought this item two months ago. My teenager and tween have fallen in love with this item and so have I. We use it daily and I even brought it with us on vacation. We make paninis, grilled cheeses, fold-overs, and toast multiple times a day. I use it for preparing breakfasts, lunches and dinners for single or multiple people. I just discovered that it changes height to accommodate thicker sandwiches. The instructions were kind of minimal. It is on the smaller side but it can fit two sandwiches of good size at a time if they are at an angle. It stays on our counter and I use it more than our toaster oven. Great price for the value!

Buy at Amazon, $299.95

This panini press is the best of the best. Its handled top is adjustable for height control, meaning no more smashed food. The griddle allows you to use the appliance for cooking barbecue, fish, bacon, pancakes — anything you would throw on a skillet. Temperature control settings mean you can cook anything to perfection, and tilted plates allow you to drain as much (or as little) grease and fat from your food as you like.

Promising review: “This is an OUTSTANDING product!!! It works perfectly so far and I cook more on it than I expected. I like paninis however I don’t like most restaurants since they are usually cold on the inside. This turns out perfectly grilled and heated through and through sandwiches! I have also grilled other items on it, including hot dogs and sausage, halibut, grilled toast, ham steak and bacon. The biggest surprise I didn’t expect to be as good was plain old corned beef hash (canned) grilled on this unit. Turned out crispy without swimming on oil or grease. Very easy to clean, either wiping down with paper towels when cooled off a bit, or for messier clean ups the plates just disconnect and go right into the dishwasher.”