The 10 Best Panini Makers & Panini Press
Sandwiches are easily some of the tastiest kitchen creations. However, apart from being incredibly delicious, they’re also unbelievably easy to make.
While the sandwich filling is essential, what takes a sandwich to the next level is the crunchy, grilled bread.
Toasty bread can make any sandwich taste amazing, no matter what the filling. However, getting this crisp, toasty layer isn’t that easy. Without the right tools, you can end up splattering your sandwich all over your pan.
If you’re looking to speed up your sandwich-making process, consider investing in a panini maker. The panini maker allows you to get the perfect crisp, toasty layer on your bread each time.
If you’re looking to learn more about the best panini maker, keep reading below.
We independently research, test, and recommend the best products just for you. In order to keep this site going, we may receive commissions on some of the purchases made from the links below.
Our Top Panini Maker Picks
Image
Product
Features
Recommended Products
- 4 slice panini press
- Non-stick plates
- Grill & Griddle
- Hinged Lid
- Non-stick plates
- 2 Paninis at a time
- 2 in 1 Press & Grill
- Non-Stick Plates
- Adjustable Temperature
- Waffle Maker Plates included
- Non-Stick Plates
- Easy to Clean
An Indepth Look At Panini Makers
Breville Cafe Style Sandwich Press
Features
Rating
Price
Breville Cafe Style Sandwich Press Review
The Breville sandwich press comes with nonstick plates that are incredibly convenient to clean. It allows you to cook two sandwiches simultaneously, making it incredibly efficient.
This panini maker is perfect to use in your kitchen or a deli. It also comes with a hinged lid, which allows you to toast sandwiches of different thicknesses.
The locking mechanism makes it incredibly safe to use, and also easy to store.This is a multi-functional panini press you can use in a variety of settings with the best results.
Russell Hobbs 3-in-1 Panini Press
Features
Rating
Price
Russell Hobbs 3-in-1 Panini Press Review
The Russel Hobbs panini press has an exquisite design which elevates your countertops. It has a sleek and modern design which is timeless and classy.
Furthermore, this panini press can open 180 degrees, allowing you to grill bacon, vegetables, or meat with ease quickly. The hinged edge also makes it easy for you to toast anything you like.
The Russel Hobbs grill also has a larger than usual size, letting you cook for the entire family at once. If there’s any panini press to invest in, it’s this one.
George Foreman 25810 Medium Fit Grill
Features
Rating
Price
George Foreman 25810 Medium Fit Grill Review
If you don’t like waiting for your oven or pan to heat up, this panini press is the best option for you. From the time you switch it on, you can plate up in under six minutes, no matter what you’re cooking.
It has a streamlined design, making it easy to store on your countertops or for travelling. One of the best features of this grill is that it comes with a drip tray.
The drip tray makes it incredibly easy to clean, as all the fat and grease collect on the drip tray, instead of falling inside the grill.
NETTA Panini & Sandwich Press
Features
Rating
Price
NETTA Panini & Sandwich Press Review
If eating healthy is your main concern, you can’t do better than the NETTA sandwich press. It comes with a ridged surface that minimizes the amount of grease you use and removes any extra fat.
The indicator lights help eliminate any guesswork, telling you when your grill is ready, and when it’s done cooking your food.
Panini Press Flat/Grooved Contact Grill
Features
Rating
Price
Panini Press Flat/Grooved Contact Grill Review
A cast-iron panini press is an excellent investment, as it is long-lasting, easy to clean and elegant. This panini press has an incredibly economical price for all the features it offers.
It comes with two drip trays, making cleaning easy. Furthermore, it also has a wired cleaning brush included.
Cuisinart Style Collection Griddle & Grill
Features
Rating
Price
Cuisinart Style Collection Griddle & Grill Review
This is a sleek panini press which can double as a grill. You can heat it to 240 degrees, and grill your food evenly.
The nonstick coating makes the plates incredibly easy to clean. The integrated drip tray lets you have a healthier meal, free from fats.
Aigostar Sandwich Press & Panini Maker
Features
Rating
Price
Aigostar Sandwich Press & Panini Maker Review
Judging cooking times can be challenging, but luckily, this panini maker comes with a light indicator. The light tells you when to start cooking, and when your food is ready.
This way, you don’t get any burns or soggy bread.
Cuisine King Compact Twin Panini Press
Features
Rating
Price
Cuisine King Compact Twin Panini Press Review
The Cuisine King panini press comes with non-slip feet, making this panini press one of the safest on this list. If you cook with children, this feature, coupled with the insulated handle, reduces any burns or injuries.
The hinged lid makes it perfect for toasting any sandwich. And of course, you can grill chicken, vegetable, or anything else you please too.
You can toast two sandwiches simultaneously.
Salter EK2143 Deep Fill 3-in-1
Features
Rating
Price
Salter EK2143 Deep Fill 3-in-1 Review
If you like variety in the kitchen, this is the perfect panini press for you. You have interchangeable plates, allowing you to use it as a waffle maker, panini press, or sandwich maker.
All plates are nonstick and incredibly easy to clean. Lastly, it comes with extra-large containers allowing you to grill sandwiches up to 25cm thick!
George Foreman 25820 Large Fit Grill
Features
Rating
Price
George Foreman 25820 Large Fit Grill Review
Like all George Foreman designs, this grill also has a premium look and feel, and can look gorgeous on your countertops. It’s also super easy to clean, and a simple wipe-down is enough.
It can toast or grill multiple items simultaneously and comes with a two-year warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panini Makers
Is a panini press easy to clean?
A panini press is effortless to clean. However, the plate material affects this ease considerably.
Nonstick plates are the easiest to clean but aren’t as durable as cast iron plates. Aluminium plates, however, can be hard to clean.
Can I change the grill on a panini maker?
Yes. Panini presses come with many grill variations.
These can be grooved, ridged, or flat. You need to get changing plates, and you can grill your food however you like.
What is the best panini maker?
The best panini maker depends on your cooking needs. The George Foreman Large Grill is the best value for money.
What is the difference between a sandwich maker and a panini maker?
While a sandwich maker can only take one or two-ingredient sandwiches, you can make heavier sandwiches in the panini press.
Sandwich maker is also solely for making sandwiches, while in a panini press you can grill anything.
What can I make in a panini maker?
Contrary to popular belief, a panini maker isn’t just to toast your sandwiches. Instead, you can cook just about anything in there.
You can grill chicken, waffles, vegetables and much more in your panini press. You can even make omelettes, burgers, quesadillas, and fish in a panini press.
Can you make burgers on a panini maker?
Yes, you can make anything in a panini maker. If you want to smoosh your burgers together and make them easier to eat, you can grill them in the panini press.
The press can give your buns a lovely, crisp toast, enhancing the flavour considerably.
Can you put foil in a panini press?
It depends on the plate material. If your panini press has a nonstick plate, we don’t recommend putting foil, as it might damage the coating.
With a cast iron plate, however, you can wrap your food in foil without any damage.
Panini Maker Buying Guide
Before buying a panini press, you must look out for these characteristics.
The first thing to look for is the plate material. It is crucial and can affect the performance of your panini press immensely.
A cast-iron plate is heavier and can give you a denser sandwich. It is also scratch-resistant and, therefore, much more durable.
However, a cast-iron plate is more expensive compared to a nonstick plate. A nonstick plate is lighter and cheaper but isn’t as durable as its cast-iron counterpart.
What is a Panini Maker?
The panini maker has many names. Grill press, panini press, or panini grill are just a few of these.
The purpose it serves is one, however. The panini maker has ridged top and bottom plates that heat up and give you a gorgeous, golden-brown crust on your sandwich each time.
However, the panini maker doesn’t just toast your bread perfectly. The secret to a good sandwich is the smooshing together of the bread.
When the panini maker presses the sandwich together, it helps you create the perfect bite. It makes your sandwich easier to eat and yummier!
Benefits of a Panini Press
There are several benefits of using a panini maker to make your grilled cheese or any other sandwich.
Easy-to-use appliance
The panini press is easily one of the most straightforward appliances out there. It allows you to make the perfect sandwich without any hassle.
If you have kids at home and have to spend a lot of time thinking of new things to cook for them, a panini press might be perfect for you.
The panini press is easy and safe for everyone to use, so even your kids can cook with it quickly. Whether it’s a grilled cheese sandwich they’re craving or a fancier sandwich; a panini press can let them hone their cooking skills independently.
Make healthy meals
Overcooking food often destroys the nutrients and minerals in it, making our diet unbalanced and non-nutritive. It can be hard to retain the minerals in our food with traditional methods of cooking.
If you don’t feel like having fresh salads all the time, paninis can be a healthy alternative. Sandwiches are a great way of eating fresh vegetables with healthy dressings without any overcooking.
You can experiment endlessly with a panini press and add a wide range of vegetables, dressings, and meats. It can allow you to have a healthier diet in no time.
Prepare large meals in a short time.
If you’re cooking for a large family, one of your most significant concerns will be cooking fast. With a panini press, you can make filling, delicious meals in no time.
Sandwiches don’t take too long to put together, and a panini press speeds up this process even more. Even a single sandwich can be super filling so that you can feed your family easily.
Even smaller panini presses can grill two sandwiches at a time, making the cooking process incredibly efficient.
How to use one
Using a panini maker is incredibly simple. The first step is to leave the panini maker on to heat up while you make the rest of your sandwich.
Once you’re done, spray your panini press with cooking oil or butter your bread. Then, place the sandwich inside the panini press and press the lid down.
Depending on the heat level you set, your panini should be ready in a few minutes.
Conclusion
A panini press is an excellent addition to any kitchen. Whether you cook periodically or are a seasoned home cook, a panini press can make cooking much easier and enjoyable for you.
You won’t just use your panini press to make a sandwich. Rather, you can use it to grill a variety of things.
Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!