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Best Indoor Grills

Updated January 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Ninja 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with 4-Quart Air Fryer Roast Bake Dehydrate Broil
Ninja
Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
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High Capacity
Bottom Line

If precision cooking is a high priority for you, you need look no further than this impressive model.

Pros

Designed with Cyclonic Grilling Technology and a Smart Cook System. Grill plates fit up to 6 steaks and 24 hot dogs. Attached Foodi thermometer lets you check on food temps without breaking out more accessories. Plenty of bells and whistles to justify the price.

Cons

Given its functionality, users say it takes some time to learn how to use it.

Best Bang for the Buck
Elite Gourmet Indoor Electric Grill
Elite Gourmet
Indoor Electric Grill
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Large Surface
Bottom Line

Get desired cooking results with this indoor grill that utilizes circular heat to provide an even distribution.

Pros

Comes with a base, non-stick grill plate, glass lid, thermostat control, and grease collector. The removable parts are able to be cleaned conveniently in the dishwasher. Heat can be adjusted all the way up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Surface of the grill plate is 14 inches.

Cons

The non-stick surface wears off after a while.

T-fal 1800W OptiGrill XL Indoor Electric Grill
T-fal
1800W OptiGrill XL Indoor Electric Grill
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

If you're looking for a fast and capable indoor grill that can whip up meals for a family, the T-fal is your best choice.

Pros

Stands out for its 1,800-watt heating element, which promises fast and even cooking for burgers, sandwiches, red meat, fish, and more. Inclined tray design and drip tray catch grease and keep mess to a minimum. Non-stick surface for easy cleanup.

Cons

Some users noted they had to recalibrate this model to get it working correctly.

De'Longhi Perfecto Indoor Grill With Lid
De'Longhi
Perfecto Indoor Grill With Lid
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Great Heat Distribution
Bottom Line

While slow to heat up, this piece is an excellent choice for making perfect juicy and tender meat.

Pros

Distances itself from competitors with its tempered glass lid that keeps meats juicy. Entire grilling area heats food evenly, so there's no need to push everything to the center. The integrated drip tray is easily removable. Popular for apartment dwellers.

Cons

This grill can take a bit longer to heat up due to its embedded heating element.

Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Hamilton Beach
Electric Indoor Searing Grill
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Helpful Features
Bottom Line

Take the guesswork out with a preheat notification light and the ability to monitor your food as it grills with a built-in lid window.

Pros

Has an extra-large drip tray to ensure less mess during grilling, and removable, dishwasher-safe parts for easy clean-up after. Has a high searing ability, adjustable temperature dial, and closable lid. Surface of the grill measures 118 inches.

Cons

The preheat time takes a while, and the removable grill plate doesn’t have handles, so you have to wait until it cools down.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
133
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best indoor grills

No matter how much you enjoy grilling, the weather isn't always on your side. Plus, sometimes you don't have the energy or the inclination to mess around with the charcoal, woodchips, or gas canisters you need for a standard outdoor grill. With an indoor grill, you can just plug in and go, whatever the weather.

There are two main types of grills available — open grills, which are much like a standard outdoor grill but electric, and contact grills, which have plates top and bottom to cook both sides of your food at once. You'll also need to consider factors such as the size of the grill, what controls and preset programs it has, and the temperature range at which you can cook.

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Indoor grills might be synonymous with meat, but there are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan foods you can cook on them, from vegetable kabobs to veggie burgers.

Key considerations

Open vs. contact

  • Open indoor grills are flat electric grills that give you a fairly similar experience to cooking on an outdoor grill. Since you cook your food on just one bottom plate, you have to flip it, just like you would on a regular grill. Some open grills are slightly sloped to let fat run off, whereas some have gaps between the ridges to let the fat drip into a tray below.

  • Contact indoor grills have both a top and a bottom plate, which you press your food in between. The food cooks on both sides at the same time, which makes the cooking process quicker. However, it's more far-removed from a standard outdoor grilling experience, which puts some users off.

Size

Check the size of any indoor grills you're considering. The main concern for the majority of buyers is the size of the cooking area. This should be large enough to cook for your whole household, otherwise, you'll need to cook in batches, which can be frustrating.

You might also want to check the overall size of the unit to make sure you have room for it in your cupboard. Average indoor grills are sized so that they'll fit in a standard cabinet, but there are some exceptions. Any models that are too large will be awkward to store or take up too much counter space.

Controls

Extremely basic indoor grills may only have an on/off switch, with no other kind of control over the cooking process. The most complex models, on the other hand, can feature a range of presets for grilling particular foods. You'll also find models that let you manually adjust the temperature, cooking duration, and other settings. The kind of controls you require will depend on how you like to cook. If you want to be able to press a button and get decent results, a model with preset programs might be for you. Manual controls are better for people who like to fine-tune their cooking experience and have complete control over the outcome.

Temperature range

Some indoor grills have a single maximum temperature, which it will cook at once fully heated. This is generally around 450°F, which is considered the optimal temperature for searing. Other models allow you to control the heat of your grill across a temperature range, for instance between 200°F and 500°F. Indoor grills with a wide temperature range are more versatile, as some foods are better cooked low and slow rather than at the highest temperature possible.

Features

Removable plates

Not all indoor grills feature removable cooking plates, but we'd highly recommend choosing a model that does. Grills with removable plates are far easier to clean, especially if you get any food stuck on them. If they're not removable, you'll only be able to wipe them down, rather than putting them in the dishwasher or giving them a good scrub by hand.

Embedded heating elements

The majority of indoor grills feature heating elements that sit below the bottom grill plate (and above the top grill plate in contact models). However, some high-end models feature embedded heating elements. This means the heating elements are embedded into the grill plate itself, so it can get extremely hot and heat more evenly.

LCD display

You can find some high-end indoor grills with an LCD display, which shows the temperature or lets you select between preset programs. While it certainly isn't essential to the performance of your indoor grill, it's a nice feature to have.

Timer

While we wouldn't recommend leaving your indoor grill completely unattended, you might want to undertake other kitchen tasks while your food is cooking, such as cutting bread or making sauce. Indoor grills with a built-in timer will remind you when your food is ready, so you won't end up with a burned dinner.

Indoor grill prices

Inexpensive

Basic indoor grills start at around $20 to $50. These are generally fairly compact in size and may not have a wide range of settings or the ability to control temperature.

Mid-range

In the $50 to $100 price range, you can find some excellent models, though they might not be as large or feature-rich as top-of-the-line grills.

Expensive

High-end indoor grills are priced from $100 to $300. These are the best indoor grills on the market. They tend to have a range of presets or give you complete control over the cooking parameters.

Tips

  • Find out whether your chosen indoor grill is dishwasher-safe. Obviously, you can't wash the whole grill because of the electrics, but if your model has removable plates, you might be able to put them in the dishwasher.

  • Avoid using cooking spray on your indoor grill. The propellants and other additives can build up on the plates and leave an unpleasant residue.

  • Use plastic or silicone tools on nonstick indoor grills. Metal spatulas, tongs, and other grilling tools can scratch nonstick coatings on the grill plate.

  • Wash your indoor grill thoroughly before first using it. This will get rid of any dust, grime, and other contaminants that may have come into contact with the plates during the manufacturing and shipping process.
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Indoor grills with both top and bottom grilling plates can double up as panini presses.

FAQ

Q. Can I use my indoor grill outside in dry weather?

A. Although indoor grills are designed for indoor use — as the name suggests — there's no reason you can't use them in an outdoor area, as long as the weather is dry and you have access to a power outlet.

Q. Are there any grills that can be used in both open and contact forms?

A. Yes, some contact grills let you fold them out completely flat, so they can also be used as open grills, giving you twice the cooking area.

Q. Will an indoor grill replace my outdoor grill?

A. Indoor grills are a quick and convenient way to grill food, but they'll never completely replicate the results or the experience of grilling outdoors.