10 Best Indoor Grills

Sometimes you just want a burger, but it’s pouring rain outside. Or maybe you live in an apartment where outdoor grills are a definite no-go. That’s where a good indoor grill comes in. It brings the sear and the sizzle of outdoor cooking right to your countertop, minus the charcoal dust and propane tanks.

I’ve spent years testing kitchen gear, and I know what makes an indoor grill work. It’s not just about getting hot; it’s about even heating, managing smoke, and being easy enough to clean that you’ll actually want to use it again. I cooked pounds of burgers, chicken breasts, and paninis on these models to find the ones that deliver for 2026.

This list has something for everyone, from big families who need a versatile workhorse to single folks in tiny kitchens. Here are the best indoor grills that earned a spot on my counter.

 

 

Our Top Indoor Grill Picks for 2026

Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe

The Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe costs about $200. This thing is a true kitchen workhorse and my top pick for families who need flexibility.

I love the reversible plates. You can sear steaks on the grill side, then flip them over for a batch of pancakes on the griddle side the next morning. The dual temperature controls are fantastic, letting you cook two different things at once. It gets hot fast and leaves beautiful, even grill marks on burgers and chicken.

The Downside: This grill is big. It takes up a serious amount of counter space, so if you’re in a small apartment, you might want to measure first.

 

 

Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill

At $270, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL is more than just a grill. It’s an air fryer, roaster, and baker, too. If you want one appliance to do it all, this is it.

The built-in temperature probe is the best feature here. I just stuck it in a thick flank steak, set it to medium-rare, and the grill shut off automatically when it was perfect. The 500°F cyclonic air gets a fantastic sear without squishing your food, which is great for thicker cuts of meat or fish.

The Downside: It can get pretty smoky, especially with fatty foods like bacon or ribeyes. I always make sure to turn on my range hood when I use it.

 

 

Zojirushi EB-CC15

The Zojirushi EB-CC15 runs for about $150. This is an open-grate grill, which means it gives you an experience that’s much closer to an actual outdoor BBQ.

I was really impressed with the results. It produced deep, distinct grill marks on burgers and salmon fillets with very little smoke. The large cooking surface easily fits six burgers, making it great for feeding a small group. It feels more authentic than a contact press.

The Downside: Because it’s an open grill, cooking takes longer than on a contact grill where you have heat from both sides. You also have to remember to flip everything yourself.

 

 

Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill

For around $100, the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill is a fantastic value. It’s a great choice for smaller kitchens or anyone who just wants a simple, effective searing machine.

It cranks up to 450°F and puts a serious sear on burgers. The viewing window in the lid is a simple but brilliant feature, letting you check on your food without letting all the heat escape. And when you’re done, the plate and drip tray pop right out and can go in the dishwasher.

The Downside: Our tests showed it can produce a fair bit of smoke when searing, so be ready with your kitchen’s vent fan.

 

 

Philips Smokeless Indoor Grill HD6371/94

The Philips Smokeless Indoor Grill costs about $140. It uses infrared technology to heat the grill grate directly while a cooling tray below catches grease, which really does cut down on smoke.

This grill excels at high-heat searing. The heat is incredibly even across the entire surface, giving meat a beautifully caramelized crust and that authentic grilled taste. In our side-by-side tests, it was a top performer for genuinely reducing smoke in the kitchen.

The Downside: While it’s “smokeless,” it’s not totally smoke-free. A particularly fatty piece of meat can still create enough vapor to trigger a sensitive smoke detector.

 

 

Ninja Sizzle

At $100, the Ninja Sizzle is a compact powerhouse. It’s simple, straightforward, and gets wicked hot, hitting 500°F for a steakhouse-quality sear.

I like that it comes with both a grill and a griddle plate, making it useful for more than just dinner. The perforated lid is a smart design choice; it lets steam escape so your food actually grills instead of steaming. It’s also easy to store, which is a big plus.

The Downside: Like any non-stick surface, the coating might wear down over time, especially if you use metal utensils. Be gentle with it.

 

 

Breville The Perfect Press BSG600BSS

The Breville Perfect Press is about $130. While it’s designed for paninis, it’s a perfectly capable little grill for burgers, chicken cutlets, or veggies.

Its main strength is its simplicity and compact design. There are no complicated settings, just on and off. The floating hinge is designed not to crush your sandwich, and it stores vertically to save precious cabinet space. It’s a solid choice for small households.

The Downside: The “crush control” feature can be a bit tricky to adjust, sometimes leading to unevenly pressed paninis until you get the hang of it.

 

 

Cuisinart Griddler Five

For about $120, the Cuisinart Griddler Five gives you excellent control. The digital LCD display lets you set the temperature precisely from 175°F up to 450°F, and there’s a built-in timer.

This level of control is great for delicate foods like salmon or for getting a perfectly consistent result on chicken breasts every time. The removable, dishwasher-safe plates make cleanup a breeze, which is always a winning feature in my book.

The Downside: I noticed some tests show slightly inconsistent heating right at the very edges of the plates. Keep your food more toward the center for the best results.

 

 

George Foreman 2-Serving Classic Plate

You can’t beat the price of the classic George Foreman grill, which is just $40. It’s the perfect grill for a college dorm, a first apartment, or anyone on a tight budget.

It does exactly what it’s supposed to do: it grills a burger, makes a great panini, and drains the grease away. It’s small, lightweight, and heats up automatically. For simple jobs, it’s incredibly reliable and a lab-tested favorite for a reason.

The Downside: The plates aren’t removable, which makes cleaning a real chore. You have to carefully wipe it down with a damp sponge while it’s still warm.

 

 

GreenPan Premiere Multi Grill

The GreenPan Premiere Multi Grill is a premium option at $300. This is for the person who loves to entertain and wants maximum versatility from one machine.

It has seven different cooking configurations and dual-zone heating, so you can sear steaks on one side and gently warm buns on the other. The ceramic non-stick plates are super easy to clean and performed beautifully in tests, producing great paninis and waffles with very little smoke.

The Downside: It has an auto shut-off feature that kicks in after a while, which can be a little annoying if you’re cooking for a long time or in multiple batches.

 

 

 

 

 

What to Look For in an Indoor Grill

When you’re shopping, the first big decision is between a contact grill and an open grill. A contact grill, like the Cuisinart Griddler or George Foreman, cooks food from both sides at once. It’s fast and efficient. An open grill, like the Zojirushi, cooks from one side at a time, more like a traditional barbecue.

Next, check the plates. Are they removable? Trust me, you want removable plates. Being able to pop them in the sink or dishwasher makes cleanup infinitely easier than trying to scrub a whole appliance. Also, look for reversible plates (grill on one side, griddle on the other) if you want to make pancakes as well as paninis.

Finally, consider the size and heat. Think about your counter space and how many people you’re usually cooking for. And pay attention to the maximum temperature. If you want a deep, dark sear on a steak, you’ll need a grill that can hit at least 450°F or higher.