11 Best Indoor Grills for Any Would-Be Pit Master

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There’s nothing like grilling season. The scent of smoke, the sear on the steak, that warm summer breeze. But some days, standing outdoors to flip burgers just isn’t in the cards. It’s raining, or too hot and humid, or maybe you just don’t have the right outdoor setup for a grill to begin with. Whatever the reason, indoor grills offer a great alternative. They’re nearly smokeless, heat up fast for quick meals, and most are small enough to store in a cabinet underneath the countertop.

What to Consider

Unlike charcoal and propane grills, which use a direct, open flame, indoor grills use infrared heat to cook your food. As a result, your indoor grill will produce very little smoke, though you’ll still get a little when the fat from whatever you’re cooking hits the heating element. Indoor grills heat up fast, are easy to clean, and can do almost anything—from grilling chicken and vegetables to making pizza and toasting melty cheese sandwiches.

Now, a bit of warning: Your grilling and barbecue purist friends may scoff at you. And they have a point. You aren’t going to get the same flavor with an indoor grill that you would if you were grilling with charcoal or wood chips. But here’s a little secret: You can cheat your way to flavor town (sorry) by making sure you really brown that meat. The caramelizing, browning transformation that happens to your food when you cook it for long enough at the right temperature, otherwise known as the Maillard reaction, is what ensures your meat and vegetables have that perfectly grilled flavor. And another tip: You can also infuse smoky flavor with spices or sauces like smoked paprika or a smoky barbecue sauce.

There are many options to choose from, and it all depends on what you want to cook and what your kitchen setup looks like. If you lean toward paninis, grilled cheeses, and other no-fuss sandwiches, go with a press-style grill like the George Foreman model. Open grills allow you to sear and cook protein like you would on an outdoor grill. And, finally, flat tabletop grills allow you—with the right attachments—to cook everything from pancakes to pork chops.

How We Selected

All of the grills we write about have average customer reviews of at least 4 stars. We considered indoor grills from top brands, such as Breville, Cuisinart, George Foreman, and Ninja, and some lesser known brands that offered similar features at a competitive price. We dug into our own brand knowledge and deep familiarity with the grill market to round up our selections, and the models we feature below represent best in each category. We factored in quality of materials, value, added features, and overall aesthetics when making our final decisions.

Electric Griddler Indoor Grill

Key Specs

• Cooking Surface: 240 square inches

• Dimensions: 8.8 x 16 x 13.8 inches

• Weight: 12 pounds

This thoroughbred from Cuisinart is a sturdy, well-made appliance, and it’s easy to swap out its grill and griddle plates so you can cook everything from burgers to French toast. You can adjust the temperature with the knobs at the front, though it doesn’t go past 450 degrees Fahrenheit (like most of the models on the list). You can also use the Cuisinart Griddler to press sandwiches.

Indoor Grill and Panini Press

Key Specs

• Cooking Surface: 130 square inches

• Dimensions: 5.2 x 10 x 13.5 inches

• Weight: 4.5 pounds

There are a number of George Foreman grills, but this classic model gets the job done for a very low price. It’s not an open grill, so it’s best for pressed-style burgers and sandwiches. There’s no temperature control, just a green light to signal when it’s ready to go.

It feels very lightweight, but in our testing, it quickly and evenly grilled up two burgers at a time (despite its four-serving product name) with minimal cleanup. There’s also a handy tray to catch the grease.

Foodi Smart Indoor Grill

Key Specs

• Cooking Surface: 358 square inches

• Dimensions: 15.8 x 16.5 x 11.1 inches

• Weight: 22.4 pounds

Ninja's smart indoor grill costs more than many others, but it also does more: impressively, this model also allows you to air fry your food. The digital interface allows you to control cooking temperature with precision, and you can use this machine to grill, air fry, bake, roast, and dehydrate.

Electric Indoor Searing Grill with Viewing Window

Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill

Key Specs

• Cooking Surface: 240 square inches

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 22.2 x 20.5 x 13 inches

• Weight: 19.9 pounds

Want the benefits of an easy indoor grill but also want to use it to cook outside on your patio? Try this George Foreman model, which can be used indoors on a countertop or outside on its included stand. It looks more like a traditional charcoal grill with its dome lid, but it cooks with electric heat, which you can adjust with a dial. It’s easy to use, creates less mess than a traditional grill, and is a good option for apartments or other spaces that prohibit gas and charcoal grills.

Sear & Press Grill

Key Specs

• Cooking Surface: 203 square inches

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 14.8 x 13.8 x 8.5 inches

• Weight: 15 pounds

This multitasker is similar to the Cuisinart model above, but Breville offers several accessories, including our favorite: waffle-making plates. You’ll be the weekend brunch hero when you trot those out. This indoor grill also comes with independent temperature controls, easy swap-out plates, and easy-to-clean grilling surfaces.

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