10 Best Panini Press Review & Rating [2021]

There’s nothing better than sinking your teeth into a warm, perfectly crisped Panini; but buying them at your local deli or restaurant can cost a bundle. Plus, who wants to head out to order a Panini when the craving for one strike?

Here are the best panini press brands:

Best Panini PressWith a Panini press, you can make tasty, delicious, and oh-so-satisfying sandwiches right in the comfort of your own kitchen! Not only will you be able to make a Panini whenever you want, but you can make any type you want, too! Here’s a look at some of the best Panini presses on the market.

Panini Press Review Center 2021

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Now that you’ve seen our top 10 picks, we’re going to give you a detailed review of each of our choices. Once you decide which is right for you, click the button to get the best price on Amazon.

 

#1 – Proctor Silex 25453A Panini Press

Proctor Silex 25453A Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker

With the Proctor Silex 25453A Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker, you’ll be able to make your favorite gourmet sandwiches right in the comfort of your kitchen any time you want to. This Panini press can be used to make sandwiches of all types of thicknesses, from standard grilled cheese to thick artisan-style bread piled high with chicken, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, and anything else you have a taste for, thanks to the café-style floating lid. And since the lid presses down evenly, you can be sure that your sandwiches will be toasted to perfection.

This griddle features nonstick grids, which not only prevents your food from burning but also makes cleanup a breeze. The plates measure 12 inches by 8.5 inches, so you can make more than one sandwich at a time. Plus, it can be used for more than just Panini’s; you can use it to make perfectly toasted pizza, quesadillas, or even grilled desserts; the possibilities are endless! The two indicator lights let you know when the device is turned on and when it’s done preheating and ready to use. Storage is easy, too; it’s lightweight, so it’s easy to transport, and it can be stored either horizontally or vertically. According to most customers, this Panini press is super efficient and works wonderfully.

What We Like About It

  • Large plates can prepare multiple items at one time
  • Non-stick plates prevent burning and allow for easy cleaning
  • Floating café-lid accommodates food of varying thicknesses
  • Versatile
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to store

Reasons to Complain

  • It doesn’t feature an on/off switch; you have to unplug it to turn it off

Final Verdict: Overall, we were quite impressed with the Proctor Silex 25453A Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker. It really is easy to use and it perfectly crisps whatever you’re cooking in it.

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#2 – Cuisinart GR-5B Series Panini Press

Cuisinart Gr 5b Series Griddler Five

Cuisinart is one of the most trusted names in countertop kitchen appliances. They’re famous for making high-quality products, such as blenders and food processors; and their GR- 5B Series Griddler is no exception. With this Panini press, you’ll be able to make the most amazing sandwiches you’ve ever tasted!

The brushed stainless steel exterior is durable, attractive, and will look great in any kitchen. The removable, non-stick, dishwasher safe cooking plates are durable and will cook your favorite recipes to perfection. Plus, it can be used as more than just a Panini press: it can also be used as a contact grill, a full grill, a full griddle, and a half grill/half griddle! Talk about versatility! You can make delicious Panini’s, pancakes, bacon, and so much more with this one handy appliance. The temperature on this appliance can be adjusted from 175 degrees to 450 degrees via the easy to use temperature control knob. The LCD display allows you to easily read the functions and the temperature. It also has a timer, so you can set it and forget it; there’s no need to stand over the appliance to constantly keep tabs on what you’re cooking; when the timer goes off, it stops cooking. It also features a floating cover, which is as easy to remove as the reversible plates. Based on the reviews we read, most customers are very happy with their purchase; they said that it was easy to use and loved how versatile it is.

What We Like About It

  • Can be used as a Panini press, as well as a grill and a griddle
  • Reversible non-stick plates are easy to remove and dishwasher safe
  • The floating cover is easy to remove
  • LCD display
  • Temperature can be adjusted from 175 degrees to 450 degrees
  • Timer

Reasons to Complain

  • Some customers said that they wished it drained better

Final Verdict: Serving as a Panini press, a grill, and a griddle, the Cuisinart GR-5B Series Griddler is a multi-functional appliance that can be used to prepare all types of delicious meals. Easy to use, durable, and efficient, this is a must for any kitchen.

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#3 – Breville BSG520XL Nonstick Panini Press

Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press

Breville is another highly regarded name in the appliance industry, and their BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press does not disappoint. It’s a 1500 watt Panini press, so it’s powerful enough to grill to perfection, yet it doesn’t consume a massive amount of energy, so it won’t be a drain on your power bill.

The Quantanium cooking surface is nonstick and scratch-resistant, so you can use metal spatulas or tongs on it without having to worry about doing any damage. And, since it’s nonstick, cleanup is a cinch. The bottom plate on this Panini press is flat, which ensures even cooking, while the top plate is ribbed and creates those classic grill marks. The floating hinge allows this appliance can be set to four different heights, so you can make sandwiches of varying sizes. It features non-slip feet and a locking storage clip for added security, and the cord wrap allows for convenient storage. The brushed stainless steel housing lends a professional look.

What We Like About It

  • Nonstick plates
  • Floating hinge adjusts to four heights
  • Nonslip feet
  • Locking storage clip
  • Cord wrap for easy storage
  • Scratch-resistant cooking surface

Reasons to Complain

  • A few customers said that the appliance was damaged when it arrived

Final Verdict: The Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press is pretty basic, yet it’s easy to use and makes incredible sandwiches. We were very impressed with the quality and the results of this Panini press.

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#4 – Oster CKSTPM6001-ECO DuraCeramic Panini Maker

Oster CKSTPM6001-ECO Extra Large DuraCeramic Panini Maker and Indoor Grill

What is the first thing one notices when taking a look at this model? That’s right, the unique design. The company prides itself on using ceramic coating, promising durability up to four times longer than any other model on the market. Because it is so well designed and adjusted, it allows for faster and more efficient cooking.

We have reported a 25% increase in time saved in comparison to other products in the same range! It’s wide design also allows it to feed a family at once so if you have a bigger problem on your hand, such as neighbors, a bunch of kids or friends coming over, this is a really nice solution for that.

What We Liked About It – The problem with most higher-end models that feature multiple capabilities and a lot of room to improvise is the cleaning up process which is most often forgotten. Dreaded by every human to ever have inhabited planet Earth, the faster and easier it is to clean the machine, the better it is. So what did the company do? It bestowed us with a removable drip tray. Hooray!

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#5 – T-fal GC702 OptiGrill Indoor Panini Press

T-fal GC702 OptiGrill Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill

Wow, that’s all I could muster up after seeing this T-fal model. It looks like a freaking spaceship! It has multiple buttons on its command panel that allow you to either preheat the machine, get your food done rare, medium or over-the-top. The sheer amount of selections was just amazing to look at and play with.

Don’t make me mention its ability to be used for up to six different types of meat and the awesome feature of adapting the heat in proportion to the thickness of the food being used. I mean if this is how the future is going to look like then sign me up, please!

What We Liked About It – There isn’t much not to like about this model, like seriously I’m simply astonished at all the different features it has. My favorite thing, however, would have to be the materials used in designing this monstrosity; Die-cast aluminum, ensuring that you are never going to be needing another grill ever again!

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#6 – The Hamilton Beach 25490 Sandwich Maker

Hamilton Beach 25460A Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker

My first impressions were audible laughter as I took a peek on to this sandwich maker. On one hand, it was adorable and kind of cute but on the other hand, could it really have anything to offer besides its unconventional design?!

Even though it can only make two sandwiches at a time, it is very fast, only needing five minutes to make the most out of your future meals! Because it was designed in a way that resembles the shape of a burger, you can add eggs or cheese with confidence as they are a perfect fit for the type of machine you got on your hands.

What We Liked About It – Two things which really made this machine passes the test in my eyes: Firstly, a timer system that had an inbuilt alarm installed and secondly because all the parts were easily removable from the machine (it is very easily disjointed and assembled again) made it possible for me to put all the parts into a dishwasher! This allowed for a very easy cleaning up process.

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#7 – George Foreman GRP4842P Multi-Plate Grill

George Foreman GRP4842RB Multi-Plate Evolve Grill

Foreman is all about speed. this panini grill really packs a punch! Featuring a control panel that enables you to take control of the cooking time and temperature throughout the entire process! This model is made special by the really fast way it can heat itself up into a fury: Only 90 seconds and you are ready to go!

In terms of design, the company wasted no time trying to save money; they picked the best out the best and that is the process of ceramic coating. Not only does it simplify the entire cleanup process but it also reduces the need for any sort of additional substances usually found in abundance. Most notable, fats that can be detrimental to our health if we don’t watch our intake of them!

What We Liked About It – Not only can you make sandwiches but it’s three-in-one featured enabled you to have a waffle maker and a grill all in one product! Because the cooking options are so diversified, one could cook chicken or burgers in one minute and steak or vegetables in the other! Amazing value for the amount of money expended.

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#8 – De’Longhi CGH800 Contact Panini Press

De'Longhi CGH800 Contact Grill and Panini Press

I thought it was a suitcase the first time I saw it. It was quite small in size and I was wondering if it could do the job properly as it didn’t look that functional at all.

Mind you that these were just my first impressions and later on I realized how amazing this panini press actually is: It’s fast, the heat is evenly distributed making it precise and lastly, it’s really easy to clean as a simple wipe with any sort of tissue can make it usable again!

What We Liked About It – Even though its small size made it a laughing stock when I first saw it, I greatly underestimated the potential flexibility this gives to the owner of the press. You can transport it in almost anything and you can bring it anywhere you want to so if you are a keen traveler, I suggest getting yourself this model as it is both cheap and insanely adjustable at the same time!

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#9 – Oster DuraCeramic Panini Maker

Oster DuraCeramic Panini Maker and Grill

This was a really cool pickup by my sister who gifted it to me on Christmas Eve. Me, being the sandwich lover that I’m, immediately plugged it in and tested it out. Here are my impressions: Because it was covered in a ceramic coat, it was able to withstand a lot of abuse from me (such as falling down).

I tried cleaning it afterward and found it to be no hassle at all; As the entire grill was just a swipe away from being usable again! I also liked the handle as it was quite broad and easy to use, I felt in control during the entire baking process.

What We Liked About It – The funniest thing to me was the two cups that were supposedly collecting drip. At first, I was wondering why the hell anyone would even put that in there, for what purpose? Even if it did collect fat,  how would it go about it? The answer came in the design of the entire thing; One side was a bit tilted towards one end meaning that any sort of excess fat would go straight into one of the cups. Genius!

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#10 – Cuisinart GR-11 Griddler 3-in-1 Panini Press

 

Cuisinart GR-11 Griddler 3-in-1 Grill and Panini Press

My first impressions weren’t really positive; The design of this panini maker reminded me of a suitcase, it was bland and kind of outdated. If you don’t mind that or on the other hand, prefer it, then it shouldn’t be of any bother to you.

Besides, the grill itself has a lot to offer on its own, mainly the fact that you can do more than just burn a sandwich and the materials used in the design itself were very stable. Nothing less was to expect from the German company behind the grill!

What We Liked About It – I really liked the fact that this model was one of the smaller panini presses out there. With most products, you will struggle to find an adequate place for any sort of permanent storing but this model allows you to become much more flexible when it comes to that problem.

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How Do We Choose The Top Panini Press?

I like to consider myself a generous God, so I didn’t put too much attention on whether or not the model in question is straight-up a product only meant for pressing sandwiches or if it had multiple uses along the way.

That is why I focused on these three general characteristics that every indoor grill, panini press or waffle maker has to have in their inventory.

1) Distribution Of Heat

There is no worse feeling than having any food item unevenly cooked.

The most likely scenario is that the sides are undercooked while the center or the middle is overcooked and inedible.

To overcome this struggle, you need to look at the materials your products are being built with; Don’t try to save a buck or two on this feature as this affects much more than just the way the product looks like.

Heat distribution and durability are greatly affected by that!

2) Speed Of Cooking/Heating Up

If you are opting for a sandwich, you are not really in the mood to wait for any longer than five minutes.

If your panini press cannot produce the necessary amount of heat required in that period of time than there is no reason to buy such a product.

We can see that some models achieve impressive temperatures in only ninety seconds!

This was just an example to give you a broader perspective.

3) Cleaning Up

Personally speaking, I would never opt for a model that cannot be put in a dishwasher.

I’m not the type of person that likes to move around a lot after I have eaten something, so the easier it is to clean up my own mess, the better the panini press becomes in my eyes!

That’s why you should pick a model that can be easily disassembled as that implies that it can also be cleaned much more efficiently!

Why Do You Need A Panini Press?

Come to think of it, the number of sandwiches I ate greatly increased once I purchased my first panini cooker.

Some might point out that this is a bad thing as that might very well be unhealthy for my body.

On the contrary, because I’m living on a very tight schedule, I have to eat out whether I like it or not.

One thing did change, however, I was able to pick out my own ingredients and I was also able to get them from a store that I prefer it from, meaning that I was now eating a lot healthier even though I was stuffing my face with sandwiches!

In the end, it will save you a lot of money, especially when you have friends coming around for dinner.

Instead of having to tip the pizza man, pocket the money and relish in the beautiful sandwiches that our recommended panini presses create for the occasion!