Home & Kitchen
The Best Panini Press: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four panini presses and contact grills on browning, cleanup, thick-bread handling, and versatility to find the one most kitchens should buy.
The short version
The Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B) is the best panini press for most people because it presses evenly, browns with real temperature control, and its removable plates go straight in the dishwasher - all while doubling as a grill and griddle. The Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS) is the premium runner-up: it browns deepest and handles the tallest sandwiches best, but costs the most. The Hamilton Beach Panini Press (25460A) is a genuine value if you only want simple pressed sandwiches and can live with fixed plates and no grilling. Skip the De'Longhi Retro Contact Grill (CGH800): its non-removable plates and dated cleanup lose to cheaper and more capable rivals despite the good looks. Best for: a household that wants one easy-to-clean machine for great paninis and a bit more.
Our picks at a glance
- Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B) - Buy. The do-everything contact grill that also makes an excellent panini - and cleans up in the dishwasher.
- Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS) - Buy. The premium pick that browns deepest and handles the thickest artisan loaves without crushing them.
- Hamilton Beach Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker (25460A) - It depends. The cheap, simple, reliable panini-only press - great value, but it does one thing.
- De'Longhi Retro Contact Grill & Panini Press (CGH800) - Skip. Handsome retro styling, but fixed plates and dated cleanup make it hard to recommend over the others.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Modes
- Plate cleanup
- Temperature control
- Thick-bread hinge
- Browning
- Footprint / storage
A great panini press does three things well: it presses evenly, browns without scorching, and wipes clean without a fight. The catch is that "panini press" covers two very different machines - simple dedicated presses and multi-mode contact grills that also do burgers, steaks, and eggs. Across a range of independent testing and owner reports, four models keep coming up. Two are easy recommendations, one is a fine buy only for a specific person, and one looks charming but is more hassle than it's worth.
The do-everything contact grill that also makes an excellent panini - and cleans up in the dishwasher.
Best for: Most people - anyone who wants one machine for paninis plus grilling and griddle duty, with painless dishwasher cleanup.
- Five modes in one: contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half-and-half
- Reversible nonstick plates pop out and go in the dishwasher - the cleanup owners praise most
- Adjustable temperature dial (roughly 160-450F) gives real control over browning
- Floating, self-adjusting hinge presses thick, overstuffed sandwiches flat and even
- Repeatedly named a best-overall pick by independent testers for value and reliability
- Large footprint that needs cupboard space to store
- Plastic housing feels less premium than metal-bodied rivals
- Indicator lights, not a readout, so you cook by feel until you learn it
The premium pick that browns deepest and handles the thickest artisan loaves without crushing them.
Best for: Buyers who want the best browning and build quality and will use the grill and sear modes, not just the press.
- Deepest, most even browning of the group in independent testing - genuine cafe-style crust and grill marks
- Floating hinge with height adjustment presses tall, heavily filled sandwiches gently and evenly
- Opens flat to double the cooking surface for grilling separate from pressing
- Preset Burger, Panini, and Sear modes plus manual heat control up to about 450F
- Removable, dishwasher-safe plates and a heavy, durable build owners expect to last
- Clearly the most expensive option here
- Heavy and large - it claims real counter and storage space
- More machine (and more money) than a simple sandwich maker if paninis are all you want
The cheap, simple, reliable panini-only press - great value, but it does one thing.
Best for: Budget buyers and small kitchens that only want quick pressed sandwiches and don't need grilling or dishwasher-safe plates.
- Very affordable and widely available
- Floating lid adjusts to sandwich thickness for even pressing
- Nonstick grids and a simple on/ready-light operation make it beginner-proof
- Compact and light - easy to store in a small kitchen
- Panini-only: no grill, griddle, or true temperature control
- Plates are fixed, not removable, so cleanup means wiping in place
- Thinner build and less even, less aggressive browning than the pricier picks
Handsome retro styling, but fixed plates and dated cleanup make it hard to recommend over the others.
Best for: Almost no one on the merits - only shoppers who specifically want the retro look and will hand-clean fixed plates.
- Eye-catching stainless retro design
- Adjustable thermostat and a height-adjustable hinge for thicker items
- Tilts to drain grease away from food while cooking
- Fixed, non-removable die-cast plates - no dishwasher option, so cleaning is a chore owners flag
- Costs more than the simple Hamilton Beach without the versatility or dishwasher plates of the Cuisinart
- Heavier, dated design that competes poorly on the things that actually matter day to day
- Less consistent browning than the Cuisinart and Breville in owner reports
| Criteria | Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B) Top pick | Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS) | Hamilton Beach Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker (25460A) | De'Longhi Retro Contact Grill & Panini Press (CGH800) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Most people - anyone who wants one machine for paninis plus grilling and griddle duty, with painless dishwasher cleanup. | Buyers who want the best browning and build quality and will use the grill and sear modes, not just the press. | Budget buyers and small kitchens that only want quick pressed sandwiches and don't need grilling or dishwasher-safe plates. | Almost no one on the merits - only shoppers who specifically want the retro look and will hand-clean fixed plates. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range |
| Modes | 5-in-1 (grill/griddle/panini) | 3-in-1 (grill/sear/panini) + flat-open | Panini press only | Contact grill + panini |
| Plate cleanup | Removable, dishwasher-safe | Removable, dishwasher-safe | Fixed - wipe in place | Fixed die-cast - hand clean only |
| Temperature control | Adjustable dial (~160-450F) | Presets + manual to ~450F | On/ready light only | Adjustable thermostat |
| Thick-bread hinge | Floating self-adjusting | Floating + height adjust (best) | Floating lid | Height-adjustable hinge |
| Browning | Even and controllable | Deepest, most even | Modest, less even | Inconsistent in reports |
| Footprint / storage | Large | Large and heavy | Compact | Bulky retro body |
| Best for | Most people, all-rounder | Best browning + build | Budget, paninis only | Retro looks over function |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range |
Which one is right for you?
- Most people - anyone who wants one machine for paninis plus grilling and griddle duty, with painless dishwasher cleanup. Buy it Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B)
- Buyers who want the best browning and build quality and will use the grill and sear modes, not just the press. Buy it Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS)
- Budget buyers and small kitchens that only want quick pressed sandwiches and don't need grilling or dishwasher-safe plates. It depends Hamilton Beach Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker (25460A)
- Almost no one on the merits - only shoppers who specifically want the retro look and will hand-clean fixed plates. Skip it De'Longhi Retro Contact Grill & Panini Press (CGH800)
How we judged the field
A panini press lives or dies on four things: how evenly it presses, how well it browns without scorching, how easily it cleans, and how much else it can do for the space it occupies. We don’t run our own kitchen lab; instead we synthesize independent testing with the patterns in owner reports, because the traits that decide whether a press gets used weekly or shoved in a cupboard - a hinge that actually floats over thick bread, plates that survive the dishwasher, browning you can control - only show up after months of real cooking. We weighted versatility heavily, because a contact grill that also griddles and sears earns its counter space in a way a single-purpose gadget rarely does. Our pick is the Cuisinart Griddler Five, with the Breville the Sear & Press Grill close behind for buyers who want the best browning and build.
Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B) - Buy
The Cuisinart Griddler Five is the sensible default: one machine that presses paninis, works as a contact grill, opens flat into a full grill or griddle, and even splits into half-grill/half-griddle. Named strengths include reversible nonstick plates that pop out for the dishwasher, an adjustable temperature dial that runs from gentle to hot, and a floating hinge that self-adjusts to sandwich thickness so a stacked panini presses evenly instead of squashing in the middle. What we liked more than rivals is how easy it is to live with: independent testers repeatedly rank the 5-in-1 Griddler as a best-overall value, and owners single out the dishwasher-safe plates as the reason it stays in rotation. What we liked less is the bulk - it needs cupboard space - and a plastic housing that feels less premium than the Breville, plus indicator lights rather than a temperature readout, so there’s a short learning curve. It is right for almost anyone who wants great paninis and the option to grill and griddle without buying three appliances. It is wrong only for someone who wants the tiniest, cheapest press or the deepest possible restaurant crust.
Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS) - Buy
The Breville the Sear & Press Grill is the premium choice, built around high-heat plates and a floating hinge that adjusts for height, so it presses tall, heavily filled sandwiches gently and evenly. Named strengths include the deepest, most even browning in the group, preset Burger, Panini, and Sear modes alongside manual heat control, the ability to open completely flat to double the cooking area, and removable dishwasher-safe plates on a heavy, durable body. What we liked more is the browning and the hinge: it produces genuine cafe-style crust and grill marks, and it handles thick artisan loaves better than anything else here without crushing them. What we liked less is simply the cost and size - it is the most expensive and one of the heaviest options, which is hard to justify if you only ever make a plain grilled cheese. It is right for buyers who care about browning and build and will use the grill and sear modes. It is wrong for anyone who wants a cheap, simple, put-it-away press.
Hamilton Beach Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker (25460A) - It depends
The Hamilton Beach Panini Press is the honest budget pick: a simple, dedicated press with nonstick grids, a floating lid that adjusts to sandwich thickness, and a plug-in-and-go operation with just a power and ready light. Named strengths include the low price, the compact footprint that fits a small kitchen, and how genuinely foolproof it is - there’s nothing to learn. What we liked more is the value; for occasional pressed sandwiches it does the core job without fuss. What we liked less is everything it can’t do: there’s no grill or griddle mode, no real temperature control, and the plates are fixed, so cleanup means wiping them in place rather than tossing them in the dishwasher, and browning is milder and less even than the pricier picks. Whether it fits depends entirely on your needs. It is right for budget shoppers and small kitchens that only want quick paninis. It is wrong for anyone who wants to grill, wants dishwasher-safe plates, or wants controllable browning.
De’Longhi Retro Contact Grill & Panini Press (CGH800) - Skip
The De’Longhi Retro Contact Grill & Panini Press is the tempting one on looks: a stainless retro body, an adjustable thermostat, a height-adjustable hinge for thicker items, and a tilt that drains grease away from food. So why skip it? The concrete problem is the fixed, non-removable die-cast plates. There’s no dishwasher option, so every cook ends with careful hand-cleaning around the hinge and cord - the exact chore the Cuisinart and Breville designed away - and it’s the complaint owners raise most. It also sits in an awkward spot on price and value: it costs more than the simple Hamilton Beach without being simpler, and it lacks the removable plates and clean five-mode versatility of the similarly priced Cuisinart, while owner reports describe less consistent browning than either top pick. It still suits one buyer: someone who specifically wants the retro aesthetic on the counter and doesn’t mind hand-washing fixed plates. For everyone judging on how it cooks and cleans, the Cuisinart does more for the money and the Hamilton Beach does the basics for less.
Cuisinart Griddler Five vs Breville the Sear & Press Grill: which should you buy?
Both press and brown well and both have removable dishwasher-safe plates, so the decision comes down to value versus top-end performance. The Cuisinart Griddler Five wins on versatility and price: five modes, controllable heat, and easy cleanup make it the machine most kitchens should own, and it costs meaningfully less. The Breville the Sear & Press Grill wins on the extremes: the deepest, most even browning, the best floating hinge for tall sandwiches, and a heavier, more premium build. The trade-off is money and mass - the Breville is the priciest and one of the bulkiest options, and its edge only pays off if you value cafe-level crust and will use the grill and sear modes. Buy the Cuisinart if you want the best all-around value and dishwasher-easy cleanup. Buy the Breville if browning and build quality top your list and the budget allows. For most kitchens the Cuisinart’s balance edges it, which is why it’s our pick.
What to look for
Get the Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B) if you want one machine that makes great paninis and also grills and griddles, with adjustable heat and dishwasher-safe plates; it is the safest all-around choice for most kitchens.
Get the Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS) instead if you want the deepest browning, the best hinge for thick artisan sandwiches, and premium build, and you’ll use its grill and sear modes to justify the higher price.
Consider the Hamilton Beach Panini Press (25460A) if your budget is tight and your kitchen is small, and you only want quick pressed sandwiches without grilling or dishwasher-safe plates.
Skip the De’Longhi Retro Contact Grill (CGH800) unless you specifically want the retro look and will hand-clean fixed plates; on cooking and cleanup it loses to both cheaper and more capable rivals. Above all, prioritize a floating hinge, controllable heat, and removable plates - the features that decide whether you actually keep using the thing.
Our final take
A panini press comes down to even pressing, controllable browning, and painless cleanup - and whether it can earn its counter space by doing more than one job. The Cuisinart Griddler Five is the pick because it nails all of that at a fair mid-range price while also grilling and griddling, with plates that go in the dishwasher. The Breville the Sear & Press Grill is the premium runner-up when browning and build matter most. The Hamilton Beach Panini Press is a real value for simple, budget, paninis-only use. Skip the De’Longhi CGH800 unless the retro look outweighs fixed plates and fussier cleanup; the other three all make more sense for how people actually cook.
Questions, answered
Is a dedicated panini press better than a multi-mode contact grill?
For most people, no. A good contact grill like the Cuisinart Griddler Five presses paninis just as well as a dedicated press and also grills and griddles, so it earns more counter space. A dedicated press like the Hamilton Beach makes sense only if you want the cheapest, simplest, smallest option and will never grill on it.
Do I really need adjustable temperature on a panini press?
It helps more than you'd think. Simple presses with a single on/off heat run at one temperature, which is fine for a quick cheese sandwich but can scorch the outside before thick fillings warm through. An adjustable dial, as on the Cuisinart and Breville, lets you brown gently for stuffed or delicate breads and go hot for a fast, crisp crust.
Which handles thick, overstuffed sandwiches and artisan bread best?
A floating hinge is the key feature, and the Breville's height-adjustable floating hinge did it best in testing, keeping pressure even across tall sandwiches without crushing them. The Cuisinart's self-adjusting hinge is close behind. Fixed-height presses tend to flatten the middle and leave the edges under-pressed.
How much does removable, dishwasher-safe plates matter?
A lot, day to day. Melted cheese and grease bake onto grill plates, and removable dishwasher-safe plates (Cuisinart and Breville) make that a non-issue. Fixed plates like the Hamilton Beach and De'Longhi have to be wiped by hand while you're careful around the cord and hinge, which is the single most common cleaning complaint owners raise.
Can I make more than sandwiches on these?
On the multi-mode models, yes. The Cuisinart and Breville open flat and switch to grill or griddle for burgers, chicken, steak, eggs, and pancakes, which is much of their value. The Hamilton Beach is panini-only, and the De'Longhi is a contact grill and press but without the easy plate removal that makes everyday grilling worth it.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Cuisinart Griddler Five (GR-5B) vs Breville the Sear & Press Grill (BGR700BSS).
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