Best Sandwich Makers & Panini Presses of 2026
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Sandwich makers and panini presses are versatile kitchen appliances that can help you create delicious meals in no time. These appliances are perfect for making toasted sandwiches, paninis, grilled cheese, and more. They come in different sizes and styles, from compact models that are perfect for small kitchens to larger ones that can handle multiple sandwiches at once. Some models even come with adjustable temperature controls, so you can cook your sandwiches to perfection. With a sandwich maker or panini press, you can easily prepare a quick and tasty meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, without having to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Sandwich Makers & Panini Presses
Hamilton Beach Panini Press Grill (25460A)
The Hamilton Beach Panini Press is a versatile sandwich maker that can be used to prepare paninis, quesadillas, fruit turnovers, and more. Its floating lid design ensures even pressure on sandwiches of any size, eliminating the need to flip them over. The nonstick grids help heat and brown the sandwiches, resulting in warm and crispy results. The sandwich maker also features a top lid lock that can be used to prepare open-face sandwiches or bruschetta. To ensure optimal results, the sandwich maker should be preheated for 6 minutes before use. The built-in ready light turns green when the press is ready to cook. The Hamilton Beach Panini Press can be stored upright, making it easy to fit into a kitchen cabinet or discreetly on a countertop.
Cuisinart GR-4NNAS Griddler 5-in-1 Grill
The Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler gives you five versatile cooking options, letting you use it as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, or a combination of grill and griddle. This means you can prepare a wide range of meals, from breakfast pancakes to juicy steaks, all with one appliance. The dual temperature controls make it easy to set the right heat level for what you're cooking, ensuring your food is cooked just right every time. Plus, the nonstick plates and removable drip tray make cleanup simple, and they’re dishwasher-safe so you can spend less time washing up and more time enjoying your meals.
Elite Gourmet ESM2207XSS Panini Maker
The Elite Gourmet Panini Maker is perfect for making warm sandwiches like grilled cheese, tuna melts, and even omelets quickly and easily. It’s designed for everyone in the family, helping you create tasty, sealed sandwiches that are great for sharing. Its compact stainless steel design fits well in small kitchens and takes up very little space on your countertop. When you're done cooking, cleaning is simple thanks to its non-stick plates that you can wipe clean with just a damp cloth. This makes the Elite Gourmet Panini Maker a convenient and user-friendly kitchen tool for busy households.
Chefman 4 Slice Panini Press
The Chefman Panini Press offers versatile cooking options for all your sandwich and grilling needs. With just a button, you can press your favorite sandwiches or open it to a full 180 degrees to grill burgers, veggies, and more. The floating hinge design accommodates sandwiches of various thicknesses, making it perfect for quick meals or family gatherings. Its compact size is excellent for small kitchens or road trips, ensuring easy storage. Plus, the non-stick grill plates and removable drip tray simplify cleanup, so you can enjoy your delicious creations without the hassle.
Proctor Silex Deluxe Hot Sandwich Maker 25415MN
The Proctor Silex Hot Sandwich Maker is a powerful kitchen tool that helps you prepare delicious grilled sandwiches quickly, thanks to its 700-watt heating element. You can make a variety of sandwiches, from grilled cheese to paninis, in under five minutes, saving you time during busy meals. Its ceramic nonstick plates are free of harmful PFAS chemicals, making cleanup easy—just wipe them down when cool. Plus, the stainless steel body is durable and simple to maintain. The device can toast two thick sandwiches or one long sandwich at once, with a floating lid that presses evenly, ensuring your food cooks thoroughly and looks great every time.
OSTBA ABS07-G 2-Slice Sandwich Maker
The OSTBA Sandwich Maker offers a powerful 750W heating element that quickly warms up, so you can enjoy evenly toasted sandwiches without long waits. Its unique grill plates have raised ridges that create attractive sear marks while letting excess fat drain away, perfect for making crispy paninis and grilled meals. You'll appreciate the easy-to-use design, featuring indicator lights that show when the appliance is powered and ready to cook. Plus, the cool touch handle keeps your hands safe while you prepare your favorite snacks. This sandwich maker makes cooking simple, fast, and safe for everyday use.
Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill and Sandwich Maker
The Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill and Sandwich Maker is a versatile appliance that can be used to press sandwiches, grill burgers, steaks, veggies, and more. The floating hinge adjusts to accommodate any size sandwich, and the non-stick coated grill plates make for effortless cleaning. Its compact size takes up little counter or shelf space, making it ideal for small kitchen spaces, dorm rooms, offices, and even bringing on road trips. With the press of a button, this grill opens at 180 degrees to fit any type or size food. Perfect for quick meals, summer parties, or family events.
Cuisinart Electric Griddler FIVE
Cuisinart GR-5BP1 Electric Griddler FIVE is a versatile kitchen appliance that offers five functions, including contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle. It comes with an easy-to-use LCD display that shows temperature, time, and function, and user-friendly digital controls. You can adjust the temperature from 175-450 degrees with a sear function. Moreover, it includes removable and reversible non-stick cooking plates that are dishwasher safe and come with a scraping tool, instruction manual, and gourmet recipes for your convenience.
Proctor Silex Panini Press Sandwich Maker and Electric Indoor Grill
The Proctor Silex Panini Press Sandwich Maker and Electric Indoor Grill, also known as the Proctor Silex Panini Press, is a versatile kitchen appliance that allows you to easily make a variety of hot pressed sandwiches and grill your favorite foods. The durable, nonstick ceramic plates make cleaning a breeze, and the 70" square cooking surface can accommodate either two thick sandwiches or one long sandwich. The floating lid ensures even cooking on both sides, so you can stack your sandwiches high without worrying about uneven cooking. The compact design of the Panini Press allows for easy upright storage, and the lid latch keeps it securely closed when not in use. Additionally, the drip tray catches grease and drippings, keeping your countertops cleaner. With the Proctor Silex Panini Press, you can enjoy delicious sandwiches and grilled foods with ease and convenience.
Hamilton Beach Panini Press, Sandwich Maker & Electric Indoor Grill, Upright Storage, Nonstick Easy Clean Grids, Stainless Steel (25410)
The Hamilton Beach Panini Press is a versatile kitchen appliance that allows you to easily make hot pressed sandwiches of varied thicknesses, from grilled cheese and Reubens to paninis and Mexican tortas, thanks to the cafe-style floating hinged lid. You can also grill burgers, steaks, chicken, vegetables, fruit, and more, as both sides of food cook at the same time. With a total of 95 square inches of nonstick surface on the top and bottom grill plates, the hot sandwich maker / electric grill will cook most meals in 10 minutes or less. The durable nonstick plates are simple to wipe clean with a damp cloth after cooling or clean with the included spatula/scraper tool. As food cooks, fat drips away into the dishwasher safe, slide-out drip tray to reduce countertop mess. The Hamilton Beach Panini Press is perfect for making restaurant-quality sandwiches and grilled foods using your own fresh ingredients at a fraction of the cost of eating out. The lid latch keeps the panini press shut between uses and makes it easy to store either flat or upright.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a panini press and a sandwich press?
A panini press is specifically designed for grilling sandwiches, typically with flatbread like a baguette. On the other hand, a sandwich maker is a more versatile appliance that can be used for grilling sandwiches and making other types of food, such as omelets, pancakes, and quesadillas.
2. Can you use a panini press as a sandwich maker?
While both panini presses and sandwich makers can be used to make hot sandwiches, they have different features and benefits. Sandwich makers are simpler appliances with two plates joined by a hinge, similar to waffle makers and quesadilla makers.
3. What's the difference between a panini maker and a sandwich toaster?
Panini makers are versatile appliances that are perfect for grilling sandwiches, meats, vegetables, and more. On the other hand, sandwich toasters are specialized devices specifically designed for making toasted sandwiches.
4. Can you use any bread in a panini press?
While you can use any bread for a panini sandwich, Ciabatta bread is often considered the best choice for making the best-grilled sandwich.
5. Do you toast bread before putting it in a panini press?
Toasting the bread before putting it in a panini press is not necessary. Simply place the slices of bread on the griddles of a hot panini press and cook until they are crisp and golden brown. Other breads, such as sandwich bread or whole wheat bread, can also be used.
6. Can you put aluminum foil in a panini press?
While putting aluminum foil in a panini press is possible, it can stick to certain breads. To protect the plates and make cleaning easier, it is recommended to use baking paper instead of aluminum foil.
During our sandwich makers & panini press research, we found 16 sandwich makers & panini press products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 715,556 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sandwich makers & panini presses list. We found that most customers choose sandwich makers & panini presses with an average price of $35.48.
The sandwich makers & panini presses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sandwich makers & panini presses, including Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart, Elite Gourmet, Chefman, Proctor Silex. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.