Article By: Suraiya Fardous
- December 9, 2023 , Last updated on : December 10, 2023
A sandwich grill press is a must-have if you want to have a hearty breakfast before going to work. The right ingredients, combined with a sandwich toaster, will ensure you can make a tasty meal within a few minutes before continuing with your daily chores. Additionally, the best sandwich maker will also be very easy to clean and maintain, making your mornings much less stressful.
Buying guide for the best sandwich maker
While panini press grills can hold a lot of ingredients, a sandwich maker cannot hold more than one or two ingredients. The requirements for buying the best panini press grill will be different from the requirements for buying a different type of food maker. For example, the best baby food maker needs to excel in making pureed foods. In comparison, the best sandwich press grill needs to excel in making sandwiches for adults. Here is how you can select the best sandwich maker on the market.
Power
First and foremost, the power of the sandwich maker will determine how quickly you can make your sandwich. The best panini sandwich maker will be able to heat up faster and save you time. If you are usually in a rush in the morning to get to work, then you have to prioritize the wattage of the sandwich maker that you want to get.
Surface
Since you are getting a grilled cheese maker to save time in the morning, it will not be optimal if you have to scrape the sandwich from the machine. As a result, you need to get a sandwich machine with a nonstick surface or one with a removable surface that is dishwasher-safe. You can also prioritize sandwich makers with various types of surfaces to bring a bit of variation to your breakfast.
Capacity
Last but not least, the capacity of the grilled cheese press will depend on how many sandwiches you need to make. However, sandwich makers with a bigger capacity will cost more as well. If you are low on budget, you can always get a smaller sandwich maker and make sandwiches in batches.
Since sandwich makers are in high demand, there are a lot of competitors on the market, which makes selecting a sandwich toast maker a bit tricky. As a result, we selected the best sandwich makers among the competition and ranked them based on personal experience and user reviews.
List of the best sandwich maker
Taylor Swoden 10-In-1 Panini Press
Cuisinart 5-In-1 Griddler
Breville BSG520XL
Hamilton Beach 25477
George Foreman GRP1060B
Hamilton Beach 25490A
Gotham Steel 2108
Chefman Panini Press Grill
Proctor Silex 25415
Cuisinart WM-SW2N1
Ovente GPI302B
Taylor Swoden 10-In-1 Panini Press
Power: 1600 watts
Size: 13.5 x 14 x 6.5 inches
The Taylor Swoden 10-In-1 Panini Press is the overall best sandwich maker on the market because of its attractive features. First and foremost, it has an astounding power of 1600 watts, which cuts cooking time in half. Additionally, it can make eight sandwiches at once with its 200 square-inches grilling surface, so you can make breakfast for the entire family.
The plates of the Taylor Swoden 10-In-1 Panini Press are superior as well when compared to the competition. It has double-sided stainless steel grill plates with nonstick surfaces that ensure you can easily cook and clean on them. Additionally, the plates let you adjust the thickness of the sandwiches depending on the ingredients you use.
Pros:
Double-sided stainless steel grill plates
Nonstick surface
Lets you control the thickness of sandwiches
Sturdy anti-scalding handle
Cons:
Very expensive
While the Taylor Swoden 10-in-1 Panini Press has some of the most desirable features you can expect in a sandwich maker, it is also one of the most expensive ones. However, if you can afford it, it is undoubtedly one of the best sandwich makers that you can buy.
The Cuisinart 5-In-1 Griddler is perfect for people who want a little variation in their morning breakfasts. It can function as an open grill, griddle, contact grill, or panini press. Besides that, it has adjustable temperature controls, which allow you to cook the sandwich or panini just as you like it.
The brushed stainless-steel housing of the Cuisinart Sandwich Grill ensures you can use the machine for a long time. Additionally, the stainless steel build ensures you can remove the plates and chuck them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Lastly, the nonstick surface of the plates ensures you can easily remove the sandwiches from the machine once they are cooked.
Pros:
Versatile usage
Brushed stainless-steel housing
Adjustable temperature controls
Dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking plates
Cons:
Takes time to heat up
The only issue we have with the Cuisinart Sandwich Maker is that it took longer to heat up than the Taylor Swoden 10-In-1 Panini Press, even though both of them have similar wattage. We loved the versatility its four separate cooking options gave us, so we think it is the best sandwich maker you can get.
The Breville BSG520XL stands out from the crowd because of its scratch-resistant nonstick cooking surface, which can retain its nonstick properties for a long time. Besides that, it has controllable height settings that allow you to use various quantities of ingredients in your sandwiches without overflowing.
The flat bottom plate of the Breville Panini Press lets you cook your sandwiches quickly and evenly. Additionally, the ribbed top plate gives your sandwiches the aesthetic grill marks that everyone likes. Lastly, the machine comes with a user manual, which also includes sandwich recipes to inspire your breakfast meals.
Pros:
Scratch-resistant nonstick cooking surface
Versatile height settings
Faster and even cooking
Includes user manual with recipes
Cons:
Limited temperature control
While the Breville BSG520XL is a great sandwich maker, it lacks the versatility that the Cuisinart 5-In-1 Griddler has because of its limited temperature controls. However, its height settings still give a bit of flexibility. Other than that, its scratch-resistant nonstick cooking surface places it among the best sandwich makers on the market.
If you want a personal toasted sandwich maker for yourself, the Hamilton Beach 25477 is perfect for you. It is very easy to use thanks to its ability to cook various ingredients at once. Additionally, all of the ingredients are cooked together very quickly. Lastly, you can use different ingredients in each compartment to create custom sandwiches on your own.
We loved the removable components of this sandwich maker. They are dishwasher safe, so clean up will be very easy after making your sandwich. Additionally, they have a durable, non-stick coating on the plates that lets you easily remove the ingredients after they are done cooking.
Pros:
Quick and easy operation
Lets you create custom sandwiches
Easy to clean
Cons:
Limited capacity
The only issue with the Hamilton Beach 25477 is that it can make only one small sandwich at a time. However, if you want a personal mini sandwich maker for yourself, then this is perfect. Other than that, we think it is one of the best sandwich makers on the market because of its quick and easy operation.
If you hate to clean up after cooking, the George Foreman GRP1060B will quickly become your best friend. This is because of two reasons. Firstly, it is dishwasher-safe removable grill plates. Secondly, it comes with a drip tray, which ensures that your countertop does not get dirty, even if you use wet or liquid ingredients inside the machine.
The removable grills have a non-stick coating, so your sandwich will not stick to the grill when you make your breakfast. While the grills can be cleaned in a dishwasher, too much force can harm the non-stick coating. That is why we suggest that you wash it with detergent and a sponge.
Pros:
Dishwasher-safe grill removable plates
Plates heat up faster
Includes a drip tray
Cons:
No on/off button
The lack of an on/off button on the George Foreman GRP1060B is undoubtedly a bummer. Once you plug it in, the grilled cheese sandwich maker starts heating up right away. Other than that, its dishwasher-safe parts, combined with the included drip tray, make it one of the best sandwich makers in the competition.
If the limited capacity of the Hamilton Beach 25477 is bothering you, you can get the Hamilton Beach 25490A instead. It can make two custom sandwiches simultaneously while taking the same time as the former device. Besides that, all the parts of the machine are removable and dishwasher safe, so cleaning up afterward is a breeze.
While it can hold all ingredients at once, we suggest that you precook meat or fish before using them in the sandwich maker. They can make the sandwich and melt the cheese, but cooking the meat to remove bacteria is something you need to take care of.
Pros:
Lets you make two custom sandwiches at once
Built-in countdown timer
Easy to clean
Cons:
Cannot cook raw meat
While the Hamilton Beach 25490A has different compartments for adding meat to your sandwich, you will still have to precook the meat elsewhere. Our verdict is that its ability to make two custom sandwiches simultaneously, combined with the built-in countdown timer, makes it the best sandwich maker you can get.
If you like the triangular sandwiches they provide in restaurants, then you will love the Gotham Steel 2108 toaster sandwich maker. It has a diagonal indentation in the middle that lets you easily slice the sandwiches in half. Besides that, the plates have a ceramic and titanium nonstick cooking surface, which ensures your sandwiches do not stick to the machine.
If you are looking for an easy-to-use sandwich maker, this is the one. Simply insert the ingredients and close the lid, and you are good to go. Additionally, the cool-touch locking handles make the device even more user-friendly. Lastly, it has a compact design that you can easily fit in any kitchen.
Pros:
Ceramic and titanium nonstick cooking surface
Diagonal indentation for easy slicing
Very affordable
Cons:
Can be easily scratched
While the Gotham Steel 2108 has an outstanding nonstick cooking surface, the material can be easily scratched off if you are not careful when cleaning it. However, if you use foam to clean it, this will not be an issue. We think that its affordability and its diagonal indentation make it one of the best sandwich makers on the market.
The Chefman Panini Press Grill stands out from the crowd because of its ability to accommodate different-sized sandwiches thanks to its floating hinge feature. Besides that, it comes with a drip tray, which lets you easily drain any leftover liquid ingredients from the machine. Lastly, you can easily store the sandwich maker after usage, thanks to its compact nature.
This machine stands out from the crowd because of its ability to open 180 degrees and turn itself into a grill. You can cook meat on it and make burgers as well. Overall, it is a very versatile sandwich maker and grill, which is very easy to use as well.
Pros:
Includes a removable drip tray
Accommodates any sized sandwiches
Easy to store
Cons:
Both sides are not heated equally
The only issue we have with the Chefman Panini Press Grill is that both sides of the plates are not heated equally, which means the bottom bread and the top bread will not be cooked equally. Other than that, what makes it one of the best sandwich makers is its ability to accommodate different-sized sandwiches and the included drip tray.
The Proctor Silex 25415 stands out from the crowd because of its preheat indicator, which removes the guesswork from the process. The indicator will light up when the machine has reached the preferred temperature so you can start adding the ingredients. Besides that, the Proctor Silex 25415 cooks the sandwich evenly on both sides, unlike the Chefman Panini Press Grill.
We loved how easy it was to clean this sandwich maker. Simply wipe the crumbs away with a towel. If you find that some grease has dripped on the pan, simply use some detergent and a sponge to remove it. If you hate maintenance, get this sandwich maker.
Pros:
Durable stainless steel housing
Cooks evenly on both sides
Has a preheat indicator
Cons:
Does not shut off automatically
Our only problem with the Proctor Silex 25415 is that it does not shut off automatically after the sandwich is done. You need to manually remove the power from the machine to turn it off. Other than that, its durable stainless steel housing, combined with its preheat indicator, makes it the best sandwich maker on the market.
If you are under a budget and still want a quality sandwich maker for making breakfast quickly, the Cuisinart WM-SW2N1 is a great choice. Besides being affordable, it is functional as well. It has a sturdy lock-down lid that ensures all the ingredients stay inside the sandwich. It also includes cord storage so that you can pack it up after usage or when moving.
This sandwich maker can produce consistent results every time you use it. Additionally, the non-stick pan makes it very easy to clean the pan afterward. Besides that, it has two indicator lights. One is to let you know when it is preheated, and the other is to let you know when the sandwich is done.
Pros:
Sturdy lock-down lid
Includes cord storage
Comparatively affordable
Cons:
Compresses the ingredients too tightly
While the lock-down lid ensures all the ingredients stay inside the sandwich, it locks too tightly, which can ruin the texture of some ingredients. After testing this, we think that its affordability, combined with its cord storage, places it among some of the best sandwich makers on the market that you can buy.
The Ovente GPI302B is perfect for people who want to make grills or waffles in addition to sandwiches for breakfast. It comes with three detachable nonstick plates that you can easily swap to make the breakfast that you want. The nonstick coating makes the appliance easier to clean. Lastly, its LED light indicator lets you accurately determine when the sandwich is complete.
Besides the detachable plates, it also has anti-skid feet and a cool-touch handle. We especially loved its anti-skid feet because it kept the sandwich maker in place when we were loading ingredients.
Pros:
Anti-skid feet
Cool-touch handle
Three detachable nonstick plates
Cons:
Could be more durable
While the Ovente GPI302B is an outstanding sandwich maker, its durability issues place it at the bottom of our list. However, if you use it in a designated location in your kitchen without moving it too much, it will last a long time. Other than that, its cool-touch handle, combined with its anti-skid feet, makes it one of the best sandwich makers that you can get.
The best sandwich maker for you will depend on your specific requirements. For example, if you want to make custom sandwiches, go for the Hamilton Beach 25477 or the Hamilton Beach 25490A. Alternatively, if you want the overall best one on the market, go for the Taylor Swoden 10-In-1 Panini Press. If you liked our top picks, check out our list of the best meat grinders and electric salt and paper grinders.
