Best Panini Press: 6 Models for Easy Homemade Sandwiches

A panini press makes it easier to prepare toasted sandwiches with crisp bread and warm fillings without flipping them in a skillet. The right model depends on sandwich thickness, cooking surface, temperature controls, and cleaning requirements. This guide compares six panini presses suited to different kitchens, budgets, and cooking routines.

Quick Verdict: Which Panini Press Should You Buy?

The Breville Panini Duo BSG520 is our best overall choice for shoppers who primarily want to prepare sandwiches. Its flat cooking plates, floating hinge, adjustable height positions, and upright storage design make it particularly practical for everyday use.

For households that also want to grill meat or vegetables, a multifunction contact grill may be more appropriate.

• Best Overall: Breville Panini Duo BSG520 — A dedicated sandwich press with adjustable height control.

• Best for Thick Sandwiches: Breville The Perfect Press BSG600 — Designed to accommodate generously filled sandwiches without excessive compression.

• Best for Grill Marks: Breville Panini Grill BGR200 — Features ribbed plates and seven adjustable height positions.

• Best Multifunction Option: Cuisinart Griddler Five GR-5BNAS — Combines a panini press, contact grill, and griddle.

• Best Compact Multifunction Grill: Cuisinart Griddler Grill & Panini Press GR-11NAS — Offers reversible cooking plates in a relatively compact format.

• Best for Easy Cleanup: George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill & Panini GRP1065BX — Includes removable dishwasher-safe cooking plates.

  

Quick Comparison Table

How We Selected These Panini Presses

We compared manufacturer-documented cooking plates, hinge systems, temperature controls, dimensions, cleaning methods, and intended cooking functions.

A panini press should apply heat to both sides of a sandwich while accommodating the bread and fillings without unnecessarily forcing them out.

Our selections therefore emphasize plate configuration and hinge flexibility rather than unsupported cooking-speed claims. We did not perform standardized temperature-mapping or sandwich-browning tests.

Detailed Panini Press Reviews

1. Breville Panini Duo BSG520 — Best Overall

Best For: Home cooks who frequently prepare grilled cheese, panini, and toasted sandwiches.

Why We Picked It: The Breville Panini Duo emphasizes sandwich preparation rather than trying to replace several unrelated appliances.

Key Specifications

Features & Benefits

The floating hinge adjusts to sandwich thickness, helping the upper plate sit more evenly over thicker bread.

Adjustable height positions provide additional control over contact between the top plate and food.

Unlike a ridged grill, its flat cooking plates create broad contact with the bread.

The appliance also features an integrated cord wrap and a locking storage mechanism.

Performance & Practical Use

The Panini Duo is suited to sourdough sandwiches, grilled cheese, croissants, and other bread-based meals.

Flat plates provide contact across much of the bread surface, although browning depends on bread thickness, moisture, and filling distribution.

The adjustable upper plate is particularly helpful for sandwiches with soft bread or generous fillings.

What Makes It Different: Its combination of flat plates and adjustable height control prioritizes sandwich preparation over grilling meat.

Pros

• Floating hinge accommodates different bread thicknesses.

• Flat plates provide broad heating contact.

• Upright storage reduces cabinet space requirements.

Cons

• Cooking plates are not removable.

• Less versatile than a grill with reversible plates.

Buy If: Sandwiches are your main reason for buying a panini press.

Skip If: You also want a full griddle for pancakes, eggs, or larger meals.

2. Breville The Perfect Press BSG600 — Best for Thick Sandwiches

Best For: Households that frequently prepare filled ciabatta, thick sourdough sandwiches, and delicate toasted bread.

Why We Picked It: The Perfect Press features Breville’s Crush Control hinge, designed to reduce excessive pressure on sandwiches.

Key Specifications

• Model: BSG600

• Cooking Design: Heated upper and lower plates

• Hinge: Crush Control mechanism

• Cooking Surface: Nonstick

• Storage: Compact sandwich-press format

Features & Benefits

The hinge design is intended to support controlled contact with a sandwich rather than forcing the full weight of the lid onto soft bread.

This can be useful for sandwiches containing tomatoes, cheese, cooked vegetables, and other fillings that may shift under pressure.

Its dedicated sandwich format keeps operation relatively straightforward.

Performance & Practical Use

Thicker sandwiches present two challenges: warming the center and browning the bread without excessive flattening.

The Perfect Press addresses the compression issue through its hinge mechanism, although sandwich temperature still depends on ingredient quantity and initial temperature.

Use fully cooked meat fillings and follow appropriate reheating temperatures.

What Makes It Different: The Crush Control design directly addresses unwanted flattening.

Pros

• Designed to reduce excessive sandwich compression.

• Appropriate for thick and delicate bread.

• Straightforward sandwich-focused operation.

Cons

• Not as flexible as a reversible grill/griddle.

• Fixed cooking plates require careful wiping.

Buy If: You prefer thick, generously filled sandwiches.

Skip If: You want removable grill plates or multiple cooking modes.

3. Breville Panini Grill BGR200 — Best for Grill Marks

Best For: Buyers who want visibly ridged panini and occasional indoor contact grilling.

Why We Picked It: The BGR200 combines ribbed cooking surfaces with seven adjustable height positions.

Key Specifications

Features & Benefits

The ridged plates produce grill marks and provide channels through which some cooking grease can drain.

The adjustable upper plate can be positioned for thicker sandwiches or appropriate open-style preparations.

The drip tray collects runoff and can be removed for cleaning.

Performance & Practical Use

The grill is suitable for pressed sandwiches, sliced vegetables, and compatible meat preparations.

Ridges provide less continuous surface contact than flat plates, creating a different browning pattern.

The manufacturer’s PFOA-free coating description should not be interpreted as proof that the surface contains no other fluorinated substances.

What Makes It Different: Seven height positions and ribbed plates provide more control over sandwich positioning.

Pros

• Produces traditional grill marks.

• Adjustable height accommodates varied foods.

• Removable drip tray simplifies grease management.

Cons

• Plate grooves need additional cleaning attention.

• Fixed cooking plates cannot be placed in a dishwasher.

Buy If: You want café-style grilled sandwiches with visible grill marks.

Skip If: You prefer flat, uniformly toasted bread.

4. Cuisinart Griddler Five GR-5BNAS — Best Multifunction Option

Best For: Home cooks who want a panini press that also works as a contact grill and countertop griddle.

Why We Picked It: The Griddler Five provides five cooking configurations using removable reversible plates.

Key Specifications

Features & Benefits

The Griddler Five can operate as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, or half grill/half griddle.

Its reversible plates make it appropriate for both ridged and flat-surface cooking.

Digital controls allow users to select temperature and cooking settings.

The appliance opens flat to provide a larger cooking area.

Performance & Practical Use

The multifunction design is particularly useful when a kitchen has limited room for separate grills and griddles.

You can prepare panini with the grill plates, then use the flat plates for pancakes or other compatible foods.

However, opening the appliance flat requires more countertop space.

More components also mean additional cleaning and storage responsibilities.

What Makes It Different: Five cooking configurations offer significantly greater flexibility than a dedicated sandwich-only press.

Pros

• Reversible plates support several cooking styles.

• Digital temperature controls.

• Removable dishwasher-safe plates.

Cons

• More expensive and complex than basic presses in typical retail positioning.

• Larger footprint when opened flat.

Buy If: You want one appliance for sandwiches, grilling, and griddle cooking.

Skip If: You need only a compact sandwich press.

5. Cuisinart Griddler Grill & Panini Press GR-11NAS — Best Compact Multifunction Grill

Best For: Smaller households seeking a contact grill and panini press without the additional features of larger digital models.

Why We Picked It: The GR-11NAS provides reversible cooking plates in a straightforward countertop format.

Key Specifications

• Model: GR-11NAS

• Cooking Functions: Contact grilling and panini pressing, with flat-griddle functionality

• Cooking Plates: Removable reversible nonstick plates

• Plate Styles: Smooth griddle and ridged grill

• Heating Design: Upper and lower heating surfaces

Features & Benefits

The reversible plates let users switch between sandwich grilling and other flat-top cooking tasks.

A floating upper cover accommodates appropriate sandwich thicknesses.

Removable plates improve access to cooking surfaces during cleaning.

Performance & Practical Use

For small households, a compact multipurpose grill can be more useful than purchasing separate appliances.

Use the ribbed plates for grilled sandwiches and the flat plates for foods that require broader contact.

The simpler control arrangement may appeal to users who do not want to navigate an LCD interface.

What Makes It Different: It emphasizes reversible-plate cooking without the Griddler Five’s expanded programming.

Pros

• Reversible plates increase versatility.

• Floating cover suits different sandwich thicknesses.

• Removable cooking plates simplify cleaning.

Cons

• Less control flexibility than higher-end models.

• Plate swaps require cooling and handling.

Buy If: You want a compact panini press with some grilling versatility.

Skip If: You need detailed digital temperature programming.

6. George Foreman GRP1065BX — Best for Easy Cleanup

Best For: Couples and smaller families who want a sandwich press with removable cooking plates.

Why We Picked It: The George Foreman GRP1065BX combines a four-serving design with dishwasher-safe plates and a drip tray.

Key Specifications

Features & Benefits

The sloped cooking design directs some grease away from food toward a collection tray.

The removable plates make it easier to clean cooking grooves than with permanently attached plates.

Its floating hinge accommodates sandwiches of different thicknesses.

Performance & Practical Use

This grill is suitable for sandwiches, burgers, and other foods approved for contact grilling.

It may be particularly convenient for households that frequently prepare greasy foods.

However, a sloped grill is not ideal for every loose or liquid-based recipe.

The fixed temperature control also provides less flexibility for delicate bread.

What Makes It Different: Dishwasher-safe removable plates and a dedicated grease-drainage design.

Pros

• Removable dishwasher-safe plates.

• Floating hinge.

• Drip tray simplifies grease collection.

Cons

• No variable temperature control.

• Sloped surface is less useful for certain foods.

Buy If: Easy plate cleaning matters more than advanced controls.

Skip If: You regularly prepare foods requiring carefully adjustable temperatures.

Panini Press Buying Guide

Flat vs. Ridged Cooking Plates

Flat plates contact more of the sandwich bread, making them useful for evenly toasted grilled cheese and delicate sandwiches.

Ridged plates create grill marks and channels for grease drainage.

Choose flat plates when your priority is toast-like browning. Choose ridged plates when you prefer grill marks or frequently cook compatible foods beyond sandwiches.

Floating Hinges and Height Adjustment

A floating hinge allows the upper plate to sit over sandwiches of different thicknesses.

This helps reduce uneven pressure, particularly when fillings are concentrated in the center.

Height adjustments may also allow the top plate to hover above suitable foods.

For thick artisan sandwiches, hinge design is often more important than having numerous cooking presets.

Temperature Control

Basic presses rely on a preset heating system.

More advanced models allow you to adjust cooking temperatures.

Adjustable temperature is useful when switching between bread types, filling quantities, and cooking tasks.

However, an adjustable dial does not guarantee exact plate temperature accuracy.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Fixed cooking plates usually require wiping after the appliance cools.

Removable plates may be easier to wash, particularly when preparing oily sandwiches or grilled meat.

Only place components in a dishwasher when the manufacturer expressly permits it.

Never immerse an electrical housing or power connection in water.

Countertop Space

Measure the appliance in both closed and operating positions.

A model that opens flat may require approximately twice the cooking depth of a closed contact grill.

Also consider cord routing, ventilation clearance, and where the appliance will cool after use.

Food Safety

A panini press can heat fillings, but bread browning does not prove that meat or eggs have reached safe cooking temperatures.

Use precooked fillings where directed and check internal temperatures when preparing raw animal proteins in a compatible grill.

Keep the appliance away from combustible materials and use heat-resistant utensils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a panini press better than a skillet?

A panini press heats a sandwich from both sides and usually requires no flipping. A skillet is more versatile for unrelated cooking tasks but may require a spatula and an additional weight to compress the sandwich.

Can you use regular bread in a panini press?

Yes. Standard sandwich bread, sourdough, ciabatta, and other suitable breads can be used, provided they fit the plates and the fillings do not exceed safe thickness limits.

Can you cook burgers on a panini press?

Some panini presses double as contact grills and are suitable for burgers. Check the manufacturer’s instructions and verify that ground beef reaches 160°F internally.

Do panini presses need oil?

Some nonstick models need little added oil for sandwiches. Lightly coating the outer bread can affect browning, but follow the appliance instructions and avoid excessive grease.

Can panini press plates go in the dishwasher?

Only when the manufacturer identifies them as dishwasher-safe. Many dedicated sandwich presses have fixed plates that require hand wiping.

Conclusion

The Breville Panini Duo BSG520 is the best overall choice for shoppers primarily interested in homemade pressed sandwiches. Choose the Breville Perfect Press for thick fillings, the BGR200 for grill marks, the Cuisinart Griddler Five for multifunction cooking, the GR-11NAS for simpler reversible-plate versatility, or the George Foreman GRP1065BX for removable dishwasher-safe plates. Prioritize hinge design, plate type, and cleaning convenience over unnecessary features.