Two different machines get sold under the name “sandwich maker”, and it is easy to buy the wrong one. A sealed sandwich maker has shaped plates that clamp shut, crimp the edges of sliced bread and turn out closed pockets. A panini press has two flat or ridged plates and a hinge that floats, so it presses whatever you put in it: a thick ciabatta, a tortilla, a burger. The first is a single-purpose gadget that costs little. The second is a small grill.
We compared the 38 sandwich makers and panini presses in our catalog and kept five: a multi-plate grill, a dedicated press, a low-cost press, a sealed maker and a budget compact maker. We have not cooked on every one of them, so the ranking rests on published specifications and owner ratings, which we quote for each pick. Prices change daily and are not printed; every button opens the live Amazon page.
How we picked
- Both kinds of machine. Three presses with a floating lid or hinge, and two compact sealed-style makers. We say clearly which is which.
- Owner ratings of 4.4 stars or higher, each with more than 2,000 ratings.
- Stated wattage. Power ranges from 750 to 1500 W across these picks, and it affects how fast the plates recover between sandwiches, so it is in every spec box.
- Cleanup counted. Removable plates, drip trays and nonstick type are noted wherever the listing states them.
- Plain electric models only. Microwave sandwich gadgets, stovetop irons and novelty shapes in the same category were left out.
The picks
The Griddler FIVE is a panini press that also replaces a countertop grill and a griddle. Closed, its floating cover presses sandwiches or grills chicken from both sides. Opened flat, it becomes a full grill, a full griddle or half of each, because the nonstick plates are reversible, with a grill side and a griddle side. You set the temperature from 175 to 450°F on digital controls, and a sear function is there for meat. The reason to pay for it is cleanup. The plates lift out and go in the dishwasher, along with the scraping tool. Cuisinart covers it for three years, and owners rate it 4.7 stars across more than 6,000 ratings.
- Plates come off and go in the dishwasher
- Reversible plates: grill on one side, flat griddle on the other
- LCD shows function, temperature and timer
- 6,000+ ratings at 4.7 stars, the highest average here
- The most expensive pick on this page
- Larger than a simple press at 13 x 12.4 x 7.6 in
- More than you need if you only make grilled cheese
Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo Sandwich Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Panini Duo does one thing and is built for it. At 1500 W it has as much power as the Cuisinart in a body less than 4 inches tall. The hinge floats, so the top plate stays level on a tall stack of bread and fillings. The feature that sets it apart is the height control: the top plate can be set at a range of positions above the bottom one, which lets you toast an open-faced melt without crushing it. Breville describes the nonstick plates as flat, for faster and more even cooking. When you are done, a clip locks the plates together, the cord wraps into the base and the press stands on its rear foot in a cabinet. It weighs 8 lb, carries a one-year warranty and averages 4.6 stars from 2,100 owners.
- Adjustable height control holds the top plate above open-faced melts
- Floating hinge keeps even pressure on thick or thin sandwiches
- Storage clip, upright storage foot and cord wrap
- 2,100+ ratings at 4.6 stars
- No removable or dishwasher-safe plates mentioned in the listing
- One-year warranty
- Fewest ratings of the five picks
Proctor Silex Panini Press Sandwich Maker Grill and Electric Indoor Grill
Most people who want a panini press should start here. The Proctor Silex has the part that defines a press, a floating lid that sits flat on a tall sandwich, and a 70 square inch surface that takes two thick sandwiches or one long one. The plates are ceramic nonstick without PFAS, and they wipe clean once cool. It doubles as a small grill for burgers, chicken or vegetables, with a drip tray that goes in the dishwasher. A latch holds the lid shut so it can be stored flat or upright. It cost under $40 when we checked, is backed for three years, and holds a 4.5-star average over 6,000 ratings. The compromise is 1000 W and no stated temperature control.
- Floating lid presses thick sandwiches evenly
- Ceramic nonstick plates are PFAS-free and wipe clean
- Drip tray slides out and is dishwasher safe
- 6,000+ ratings at 4.5 stars, with a 3-year warranty
- 1000 W, a third less than the Cuisinart and Breville
- Plates wipe clean; the listing does not say they come off
- No temperature control in the listing
This is the classic toastie maker, which presses and seals the bread around the filling. Hamilton Beach says it makes four pocket sandwiches in five minutes or less, and the listing suggests grilled cheese, pizza pockets, stuffed French toast and omelets. A light tells you when it is hot enough to load. The lid latch has two positions, so it still closes and seals on a fatter sandwich such as a Reuben. The nonstick surface is PFAS-free and wipes down with a damp cloth, and the latch keeps it shut for flat or upright storage. It is a one-job machine, but more than 6,500 owners rate it 4.4 stars, and it suits quick family lunches.
- Seals the edges so fillings stay inside
- Two-position lid latch closes on thicker sandwiches
- Ready light tells you when to load it
- 6,500+ ratings at 4.4 stars
- Made for sliced-bread pockets, not rolls or long sandwiches
- Wipe-clean plates, nothing removable in the listing
- One-year warranty
For a dorm room, a first kitchen or an office pantry, the OVENTE is the least you can spend on a hot sandwich. It is a 9-inch square machine with nonstick plates, a light for power and a light that tells you preheating is done. The maker describes golden sandwiches with sealed edges and also suggests omelets and French toast. The handle stays cool and locks, the feet grip the counter, and it stores on end. With 750 W, expect it to be slower than the presses above, and like all compact makers it is wiped clean, not washed. More than 10,400 owners rate it 4.4 stars, and the warranty is one year.
- The lowest price here, under $20 when we checked
- Stands upright and weighs 2.4 lb
- Cool-touch locking handle and anti-skid feet
- 10,400+ ratings, the most of any pick here
- 750 W is the lowest power on this page
- Wipe-clean plates, nothing removable in the listing
- No temperature control beyond the built-in thermostat
Compare the picks
| Product | Type | Power | Plates | Owner rating | Our score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart Griddler FIVECuisinart | 5-in-1 grill and press | 1500 W | Removable, dishwasher safe | 4.7 / 6k+ | 9.4 | See price |
| Breville Panini DuoBreville | Panini press | 1500 W | Nonstick, wipe clean | 4.6 / 2.1k+ | 9.2 | See price |
| Proctor Silex Panini PressProctor Silex | Panini press and grill | 1000 W | Ceramic, PFAS-free, wipe clean | 4.5 / 6k+ | 9.0 | See price |
| Hamilton Beach Sealed Sandwich MakerHamilton Beach | Sealed pocket maker | 820 W | PFAS-free, wipe clean | 4.4 / 6.5k+ | 8.8 | See price |
| OVENTE GPS401BOVENTE | Compact sandwich maker | 750 W | Nonstick, wipe clean | 4.4 / 10k+ | 8.8 | See price |
Sandwich maker or panini press: which do you need?
Choose a sealed sandwich maker if you mostly use ordinary sliced bread and want closed pockets that keep cheese, beans or pie filling inside. They are small, cheap and quick. Their limit is the plate shape: a bakery roll or a thick slice of sourdough will not fit the mold.
Choose a panini press if you buy different breads, like tall sandwiches, or want to grill other food. The floating hinge or lid is the part to check for, because it keeps the top plate parallel to the bottom one instead of squeezing the back of the sandwich harder than the front.
Choose a multi-plate grill such as the Griddler if the appliance has to earn its counter space. It presses sandwiches, opens flat for pancakes or burgers, and its plates come off for washing. If grilling is the main goal, our indoor electric grill guide covers machines built for that first.
What else to look for
Power. A 1500 W press reheats quickly after you load cold bread, so a second and third round cook like the first. A 750 to 1000 W machine does the same job more slowly. For one or two sandwiches at a time, either is fine.
Plates and cleanup. Removable dishwasher-safe plates are the single biggest convenience, and only the Cuisinart has them here. The other four are wiped with a damp cloth once they cool, which is quick if you do it before cheese hardens. If you want to avoid PFAS coatings, the Proctor Silex and Hamilton Beach listings state PFAS-free nonstick.
Temperature control. Bread and cheese need moderate heat; meat wants more. The Cuisinart is the only pick with a stated adjustable range, 175 to 450°F.
Storage. Every pick except the Cuisinart is described as storing upright or locked shut. Check the footprint in the spec boxes against the cabinet you have in mind.
For open-faced melts and toasted subs, a toaster oven is an alternative worth a look, and an air fryer is a handy way to reheat one.
What is the difference between a sandwich maker and a panini press?
A sealed sandwich maker has shaped plates that crimp sliced bread into closed pockets. A panini press has flat or ridged plates and a floating hinge, so it presses bread of any thickness and can grill other food. The Hamilton Beach on this page is a sealed maker; the Cuisinart, Breville and Proctor Silex are presses.
Can I cook meat on a panini press?
On some. The Proctor Silex listing says it grills burgers, chicken and vegetables and includes a drip tray. The Cuisinart Griddler FIVE is a contact grill with a sear function and a 175 to 450 degree F range. Compact sealed sandwich makers are meant for bread-based sandwiches.
Which panini press is easiest to clean?
The Cuisinart Griddler FIVE, because its plates are removable and dishwasher safe. The Proctor Silex has ceramic plates that wipe clean and a dishwasher-safe drip tray. The Breville, Hamilton Beach and OVENTE have nonstick plates that you wipe once they have cooled.
How many watts should a panini press have?
The picks here range from 750 W to 1500 W. Higher wattage means faster preheating and quicker recovery between batches, which matters if you cook for several people. For one or two sandwiches, a 750 to 1000 W machine is enough.
What bread works best in a sealed sandwich maker?
Regular square sliced bread, because the plates are shaped to seal around it. Thick artisan slices, rolls and baguettes do better in a panini press with a floating hinge, which adjusts to the height of the sandwich.
Bottom line
Buy the Cuisinart Griddler FIVE if you want one machine for pressed sandwiches, grilling and griddle cooking, and you value plates that go in the dishwasher. The Breville Panini Duo is the better pure press, the Proctor Silex gives you a floating-lid press for far less, the Hamilton Beach makes sealed pockets, and the OVENTE is the cheapest route to a hot grilled cheese.
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