Want grill marks without turning your kitchen into a smoke-scented candle store? Same. Indoor grills are the
countertop shortcut to burgers, chicken, veggies, and melty paninisno backyard, no weather drama, no “why is it
raining sideways?” energy required.

The tricky part is that “indoor grill” can mean a few different things: a clamshell contact grill (panini-press
style), an open flat grill (flip your food like you would outdoors), or a “smokeless” system that uses a lid plus
a fan/water tray to keep smoke under control. Some even moonlight as air fryers or waffle makersbecause modern
appliances are apparently collecting side hustles.

How these picks earned a spot on the list

This roundup is built from expert testing and lab-style evaluations that focus on the stuff that matters in real
kitchens: how quickly and evenly a grill heats, whether it actually leaves legit grill marks, how much smoke it
kicks up, how well it drains grease, and how annoying cleanup is after you’ve eaten (because nobody wants to scrub
a grill while digesting a cheeseburger).

To keep it practical, each pick below includes: what it’s best at, what it’s not great at, and who will actually
love owning it. Because the “best indoor grill” isn’t one magical unitit’s the one that matches your cooking style
and your tolerance for washing removable parts.

Quick list: the 6 best indoor grills of 2024

1. Cuisinart Griddler FIVE Best overall for most kitchens (precision + versatility)
2. Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill + Air Fryer Best multitasker for busy households
3. Hamilton Beach Indoor Searing Grill (with viewing window) Best for steak-night grill marks on a budget
4. Breville Smart Grill Best splurge for power, control, and “pro kitchen” vibes
5. PowerXL Smokeless Grill Best for low-smoke apartment grilling
6. GreenPan Premiere Multi Grill, Griddle & Waffle Maker Best versatility + PFAS-free ceramic option

1) Cuisinart Griddler FIVE (Best Overall Indoor Grill)

If you want one appliance that can grill, griddle, and press paninis without making you learn a new operating
system, the Cuisinart Griddler FIVE is a standout. Expert testers consistently like it because it feels “precise”
in a way many indoor grills don’t: you can set an actual temperature instead of guessing what “medium-ish” means.

Why experts like it

• True temperature control: Helpful for chicken, fish, and anything where “almost done” is not a food safety plan.
• Versatility without chaos: Grill, griddle, contact press, and open-flat cooking modes cover most weeknight needs.
• Cleanup that doesn’t ruin your evening: Removable plates are a big deal when you’ve cooked sticky barbecue chicken.

Best for

The “I cook a little of everything” person. Burgers on Tuesday, pancakes on Saturday, paninis on Sunday, veggies
whenever you’re trying to be the kind of adult who eats vegetables.

Watch-outs

Greasy foods can drip from the top plate if you’re not paying attention, so plan for a drip tray (and maybe a little
countertop protection). The Griddler is versatile, but versatility also means you’ll want a storage plan for the
extra plates if you add accessories later.

2) Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill + Air Fryer (Best Multitasker)

This is the indoor grill for people who want dinner to happen quickly and don’t want five separate appliances
auditioning for counter space. It’s a grill, yesbut it’s also an air fryer and a small “oven-like” cooker for
roasting and broiling. In expert tests, it stands out for speed and for cooking foods through without squashing
them (a contact grill can sometimes press the life out of thicker foods).

Why experts like it

• High heat for faster browning: Great for burgers, hot dogs, skewers, and quick-cooking proteins.
• Built-in temperature probe: Helpful if you want your chicken done-done, not “hope-and-pray” done.
• Multi-function value: Air fry fries while your main cooks, or roast veggies without turning on the big oven.

Best for

Families and meal-preppers who want one machine that can grill chicken, crisp up frozen foods, and roast vegetables
with less fuss.

Watch-outs

It’s big and heavy, and it can get smoky when you push high heat with fatty foods (think: very marbled steak or
heavily oiled marinades). If your smoke alarm is jumpy, save the super-fatty stuff for the “lower heat + longer
cook” approach, and keep ventilation on.

3) Hamilton Beach Indoor Searing Grill (Best Budget Steak-Night Pick)

The Hamilton Beach Indoor Searing Grill with a viewing window is a classic “simple but effective” option. Expert
testers like it for small kitchens because it’s easier to move and store than bulky multi-cookers, and it can still
put dark grill marks on burgers and steaks when you crank it up.

Why experts like it

• Hot enough for convincing grill marks: A key difference between “indoor grilled” and “sadly warmed.”
• Viewing window: You can check progress without lifting the lid and losing heat.
• Dishwasher-friendly parts: Removable plate + drip tray makes cleanup easier than fixed-plate grills.

Best for

Anyone who wants an affordable, straightforward grill for burgers, chicken, sausages, kebabs, and weeknight “let’s
pretend it’s patio season” dinners.

Watch-outs

Some tests note it can still make the kitchen smokyespecially with fatty foodsso it’s not magically smoke-free.
The good news is that it’s predictable: if you manage grease (trim excess fat, avoid pools of oil, empty the drip
tray), it behaves a lot better.

4) Breville Smart Grill (Best Splurge for Power + Control)

If indoor grills had a “luxury sedan” category, this would be parked right up front. The Breville Smart Grill is
pricey, but expert testers like it because it’s engineered to hold heat and recover quicklymeaning when you drop a
cold steak on the plates, the temperature bounce-back is less dramatic. That’s a big deal for browning and for
getting a good exterior without overcooking the inside.

Why experts like it

• High searing power: Great heat retention helps with steak, burgers, and thick proteins.
• Open or contact mode: Use it as a flat BBQ-style grill or close it like a panini press.
• Thoughtful design: Features that help manage grease and keep cooking consistent.

Best for

Serious home cooks who grill often, want more precision, and don’t mind paying for sturdier construction and
performance that feels closer to “real grilling” than most countertop options.

Watch-outs

It’s heavy. If you plan to stash it in a cabinet and haul it out daily, your biceps are about to get extremely
informed. Also, some configurations may require optional plates depending on how you want to cook (check what’s
included in your specific package).

5) PowerXL Smokeless Grill (Best Low-Smoke Apartment Pick)

If your cooking goals include “make burgers” and “do not anger the smoke alarm,” the PowerXL Smokeless Grill is
worth a look. Expert testers highlight the smokeless design: a lid helps contain splatter, and the system is built
to reduce smoke by capturing it so your kitchen stays calmer.

Why experts like it

• Smoke control: Designed specifically to reduce smoke compared with open grills.
• Grill + griddle flexibility: Helpful for breakfast and burgers in the same week.
• Lid containment: Less grease flying around like it owns the place.

Best for

Apartment cooks, dorm-style setups (with permission and proper safety), and anyone whose kitchen ventilation is… let’s
say “mostly decorative.”

Watch-outs

More parts usually means more cleanup. If you love the idea of smokeless grilling but hate washing “numerous parts
with nooks and crannies,” this is the tradeoff. Also, some testers note the heat may not match a true high-sear
grill for steakhouse-level crust.

6) GreenPan Premiere Multi Grill, Griddle & Waffle Maker (Best Versatility + PFAS-Free Ceramic Option)

This one is for the person who wants an indoor grill that can also do waffles and griddle work, and prefers a
ceramic nonstick direction. Expert testing highlights how flexible it is: multiple configurations, a digital
interface, dual-zone heating, and the ability to set different temps on different plates. That means breakfast can
be a coordinated operation instead of a pancake traffic jam.

Why experts like it

• Seven configurations: Grill, griddle, panini press, waffles, and more.
• Dual-zone heating: Cook different foods at different temps at the same time.
• Easy-release coating: Less sticking, less scraping, more peace.

Best for

Households that actually use countertop appliances beyond the “honeymoon phase.” If you’ll truly rotate between
grilled chicken, weekend waffles, and quick paninis, this becomes a workhorse instead of clutter.

Watch-outs

Some testing notes it can automatically shut off after extended use as a safety measure. That’s not a dealbreaker,
but if your style is “leave it on while we all wander away,” you’ll want to stay a little more engaged.

What to look for when buying an indoor grill

Pick the right grill style

• Open grills: Closest to traditional grilling. You flip food. Usually simpler. Smoke control depends on your setup.
• Contact grills: Cook both sides at once (great for paninis and thin cuts). Can be faster, but can also compress thicker foods.
• “Smokeless” systems: Often include a lid and internal smoke-reducing design. Great for apartments, but may add parts and cleanup.

Heat matters more than marketing

For bold grill marks, you need steady high heat. If you mostly cook chicken breasts, burgers, veggies, and kebabs,
many indoor grills will do fine. If you want steakhouse crust, prioritize grills known for strong heat performance
and good temperature recovery (this is where higher-end models often justify their price).

Smoke and grease management

Smoke usually comes from fat and sugary marinades burning. A good drip tray, smart grease drainage, and a design
that keeps drippings from pooling can make a huge difference. If your kitchen is small or your ventilation is weak,
a smokeless-style grill can be worth it.

Cleaning: be honest with yourself

If cleanup is a nightmare, you won’t use the grill. Removable, dishwasher-safe plates are the “you’ll thank yourself
later” feature. Fixed plates can still work, but only if you’re okay with wiping and scrubbing while balancing a
large appliance near your sink like a game show challenge.

Pro tips for better indoor grilling (aka: how to make it taste less “indoor”)

1) Preheat longer than you think

Indoor grills need time for the plates to truly heat through. A surface that’s “warm” won’t brown well. Give it a
solid preheat, especially for steak, burgers, and thicker veggies like zucchini planks.

2) Dry food = better browning

Pat proteins dry. Excess moisture steams your food and steals your grill marks. If you marinate, let excess drip off
and avoid thick sugar-heavy coatings at the beginning (save barbecue sauce for the end).

3) Use oil strategically

Instead of pouring oil on the plates, lightly oil the food. Less oil pooling means less smoke. Also, if you’re
cooking fatty meats, you may not need additional oil at all.

4) Don’t crowd the grill

Overcrowding drops the temperature and traps steam. If you want browning, give food breathing room. Cook in batches
if you have tofuture-you will forgive you once the burgers look legit.

FAQ: indoor grills, quickly explained

Are indoor grills actually smokeless?

“Smokeless” is relative. Many models reduce smoke compared with basic open grills, but fatty foods and high heat can
still create some smoke. The best approach is a combo: smart grill design + good ventilation + managing grease.

Do indoor grills taste like outdoor grills?

You can get great browning and grill marks indoors, but you won’t perfectly replicate charcoal smoke flavor. If you
want more “grill vibes,” focus on high heat, proper preheat, and browningand consider finishing with bold seasonings
like smoked paprika or a quick squeeze of lemon over grilled veggies.

Can I cook raw chicken on an indoor grill?

Yesindoor grills are built for that. Use the right temperature, avoid overcrowding, and if your grill supports a
probe thermometer, use it. It’s the easiest way to nail doneness without drying chicken into sadness.

Real-life experiences: what it’s actually like owning an indoor grill (500-ish words)

Here’s the part most product lists don’t say out loud: the best indoor grill is the one you’ll keep using after the
first two weeks of excitement wear off. Real life is not a controlled test kitchen. Real life is “I’m hungry, it’s
7:10 p.m., and I forgot to thaw the chicken.” Indoor grills shine in that realityif you treat them like a weeknight
tool, not a patio replacement.

First, the preheat is the moment of truth. In a hurry, it’s tempting to toss food on early. That’s how you end up
with pale grill lines that look like they were drawn with a beige crayon. Give the grill time to get properly hot,
then you’ll notice the whole experience improves: better browning, less sticking, and often less smoke (because food
sears faster instead of sitting there releasing moisture and splattering grease).

Then there’s the “smoke alarm negotiation.” Even good indoor grills can get smoky with fatty foodsespecially if you
go full blast on heat and throw on something like heavily marbled burgers. The real-world workaround is boring but
effective: trim excess fat when you can, drain grease mid-cook if the tray is filling, and save sugary sauces for the
last minute. Also, if your grill has a lid, use it when appropriate. The lid doesn’t just trap heat; it can reduce
splatter, which is basically the kitchen version of wearing a raincoat.

Storage is the other make-or-break detail. A grill that lives in a hard-to-reach cabinet is a grill you’ll use less.
If you have the space to keep it on the counter, you’ll probably cook with it more oftenespecially for quick meals
like grilled chicken thighs, turkey burgers, veggie skewers, or even halloumi and pineapple (yes, it’s a thing, and
yes, it’s delicious). If counter space is tight, lighter units tend to win because you can move them without feeling
like you’re relocating a small appliance boulder.

And cleanup? It’s weirdly emotional. Removable plates you can wash easily (or put in the dishwasher) are a gift to
your future self. Fixed plates are doable, but you’ll want to clean them while they’re still warm (not hot) so
residue lifts more easily. The “I’ll do it tomorrow” approach is how you end up chiseling sauce off a grill plate
like an archaeologist.

Finally, indoor grills are secretly great for repeatable meal prep. Once you learn your grill’s personalityhow hot
it runs, where the hot spots are, how fast it brownsyou can crank out consistent results. That’s the real magic:
less guesswork, more “this tastes like I planned dinner,” and fewer nights where cereal becomes the main course.

Final verdict

If you want one do-it-all pick, the Cuisinart Griddler FIVE is a top choice for most households
because it’s versatile, precise, and easier to live with day-to-day. If you want maximum convenience, go
Ninja Foodi Smart XL. For steak-night grill marks without spending big, choose the
Hamilton Beach Searing Grill. If you grill often and want premium power and control, the
Breville Smart Grill is the splurge. If smoke control is the priority, PowerXL is
the apartment-friendly move. And if you want one machine that can also do waffles and griddle work with a PFAS-free
coating direction, GreenPan Premiere is a strong, flexible option.

The post 6 Best Indoor Grills of 2024, Tested by Experts appeared first on Blobhope Family.