Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Panini Press

Last updated on August 3, 2024
Categories Kitchen Tags

We looked at the top 11 Panini Presses and dug through the reviews from 22 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Panini Presses.

Best Panini Press

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Our Picks For The Top Panini Presses

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Chefman Adjustable Easy Clean Panini Press

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Chefman

Adjustable Easy Clean Panini Press

Constructed using an attractive and durable stainless steel, this panini press produces the most delicious sandwiches. The top opens a full 180 degrees for grilling burgers, while the floating hinge allows for preparing thick paninis. The cooking plates and included drip tray are all dishwasher safe for easy clean up.

Overall Take

Economical PickWhen shopping on a budget, this affordable panini press is the way to go.

 Runner Up

OSTBA Stainless Steel 3-In-1 Panini Press

OSTBA

Stainless Steel 3-In-1 Panini Press

This panini press doubles as an indoor grill. That means you can make a delicious hot sandwich for lunch and a juicy steak for dinner. The temperature control can be set anywhere between 120 and 428 degrees Fahrenheit, so the possibilities of what you can cook are endless.

Overall Take

Great for FamiliesSince this panini press is oversized, it's large enough to cook four paninis at once. Lunch for the entire family!

 Runner Up

OSTBA Stainless Steel 3-In-1 Panini Press

OSTBA

Stainless Steel 3-In-1 Panini Press

This panini press doubles as an indoor grill. That means you can make a delicious hot sandwich for lunch and a juicy steak for dinner. The temperature control can be set anywhere between 120 and 428 degrees Fahrenheit, so the possibilities of what you can cook are endless.

Overall Take

Great for FamiliesSince this panini press is oversized, it's large enough to cook four paninis at once. Lunch for the entire family!

 We Also Like

Cuisinart Hinged Dishwasher Safe Panini Press

Cuisinart

Hinged Dishwasher Safe Panini Press

This panini press provides an impressive 200 square inches of cooking space. While that doesn't mean you can cook for dozens of people at once, it does hold more food items than a typical indoor grill. With this unit, you can not only grill delicious paninis, but also hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks and vegetables.

Overall Take

High Heat OutputThe heat output of this panini press means you can grill steaks in less than five minutes.

Pros
" Gives a full 200 square inches of cooking surface."
Cons
"To be brutally honest, this grill is not going to last for more than five years. Even worse, you would be fortunate to get more than three years out of the Cuisinart."

Buying Guide

Paninis may just be the perfect food. More than a sandwich, they combine the taste of the grill with the ease of stacking items between two slices of bread. They may have first become popular in Italy, but Americans have embraced paninis as a quick meal option for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack.

For a good panini, though, you’ll need a grill that can tackle the job competently. Panini presses bring the grill experience indoors, letting you get those char marks that you’d normally only have on a commercial cooktop or an outdoor grill. Today’s panini presses go beyond making sandwiches, though. With some, you can also cook eggs, pancakes, quesadillas and more.

One important feature to keep in mind, though, is the size of your chosen grill. If you’re in a dorm room or studio apartment, you may need a smaller press that you can tuck away in a drawer or cabinet when you aren’t using it. Smaller presses also are easier to transport.

But some larger presses have expanded grill surfaces, which means you can make multiple sandwiches at once. You can also use some presses for cooking items like eggs and pancakes, making them handy for feeding houseguests. However, you’ll need to make sure you have a place to store something that large in between uses.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
18

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the panini presses available to purchase.
11

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

22

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Well Fed, Kitchen Gadget Reviews, Chef's Resource, BestReviews, Kitchen Ultimate.

79,376

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 11 Panini Presses and also dug through the reviews from 22 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Panini Presses.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

What to Look For

  • One factor missing in many small grills like panini presses is an on/off switch. This may not matter to you, as it simply means you’ll have to unplug the unit when you’re finished with it. However, it’s worth considering as you’re looking at features.
  • Temperature control is another missing feature with many panini presses. That means you won’t have control over how hot the surface gets, limiting what you can cook on the surface.
  • If your panini press comes with a lid, look to see if it has a latch that holds it in place when it’s lifted. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep a hand on it unless it’s in the closed position.
  • Some grill surfaces take longer to preheat than others. You may be looking at a preheat time of five minutes or more with some panini presses, making those that advertise a quick heat-up time much more attractive.
  • Paninis can be messy, especially if you include ingredients like cheese. To ease the cleanup process, look for a panini press that has removable plates. Bonus points if those plates are dishwasher safe.
  • Another factor in cleanup is that drippings can slip from the grill surface while cooking. There are grills that are designed specifically to drain fats and oils away from items that are cooking, which makes your food a little healthier. But whether your panini press drains off oils or not, look for one with a drip tray that can catch all these liquids to prevent a mess on your counter.

More to Explore

Paninis traditionally have been loaded with cured meats like ham, along with cheese. But don’t feel limited by classic recipes. In recent years, chicken spinach and mozzarella and tomato paninis have become increasingly popular, both requiring their own extra ingredients and a little extra preparation. To make a proper panini, though, you’ll need the right kind of bread. Flavored bread can add a little something extra to your panini. In fact, ciabatta bread is the most popular, but you can also use focaccia bread for delicious results. If you’re health-conscious, a whole grain baguette can make a great panini. The key is to use a weightier, hearty bread that retains its moisture during the grilling process.

From our partners