The 3 Best Indoor Grills of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Indoor Grill Size Comparison
	Weight	Dimensions
Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill	7.7 pounds	18 x 12.25 x 3.25 inches
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill with Viewing Window	8 pounds	16.75 x 12.25 x 6.75 inches
Breville BGR820XL The Smart Grill	19 pounds	14 x 14 x 5.75 inches

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Indoor Grill

When selecting an indoor grill, there are several factors to consider based on your needs and preferences. First, consider the size and look at your counter space and storage area, since these grills can be large. Removable grill grates make cleaning a breeze, and grates should ideally be both nonstick-coated and dishwasher-safe (we recommend hand-washing nonstick to preserve the coating, but the dishwasher is admittedly nice for super-messy jobs). Removable drip trays are essential so that fats don’t linger on the surface of the grill, creating smoke. Small features, like an LCD screen, built-in timer, or audible heat readiness indicator were nice to have, but not strictly necessary.

Our Favorite Indoor Grills

What we liked: This small but mighty grill delivered surprisingly great results in our testing. Maybe we were expecting some of the more high-tech grills to outperform it, but, ultimately, simplicity won out. We liked the simple controls that didn’t require any fiddling or scouring of the manual to operate. The grill itself sits on a lightweight, open base with a drip tray beneath. The entire design allows for maximum airflow, so smoke can’t get trapped anywhere long enough to be noticeable. The grill also has drip holes all over the cooking surface so fat doesn’t have a chance to linger and burn. We found that this had the greatest effect on the overall amount of smoke the grill let off, more than any other feature that claimed to decrease smoke.

We also liked that the grill has no sides, so if you want to cook skewers or a piece of meat with a large bone (hello, tomahawk ribeye), you don’t have to worry about squishing it in. Cleanup was simple, and we didn’t find any tricky spots where food or gunk got stuck.

What we didn’t like: The grill plate is not dishwasher-safe, which would have been nice (though the drip tray is).

Key Specs

• Weight: 7.7 lbs
• Dimensions: 18 x 12.25 x 3.25 inches
• Temperature range: 176 to 410°F
• Cleaning: The plastic base and drip tray are dishwasher safe; hand-washing is recommended for the grill plate

What we liked: The rotary temperature dial was extremely easy to use. Twist it in one direction, and the temperature goes up, and the other way brings it back down. While this doesn’t offer the same precision as other models, it might not be necessary for most cooks who just want to grill food without worrying about a temperature difference of 25 degrees or so. During our testing, it was hot when it needed to be and stayed that way. Can’t ask for much more than that.

One of the best features was the removable lid. When the lid was closed, it trapped smoke and steam as well as grease splatters. When it’s removed, the sides are open so that you can add skewers to the grill without worrying if they will fit. We also loved that all the parts are dishwasher-safe, which saves you from having to scrub in the sink. The nonstick coating didn’t ding or blemish in any way and only ever needed a light scrub with a soft bristle brush, at most.

What we didn’t like: The lid can be a bit clunky to operate, and the underside of the grill is not coated in the same nonstick finish as the top, so there were some spots that trapped food and oil. This wasn’t an issue when we cleaned it in the dishwasher, but could be a little vexing when hand washing.

Key Specs

• Weight: 8 lbs
• Dimensions: 16.75 x 12.25 x 6.75 inches
• Temperature range: 200 to 450°F
• Cleaning: Grill plate and drip tray are removable and dishwasher-safe

What we liked: This grill is on the upper end of what we would consider a reasonable price for any indoor appliance, but it comes with a lot of great features. Unlike any of the others in our testing, this grill can be operated as an open or contact (read: panini press) grill. We love appliances that can pull double duty, and this Breville was equally excellent at grilling kebabs as it was making a panini. The grill grates are raised enough to produce nice, brown grill marks with an excellent flavor. There are a few “smart” features (hence the name), too, like the ability to tilt the plate to whisk away oil and fats, and special sensors that can detect a sudden drop in temperature (like when you place a cold steak on) and adjust rapidly to bring it back to where you want.

Even though it is on the larger side, the grill can be stored horizontally to save space. The grates are removable and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

What we didn’t like: It’s fairly heavy to pull in and out of the cabinet on a regular basis. If you want to grill on both parts of the grill (top and bottom), you have to order a separate grill plate from the manufacturer, since one comes as a griddle. The temperature dial is a bit more complicated than some of the other models and might not be ideal for someone who would prefer a dead-simple experience. Oh, and it’s pretty expensive for an indoor grill.

Key Specs

• Weight: 19 lbs
• Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 5.75 inches
• Temperature range: 200 to 450°F
• Cleaning: Grill plate and drip tray are dishwasher-safe

The Competition

FAQs

How do you clean an indoor grill?

Depending on the grill and what item was cooked on it, cleaning an indoor grill can be a very simple affair. During our testing, we found that a simple wipe with a wet cloth or paper towel was enough to clean the grates. Tough, stuck-on bits needed a bit of a scrub with soapy water. Most indoor grills have a removable grill grate that allows for easy transport to the kitchen sink, and some have grill grates that are dishwasher-safe.

Are indoor grills actually smokeless?

“Smokeless” is a relative term when it comes to indoor grills. While indoor grills are designed to produce significantly less smoke than traditional outdoor grills, it’s not accurate to say they are completely smokeless. However, many modern models do an impressive job of minimizing smoke, making them suitable for indoor cooking without setting off smoke alarms.

Do indoor grills create grill marks? 

Yes, many indoor grills can create grill marks on your food, similar to those you’d see get from outdoor grilling. The appearance of grill marks largely depends on the design of the grill’s cooking surface, the temperature, and how long the food stays in contact with the grill. Other than the visual look of the grill marks, charcoal grills may impart more char along with a smoky flavor. An indoor grill cannot replicate this exact effect.

Can you heat an indoor grill over high heat?

While no indoor grill can exactly replicate the results you can expect from a charcoal or propane grill, many of the grills we tested had high-temperature settings, which produced fantastic results for those who like their food to have a bit of that charred flavor.

Are indoor grills healthier?

Indoor grills can offer some health benefits when compared to other cooking methods, particularly traditional outdoor grilling. However, the term “healthier” can be subjective and depends on what specific health concerns you have. Many indoor grills are designed with slanted grates or drip trays that allow excess fat to run off the meat as it cooks. Many are coated in a nonstick coating, which doesn’t require as much fat to cook as, say, a stainless steel skillet.

What’s the temperature range of an indoor grill?

Two of our favorite indoor grills have temperature ranges of 200 to 450°F. Our favorite indoor grill, from Zojirushi, runs slightly cooler (176 to 410°F). All of them are capable of producing nicely indoor-grilled food, though.

Can you use an indoor grill for sandwiches?

If you want to use an indoor grill frequently for sandwiches, we recommend buying one that can open up flat to grill and has a hinged lid that can press sandwiches down, acting as a panini press. Our favorite splurge model from Breville fits this criteria.

Why We’re the Experts

• Taylor Murray has been working in food and food media for over 10 years, including in award-winning restaurants. 
• She has tested numerous items for Serious Eats, including vacuum sealers, cookware sets, carving knives, and lunch boxes.
• We tested eight indoor grills by grilling onions, chicken, and steak, to examine if they were really smoke-free, and if they got a nice char on the food.