CURRENT EDITION
MARKET NOTE
The category splits sharply into fixed-plate toastie makers and serviceable contact grills. The former can be cheap but commonly lack adjustable heat and trap residue. Honest value begins around €40/US$100 when a press adds removable plates, a floating lid and manual temperature adjustment; roughly US$150–230 buys independent zones, sturdier housings or probes; above that, pay only for demonstrabl
7 PRODUCTS · RANKED
House weights favor construction, performance, and value.
Current top recommendation: SMEG MultiGrill.
$292
SMEG
Top PickEU availableIndependent 60–230°C zone controls and a 250°C+ sear mode split cooking duties across three swappable ceramic plate sets, turning this into a grill, griddle, and waffle station rather than a styled toastie maker.
$228
Tefal
EU availableETM lab tests measured near-uniform plate heat (4–10°C variation) and automatic thickness sensing that adapts cooking time. Removable dishwasher-safe plates and a 15-year repairability commitment justify the price.hy
$100
Cuisinart
EU unverifiedSerious Eats credits its floating hinge and reversible plates for more even cooking than fixed-plate rivals. Separate grill and griddle dials plus a three-year warranty beat most presses at this price.
$175
Cuisinart
EU unverifiedDigital 80–230°C control pairs with a self-adjusting floating hinge and a purpose-built deep pan, extending a panini press into pancakes and one-pot dishes without sacrificing dishwasher-safe cleanup.
$108
Philips
EU availableA temperature probe and 60–220°C digital selection let this press handle steaks and open sandwiches with equal precision, though testers recommend hand-washing the removable plates rather than the dishwasher.
$120
Chefman
EU unverifiedSerious Eats' budget pick pairs manual 175–450°F control with a floating hinge and a full 180-degree flat griddle mode, hardware usually reserved for pricier units, though parts support remains unproven.
$44
Create
BUDGETEU availableAt roughly €40, it keeps what cheap fixed-plate toastie makers drop: removable interchangeable plates, a three-step thermostat, and a 180-degree flat mode, though long-term parts availability is undocumented.