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The case for investing in the best panini press is simple: There is perhaps no greater, more dependable lunch than the humble sandwich—and no better way to upgrade that sandwich than to throw it onto the plate of a panini press. In just a few minutes, it’ll emerge deeply golden, cheese dripping down the sides and puddling to form frico-like crisps. Sound enticing? We thought so too, which is why we tested some of the top-rated panini presses out there to figure out which was the very best. Do you need a panini press to make a pressed sandwich? No, not necessarily. A hot skillet and the firm press of a spatula—or, better yet, a cast-iron grill press—can give you a comparable result. But in order to achieve a perfectly squished sandwich with those classic grill marks, there really is no better gadget than one designed specifically for the job. Read on for our top picks at two different price points; for more on how we tested and what we looked for, scroll on down.The best panini presses
How we tested panini presses
For our first round of testing, we made lots and lots of grilled cheeses on white sandwich bread to get a feel for each panini maker’s heat distribution, melting capabilities, and ability to handle softer bread without overly squishing it. Then we moved on to paninis made on thick pieces of ciabatta and piled high with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. For the purposes of this review, we were interested solely in these panini makers’ performance as sandwich presses, and did not test their capabilities as griddles or indoor grills. If you are interested in that, take a look at our full indoor grill product test and review here.
The best panini press overall: Cuisinart Griddler Five
The Cuisinart Griddler Five is an updated version of its original Griddler, a model beloved by both professional product reviewers and home cooks. With its sleek stainless-steel design and clean digital interface, it feels luxe and well-made while maintaining a moderate price tag. We loved how lightweight and compact this model was compared to some other higher-end options we tested—features that are ideal for an appliance that is likely to be stored away in either a particularly low or particularly high cabinet when not in use. The simple controls consist of an LCD display, an on-off switch, and a dial that lets you set the exact temperature, select a cooking function, and set a timer. There’s a removable drip tray, and the nonstick cooking plates are removable and dishwasher-safe, all of which makes for easy cleanup. The cooking plates are also reversible, one side of them flat and the other grooved. And though it’s not part of its function as a sandwich press, the appliance unfolds so that you can use both plates as individual grills or griddles, allowing for maximum versatility.
But none of those features matter if the thing can’t make a great panini, right? Well, we’re happy to report that this model performed beautifully in our testing: Not only did each sandwich come out golden and crispy, but the floating hinge mechanism also allowed the top plate to remain parallel to the bottom, ensuring a sandwich that stayed flat and evenly pressed. If you’re looking for an appliance that grants you the power to enjoy a hot, pressed sandwich in minutes with ease, you can’t go wrong with the Cuisinart Griddler Five.What we didn’t like about the Cuisinart Griddler Five
The one thing to note about the Cuisinart Griddler Five is that because it is relatively lightweight, you may need to manually press down on the handle to get your sandwich going at the start, especially if it’s on the thicker side. We found this was the case with every press we tested except the two largest, heaviest, most expensive ones; Ultimately, we thought that the trade-off in terms of price and convenience was well worth it.
Size: 10.5″ x 12″ x 7″Weight: 12 lb.Removable plates: YesFloating hinge: Yes
Top 4 Sandwich Presses in 2024
FAQ
Is it necessary to press a panini?
What are the cons of a panini press?
What is so special about a panini?
What is the difference between a sandwich maker and a panini press?
What is a panini press?
A panini press (a.k.a. a sandwich press) is a contact grill that features a fixed heated bottom plate and a heated top plate that can be raised and lowered. The sandwich is placed on the bottom plate, then the top plate is lowered to compress and heat the sandwich.
Is a panini press worth it?
A panini press can be often considered a “more advanced” appliance and the average price of a panini press reflects that being a bit higher than an average price of a simple sandwich maker. Rest assured though, that paying a bit more for a panini press will be worth it in the end.
Do You need A panini press?
It warms the panini throughout, ensures a crisp finish, and gives it its distinctive grill marks. When it comes to making paninis at home, a panini press isn’t required (though it’s very nice to have, especially if you eat a lot of paninis). A grill pan or griddle will work just fine.
Do panini presses make a good sandwich?
Same goes for the serving size – most of the time panini presses will allow you to prepare longer and overall larger sandwiches. Panini presses often have additional features on board, such as temperature control knobs, removable plates or floating hinges (although that depends on a specific press model).