As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Our top picks
Short on time? Our top recommendation is the Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle Combo.
Compare
At a glance
The traits that separate these picks, side by side.
In depth
The 12 best, explained
Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
Best OverallBlackstone
Blackstone 28-inch for the most surface area and dual-zone temperature control on an outdoor propane griddle. The highlights are 470 sq in, the largest surface for most households and dual independent burner zones for simultaneous different temperatures.
- 470 sq in cooking surface
- Dual burner zones
- Propane powered
- Blackstone
✓ Pros
- 470 sq in, the largest surface for most households
- Dual independent burner zones for simultaneous different temperatures
- Reaches and holds 400°F+ for smash burgers and searing
✕ Cons
- Propane-fueled outdoor griddle, not a countertop electric, needs patio/deck space
Best BudgetPresto
Presto's Tilt 'n Dra in Big Griddle lets fat dra in away from food on a large nonstick surface.
- Tilt drain
- 240 sq in
- Under $40
- Presto
✓ Pros
- Tilting surface drains grease
- Large cooking area
- Budget price
- Removable heat control for cleaning
✕ Cons
- Edges may run cooler
- Nonstick wears over time
- Storage size
Best CuisinartCuisinart
Cuisinart Griddler for households that want griddle and grill in one with easy cleanup. The highlights are reversible dishwasher-safe plates: flat griddle on one side, ridged grill on the other and versatile, griddle, grill, panini press, and full-open flat.
- Reversible plates
- Grill and griddle
- Dishwasher safe
- Cuisinart
✓ Pros
- Reversible dishwasher-safe plates: flat griddle on one side, ridged grill on the other
- Versatile, griddle, grill, panini press, and full-open flat
✕ Cons
- 200 sq in per side (400 sq in total open)
Hamilton Beach
Removable dishwasher-safe plates at a lower price than Cuisinart
- Removable plates
- Dishwasher safe
- 3-in-1
- Under $60
✓ Pros
- Removable dishwasher-safe plates at a lower price than Cuisinart
- Three cooking configurations
✕ Cons
- Smaller surface area than Blackstone
Best SimplePresto
Presto's Cool Touch griddle has insulated edges to reduce burn risk.
- Cool touch handles
- 200 sq in
- Under $30
- Presto
✓ Pros
- Cool-touch edges
- Nonstick surface
- Affordable
- Easy cleanup
✕ Cons
- Smaller surface
- Basic temperature control
- Plastic exterior
Best BlackdeckerBlack+Decker
Black+Decker's Family Griddle offers a large nonstick surface with warming tray.
- Family size
- Drip tray
- Under $40
- Black+Decker
✓ Pros
- Large cooking surface
- Warming tray
- Budget price
- Nonstick
✕ Cons
- Uneven heat at edges
- Nonstick durability
- Bulky
Best PremiumZojirushi
Zojirushi's Gourmet Sizzler is an electric griddle known for steady temperature control and a ceramic-reinforced nonstick plate.
- Zojirushi
- Precise temperature
- Premium
- Table cooking
✓ Pros
- Precise temperature control up to high searing heat
- Durable nonstick plate
- Even heating across the surface
- Removable plate for cleaning
✕ Cons
- Smaller surface than full-size griddles
- Higher price
- Compact size limits batch cooking
Best OsterOster
Oster's DuraCeramic griddle uses a ceramic coating and reversible grill/griddle plates.
- DuraCeramic coating
- Under $40
- Oster
- Infused non-stick
✓ Pros
- Ceramic-coated surface
- Reversible plates
- Easy cleaning
- Affordable
✕ Cons
- Coating durability varies
- Moderate heat
- Basic controls
Best StovetopNordic Ware
Best stovetop griddle. The highlights are compact nonstick stovetop griddle, no electric required and works on gas, electric, or outdoor grill grates. One caveat, requires stovetop or grill heat source.
- Stovetop griddle
- Nordic Ware
- Nonstick coated
- Indoor/outdoor
✓ Pros
- Compact nonstick stovetop griddle, no electric required
- Works on gas, electric, or outdoor grill grates
✕ Cons
- Requires stovetop or grill heat source
- Smaller cooking surface than dedicated electric griddles
Best PaniniCuisinart
Cuisinart for households that make both sandwiches and breakfast on the same surface. The highlights are floating lid adjusts for sandwiches of any thickness and can be used fully open as a flat griddle. One caveat, smaller total surface.
- Cuisinart
- Panini + griddle
- Floating lid
- Under $60
✓ Pros
- Floating lid adjusts for sandwiches of any thickness
- Can be used fully open as a flat griddle
Best CompactDash
Dash's Mini Maker set includes waffle, grill and griddle mini irons.
- Compact
- Dash
- Personal
- Under $15
✓ Pros
- Three compact appliances
- Affordable set
- Easy storage
- Fun for kids
✕ Cons
- Single-serving size
- No temperature control
- Limited capacity
Best SmokelessGotham Steel
Gotham Steel for apartment or indoor cooking w here smoke is a concern. The highlights are smoke reduction system for indoor use without ventilation and grill ridges and flat griddle surface in one unit. One caveat, not fully smoke-free at high temperatures.
- Smokeless
- Grill + griddle
- Gotham Steel
- Under $60
✓ Pros
- Smoke reduction system for indoor use without ventilation
- Grill ridges and flat griddle surface in one unit
✕ Cons
- Not fully smoke-free at high temperatures
How we chose these picks
Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.
Mistakes buyers often make
- Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
- Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
- Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
- Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.
How to choose: the factors that matter
- Capacity and sizing — Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
- Build quality and materials — Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
- Ease of use and setup — Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
- Maintenance and cleaning — Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
- Warranty and support — A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.
The bottom line
There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the best griddles right now?
Our top pick is the Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle Combo (best overall), because 470 sq in, the largest surface for most households. The runner-up is the Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Dra in Big Griddle (best budget), followed by the Cuisinart GR-300WS Griddler Elite.
What is the best budget option among griddles?
Our best-value pick is the Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Dra in Big Griddle: tilting surface drains grease. Check the current price on Amazon, since deals change often.
Which of the griddles should I buy?
It depends on what matters most to you. For overall, choose the Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle Combo. For budget, choose the Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Dra in Big Griddle. For cuisinart, choose the Cuisinart GR-300WS Griddler Elite. For simple, choose the Presto 07030 Cool Touch Electric Griddle.
Is the Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle Combo worth it?
For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our griddles research, though propane-fueled outdoor griddle, not a countertop electric, needs patio/deck space.
What size griddle do I need?
Electric griddle surface area determines how many portions you can cook simultaneously. Small (150 to 200 sq in): 4 pancakes or 2 eggs, adequate for 1 to 2 people. Medium (250 to 300 sq in): 6 to 8 pancakes or 4 eggs, the common household size for 2 to 4 people. Large (350+ sq in): 10 to 12 pancakes or 6 to 8 smash burgers simultaneously, for families or meal prep. The Cuisinart GR-300WS at 200 sq in and the Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Dra in at 240 sq in are the most common household sizes. For smash burgers: surface area is secondary to temperature, the griddle must reach 375°F to 425°F for the Maillard crust.
What temperature do I need for smash burgers on an electric griddle?
375°F to 425°F sustained surface temperature for smash burger crust formation. Most electric griddles rated for 400°F to 425°F maximum produce adequate smash burger temperatures at their highest setting. The key: preheat the griddle fully before adding burgers (10 to 15 minutes on high), and verify the surface reaches the target temperature with a laser thermometer, the air temperature at the control dial is not the same as the actual cooking surface temperature, which can be 25°F to 50°F lower due to heat loss.
Are removable non-stick plates worth the premium over fixed plates?
Removable non-stick plates (Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach) go in the dishwasher. Fixed plates (Presto, most budget griddles) must be wiped clean. At daily or frequent use: dishwasher-safe plates save 5 to 10 minutes per session. For occasional use: fixed plates are fine and less expensive.
Keep researching
Related guides & comparisons
