You wouldn’t be wrong if you think sandwiches are a miracle of nature. Who knew some cold cuts and a slice of cheese between two slices of bread could be so good? However, like any meal, there’s always room for improvement.

Sure, throw in tomatoes, lettuce, and maybe a good spread, but what you really need is heat. No, not hot sauce, though that’s good, too. You need heat from a sandwich press to gently squeeze together the ingredients, melt the cheese inside, and toast the bread outside. It's the best way to take a normal sandwich and make it heavenly.

Here are the best sandwich makers available today.

If you’re looking for the best of the best sandwich makers and toasters, look no further than the Cuisinart GR-4NP1 Panini Press. Given its performance and features, you’ll be drooling all over the possibilities.

Why stop at grilled cheese sandwiches and paninis? Despite being compact and versatile, the Cuisinart GR-4NP1 Panini Press gives its all no matter what you’re cooking. By simply swapping one of five cooking plates, you can go from using it as a contact grill to a panini press, full grill, and griddle, or split the difference and grill on one side while using the other half as a griddle.

Given the possibilities of the Cuisinart GR-4NP1 Panini Press, you’ll use it often, but hate the idea of cleaning up. That’s no problem! All the cooking plates, including the drip tray, are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a cinch.

Key Features
  • Adjustable floating cover
  • Red and green indicator lights
  • Includes gourmet recipes
Specifications
  • Brand: Cuisinart
  • Color: Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Dimensions: 13.5 x 11.5 x 7.12 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 1650 watts
Pros
  • Cooks food evenly
  • Dishwasher-safe accessories for easy cleanup
  • Compact size
Cons
  • Drip tray is often forgotten
Buy This Product
Cuisinart GR-4NP1 Panini Press

When you live in the fast lane, finding ways to speed up the most essential part of living—you know, eating—can save you a lot of time. The Chefman RJ02-180 Electric Panini Press is not only capable of cooking a variety of foods, but it does so in a manner that’s respectful of your time.

For starters, the Chefman RJ02-180 Electric Panini Press isn’t just a panini press, but a contact grill and flat grill, too. It’s all thanks to the floating hinge, allowing you to switch from pressing your favorite sandwich to grilling burgers and vegetables at the same time in mere seconds.

More importantly, the Chefman RJ02-180 Electric Panini Press doesn’t like wasting time. With just the press of a button, the panini press heats up automatically so you can focus on gathering ingredients. Afterward, drop the drip tray into the dishwasher and wipe down the cooking plate once it has cooled. Cleanup is really that easy!

Key Features
  • Dishwasher-safe drip tray
  • 3-in-1 design
  • Floating hinge
Specifications
  • Brand: Chefman
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Weight: 4 pounds
  • Dimensions: 13 x 10 x 4 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 1000 watts
Pros
  • Heats up really fast
  • Can open flat for two cooking surfaces
  • Non-stick surface makes cleanup easy
Cons
  • Lacks temperature controls
Buy This Product
Chefman RJ02-180 Electric Panini Press
Best value

3. Dash Mini Maker

8.80 / 10
Read Reviews

Not everyone has access to a full kitchen or even half a kitchen, for that matter. If you’re stuck with a tiny home or live in a van down by the river, you can still enjoy delicious paninis and sandwiches with the small and powerful Dash Mini Maker.

Despite being small, the Dash Mini Maker makes great use of its 350 watts of power, turning any pile of ingredients into a warm, thoroughly cooked meal. In fact, it cooks so evenly you can safely grill burgers, hotdogs, and chicken to perfection.

Best of all, the Dash Mini Maker’s dimensions make it quite easy to store, making it a great companion for RV trips and small homes. Given how much it expands the range of meals you can prepare, other than paninis, its size doesn’t hold it back.

Key Features
  • Automatic heating
  • Heat indicator light
  • Non-slip feet for stability
Specifications
  • Brand: Dash
  • Color: Aqua, Black, Pink, Red, Silver, White
  • Material: Non-stick
  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Dimensions: 5 x 6 x 2.8 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 350 watts
Pros
  • Heats up quickly
  • Easy to clean non-stick surface
  • Ideal for small homes or RVs
Cons
  • Lacks temperature control
Buy This Product
Dash Mini Maker

Who doesn’t love a tasty breakfast sandwich? Sure, they aren’t the healthiest option on the planet, but swapping out a few ingredients can drastically change that. Better yet, you should use those healthy ingredients in the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker to make the best breakfast meal ever.

Thanks to the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker’s tiered system, making a delicious breakfast sandwich has never been easier. Each section handles a separate ingredient, thoroughly cooking the entire sandwich in just five minutes. Since the sandwich maker doesn’t need your input, other than turning it on, this gives you plenty of time to get ready for the morning while your favorite meal is being prepared.

Without a doubt, the cherry on top is the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker’s non-stick coating and dishwasher-safe accessories. It makes cleanup so much simpler when you can toss the removable parts into the dishwasher and simply wipe off the cooker.

Key Features
  • Includes recipes
  • Automatic heating
  • Removable parts are dishwasher-safe
Specifications
  • Brand: Hamilton Beach
  • Color: Black, Coral, Silver, Mint, Red, Gray
  • Material: Non-stick
  • Weight: 3.2 pounds
  • Dimensions: 7.3 x 6.3 x 5.6 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 600 watts
Pros
  • Cooks the sandwich without your input
  • Durable cooker and components
  • Very easy to clean up
Cons
  • No temperature control
Buy This Product
Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker

When you’re putting together a meal, a sandwich is only one part of the equation and may not provide all the nutrients and vitamins you need. By adding the Yabano 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker to your kitchen, you not only gain access to a wide variety of main courses, but the blender set that follows opens up an equal number of sides that include veggies, fruit, and more.

With 750 watts and a double tube fever, the Yabano 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker is specially designed to spread heat thoroughly and evenly on both sides. Even if you decide to swap in the grill plate for some delicious burgers or steak, you won’t be left with a gross, unevenly cooked mess.

The Yabano 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker is fantastic, there’s no doubt about that, but the Yabano 5-in-1 Hand Blender Set ties a nice bow on the whole package. Given how powerful and equally versatile it is, you can craft the perfect vegetable dip or smoothie with ease.

Key Features
  • 3-in-1 design
  • Features 3 swappable cooking plates
  • Includes a Yabano blender set
Specifications
  • Brand: Yabano
  • Color: Black/Silver
  • Material: Stainless steel, Teflon-coated plates, Plastic
  • Weight: 5.35 pounds
  • Dimensions: 12.5 x 8 x 4.5 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 750 watts
Pros
  • Evenly cooks meals
  • Handle stays cool
  • Blender set is useful for making sides
Cons
  • No temperature control
Buy This Product
Yabano 3-in-1 Sandwich Maker

If simplicity is your bread and butter, the OSTBA Sandwich Maker is a fine choice for making traditional meals, like a perfect grilled cheese sandwich or delicious pancakes.

While the OSTBA Sandwich Maker is limited in what it can prepare, you’ll find that it’s quite powerful under the hood. It features 750 watts of power and a double-faced baking design, meaning whatever does fit inside will be cooked quickly, evenly, and thoroughly.

More importantly, the OSTBA Sandwich Maker features a non-stick coating, ensuring your food doesn’t stick while also providing anti-corrosion resistance. The coating also makes it quite easy to clean up any mess afterward, once the cooker has cooled down.

Key Features
  • BPA-free
  • Non-stick coating
  • Features a safety lock
Specifications
  • Brand: Ostba
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Plastic
  • Weight: 2.44 pounds
  • Dimensions: 8.66 x 8.27 x 3.15 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 750 watts
Pros
  • Evenly and thoroughly cooks meals
  • Handle stays cool
  • Easy to store and clean
Cons
  • Plastic shell feels cheap
Buy This Product
Ostba Sandwich Maker

It was said in ancient times that delicious ingredients are what make the perfect sandwich, but what those long and dead civilizations failed to realize is that they were missing the Breville BSG600BSS Panini Press. If you love everything that is a sandwich, don’t make the same mistake they did.

The Breville BSG600BSS Panini Press gives a surprising level of control over the final steps of sandwich-making. Instead of being locked into a clamshell design, this panini press features an adjustable floating hinge, so if you prefer thicker sandwiches you can adjust accordingly. More importantly, the hinge also has crush control, ensuring whatever delicious ingredients are inside aren’t crushed during the process.

What makes a sandwich better? Why, eating among good company! Given the fair amount of size, the Breville BSG600BSS Panini Press can easily handle cooking two sandwiches at a time—subs included. Don’t be stingy and share the love!

Key Features
  • Adjustable floating hinge
  • PFOA non-stick finish
  • Features crush controls
Specifications
  • Brand: Breville
  • Color: Silver
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Weight: 7.3 pounds
  • Dimensions: 5 x 12.5 x 11.5 inches
  • Power Supply: Corded Electric
  • Power: 1500 watts
Pros
  • Very powerful and quickly heats up
  • Large capacity
  • Durable stainless steel
Cons
  • No temperature control
Buy This Product
Breville BSG600BSS Panini Press

FAQ

Q: What is a Floating Hinge on a Sandwich Press?

Whenever a sandwich press or panini press refers to a "floating hinge," it simply means the top lid isn't connected to the base as it would on a press featuring a clamshell design.

A floating hinge is, by far, a superior design to a clamshell lid. Many sandwich presses allow you to adjust it, too, allowing for a wider variety of sandwich sizes.

Q: Should I Purchase a Sandwicher Maker?

If you love mixing ingredients between two slices of bread, croissants, bagels, and so on, then absolutely!

Many sandwich presses do more than just apply heat to your meaty creation; they can be used as indoor grills, too. On top of that, you're using fewer dishes to cook, say, a grilled cheese considering sandwich makers tend to also be non-stick, so cleanup is often quick and easy.

Q: How Do I Clean My Panini Press and Sandwich Maker?

It really depends on the model you've purchased.

Some sandwich presses feature removable cooking plates that are dishwasher-safe. However, panini presses that aren't can quickly be cleaned with a slightly damp sponge or cloth with warm, soapy water. Of course, you should also make sure the sandwich maker has been turned off and cool. After that, leave the press open so that it can air-dry before storing it away.