Looking for a convenient tabletop option to cook quick meals? One of the best electric grill options we have listed in this article might be the answer. These popular cooking gadgets come with a wide variety of options, with models suitable for nearly every dietary focus.
There is no “perfect” grill out there. The right choice for you will depend on your needs. So, in an effort to help you find a good fit for your culinary adventures, we’ve put together a list of the best grills. Every option on this list is built to last and offers exceptional usability. Here’s a quick overview of your top ten options:
| Name | Image | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill |   | 240 | Yes, 5 levels | Buy on Amazon |
| Weber 52020001 Q1400 Electric Grill |   | 189 | Yes, Multiple | Buy on Amazon |
| Char-Broil Infrared Electric Patio Bistro |   | 240 | Yes, Multiple | Buy on Amazon |
| Elite Gourmet EGL-6501 XL Indoor Electric |   | 192 | Yes, Multiple | Buy on Amazon |
| Simple Living Indoor Smokeless Grill |   | 112 | Minimal, 2 levels | Buy on Amazon |
| Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill |   | 118 | Yes, multiple levels | Buy on Amazon |
| George Foreman Panini Press |   | 60 | No, 1 level | Buy on Amazon |
| Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 4-qt. Indoor Electric Grill (AG301) |   | 100 | Yes, 4 levels | Buy on Amazon |
| ChefWave Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill & Rotisserie |   | 117 | Yes, multiple | Buy on Amazon |
| Hot Shot Indoor Electric Smokeless Grill |   | 110 | Yes, multiple | Buy on Amazon |
Table of Contents
- 1 The Top Electric Grills Reviewed
- 1.1 The George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
- 1.2 The Weber Q1400 Electric Grill
- 1.3 Char-Broil Infrared Electric Patio Bistro (17602047)
- 1.4 Elite Gourmet EGL-6501 XL Indoor Electric Grill
- 1.5 Simple Living Advanced Smokeless Grill
- 1.6 Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- 1.7 George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill and Panini Press
- 1.8 Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Air Fryer, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Indoor Grill
- 1.9 ChefWave Smokeless Electric Grill & Rotisserie
- 1.10 Hot Shot Indoor Electric Smokeless Grill
- 2 Electric Grill Buying Guide
- 3 How to Choose an Electric Grill
- 4 FAQ
- 5 A Final Word on Electric Grills
The Top Electric Grills Reviewed
The George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
Our first electric grill is from the acclaimed George Foreman franchise. It is collapsible and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. If you’re tight on space, the stand for outdoor use can be removed so that you can use just the grill itself.
It is one of the larger grills on our list and provides ample space for large portions or family use. However, this also means it’s bulkier than many tabletop designs. It has an adjustable temperature gauge with five settings, and as seen in multiple other George Foreman grills, the cooking surface is sloped to reduce the grease—and so fat—in your food.
This grill is a good option for you if you need a cooktop with flexibility, given its ability to be used in spaces there is no counter or table available. It also could be valuable to you if you are used to George Foreman grills and want an indoor/outdoor option. It does take up a bit of space, though.
Why We Like It
- Collapsible stand for easy transport
- Large cooking area
- Easy clean-up
- Temperature adjustment knob with five different settings
The George Foreman 15-serving indoor/outdoor grill is a perfect fit for families who need an indoor electric grill but also enjoy a backyard cookout from time to time.
The Weber Q1400 Electric Grill
If you are concerned with how long your grill will last, the Q1400 includes a five-year warranty, which is longer than many other grills currently on the market. This goes hand in hand with the positive reviews and reputation this grill has with customers.
Why We Like It
- Temperature control with a spectrum of heating settings
- Compact size
- Five-year warranty
The Weber Q1400 is a good fit for households with one to three people and makes a superb replacement for bulky BBQs.
Char-Broil Infrared Electric Patio Bistro (17602047)
Its ample cooking space is great for feeding a crowd, though you won’t have to worry about it taking up too much counter space. This is another grill only designed for outdoor use.
Why We Like It
- Can fit a larger quantity of food
- Uses infrared technology to heat food
- Multiple temperature levels
If you need an outdoor grill for occasional use and prefer the ease of setup that comes with electric options, the Char-Broil 17602047 might be the ideal choice for you.
Elite Gourmet EGL-6501 XL Indoor Electric Grill
The EGL-6501 XL is a medium- to large-sized grill with an “M-shaped” element that cooks your food more uniformly. Every part included on this electric grill can be removed, meaning that the parts can easily be cleaned or washed, which can save time and effort.
This model is our first pick that is intended for indoor use only, so if you want a grill with more versatile capabilities, you may not find this one your primary choice. That being said, it remains a popular electric grill for those who value easy cleanup and a decent amount of grill space.
Why We Like It
- Has removal parts
- Spatter-shield
- Designed to cook food evenly
The Elite Gourmet makes perfectly cooked grilled cheese and quesadillas with ease, but it does require a bit of storage and setup space.
Simple Living Advanced Smokeless Grill
The Simple Living grill has a very simple temperature control with only two settings—cook and warm. This can great if you want things simple, but if you want more control over what your temperature is at, this may not be the grill you want.
Why We Like It
- More compact to take up less space
- Utilizes infrared technology
- No-smoke design
Ideal for those who like to keep things simple, the Simple Living indoor grill is excellent for quick lunches.
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
It has a distinctively designed hood that helps give your food that “grilled” taste without having to use a charcoal or gas grill. This model is intended for indoor use only.
Why We Like It
- A distinct hood offers a “grilled” flavor
- Smaller size for practical placement
- Multiple temperature options with a temperature dial
- Easy to clean
- One-year warranty
This grill is another good option if you want a moderately-sized indoor grill that offers easy clean-up.
George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill and Panini Press
This electric grill was kept simple and doesn’t have a customizable temperature setting. It does, however, have the trademark slope design fit for removing fats and oils from food and includes a three-year warranty.
Why We Like It
- Compact size
- Simple and easy use
- Three-year warranty
If you prioritize practicality and conserving space over customization, the George Foreman Panini grill is a good option.
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Air Fryer, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Indoor Grill
It also comes with a few accessories, including a small cookbook to get you started. This grill directly offers time and temperature management with easy buttons that guide you and allow you to choose the temperature and setting that you want for your food.
The Ninja Foodi can move hot air around your food while it cooks, meaning you don’t have to worry about flipping your item midway through the cooking process—unless you’re a fan of grill marks. The grill itself is smaller in size, too, so if your ideal grill can cook more ample amounts at one time, you may want to consider something larger.
Why We Like It
- Can cook foods by means other than grilling
- Highly adjustable settings
- Fully cooks food items without having to flip them over
- One-year warranty
With five functions, the Ninja Foodi is a fantastic choice for those who need an all-in-one solution or are short on space.
ChefWave Smokeless Electric Grill & Rotisserie
All these bonuses allow you to use the ChefWave Smokeless Electric Grill & Rotisserie for multiple foods to cook multiple different ways. This grill also uses infrared heating to cook your foods, which helps reduce smoke and maintains even heat dispersion. It has fewer functions than the Ninja, but also comes in at a more affordable price point.
Why We Like It
- Offers five cooking options
- Includes additional materials in addition to the grill itself
- Infrared heating usage
If you’re looking for an affordable multi-use grill, the ChefWave electric grill and rotisserie could be a good fit.
Hot Shot Indoor Electric Smokeless Grill
The grill’s temperature can be manually adjusted, and its parts are easily be broken down and washed—they’re dishwasher safe. Similar to Ninja Foodi, this grill also comes with a cookbook. It features air cycling technology to remove hot air from the grill and prevent smoking.
Why We Like It
- Has grill and griddle option
- Easily broken down for cleaning
- Indoor and outdoor usage
With a low-mess design and both grill and griddle options, the HotShot grill is a nice multi-use option.
Electric Grill Buying Guide
Now that you’ve had a look at the best electric grills on the market, let’s take a moment to explore some considerations to make before embarking on your shopping expedition.
Are electric grills right for you?
The first question you need to ask yourself before investing any money into a new grill is if you are buying a grill that will fit your interests. There are a few different factors to consider, some in favor, some opposed:
Space
If you’re living in a small apartment or only have a limited amount of kitchen space, then your best bet is going to be an electric grill. Electric grills are generally smaller and lighter and can be put away when not in use.
Non-electric grills, such as gas or charcoal, are often much larger and can’t be as easily stored. That being said, there are a few electric grills, such as the before mentioned George Foreman 15-serving indoor/outdoor electric grill or the Char-Broil 17602047 that are closer to the size of a non-electric grill. Electric grills provide options as far as size preference and allow you to choose whether you want a grill of a more traditional standard that is bigger and made more for outside use, or one of more modern standards that can more easily be used indoors.
Environmental factors
While electric grills are compact and easy to transport, they are also widely held as being less hazardous to the environment. While they still produce some carbon emissions, electric grills are considered one of the best grills in terms of pollution creation alongside certain gas grills. So, if you want to be as green as you can, electric grills are a viable alternative to the impactful nature of charcoal grilling.
Energy source
Electric grills don’t require the purchase of charcoal or gas, so all that is needed to cook is an energy source. Although you have to maintain access to this energy source, it is a different means of creating heat that is cheaper than using other sources of energy. It also avoids having to work with an open flame.
Taste and flavor
While electric grills strive to function and create cooking results as near to a gas or charcoal grill as possible, often, this can’t be precisely done. Since you are not using normal materials such as gas, wood pellets, charcoal, or even smoke, the flavors that typically result from those cooking methods may be lacking.
Different models achieve this replication closer, but at the end of the day, there are times where a difference can be evident. If you have a preference for a particular taste, it is important to weigh that into your decision process.
Health benefits
Evident in the different George Foreman grills is the stress on the removal of fats in the grill’s innate sloped design. While this is stressed in these models, most electric grills are already known to make meats healthier when comparing them to traditional grilling.
This can be attributed to most having a tray attached that will hold any excess fat or unhealthy matter that is cooked off the food.
How to Choose an Electric Grill
If you have decided that the electric grill is for you, the next thing to do is figure out the electric griller that best suits your needs. We’ve listed below some key aspects to look for when deciding what you want:
Decide your budget
There is an array of options when it comes to grills. While we won’t go into specific prices, it is important to decide how much you are willing to spend and how much you expect to get from it. Balancing this question is essential to getting the grill that you want out of your purchase.
Decide what type you want
There are different types of electric grillers, spanning from very basic and simplistic such as the George Foreman Panini Press, to the more complex grills, such as the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Electric Grill. It’s important to focus on features you’ll really use.
For instance, if you only want to be able to cook up a steak or grilled chicken and a side dish for dinner a few times a month, unless you have extra space and cash, a 5-in-1 model is going to be overkill for you. On the other hand, if you have a large family and love to explore cooking methods, meat, fish and veggies, that same 5-in-1 might be a dream come true.
Big or small?
How much room you have can determine many aspects of your life, one of which is your grilling machinery. While most electric grills are smaller in size, there are some larger models. This variation means that if you want a grill that resembles more traditional charcoal or gas grills, for which the size depends on the burners, that is a possibility, but if you want a model that can fit next to your kitchen toaster, that is possible too.
Some grills provide happy mid-point or can even be broken apart and rebuilt depending on the amount of space available.
The amount of food you can cook at one time is directly related to the size of your grill and is an important question to ask. If you are accustomed to hosting large parties, a large electric grill may be necessary. However, if your usual course cooking consists of a table for one, a smaller grill may be all you need to cook efficiently.
Indoor and outdoor or just one
Some electric grillers are meant to remain outside. While some are meant to stay in, others can do both. Any of these types have their benefits. If you enjoy the outdoors and do not plan on doing any grilling within your four walls, all you may need is an outdoor electric grill, such as the Char-Broil Infrared Patio Bistro. The same goes for an indoor grill for those who want to enjoy grilling from the inside, such as is seen in grills like the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill.
If you want a little bit of both, this is also an option, as many electric grills can function as both outside or inside machinery, some of which have additional components that aid in this transition, such as the George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill.
FAQ
Q: What is the best electric grill on the market?
A: This is all up to your personnel preference. You can read reviews and descriptions of products like ours before purchasing to decide whether to purchase the product in question, but no two people will have the same preferences or likes. Any electric grills that we discussed here today would be excellent choices.
Q: Can I use my electric grill inside?
A: This depends on the model—some allow this, some don’t. Typically, inside-only electric grills are smaller and able to maneuver around a lot easier. Outdoor grills are usually larger and less mobile, although some have different components that allow it to be moved inside/outside with relative ease. That said, in most cases, there is no functional reason you can’t use an indoor grill outside or an outdoor grill inside.
Q: Are electric grills actually smokeless?
A: Yes, and no. Yes, certain technology will greatly reduce the smoke produced by a grill, but if you, for instance, burn something, any cooking method is going to produce smoke. It is not a perfect science by any means, but forgoing accidental overcooking, most electric grills won’t be setting off your smoke alarm or anything. Those advertised as “smoke-free” may be your best bet if you have allergies or asthma, however.
Q: How long does an electric grill take to cook food?
A: The heating process in your electronic grills will often be indicated by some sort of light that notifies you that the temperature has been reached. With electric grills, the usual wait time will vary, but if we take a specific example, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro. It will take about 15 minutes for the surface to heat up to the desired temperature. Charcoal grills will take about 5 to 10 minutes to preheat, meaning there is a relatively short time difference when heating up both types of grills.
Considering the convenience and efficiency of the electric grill, not to mention the consistent heat balance you get once its temperature is set, you may find the difference in waiting time is not a big deal.
Q: Will my food come out tasting any different?
A: As mentioned before, using an electric grill means no longer relying on other sources for heat, such as open flames created by gas, charcoal, or otherwise. That means that these flavors that would normally be “transferred” during this process would not occur since the heat in the electric grill is produced by electricity. Some may consider this a minor change, while others consider it very significant, but either way, it is something to consider when discussing the different types of grills.
A Final Word on Electric Grills
No two grills are the same because no two people are the same, which has led to a vast selection of electric grills available for purchase. Both complex and simple grills are out there with various size options and features.
No matter which grill you decide to go with, choosing it should be based on your preferences, your living arrangements, and how you like cooking.
Once you figure out what you require, you will have a large list of various grills to choose from, all of which have many attributes available to align with your specific tastes—the best of which are outlined above. Now get grilling!
