Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Breville The Smart Grill
Best Premium Indoor GrillCuisinart Griddler FIVE
Best Versatile Indoor GrillPrice
$350
$108-$120
Summary
Serious Eats' splurge pick with a tilted grill plate that channels grease away from the heating element to reduce smoke. At $350, it's for serious indoor grillers who want premium build quality and precise control.
Five cooking configurations in one machine — full grill, half grill/half griddle, full griddle, panini press, and waffle maker. Dishwasher-safe plates and precise digital temperature control make it Good Housekeeping's top overall pick.
Pros
- Tilted grill plate design channels grease away from heating element to minimize smoke
- Premium build quality and materials justify the higher price point
- Precise temperature control for consistent results
- Enclosed cooking environment with lid for more even heat distribution
- Serious Eats' top splurge recommendation after hands-on testing
- Five cooking configurations including grill, griddle, and panini press modes
- Digital temperature control from 175°F to 450°F in 25-degree increments
- Dishwasher-safe grill plates for easy cleanup
- Sear function heats to 450°F for two-minute increments
- Waffle plates available as an add-on for even more versatility
Cons
- Expensive at $350 — nearly 4x the price of the Zojirushi
- Heavy at 19 pounds — difficult to move and store
- Grease drainage hole is a bit small, which can limit effectiveness
- Smaller cooking footprint (14 x 14 inches) than the Zojirushi despite higher price
- Top plate can drip when cooking greasy foods — recommend foil under back legs
- Heavier than simpler single-function grills at 11.6 pounds
- More complex to operate than basic dial-controlled models
Our take
The Breville Smart Grill is the choice if you're cooking indoors regularly and want the closest thing to a professional setup. The tilted plate design is genuinely clever — it's the only indoor grill that actively manages grease rather than just collecting it.
The Cuisinart Griddler FIVE is the indoor grill for people who actually cook a variety of things. If you want grill marks on Monday and pancakes on Sunday, this is the only machine you need.
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