Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Cuisinart Griddler FIVE
Best Versatile Indoor GrillHamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Best Budget Indoor GrillPrice
$108-$120
$80-$101
Summary
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.
Serious Eats' runner-up pick at a fraction of the price of premium models. The viewing window lid and adjustable temperature make it a solid everyday indoor grill for apartment dwellers.
Pros
- 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
- Lid with viewing window lets you monitor food without releasing smoke
- Adjustable temperature control for versatile cooking
- Dense hole pattern in grate whisks fat away quickly to minimize smoke
- Compact at 16.75 x 12.25 inches — easier to store than larger models
- Affordable price point without sacrificing core performance
Cons
- 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
- Grate bottom is uncoated, making cleanup harder than the Zojirushi
- Took nearly twice as long to cook food as the Zojirushi in Epicurious testing
- No visible grill marks in some tests — more like pan-searing than grilling
Our take
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.
For under $90, the Hamilton Beach punches well above its weight. Serious Eats tested it head-to-head against grills twice the price and still recommended it — that's the kind of value that matters.
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