Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Best Budget Indoor GrillZojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill
Best Overall Indoor GrillPrice
$80-$101
$82-$138
Summary
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.
Top pick from both Serious Eats and Epicurious for indoor grilling. Gets hotter than competitors, produces minimal smoke, and cleans up fast thanks to full nonstick coating on both sides of the grate.
Pros
- 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
- Gets hotter than competing indoor grills — reaches high enough to char zucchini and leave real grill marks
- Nonstick coating on both top and bottom of grate prevents fat from sticking during cleanup
- Large ~160 sq inch open-grate cooking surface with separate drip tray for grease management
- Minimal smoke production due to dense hole pattern that whisks fat away from heating element quickly
- Simple dial controls — no manual-scouring required
Cons
- 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
- Only the drip tray is dishwasher-safe; grill grate requires hand washing
- No lid, so it lacks the enclosed cooking environment of some competitors
- Relatively large footprint at 18 x 12.25 inches — takes up significant counter space
Our take
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.
If you want one indoor grill that just works without fuss, this is it. Every expert who tested it picked it first, and the simplicity is the point — no gimmicks, just great results.
Buy
