Nothing beats cooking food on a grill, whether you’re grilling meat, veggies, or even fruit! Luckily, if you don’t have outdoor space an indoor grill might be just what you’re looking for, but there are a variety of different grills that may be better suited for you and your needs. Indoor grills are compact appliances that will let you grill food at home without much effort or smoke. In this review, we’ve collected a variety of different options to find the best indoor grill for your household.
When reviewing indoor grills, it’s important to look at the different features and understand why they’re important so you can decide what’s right for you and your home. The cooking area will let you know how much space you have to cook your food, the maximum temperature will tell you if it’s a good grill for high heat charring and searing, and the dimensions of the grill will help you know if it will fit in your kitchen or in storage.
We spent tens of hours going over the specifications of various grills, comparing their product features and reading every customer review to help you pick the one which will best fit your needs and space. We’ll break down our findings in a table with quick-to-find features as well as more detailed reviews followed by a buying guide for anyone ready to purchase their own best indoor grill.
More features: 2-piece design; non-stick aluminum grid; smokeless
The Philips HD6371/94 is our Editor’s Choice because it uses infrared technology and special reflectors to help guide the heat to the cooking grid, making it easy to uniformly cook food. Though it is important to note that the infrared heating element does put off light and some users found it too bright to see their cooking food, especially in a darker room.
This grill heats up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit and though it does not have different temperature settings, that makes it even easier for people to use: no guesswork on what temperature is the right one, just turn it on and let it heat up making it the best indoor grill for chicken.
It has nonslip feet to keep the grill securely in place on your counter or cooking surface area, and the grill pan is dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
Because the drip tray is kept at a distance from the heating element and pan there’s even less smoke generated when cooking, up to 80 percent less, though some users stated that it still put off a fair amount of smoke. The grill pan is nonstick and creates authentic grill marks for those that like to see that on their food. Bonus! This model comes with a recipe book, making it a great choice for the user who would like to grill more inside their home but doesn’t know where to start, or for a person who would like to experiment with their cooking.
Though it is important to note that this grill weighs almost 16 pounds, which may be too heavy for some users to move back and forth to storage. Also, the material type is plastic, which may not be as durable as steel or aluminum.
More features: 6 cooking options; removable, reversible grill/griddle plates
The Cuisinart GR-300WS is not just an indoor grill, but a combination of six different kitchen appliances: panini press, full grill, full griddle, half griddle, half grill, and top melt, making this an excellent choice for the chef who wants the convenience of a variety of cooking options. It also has a sear option, that allows the grill to cook up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two minutes at a time making this the best indoor smokeless grill.
It’s constructed from brushed stainless steel and is small enough to remain on a kitchen counter or to easily store in a closet or cabinet. The grill can open up flat and it has a dual control temperature which means that each side of the grill can be heated to a different temperature, making this an excellent choice for those who want to cook a variety of foods at different temperature at the same time, such as bacon on one side and pancakes on the other. The cook plates are reversible and removable, and are dishwasher safe, making for easy, quick cleanup after use. It also comes with a cleaning/scraping tool to simplify things even more.
It has an astounding 240 square inches of cook space when fully open, making it a fantastic choice for anyone with a large family or for backyard parties. The electronic LCD display and LED indicator lights make this a high-tech grill for any gadget enthusiast but also easy to use for those who like simpler appliances. But because it’s made of stainless steel, the grill weighs almost 17 pounds, which might be too heavy for some users if they plan on keeping it in storage when not in use. And some users stated that the cooking surface is too flat, so any grease or fat doesn’t drip into the drip tray, but instead stays under the food.
More features: removable nonstick plate; hood; plate and drip tray are dishwasher safe
The Hamilton Beach 25361 has an adjustable temperature dial that lets you easily control the heat of your indoor grill. The dial can be set as low as 200 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 450 degrees Fahrenheit, making it great for searing purposes, though some people said it took longer than expected to cook their food, especially meat. The lid of the grill can be closed, helping you to achieve grill marks on your food, and on top of that the lid comes with a viewing window so you can better watch your food cooking and make sure it doesn’t accidentally burn making this the best indoor electric grill. The nonstick grill plate and drip tray are removable for easy cleaning and both are dishwasher safe, making cleanup simple and fast. Also, the grill cover can be removed for hand cleaning, making this model one of the best for those who want to keep their appliances clean and extend their life.
The Hamilton Beach 25361 comes with indicator lights to tell you when your grill is on and when it’s ready for cooking, though it’s important to note that there’s no off switch, the user needs to unplug the grill to turn it off. But the cooking pan is large enough to cook more than one item at a time. The drip tray, too, is an extra-large size for catching grease or drippings.
This machine is made out of stainless steel, extending its possible life, and it only weighs 8 pounds, making it easy to move in and out of storage. This grill has small dimensions, making it a great choice for apartment living, but it doesn’t sacrifice on the cook surface size, with a generous 150 square inches to grill all your favorites.
More features: drip tray; can be used both indoors and outdoors; comes with a stand
The George Foreman GFO240S has 240 square inches of cook space in order to cook up to 15 portions of food for a large family or a party. It’s especially useful for tailgating before or after a game making this our choice for the best indoor/outdoor grill. It also comes with a stand, making it easy to go from indoor cooking to outside grilling, though it’s important to note that the grill weighs 17 pounds, which may be too heavy for some users to easily move around and some users stated that they thought the stand was too weak to stand up to wind or weather. But users don’t need to use the stand to cook with this grill outside if they don’t want to.
The adjustable temperature control lets you choose from five different settings to better control your cooking options, and the sloped grilling surface easily lets fat and grease drip away for healthier cooking and the drip tray is dishwasher safe. The cooking pans, however, are not removable for cleaning purposes which means you have to clean them attached to the grill after each use and dishwasher cleaning is not an option. Some users stated that the grill is difficult to clean because of this, though others said it was quick and easy to clean.
It’s a large grill, made for large gatherings, so it may not be the best choice for smaller living spaces such as apartments or for single person use.
The George Foreman GFO240S comes with an excellent three-year limited warranty as well, and George Foreman grills have long been considered good grills to own making this the best indoor BBQ grill.
More features: thermostat control with 5 adjustable settings; removable drip pan; glass lid
The Maxi-Matic EMG-980B has a 14-inch grilling surface, making this a great choice for those users who want to cook for a lot of people or a large family, or for those who want to cook a variety of different foods. That, plus its round shape, makes this the best indoor grill for Korean BBQ. It’s also one of the best rated indoor grill options as well.
The cook pan is nonstick, so you don’t have to worry about your food getting stuck and ruined. It also comes with a thermostat control that has five different settings and is adjustable up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This thermostat control is also adjustable. The heating element for this grill is circular, making it faster to heat and letting it cook more evenly around the grill, and the cool touch base handles help prevent burns.
While every part of this grill is detachable for washing purposes, the grill pan itself is not dishwasher safe, meaning you’ll have to hand wash it after every use, and be careful not to use abrasive cleaning materials or the nonstick coating may come off. This model, though, does come with a glass lid, for those foods that need a cover to cook properly.
The Maxi-Matic EMG-980B is made from aluminum and only weighs about six pounds, making it a great choice for someone without a lot of counter space, though it’s important to note that it is a fairly large grill and so it may be hard to store it for some users.
More features: detachable thermostat; nonstick surface; tempered glass lid
The Delonghi BG24 has a 12 by 6-inch cooking surface, or 72 square inches making it on the more average size for indoor grills. It would be a great choice for people new to indoor grills: not too big and not too small. This grill has a tempered glass lid, making it easy to keep an eye on your food as it cooks or to use to keep your food warm after you’re finished grilling, though some users had issues with the height of the lid not being tall enough to accommodate larger foods like thick burgers or large chicken breasts. It comes with a detachable thermostat with fi temperature levels to allow for a variety of cooking temperatures making it the best indoor grill for steaks.
The drip pan on this grill is removable and dishwasher safe, but the grill pan, while removable and nonstick, is not dishwasher safe and so will require hand cleaning after every use.
The Delonghi BG24 has on/off indicator lights and cool-touch handles making it safe and easy to move around inside your home. The heating element is embedded in a special “M” shape so the entire grill surface heats up, making for more consistent cooking and grilling on all available surfaces of the grill.
This grill comes with a one-year limited warranty, which is good since some users complained that their grill stopped heating after a few months of use and it weighs almost 11 pounds, which isn’t too heavy but not as light as some other models.
More features: four smart protein settings, nine customizable doneness levels, five additional cooking functions, air fry crisps
The Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6 in 1 Indoor Grill includes everything you need to prepare delicious and healthy meals. It is the only appliance you will need to grill, air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, or broil tasty dishes. For that reason, we chose this grill as our choice for Best Combination Indoor Grill. It retails for $249.99.
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL grill is an excellent choice for anyone who loves to cook or those who want to clear all the excessive appliances from their kitchen counter. This 6-in-1 product has everything you need to prepare a variety of foods in multiple ways.
The features that we love on this Ninja grill include all its cooking capabilities, as well as the extra-large capacity and stainless steel finish. This high-quality grill uses 500F cyclonic grilling technology to provide even cooking for meats and veggies. The Smart Cook System features four smart protein settings, nine fully customizable doneness levels, and the Foodi Smart thermometer that allows you to achieve the ideal doneness. Whether you prefer your meat cooked rare or well done, you can achieve your cooking goals with this indoor grill.
There are a lot of positive reviews out there for this Ninja indoor grill, and very few customers have negative things to say about it. However, some users have complained about having to clean the grill after each use as it can be a hassle. It is also quite expensive, however, when you consider everything it can do, the Ninja Indoor Grill is a good value for the money.
More features: smokeless technology, dial temperature control, nonstick surface, dishwasher safe
The Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill is an easy-to-use, compact indoor grill featuring Gotham Steel’s famous nonstick ceramic surface. This quality As Seen on TV grill uses smokeless technology that helps to reduce virtually all the hot smoke allowing you to easily grill food indoors without causing your house to fill up with smoke.
This Gotham Steel indoor grill is ideal for anyone who enjoys preparing or eating grilled food but does not have the space outdoors for a large gas or charcoal grill. We love that it features a metal utensil-safe, a nonstick ceramic surface that does cooking and cleaning up a breeze. With this grill, you can enjoy grilled steak, bacon, burgers, fish, chicken, and pork chops all year round.
We chose this indoor grill as our choice for the Most Affordable Indoor Grill because it retails for just $38.94 but has so much to offer those looking for a quality indoor grill. It has a large ultra-non-stick surface that is reinforced with ceramic and titanium that guarantees your food will not stick. It also features temperature controls with an adjustable dial that helps maintain perfect heat all across the surface.
Like so many other smokeless indoor grills we have reviewed, the Gotham Steel grill is not 100% smokeless. Using this grill, you may still need to use a range fan to get the smoke out of your kitchen. There have also been a few reports that the grill plate will move if the user is not careful with it, therefore you should use caution while this grill is In use.
More features: LED smart display, dishwasher safe, nonstick finish
The CUSIMAX Smokeless Grill includes a variety of features that are sure to make cooking your favorite foods much easier. This portable indoor grill has plenty of space to prepare a large family meal. It is our choice for the best grill for Korean BBQ because it prepares these tasty dishes perfectly. This indoor grill retails for $124.97.
This grill is ideal for taking along wherever you want to go. You can enjoy using it in a condominium, apartment, RV, or on the patio during a family cookout. This grill heats up fast and cooks food evenly. You can use it to prepare steaks, chicken, and of course, delicious Korean BBQ that rivals the dishes served at your favorite restaurant.
There are several great features of this indoor grill. It heats up fast and cooks food evenly thanks to the Double-U heating tubes. The perforated grill plate allows excess oil to be eliminated and leaves your steak with the same grill marks as a charcoal grill. It has a nonstick heating surface and a clear LED smart display that allows you to adjust the temperature for perfect results every time.
The CUSIMAX Smokeless Grill is a great indoor grill available at an affordable price, but there are a few disadvantages associated with this product. Like many other grills on our list, it is not completely smokeless and, therefore will produce some smoke while in use. It is also not as effective at higher temperatures, but most users still consider it to be a good value for the price.
More features: dishwasher-safe parts, overheat protection, LED temperature display
The hOmeLabs Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill makes it possible to enjoy all the benefits of outdoor grilling indoors. It includes an assortment of modern features to help you prepare delicious and healthy dishes you and your family are sure to enjoy. This electric grill is our choice for the most compact because we feel that it is the best grill overall with all the right features at an affordable price. It retails for $84.97.
This smokeless electric grill is ideal for anyone who enjoys the taste and ease of preparation of grilled foods. It is a good option for those who do not have any space outside their home for an outdoor grill, such as someone who lives in an apartment. It features plenty of space to cook a full meal for two or more people, yet it is still compact enough so that it will not take up much space on your kitchen counter.
There are several things we liked about the hOmeLabs Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill. It features removable nonstick grill grates that are easy to clean after use. It has a tempered glass lid, digital temperature control and comes with a bonus griddle plate. This grill has a super-fast heating element that heats up to 1500W. Along with using it indoors, you can also take this durable electric grill out to the patio as long as you have a source of electricity.
While we feel that this is a great indoor grill that prepares food well, there is one downside that many users have complained about, and that is the fact that it is not smokeless. Some have mentioned that it creates a lot of smoke during use with certain foods, which can be a major issue if you do not want smoke inside your home. Still, this grill has received plenty of positive reviews as well from users who enjoy all the other aspects of it.
Indoor grills are a great appliance to have if you live somewhere that doesn’t have the space for a more traditional outdoor propane or charcoal grill, or for someone who doesn’t want to spend the time dealing with those fuel sources. But there are a lot of different options when it comes to grill models so if you’re considering the best indoor grill the following guides can help you make your decision.
Indoor grills are electric grills, meaning you don’t need to use propane or charcoal in order to grill meat, veggies, or even fruit with them. This makes them a great choice for those people who live in apartments where propane and charcoal grills are prohibited or for those who don’t have outdoor space to keep a more traditional grill. Indoor grills are designed to allow you to grill in the comfort of your kitchen, no need to worry about the weather or the time of year.
The best indoor grill is one that meets all your needs, including cooking area, maximum temperature, dimensions, weight, warranty, and any extra features. The below qualities will help you choose the best indoor grill for you.
The cooking area is one of the most important considerations when looking at indoor grills. There needs to be enough space to cook everything you want to, otherwise it will be an appliance you won’t use that often. Or if it’s a grill that has too much cooking space, you’ll be wasting electricity and power heating parts of the grill you’re not even using.
If you’re looking for a great grill to feed a lot of people check out the 240 square inches of cooking space the George Foreman GFO240S or the Cuisinart GR-300WS provides. They’re made to cook a lot of food for a lot of people.
The maximum temperature of an indoor grill can make a big difference, particularly if you’re someone who wants to cook foods at a high temperature, such as searing steaks or other meats.
Many of the grills come with different temperature settings, though some only cook at a single high temperature, so it’s important to know what kind of foods you plan on cooking on your indoor grill and what kind of temperature would work best for you.
For the grill with the highest maximum temperature, check out the Cuisinart GR-300WS which can sear at 500 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two minutes at a time.
If you have a small space, then it’s important to find an indoor grill that will work in your space. Or if you plan on keeping your grill in storage when not in use it’s necessary to find one that will fit in your closet or cupboard. On the other hand, if you’re someone that plans on feeding a large family or use your indoor grill for parties or gatherings, then a smaller grill probably won’t meet your needs.
If you want a grill that is perfect for a smaller kitchen, then look at the Hamilton Beach 25361 which has smaller dimensions but still has a generous 150 square inches of cooking space, making it a great choice for apartment dwellers.
Weight is an important consideration for those people who don’t plan on leaving their indoor grill on their counters at all times. If you want to move it to storage when its not in use, or if you plan to bring it with for tailgating or outside for barbecuing, weight can all be a contributing factor to how easily your grill can accommodate you. Indoor grills run the gamut of only a few pounds in weight to almost 20 pounds so it’s important to know what’s right for you and your needs. If you’re looking for a lightweight grill, check out our budget pick of the Maxi-Matic EMG-980B which only weighs about six pounds.
We all hope that our indoor grills will never have any problems and last for a lifetime. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and sometimes accidents happen, especially with appliances that may be moved in and out of storage or in and outside as regularly as an indoor grill. If you’re someone who’s worried about possible accidents breaking your grill, then look for one with a more robust warranty, such as the three-year limited warranties on the Cuisinart GR-300WS or the George Foreman GFO240S.
Many indoor grills come with additional features, making it even harder to choose what’s the best grill for you. If you’re worried about cleaning your grill, then take a look at any of the grills with removable, dishwasher safe cook pans and drip trays, and if you plan to cook a variety of foods then check out the grills with different temperature settings or our Editor’s Choice the Philips HD6371/94 which comes with a recipe booklet for those looking to experiment and grow. But if you’re someone who wants all the features possible, then look no further than the Cuisinart GR-300WS which comes with an astonishing 6 different convertible cooking options, from panini press, to full or half griddle or grill. It’s almost 6 different appliances in one.
Indoor grills can add fun and different cooking methods to almost any home or residence. Whether you want to grill just for yourself or an entire party, there’s an indoor grill out there that will fit your needs and requirements.
The best indoor grill on this list is our Editor’s Choice, the Philips HD6371/94. It uses infrared technology to help cook your food more uniformly. There are nonslip feet on the base of the grill and the removable drip tray and cook pan are dishwasher safe, making cleanup simple and easy. And because it only has one temperature setting, it takes the guesswork out of cooking. Just plug it in, wait for it to heat up, and you’re good to go!
If you’re looking for an indoor grill that pretty much does it all, then the Cuisinart GR-300WS is the one to choose. It has six different cooking options, from panini press to griddle, making it pretty much six appliances in one. It has a digital LCD display, LED lights, and its steel body make it an attractive addition to any kitchen. But it has 240 square inches of cook space when fully open for those who want to serve a large crowd and it can sear up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two minutes.
Finally, for those looking for an indoor grill for smaller living spaces, such as an apartment, check out the Hamilton Beach 25361. Its small dimensions mean it will fit in almost any kitchen, but it has a larger cook space, meaning that you’re still able to cook a full meal. It has a lid that closes to aid in cooking, and a glass window so you can keep an eye on your food as it grills. And the drip tray and cook pan are dishwasher safe, making it a great choice for those looking for a grill with easy cleanup options.
