The 9 Best Indoor Grills To Make Burgers And Kebabs Year-Round

There’s a reason we associate grilled foods with summer. While feasting on burgers and grilled vegetables is always a delight, standing outside in subzero temperatures to tend to the grill is decidedly not. But you don’t have to say goodbye to eating your favorited grilled foods when the weather is less than ideal. Instead, when rain or snow hinders your cravings (or if you live in an apartment with no outdoor access), you can always turn to one of the best indoor grills.

With one of the best indoor grills, you can make delicious vegetable kebabs and burgers year-round.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS

While these handy countertop machines evoke images of hamburgers and hot dogs, they can yield more than just the grill classics. For example, many machines include flat plates for pancakes, eggs and more. For its versatility and power, our favorite indoor grill overall is the Cuisinart Electric Griddler Five. That said, all of the nine indoor grills included in this list deliver charred and juicy flavor—no propane, charcoal or winter mittens required. The right model for you, as always, depends on your lifestyle and preferences.

Below, here are the best indoor grills that yield juicy burgers, charred veggies, crispy paninis and more.

Best Indoor Grill Overall

A Multi-Functional Grilling Powerhouse

Amazon

Cuisinart Electric Griddler Five

Material: Stainless steel with nonstick plates | Adjustable temperature: 175 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

Featuring reversible nonstick plates, this electric grill from Cuisinart is an endlessly versatile machine. When using the grill plates, you can char everything from zucchini planks and chicken breasts to burgers and steaks. You can also grill foods on contact (which is ideal for delicate foods like fish and asparagus) or use the panini press function to bring your sandwich game to the next level. And when your brunch plans call for pancakes and eggs, simply flip the nonstick plates over to the griddle side. The grill includes an LCD display and user-friendly digital controls, plus the dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

Pros:

• Versatile
• Cooks food quickly

Cons: 

• Relatively bulky to store

Best Value Indoor Grill

An Affordable Machine That Offers Great Functionality

Amazon

Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Grill

Material: Stainless steel with ceramic plates | Adjustable temperature: 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

Despite its budget-friendly price, Hamilton Beach’s lacks for nothing in functionality. The removable grill plates are coated with ceramic, which prevents food from sticking and eliminates the drudgery of scraping off stubborn scraps after cooking. Plus, the grill hood is outfitted with a see-through panel that allows you to keep an eye on your steaks or veggies as they char, and a generously sized drip tray minimizes spills.

Pros:

• Good value
• Ceramic nonstick

Cons:

• Short cord

Best Smokeless Indoor Grill

A Model That Imparts All The Charred Flavor With None Of The Smoke

MOST POPULAR

Williams Sonoma

GreenPan Premiere XL SmokeLess Grill & Griddle

Material: Stainless steel with ceramic plates | Adjustable temperature: Up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

If you have an overactive smoke detector at home, GreenPan’s Smokeless Grill and Griddle delivers the flavor without the haze. The two-sided grill and griddle combo is made from nonstick ceramic and features adjustable, dual-zone heating, meaning you can fry an egg on one side and crisp up bacon on the other. The ceramic grates, drip tray and splash guard are all removable and dishwasher safe.

Pros:

• Multi-functional
• Ceramic plates are nonstick

Cons: 

• Takes up counter significant space

Best Indoor Grill For Steak

A Mighty Model That Heats Up To 500 Degrees Fahrenheit

Amazon

Hamilton Beach Steak Lover’s Indoor Grill

Material: Stainless steel with nonstick plates | Adjustable temperature: Up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit

Ribeye fans, Hamilton Beach’s indoor grill is for you. To achieve superior searing and char on steaks (that stays juicy on the inside), preheat the grill up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. After a few minutes, the grill automatically switches to a lower preset temperature to finish off your perfectly cooked steaks. The non-stick grates make cleanup quick—just wipe them clean with paper towels after they cool.

Pros:

• High heat
• Easy to clean

Cons: 

• Relatively small cooking space

Best Small Indoor Grill

A Petite Grill That Punches Above Its Weight

Amazon

Elite Gourmet Electric Tabletop Grill

Material: Aluminum with nonstick plates | Adjustable temperature: 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

Elite Gourmet’s electric grill truly punches above its weight. Featuring an 11-inch cooking surface that takes up no more space than a large frying pan, this petite grill is ideal for small households. If you want to turn a pile of veggies and a few gorgeous steaks or fish fillets into a satisfying meal for one or two, this grill is the perfect size. Plus, the nonstick grates prevent sticking and the grill’s domed lid prevents oil splatter. 

Pros:

• Efficient
• Easy to store

Cons:

• Not ideal for large groups

Best Large Indoor Grill

A Spacious Grill That’s Ready To Party

Amazon

Power XL Smokeless Electric Grill

Material: Aluminum with ceramic plates | Adjustable temperature: Up 450 degrees Fahrenheit

Can you grill indoors for a crowd? Sure, if you have the right grill, and Power’s XL Smokeless Electric Grill fits the bill. The grilling surface is spacious—it can accommodate three whole racks of ribs, eight generously-sized burgers or an entire spatchcocked chicken. The removable ceramic grill plates prevent food from sticking (even delicate proteins like fish) and are safe to throw in the dishwasher. Meanwhile, the machine’s built-in extraction fan ensures your kitchen stays smoke-free while you grill.

Pros:

• Cooks for a crowd
• Dishwasher-safe parts

Cons:

• Relatively bulky to store

Best Indoor/Outdoor Grill

A Grill That’s Ready To Go, No Matter The Weather

Amazon

George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill

Material: Metal with nonstick plates | Adjustable temperature: Up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit

Take your grilling obsession from the backyard to the kitchen with George Foreman’s Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill. Thanks to this machine’s removable stand, it works just as well on the patio as on the countertop. (With no propane or charcoal involved, it’s also smokeless and apartment-friendly.) Five temperature settings let you grill steaks, chops or veggies to your liking, and the large, nonstick cooking surface accommodates up to 15 hamburgers. If you have a crowd to feed, this grill is up to the task.

Pros:

• Cooks for a crowd
• Versatile

Cons:

• Relatively bulky to store

Best Smart Indoor Grill

A Savvy Grill That Produces Quick, Consistent Results

Amazon

Breville Smart Grill

Material: Stainless steel with nonstick plates | Adjustable temperature: 320 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit

For a grill that does the heavy lifting for you, Breville’s Smart Grill is a great pick. This high-tech model features two nonstick plates, one griddle and one grill plate. Outfitted with smart heat sensors, the plates ensure that cooking temperatures remain stable, even after cold meat hits the grill. That said, this machine is good for more than just meat. Thanks to its two plates and various temperature settings, this grill makes it possible to go from flipping pancakes to searing T-bone steaks in seconds.

Pros:

• Features smart heat sensors
• Versatile

Cons:

• Relatively bulky to store

Most Versatile Indoor Grill

A Do-It-All Model That Can Roast, Fry And Dehydrate

Amazon

Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill

Material: Stainless steel with ceramic plates | Adjustable temperature: Up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit

Save space with Ninja’s indoor grill that doubles as an air fryer, dehydrator and convection oven. The grill combines cyclonic air and ceramic-plated grill plates to yield perfectly tender, charred meat—even if you cook it from frozen. Meanwhile, an included crisper basket transforms the grill into an air fryer so you can make crunchy French fries to serve alongside your burgers or kebabs. Also included alongside the grill is a 6-quart cooking pot, which facilitates an even wide ranger of other cooking projects—think roasting vegetables and baking an apple crisp for dessert.

Pros:

• Versatile
• Can grill meat from frozen

Cons:

• Takes up a decent amount of counter space