Best electric grill: 5 best buys for outdoor and indoor cooking

The best electric grills are great multitaskers – use them to make panini, grilled vegetables, burgers and more – even when you fancy cooking outside

best electric grill: Cuisinart Griddle & Grill
(Image credit: Amazon)

An electric grill will delight those who value precision cooking, whether you're grilling in the kitchen or out in the garden. Versatile and clever, electric grills typically have a slanted grill surface that siphons off the fat so the food doesn’t reabsorb it – a healthier way with burgers, bacon, and more. Think fewer smells and splashes than with a tabletop bbq, for example. 

For more recommendations see our guide on the best BBQ to buy for summer.

The best electric grills

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Best electric grill you can buy: Sage by Heston Blumenthal the Smart Grill Pro

1. Sage by Heston Blumenthal the Smart Grill Pro

The best electric grill: cook steaks, burgers and other meats to perfection with this snazzy electric grill

Specifications

Best for: refined grilling
Power watt: 2400W
Grease drip catch?: Yes
Dishwasher safe?: Plates only
Indoor/outdoor?: Both

Reasons to buy

+
Integrated temperature probe 
+
5 meat settings for cooking from rare to well done 

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricy 

For tender, juicy steaks, even when you prefer yours well done, this electric grill designed by chef Heston Blumenthal won’t let you down. It features five settings for cooking rare to well done and all levels in between. Use the probe to test whether your meat is at the right temperature for resting so the residual heat doesn’t overcook your steak, and thanks to its fast searing capabilities, the grill locks in all the juice for a piece of meat full of flavour. The best electric grill you can buy, bar none.

Best electric grill for perfect cooking: Tefal Optigrill+ Grill

2. Tefal Optigrill+ Grill

Best electric grill for perfect cooking: no matter the size or thickness of the meats on the grill, choose the Tefal

Specifications

Best for: meat eaters!
Power watt: 2000W
Grease drip catch?: Yes
Dishwasher safe?: Cooking plates and drip tray
Indoor/outdoor?: Both

Reasons to buy

+
Cooking sensor automatically adapts cooking temperature 
+
6 automated cooking programmes for popular grilling ingredients 

Reasons to avoid

-
Does get very hot, including surfaces

Coming in much cheaper than the Sage electric grill, this alternative by Tefal also delivers on the technology front. From a sensor that detects the thickness of the meat and automatically adjusts the temperature, to the cooking level indicator which lets you know when your meat has been cooked to your liking, there’s plenty of factors that make this electric grill worthy of our top 5. Perhaps its most favourable function is its six automatic cooking functions, which enable you to cook burgers, sausages, poultry and fish to perfection.

Best electric grill for indoor and outdoor: George Foreman Indoor and Outdoor Grill

3. George Foreman Indoor and Outdoor Grill

Best electric grill with stand: perfect for your winter health kick and summer indulgences

Specifications

Best for: indoor and outdoor cooking
Power watt: 2400W
Grease drip catch?: Yes
Dishwasher safe?: No- plates are non stick for easy wiping
Indoor/outdoor?: Both

Reasons to buy

+
 Includes a stand for indoor and outdoor conversion 
+
 Large enough to cook up to 15 pieces of meat 

Reasons to avoid

-
Stand is a bit flimsy

If you like to be savvy with your money, this electric grill can double up as a table top cooker and BBQ. Whether you’re taking on the cooking responsibilities at a summer BBQ or cooking a healthy mid-week dinner for the family, this trusty George Foreman should enable you to do it with ease. You can easily control the temperature of the electric grill so it provides the right amount of heat for cooking different meats or fish. The outside temperature gauge will enable you to keep an eye on the temperature inside, too. The best electric grill for those after something that can be used both indoor and outdoor.

Best electric grill for versatility: Cuisinart Griddle & Grill

4. Cuisinart Griddle & Grill

Best electric grill for versatility: from pancakes to paninis, cook up a storm with Cuisinart Griddle & Grill

Specifications

Best for: families and large groups
Power watt: 1600W
Grease drip catch?: Yes
Dishwasher safe?: Cooking plates
Indoor/outdoor?: Both

Reasons to buy

+
 Reversible cooking plates, flat and ridged 
+
 Open fully if cooking for large groups 

Reasons to avoid

-
Plastic knobs feel a bit cheap

If you’re looking to get plenty of use out of your electric grill, go for this great all-rounder. It features double sided plates; ridged for steaks and panini and flat for pancakes. If you love toasting panini for lunch, the floating hinge adjusts to administer the right amount of pressure. There are also 5 heat settings which will ensure perfect cooking for all ingredient types, whether it’s meat, fish or vegetables. We think it's the best electric grill for versatility. 

Best electric grill for families: George Foreman 4-Portion Family Grill and Melt

5. George Foreman 4-Portion Family Grill and Melt

Best electric grill for families: a multi-functional grill that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg

Specifications

Best for: economy buy
Power watt: 1500W
Grease drip catch?: Yes
Dishwasher safe?: Grill plates
Indoor/outdoor?: Both

Reasons to buy

+
Great for family meals
+
Handy 'melt' mode

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit small

With the capacity to cook up to four portions, this is the best electric grill for families. It features the classic George Foreman slope design which drains off as much fat as possible and non-stick plates which remove the need for you to use oil or butter when cooking. You can use the ‘melt’ function to create the perfect cheese toastie or garlic bread, while the floating hinge allows you to place thick panini or pieces of meat on the grill. 

What is the best electric grill?

The Sage by Heston Blumenthal the Smart Grill Pro is the range to rely on if you’re looking for the best electric grill (or any kitchen gadget for that matter). While the appliances are expensive, they offer you that bit more when it comes to functionality and finesse.

Alternatively, the George Foreman indoor and outdoor grill can convert into a BBQ for convenient cooking in your back garden. Something to think about if you're after the best of both worlds. No time to read the rest of the article? Here are all the best electric grills at a glance, and the best places to buy them:

Electric grill vs. portable bbqs: which do you need? 

The beauty of electric grills is that you can use them indoors as well as outdoors – they won't fill your kitchen with smoke or oil splatters. They're also good at locking in moisture and flavour – great if you're concerned about your food overcooking and drying out on the barbie. However, if it's the classic bbq smoky taste you're after, it's a barbecue that you need, as you won't achieve it with an electric grill. 

How to buy the best electric grill

When you’re looking out for the best electric grill for you, it’s worth noting that electric grills are designed to be either open (flat and BBQ-esque) or contact (they open and close to cook meat from both sides). 

Power

Measured in Watts, the models on our list range from 1500W to 2400W.

Grease drip catch?

A grease drip catch is handy to have to catch the fat that runs off your meat while cooking.

Dishwasher safe?

Something to think about if you can't stand washing up, but also something to ignore if you don't own a dishwasher.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.