Summer means grill time; it’s a blissful time to gather family and friends and get together. The perfect summer Sunday includes a cold brew in one hand and the sizzle of a freshly grilled patty on the other. But to make sure your patty’s being grilled just right, you’ll need the best tabletop grill on the map.
The best tabletop grills aren’t only about how well they can grill; they also have a factor of pride attached to them. The person in charge of the grill is known as the King of the Party, and you can’t have a king using any grill. So, go ahead and pick up a grill that’s worthy of your kingdom’s leadership.
Our Best Tabletop Grill Reviews
With the number of grills in the market claiming as the perfect grill for a King, it might be a bit difficult to decide. To help you out, we’ve shortened down the selection criteria within a minimal ten products. These ten grills have been handpicked and are some of the best in the market currently available.
1. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Grills are supposed to be both super fun and practical products, ones that do not take up hours to light up and can be adjusted according to your needs.
Charcoal grills may not be able to give you this convenience; however, with an electric one, things are quite different. If you’re looking for an electric grill that won’t fail you Hamilton Beach is the one for the job
The generously spaced grill, with a grilling surface of 118 square inches, should give you enough space to serve up multiple people at once. Additionally, the grill heats up to 450 degrees and also has a preheat setting. These features on the grill should allow you to quickly cook-up some dinner without having to take much prep.
What’s impressive is the 450 degrees setting on the grill is not the only one; you can lower the heat according to your needs. The ability to lower down your grill allows you to cook-up more than just meat, and further allows you to bring the variation on your cooks.
Thus, you’ll be able to prepare new and fancy feasts for you and your family wherever you want.
Furthermore, the grill also features a removable lid; this makes grilling extensively easier, you can pop on the lid whenever you need and get faster cooks. A poppable lid also means cleaning the grill is a piece of cake, as it gives you better maneuverability.
Moreover, since the hood, plate, and drip tray are all dishwasher safe, there won’t be much to clean.
Pros
- Variable heat settings with a max of 450
- Vast 118-inch square feet grilling region
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Preheat settings for quicker cooking
- Drip-Plate to collect grime and juices
Cons
- Electric grills can’t get you the flavors of a charcoal grill
- Will create smoke
2. George Foreman GRP472P
The George Foreman grill is one that is known worldwide, not because of the grill itself but for the person endorsing it. However, what if we were to tell you this grill matches every aspect of this legendary boxer and more.
Built with the most robust materials and the highest quality equipment make this grill both reliable and durable.
But that’s not all, this grill goes beyond its competition, with its premium Ceramic Coated plates. These plates, provide a very hygienic and easy to clean surface, allowing the user convenience and making life easier for them. Plus, since these plates are washable in the dishwasher, there’s no need for you to put in the effort.
Furthermore, the slope design is quite unlike any other grill. The unique position of the grill allows all the grease and fat from your meat to slip down onto the drip tray provided. This slope design claims to remove almost 42% fat from meat pieces, making them leaner and healthier for consumption.
A problem, however, with the George Foreman grill would be its small size. A grill that only has 72 square inches of the working space means the grill can only work with a few pieces of meat at a time.
However, with how affordable this grill is and how convenient it is to use and carry, it makes purchasing the George Foreman worth it.
Pros
- Unique Slopped like Design
- Has indicator light for better cooking times
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Grill plates made using premium ceramics
- Drip Tray makes life even more convenient for your parents
Cons
- Small space on board is a downturn on buyers
- Menu Indicator could be improved
3. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1
Value is a vague concept termed by general consumers, something that has no definite answer. However, the Ninja Foodi Group may be close to cracking the code with their 5 in 1 grilling machine.
So, if you’re trying to get the most out of your money, in the smallest and most convenient packages, then Ninja Foodie is for you.
The machine is the smallest and the lightest but delivers more than any other grill you’ll find from these tabletop grill reviews. Ninja has designed this product to grill, the air crisper, roast, bake, and even dehydrate. So, your cooking options range from baking a moist cake to a delicious steak.
If you’re worried about space, you’ll be relieved to know that the 10”x10” grill grate on the machine can fit in 4 full-sized steaks at a time. Moreover, you also have the other components included on the grill, such as the cooking pot and air crisper basket; all these components are quite spacious and non-stick.
Furthermore, the machine by itself is immensely powerful and designed to deliver multiple cooking modes that require internals that can handle this pressure. To pay heed to this factor, Ninja has built its machine with top-grade products; this top-end internals can power the machine up to 500F. Thus, giving the grill the ability to deliver a quick and healthy cook.
Pros
- High-Quality Internals
- Versatile machinery
- User-friendly controls
- Stainless product finish for greater longevity
- Can reach temperatures of 500F easily
Cons
- A bit expensive for tabletop products
- Product isn’t smokeless
4. Cuisinart GR-150P1 Griddler Deluxe
For our sandwich lovers out there, if you’re looking for a quick fix to your bread and meat needs, then Cuisinart has the answer to your needs. Not unlike the previous product, the GR-150P1 delivers value to its users; in this case, it gives you the ability to do more than just grill.
What sets the GR150P1 apart is not its ability to do more than grilling; instead, it’s the machine’s dual heating plates that catch’s eyes. The dual heating pads included on the grill are both individually controlled with multiple settings available.
One of the biggest factors of these plates is their heating systems that allow you to select the right heat setting for each side.
Other than this unique little feature, the machine by itself is generously large. The large-sized non-stick plate gives you a total of 240 square inches of grilling or heating surface, large enough to hold six pancakes at a time.
Apart from this, the grill also has an integrated drip plate installed; making a mess is an issue of the past.
Lastly, the powerful blast of the sear blast system is sure to catch your eyes, delivering extremely high heat surfaces, capable of reaching up to 500F. With the ability to additionally provide pressure onto the meat that is cooking means you can lower grill times; so you spend less time in the kitchen and more on mingling.
Pros
- Non-stick plates make it easier to cook
- A large cooking surface of 240 square inches
- High-powered heating ability
- Unique design with increased functionality
- Independent temperature control systems
Cons
- Not the best in build quality
- Create quite a bit of smoke
5. T-fal GC70 OptiGrill Electric Grill
“Smart Grilling” are two words to describe the product we’re about to review. In this age of smartphones, TVs, and cars, why should our appliances back out on being smart.
T-Fal’s GC70 is a smart grill, not only to cook an entire meal for you, but also to give you a constant and perfect grilled steak almost every time.
This smart tech on the grill is enabled using a technology they call “automatic sensor cooking.” How this works is, you first choose a type of grill you require, between the choices of rare, medium, and well-done.
More so, the machine takes a temperature check of the meat and accordingly controls the temperature inside the grill.
Apart from taking temperatures, the sensors also measure the size of the steak placed inside the grill. The machine accordingly interprets the amount of heat required to get the meat to its perfect setting. Thus, it enables the machine to give you a delicious and tasty steak on every cook.
Furthermore, the grill also has a mode where you can set what type of meat is placed for cooking, allowing you to use the unique grill feature on multiple food varieties.
A small trick the design includes is a narrow-angle on the grilling surface. The angled grill at 7 degrees means the machine makes cleaning more natural as the juices flow down.
Pros
- 7 Degree angle on the grill makes cleaning easier
- Smart Grill with automatic grilling features
- Can cook multiple types of meat easily
- The precision product provides similar results every time
- Die-Cast and Non-stick aluminum plates
Cons
- Small Cooking Surface
- Not the most optimal build
6. PowerXL Smokeless Grill
When you hear the words BBQ, the first picture that comes into your mind is a BBQ grill, with charcoal used to heat patties to perfection. Charcoal Grills aren’t something that you can use inside your house; however, the Power XL helps give you an alternative.
The grills char-grill technology helps you enjoy the flavor of a charcoal BBQ indoors.
Using a grill indoors is a hassle on its own due to the number of fire safety detectors, which the smoke from these grills could trigger. To fix this issue, PowerXL has developed smokeless technology.
Moreover, thee grill uses a set of fans to extract all the smoke by creating a form of vacuum, allowing you to enjoy an open grill.
Next, you have the build quality; the PowerXL is a grill that has been build to last. The cast aluminum design of the grill pad allows the grill to tackle high heat easily.
Additionally, the surface of the grill is also non-stick, meaning you don’t have to worry about the leftover grime for an easy rub should help you take care of it.
Furthermore, the 1200watt machine has the certification to heat up to high temperatures clocking up to 450F. This high heat is distributed along with the entire grilling pad, giving you a more even grilling surface. Plus, with the additional space you get, you can easily feed your entire family.
Pros
- High power Fans used as a vacuum
- Large Grill plates with even spread heating
- Cast Aluminum Grill plate
- Drip Plate installed into the device
- User-Friendly controls
Cons
- Price is extremely high
- Only grilling is possible
7. Aroma SuperPot Housewares ASP-137
For those of you living alone or as a couple, steak dinners might be a bit expensive for you. What’s the best alternative? Make your own steak right at home with the Aroma Superport. The ASP-137 is more than just a grill, this 3 in 1 device, really makes a difference, giving the value of a grilling, slow cooking, and steaming.
It’s a small device that’ll fit into your kitchen like most other kitchen utensils. The compact size further makes the pot an excellent way for you to have a HotPot right at your dining table. Plus, since the device has an adjustable heat setting, you can easily keep your food hot and simmering till you’re ready to eat.
Even though the grill is petite, its 10” pan is the perfect size to cook up two steaks at the same time for you and one more.
Other than that, the 3-quart deep pot gives you enough space to feed even more people, making your hotpot even more interactive and fun. The steam option on the pot adds an excellent way for you to keep healthy.
Furthermore, the pot is extremely powerful for its size; it uses a heating coil that can heat the pot at high heats of 490F. This high heat on the grill will allow you to cook your steaks quicker and help you produce a much juicier well-done product.
Again, considering how cheap this product is, we have to say this a bang for the buck deal you don’t want to miss.
Pros
- The device provides immense value to the user
- Small and convenient size
- A 3in1 product, with grilling, steaming, and searing
- Can heat up to high temperatures of 490 degrees
- Adjustable heating system
Cons
- Not the size you’ll be needing for parties
- The appliance doesn’t provide the smokeless ability
8. Giantex Propane Tabletop Gas Grill Stainless Steel
For those of you looking for a product that you can take out to picnics, electric grills aren’t going to do the trick.
In this case, you’ll be needing something more convenient and usable anywhere, and here the best tabletop propane grill should come handy. Providing you the best BBQ grill experience anywhere anytime, with the minimal hassle.
Two burners on the grill make the grill more practical, helping you save it on the propane canister that is currently powering your grill. The dual burner system included on the grill allows both points to be heated up individually.
Meaning, you can have two different food types heating up at the same time, without burning any.
Furthermore, the device has a reasonably tiny form factor, and this makes it fantastic for small-sized picnics. Additionally, carrying the stove around also becomes fundamentally easier, taking up less space in your car.
The aluminum-made body makes the stove extremely durable, so a few bumpy roads shouldn’t do much.
Moreover, the burner also features an extremely enticing foldable design that further makes the burner/grill smaller in size and even more convenient. The device includes a thermometer in the hood, allowing to measure the temperature inside and keep a check on the food.
Pros
- Extremely convenient to use
- Lightweight and strong build
- Include to individually working burners
- Comes with a thermometer
- Foldable design
Cons
- Propane tanks are difficult to carry
- These tanks might prove dangerous
9. MegaChef Heavy Gauge Aluminum Reversible Indoor Grill
This device is also the perfect product you can get for indoor parties, and we claim this due to the device’s performance and size. Plus, since the grill is also a griddle, it gives you quite the edge when it comes to getting the value for your money.
In this case, Mega Chef lives up to our expectations and is sure to follow with you.
What makes the Mega Chef great is this extensively large surface, the base of 15” by 11” allows you to use the device for the biggest of parties. This grill plate has been designed to keep multiple steaks at once with the idea that everyone can enjoy the product together.
Furthermore, made out of aluminum alloy, the grill plate is not only super strong but allows heat-absorbing ability. This heat absorbing factor goes hand in hand with the grill plate allowing quick heat up and an even spread of the heat.
However, a small issue to the device would be that it lacks smokeless technology; which could be an issue with home safety systems.
Additionally, the grilling plate has been designed to be extremely easy to clean. To be able to do this, the body of the grill plate has an aluminum build with a non-stick coating.
More so, to make cleaning even easier, the grilling plate has been designed with a drip plate that helps you to collect unwanted fat and grease.
Pros
- Very simple to clean
- Provides value for money
- Large grilling surface
- Strong and durable build
- Can heat up easily
Cons
- Controls area is a bit low in quality
- The grill is too pricey for what is sold
10. Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
This product on hand is a 1500 watt beast; not only does it look excellent, but it also performs extraordinarily. The Delonghi Perfecto is a straightforward looking product, with a unique shape for an indoor grill, one that will make people ask questions.
With the unique design, the product not only stands out but can give itself a sturdy base to stand on.
What interests us about this product is that it includes one of the largest tabletop grill plates you’ll find on this review. The grill plate is attached carefully to a heating module that heats the plate evenly, distributing an excellent and juicy steak throughout.
But that’s not all the grill plate can perform other cooking features as well, proving helpful in the kitchen.
The spread of the heat is only great when you have control over how much heat is passed. This personalization is a feature that the company allows with its adjustable knobs included on the pot. Moreover, these knobs, according to the device’s heating lamp, can go up to high heats of over 450F. Another fantastic feature of the tabletop is its natural cleaning abilities. The grill designed using non-stick coated grill plates means that grime and burnt particles can be rubbed off the surface. The Drip top installed on the grill further acts as a method of collecting excess fat and making the food healthier.
Pros
- Your Cheat to healthy food
- The grill provides easy cleaning
- Unique and eye-catching design
- High-heat capacities available
- Includes a Drip Collector
Cons
- Smoke is an ever-recurring issue
- Weak internal product build
Things To Check Before Getting One
Apart from pride, there are other factors to put into consideration before buying a grill. A grill is of 3 types: Gas, Electric, and Charcoal, if you’re to buy a grill, first you must understand your needs.
To help you understand your requirements better, we’ve written down this brief buying guide that should help you out.
Type
When buying the grills, the first thing that you need to realize is what type of grill you have in mind. In today’s market, you can get the best tabletop gas grill, charcoal grill, or electric grill at almost similar pricing points. Additionally, each grill does almost a similar job; all that is different is the input applied to the device.
- Gas Grill
You might not find many tabletop gas grills reviews in the review section above. The main reason for this being when grilling indoors, taking the hassle of connecting your grill to a gas line is something no one would approve of. Instead, gas grills are the perfect tool when you’re out on a picnic or camping.
Picnics are the perfect situation for you to be carrying a gas canister, which makes having a gas grill burner the apparent choice.
2. Electric Grills
Coming back to the issue of indoor cooking, many of you may love to have a grill done right at home. In that case, we’d highly recommend the electric cooking options; these produce the lowest amount of smoke and are great when it comes to functionality.
Plus, they make cooking easier and no more look like a hassle; however, if you’re considering outdoor cooks, they won’t do much good.
3. Charcoal Grills
If you’re looking for the original and traditional way of grilling your meat, then there’s no better way than a charcoal cook. These grills are fantastic to have for outdoor events; however, they may completely smoke out your homes when used indoors.
Moreover, these grills are an enormous hassle and are not user friendly at all like the previous two we mentioned, so you might want to stay away from them.
Size
A significant factor that must be on your consideration set is the number of people you plan to feed with the grill. Most tabletop grills are meant for convenience, so they are small in size and can only hold a limited piece of meat at a time.
However, if you’re looking for a grill that can feed quite a few mouths all at the same time, then you might have to go with the one with a large grill plate. If you do your research right, you’ll find brands with grill plates that measure up to 350 square inches, enough to hold six full-sized steaks at once.
Convenience
This factor is the one factor that will vary significantly between different grill tops; therefore, you must pay attention to what you’re purchasing. One factor that adds convenience to all tabletop grills is their size and weight.
When you’re buying a tabletop grill, you want it to be small and easy to carry, so, you can take it out and safely store it without much hassle. Another factor that might catch your eyes is the number of things a single tabletop grill can do.
The ability to perform multiple tasks is a fairly common phenomenon designed into all products. So, when you go out to purchase your tabletop grill, be sure to check for the extra abilities it has to offer. These extra abilities will help make sure that you’re able to get the highest value for your money out of your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the types of tabletop grills available in the market?
When you’re buying a tabletop grill system, you can break down the product into two categories, one for indoors and another for outdoors. The indoor product includes mainly all the electric tabletop grills, while the outdoor products include most of the gas and charcoal-based grilling utensils.
2. Can I use natural gas for a propane run gas grill?
The answer to this question would be yes; however, for that, it is required that you make the necessary modifications to your grill to get it running.
3. How long do charcoal grills need to heat up?
One of the most significant issues with the charcoal grills would be the amount of prep time that must be put into them. You can get coal heated up to high heat in a mere 5-10 minutes; however, what’s complicated and time-consuming is getting it to a stable medium heat.
4. How can I keep my charcoal grill hot?
The faster the coal starts heating up to high flames, the faster it will cool off completely. To maintain the heat, take the following steps, maintain a thermometer to check the heat, put the grill in an open air space, put in smaller pieces of fuel, and have proper ventilation of air.
5. Can an electric grill be used indoors?
Of course, electric grills can work indoors. These grills, however, may make smoke during grilling; to get over this issue, you can purchase a smokeless device.
6. What temperature should I have my electric grill on when cooking a steak?
The answer to this largely depends on the size of the steak and how you want it done, rare, medium, or well-done. On average, the best steaks are cooked when your grill heats up to temperatures between 450 and 500F.
7. How long will it take to cook/grill my steak on an electric grill?
When cooking on a grill, we recommend that you preheat your grill on high heat setting for about 20 minutes. Once the steak is placed on the heated grill, take 5 minutes on each side to get a good, well-done cut of meat.
Final Words
When purchasing a grill for your parties and indoor use, always make sure to go through the products available thoroughly. All grills are not the same and are designed very differently with unique features. So, if you’re looking to find the best tabletop grill, make sure to have your research done.