If you want to buy a sandwich toaster or panini press, continue reading this article.
You will find the detailed specifications of 5 different sandwich and panini toasters. You can compare their specifications and decide which toaster would be the right choice for you.
What You Should Know Before Buying A Sandwich Toaster
Which Size To Buy?
If you prepare sandwiches for a smaller number of people, you will be fine with a toaster that fits only one or two sandwiches. If you want to prepare more sandwiches in a short amount of time, then you should choose a bigger toaster. They are also convenient because then you can fit bigger buns, bread styles, ciabattas, etc.
Floating Hinges Or Not?
If the sandwich toaster or panini press has floating hinges, this means that you can put the top plate in different positions. This allows you to toast both thin and thick sandwiches and paninis. Choose this kind of toasters if you like a lot of filling in your sandwich, but if you toast thinner sandwiches then the hinges are not necessary.
Additional Features Or No?
Some sandwich and panini toasters can also be used as grills. If you want to be able to cook veggies or burgers, then choose the sandwich toaster with a grill. Some toasters allow you to prepare omelets or French toast. You can even find the pop-up sandwich toasters.
How Much Should You Pay?
Panini and sandwich toaster can be found at affordable prices. Most of them go under 50 dollars. You do not have to break the bank for the sandwich toaster and you get to have warm sandwiches whenever you like. Make sure that your sandwich or panini toaster has non-stick plates for easy clean-up. Some toasters even have removable plates.
Where To Buy?
My go-to site for buying small kitchen appliances is Amazon. You can find a variety of sandwich and panini toasters from different brands and they are often on sale. Each product has ratings and plenty of customer reviews. Amazon also compares similar products to help you choose the right model.
Best 5 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Toaster
Nostalgia TCS2 Grilled Cheese Toaster
Make Two Sandwiches At A Time
The Nostalgia grilled cheese toaster comes with two reusable toasting baskets where you put your cheese sandwiches to toast. The grilled cheese toaster prepares two sandwiches in a few minutes. If you want to prepare only one sandwich, you can use only one slot.
Different Toasting Options
The Nostalgia grilled cheese sandwich toaster comes with cancel, preheat and defrost functions. Before putting sandwiches into the slots, you need to preheat the toaster. When it is ready to use, you can put the sandwiches into baskets and slots and choose the preferred level of doneness. You can select 7 different shades of toasting.
Easy To Clean
The Nostalgia grilled cheese sandwich toaster comes with a drip tray that catches crumbs, oil, and melted cheese. It slides out and you can then easily discard the fallout. The toasting baskets can also be removed and cleaned. The handles on the baskets and housing stay cool to the touch.
No Need To Monitor The Progress
The major advantage of these types of grilled cheese toasters with slots is that you do not have to flip them as you would with a pan. This means that your sandwiches will not end up burned and you can do other things while your sandwich is being done.
Space-Saving Dimensions
The Nostalgia grilled cheese sandwich toaster does not take up much space. It is 10.8 inches deep, 7.7 inches tall and 6.6 inches wide. It weighs only 2.45 pounds and has a yellow retro design. For more convenience, the cord can be stored in the cord storage at the base of the toaster.
- Comes with two reusable sandwich cages
- Cancel, preheat and defrost functions
- Adjust the level of doneness
- Cool-to-touch handles and exterior
Best Sandwich Toaster Press
Hamilton Beach Sandwich Toaster 25475A
Prepare Custom-Made Sandwich
You prepare a sandwich in the Hamilton Beach toaster in four steps. You first preheat it, put the bread onto the plate and top it with meat or cheese. Then you add an egg to the egg plate and put the second slice of bread on top. When the sandwich is done, you slide the egg plate out and remove the sandwich.
Put Different Ingredients
You can put different bread styles in this Hamilton Beach sandwich toaster, from bagels, English muffins to croissants. It does not cook meat so use only pre-cooked meat. The whole sandwich is done in five minutes or less. You also get the recipe book included to get more sandwich inspiration.
Easy To Clean
Hamilton Beach Sandwich Maker has the cooking surfaces covered in a layer of durable non-stick material. All removable parts of this sandwich toaster are safe to wash in the dishwasher or can be cleaned by a simple wipe.
Replaces Pans Or Stoves
The Hamilton Beach Sandwich Maker is perfect for dorms or offices where you do not have the stove available. There is no need for some extra pans or dishes. The sandwich maker is also really compact. The dimensions are 7 by 7 by 8.8 inches. It weighs 3.2 pounds so you can transport it when needed.
- Prepares a sandwich in around 5 minutes
- Non-stick cooking surfaces
- Removable parts safe to wash in the dishwasher
Best Portable Panini Press
Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill and Gourmet Sandwich Maker
Use It As A Grill Or A Panini Press
This Panini Press And Grill Combo open at 180 degrees so you can use it to grill burgers, vegetables, steaks, etc. The lay-flat dimensions are 10 inches by 8.75 inches. You can also use this device to press paninis. The dimensions of the closed panini press are 5.5 inches by 8.75 inches.
Fits A Variety Of Food
When using it as a panini press, you can fit up to two sandwiches. The floating hinge on the panini press adjusts to any thickness so you can crisp up thin or thick sandwiches or paninis. The grill part of the device is perfect for burgers, fish, chicken, etc.
Easy To Clean
Grill plates are covered in a layer of the non-stick coating so the food does not stick and you can easily clean it. The Chefman panini and grill combo has a sloped design so the grease and oil drain at the back of the device. The drip tray can be removed and washed in the dishwasher.
Space-Saving Dimensions
The Chefman panini and grill combo saves you space and it is perfect for travel because you can use it for two purposes. It takes up little countertop space and you can easily store it in one of your cabinets. Some customers disliked that this toaster panini press does not have on/off switch but turns on by plugging it in.
- Combines a panini press and a grill
- Fits up to two thick or thin sandwiches
- Grill can be used for burgers, steaks, veggies, etc.
- Non-stick grill plates and drip tray
Best Stainless Steel Sandwich And Panini Toaster Press
Breville Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press
Two Different Plates
The bottom plate on this Breville panini press is flat to ensure even and fast cooking. The top plate is ribbed to give grill marks. The top plate can be moved into different positions which means that you can toast both thick and thin pieces of bread and sandwiches. The plates heat up fast once you plug the toaster in. There is no on/off switch.
Features A Floating Hinge
The Breville panini press has a floating hinge with four height settings. You can toast one or two sandwiches of different heights. The floating hinge puts even pressure on different items, regardless of their thickness. The feet on the panini toaster press are non-slip so the toaster remains in place when you use it.
Easy To Clean And Store Away
The plates are covered with a layer of non-stick and scratch-proof Quantanium layer. Melted cheese, crumbs and oils are easily wiped with a damp cloth once the panini press is cooled down. You should not use cleansers or scouring pads that will scratch the plates.
Compact Dimensions
The Breville panini press toaster is 13 inches wide, 11.8 inches deep and 5.2 inches tall. The Breville panini press has a locking storage clip that keeps the toaster from opening in the cabinet. You can also wrap the cord around the base of the toaster. The stainless steel construction is sturdy and it weighs 8.38 pounds.
- Flat bottom plate and ribbed top plate
- Presses both thick and thin sandwiches
- Non-stick and scratch-proof plates
- Non-slip feet
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
Best Cheap Sandwich Toaster
Proctor Silex Sandwich Toaster, Omelet And Turnover Maker
Use It For Various Purposes
The Proctor Silex sandwich toaster can be used to toast sandwiches, but you can also prepare omelets, French toast, pizza pockets, etc. This sandwich toaster does not have a floating hinge so it is best for grilled cheese or other thinner sandwiches. The sandwich toaster will press the edges of the sandwich while the filling will get warm.
Indicates When It Is Ready
This sandwich toaster also does not have on/off switch. Once you plug it in, the indicator light turns red and the toaster starts heating up. When the device is ready to use, the indicator light turns green. Sandwiches are usually done in 3 or 4 minutes.
Easy To Clean
The plates on the Proctor Silex sandwich toaster are non-stick. Once the pates are cooled, you can easily wipe them with a damp cloth. If you do this regularly, the plates will stay like new for a long time.
Space-Saving Dimensions
The Proctor Silex sandwich, omelet and turnover toaster does not take up much space, especially if you store it upright. The toaster is 10.4 inches wide, 11 inches deep and 4.6 inches tall. While storing it away, close the lock handle so it does not open in your cabinet.
- Toast sandwiches or prepare an omelet, French toast, etc.
- Non-stick plates
- Space-saving dimensions
Conclusion: Which Sandwich Or Panini Toaster Press To Buy?
I think that the best sandwich and panini toasters from the list are the Chefman Panini Press Grill And Sandwich Maker and the Proctor Silex Sandwich Toaster. The Chefman panini and sandwich press can be used to crisp paninis and sandwiches of different thicknesses or you can use it as a grill for veggies, sausages, burgers, etc. The Proctor Silex toaster can be used for thinner sandwiches or you can even prepare omelets or French toast.
If you want to read more about toasters, then visit my best toasters to buy article. If you are interested in a toaster with slots, then I recommend that you check out the best two-slice toasters. In case you are on a budget, read about the best inexpensive toaster.