Best Electric Grills (Expert Consensus)

---

Category Overview & Market Context

What This Category Is

Electric grills are plug-in cooking appliances designed to replicate aspects of traditional grilling without using gas, charcoal, or open flame. They use electric heating elements to generate direct heat and are available in both outdoor models, intended for patios and balconies, and indoor models, designed to limit smoke and odors during countertop use.

Within this category, experts evaluate several distinct formats, including outdoor tabletop grills, compact balcony-friendly grills, indoor “smokeless” grills, and indoor grill-and-griddle combinations. While performance expectations differ across these formats, they share a common appeal: enabling grilling in places where traditional grills are impractical or prohibited.

State of the Market

The electric grill market remains a niche but steadily improving category. Experts consistently note that modern electric grills perform better than earlier generations, particularly in terms of heat stability, temperature control, and smoke management. However, they also agree that electric grills still do not fully replicate the flavor or searing power of high-end gas or charcoal grills.

Most innovation in the category has focused on two areas:

• Higher achievable temperatures, especially in outdoor electric grills
• Improved smoke control and cleanup, particularly for indoor use

As a result, the market has become more segmented. Rather than competing for a single “best overall” designation, electric grills are increasingly designed around specific use cases — such as indoor convenience, balcony restrictions, or compact outdoor cooking — where their limitations are more acceptable and their benefits more meaningful.

Who This is for / Not For

Electric grills are a good fit for:

• Apartment and condo dwellers with restrictions on gas or charcoal grills
• Home cooks who want occasional grilling without fuel storage or open flames
• Buyers prioritizing convenience, portability, or indoor usability
• Small households cooking modest quantities at a time

Electric grills are likely not a good fit for:

• Buyers seeking strong smoky flavor or high-heat searing comparable to charcoal
• Large-group or frequent outdoor entertainers
• Cooks with ample outdoor space and no restrictions on traditional grills

Experts consistently frame electric grills as purpose-built alternatives, not universal replacements. When chosen with the right expectations and use case in mind, they can be a practical and satisfying solution — but they are not designed to compete head-to-head with full-size gas or charcoal grills.

---

How This Review Was Produced

This review is based on expert consensus rather than a single reviewer’s opinion.

We analyze and synthesize recommendations from multiple independent expert review sources that meet our editorial quality and transparency standards. We document where experts agree, where they differ, and why. No single source determines our recommendations.

We do not conduct original product testing. Instead, we rely on experts who do — such as publications that perform hands-on testing, lab measurements, or clearly documented evaluation methodologies.

Manufacturers do not influence our recommendations. Advertising, affiliate relationships, or commercial considerations do not affect which products are included, how they are ranked, or how they are described.

When helpful, we also consult additional secondary review outlets to understand how broader expert opinion aligns — or conflicts — with the primary consensus. These secondary sources do not determine winners but may provide context or confirmation.

---

Top Picks at a Glance

---

Top Picks in Detail

Below are our recommendations explained in more depth, including why experts agree and where each pick has trade-offs.

Best Portable/Tabletop Outdoor Electric Grill: Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill

Why It’s a Top Pick

Across the electric-grill roundups we reviewed, the Weber Q 1400 shows the clearest expert overlap as a dependable, high-performing tabletop electric grill. Experts consistently position it as a strong choice when you want real outdoor-style grilling without propane or charcoal.

What Experts Like

• Consistently high heat for searing and browning in a compact, plug-in format.
• Build quality and durability that match the expectations for a primary outdoor grill (not a gadget).
• Simple, straightforward operation with a design that’s easy to live with on a patio or balcony.

Trade-Offs to Consider

• Tabletop footprint can still be substantial for very small balconies; check actual cooking surface area before buying.
• Like most outdoor electrics, it won’t replicate charcoal smoke flavor—think “clean grilled” rather than “smoky barbecue.”
• Outdoor electric grills typically need a dedicated outlet and may trip circuits if used on overloaded lines or long/light-duty extension cords.

Runners-Up

• Weber Q 2400 Electric Grill — A larger, higher-capacity alternative that some reviewers favor for outdoor performance, but it appears less consistently across our primary-source set.
• Ninja Woodfire Electric Grill — CNET’s electric-grill pick with pellet-assisted smoke flavor; a compelling niche option, but it’s meaningfully different from classic plug-in electric grills.

Best Compact Outdoor Electric Grill: Weber Lumin Electric Grill

Why It’s a Top Pick

For people with limited outdoor space who still want an outdoor-grill experience, the Weber Lumin is the most consistently highlighted compact option. Reviewers emphasize its ability to reach high temperatures and produce evenly browned results in a small-space-friendly design.

What Experts Like

• High-heat performance for a compact electric grill, with strong browning and searing for common grill foods.
• Versatile cooking modes that make it easier to use as an everyday small-space outdoor grill (not just “occasionally”).
• Thoughtful design details for balcony/patio living, including a compact footprint and approachable operation.

Trade-Offs to Consider

• Preheating to maximum heat can take time; plan for a longer warm-up than many indoor appliances.
• Higher price than bare-bones patio electrics, especially if you add accessories.
• Still electric: you get convenience and consistency, not the same smoke flavor as charcoal.

Runners-Up

• Current Backyard Electric Grill — A more full-size, premium option that Reviewed highlights for an “authentic” outdoor-grill feel, but it’s a different budget/size tier than compact balcony grills.

Best Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill with Viewing Window

Why It’s a Top Pick

Among indoor electric grills, Hamilton Beach’s searing grill is the most repeatedly recommended for producing grill marks and “outdoor-like” results while keeping smoke and odors under better control. It’s also one of the clearest value picks across expert sources.

What Experts Like

• Lid design helps trap heat and contain splatter, supporting better browning and less smoke in typical indoor use.
• Large enough for family-style batches (often cited as fitting up to about six burgers).
• Dishwasher-safe key parts (grate/drip pan) make cleanup more realistic for frequent use.

Trade-Offs to Consider

• It can still produce some smoke at high heat — “smokeless” is never absolute indoors.
• Not a multi-function appliance: it’s focused on grilling rather than also air-frying, roasting, or griddling.
• Counter space and storage can be an issue if you only grill occasionally.

Runners-Up

• Zojirushi EB-CC15 — A top pick for open-facing, smokeless-style indoor grilling; reviewers note excellent results but longer cook times than many contact grills.

Best Indoor Grill / Griddle Combo: Breville BGR820XL The Smart Grill

Why It’s a Top Pick

When experts talk about “one indoor grill that can do a lot,” Breville’s Smart Grill repeatedly surfaces as the best-executed grill/griddle-style design. It’s recommended for precise temperature control, strong build quality, and flexibility across contact-grill and open-flat cooking.

What Experts Like

• Reversible plates and multiple configurations support both grilling and griddle-style cooking in one appliance.
• Strong temperature control and consistent results across proteins and vegetables.
• A more premium build and feature set than typical contact grills, making it a true “primary” countertop grill.

Trade-Offs to Consider

• Large footprint and weight; it’s not ideal if you need to store it away after each use.
• Higher price than simpler indoor grills, especially if you only grill occasionally.
• At very high heat, indoor grilling can still create smoke — ventilation matters.

Runners-Up

• Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill — Strong multi-function option (grill + air fry/roast and more). Experts like the versatility, but it’s less of a dedicated grill/griddle experience.

---

How to Choose the Right Electric Grill for You

Decide indoor vs. outdoor first

• If you can cook outdoors, outdoor electric grills generally deliver better browning and more room to work.
• If you need to cook indoors, prioritize smoke containment, splatter control, and removable dishwasher-safe parts.

Focus on heat and recovery, not just wattage

• Max temperature and heat recovery after opening the lid matter more than a single watt number.
• Look for designs that retain heat (lids, heavier grates, reflective interiors) to improve searing.

Size the cooking surface to your real use

• Ignore “serves X people” marketing and check square inches or how many burgers/steaks fit at once.
• Small cooking surfaces are fine for couples; families benefit from wider grates or open-flat modes.

Know the trade-off: convenience vs. smoke flavor

Electric grills can brown well, but they won’t naturally generate the same smoke flavor as charcoal.

---

How We Make Our Recommendations

Our recommendations follow a documented, repeatable editorial process designed to prioritize expert agreement, comparability, and clarity.

For each category, we:

• Define clear category scope and exclusions
• Identify and vet independent expert review sources
• Inventory all products reviewed across those sources
• Analyze patterns of agreement and disagreement
• Apply editorial judgment only after consensus is documented

When a category includes materially different product types, we segment recommendations rather than forcing a single “best overall.” For more information, see How We Work.

---

Sources & Citations

Primary Sources

• Food & Wine, The 5 Best Electric Grills of 2026, Tested and Reviewed, Dec. 2025
• Reviewed, 5 Electric Grills for Indoor and Outdoor Cooking, Dec. 2025
• Reviewed, 6 Best Indoor Grills of 2026, Apr. 2024
• Serious Eats, The 3 Best Smokeless Grills of 2026, Tested & Reviewed, Oct. 2025
• The Spruce Eats, The 5 Best Electric Grills, Tested and Reviewed, May 2024

Secondary Sources Consulted for Context

• Bob Vila, The Best Grills, Tested & Reviewed, June 2023
• CNET, Best Grills for 2026: We Tested Dozens to Find the Best Grill in Every Category, Sept. 2025
• Squirrel Cook Off, Best Indoor and Outdoor Electric Grills, Aug. 2025

---

Updates & Ongoing Review

This review is monitored on an ongoing basis. We update recommendations when expert sources publish new test results, products are discontinued, or consensus meaningfully changes.

↑ Back to top