Best Sandwich Makers for Toasties, Paninis and Grilled Cheese

Key takeaways

• Sealed toastie plates are best for classic, no-drip triangle toasties, while flat or ridged grill plates are more versatile for paninis, wraps and grilled cheese.
• Choose 2-slice models for singles, couples and very small kitchens; 4-slice or larger grill plates better suit families and batch cooking.
• Interchangeable plate systems, such as the Breville 3‑in‑1 Snack Maker, let you swap between toastie, waffle and grill plates to cook more than just sandwiches.
• Removable plates and decent non-stick or ceramic coatings make cleaning far easier, especially if melted cheese escapes.
• Look for drip channels, cord storage and vertical stowing options if you want a machine that is tidy to use and easy to put away.

Why this category matters

Sandwich makers and panini presses sit in a sweet spot between convenience and creativity. They are as useful for a rushed five-minute lunch as they are for experimenting with new fillings or turning leftovers into something special. Instead of relying on the oven or hob – which take time to heat and can be less energy-efficient for small portions – a dedicated sandwich maker gives you fast, focused heat exactly where you need it.

For students and busy professionals, that can mean cheaper, healthier meals instead of relying on takeaway or pre-packaged food. For families, it can turn a loaf of bread, some cheese and whatever is in the fridge into a crowd-pleasing meal that everyone can customise. If you choose the right kind of plates, you can also grill vegetables, cook quesadillas, toast bagels, reheat pizza slices or press burritos, all with minimal fuss.

The type of sandwich maker you buy has a big impact on what you will actually cook with it. A sealed toastie machine is superb for cheese and ham triangles, but it is not ideal for tall ciabatta paninis. A flat or ridged grill can handle chunky artisan bread and open melts, but it will not give you those completely sealed pockets of molten cheese. Understanding this difference up front helps you match a machine to the kinds of recipes you love.

It also matters for cleaning, storage and day-to-day usability. Some compact machines are perfect for small kitchens and occasional use, but feel cramped when you are feeding a family. Others have removable plates and drip trays that make it far less annoying to deal with sticky cheese or oily fillings. Thinking through these details before you buy will save you from ending up with an appliance that gathers dust in a cupboard.

How to choose

Start with the style of sandwiches you make most often. If your ideal comfort food is a classic sealed cheese toastie – no leaks, no drips – then a model with deep, sealed toastie plates is the best fit. These plates have raised ridges that crimp the edges of the bread into triangles and hold in gooey fillings. If you are more into cafe-style paninis with visible grill lines, open-faced melts, or you want to cook flatbreads and wraps, a flat or ridged grill-style machine will be more versatile.

Next, think seriously about capacity. A 2-slice machine is usually enough for one or two people and takes up less worktop and storage space. It heats quickly, uses less power and is easier to handle in a small kitchen or student room. A 4-slice or larger grill area is better for families, shared houses or anyone who likes to meal prep – you can toast several sandwiches in one go or grill vegetables alongside your toasties. The trade-off is size and storage: larger machines need more space and are heavier to move around.

Interchangeable plate systems are worth a look if you like variety. These machines let you swap between toastie plates, waffle plates and flat or ridged grill plates using a simple release mechanism. You can make deep-filled triangles one day, waffles the next and pressed paninis at the weekend, all with a single appliance. They are ideal for students or small households where every bit of worktop space has to work hard. However, the plate-change mechanism and the extra plates need somewhere to live, so check that storage is realistic in your kitchen.

Finally, pay attention to coatings, cleaning and storage details. Non-stick plates are standard, but not all coatings are equal – some budget options may lose their slickness if you use metal utensils or abrasive sponges. Ceramic-style coatings can be more durable, although the overall build quality of the machine still matters. Removable plates that you can rinse in the sink make everyday cleaning much easier, especially if you enjoy very cheesy toasties. Features like drip channels, drip trays, cord storage and the ability to stand the appliance upright in a cupboard are also surprisingly important when you live with a small kitchen.

Common mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes people make is buying purely on price without considering the plate style. Grabbing the cheapest sealed toastie maker might be fine if you only ever want basic triangles, but many buyers later realise they would prefer the flexibility of a grill-style press for paninis, wraps and grilled vegetables. Conversely, some people buy a grill press because it looks more premium, then miss the no-leak security of sealed toasties when they use lots of cheese.

Another frequent issue is underestimating capacity. A compact 2-slice model can feel spacious when you are cooking for one, but becomes a bottleneck if you have children, flatmates or guests. Trying to rotate multiple sandwiches through a small machine is frustrating and time-consuming, and you may end up not using it as much as you hoped. On the other side, going straight for the biggest family-sized grill without measuring your cupboards can leave you with a bulky appliance that is awkward to store.

Cleaning is an area that is easy to overlook when shopping. Non-removable plates are workable if you are happy to wipe down the machine while it is still warm and you tend to make simple, low-mess toasties. But if you like generous, melty fillings that sometimes escape, or you plan to cook items like marinated chicken or greasy bacon, removable plates and drip trays become far more valuable. Skipping these to save a small amount up front can make the appliance feel like hard work every time you use it.

Finally, many people do not think about how they will actually store the machine. Appliances that cannot stand upright or tuck their cord neatly away often end up shoved awkwardly at the back of a cupboard, which makes them less likely to be used. It is worth checking whether the model can be stored vertically, if it has a cord wrap, and whether the handle locks closed. These little touches can be the difference between a sandwich maker that lives on the worktop and gets used constantly, and one that disappears into storage.

Top sandwich maker options

The market for sandwich toasters and panini presses is packed with options, but a few models stand out for combining good performance, thoughtful design and everyday practicality. Below, we have highlighted three machines that cover different needs and kitchen setups, linking each one to the recipes and use cases it suits best.

All of these have non-stick plates and straightforward controls, but they differ in capacity, plate type and versatility. As you read through, think about whether you mainly want deep-filled sealed toasties, more open-style paninis and grilled cheese, or a bit of everything from one appliance. If you are still unsure whether a traditional sandwich toaster or a dedicated panini press is more your style, our separate guide to panini press features and plate types goes into more depth.

Breville 3‑in‑1 Ultimate Snack Maker

The Breville 3‑in‑1 Ultimate Snack Maker is a flexible choice if you want one appliance to handle toasties, waffles and paninis. It comes with removable, non-stick plates that you can swap between deep-fill toastie plates, waffle plates and flat/ridged grill plates, so it suits a wide range of recipes. You might use the toastie plates for classic cheese and ham triangles, the grill plates for ciabatta paninis or quesadillas, and the waffle plates for weekend breakfasts.

Because the plates pop out, cleaning is simpler than on fixed-plate machines. You can let the plates cool slightly, then rinse or wash them in the sink without contorting around a power cord. The compact body and relatively flat profile also make it a decent fit for student kitchens or small households that still want versatility. The trade-offs are that you have to store the spare plates somewhere and that you are limited to around two sandwiches at a time, so larger families might find it a little small.

If you like the idea of an interchangeable plate system that can move from deep-fill toasties to waffles and pressed sandwiches, this model is a strong all-rounder. You can check current pricing and details on the product page for the Breville 3‑in‑1 Ultimate Snack Maker, or compare it with other popular options in the current bestseller list of sandwich toasters and panini presses.

Breville Ultimate Deep Fill Toastie Maker

The Breville Ultimate Deep Fill Toastie Maker focuses on doing one job very well: producing generously filled, sealed toasties. Its removable deep-fill plates are designed to take standard sliced bread and crimp it into neat triangles, so fillings are contained and less likely to leak onto the plates. This makes it particularly good for oozing cheese-and-beans toasties, pizza-style fillings, or chocolate-and-banana desserts where you want to avoid spills.

Because the plates are removable, it is easier to keep things spotless than on older designs with fixed plates. You can unclip the plates, soak or rinse them and wipe the main body of the machine separately. In terms of capacity, it is a 2-slice machine, which is fine for individuals, couples or a small household, and its footprint works well for compact kitchens. The limitation is versatility: while you can experiment with all kinds of fillings, the plate shape is really aimed at traditional sliced-bread toasties rather than tall paninis or flatbreads.

If your main goal is to make deep, satisfying sealed toasties with minimal mess – especially for quick lunches or late-night snacks – this machine is an excellent fit. For more information and user impressions, see the listing for the Breville Ultimate Deep Fill Toastie Maker, and consider pairing it with a separate grill-style appliance later if you get into paninis and open melts.

Salter Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster

The Salter Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster is designed to combine deep toastie capability with a larger cooking surface. It can cook two deep-fill toasted sandwiches at once, and the plates are shaped to create four smaller triangles, which is handy for sharing or serving children. Automatic temperature control and a cool-touch handle make it straightforward to use, even if you are not used to cooking with electric grills.

This model suits households that want to turn out several toasties in one go without a lot of fuss. The deep pockets are good for thicker fillings, and the non-stick surface helps with release and cleaning, although the plates are not removable. It works particularly well for simple sealed toasties, grilled cheese, and quick combinations like tuna melt or leftover roast chicken with cheese. It can also be used to toast wraps folded into the plate shape.

If you like the idea of a roomy, affordable toastie maker that still keeps things fairly compact, the Salter is worth a look. You can explore current offers and reviews for the Salter Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster, and if you are especially short on space you might also find our roundup of the best compact sandwich toasters for small kitchens helpful.

Tip: If melted cheese or sauces often escape, line the very outer edge of the bread with a thin border of cheese-free filling. This gives the plates room to seal without forcing cheese out of the sides.

Can you cook more than sandwiches?

Most people buy a sandwich maker for toasties or paninis, but the same hot plates can do a lot more if you are willing to experiment. Flat or ridged grill plates are ideal for quesadillas, folded wraps, burritos, folded omelettes and even reheating slices of pizza to a crisp base. You can also use them for quick vegetable sides, such as sliced courgettes, peppers or asparagus, and for simple protein like halloumi or thin chicken strips, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidance.

Even sealed toastie plates have some flexibility. You can make dessert toasties filled with fruit and chocolate spread, hot pockets stuffed with leftover chilli or curry (with care not to overfill), or quick pastry-like snacks using sliced brioche or pre-rolled pastry sheets cut to size. Interchangeable plate systems, like the 3‑in‑1 machines, expand this even further by adding waffle plates for breakfasts and sweet treats.

Whatever you cook, be mindful of cleaning. High-sugar sauces and thick marinades can caramelise on plates, and raw meat requires careful hygiene. If you plan to cook more than sandwiches regularly, removable plates are strongly recommended so you can wash them thoroughly between uses. Our guide on how to use a sandwich maker for perfect toasted sandwiches also covers some general best practices that apply to other foods.

Cleaning and maintenance

Keeping a sandwich maker clean is easier if you get into the habit of wiping it down shortly after each use. Once it has cooled slightly but is still warm, you can unplug it and wipe the plates with a soft, damp cloth or non-abrasive sponge. Avoid metal tools or scouring pads, as they can damage the non-stick coating and shorten the life of the appliance. If your model has removable plates, take them out and wash them in warm, soapy water, then dry them thoroughly before reattaching.

For stubborn residue, such as burnt-on cheese, place a damp (not dripping) cloth or folded piece of kitchen towel on the warm but unplugged plates and close the lid for a few minutes. The steam helps to loosen stuck-on bits, making them easier to wipe away. Never immerse the main appliance body in water, and take care not to spill water into the electrical components when cleaning around the hinge and edges.

Regular maintenance also includes checking the cord for damage, ensuring the handle and locking mechanism operate smoothly, and avoiding slamming the lid or forcing overfilled sandwiches, which can strain the hinge. If you are unsure about specific cleaning methods or whether parts are dishwasher-safe, refer to the instruction manual for your particular model. For step-by-step advice, our guide on how to clean a panini press or sandwich maker safely offers more detailed tips.