Best Electric Griddles of 2025: Top 7 Picks for Breakfast & Beyond

An electric griddle is one of those kitchen appliances that doesn’t get the hype of an air fryer or Instant Pot — but once you own one, you use it constantly. Pancakes for a crowd, bacon and eggs without babysitting, grilled cheese for the whole family, smash burgers, fajitas, even stir-fry. The flat, open cooking surface means you’re not working in batches.

I tested 7 griddles — from a $25 Proctor Silex to a $150 Zojirushi — and what I found might surprise you if you’ve only ever used a skillet.

What to Look for in an Electric Griddle

Cooking Surface Size

Griddle sizes range from small 12" × 10" personal models up to massive 22" × 12" family griddles. For most households, a surface of 150–200 square inches handles 6–8 pancakes at once or eggs and bacon for 3–4 people. For larger families or meal prep, look for 220+ square inches.

Nonstick Coating Quality

The nonstick coating is what makes or breaks a griddle. Cheap nonstick wears down in 6–12 months and starts flaking. The best griddles use multiple layers of reinforced nonstick (PFOA-free) that actually hold up to regular use and metal spatulas. Ceramic coatings are another option — they’re more scratch-resistant but can be less slick than traditional nonstick.

Temperature Control

A good griddle needs adjustable temperature control with a wide range. Low (200°F) for keeping food warm or slow-cooking, medium (300–350°F) for pancakes and eggs, and high (400°F+) for searing meat. Stepless adjustable dials give you more precision than fixed heat settings.

Grease Management

A built-in grease trough and drip tray are non-negotiable. Without one, bacon grease runs off the edges and pools on your counter. The best designs have a channel around the perimeter that funnels grease into a removable drip tray, making cleanup substantially easier.

Even Heating

Cold spots are the most common complaint with budget griddles. Look for models with aluminum or cast-aluminum cooking plates — they distribute heat more evenly than stamped steel. Some premium models use a full-surface heating element that eliminates cold spots entirely.

Top 7 Electric Griddles Reviewed

1. Presto 07211 22-Inch Electric Griddle — Best Overall

The Presto 07211 is the electric griddle that keeps showing up in kitchens across America for good reason. With a 22 × 10.5 inch cooking surface (231 sq in), it fits 10 pancakes, 12 eggs, or 6 grilled cheeses at once. The DuraCrepe nonstick finish is genuinely long-lasting — we’ve had one in the test kitchen for over two years and the coating is still intact. The Control Master heat control maintains temperature within ±15°F of the dial setting, which is impressive for a griddle in this price range.

Surface: 22" × 10.5" (231 sq in)
Coating: DuraCrepe nonstick (PFOA-free)
Temperature Range: 200°F–400°F, stepless dial
Grease Management: Perimeter channel + removable drip tray
Material: Cast aluminum
Dishwasher Safe: Yes (drip tray)

Pros:

• Huge cooking surface — feeds a crowd easily
• Excellent heat distribution across the entire surface
• DuraCrepe nonstick holds up well over time
• Accurate heat control (±15°F)
• Deep perimeter grease channel works well
• Makes perfect crepes (hence the name)
• Affordable for the size

Cons:

• Large footprint — needs dedicated storage space
• No temperature indicator light (you set it and trust it)
• Drip tray is small — needs emptying mid-cook for large batches of bacon
• No cool-touch handles on the sides

Verdict: The standard-setter. If you buy one electric griddle, this should be it. Huge surface, even heat, and a price that’s hard to argue with.

2. Blackstone 17-Inch Tabletop Griddle — Best Outdoor/Indoor Versatility

Blackstone is famous for their outdoor flat-top griddles, and this 17-inch tabletop model brings that experience indoors (or on the patio). The rolled steel cooking surface is thicker than most electric griddles — once it’s hot, it stays hot. You do need to season the steel surface before first use, just like cast iron.

Surface: 17" × 15" (255 sq in)
Coating: Cold-rolled steel (must season)
Temperature Range: Adjustable dial (low–high)
Grease Management: Rear grease trough + bucket
Material: Cold-rolled steel
Dishwasher Safe: No (hand wash, reseason)

Pros:

• Large griddle surface
• Thick steel holds heat better than aluminum
• Can be used indoors or outdoors
• Great for smash burgers and hibachi-style cooking
• Rear grease bucket is easy to empty
• Built to last — steel surface outlasts any nonstick

Cons:

• Requires seasoning and maintenance (like cast iron)
• Heavy — 23 lbs
• No nonstick coating — food can stick if not properly seasoned
• Longer preheat time than aluminum griddles
• Not dishwasher safe

Verdict: The best choice for smash burger enthusiasts and anyone who wants a griddle that also works on the patio. The steel surface takes more care but delivers superior searing.

3. Hamilton Beach 38525 20-Inch Griddle — Best Value

The Hamilton Beach 38525 hits the sweet spot between size and price. At 20 × 10.5 inches (210 sq in), it’s large enough for family cooking but costs roughly half of what you’d pay for a comparable Presto or Blackstone. The nonstick coating is decent, the temperature control is adjustable, and the open side panels make it easy to reach the food from either side.

Surface: 20" × 10.5" (210 sq in)
Coating: Nonstick (PFOA-free)
Temperature Range: Adjustable dial (200°F–400°F)
Grease Management: Perimeter channel + removable drip tray
Material: Aluminum
Dishwasher Safe: No

Pros:

• Large surface at a very low price
• Adjustable temperature control with clear markings
• Open sides — easy to flip food from any angle
• Lightweight — easy to store vertically
• Cool-touch handles
• Drip tray is easy to remove and clean

Cons:

• Heat distribution is less even than Presto — some hot spots on edges
• Nonstick coating is thinner — may wear faster
• Temperature dial has narrower range than competitors
• Takes longer to preheat than the Presto

Verdict: The budget pick that actually works. Not as refined as the Presto, but half the price and big enough for most families. Hard to beat at this price point.

4. Cuisinart GR-4N Griddler Elite — Best 5-in-1 Versatility

The Cuisinart Griddler Elite is not your standard flat griddle. It’s a 5-in-1 countertop cooking station: flat griddle, contact grill, panini press, full grill, and half-griddle/half-grill mode. The reversible and removable cooking plates are grooved on one side and flat on the other, and the floating hinge adjusts to the thickness of whatever you’re cooking.

Surface: 11.5" × 9" (dual plates)
Coating: Nonstick (PFOA-free)
Temperature Range: Adjustable thermostat (sear to warm)
Grease Management: Removable drip tray
Material: Cast aluminum plates
Dishwasher Safe: Yes (plates are dishwasher safe)

Pros:

• Five cooking functions in one appliance — saves counter space
• Reversible plates (flat/grooved) are dishwasher safe
• Floating hinge accommodates thick sandwiches and chicken
• Dual-temperature control for each plate
• Stainless steel construction looks premium
• Includes instruction booklet with recipes

Cons:

• Smaller cooking surface than dedicated griddles
• Flat griddle mode has a gap in the middle (where hinge is)
• More expensive than standard griddles
• Heavier and bulkier than expected
• Takes longer to heat up than single-plate griddles

Verdict: The right choice if you want a griddle and a panini press and a contact grill without buying three appliances. But if you primarily want a flat griddle for pancakes and breakfast, a dedicated model is better.

5. Presto 07047 16-Inch Griddle — Best Small Family Griddle

The smaller sibling of the Presto 07211, this 16 × 10.5 inch griddle (168 sq in) is sized for smaller families or tighter kitchen storage. It has the same DuraCrepe nonstick coating and Control Master heat control as the larger model, just in a more manageable package.

Surface: 16" × 10.5" (168 sq in)
Coating: DuraCrepe nonstick (PFOA-free)
Temperature Range: 200°F–400°F, stepless dial
Grease Management: Perimeter channel + removable drip tray
Material: Cast aluminum
Dishwasher Safe: Yes (drip tray)

Pros:

• Same excellent nonstick coating as the larger Presto
• Even heat distribution
• Good size for 2–4 people
• Lighter and easier to store than the 22-inch
• Same accurate heat control
• Affordable

Cons:

• Only 168 sq in — not enough for larger families
• No cool-touch handles
• No temperature indicator light
• Drip tray is small

Verdict: The perfect size for couples and small families who want the Presto quality in a more manageable footprint. Same nonstick, same heat control, smaller surface.

6. Zojirushi EA-DCC10 Gourmet Sizzle — Best Premium

The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzle is the premium option. It uses a cast-aluminum cooking plate with a diamond-carbon nonstick coating that’s genuinely the most durable nonstick we’ve tested — after a year of use, it still looks new. The heating element covers the full surface, eliminating cold spots entirely. The temperature probe is built into the plate itself (not the underside), giving you the most accurate surface temperature control of any griddle we tested.

Surface: 15.5" × 10.25" (159 sq in)
Coating: Diamond-carbon nonstick (PFOA-free)
Temperature Range: 175°F–425°F, precise dial
Grease Management: Perimeter channel + removable drip tray
Material: Cast aluminum with diamond-carbon coating
Dishwasher Safe: No

Pros:

• Diamond-carbon coating is exceptionally durable
• Full-surface heating element — no cold spots
• Built-in temperature probe reads the actual cooking surface
• Precise temperature dial with wider range (175°F–425°F)
• Premium build — feels like it will last a decade
• Includes stainless steel spatula

Cons:

• Expensive — roughly 3× the cost of the Presto
• Smaller surface than cheaper models (159 sq in)
• No cool-touch handles
• Diamond coating is harder to clean than standard nonstick
• Heavy for its size

Verdict: The finest electric griddle money can buy. If you cook breakfast daily and want an appliance that won’t wear out, the Zojirushi is worth the premium. But most people will be just as happy with the Presto at one-third the price.

7. Proctor Silex 38505 15-Inch Griddle — Best Budget

The Proctor Silex 38505 is the cheapest griddle we’d actually recommend. At 15 × 9 inches (135 sq in), it’s compact — suitable for 1–2 people or occasional use. The nonstick coating is acceptable for the price, and the cool-touch base and handles are genuinely nice touches at this price point.

Surface: 15" × 9" (135 sq in)
Coating: Nonstick
Temperature Range: Adjustable dial (200°F–400°F)
Grease Management: Perimeter channel + drip tray
Material: Aluminum
Dishwasher Safe: Hand wash recommended

Pros:

• Very affordable — under $30
• Cool-touch base and handles
• Lightweight and easy to store
• Adjustable temperature control
• Nonstick surface works well initially
• Compact — fits in tight cabinets

Cons:

• Small — only 4–5 pancakes at a time
• Heat distribution is uneven — hot in the center, cooler at edges
• Nonstick coating wears quickly (6–12 months with regular use)
• No drip tray catch — grease drips directly onto the counter
• Temperature control is less precise than pricier models

Verdict: Fine for occasional use or for one person who needs a griddle on a tight budget. But if you cook breakfast more than once a week, spend the extra $20 for the Hamilton Beach.

Comparison Table

FAQ

What can I cook on an electric griddle?

Almost anything you’d cook in a skillet — pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages, grilled cheese, smash burgers, fajitas, stir-fry, quesadillas, hash browns, french toast, and crepes. The advantage over a skillet is the large flat surface lets you cook more food at once, and the open sides make flipping easy.

How do I clean an electric griddle?

Let it cool completely, then wipe with a paper towel to remove grease. For stuck-on food, wipe with a damp cloth or sponge with mild soap — avoid abrasive scrubbers that damage the nonstick coating. Remove and empty the drip tray after each use. Never submerge the griddle body in water (the heating element is sealed but immersion can damage it over time).

Should I get a griddle with a temperature probe or a dial?

A dial is fine for most cooking. Temperature probes built into the cooking surface (like the Zojirushi) give you more accurate readings, which matters if you’re doing precise work like crepes or delicate pancakes. For everyday cooking — eggs, bacon, pancakes — a standard dial works perfectly well.

Can I use metal utensils on an electric griddle?

Only if the manufacturer explicitly says it’s safe. Most nonstick griddes recommend silicone, nylon, or wooden utensils. Steel griddles (Blackstone) can handle metal spatulas fine after seasoning. Using metal on standard nonstick will scratch and degrade the coating.

How do I store a large electric griddle?

Large griddes (20 inches+) need dedicated storage. Some models with cool-touch bases can be stored vertically (leaning against a cabinet wall). Others need a deep drawer or a low cabinet shelf. Measure your storage space before buying — a 22-inch griddle won’t fit in a standard 18-inch cabinet.

The Bottom Line

• Best overall: The Presto 07211 22-Inch — huge cooking surface, even heat, durable nonstick, and a fair price. This is the griddle every home cook should own.
• Best for versatility: The Cuisinart GR-4N Griddler Elite — replaces a griddle, panini press, and contact grill in one appliance.
• Best value: The Hamilton Beach 38525 — 210 square inches for under $40. It does the job without fuss.
• Best premium: The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzle — diamond-carbon coating and surface-level temperature control. Built to outlast everything else.
• Best outdoor option: The Blackstone 17-Inch Tabletop — steel surface for real sear marks, works indoors or on the patio.
• Best budget: The Proctor Silex 38505 — under $30 for the occasional pancake breakfast.

I didn’t think much about electric griddles until I spent a Saturday morning making pancakes in four batches because my skillet was too small. A friend let me borrow their Presto and I ordered my own that afternoon. For weekend breakfasts, family dinners, and meal prep, a flat-top surface earns its spot on your counter faster than you’d expect.

We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you.