Best OverallBlackstone
Blackstone 22-Inch E-Series Electric Griddle
In: Best Griddles for Smash Burgers
- 358 sq in
- Dual heating zones
Category guide
Griddles: Outdoor Flat-Top Grills and Electric Griddles
A flat-top griddle cooks breakfast, smash burgers and stir-fries across a wide surface. Heat zones and size matter.
- 3 roundups · 2 reviews · 1 comparisons · 2 guides
- Updated
- No paid placements
Shop the shortlist
Top griddles we recommend
Standout picks from our best-of lists. Tap any product for features, pros and cons.
- Best OverallPresto
Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Drain Big Griddle
In: Best Griddles Under $50
- Tilt drain
- 240 sq in
- Best OverallBlackstone
Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle Combo
In: Best Griddles
- 470 sq in cooking surface
- Dual burner zones
- Best VersatileCuisinart
Cuisinart GR-300WS Griddler Elite
In: Best Griddles for Smash Burgers
- Open flat mode
- Removable plates
- Best SafePresto
Presto 07030 Cool Touch Electric Griddle
In: Best Griddles Under $50
- Cool touch
- Under $30
- Best PrecisionZojirushi
Zojirushi EA-DCC10 Gourmet Sizzler
In: Best Griddles for Smash Burgers
- Precise temp
- Zojirushi
- Best BlackdeckerBlack+Decker
Black+Decker GD2051B Family Griddle
In: Best Griddles Under $50
- Family size
- Under $40
- Best IndoorGotham Steel
Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill and Griddle
In: Best Griddles for Smash Burgers
- Smokeless
- High heat
Best by need
Best griddles for every buyer
Ranked shortlists for specific budgets and use cases. Start with the one that matches yours.
- Best Griddles for Smash Burgers: 10 Models That Reach Searing TemperatureSmash burgers require 375°F to 425°F sustained surface temperature and a flat surface for maximum contact. We rank the 10 electric griddles See the picks
- Best Griddles Under $50: 10 Budget Electric Griddles That Hold TemperatureWe rank the top 10 by temperature consistency, surface area per dollar, and non-stick durability, avoiding the ones that heat unevenly or fSee the picks
- Best Griddles: 12 Electric Griddles for Pancakes, Eggs, and Smash BurgersThe best electric griddles hold temperature evenly across the cooking surface and produce consistent results from edge to center. We rank 12See the picks
Know before you buy
About Griddles
Outdoor propane griddles like flat-top grills offer big cooking areas and high heat for crowds. Electric griddles suit indoor breakfasts and small kitchens. Cast-iron and steel tops need seasoning but develop a natural nonstick layer.
Grease management is often what decides how pleasant a griddle is to clean.
How to choose a griddle
Outdoor vs electric
Outdoor models deliver high heat and size. Electric models are convenient indoors.
Cooking area
28 to 36 inches suits families and gatherings.
Heat zones
Multiple burners let you sear on one side and keep food warm on another.
Surface
Rolled steel needs seasoning; ceramic and nonstick are easier but less durable.
Grease management
Rear or side grease traps are easier to empty.
Research-based picks from specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.
No paid placements, ever.
Our methodologyQuick buying tips
What matters most in griddles
- Outdoor models deliver high heat and size. Electric models are convenient indoors.
- 28 to 36 inches suits families and gatherings.
- Multiple burners let you sear on one side and keep food warm on another.
- Rolled steel needs seasoning; ceramic and nonstick are easier but less durable.
- Rear or side grease traps are easier to empty.
Deep dives
In-depth reviews
- Blackstone 22-Inch Electric Griddle Review: Best Large-Surface Electric GriddleThe Blackstone 22-inch electric griddle offers 358 square inches of cooking surface, dual independent heating zones, and sustained 400°F+ te
- Cuisinart Griddler Elite Review: Best Versatile Electric Griddle with Removable PlatesThe Cuisinart Griddler Elite converts between panini press, open grill, open griddle, and half-grill half-griddle configurations with dishwa
Learn first
Buying guides & how-tos
- Buying guideGriddle Buying Guide: Surface Area, Temperature Range, and Non-Stick ExplainedThree specifications determine griddle performance: surface area, temperature range, and non-stick coating design. This guide explains what Read
- Buying guideHow to Choose a Griddle: 5 Questions That Narrow the FieldFive questions eliminate most of the electric griddle market for your household. Cooking tasks, household size, cleanup tolerance, budget, aRead
- Buying guideGriddle Not Heating Evenly: 8 Causes and Fixes for Hot Spots and Cold ZonesPancakes that brown faster in the center, eggs that cook on one side and not the other, and griddle marks that leave pale stripes are all siRead
Answers
Griddles: common questions
What is the best griddle to buy?
One of our strongest picks is the Blackstone 22-Inch E-Series Electric Griddle, a standout in our Best Griddles for Smash Burgers list. The Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Drain Big Griddle is another excellent choice.
How do I choose the right griddles?
Start with your main use and budget, then compare our shortlists: Best Griddles for Smash Burgers, Best Griddles Under $50, Best Griddles.
What should I look for when buying griddles?
Outdoor models deliver high heat and size. Electric models are convenient indoors.
What temperature does a griddle need for smash burgers?
375°F to 425°F actual surface temperature for Maillard crust formation. At 375°F: a golden-brown crust forms in 45 to 60 seconds after smashing. At 425°F: crust forms in 30 to 40 seconds, more aggressive searing with slightly more char. Below 350°F: the patty steams rather than sears, producing a grey exterior instead of a brown crust. Check actual surface temperature with a laser thermometer, the control dial setting is not the surface temperature. Most griddles rated 400°F reach 350°F to 380°F actual surface temperature.
Do I need a cast iron or flat-top commercial griddle for smash burgers, or can an electric griddle work?
An electric griddle works well for home smash burgers with two caveats: it must reach and sustain 375°F+ at the cooking surface, and it must recover temperature quickly when cold patties are added. Adding 2 to 3 cold beef balls drops the surface temperature significantly. The Blackstone electric and Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe maintain temperature adequately for 2 to 4 patties at a time. For more than 4 simultaneous patties: a Blackstone outdoor flat-top gas griddle or a commercial electric griddle handles the load better.
What is the biggest limitation of a $30 to $50 electric griddle?
Temperature consistency across the cooking surface. Budget griddles have a single heating element that runs in a fixed pattern, hot spots appear near the element loop and cooler areas in between. This produces pancakes that brown faster in some spots than others. The fix: rotate food during cooking and do not crowd the surface.
Can a $40 griddle make smash burgers?
Yes, with limitations. Budget griddles set to maximum (400°F rated) typically reach 350°F to 375°F at the surface, enough for smash burger crust formation, but at the lower end. Preheat for the full 10 to 15 minutes before adding burgers. The smaller surface on budget models limits the number of simultaneous smash burgers. For 2 patties at a time on a 200 sq in griddle: adequate. For 4+ patties simultaneously: step up to the Presto 07046 (240 sq in) or a larger model.
What size griddle do I need?
Electric griddle surface area determines how many portions you can cook simultaneously. Small (150 to 200 sq in): 4 pancakes or 2 eggs, adequate for 1 to 2 people. Medium (250 to 300 sq in): 6 to 8 pancakes or 4 eggs, the common household size for 2 to 4 people. Large (350+ sq in): 10 to 12 pancakes or 6 to 8 smash burgers simultaneously, for families or meal prep. The Cuisinart GR-300WS at 200 sq in and the Presto 07046 Tilt 'n Drain at 240 sq in are the most common household sizes. For smash burgers: surface area is secondary to temperature, the griddle must reach 375°F to 425°F for the Maillard crust.