Imagine opening up your lunch box at work to find restaurant-quality homemade pastrami on rye. What could be more delicious? With a sandwich maker or press in the kitchen, a world of toastie varieties awaits your palate. It's a delightful solution for parents, too, who might find planning school meals stressful on busy days.
We love that you don't have to be a seasoned home cook to use one, either. As long as your fridge is stocked with basic ingredients - deli meats, tomatoes, cheeses, lettuce and sauces - putting together a crunchy toastie is but a matter of a few minutes.
The ideal sandwich maker boils down to your needs and budget - would you prefer savoury waffle sandwiches? Or, do you like your toast done to a certain degree? As the price point increases, you can expect to snag more advanced features. What you shouldn't compromise on is the safety features, which ensure a cool surface and heat-resistant handles.
Some sandwich makers have interchangeable cooking plates, offering more bang for your buck. These all-in-one appliances can be used to grill patties and make waffles, aside from dividing your toast into neat triangles. Further down the line, some machines allow you to control the temperature and set a timer. Although, inexpensive presses also do a decent job of sealing the fillings.
Take a look for yourself below, where we pick out highly rated sandwich makers on Amazon, paying close attention to user reviews and features. Get them delivered the same or the next day, with Prime.
1. Best Overall: Breville Ultimate Deep Fill Toastie Maker
Pros
- Extra deep fill toastie maker
- Space saving appliance
- Easy to clean, with removable plates
- Ready-to-cook indicator
Cons
- Limited to standard-sized loaf slices
Break the monotony of breakfasts and lunch, and add a little variety to your plate. Whether you’re in the mood for a veggie sandwich or a classic grilled cheese, this Breville Deep Fill Toastie Maker is integral to your morning meal station. As the name suggests, you can stuff your sandwich to the brim and expect the machine to seal the fillings firmly inside into easy-to-eat triangular halves, without any mess. A ready-to-cook light indicator lets you know when the toastie maker is hot enough to go. Unlike most sandwich presses, this one is a sleek addition to the kitchen, complete with rounded corners, built-in cord storage, as well as non-slip feet. Happy reviewers attest to all of the above and more, saying that cleaning is easy since the detachable non-stick plates come right off for rinsing.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.
2. Best Multi-Purpose: Cuisinart Style Collection 2-In-1 Grill and Sandwich Maker
Pros
- Multipurpose device - grills and makes toasties
- Variable temperature control up to 210 degrees Celsius
- Plates remove for easy cleaning
- Top plate floats to cook food from all sides
Cons
- Needs dedicated storage space
Pricey but undoubtedly worth it - the Cuisinart grill and sandwich maker is a heavier appliance for integrating two interchangeable plates and a temperature control knob. It has a toastie plate, as well as a grill plate to help you whip up a larger variety of quick meals. Grill your sandwich meat, even if it's a steak, and vegetables up to a heat of 210 degrees Celsius. Then, tuck the ingredients between bread slices or panini for another round of press. The handles lock to seal the fillings and brown your sandwich thoroughly. You can even use the tool as a food warmer for melting cheese, crisping leftover pizza and more - just leave the top plate hanging over the food on its floating hinge. While our best overall pick is excellent for toasties, this sandwich maker doubles as a panini press, too. It's such a hit with reviewers that their college-going children have packed it up to use in the dorms.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh66.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh46 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh25.
3. Best Capacity: Kenwood 4 Slots 2-in-1 Sandwich Maker and Grill
Pros
- Four bread slots
- Includes grill plate sets
- Handle latch locks
- Opens up to 180 degrees like a griddle
Cons
- Might be just decent for grilling
Kenwood's two-in-one contraption is more affordable and takes more slices of bread than the Cuisinart grill. But, you will have to forgo a temperature knob. It's a neat, all-white sandwich maker that comes with two sets of removable four-slot toastie and grill plates. We love that it lays open flat on the countertop, 180 degrees, to double as a griddle. Plus, all the excess oil and juices drip into the two side trays included. For toasties, you can lock the latch on the handle to seal the sandwiches. Its large capacity is a welcome feature for reviewers, who say the appliance is of good quality. Some do find that the grilling power could be stronger.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.
4. Best Panini Press: George Foreman Non-Stick Electric Grill
Pros
- Great for pressing all kinds of sandwiches
- Non-stick grill plates
- Built-in drip tray and angled foot rest to reduce fat content
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- No on and off button
- Non-stick trays are not removable
The George Foreman grill works great if you're just looking to press sandwiches and don't mind the absence of neat triangular toasties. A built-in drip tray collects all the excess grease, with an adjustable rear foot that helps drain away the fat from the food for a healthier meal. Though these plates are not removable, they're non-stick and wipe easily. Reviewers have pressed quesedillas, sub melts, cheese toasts in the grill, and say that it heats up quickly. Others use it to grill burger, fish and kebabs, as well.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a two-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.
5. Best for Families: Tefal Inicio Multi-Functional Grill
Pros
- High floating top lid
- On and off button on the side
- Stores vertically
- Dishwasher-safe dip tray
Cons
- Non-stick trays are not removable
Another versatile grill to consider is the Tefal model, which doesn’t just make mouth-watering, restaurant-style paninis and sandwiches, but also cooks a variety of foods, from meat and fish to vegetables. Unlike the George Foreman machine, this appliance has a power button on the body, so you're not left plugging and unplugging the grill. Its floating hinge is quite high, too, to make way for deeply stuffed paninis. So, if you want to give your stove a break and grill a quick dinner for the family, this device lets you do so easily with its large capacity, non-stick coated plates. Reviewers love that it works faster than their previous models, toasting sandwiches in just under two minutes. The fixed plates can take longer to clean up, however.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh12 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh17.
6. Best Budget: Black & Decker 750W Sandwich Maker
Pros
- Inexpensive for three grill plates
- Makes waffles, toasties and paninis
- Ready-to-cook indicator light
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No power button
For a great price, pick up this three-in-one Black and Decker Sandwich Maker, which prepares waffles, paninis and toasties. The three interchangeable grill plates add more variety to your morning breakfast at an incredibly affordable price. It's compact, stores vertically and has a locking clamp for sealing in any melted fillings. Once it's ready to fire, the machine lets you know with indicator lights. However, you are missing the power button and drip tray on this model. Reviews are happy with the results and cleaning process, but they do remind buyers to let the sandwich maker cook empty three times to rid the machine of its protective coating, per manufacturer instructions.
Warranty: The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh6 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh9.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
