Best Indoor Grill
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The best indoor grill for most kitchens has a removable cooking surface that washes easily, a high searing setting, and a lid or hood that keeps smoke from filling the room. Indoor grills let you char food when the weather is wrong for an outdoor grill, and they work well for apartments, small kitchens, and cooks who want steak marks in January. This guide compares four indoor grills and griddles from the Amazon listings collected for this topic, explains what each setting does, and ends with one clear rule for choosing.
Quick answer
- Pick the Ninja Foodi Smart XL if you want a grill with a built-in thermometer, several cooking modes, and a crisper basket.
- Pick the Hamilton Beach Searing Grill if you want a single-purpose electric grill with a stainless steel body and a 450 degree sear.
- Pick the Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill and Griddle if you want to switch between a grill plate and a flat griddle for breakfast and smash burgers.
- Pick the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL if you cook for a bigger group and want a 20 inch surface with adjustable temperature.
Start with the food you cook most
An indoor grill can do several jobs, but most people buy one for a few main foods. Steaks, chicken breasts, and burgers need high heat and a surface that sears. Vegetables and fish need steady heat and a grate that does not let small pieces fall through. Breakfast foods such as pancakes and eggs need a flat griddle. Write down the two foods you cook most often before you compare models. A grill that handles steak well may be awkward for pancakes, and a griddle that suits eggs may not give you clear grill marks on chicken.
Family size matters too. A grill that feeds two people has a much smaller cooking area than one built for a crowd. The listings in this group state capacity in different ways, from the number of steaks to the number of burgers or the number of people a plate can serve. Use the capacity line in each listing as a guide, and plan for leftovers if you cook for a group of four or more.
Heat, searing, and temperature control
Searing needs heat that is high and steady, and the four listings in this guide differ on how they reach it. The Hamilton Beach model has an adjustable temperature control that goes up to 450 degrees, with a sear setting for high heat and a dial for lower heat. The Ninja Sizzle GR101 lists a maximum heat of 500 degrees, and its plates heat evenly from edge to edge according to the bullets. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL lets you dial in temperatures from 250 degrees to 500 degrees, and the Ninja Foodi Smart XL lists a 500 degree grill grate with cyclonic air.
Temperature control also decides how well you cook thicker foods. A high setting gives color and crust, but a moderate setting lets the center cook before the outside burns. Look for a control that goes below the sear range, because it gives you room for chicken thighs, fish, and vegetables. The Hamilton Beach dial and the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL range both cover lower heat, while the Ninja Sizzle GR101 is described mainly through its high heat figure.
A built-in thermometer is useful if you cook proteins to a specific doneness. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL includes a Foodi Smart Thermometer with four protein settings and nine doneness levels, which the bullets say lets you choose rare through well-done without guessing. The other three listings do not include a probe in their data, so you will need your own thermometer if you want to check doneness.
Smoke, splatter, and ventilation
Smoke is the main reason people give up on an indoor grill. Fat drips onto a hot surface, and the smoke rises toward the cabinets. Each listing deals with it in its own way. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL describes a smoke control system that combines a temperature-controlled grill grate, a splatter shield, and a cool-air zone. The Ninja Sizzle GR101 describes a perforated mesh lid that helps control smoke and reduce splatter, with high walls and grease catches on the plates. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL describes a detachable ventilated lid that reduces splatter and helps manage grease. The Hamilton Beach model uses a hood that closes over the plate and a drip tray to catch drips.
Ventilation still matters. Turn on the range hood or open a window when you sear, and keep the grill away from curtains and paper towels. A lid that closes gives you grill marks and holds heat, but it also traps smoke when the grill runs at maximum heat. Use the lid up for a hard sear, and lower it when you want to melt cheese or keep food warm, which is how several of these listings describe their lids.
Cooking surface and plate size
The cooking surface controls how much food fits at once. The Hamilton Beach listing gives a searing surface of 118 square inches and says it serves six, which fits a family dinner of steaks or chicken. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL grate fits up to six steaks or up to 24 hot dogs at the same time, according to its bullets. The Ninja Sizzle GR101 uses 14 inch grill and griddle plates that the listing says feed a family of four to six. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL uses 20 inch plates that the listing says can fit 10 or more burgers, which makes it the largest surface in this group.
Plate type affects both cooking and cleaning. A grill plate has ridges that create grill marks and let fat drain away. A flat griddle plate holds liquid such as batter and cooks pancakes and eggs more evenly. The Ninja Sizzle models include interchangeable plates, so you can switch from one to the other without buying a second appliance. If you only want steak and vegetables, a single grill surface is enough.
Cleaning and dishwasher-safe parts
Cleaning decides whether you use the grill on a weeknight. The Hamilton Beach listing says the hood, plate, and drip tray are removable and dishwasher safe, and that the nonstick plate can go in the dishwasher. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL lists a ceramic-coated grill grate, crisper basket, and cooking pot that are dishwasher safe. The Ninja Sizzle GR101 lists nonstick plates that are easy to clean and a mesh lid that is dishwasher safe. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL lists ceramic nonstick plates and a detachable ventilated lid for quick cleanup, with a removable grease catch.
Nonstick surfaces need gentle care. Avoid metal scrapers, and wipe off burnt residue while the plate is still warm but not hot. Dishwashers can wear coatings over time, so hand washing the plates may extend their life even when the listing says dishwasher safe.
Size, weight, and counter space
An indoor grill takes up counter space, and some are heavy to lift. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL lists a weight of 25 pounds and dimensions of 15.7 inches deep, 11.1 inches wide, and 16 inches high. The Hamilton Beach model weighs 8.1 pounds and measures 12.4 inches by 16.73 inches by 6.81 inches. The Ninja Sizzle GR101 weighs 7.8 pounds and measures 14.72 inches deep by 15.16 inches wide. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL weighs 23.2 pounds and measures 20.85 inches deep by 15.22 inches wide. Measure your counter and the cabinet where you store the grill before you order, and remember that the hood needs clearance when it is up.
Power draw is listed for each model as well. The Hamilton Beach model lists 1200 watts, the Ninja Sizzle GR101 lists 1450 watts, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL lists 1760 watts, and the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL lists 1790 watts. Check that your outlet and circuit can handle the wattage, and avoid running the grill on the same circuit as a microwave or kettle.
Side by side
The table below uses only the data in each listing. Where a field is missing, it says not stated.
| Model | Max setting | Surface | Dishwasher-safe parts | Wattage | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi Smart XL, DG551 | 500 degrees | Grill grate with crisper basket | Grate, basket, pot | 1760 watts | 1 year limited |
| Hamilton Beach Searing Grill, 25360 | 450 degrees | 118 square inches | Hood, plate, drip tray | 1200 watts | 1 year |
| Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill and Griddle, GR101 | 500 degrees | 14 inch grill and griddle plates | Mesh lid, plates | 1450 watts | 1 year |
| Ninja Sizzle Pro XL, GX101 | 500 degrees, 250 degree low setting | 20 inch griddle and grill plates | not stated | 1790 watts | not stated |
The table shows two clear groups. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL and the Hamilton Beach model are the simpler grill choices, with one main cooking surface and clear sear settings. The two Ninja Sizzle models are built for switching plates and cooking for more people.
The four grills
Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer, DG551
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL is a black and silver 6-in-1 indoor grill with an air fryer function, a thermometer probe, and a 4-quart crisper basket. Its bullets describe a cyclonic grilling system and a grate that fits up to six steaks, plus grill, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate functions. Choose it if you want one countertop appliance for steaks, roasted vegetables, and dehydrated snacks, and you want a probe to check doneness.
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill, 25360
The Hamilton Beach Searing Grill is a stainless steel electric indoor grill with a removable nonstick grate and a hood that closes over the cooking area. Its bullets describe a sear setting at 450 degrees, an adjustable dial for lower heat, and power and preheat lights that make the status easy to read. Choose it if you mainly want steak, chicken, and burgers with grill marks and a simple control panel.
Ninja Sizzle Indoor Grill and Griddle, GR101
The Ninja Sizzle GR101 is a grey and silver indoor grill and griddle with 14 inch interchangeable plates, one for grilling and one flat. Its bullets describe a 500 degree maximum heat, edge-to-edge heating, and a perforated mesh lid that helps control smoke and splatter. Choose it if you want to switch between grill marks on chicken and a flat surface for pancakes and eggs in the same appliance.
Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20 Inch Indoor Griddle and Grill, GX101
The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL is a silver indoor griddle and grill from Ninja with 20 inch interchangeable plates and a detachable ventilated lid. Its bullets describe adjustable temperature from 250 to 500 degrees with ProTemp IQ, ceramic nonstick plates that are PFAS free, and a lid that can go up for a hard sear or down to hold heat. Choose it if you cook for a larger group and want the most cooking area in this comparison.
Mistakes to avoid with an indoor grill
The first mistake is cooking on a surface that is too cold. Preheat the plate or grate until the indicator light says it is ready, then add food. Food placed on a cold plate steams instead of seared. The second mistake is overcrowding. Packing the surface fills the area with juice and slows browning, so cook in batches when you have more food than the plate can hold. The third mistake is ignoring the splatter guard or lid. Even a model with good smoke control will smoke more if you leave the lid off during a long sear. Finally, do not use metal tools on nonstick plates, because scratches shorten the life of the coating and make food stick.
Keep the cord away from the hot surface and the sink, and let the appliance cool before you lift the plate or move the unit. Several of these grills weigh more than 20 pounds, so use both hands and set the unit on a stable counter.
Frequently asked questions
Can an indoor grill replace an outdoor grill for steak?
For thin to medium steaks, an indoor grill with a 450 or 500 degree sear setting gives a good crust, but it will not give the same smoke flavor as a charcoal grill.
Do all of these grills have dishwasher-safe parts?
No, the Hamilton Beach, Ninja Foodi Smart XL, and Ninja Sizzle GR101 listings describe dishwasher-safe removable parts, while the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL listing does not state that for its plates.
Which grill is best for breakfast?
The Ninja Sizzle GR101 and the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL both include a flat griddle plate, which suits pancakes and eggs better than a ridged grill plate.
Do I need a thermometer?
Not always, but the Ninja Foodi Smart XL includes a probe with four protein settings, which helps if you want to avoid guessing on doneness.
Is the grill safe to use in a small apartment?
Use it with the hood on or a window open, keep it clear of cabinets, and check that the outlet can handle the wattage listed for your model.
Bottom line
Choose the grill whose cooking surface matches the food you cook most, then confirm your counter space and outlet before you order.