How to choose your electric grill or griddle

Choosing an electric grill or griddle depends on two measurable technical criteria: power, which determines cooking speed and efficiency, and surface area, which sets the quantity of food you can prepare simultaneously. These two characteristics directly define the appliance’s performance.

What to check

Electrical power Electrical power, expressed in watts, determines the heating speed and cooking efficiency. Among recent models on the market, it ranges from one thousand watts for the least powerful appliances to two thousand four hundred watts for the best, with a median value of two thousand watts. High power ensures rapid searing of food and better maintains temperature when you add cold ingredients. For regular grilling or thick cuts of meat, favour models above the median. Our rating positions each appliance on this performance scale. Market median: 2,000 W

Cooking surface The width of the cooking surface, measured in millimetres, defines the quantity of food you can prepare at once. Observed dimensions range from two hundred and fifty-three millimetres for the most compact models to four hundred and eighty-four millimetres for the most generous, with a median around three hundred and sixty-two millimetres. A large surface suits large families or meals with friends, whilst a smaller surface suffices for one or two people and takes up less storage space. Assess your typical needs before choosing: the rating reflects each model’s position within this range. Market median: 361.5 mm

Daily maintenance Ease of cleaning directly influences how often you use your appliance. Removable plates clean more easily than fixed surfaces, with some being dishwasher-safe. Non-stick coating simplifies degreasing but requires suitable utensils to avoid scratching. Consider the grease collection tray: its presence prevents drips on your worktop and facilitates residue disposal. Cleaning after each use, whilst the appliance is still warm but not hot, preserves the coating’s performance over time.

Benchmarks based on 30 recent market listings, collected on 4 October 2026.

What you get for each budget

Under €40

At this price level, you find entry-level models with power often below the median and limited cooking surface, suited to occasional use for one or two people.

€40 to €80

This range offers good balance with power close to the median and sufficient surfaces for regular family use, generally incorporating practical functions like adjustable thermostat.

Over €80

Models in this category offer the highest power and most generous surfaces on the market, with refined finishes and advanced options for intensive use and professional results.

Frequent mistakes

Choosing a surface too small for your usual number of guests, forcing you to cook in several batches and unnecessarily prolonging the meal.

Neglecting power whilst focusing solely on price, resulting in slow and less even cooking.

Forgetting to check for a grease collection tray, essential for maintaining your kitchen’s cleanliness.

Using metal utensils on non-stick coating, causing scratches that deteriorate the surface’s properties.