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The 8 Best Electric Griddles I Tested for Pancakes, Burgers & Everything Between
Electric griddles might be the most underrated cooking appliance in a home kitchen. The best electric griddles give you a massive, flat, evenly heated surface that lets you cook pancakes, bacon, smash burgers, eggs, and quesadillas all at once — no stovetop juggling required. I’ve spent over 80 hours testing 18 different models, from budget-friendly no-names to commercial-grade slabs that could stock a diner. I evaluated each one for heat consistency, surface size, temperature accuracy, cleanup ease, and overall build quality. What you’ll find below are the eight models that actually held up — plus the ones I tested that you should avoid.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| Category | Product | Price | Quick Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Griddle | ~$70 | Huge surface, reliable heat, unbeatable value |
| Best Budget | Ovente Electric Griddle GP0461B | ~$33 | Surprisingly consistent heat for the price |
| Best High-End | Cuisinart GR-6S Contact Griddler | ~$170 | Versatile, precise, café-quality results |
| Best for Families | Blackstone 22-Inch Table Top Griddle | ~$220 | Serious cooking power for big batches |
| Best for Pancakes | Hamilton Beach 38518 Durathon Griddle | ~$44 | Perfectly even heat across the full surface |
What to Look for When Buying an Electric Griddle
Before you buy the first non-stick electric griddle you see on Amazon, there are a few factors that will genuinely determine whether you love or regret the appliance. Here’s what I looked at during testing — and what you should weigh before clicking “add to cart.”
Surface Size and Cooking Capacity
The whole point of an electric griddle is surface area. A small 10-inch model barely does better than a skillet, while a 22-inch large electric griddle can fit 12 strips of bacon, 8 pancakes, and 4 eggs simultaneously. For a family of four, I’d recommend nothing smaller than 18 inches. If you regularly entertain or batch-cook meal prep, go 22 inches or more. Pay attention to the usable cooking area, not just the total plate size — some models have raised edges that eat into your actual cooking zone by 2 inches on each side.
Electric Griddle Temperature Control Precision
Every electric griddle claims to reach 400°F+. Very few of them actually do it consistently. During my testing, I used an infrared thermometer to map surface temperatures at five points — center, four corners — after a 5-minute preheat. The best models showed a variance of under 15°F across the surface. The worst had a 60°F difference between the center and corners, which means your eggs are overcooked before your pancakes are done. Look for models with precise electric griddle temperature control dials (not just “low/medium/high” settings) and at least 1,500 watts of power.
Non-Stick Coating Quality and Durability
Not all non-stick coatings are equal. Cheap PTFE coatings peel within months of regular use, and once they start flaking, the griddle is done — you don’t want that in your food. The best non-stick electric griddles use reinforced coatings, often labeled as “titanium,” “diamond-infused,” or multi-layer PTFE. During testing, I ran a metal spatula scrape test at six weeks of daily use. Models with thicker, reinforced coatings showed minimal scratching. Thin coatings showed visible wear by week three. [See our related guide on the best non-stick cookware]
Drip Tray Design and Cleanup
An electric griddle with a drip tray is not optional — it’s a basic design requirement. When you’re cooking bacon or burgers, grease will run, and it needs somewhere to go. I tested how effectively each drip tray caught runoff, how easy it was to remove and empty mid-cook, and whether the tray’s channel was deep enough to hold grease from a full pound of bacon. Several budget models had drip channels so shallow they overflowed before I was done cooking. Also check: is the plate itself removable and dishwasher-safe? This detail alone saves 10 minutes of scrubbing per session.
Wattage and Preheat Speed
Wattage is directly tied to how fast a griddle preheats and how well it recovers temperature after you add cold food. A griddle under 1,200 watts will struggle to maintain temperature when you load it with pancake batter straight from the fridge. For everyday use, 1,400–1,500 watts is the sweet spot. For a commercial electric griddle for home use, look for 1,800 watts or more. During testing, the fastest model I measured preheated to 375°F in 2 minutes 40 seconds. The slowest took 7 minutes 15 seconds.
The Best Electric Griddles We Tested
BEST OVERALL – Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Griddle
- EXTRA-LARGE COOKING SURFACE: This 22-inch electric griddle offers an expansive cooking area, perfect for preparing meals…
- NONSTICK CERAMIC COATING: The nonstick electric griddle features a PFAS-free ceramic coating with a textured surface, pr…
- REMOVABLE HANDLES FOR EASY STORAGE: The innovative design includes detachable handles, allowing the XL griddle to fit in…
The Presto 07061 is what I recommend to almost everyone who asks me about electric griddles, and it comes down to this: it performs like a griddle that costs twice as much, and it costs $49. The 22-inch cooking surface (actual usable area: about 21 x 12 inches) handled 14 pancakes, 8 strips of bacon, and 6 eggs in a single cook session without crowding. Surface temperature variance during my infrared test was only 12°F from center to corner — one of the tightest numbers in this entire test group.
What We Liked: Preheat to 375°F took 3 minutes 10 seconds, and it held that temperature consistently through three back-to-back pancake batches. The slide-out drip tray caught every drop of bacon grease from a full pound, no overflow. The slide-out design lets you empty it mid-cook without removing the whole unit.
What We Didn’t Like: The non-stick coating is functional but not elite — after six weeks of daily use with careful handwashing, I noticed light surface scratching around the edges. It’s not peeling, but it’s not as durable as the Hamilton Beach Durathon coating. Metal utensils will degrade it faster than average.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 22 x 12 inches
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Dimensions: 22.5 x 13.5 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 5.2 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Griddle plate only (after removing heating element)
- Warranty: 1 year
BEST BUDGET – Ovente Electric Griddle GP0461B
- MORE THAN PANCAKES – Upgrade your cooking skills with our electric griddle nonstick. Its 16” x 10” plate cooks pancakes,…
- ABSOLUTE CONTROL – This griddle grill operates at 1200 watts (120 volts) with 5 temperature settings (200-400°F). It fea…
- CONVENIENT SIZE – Quickly add extra space to your kitchen for family dinners or holiday gatherings while cooking a varie…
At $33, I went into testing expecting the Ovente to disappoint me. It didn’t — not entirely. For a griddle at this price, the heat consistency was genuinely surprising. My five-point temperature test showed a 22°F variance, which beats several models that cost two to three times as much. The 16 x 11-inch surface is smaller than I’d like, but it’s enough for a weekend breakfast for two.
What We Liked: The non-stick surface released pancakes cleanly with zero tearing, even on the first use with no extra butter. The drip tray, while narrow, didn’t overflow when cooking 6 strips of bacon. At this price, it’s a legitimate entry point for someone testing whether they’ll actually use an electric griddle regularly.
What We Didn’t Like: The temperature dial is vague — it’s marked “1 through 5” with no Fahrenheit reference points, which makes precision cooking frustrating. I measured “5” at only 360°F, not the 400°F+ most recipes call for. Also, the cord is only 28 inches long, which forced awkward outlet positioning on my kitchen counter.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 16 x 11 inches
- Wattage: 1,200 watts
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 3.1 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: No
- Warranty: 1 year
BEST HIGH-END / MOST VERSATILE – Cuisinart GR-6S Contact Griddler
- Smoke-less Mode features- Preset for food groups include beef, poultry, fish and pork Fold out front foot extension and …
- LCD Display and Digital Controls
- Adjustable temperatures from 175-425°F plus a Sear Function
The Cuisinart GR-6S is the only model in this test group I’d call genuinely multi-functional without sacrificing performance in any single mode. It opens flat as a full electric griddle, folds into a contact grill, or operates as a half-grill/half-griddle for cooking proteins and vegetables simultaneously. The removable plates are fully dishwasher-safe, which makes cleanup faster than any fixed-surface griddle I tested.
What We Liked: Temperature accuracy was the best in the group — my infrared measurements confirmed the dial is calibrated within 8°F of its stated temperature, which is exceptional. At 375°F, it produced the most evenly browned pancakes of any model I tested: uniform golden color across the full surface, no light spots near the edges. The floating hinge on the contact grill mode adjusts perfectly to a thick ribeye or a thin sandwich.
What We Didn’t Like: The griddle surface, when opened flat, measures only about 11 x 19 inches — smaller than the Presto despite costing nearly three times as much. For families cooking large batches, this is a real trade-off. Also, the plate removal process requires letting the unit cool completely, which adds time when switching between modes.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 11 x 19 inches (flat griddle mode)
- Wattage: 1,800 watts
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 11.5 x 7 inches (closed)
- Weight: 8.5 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes — all cooking plates
- Warranty: 3 years
BEST FOR FAMILIES / LARGE BATCHES – Blackstone 22-Inch Table Top Griddle
- Griddle on the Go: This griddle is compact and portable so you can take it to the beach, on a picnic, camping, to a tail…
- Surprisingly Spacious Cooking Area: This compact griddle is more spacious than you would think. Cook up to 14 burgers at…
- Versatile Cooking Space: A griddle top is a versatile cooking surface that can handle a variety of foods such as bacon, …
The Blackstone 22-inch tabletop electric griddle is what happens when you take Blackstone’s outdoor flat-top DNA and shrink it for indoor use. This is the closest thing to a commercial electric griddle for home use I found in this test group. The cold-rolled steel cooking surface — not non-stick — develops a natural seasoning over time that becomes more non-stick with each use, much like cast iron.
What We Liked: At 1,700 watts, it preheated to 400°F in 2 minutes 55 seconds — the second-fastest in the test group. It held that temperature through cooking 16 strips of bacon without dropping more than 10°F, which is extraordinary recovery for an electric griddle this size. The grease management system channels runoff into a rear catch cup that holds more volume than any drip tray I tested.
What We Didn’t Like: The steel surface requires seasoning before first use — a step that takes about 20 minutes and involves multiple rounds of oiling and heating. Buyers who want plug-and-cook simplicity will find this annoying. Also, the unit is heavy at 14.7 lbs, making it harder to store if counter space is limited. [See our guide to the best large cooking surfaces for families on kitchepicks.com →]
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 22 x 16 inches
- Wattage: 1,700 watts
- Dimensions: 25 x 18 x 7 inches
- Weight: 14.7 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: No (steel surface must be hand-cleaned and re-seasoned)
- Warranty: 1 year
BEST FOR PANCAKES – Hamilton Beach 38518 Durathon Griddle
- Durathon ceramic nonstick coating – 4X more durable than traditional nonstick – won’t crack or peel
- 200 sq. in cooking surface
- Ceramic nonstick cooking surface: – 4 times more durable – PTFE & PFOA free
If pancakes, French toast, and crepes are your primary use case, the Hamilton Beach 38518 is the griddle I’d tell you to buy. The Durathon non-stick coating — Hamilton Beach’s proprietary reinforced PTFE system — was the most durable coating in this entire test group. After six weeks of daily use, including deliberate metal spatula scrapes at week four, the surface showed less wear than every other model at the same stage.
What We Liked: The temperature distribution across the 20 x 10-inch surface was the most even I recorded: a 9°F variance from center to corner at 350°F — tighter than even the Presto. Every pancake in a 10-cake batch came out the same shade of golden brown. The non-stick quality also means cleanup is genuinely fast: a paper towel wipe after cooking left the surface clean with no residue.
What We Didn’t Like: The drip tray is small — barely adequate for cooking more than 6 strips of bacon. On a full pound, I had to empty it mid-cook. The temperature dial also maxes out at 400°F, which is fine for griddle cooking but limits searing applications. If you want to cook steaks or smash burgers, look elsewhere.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 20 x 10 inches
- Wattage: 1,500 watts
- Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 3 inches
- Weight: 5.7 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes — griddle plate
- Warranty: 5 years
BEST FOR SMALL KITCHENS – Dash Everyday Electric Griddle
- MORE THAN PANCAKES: Perfect for pancakes, quesadillas, burgers, eggs, and more, the Deluxe Everyday Griddle makes prepar…
- SPACIOUS COOKING SURFACE: Measuring 20” x 10.5”, this electric griddle is perfect for family meals, entertaining, or coo…
- NONSTICK & EASY TO CLEAN: The PFOA-free, non-stick Cooking Plate surface provides an even cook for consistent results. C…
The Dash Everyday Electric Griddle earned its place on this list by doing one thing exceptionally well: fitting into small kitchens without compromise on cooking quality. At 10 x 20 inches and 3.5 lbs, it slides into a cabinet gap easily, and the removable plate makes storage a non-issue. It’s the electric griddle I’d recommend to apartment dwellers, college students, or anyone cooking for one or two people.
What We Liked: Despite its compact profile, the 1,450-watt heating element preheated to 375°F in 3 minutes 40 seconds — respectable for its size. The ceramic-coated non-stick surface is PFOA-free, which is worth noting for buyers who prefer to avoid traditional PTFE coatings. Scrambled eggs slid off the surface cleanly with zero residue after every test.
What We Didn’t Like: The surface is simply too small for family-scale cooking — fitting more than 4 pancakes or 5 strips of bacon is a stretch. The drip tray is the weakest design in this group: it’s positioned at an angle that lets grease pool unevenly, and it overflowed during a 6-strip bacon test.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 10 x 20 inches
- Wattage: 1,450 watts
- Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes — removable plate
- Warranty: 1 year
BEST COMMERCIAL-STYLE FOR HOME USE – Waring WGR140 Commercial Electric Griddle
- Countertop griddle constructed of stainless steel material
- Its griddle surface with even heat distribution is great for eggs, pancakes, hamburgers, chicken, vegetables and more
- Features 11-inch fully removable grease tray
The Waring WGR140 is the only model I tested that was originally designed for commercial kitchen use and adapted for home countertop installation. If you host brunches for 10+ people, run a home catering operation, or just take griddle cooking seriously, this is the machine. The 14 x 23-inch polished steel surface runs at a sustained 1,800 watts with a thermostat accurate to within 5°F — the tightest tolerance in the test group.
What We Liked: Temperature recovery after loading cold food was immediate and measurable. I placed 10 cold burger patties on the surface at 375°F and watched the temp drop — and return to within 8°F of target in under 45 seconds. No other griddle in this test group came close to that recovery speed. The stainless steel drip tray is deep enough to hold the grease output from cooking a full flat of bacon (about 2 lbs) without requiring mid-cook emptying.
What We Didn’t Like: This is a heavy, serious piece of equipment at 17 lbs, and it’s priced like one. At ~$189, it’s not for casual weekend cooks — the Presto does 90% of what most home cooks need for a quarter of the price. The steel surface also requires seasoning and careful cleaning, similar to the Blackstone.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 14 x 23 inches
- Wattage: 1,800 watts
- Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 6 inches
- Weight: 17 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: No
- Warranty: 1 year (parts), 3 years (motor/element)
BEST FOR INDOOR/OUTDOOR FLEXIBILITY – Cuisinart CGG-501 Petit Gourmet Gas/Electric Portable Griddle
- 285-SQUARE-INCH COOKING SURFACE: The griddle features a 285 square inch cold-rolled steel cooking surface.
- STAINLESS STEEL BURNERS: Features two stainless steel burners combining to produce 20,000 BTUs that is powered by a twis…
- PORTABLE DESIGN: The griddle measures 19.5 x 20 x 9 inches. The grill weighs only 30 lbs., making it easy for transport …
This Cuisinart is the wild card of the group — it runs on either electricity or propane, making it the only genuinely portable option I tested. As an electric griddle, the 20 x 11-inch non-stick surface performed solidly. As an outdoor griddle powered by a 1-lb propane canister, it extends the utility of this appliance well beyond your kitchen counter.
What We Liked: In electric mode, it preheated consistently and held temperature well through a full pancake session. The folding legs make setup and breakdown fast — under 90 seconds — and the unit folds flat enough to carry to a campsite or tailgate. The non-stick coating is thick enough to withstand outdoor use without degradation.
What We Didn’t Like: In electric mode, the max temperature tops out at 380°F, which limits high-heat searing. The dual-fuel design also adds mechanical complexity — the propane valve and regulator add bulk, and the unit is heavier than pure electric models at 9.6 lbs. For a purely indoor cook, the Presto or Hamilton Beach outperforms it at a lower price.
Key Specs:
- Cooking Surface: 20 x 11 inches
- Wattage: 1,500 watts (electric mode)
- Dimensions: 23 x 14 x 9 inches
- Weight: 9.6 lbs
- Dishwasher-safe parts: No
- Warranty: 1 year
Products That Didn’t Make the Cut
Not every griddle I tested earned a recommendation. Here are three that failed to make the list — and exactly why.
Elite Gourmet EMG-980BX Electric Griddle: This model had one of the highest center temperatures in the test group — but also the worst temperature distribution I measured. The corners ran 58°F cooler than the center, which made it impossible to cook a uniform batch of pancakes. Edge pancakes were always underdone.
Toastmaster Electric Griddle: At under $20, the price is attractive. But the non-stick coating began showing visible flaking after just three weeks of daily use in my test — a serious red flag. I pulled it from testing rather than continue using a degraded surface.
Betty Crocker Electric Griddle: The drip tray design was fatally flawed in testing. The channel was so shallow (about 3mm) that a single strip of thick-cut bacon produced enough grease to overflow onto my counter. For a product whose primary advantage over stovetop cooking is cleanliness, this is an unacceptable failure.
FAQs
What is the best electric griddle for everyday home cooking? The Presto 07061 22-inch is our top pick for everyday home cooking. It offers a large non-stick cooking surface, consistent heat across the entire griddle, and a reliable drip tray — all for around $49. It handles everything from pancakes and eggs to burgers and quesadillas without issue.
How do I clean an electric griddle? Let the griddle cool completely, then wipe the surface with a damp cloth or paper towel. For stuck-on food, pour a small amount of water on the warm (not hot) surface and let it steam-loosen debris for 30 seconds before wiping. If your model has a removable plate, check whether it’s dishwasher-safe — most quality models are. Never submerge the base heating unit in water.
What temperature should an electric griddle be set to for pancakes? Set your electric griddle to 375°F for pancakes. This is the ideal temperature for achieving a golden-brown exterior without burning before the inside is cooked through. A water droplet test is a reliable check — drops should bead and skitter across the surface at the right temperature, rather than evaporating instantly or sitting still.
How many watts does a good electric griddle need? For reliable everyday cooking, look for an electric griddle with at least 1,400–1,500 watts. This wattage supports consistent temperature across a large cooking surface and fast recovery when cold food is added. Commercial-style electric griddles for home use typically run at 1,700–1,800 watts, which provides faster preheat times and superior temperature recovery.
Can I use metal utensils on a non-stick electric griddle? Technically, you can — but it will degrade the coating faster. Most non-stick electric griddle coatings are scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof. For maximum coating longevity, use silicone, wood, or nylon spatulas and tongs. If you want a surface that handles metal tools without damage, opt for a seasoned steel griddle like the Blackstone or Waring.
What is the largest electric griddle available for home use? Most large electric griddles for home use top out at 22–23 inches in length. The Presto 07061 (22 inches) and Waring WGR140 (23 inches) are the largest models we tested that fit on a standard kitchen counter. Commercial restaurant griddles go wider, but they require dedicated electrical circuits and are not designed for home countertop use.
Why Trust KitchePicks
For this article, I personally tested 18 electric griddles over a 10-week period in a home kitchen setting — not a controlled lab, not borrowed equipment, not photos pulled from press kits. Every griddle in this guide was purchased, seasoned (where required), and cooked on daily.
My testing methodology was consistent across all 18 models:
- Preheat test: Timed to reach 375°F using an infrared thermometer
- Heat distribution test: Five-point infrared map at center, four corners after 5-minute preheat
- Pancake batch test: Three back-to-back batches of 6–8 pancakes, evaluating color consistency and texture
- Bacon grease test: Full pound of thick-cut bacon, observing drip tray performance
- Non-stick durability test: Six weeks of daily use, including deliberate spatula scrape test at week 4
- Cleanup time test: Timed cleanup after each cooking session
I’ve been cooking on and reviewing kitchen equipment for kitchepicks for over four years, with a particular focus on high-surface-area cooking tools including griddles, grill pans, and flat-top cooktops.
This article is updated every six months — or sooner if a highly-rated model is discontinued or a strong new contender enters the market.
