Chefman Panini Press Grill
Score: 75/100
Gotham Steel Panini Press
Score: 68/100Rankings
The Chefman 4-slice panini press offers a floating hinge, 180° rotation and a removable drip tray, making it versatile for small spaces. Drawbacks include fixed plates that are hard to deep-clean and occasional uneven heating. Best suited for dorms, apartments or travelers needing a compact, multi-function grill.
Gotham Steel's Nonstick Panini Press provides an ultra-compact form factor with TI-ceramic nonstick plates, indicator lights, and automatic shut-off for rapid two-sandwich cooking. The tiny 12 sq in surface and plasticky construction limit its usefulness for larger meals. Best suited for students or travelers who need quick, small-batch meals.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
551.5 cm²best | — | |
551.5 cm²best | 77.42 cm² | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.88 kg | 1 kgbest |
1,400 Wbest | 1,400 Wbest | |
4 servingsbest | 2 servings | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest | |
120 Vbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Cooking Surface(1) | ||
Cooking Surface Area (cm²) | 551.5 cm² | 77.42 cm² |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 2.88 kg | 1.0 kg |
Dimensions (HxWxD) | 133 x 343 x 305 mm | 9.3 x 4.5 x 9.4 in |
General(1) | ||
Capacity (Servings) (servings) | 4 servings | 2 servings |
Power & Temperature(1) | ||
Power Type | 1400 | Electric |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Editors from Target, Best Buy, Lowe's and Chefman highlight the unit's multi-functionality, floating hinge for thick subs, sloped grease-draining design, simple one-button controls with indicator lights, and its compact footprint that fits small apartments. The main criticism from professionals is the fixed plate design, which limits versatility compared to removable-plate competitors, and occasional inconsistencies in listed dimensions and power.
Users consistently rate the grill highly, praising its quick heat-up, easy single-button operation, ability to cook four paninis at once, and reliable nonstick performance. Recurring themes include appreciation for its compact size and portability, while common complaints revolve around uneven heating, a short power cord, drip-tray overflow with fatty foods, and the difficulty of deep cleaning fixed plates.
“very convenient”
“I'm a grown ass woman, give me a real sandwich”
Professional testers highlight the panini press's TI-ceramic nonstick coating as a standout feature that prevents sticking and simplifies cleanup, while praising the dual plates for cooking two items at once and the compact, upright storage for portability. However, they note the limited cooking surface restricts it to small-portion meals and criticize the plasticky build quality.
Everyday users consistently praise the ease of use, rapid cooking time, and effortless wipe-clean nonstick surface, especially for quick kids' meals. Common complaints focus on the tiny sandwich size, inability to handle thick or large fillings, and a cheap-looking plastic construction.
