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Are you looking to maximize your cooking space and efficiency with a griddle? We researched, purchased, and tested 12 of the best griddles available to help you achieve the consistency and productivity of a rockstar fry cook. We took stock of non-stick properties, ease of cleaning, grease management, and other key features that make a great griddle. The testing fortuitously resulted in dozens of golden pancakes, over-easy eggs, and pounds of crispy bacon. Whether you're searching for an electric or stovetop, our in-depth review will guide you to the right griddle.
Our culinary team are big fans of breakfast, so we've reviewed some of the best kitchen gear on the market. From staples like toasters and air fryers to brunch all-stars like the waffle makers, as well as specialty items like citrus juicers, we've done the work to help you discern the best gadgets in each category.
Editor's Note: We updated and expanded our griddle lineup on October 22, 2024, to review new standouts and retest previous top performers.
The Presto Ceramic 22-Inch is a sturdy electric model with a large cooking surface that's easy to use–all for a reasonable price. We appreciate that the handles are easy to remove, a feature that helps save space on the countertop and when stored. This griddle scored high marks for its even heat distribution and consistent results. The temperature control covers a wide range of cooking, suitable for everything from sunny-side-up eggs to searing pork chops.
While we didn't find many faults with this griddle, we didn't love the textured non-stick surface, which results in more challenging scrambling and, occasionally, food left behind. Additionally, this is a fairly large appliance, and may not be appropriate for smaller kitchens, even with the removable handles for better storage. The non-stick coating tends to stain easily at high temperatures, especially when searing meat. If you're in the market for a smaller cooktop, it may be best to consider a stovetop model like the All-Clad HA1 Square Griddle. That said, the grease management on the Presto 22-Inch works much better than a stovetop model, so if you're a fan of extra crispy bacon, this might be just the griddle for you.
For turning out classic breakfast foods with ease and edge-to-edge consistency, the Presto Ceramic 22-inch was hard to beat.
The Nordic Ware 2-Burner Griddle is a solid addition to any kitchen. This aluminum sheet is coated with an effective non-stick surface that makes cooking for big groups a breeze. Since the heat comes from whatever heat source it's placed on, it has no moving parts, meaning nothing can break or malfunction. We've cooked nearly everything on this griddle, from traditional scrambled eggs and bacon to glazed pork tenderloins to brown butter chocolate chip cookies. It's simple to clean, and the non-stick has continued to work well for over a year of heavy use in the kitchen.
Our main complaint with the Nordic Ware is that it lacks any grease management (like most stove top griddles), and the shallow edges can make draining the griddle a bit precarious. It wouldn't be our first choice for cooking fattier bacon. The heat distribution can vary greatly from corner to center when placed over two burners, but we found it very effective in an oven or over an open flame. Though it's designed to be used over two burners, this griddle is too short to span the distance on most stoves. The handles are minimalist, making it challenging (and hot) to grab, especially out of a fire. Despite these limitations, the Nordic Ware proves its worth over and over with its versatility. For a similar stove top option with higher edges, check out the T-fal A92114 griddle, which has rubber-coated handles for easier transport.
You'll get an even and quick crisp with the Nordic Ware griddle, but it often doesn't reach between two standard burners.
The Bella Copper Titanium Electric Griddle offers a whole lot of performance and counter-appeal at a competitive price. It has a supremely effective non-stick surface and plenty of space to cook for smaller families. Grease is relatively easy to manage, thanks to the removable grease cup, and its heat distribution is among the best of the models we've tested. It won the overall test for producing perfectly crisped yet fluffy, golden-brown pancakes, every time.
While there is plenty to praise this cooktop for, it could use some small improvements. One contention is that the gap between the griddle surface and frame can fill with batter and grease and is tough to clean. We noticed a couple of small scratches on the cooktop that developed during testing, and this griddle has to be stored carefully to make it last for the long haul. For larger groups, it's worth considering spending a bit more on the Presto Tilt 'n Drain for more space and easier cleanup. Shortcomings aside, this model remains effective and offers great value for the cost.
No sticking here! The Bella Copper excels for cheesy fried eggs.
The Ninja Sizzle proves that griddles aren't just good for breakfast. Essentially an indoor grill, the Sizzle features interchangeable griddle and grill plates, making cooking everything from omelets to thick-cut ribeye a pleasure. The lid integrates a special grate cover to help dissipate smoke when searing meats at a high temperature, allowing you the satisfaction of grilling indoors year-round. The Sizzle is no slouch when it comes to breakfast foods either–it has some of the best measured temperature consistency, a great grease trap, and effortless and durable non-stick that helps you turn out restaurant-quality breakfasts. There's also an easy temperature guide along the bottom of the griddle to advise you on the proper cooking temperature for a wide range of foods, from pancakes to fish filets.
Despite all of its strengths, some of the Ninja Sizzle's features make it not the best choice for those looking for a more traditional griddle. It has a bit less cooking space than other purpose-built, open-top griddles in the lineup. With its interchangeable plates and large lid, the Sizzle can be tricky to store when your cabinet space is limited. It does have a higher price tag than most other traditional griddles, and if you're just looking to whip up breakfast foods, a simpler model with a lower price tag like the DASH Everyday Griddle will perhaps satisfy your needs. However, if you want your griddle to work harder and do more than breakfast, this is a standout choice.
Proving breakfast is not always the best meal, the Sizzle makes quick work of two massive New York steaks.
The Presto Tilt 'n Drain's name says it all: With a simple outward pull on the handles, the cooktop tilts forward and uses gravity to conveniently drain excess grease. The heat distribution of this cooktop is excellent for its size, and its non-toxic non-stick releases delicate foods with ease at all temperatures. When cooking for a crowd, we appreciated the ample space of the Tilt 'n Drain, which offers a whopping 277.5 square inches of cooking space, with plenty of room for cooking a whole meal at once. We found its claim to be able to cook 12 slices of French toast at once to be true–and with tasty results.
Though we love this model for cooking for big groups, the grease drains into the removable catch through a channel that tends to make a mess in a hard-to-reach spot. This can be solved by immersing the whole griddle in the sink (which can be done after removing the electrical cable). While heat is fairly evenly distributed across the cooktop, the edges of the griddle tend to be quite a bit cooler than the center, directly over the heating element, which can make for some minor inconsistencies in cooking. We observed better heat uniformity in more affordable options like the Bella Copper Titanium Coated Non-Stick Electric. That being said, this behemoth is a lifesaver when you have many hungry mouths to feed.
If you're cooking for a crowd, the Tilt 'n Drain has the space you need to crank out the breakfast classics.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
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How We Test Griddles
We created a gauntlet of straightforward but telling assessments for this group of griddles, intended to replicate the rigors you'll put them through in your own busy kitchen. Testing consisted of cooking up masses of eggs, bacon, and pancakes to scrutinize every aspect of the process. We noted important aspects like the propensity of scrambled eggs and cheese to stick, the ability to produce evenly golden-brown pancakes, and the crunch of each piece of crispy bacon.
We objectively measured heat distribution across each cooktop and evaluated the durability and quality of their non-stick coatings–extra points for those made without harmful chemicals. To gauge versatility, we also assessed their abilities to cook other foods besides breakfast. After all of that, we of course had ample opportunities to wash these griddles between tests, taking into account their ease of cleanup.
Our group of griddles was rigorously tested and scored across five rating metrics:
Nonstick Properties (25% of overall score weighting)
Heat Distribution (25% weighting)
Grease Management (20% weighting)
Cooking Versatility (15% weighting)
Cleanup (15% weighting)
Reaping the rewards of testing griddles.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Why Trust GearLab
Senior Research Analyst Michelle Powell is an ace in the kitchen, be it at her home or the artisan breakfast joints she managed. Added to this background are years of product testing in our lab, and you can bet she'll settle any quarrel on the quality and functionality of a kitchen appliance. Complementing Michelle's know-how is Senior Review Editor Nick Miley, who is no slouch in the kitchen either. Rounding out the culinary testing team is Review Editor Kaylee Walden. Kaylee spends most of her year working as a mountain guide, where she cooks for guests in a variety of alpine environments. She also moonlights as a full-service hut keeper and chef for private events. She spent many years working in fine dining, which gave her a discerning eye for quality cooking.
A functional grease management system is important when cooking bacon.
In addition to cooking, we objectively analyzed every griddle to compare design and specs.
Non-stick elements and even heating distribution are crucial when making pancakes.
We tested each griddle thoroughly, which proved to be an enlightening and delicious endeavor.
How to Choose The Best Griddle
To simplify the buying process, we've outlined four key buying considerations to help you hone in on the right griddle.
How Much Space Do You Have?
This question is twofold: How much space do you need for cooking, and how much space do you have to store your griddle? The appropriate-sized griddle for you toggles based on your available space and the number of people you typically feed. Consider how much space you have both on the counter and in storage. It's also worth noting what foods you typically cook and whether extra griddle space is necessary. If you'll be using it sparingly or mostly for cooking for one or two people, consider a smaller size.
Electric or Stovetop?
Electric griddles will provide a cooktop anywhere an electrical outlet is present, whereas stovetop griddles are easy to stash and take along for camping trips and tailgates–so long as you already have access to a heat source. The biggest advantage of an electric griddle is the larger surface area, which provides the ability to cook food fast and all at once. Electric griddles typically have grease traps–so crispy bacon lovers, a griddle with integrated grease management may be the best choice for you. Choosing between the two will come down to cooking preferences and how much you value portability and easy storage versus surface area for cooking.
Anywhere with an outlet can become a cook station with an electric griddle, upping your kitchen space and productivity.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Non-Stick or Cast Iron?
The convenience of a non-stick surface for cooking delicate breakfast staples like eggs and pancakes can be hard to beat for ease of use and cleanup. However, non-stick has a limited lifespan and limited versatility, and occasionally introduces unwanted chemicals into the cooking process. A cast iron griddle can be temperamental, and foods such as eggs can have a bit of a learning curve to perfect, and cleaning often takes longer. If you find yourself venturing outside of breakfast items with your griddle, then cast iron can be worth the extra effort. If you value durability, versatility, and simplicity, a cast iron griddle is a solid option. Those who want to scramble eggs and flip pancakes without issues or added oil will appreciate a non-stick griddle.
Which Features to Prioritize?
Certain features can make cooking and cleanup easier, resulting in better and easier meals and more use out of your griddle. As mentioned, grease traps are a bonus for cooking bacon if you like it crispy or want to manage extra oil easily. The overall shape of your griddle can also dictate how convenient certain foods will be to cook. Bonus features like a higher temperature range or a lid can help maximize versatility. Deciding on the right features will come down to personal preference and your intended use of your griddle.
Grease traps are a great feature to help manage excess grease and oil.
Credit: Laura Casner
Analysis and Test Results
We structure our testing with metrics that analyze all practical uses and applications. These mutually exclusive metrics allow us to directly compare griddles of many different types while putting them through the rigors of a busy everyday kitchen.
Best Value
As griddles are considered a kitchen bonus, not a necessity, it's essential to consider the price-to-performance ratio. We didn't necessarily have the price front-of-mind while testing each model, but we are always particularly impressed by affordable options that don't compromise quality. Keep in mind that premium products do often cost a premium, but not all of those higher-end items are what we consider high-value. It's all about the balance of price versus performance.
The Bella Copper is one such model: one of the top-rated electric models across all metrics at a very reasonable price point. Just slightly higher, the Presto Ceramic took top marks across the board with a cost well worth the performance. The Nordic Ware is an affordable, simple stovetop option, which offers substantial cooking space and versatility for the price. As a bonus, it easily doubles as a baking sheet, further increasing its overall value. The Lodge griddles, while without bells and whistles, come in at a low price point with durability that will last for several lifetimes.
The cornerstone of a good value is the intersection of price with performance. Here, the Nordic Ware griddle whips up an excellent batch of stuffed brioche French Toast.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Non-stick Properties
You can't beat a griddle if you need to turn out a lot of eggs and pancakes at once, and it happens that these foods easily stick to inferior surfaces. We tested each of these products for their food release properties, as observed during the ever-important pancake flip and when scrambling eggs.
The Ninja Sizzle, Bella Copper, Nordic Ware, Presto Tilt 'n Drain, DASH Everyday Griddle, and T-fal A92114 all delivered above-average results, easily releasing food. It's worth mentioning that while cast iron is often a poor surface for scrambled eggs, they do pretty well for making traditional fried eggs–as long as there's plenty of oil. It's not surprising that the Lodge products, the Lodge Cast Iron Griddle and Lodge Cast Iron 20 x 10.5, did well frying eggs, but didn't score high marks for their non-stick properties.
The Lodge Cast Iron griddle makes perfect fried eggs.
Credit: Laura Casner
Heat Distribution
The heat distribution metric evaluates the even spread of heat across the surface of a griddle. This property is important to all cooks, whether they know it or not, as it is the single biggest factor contributing to consistent food outcomes. The All-Clad HA1 and the Bella Copper presented exceptionally even heat across their respective surfaces. The DASH Everyday and the Presto Ceramic 22" were close behind in the ranking.
The astute reader might look at this and say: “Hey, wait a minute. Those are all different size models.” And while you're correct, we want to assess the consistency of the heat across the surface–regardless of size. We use an infrared thermometer to take temperature readings across each griddle's surface: at a point in four corners and in the center of the pan. We then assess the consistency of the temperature by calculating the standard deviation of those measurements. To be fair, the consistency of many stovetop options depends on the heat source beneath them, and some two-burner options suffered if they couldn't properly span the distance between two burners. Keep in mind that they would have better performance over a more consistent heat source.
Temperature control and consistency are cornerstone attributes of a high performing griddle.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Grease Management
What is the best way to get a feel for the grease management of a griddle? Cook some bacon. Cooking bacon is straightforward, but easy to make a mess of. To get the best, crispest bacon, the cooking surface must have an even and consistent temperature, there must be plenty of room for the bacon to lay flat, and it's best if the grease can be easily moved away while cooking.
The Presto Ceramic 22" knocked the proverbial ball out of the park here. Even and consistent temperature? Check. Large surface area? Check. Grease management system? Check! This machine sets the bar for the class. Another model that did well in this metric is the Presto Tilt 'n Drain, for reasons made obvious by its name. The Ninja Sizzle with the grill plate worked exceptionally well with bacon, allowing it to sit above its grease rather than in it, making for an extra crisp bite.
For quick and effective grease drainage, check out this innovative system on the aptly named Tilt 'n Drain, which uses gravity to direct excess oil to the trap.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
It's worth noting that most of the models did reasonably well in this evaluation. A few exceptions are the Lodge Griddle, which leaves bacon sitting in its own grease, and the Nordic Ware, which has such shallow sides that it quickly fills dangerously high with grease if cooking bacon for a crowd. The slightly deeper walls of OXO Good Grips 11" Square is a slight improvement over these other two pans but is still susceptible to turning out sopping bacon if you're not careful. The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler also had no grease trap or way of diverting grease from food, leaving our bacon soggy.
Cooking Versatility
Everything in a well-equipped kitchen should serve a purpose, but we especially love items that excel for multiple uses. We rarely suggest adding something to your kitchen that is only good for one thing. We put these griddles to the test by cooking other foods, too, like steaks, sausages, and sandwiches. We also used the stovetop models in unconventional ways, like as a baking sheet in the oven or to cook over an open fire.
As mentioned above, the Ninja Sizzle took the top spot for versatility. We tested its limits with a whole King salmon filet, a bunch of asparagus, and potatoes–and it delivered, far surpassing the abilities of other traditional griddles. The Presto Ceramic receives high versatility marks thanks to a wide temperature range. This griddle can manage a high-temperature sear on meats, and it produces grilled cheese and quesadillas with ease.
Griddles can do more than just breakfast! Here, the Presto Ceramic fires up some fajita veggies and chicken kebabs.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Cleanup
All of the convenience afforded by a griddle is for nothing if it takes too long to clean. The griddles in our lineup varied significantly in cleaning time, from under five minutes to upwards of ten. This varies, of course, depending on the type of griddle. A stovetop griddle is much easier to clean than an electric one, and generally, the shape, type, and efficacy of the non-stick coating all play a role.
The Presto Ceramic stands out as a great option for fast cleanup. The integrated grease cup collects overflow oil well in a removable and easy-to-clean attachment. Additionally, the cooktop separates from the body and can be washed in the sink. From the same brand, the Presto Tilt 'n' Drain is a runner-up for easy cleanup. This griddle features a handy integrated grease trap and is relatively simple to clean for an electric model. The Ninja Sizzle features removable griddle and grill plates that separate from the body of the griddle, making cleanup easy. As for stovetop options, the All-Clad comes clean with little effort and is easily sink-washable. The Nordic Ware and T-fal are also quick-cleaning options.
The Presto Ceramic can be broken down to wash in the sink for quick cleanup.
Credit: Kaylee Walden
Conclusion
During our testing process, we pitted the top griddles against each other, examining their essential features—heat distribution, non-stick performance, grease control, and ease of cleaning—all with the aim of helping you select the ideal addition to your kitchen. Because we never want to recommend an appliance that's good for only one thing, we also tested their versatility and durability, while giving special consideration to options that don't break the bank. Our review showcases a selection of exceptional stovetop and electric models, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for you. Trust these top griddles to consistently deliver outstanding results. Now, get ready to whip up perfectly fried eggs, fluffy golden pancakes, and crispy bacon to delight your breakfast table.
We hope that you've found your next new kitchen companion in this lineup of griddles!
