An electric sandwich maker presses and toasts bread, cheese and fillings between two heated plates. Some seal the edges into pockets, some work as panini presses, and some stack the layers for a breakfast-style sandwich. A few also swap plates to make waffles or grill food.
The six makers below range from a 9 inch two-sandwich press to a three-in-one with interchangeable plates. Sizes, wattage and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these makers ourselves. Where a listing gives two different wattage figures, we say so.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Style | Pocket seal, panini press or layered stacker |
| Capacity | One, two or more sandwiches per batch |
| Plates | Nonstick coating, and whether they come out for washing |
| Lid and hinge | A floating hinge fits thick sandwiches |
| Storage | Cord storage and upright storage save space |
Specs at a Glance
| Maker | Size and power | Capacity (listing) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OVENTE GPS401B | 9 x 9 x 3.5 in; 750 W | Sandwiches, omelets, French toast | Thermostat, cool-touch handle, indicator lights; 1 year warranty |
| Cuisinart Pocket Press | 9.07 x 8.87 x 3.57 in; 650 W | 2 sandwiches | Lock-down lid; cord storage; 3 year warranty |
| Hamilton Beach Stacker | 10.1 x 6.7 x 6.1 in; 700 W | One layered sandwich | Pivoting center plate; removable surface |
| Proctor Silex Deluxe | 8.7 x 12.2 x 3.98 in; 1200 W in specs, 700 W in text | 2 thick sandwiches or 1 long | PFAS-free ceramic nonstick plates; floating lid |
| Chefman RJ02-180 | 10 x 12 x 5 in; 1000 W | 2 sandwiches | Opens 180 degrees; dishwasher-safe drip tray |
| BLACK+DECKER WM2000SD | 9 x 9 x 4 in; 700 W | Waffle, grill or sandwich plates | Removable dishwasher-safe plates; preheat light |
The 6 Best Sandwich Makers
1. OVENTE Electric Sandwich Maker GPS401B
A 750 watt stainless steel press, 9 by 9 by 3.5 inches and 2.4 pounds, with nonstick plates, thermostat control, a cool-touch handle and power and preheat indicator lights. The listing also suggests omelets and French toast.
Suits: a light everyday press. Strengths: a compact, light body with a thermostat. Weaknesses: the listing gives no plate count. Skip it if you need a large capacity.
View OVENTE Electric Sandwich Maker, 750W Non-Stick Plates, Black GPS401B on Amazon
2. Cuisinart Sandwich Grill Pocket Press
A 650 watt press that cooks two sandwiches, omelets or French toast. It has a lock-down lid, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat lights, raised ridges to seal edges, nonstick plates, cord storage and a 3 year limited warranty.
Suits: sealed pocket-style sandwiches. Strengths: a lock-down lid and a long warranty. Weaknesses: not removable plates per the listing. Skip it if you want a flat grill.
View Cuisinart Sandwich Grill Sandwich Maker Pocket Press, WM-SW2N1NAS on Amazon
3. Hamilton Beach Sandwich Stacker
A 700 watt layered-sandwich maker, 10.1 by 6.7 by 6.1 inches. You build bread, cheese or meat on the bottom layer, add an egg if you like, top with bread, close the lid and pivot out the center plate. The surface is nonstick and removable.
Suits: breakfast-style sandwiches. Strengths: a layered build and a removable surface. Weaknesses: it makes one sandwich at a time. Skip it if you cook for two at once.
View Hamilton Beach Sandwich Stacker Fast and Customizable Hot Sandwich Maker on Amazon
4. Proctor Silex Deluxe Hot Sandwich Maker
A stainless steel maker with PFAS-free ceramic nonstick plates and a floating lid that presses thick sandwiches. It fits 2 thick sandwiches or 1 long one and stores upright. The listing shows 1200 watts in its specs but 700 watts in its text, so check the box.
Suits: thick sandwiches like tortas and subs. Strengths: a floating lid and upright storage. Weaknesses: conflicting wattage on the listing. Skip it if you want a smaller footprint.
View Proctor Silex Deluxe Hot Sandwich Maker With PFAS-Free Non-Stick Plates on Amazon
5. Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill
A 1000 watt panini press, 10 by 12 by 5 inches, with a floating hinge and a lid that opens 180 degrees to work as a grill. The closed surface is listed at 5.5 by 8.75 inches, suited to two sandwiches, and the drip tray is dishwasher safe.
Suits: panini and open-grill use. Strengths: a flexible hinge and a removable drip tray. Weaknesses: it takes more space than the pocket presses. Skip it if you want sealed pockets.
6. BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Waffle, Grill and Sandwich Maker
A 700 watt, 9 by 9 by 4 inch unit that comes with waffle, grill and sandwich plates. The removable nonstick plates are listed as dishwasher safe, and a green light shows when it reaches cooking temperature.
Suits: one appliance for three jobs. Strengths: interchangeable plates. Weaknesses: the heaviest here at 6.2 pounds. Skip it if you only make sandwiches.
Care and Setup
- Let plates cool, then wipe with a damp cloth.
- Avoid metal tools on nonstick surfaces.
- Wait for the ready light before adding bread.
- Use the cord storage or upright storage when offered.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling a pocket press so the edges will not seal.
- Using aerosol sprays on nonstick plates when the maker advises against it.
- Choosing a two-sandwich press for large subs.
- Trusting one wattage figure when a listing shows two.
Sandwich Maker FAQ
Do they make more than sandwiches?
Several list omelets and French toast, and the BLACK+DECKER adds waffle and grill plates.
Which has plates that come out?
The BLACK+DECKER lists removable dishwasher-safe plates, and the Hamilton Beach lists a removable surface.
The Short Version
For a light compact press, the OVENTE. For sealed pockets, the Cuisinart. For layered breakfast sandwiches, the Hamilton Beach Stacker. For thick sandwiches, the Proctor Silex. For panini and grilling, the Chefman. For waffles too, the BLACK+DECKER.
