Top Electric Griddles for Cooking Pancakes, Bacon, and Burgers

Top Pick

The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler features a spacious 19-by-12.5-inch cooking surface, making it perfect for preparing meals for large gatherings. Its standout feature is the included lid, which speeds up cooking, helps keep food warm, and prevents oil from splattering. It’s especially great for creating perfect sunny-side-up eggs every time. Additionally, a metal spatula is included to assist with cooking.

The nonstick ceramic titanium surface ensures excellent heat distribution, allowing you to cook foods like pancakes, bacon, and omelets without the risk of burning. Unlike other griddles, this one features a deeper surface, making it suitable for stir-frying. The cooking plate is protected by an outer guard to shield your hands from heat, and both the guard and cooking plate are fully immersible for easy cleaning.

Keep in mind that the Zojirushi is heavier than many other griddles, as the combined weight of its parts is more than twice that of some models on our list. While it lacks a drip tray for catching grease, its deep cooking surface and included lid help to reduce grease splattering. If you plan to use an electric griddle regularly, the Zojirushi is a worthwhile investment despite the extra weight and storage needs.

Cooking Surface: 19 x 12.5 in. (237.5 sq. in.) | Weight: 12 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 425°F

Best Value Option

If you're cooking for a large group, the Bella nonstick electric griddle is an affordable option that offers a wide cooking surface for pancakes, eggs, and sausage. Despite its budget-friendly price, it comes with all the standard features you'd expect from a griddle, including cool-touch handles, a temperature control knob that reaches up to 400°F, and a removable tray for collecting grease and crumbs.

What we appreciate most about this model is its nonstick ceramic coating, which ensures that no harmful chemicals like PTFE and PFOA are transferred to your food. It's also fast, durable, and built to last. The Bella griddle is available in three sizes and color choices: all black, copper, and a copper/black combination. However, the drip tray doesn't have a tilting feature, meaning it may not drain excess grease as effectively, particularly when cooking fatty foods.

Cooking Surface: 10 x 16 in., 10.5 x 20 in., 12 x 22 in. | Weight: 3.88 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 400°F

Top Large Option

For the next family brunch or any gathering, this 22-inch Presto griddle is designed to cook food in large batches. Unlike smooth-surfaced griddles, this one has a textured surface to prevent food from sticking, making cleanup a breeze.

With its generous 231-square-inch cooking area, you can prepare plenty of pancakes or French toast at once. The drip tray and handles are detachable and easy to clean, and the removable components make the griddle more compact for convenient storage. However, due to its large size, it may not fit comfortably in your sink.

Cooking Surface: 231 sq. in. | Weight: 6.5 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 400°F

Top Compact Option

For college students, those living alone, or anyone who prefers to make single-serve meals, this is the smallest griddle on our list. It’s not only charming but also highly compact, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counter or storage space. Weighing just over a pound, it’s also portable enough to take with you on trips in a camper van, RV, or even packed in a suitcase.

Using it is straightforward – just plug it in and start cooking. The drawback is that it only offers one temperature setting, so it may not be suitable for cooking foods like grilled chicken or vegetables that require varying heat levels (or if you’re preparing meals for a larger group). However, it’s great for simple tasks like making pancakes, eggs, or a big cookie for one. The Dash griddle comes in six vibrant colors: white, aqua, red, black, silver, and pink.

Cooking Surface: 4-in. diameter | Weight: 1.5 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: No adjustable range

Best Electric Griddle/Grill Combo

Whether you’re grilling chicken or flipping pancakes, this Cuisinart Griddler features reversible grill and griddle plates that make it versatile for all your cooking needs. It offers five key functions: a contact grill for cooking foods on both sides, a panini press, a full griddle, a full grill, and a half griddle/half grill. You can also press sandwiches with the lid to make delicious deli-style paninis.

The griddler has dual-temperature controls, letting you adjust the temperature for each plate independently. It also includes preset functions for grilling fish, meat, or vegetables. The plates are removable and simple to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. The drip tray underneath collects grease splatters, but it is tucked out of view, so it’s easy to forget to remove it when cleaning time comes.

Cooking Surface: 11 x 9 in. | Weight: 11.4 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 425°F

Best Ceramic

This Presto griddle features a ceramic nonstick surface that ensures your food won’t stick. The textured design helps food release easily and prevents liquids like pancake batter or eggs from spreading too much. With 253 square inches of cooking space, you’ll have more than enough room to prepare a variety of dishes, such as cheesesteaks, French toast, chicken strips, or delicious quesadillas. Additionally, it includes a slide-out drip tray that collects excess fat as you cook, and it’s designed to fit neatly in an 18-inch kitchen cabinet for easy storage.

The sturdy cast aluminum base feels solid and heavy, which could make it a bit cumbersome to carry, but this also means it’s less likely to warp under high or low temperatures. It’s easy to store with quick-release handles that also function as legs to hold the griddle up. The thermostat can be removed for washing in the sink. However, keep in mind that the textured surface may leave an imprint on delicate foods like pancakes.

Cooking Surface: 22 x 11.5 in. (253 sq. in.) | Weight: 5.9 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 400°F

Best With a Warming Tray

This Bella griddle features a warming tray that helps keep food warm, making it ideal for serving a crowd or going back for seconds. The griddle itself has a large 18-inch cooking surface, which can fit around eight pancakes at once. It includes cool-touch handles, an adjustable temperature probe up to 400°F, and a drip tray to catch excess grease. The nonstick surface can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher for convenience.

Overall, this griddle with a warming tray is great for taking on camping trips, barbecues, or short hotel stays. Just be aware that it’s best to serve food immediately, as the tray doesn't keep it warm for long. Bella also offers a toaster and griddle combo if you're looking for a complete breakfast set.

Cooking Surface: 10 x 18 in. | Weight: 4.7 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 400°F

Best Portable

The Elite Gourmet EG2212 is more than just a griddle—it's like an additional stove to speed up your cooking process. With higher sides and a glass lid, it allows you to roast, steam, and stir-fry a wide range of foods, from vegetables and meats to pasta and classic breakfast favorites.

Crafted from rust-resistant cast aluminum, this griddle features a nonstick ceramic coating that ensures quick cooking. Its temperature can be adjusted between 250°F and 450°F, and an indicator light alerts you when the griddle is powered on and when it reaches the set temperature. The skillet can also be easily cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher once the temperature probe is removed.

Available in five different sizes—including options that serve up to eight people—this pan is versatile. We recommend experimenting with the temperature settings to achieve the best cooking results, as the heat may differ from your regular stove.

Cooking Surface: 17 x 14 x 5.8 in., 8 x 8 x 4 in., 12 x 12 x 2.15 in., 3.2 x 12 x 12 in., 3.2 x 16 x 13 in. | Weight: 5.5 lbs. | Maximum Temperature: 450°F

Final Thoughts

The Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle is our top pick due to its vast cooking surface and convenient lid, which speeds up the cooking process and reduces splattering. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly choice that still offers ample space to cook for the whole family, the Bella Electric Ceramic Titanium Griddle is a great alternative.

How to Shop for Electric Griddles Like a Pro

Cooking Surface

Electric griddles commonly feature nonstick ceramic or steel surfaces. Nonstick griddles are particularly user-friendly, as food doesn’t adhere to the surface, making them easier to clean. While all griddles can be immersed in water after removing the temperature probe, it’s essential to check the manufacturer’s guidelines to see whether they are dishwasher safe.

Nonstick griddles with ceramic coatings are generally safer for cooking since they lack harmful chemicals such as PTFE and PFA. To preserve the griddle's condition, it’s recommended to use only plastic or wooden utensils that won't cause scratching.

Size

Most typical electric griddles have cooking surfaces around 20 by 10 inches, totaling about 200 square inches. This size is ideal for cooking several dishes simultaneously, such as French toast, pancakes, and sausage. For smaller needs, there are compact griddles perfect for one to two people, while larger models offer even more space to prepare up to twelve servings at once.

Features

When purchasing a griddle, you’ll find a variety of features that simplify both cooking and cleanup. These may vary depending on the manufacturer but generally include drip trays for catching grease and adjustable temperature settings. Additionally, you can find griddles with extra perks like lids to retain heat, warming trays, and interchangeable plates for versatile cooking options.

“For me, the essential feature is a warming tray beneath the griddle. It keeps things like sausage or bacon warm while you cook eggs, or keeps tortillas heated while you prepare fajitas or tacos,” says Chiappetti. “My personal favorite, though, is the temperature control, which ensures even, consistent cooking.”

Questions You Might Ask

What Can You Cook on an Electric Griddle?

While many think of griddles as breakfast tools, their flat surfaces make them incredibly versatile for preparing a wide range of meals. Chiappetti enjoys making eggs, pancakes, French toast, fish tacos, chicken Parmesan, steak Diane, stir fry, crepes, and even toasted pound cake with blueberries.

Do Electric Griddles Cook Faster Than Regular Grills?

Griddles typically operate within a temperature range of 200°F to a maximum of 450°F, which is suitable for most foods. However, outdoor grills have a clear edge in terms of heat, as they can reach temperatures as high as 550°F.

What Is the Difference Between an Electric Skillet and a Griddle?

Electric skillets usually feature higher sides and come with a lid, offering more versatility compared to griddles. However, some models, such as our Best Overall choice, the Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Griddle, can function as both a griddle and a skillet because they have higher sides and include a lid.

Electric griddles, on the other hand, are famous for their broad, flat cooking surface and are often called flat-top grills. A skillet has edges, while a griddle does not. “The edges of a skillet make it more versatile for cooking, allowing you to bake, pan-fry, or stew in it,” says Young. “A griddle is perfect for making pancakes, bacon, eggs, and burgers because the lack of edges makes flipping much easier.”

Take Our Word for It

This piece was written by Nor’adila Hepburn, a writer for Mytour specializing in product reviews and home and lifestyle content. To create this list, she dedicated hours to researching electric griddles and examining their benefits for both home cooks and professional chefs. She consulted with Steve Chiappetti, the executive chef at the Albert in Chicago, and Donald Young, the owner of Duck Sel in Chicago and a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best Chef, for expert advice.