Our Experts Tested the Best Smokeless Grills Just in Time for Grilling Season

Best Overall

Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler

Orig. $100 $90 at Amazon $85 at Wayfair $100 at Williams-Sonoma

This 5-in-1 griddler is a top-of-the-line appliance that functions not only as a compact, indoor grill but also as a griddle and panini press, and after thorough testing, it earned our best overall ranking. The reversible plates offer five major functions including a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle, which gives you the option to whip up anything from burgers to sandwiches to eggs to bacon to pancakes. Simply adjust the dial to opt for "griddle" for flat-lay cooking or "grill/panini" for closed-top cooking. Once you’ve selected the cooking surface, you can adjust the left and right dials to control the temperature easily.

We successfully cooked everything from mushrooms and zucchini to sandwiches, steaks, and more during testing, and found that it is super nonstick, too. When burned-on cheese dribbled onto the grates during testing, it slid off easily, making cleanup a dream. The removable plates are easy to wash by hand or in the dishwasher. While the grill is cooking, grease is being drained into a convenient drip tray that's similarly removable and simple to clean. In fact, this tray is hidden, which makes for a more appealing look, as well—but don't forget about it when cleaning!

For those who want to splurge and don't mind taking up a little more space in their kitchen, Cuisinart offers an Elite version of this appliance, which features heating elements inside the plates that offer more efficient heating, the ability to control the temperature of the grill plates independently, and a top melt function (good for open-faced sandwiches).

Dimensions: 13.5 x 11.5 x 7.12 inches | Cooking Area: 102 square inches | Weight: 12.75 pounds | Power: 1500 watts

Best Splurge

Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill

$170 at Amazon $170 at Wayfair $170 at Home Depot

If you want the smokeless grill that comes equipped with all the bells and whistles, then this is your model. Though it may cost you more than some of its competitors, it is certainly worth the extra money. This appliance can crank the heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and it gives you the option to grill, griddle, or even air fry.

We grilled salmon, chicken breasts, and frozen salmon burgers and were pleased with the results and the fact that there was no smoke. However, because it gets so hot so quickly, you won't want to set your food on it and forget about it. We noticed this in multiple tests and would've liked to turn off the internal fan during cooking. Overall, though, the test steak gave a satisfying sizzle on the hot grate with impressive grill marks without any smoking.

In terms of capacity, the grill grates have enough space to accommodate a family of four and the four crisper baskets can hold an entire bag of fries or tater tots. The multifunctional device will take up space on your counter, though, so this probably isn't suitable for tiny apartment kitchens. Cleaning is pretty simple: Things like burned-on barbecue sauce and fish skin were no problem—they slid right off when we used the included cleaning brush.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 14 x 11 inches | Weight: 14.5 pounds | Power: 1760 watts

Best Design

Power XL Smokeless Grill

Orig. $110 $103 at Amazon $120 at Newegg.com

This grill boasts an affordable price tag, a tight-sealing tempered glass lid, and a powerful fan that traps smoke before it escapes. While you might not use the lid for grilling steaks, it is definitely desirable when you’re trying to melt cheese on a burger or keep food warm after it’s been cooked. The well-designed water tray eliminates any dangerous flare-ups while taking in any smoke odor. This way, your food will stay moist and juicy while it cooks. This grill includes both a grill plate and a griddle plate, so you can use it for sear marks on your steak or for a crispy fried egg in the morning. Both of these plates are nonstick ceramic coated, making them just as easy to use as they are to clean.

During testing, we noted that the fan on this model did an incredible job removing smoke and steam and the lid sealed well. This way, the smoke didn’t have a chance to escape. When we fired up the grill to cook a steak, there wasn’t even a wisp of visible smoke, which is great news for you and your smoke detector.

Dimensions: 21 x 15.4 x 8.1 inches | Weight: 15.47 pounds | Power: 1500 watts

Best for Big Groups

Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill

Orig. $77 $61 at Amazon Orig. $80 $77 at Walmart Orig. $90 $80 at Target

Cooking for a large crowd? You’re going to need a grill that’s big enough to cook all of the food at once so that everything is done at the same time. This indoor grill has upwards of 120 square inches of surface area for cooking, which means that you have all the space you need to cook for at least six people. Plus, who wants to worry about cleaning up when guests are over? The indoor grill hood, plate, and extra-large drip tray are all removable and dishwasher-safe. You can crank this grill up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for hot, indoor cooking all year round. The power and preheat lights also take any guesswork out of knowing when the grill is hot and ready to use.

Our editor tested this model out in her small apartment kitchen, and even though it takes up some coveted space, she loved it. Her burgers came out with nice grill marks, and the lid performed its task of keeping smoke and heat contained. She also appreciated the easy setup out of the box and the simple cleanup.

Dimensions: 12.4 x 16.7 x 6.8 inches | Cooking Area: 118 square inches | Weight: 8.15 pounds | Power: 1500 watts

Best for Fast Cooking

George Foreman Contact Smokeless - Ready Grill

Orig. $150 $130 at Amazon $71 at Walmart

If there is any trusted name in the world of all things grilling, it’s certainly George Foreman. In this version, you get everything you love about your outdoor grill, minus the smoke, making it a great household appliance. Offering a new plate design, this grill can eliminate up to 85 percent of the smoke, according to the manufacturer, while the open-style grates simultaneously drain fat and juices automatically. This way, the fat drips through the grates for a hot, crispy sear, yet you’re not steaming or frying the food. The grease then collects in a dishwasher-safe drip tray for easy disposal and cleaning after you’re done cooking.

This model is lauded for its ability to cook faster than any other George Foreman model, so you can rest assured that your food is going to be on the table in no time. The removable grill plates are easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher, and they have a nonstick coating that prevents food from sticking. Great for families and large groups, this can cook four to six servings of food at a time on the 90-square-inch cooking space, so no need to stagger cooking times because everything will be ready at once. Keep in mind, though, that there is no other cooking surface included.

Dimensions: 16 x 7 x 13.7 Inches | Cooking Area: 90 square inches | Weight: 13.7 pounds | Power: 1500 watts