6 quality sandwich presses for all your homemade toasties, grilled salmon and paninis

Quick to heat with four adjustable heights for any slice of bread, this Breville sandwich press is simple yet effective. Plus, it’s spacious enough to make up to two small toasted sandwiches at once.

“The perfect product,” one satisfied five-star customer wrote. “It does exactly what you expect it to. Heats and cooks fast. Easy to clean. Affordable price. Quality build. No over complicated functions.”

A second person wrote: “My mum was rather upset when her sandwich press died as she said it worked well and was easy to clean and she probably won’t be able to find another one she likes. I bought this for her as a replacement and she has been raving about it since. She said it is so much better than her old one. It’s nice and big, but not too big, easy to clean, and makes perfect toasties every time.”

Size: 31.4 x 25.8 x 9.6cm

Power: 2000W

Key features:

• Uses premium quality PFOA-free and titanium-infused non-stick coating
• Non-stick plates to both the top and bottom plates
• Four adjustable height positions allow for perfectly toasted or melted sandwiches

Also available at:

• $74.95, Breville
• $79, The Good Guys
• $74.95, Harris Scarfe

Versatile and adaptable, the OptiGrill Smart impressively cooks burgers, fish, poultry and sausages as well as your toasties. With automatic sensor cooking technology to adjust time and temperature by the thickness and quantity of food on the grill, dinner prep is made a breeze.

“Amazing piece of kit,” one of the hundreds of five-star reviewers wrote. “Every home should have one, at least. Perfect results every time. Perfect steaks, beef, lamb and salmon.”

Another person wrote: “Thrilled to bits with my new grill. So easy to use with a variety of settings. Best of all are the removable plates that go straight into the dishwasher and make it a dream to wash.”

Size: 39.9 x 22.9 x 36.9cm

Power: 2000W

Key features:

• Six cooking programs automatically adapt the temperature to each type of food
• Four temperature levels cook anything the way you want
• 600cm2 cooking surface (capacity of two to four people)
• Non-stick die-cast aluminium plates
• Large juice tray and plates set at an angle to ensure cooking juices run off
• Removable plates and juice tray are dishwasher-safe
• Thickness measurement
• 12-month warranty

Also available at:

• $239, Appliances Online
• $249, The Good Guys
• $249 (usually $299), David Jones

Did someone say ‘jaffles’? This sandwich press is designed with deeper and larger dishes for more yummy filling — sweet or savoury. It’s designed with a high hinge so you can perfectly position bread slices for no-slide and no-squish sandwich making.

“Absolutely loved using this to make toasties for all the family,” a five-star reviewer wrote. “I was pleasantly surprised at how crunchy the toasties were whilst being able to hold a lot of ingredients. The best part was it was super easy to clean afterwards, with nowhere for the crumbs to hide – even my teenager could clean it.”

Size: 28 x 40.3 x 10.9cm

Power: 1200W

Key features:

• Spacious enough to toast four sandwiches simultaneously
• Indicator lights alert when the appliance is preheated and ready to use, as well as when your sandwiches are done cooking
• Compact design is suitable for small kitchens
• Integrated cheese melt function allows you to melt cheese on top of your sandwiches
• Non-stick cooking plates

Also available at:

• $89, Bing Lee
• $89, The Good Guys
• $89, Betta
• $89, Big W

In a sleek matte red design, this press features warm-up and ready lights, non-stick plates and the capacity to make four sandwiches simultaneously. What’s more, the whole unit can be locked together and stored vertically to free up bench space, making it perfect for smaller households.

“I am completely satisfied with this sandwich press,” said a reviewer. “The deep red colour looks great, and is a nice change to the white or stainless steel products usually available. I didn’t think I would be using it as often as I do.”

“Our favourite is Turkish bread with lots of tasty fillings. The press heats up and is ready in a short time, and the toasties are perfectly cooked. The clean up is quick and easy also. A quick wipe over and it is ready for next time. I am so pleased I purchased the Russell Hobbs sandwich press.”

Size: 35.5 x 35 x 9cm

Power: 2100W

Key features:

• Non-stick flat plates for even tasting
• Lid lock for compact storage
• Temperature indicator lights
• Floating hinge for various thicknesses

Also available at:

• $59, Amazon
• $59, Betta
• $71, Kogan

Evoke the spirit of your café around the corner with this model that perfectly presses paninis, sandwiches, burgers, seared steaks and waffles. In fact, there’s nothing this appliance can’t do.

“I continue to be amazed by this small electric countertop grill,” one five-star reviewer said. “I’ve had other grills in the past, but none come close to the Sear & Press. Before, pancakes would cook unevenly, but the Sear & Press cooks them perfectly even — no dark lines when I turn them over.”

Size: 33 x 37 x 21.5cm

Power: 1800W

Key features:

• Pre-programmed one-touch functionalities
• Open flat BBQ mode for a 1500cm2 grilling and griddle surface
• Independent plate temperature control
• Reversible ceramic grill and griddle plates are FPFOA and PTFE-free
• Easy to clean — plates are dishwasher-safe

Also available at:

• $339.15 (usually $399), Myer
• $369, The Good Guys
• $365.99 (usually $399), House
• $338 (usually $399), Appliances Online