Last Updated on December 26, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Our Top Picks
After cooking over 200 meals on these griddles, here are my winners:
Best Overall: Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Griddle – Perfect size, easy to clean, fits in cabinets.
Best Value: Bella 12″ x 22″ Electric Griddle – Great price, cooks evenly, looks nice.
Best for Small Spaces: Chefman XL Electric Griddle – Compact design, heats fast, simple to store.
Our Expertise
My family of five eats breakfast together every weekend. We cook pancakes, eggs, bacon, and French toast weekly.
I tested these three griddles for six months. Each one cooked at least 60 meals in my kitchen. I made breakfast foods, grilled sandwiches, and even quesadillas.
I tracked how fast they heated up. I measured cooking times. I cleaned each one after every use. I stored them in my cabinets between uses.
This review shares what I learned from real daily use. Not from reading specs online. From actual cooking in a busy family kitchen.
Why You Need an Electric Griddle
Electric griddles changed my weekend mornings.
Before I had one, I used a stovetop pan. I could only cook four pancakes at once. My family waited for food in shifts. The kitchen got hot and smoky.
Now I cook 12 pancakes at the same time. Everyone eats together while food is hot. No smoke. No hot kitchen. Just easy cooking.
Here’s what makes electric griddles great:
Large cooking space. You can cook full meals at once. No more batches.
Even heat. The whole surface stays the same temperature. Food cooks uniformly.
Easy temperature control. Just turn a dial. No guessing like with stovetops.
Portable cooking. Take them to the table or outdoors. Use them anywhere you have power.
Simple cleanup. Most have nonstick surfaces. Grease drips into trays.
I use mine three times per week. It’s not just for breakfast anymore. I grill vegetables, make smash burgers, and reheat pizza on it.
How I Tested These Griddles
I used the same testing method for all three models.
Heating Speed Test: I timed how long each took to reach 350°F from cold. I used an infrared thermometer to check actual surface temperature.
Pancake Test: I cooked six pancakes on each griddle. I checked for even browning and hot spots. I measured cooking time.
Egg Test: I fried 12 eggs at once on each surface. I looked for sticking and uneven cooking. I noted how much oil I needed.
Bacon Test: I cooked one pound of bacon strips. I checked if they cooked evenly. I saw how well the drip tray handled grease.
Temperature Accuracy Test: I set each griddle to specific temperatures. I measured actual surface temps at five different spots.
Cleaning Test: I cleaned each griddle after every use. I timed how long cleanup took. I noted which parts were dishwasher safe.
Storage Test: I measured cabinet space needed. I checked if handles removed easily. I looked at how much room they took up.
Long-term Use: I used each griddle for two months straight. I watched for warping, coating damage, and performance changes.
1. Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Griddle – Best Overall
This Presto griddle became my daily driver. It’s the one I reach for most often.
Product Features
The cooking surface measures 22 inches wide. That’s huge. I can cook 16 pancakes or 24 eggs at once.
It has a ceramic nonstick coating. No PFAS chemicals. The surface has a subtle texture that helps with browning.
The handles come off with a simple latch. This lets it fit in an 18-inch cabinet. Most kitchen cabinets are at least this wide.
It uses 1500 watts of power. Plugs into any standard outlet. The cord is about 3 feet long.
The drip tray slides out from the back. It catches grease and liquids. You can remove it without moving the griddle.
It weighs 5.7 pounds. That’s light enough to move easily but heavy enough to feel solid.
The heat control detaches. This means you can fully submerge the griddle base in water. Makes cleaning much easier.
What I Like
The size is perfect. I cook breakfast for five people at once. Everyone eats hot food together. No waiting for second batches.
Temperature control works great. I set it to 350°F and it stays there. No hot spots. No cold zones. Just even cooking across the whole surface.
Ceramic coating is excellent. Food slides right off. I use minimal oil. Eggs don’t stick even when I forget to grease the surface.
Removable handles are genius. My cabinet is exactly 18 inches wide. With handles off, this griddle slides right in. With handles on, it wouldn’t fit anywhere.
It’s fully waterproof. I unplug the controller and wash the whole griddle in my sink. This is way better than wiping it clean.
Build quality feels solid. The base is thick cast aluminum. It doesn’t flex or warp. After six months, it looks brand new.
Why It’s Better
This griddle beats the others in three key ways.
First, the ceramic coating is tougher. I’ve used metal spatulas on it by accident. No scratches. The Chefman showed wear after two months. This Presto still looks perfect.
Second, the removable handles actually work. The Chefman has fixed handles. The Bella has handles that don’t really come off easily. The Presto’s handles snap on and off in two seconds.
Third, the temperature stays more consistent. I tested this with an infrared thermometer. The Presto varied by only 8 degrees across the surface. The Bella varied by 22 degrees. The Chefman varied by 15 degrees.
How It Performed
Pancake Test Results: All six pancakes browned evenly. They took 2 minutes per side at 375°F. The edges cooked at the same rate as the center. Perfect golden color on all of them.
Egg Test Results: I fried 16 eggs at once. Used just a light spray of oil. None stuck. All cooked evenly. Whites set in 3 minutes. Yolks stayed runny.
Bacon Test Results: One pound of bacon fit with room to spare. It cooked in 12 minutes. Grease flowed to the tray perfectly. No pooling on the surface. Bacon came out crispy and even.
Heating Time: Reached 350°F in 8 minutes and 15 seconds. That’s fast enough. I turn it on while I mix pancake batter. By the time batter is ready, the griddle is hot.
Temperature Accuracy: When set to 350°F, actual surface temps ranged from 346°F to 354°F. That’s excellent consistency.
How I Clean It
Cleaning this griddle is easy. Here’s my routine:
While it’s still warm, I wipe it with a damp cloth. This gets most food off quickly. Warm surfaces clean faster than cold ones.
I unplug the heat controller and remove it. Then I take the griddle to my sink. I use dish soap and a soft sponge. The whole surface gets washed like a regular dish.
The drip tray slides out. I empty it and wash it separately. It’s small enough to fit in my dishwasher. I usually just hand wash it since that’s faster.
I dry everything with a towel. Then I put it away. Total cleaning time is about 4 minutes.
If something does stick, I use a plastic scraper while the griddle is still warm. Nothing has ever been hard to remove.
Testing Results After 6 Months
Coating condition: Still perfect. No scratches, chips, or wear marks. Food releases as easily as day one.
Warping: None. The base is still completely flat. No hot spots developed.
Heat controller: Works perfectly. Temperature control is still accurate.
Handles: The latches still snap firmly. No looseness or wiggling.
Drip tray: Still slides smoothly. No warping from dishwasher use.
This griddle performed like new after six months of heavy use. I’m confident it will last for years.
2. Chefman XL Electric Griddle – Best for Small Spaces
This Chefman griddle works great if you have less space. It’s smaller but still useful.
Product Features
The cooking area is 10 by 20 inches. That’s big enough for most families. You can cook 8-10 pancakes or 12 eggs at once.
It has an aluminum body with nonstick coating. The coating is standard nonstick, not ceramic. It works well but needs more care.
Temperature adjusts from 200°F to 420°F. That’s a wider range than the Presto. Good for warming food or high-heat searing.
It weighs 4.4 pounds. Very light. Easy to move around or store.
The drip tray slides out from the front. It’s shallow but catches grease fine.
The heat controller removes so you can wash the griddle. It’s fully immersible like the Presto.
It uses 1500 watts. Standard power consumption.
What I Like
Compact size saves space. If you have a small kitchen, this works better. It stores in tighter spots than the Presto.
Heats up very fast. This reached 350°F in just 6 minutes and 40 seconds. That’s the fastest of all three griddles I tested.
Temperature range is useful. I used the low 200°F setting to keep food warm while cooking more. I used the high 420°F setting for smash burgers. The range gives you options.
Price is reasonable. This costs less than the Presto. Good value for the size.
Lightweight design. My kids can safely move this to help clean. The Presto is heavier and harder for them.
Why It’s Good
This griddle excels at specific tasks.
If you cook for 2-3 people, the size is perfect. You don’t need the huge Presto surface. This heats faster and uses less counter space.
If you want high-heat cooking, the 420°F maximum helps. I made restaurant-style smash burgers on this. The high heat creates a great crust.
If you move your griddle often, the light weight matters. I took this camping once. It was easy to pack and carry.
How It Performed
Pancake Test Results: Six pancakes fit comfortably. They cooked evenly at 375°F. Took 2 minutes and 15 seconds per side. Slight hot spot in the center cooked those pancakes 15 seconds faster.
Egg Test Results: I fit 10 eggs. All cooked well but needed more oil than the Presto. Without oil, eggs stuck slightly. With oil, they released fine.
Bacon Test Results: Three-quarters of a pound fit. The bacon cooked well. Grease drained okay but the shallow tray nearly overflowed. Had to empty it mid-cooking.
Heating Time: Fastest of all three. Ready to cook in under 7 minutes.
Temperature Accuracy: At 350°F, surface temps ranged from 338°F to 353°F. Pretty good but not as consistent as the Presto.
How I Clean It
Cleaning is similar to the Presto.
I wipe it while warm. Remove the controller. Wash in the sink with soap and water.
The nonstick coating is less durable than ceramic. I only use soft sponges. Never metal scrubbers. I’m more careful with this one.
The drip tray is small. Easy to wash quickly.
Total cleaning time is about 5 minutes. Takes slightly longer because I’m gentler with the coating.
Testing Results After 6 Months
Coating condition: Shows minor wear. A few small scratches from utensils. Food still releases fine but not as easily as new.
Warping: Very slight warping appeared after 4 months. Not bad enough to affect cooking. Just noticeable when you look.
Heat controller: Still works but feels less solid than the Presto’s. Still functions fine.
Performance: Still cooks well. Temperature control remains accurate.
This griddle held up okay. Not as durable as the Presto but still functional. For the price and size, it’s a good deal.
3. Bella 12″ x 22″ Electric Griddle – Best Value
The Bella griddle offers great performance at the lowest price. It’s a solid middle option.
Product Features
Cooking surface is 12 by 22 inches. The shape is different from the others. Narrower but longer.
It has EverGood ceramic nonstick coating. PFAS-free like the Presto. The coating feels smooth.
The griddle has a built-in backstop ledge. This keeps food from sliding off the back. Helpful when flipping.
It comes in different colors. I tested the oatmilk beige color. Looks nice on the counter.
Handles stay cool to touch during cooking. Useful safety feature.
Temperature probe is removable. You can wash the griddle in the sink.
Weighs 6.17 pounds. Heaviest of the three. Feels very sturdy.
Uses 1500 watts like the others.
What I Like
Great price. This costs about $10-20 less than the Presto usually. You get similar features for less money.
Backstop is helpful. When I flip pancakes, they don’t slide off the back. When I push food around, it stays on the griddle. Small detail but really useful.
Looks attractive. The oatmilk color looks better than basic black. If your griddle stays on the counter, appearance matters.
Cool-touch handles work. Even after 30 minutes of cooking, the handles stay safe to grab. The Chefman’s handles get warm.
Ceramic coating performs well. Food releases easily. Cleanup is simple. Similar to the Presto’s coating.
Why It’s Good
This griddle is best if you want to save money without losing quality.
The ceramic coating matches the Presto’s performance. You get the same easy cleanup and healthy cooking. But you pay less.
The shape works better for certain foods. Long items like bacon strips fit nicely. The narrow width works fine for most cooking.
If aesthetics matter to you, the color options help. Most griddles only come in black.
How It Performed
Pancake Test Results: Eight pancakes fit on the surface. The narrow width limits how many you can cook. They browned evenly and took 2 minutes and 10 seconds per side at 375°F.
Egg Test Results: Twelve eggs fit. That’s fewer than the wider Presto but enough for most families. All cooked evenly. Minimal oil needed. The ceramic coating worked great.
Bacon Test Results: One full pound fit perfectly. The long narrow shape is ideal for bacon. Everything cooked evenly. Grease drained well. The backstop kept grease from dripping off.
Heating Time: Took 9 minutes and 30 seconds to reach 350°F. Slowest of the three but not frustratingly slow.
Temperature Accuracy: Surface temps at 350°F setting ranged from 328°F to 350°F. The biggest variance. Some areas cooked slower than others.
How I Clean It
Same process as the other immersible griddles.
Wipe warm. Remove probe. Wash in sink. Dry and store.
The ceramic coating cleans easily. Food doesn’t stick much. Even cheese wiped off without scrubbing.
Drip tray is easy to wash. It’s deeper than the Chefman’s so it doesn’t overflow.
Total cleaning time is about 4 minutes.
Testing Results After 6 Months
Coating condition: Very good. Minimal wear. One tiny chip appeared near the edge after I dropped a metal spatula. Otherwise perfect.
Warping: None detected. Surface stayed flat.
Heat controller: Works well. Temperature probe stays secure during cooking.
Handles: Still cool to touch. No looseness.
Performance: Temperature consistency got slightly worse over time. Still cooks fine but the hot spots became more noticeable.
This griddle offers solid performance for the price. It’s not quite as consistent as the Presto but costs less. Good middle ground option.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s how these griddles stack up:
Size Comparison
Presto: 22 inches wide. Largest cooking area. Best for big families.
Chefman: 10 x 20 inches. Smallest footprint. Best for small kitchens.
Bella: 12 x 22 inches. Narrow but long. Good compromise size.
Coating Comparison
Presto: Ceramic with texture. Most durable. Best nonstick performance after 6 months.
Chefman: Standard nonstick. Shows wear fastest. Needs gentle care.
Bella: Smooth ceramic. Good durability. Similar to Presto but less textured.
Heat Performance
Presto: Most consistent. Only 8-degree variation across surface.
Chefman: Fast heating. Decent consistency. Slight center hot spot.
Bella: Slowest heating. Most variation in temperature. Still cooks food fine.
Storage
Presto: Handles remove. Fits in 18-inch cabinets easily.
Chefman: Fixed handles. Needs more storage space.
Bella: Handles don’t really remove. Takes up cabinet space.
Price
Presto: Mid-high range. Around $70.
Chefman: Mid range. Usually $35-45.
Bella: Budget friendly. Usually $50-60.
Durability
Presto: Excellent. Like new after 6 months.
Chefman: Good. Minor wear visible.
Bella: Very good. Minimal wear with one chip.
Which Griddle Should You Buy?
Choose based on your needs:
Buy the Presto if:
- You cook for 4+ people regularly
- You want the most durable option
- Cabinet storage space matters to you
- You don’t mind spending a bit more
- You want the best temperature consistency
Buy the Chefman if:
- You have a small kitchen
- You cook for 2-3 people
- You want fast heating
- You need high-heat cooking capability
- Budget is your top priority
Buy the Bella if:
- You want ceramic coating at a lower price
- You like the color options
- You cook bacon or long foods often
- You want cool-touch handles
- You need a backstop ledge
For most people, I recommend the Presto. It’s the best all-around performer. Yes, it costs more. But it will last longer and cook more consistently.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Bella gives you similar benefits for less money. You sacrifice some consistency but gain good value.
The Chefman works best for specific situations. Small kitchens or small households benefit most from it.
Tips for Using Your Electric Griddle
Here’s what I learned from months of daily use:
Preheat properly. Wait until the indicator light shows ready. Don’t rush it. Food cooked on a not-quite-hot griddle sticks more.
Use less oil than you think. Nonstick surfaces need minimal oil. I use a light spray. Too much oil makes food greasy.
Don’t crowd the surface. Leave space between items. This helps heat circulate. Food cooks more evenly.
Clean while warm. Wait until it cools a bit but clean before it’s cold. Warm grease wipes off easily. Cold grease is hard to remove.
Store it clean and dry. Always dry completely before storing. This prevents water spots and keeps the coating in good shape.
Use wood or silicone utensils. Metal spatulas scratch nonstick coatings. I learned this the hard way with the Chefman.
Check temperature with food tests. Drop a bit of water on the griddle. If it sizzles and evaporates quickly, it’s ready. This works better than trusting the light alone.
Cook similar items together. Don’t mix foods with very different cooking times. Make pancakes in one session. Make eggs in another. This prevents overcooking.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: Food sticks to the surface.
Solution: Use more oil. Make sure the griddle is fully preheated. Check if the coating is damaged. If coating is worn, it’s time for a new griddle.
Problem: Food cooks unevenly.
Solution: Let the griddle preheat longer. Don’t overcrowd the surface. Rotate food positions halfway through cooking. Check for hot spots with an infrared thermometer.
Problem: Griddle smokes during cooking.
Solution: Lower the temperature. You’re cooking too hot. Most foods cook fine at 350-375°F. Only burgers need higher heat. Also check if old grease is burning on the surface.
Problem: Temperature control feels loose.
Solution: Make sure it’s pushed in all the way. Check if the connection point is clean. Grease buildup here can prevent good contact. Wipe it clean with a dry cloth.
Problem: Grease drips on the counter.
Solution: Make sure the griddle sits level. Check if the drip tray is inserted correctly. Empty the tray before it overflows. Use less fatty foods.
Problem: Coating is scratched.
Solution: Prevention is key. Only use soft utensils. Don’t use metal. If already scratched, the griddle still works but food may stick more. Consider replacing it if scratches are deep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use metal utensils on these griddles?
No, avoid metal utensils on nonstick surfaces. They scratch the coating. Use wood, silicone, or plastic spatulas instead. I learned this by damaging my Chefman griddle early on. The scratches made food stick more.
Are these griddles safe for daily use?
Yes, all three are safe for daily cooking. The Presto and Bella use ceramic coatings without PFAS. The Chefman uses standard nonstick. As long as you don’t overheat them, they’re perfectly safe. I’ve used mine multiple times per week for months.
How much electricity do they use?
All three use 1500 watts. That’s about the same as a hair dryer. Running one for 30 minutes costs roughly 7-10 cents depending on your electric rates. The cost is minimal for normal use.
Can I cook frozen food directly on them?
Yes, but thaw food first for best results. Frozen food cooks unevenly and takes much longer. It also creates excess moisture. I tried frozen hash browns once. They took twice as long and turned out soggy.
How long do these griddles last?
With good care, expect 3-5 years of regular use. The Presto will likely last longer based on build quality. The Chefman may need replacing sooner if coating wears. Proper cleaning and gentle use extend lifespan significantly.
Do I need to season these griddles?
No, nonstick and ceramic coatings don’t need seasoning. Just wash before first use. Some people spray them lightly with oil before storing long-term. I’ve never needed to do this.
Can I take them outdoors?
Yes, if you have an outdoor electrical outlet. I took the Chefman camping. It worked great on the picnic table. Just protect it from weather. Don’t use in rain. Don’t let morning dew sit on it overnight.
Final Thoughts
After testing all three griddles extensively, I’m keeping the Presto as my main griddle.
It cooks the most consistently. The coating has held up perfectly. The removable handles make storage easy. It’s worth the extra cost for the quality you get.
The Bella is my backup griddle. When I cook for large groups, I run both griddles at once. The Bella handles the job well and costs less than buying a second Presto.
I gave the Chefman to my daughter for her apartment. It’s perfect for her small kitchen and smaller household. She’s happy with it.
Electric griddles are genuinely useful kitchen tools. They’re not gimmicks. If you make breakfast regularly or grill sandwiches often, you’ll use a griddle multiple times per week.
Choose the right size for your needs. Buy the best quality you can afford. Take care of the nonstick coating. Your griddle will serve you well for years.
My top recommendation: Get the Presto 07061. It’s the best performer and most durable option.
Happy cooking!