Smokeless indoor grills bring big flavor while limiting the amount of smoke. Whether you’re short on outdoor cooking space or dealing with serious outdoor elements, there is a time and place for a reliable, indoor grill that can produce similar results to what you’d get outside. These grills are designed to be smokeless so you don’t need to worry about the local fire station knocking at your door. Not only are they approved for indoor use, but they’re usually easily transportable, meaning you can bring them out to a patio or on outdoor adventures or trips.
- 1 Why Choose a Smokeless Indoor Grill?
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2
Top 10 Smokeless Indoor Grills for 2025
- 2.1 1. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill
- 2.2 2. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- 2.3 3. Cuisinart Elite Griddler
- 2.4 4. Power XL Smokeless Grill
- 2.5 5. Philips HD6371/94 Smoke-less Indoor Grill
- 2.6 6. Breville The Smart Grill
- 2.7 7. Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill
- 2.8 8. Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill
- 2.9 9. T-fal OptiGrill XL
- 2.10 10. Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill
- 3 Comparison Table of Top Smokeless Indoor Grills
- 4 Testing Scenarios and Performance
- 5 Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Smokeless Indoor Grill
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 7 Conclusion
Why Choose a Smokeless Indoor Grill?
Grills are great for quickly and easily cooking meat and veggies because they deliver great taste and less mess using little to no oil. The big drawback? You need an outdoor space for any gas or charcoal grill. Luckily, there’s a whole range of amazing indoor grills (also known as smokeless grills) that run on electric power and are designed to eliminate cooking smoke in your home while still providing many of the great benefits of an outdoor grill. Indoor grills, also known as smokeless grills, are grills that run on electricity and are designed for indoor use. They do not produce smoke like an outdoor gas, wood, or charcoal grill, but they do produce cooking steam and vapors just like you would expect from saut¨¦ing in a frying pan.
Benefits of Smokeless Indoor Grills
- Smokeless grilling indoors
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Versatile cooking options
- Ideal for apartments; enjoy grilling without smoke or outdoor space
- Quick heat-up and even cooking
Top 10 Smokeless Indoor Grills for 2025
We tested dozens of burgers, white bread, and salmon filets to find the best smokeless indoor grills. Below is our curated list of the top 10 smokeless indoor grills for 2025, based on performance, features, and user feedback.
1. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill
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. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Versatile cooking options, dishwasher-safe parts, built-in thermometer
- Cons: Can get smoky with high-fat foods, bulky design
2. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
This electric grill from Hamilton Beach is recommended for indoor use. You can easily sear your meats with less fuss and easier setup. You can barbecue many types of meat and vegetables indoors as this unit offers smokeless cooking. You can get juicy steaks by using this grill at a high temperature, which is preferable for searing. You can also use it on delicate meats such as fish that need a precise temperature. This model, particularly, has a window where you can monitor your food as it cooks. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Large cooking surface, easy cleanup, viewing window
- Cons: Short power cord, uneven heating in some tests
3. Cuisinart Elite Griddler
The Cuisinart Elite Griddler stands out as the ultimate indoor grilling solution with its professional-grade construction and innovative dual-zone heating. This versatile smokeless grill combines advanced temperature control with a generous 240-square-inch cooking surface, making it our top choice for serious home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Dual-zone heating, large cooking surface, dishwasher-safe plates
- Cons: Expensive, heavy
4. Power XL Smokeless Grill
Thanks to the “turbo smoke extraction” device on the PowerXL Smokeless Grill, you’ll get a practically smokeless experience. The best feature on this is the tray below, where you can add liquid to infuse [flavor into] your food. I have put wine, herbs, stock, and liquid smoke in there and it does a beautiful job flavoring all of the food. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Turbo smoke extraction, flavor infusion tray, easy cleanup
- Cons: Smaller cooking surface, fan noise
5. Philips HD6371/94 Smoke-less Indoor Grill
Smokeless grills from Philips are made from advanced infrared technology which enables the grill to cook your food evenly. It provides a smoky and delicious taste similar to outdoor grills. This piece of equipment has multiple temperature settings, giving you control over the heat it generates. It can go up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Infrared technology, even heating, quick heat-up
- Cons: Difficult to clean reflective shields, high power consumption
6. Breville The Smart Grill
Breville’s The Smart Grill is a versatile appliance, with grill, griddle, and panini press functions. The lid has adjustable hinges to sear thick or thin items, or it opens all the way flat into “BBQ mode,” to give you double the cooking area. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Adjustable hinges, large cooking area, versatile functions
- Cons: Expensive, bulky
7. Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill
The best indoor grill is the Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill. It’s simple, easy to use, and offers great results. We also liked the affordable Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill, which comes at a fair price without sacrificing quality. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Simple design, consistent results, easy to use
- Cons: Limited features, smaller cooking area
8. Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill
For reviewers who live in apartments or have small kitchens, this smokeless grill has been called “a dream” and “awesome.” For the most part, reviewers wrote about being shocked that it actually is smokeless, saying things like “I cooked burgers on it and it didn’t stick at all. And it doesn’t produce any smoke at all which is kind of insane.” Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Affordable, large cooking surface, smokeless performance
- Cons: No lid, limited temperature control
9. T-fal OptiGrill XL
The T-fal OptiGrill Electric Grill makes things easy thanks to a sensor that measures the weight of items on the grill plate and adjusts cooking times accordingly. It comes with 9 automated cooking programs for red meat, burger, fish, bacon, poultry, pork, shellfish, sausage, and sandwich. Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Auto cooking programs, precise cooking, easy to use
- Cons: No lid, smaller cooking area
10. Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill
Complete with both a grill and griddle option, the Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill packs four different heat settings. One Amazon reviewer offers a helpful tip for getting the best results: “As long as you remember to add some water in the bottom, it cooks perfectly, with practically no mess and is COMPLETELY smokeless indoors.” Check Price on Amazon
- Pros: Affordable, smokeless with water tray, easy cleanup
- Cons: Uneven heating, limited temperature range
Comparison Table of Top Smokeless Indoor Grills
Model | Cooking Area (sq. in.) | Max Temp (¡ãF) | Key Features | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 | 100 | 500 | 5-in-1 functions, thermometer, dishwasher-safe | $150-$200 |
Hamilton Beach Searing Grill | 118 | 450 | Viewing window, large drip tray, dishwasher-safe | $80-$100 |
Cuisinart Elite Griddler | 240 | 450 | Dual-zone heating, reversible plates, dishwasher-safe | $150-$200 |
Power XL Smokeless Grill | 100 | 450 | Turbo smoke extraction, flavor infusion tray | $100-$150 |
Philips HD6371/94 | 120 | 446 | Infrared technology, quick heat-up | $150-$200 |
Breville The Smart Grill | 200 | 450 | Adjustable hinges, BBQ mode, versatile | $300-$350 |
Zojirushi Indoor Grill | 100 | 410 | Simple design, consistent results | $100-$150 |
Chefman Smokeless Grill | 150 | 450 | Affordable, large surface, smokeless | $50-$80 |
T-fal OptiGrill XL | 66 | 446 | Auto cooking programs, sensor technology | $150-$200 |
Gotham Steel Grill | 100 | 400 | Water tray for smokeless cooking, affordable | $50-$80 |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
We unboxed all the grills and noted any issues with setup and mobility, then put them through a series of identical tests. As we performed the cooking tests, we also noted how much smoke and steam the grills produced, and any other design features that made them better or worse to use.
Temperature Tests
We set each grill to its lowest temperature setting, let it preheat for 5 minutes, and then measured the surface temperature with an infrared thermometer to rate accuracy. We repeated this same test at the middle-temperature setting and the maximum setting.
Toast Tests
We toasted a slice of white bread at low, medium, and high heat on each grill, noting the level of coloration, evenness of grill marks, and any burning or smoking.
Grilling Tests
To test each grill, we preheated to medium heat and loaded them up with slices of white bread to test the evenness of the grill marks on a blank canvas. We flipped dozens of burgers, white bread, and salmon filets to find the best smokeless indoor grills.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Smokeless Indoor Grill
Choosing the right size of grill with the right features at a price that stays under budget is crucial. Read on to learn more about the various sizes, options, and cooking features indoor grills offer.
Key Features to Consider
- Temperature Range: A good rule of thumb is to get one that has a similar temperature to an actual grill, which can range from 300 degrees F to 600 degrees F.
- Cooking Area: The larger your indoor smokeless grill, the more surface area it will have and the more food you’ll be able to cook at once.
- Grease Management: Since indoor grills are designed to capture and drain away drippings, there should be a proper grease management system built in.
- Ease of Cleaning: Look for an indoor smokeless grill that is easy to clean and has dishwasher-safe parts.
- Lid: Pay special attention to what sort of lid you get with your grill, too. Like cooking on the stovetop, greasy food can still splatter.
Tips for Using a Smokeless Indoor Grill
- As with outdoor grills, give the grill some time to preheat. Most electric smokeless grills take about 10 minutes to reach their full temperature.
- Help reduce smoke by properly preparing your meat, fish, or vegetables. If the item is marinated, remove excess marinade and small particles of herbs or garlic.
- Ventilate the kitchen and turn on your range’s fan to circulate air.
- When grilling, resist the urge to fiddle with the items. Leave steaks, chops, burgers, fish, and plant-based proteins alone for the recommended time on each side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are smokeless indoor grills truly smokeless?
No grill is 100% smokeless, but these units produce significantly less smoke than traditional grills. Features like water trays, drip pans, and ventilation systems help minimize smoke.
Can I use a smokeless indoor grill outdoors?
Yes, many smokeless indoor grills are portable and can be used on patios or balconies, especially in apartments where gas grills are banned.
How do I clean a smokeless indoor grill?
Most models have removable, dishwasher-safe parts. For best results, clean after each use while slightly warm using mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
What types of food can I cook on a smokeless indoor grill?
You can cook a wide range of foods, including burgers, steaks, fish, vegetables, and even pancakes or eggs if the grill has a griddle plate.
Do smokeless indoor grills produce the same flavor as outdoor grills?
While they produce excellent grill marks and char, indoor grills lack the smoky flavor imparted by charcoal or wood. Some models allow flavor infusion with liquids.
Conclusion
Smokeless indoor grills offer a convenient way to enjoy grilled foods year-round without the hassle of smoke or outdoor space requirements. From the versatile Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 to the budget-friendly Chefman Smokeless Grill, there’s an option for every kitchen. Consider your cooking needs, space, and budget to find the perfect grill for 2025. For more grilling tips, check out Food Network’s Indoor Grilling Guide.