Best Toasters with Grill: 3 Spec-Based Picks

Quick picks

The best fit for you

• You need to toast long artisanal bread slices Kenmore Elite 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster The Kenmore Elite features long slots for extended breads and motorized auto-lift operation.
• You want a compact unit for daily grilled cheese Nostalgia 2-Slice Grilled Cheese Toaster The Nostalgia model offers a small footprint with dedicated baskets for two-slice sandwiches.
• You require fast open-face grilling on a counter Equipex 18-Inch Grill Toaster Oven The Equipex oven uses rapid infrared heat and an open-door design for quick access.

Our 3 picks

1 Best overall

Kenmore Elite 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster

Best for: Long artisanal breads and single-slice daily use

Cooking Function

Toast, Grill (what this guide is about)

Capacity

4-slice

Browning Levels

nine browning options

Use

Commercial Use

Color

Silver

Intended Use

Bagels

View on Amazon: Kenmore Elite 4-Slice Long Slot Toaster Affiliate link

This four-slice toaster from Kenmore features toast and grill functions, making it a versatile option on your counter. You get self-adjusting extra-long slots, nine browning settings, and a motorized auto-lift system that replaces manual levers. A digital countdown timer tracks progress, while a single-slot button lets you power only the front slot to save energy. It suits households that toast varying bread sizes and want digital controls.

Pros

• Motorized auto-lift mechanism lowers and raises items without manual levers
• Nine browning levels paired with an electronic digital countdown timer
• Single-slot setting allows independent heating of the front slot
• Retractable power cord keeps countertop clutter contained
• Extra-long slots accommodate artisanal breads, bagels, and waffles

Cons

• Height of 17.5 inches requires substantial vertical clearance under cabinets
• Slot configuration lacks dedicated sandwich baskets or horizontal grilling shelves

Good fit if

• You need long slots that accommodate oversized or artisanal bread shapes.
• You want push-button motorized loading without manual levers.
• You frequently toast single slices and want to run only one slot.

Skip if

• You have low-hanging upper kitchen cabinets that cannot clear 17.5 inches of height.
• You want specialized enclosed sandwich baskets for loaded grilled cheese.

Verdict: Kenmore Elite 4-Slice Auto-Lift Long-Slot Toaster delivers motorized operation, nine browning levels, and long-slot flexibility in a stainless steel chassis. It provides dependable digital monitoring and single-slot efficiency for daily kitchen use.

2 Best budget

Equipex 18-Inch Grill Toaster Oven

Best for: fast 120V countertop grilling and melting

Cooking Function

Grill (what this guide is about)

Heating Technology

Infrared quartz elements

Voltage

120V

Color

Stainless Steel

Dimensions

18 × 11.5 × 12.5 inches

Weight

24 pounds

View on Amazon: Equipex 18-Inch Grill Toaster Oven Affiliate link

This Equipex unit is an 18-inch countertop grill toaster oven operating on a standard 120V power supply. It features top and bottom infrared quartz heating elements that reach full intensity in 25 seconds, paired with an open-door design. You get a 15-minute timer, a continuous run mode, and a removable 13.75-inch by 9.75-inch rack. It suits you if you need rapid melting, grilling, and browning in a heavy-duty stainless steel frame.

Pros

• Top and bottom infrared quartz heating elements reach full intensity in 25 seconds
• Runs on standard 120V electrical supply
• Includes 15-minute timer plus continuous cook mode
• Removable rack with heat-resistant handles and pull-out crumb tray

Cons

• Open-door design lacks an enclosed cooking chamber
• Heavy 24-pound footprint requires dedicated counter space
• Timer tops out at 15 minutes for timed cycles

Good fit if

• You need rapid top-and-bottom infrared quartz heating on a standard 120V connection.
• You frequently melt, brown, or grill open-faced items using an open-front format.
• You want a continuous operation setting alongside a standard 15-minute timer.

Skip if

• You want an enclosed door to retain chamber heat for baking.
• You need a lightweight appliance that is easy to move off the counter.

Verdict: Equipex 18-Inch Grill Toaster Oven delivers rapid infrared heat on 120V power for quick open-face melting and grilling. Its open-door stainless steel build favors fast commercial-style access over enclosed baking.

3 Best 2 slice

Nostalgia 2-Slice Grilled Cheese Toaster

Best for: everyday two-slice grilled cheese sandwiches

Cooking Function

Toast, Grill (what this guide is about)

Capacity

2-Slice

Dimensions

10.8 × 6.58 × 7.68 inches

Weight

2.45 pounds

View on Amazon: Nostalgia 2-Slice Grilled Cheese Toaster Affiliate link

The Nostalgia 2-Slice Grilled Cheese Toaster combines dedicated sandwich grilling with traditional slot toasting. You get two reusable toasting baskets designed to press and cook two sandwiches at once, alongside standard cancel, preheat, and defrost functions. Its compact footprint measures 10.8 by 6.58 inches and weighs 2.45 pounds, making it easy to handle. This unit fits you if you want quick grilled sandwiches without dedicating large counter space to a full-sized grill.

Pros

• Two reusable sandwich toasting baskets hold ingredients securely
• Dedicated defrost, preheat, and cancel settings
• Removable drip tray simplifies crumb and cheese cleanup
• Lightweight 2.45-pound footprint with integrated cord wrap

Cons

• Limited to a two-slice capacity
• Slots require using the provided baskets for grilled sandwiches

Good fit if

• You want to prepare grilled cheese sandwiches using dedicated cage baskets.
• You need a compact two-slice appliance with defrost and preheat controls.
• You have limited counter space and prefer a lightweight 2.45-pound build.

Skip if

• You need to grill more than two slices at one time.
• You want open-shelf or flat-top commercial-style grilling capability.

Verdict: Nostalgia 2-Slice Grilled Cheese Toaster delivers direct upright sandwich grilling in a compact footprint with dedicated baskets. It provides simple toast shade controls alongside preheat and defrost settings for quick daily prep.

Specifications side by side

Specs to Check for Grill Toasters

1. Match slice count to needs

   Check the slice capacity before buying. The Kenmore Elite handles four slices, making it suitable for families or batch toasting. The Nostalgia model fits two slices, which is ideal for single users or couples. Choosing the right capacity ensures you do not waste space or struggle with oversized bread. Verify the number of slices the unit accepts to match your daily routine.

2. Verify grill function availability

   Ensure the appliance supports grilling if that is your primary goal. The Equipex unit focuses solely on grilling with a large 18-inch surface, perfect for open-faced melts. The Kenmore Elite and Nostalgia model offer both toasting and grilling. If you need dedicated grilling power, look for models with specific grill functions. Do not assume all toasters can grill effectively.

3. Consider voltage requirements

   Check the voltage rating for your kitchen outlets. The Equipex unit operates on 120V power, which is standard for most US households. This allows for rapid infrared heat delivery. Most countertop appliances use standard voltage, but commercial-grade units may differ. Confirm the voltage specification to ensure compatibility with your home electrical system and safe operation.

4. Check door type for access

   The door style affects how you access food. The Equipex model features an open-door stainless steel build, favoring fast commercial-style access. This design is useful for quick checks or flipping open-faced sandwiches. Other models may have enclosed doors for heat retention. Choose a door type that matches your preferred cooking style and frequency of checking food.

5. Assess intended use type

   Look at the intended use classification. The Kenmore Elite is marked for commercial use, suggesting durability and robust performance. The Nostalgia model is designed for everyday home use. Commercial units often handle higher volumes and heavier duty cycles. If you run a small cafe or need heavy-duty performance, prioritize units labeled for commercial use over standard home models.

Frequently asked questions

See also

• best countertop ovens under 300
• best countertop ovens under 50
• best electric grills
• best charcoal charcoal grills