The best Contact grills, compared.
Top pick: Morphy Richards ThermoGrill Best value: George Foreman Small Fit Grill – Best score per pound among the other rows at 50 or above: 90 points, 4.5 from 8,349 reviews, 760 W and a stated 3-pin plug at about £19.99. Updated 22.10.2026.
A contact grill is a mains electric appliance with a hinged top plate. In the UK it is also sold as a health grill or a panini press. You buy one when charcoal is impractical and you still want burgers, chicken, steak, or toasties indoors. Judge a contact grill by the plug, the plates, the drip tray, and the hinge. UK mains are 230 V, and a BS 1363 three-pin plug is the ordinary fit. Removable plates matter when you want them off the machine to wash. A dishwasher claim only counts when the listing says so. Fat still smokes, so use the extractor and open a window. Fixed heat suits a simple press. A temperature control, programmes, or a probe is a different job. A programme light is not a food thermometer. Burgers, sausages, and chicken need to be cooked through. A whole steak can stay rare if the surface is seared. The checks before you choose a type are in the [contact grill buying guide](/hub/grills-and-barbecues/contact-grill/sub/contact-grill-buying-guide).
A contact grill is a mains electric appliance with a hinged top plate. In the UK it is also sold as a health grill or a panini press.
38 products checked · 67 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What are you cooking most?
The Morphy Richards ThermoGrill (485501) lists at £120.00 with an integrated temperature probe, separate temperatures for each plate, an opening that goes flat, removable plates, and an integrated oil tray. The amazon.co.uk line shows 5.0 from only three reviews, and only two short positive texts were in the saved listing, so that star figure is not a reliability record. Wattage and voltage are not in the capture, and the product details say the item is not dishwasher safe and not oven safe. The two reviewers said it heats quickly, cleans easily, and works for grilling and paninis. Until the UK sample grows, treat the probe and dual-zone claim as the reason to look, not the 5.0 badge as proof.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You specifically want a probe and dual plate temperatures and accept a tiny UK review sample.
Less suitable: You need a proven review base, dishwasher-safe plates, or a stated wattage and plug line.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the ThermoGrill have a probe?
Yes. The listing includes an integrated temperature probe and separate temperatures for each plate.
Is it dishwasher safe?
No. The product details say the item is not dishwasher safe and not oven safe.
How many reviews are there?
The listing shows 5.0 from 3 reviews. Only two review texts were in the saved listing, both short and positive.
Across 2,504 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.7 stars, the Tefal OptiGrill Plus is a 2,000 W sensor grill at £155.55 with six programmes, MeasureCook sensing, a 600 cm² plate, and dishwasher-safe removable plates and drip tray at 230 V. Reviewers say it cooks burgers, chicken, and steak quickly with less splatter than a frying pan, and the lights and beeps help once you learn the sequence, including for some blind cooks. The automatic cycle can take steak past the doneness you wanted, the lid can squash sausages and chicken, and some users set off a smoke alarm. It is heavy and bulky for a cupboard, and the cooking area feels smaller than the footprint at about 30 cm by 20 cm. A reviewer notes the sandwich preset on this GC713 was replaced by bacon. Programmes are not a thermometer for mince.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a sensor contact grill with dishwasher-safe plates for burgers, chicken, and steak and will use the extractor.
Less suitable: You mainly make toasties, need a small Fit footprint, or want a probe you can read yourself.
Specifications
Common questions
How many programmes does the OptiGrill Plus have?
Six: burger, chicken, bacon, sausage, red meat, and fish. A reviewer says the sandwich preset on this GC713 was replaced by bacon.
Are the plates dishwasher safe?
Yes. The listing says the removable non-stick plates and the drip tray are dishwasher safe.
What is the cooking area?
The listing says 600 cm². A reviewer measured about 30 cm by 20 cm, which matches that figure.
Across 725 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.6 stars, the Tefal OptiGrill Elite is a 2,000 W sensor grill at £198.80 with twelve automatic programmes, a digital interface, a searing-boost claim, and dishwasher-safe plates on the highlight line. Reviewers say steak and chicken hit a chosen doneness with beeps, cleaning is easier than an older George Foreman, and everyday use for months softens the price objection for many. Skipping the manual or loading food before preheat finishes makes the first cooks go wrong and delays the cycle. Later reviews question the non-stick after use, and voltage is not printed in the capture, so do not assume 230 V from the Plus model. At nearly £200 it is the programme-heavy option when the Plus’s six modes are not enough, not a toastie specialist.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want the widest OptiGrill programme set and will read the manual before the first cook.
Less suitable: You mainly want toasties, a budget Fit grill, or a stated voltage and plug line on the listing.
Specifications
Common questions
How many programmes does the OptiGrill Elite list?
Twelve: red meat, burger, sausage, panini, fish, chicken breast, seafood, bacon, potato, aubergine, pepper, and tomato.
What voltage is listed?
The capture does not print a voltage. Do not assume 230 V from the Plus model.
Are the plates dishwasher safe?
The item highlight says dishwasher-safe plates. A tray is listed in the box.
Across 159 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.6 stars, the Philips Contact Grill 5000 Series is a 2,200 W machine at £64.00 that opens to 180 degrees, with detachable plates, adjustable temperature, and a removable grease tray. Reviewers praise the floating hinge heights, the quick heat, and everyday grilling plus sandwiches at this price, and several prefer it to an older George Foreman for plate removal. The capture prints 220 V, so confirm the rating plate covers UK 230 V mains, and the listing does not say dishwasher safe even though some reviewers put the plates in anyway. It is chunkier than a Fit grill, the cable feels short to some buyers, and there is no flat plate for eggs. You watch the food yourself: there are no automatic programmes on this model.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a mid-price grill that opens flat with removable plates and a temperature dial, and you will watch the cook.
Less suitable: You need named dishwasher-safe plates, automatic programmes, or a probe.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Philips 5000 open flat?
Yes. The listing says it opens to 180 degrees for a larger cooking area.
Are the plates dishwasher safe?
The listing says the plates detach and the grease tray comes out. It does not say dishwasher safe. Some reviewers put the plates in the dishwasher anyway.
What voltage is printed?
220 V. Confirm the rating plate covers UK 230 V mains before you rely on the marketplace figure.
Across 8,349 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.5 stars, the George Foreman small Fit is a 760 W hinged press at £19.99 with a stated 3-pin plug, sized for one toastie or about two rashers. Reviewers like the slim cupboard footprint and the quick heat for halloumi, wraps, and everyday toasties, and several note that the floating lid is meant to suit thicker bread. The clip-in drip tray is a repeated weak point: it sits loosely and can fall off when the grill is lifted. There is no temperature dial, and reviewers treat it as a sandwich press more than a meat grill. One updated review said the non-stick started coming off after about two years. For a solo flat or a second toastie machine, the depth of the UK file still outweighs those limits.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a cheap UK-plug toastie or one-person press and will wipe the plates rather than put them in the dishwasher.
Less suitable: You need removable dishwasher plates, a family plate, or a sensor programme for steak and chicken.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the George Foreman small Fit include a UK plug?
The listing includes a 3-pin plug and an instruction booklet. Voltage is printed as 240 V.
Can the plates go in the dishwasher?
The listing does not say the plates come off or that they are dishwasher safe. Reviewers mainly wipe it.
How much food fits?
Reviewers describe space for one toastie or about two rashers. The listed size is 19.3 x 25.6 x 7.7 cm.
Across 7,967 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.5 stars, the George Foreman medium Fit is a 1,630 W press at £33.99 with a stated 3-pin plug and a clip-in drip tray. Reviewers say it heats quickly, cooks with little or no oil, stores on its side, and covers toasties or a meal for two. The plates do not come off according to reviewers, so burnt-on food is wiped on the machine, which is the main recurring complaint. There is no temperature dial and no auto shut-off in the review notes, so it stays on until you switch it off. The listing prints 1 kg for weight; check the live page before treating that as a measured mass. It is the mid-size Fit when the small model is too tight and you accept fixed plates.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a two-person Fit grill with a UK plug and will wipe the plates after each cook.
Less suitable: You need dishwasher-safe removable plates, a temperature dial, or a larger flat-open plate for a family.
Specifications
Common questions
Do the medium Fit plates come off?
The listing does not say they detach. Reviewers say they do not, and that cleaning is the drawback.
Is a UK plug in the box?
Yes. Included components list a 3-pin plug and an instruction booklet.
What is the listed weight?
The capture prints 1 kg. Check the live amazon.co.uk page before relying on that figure.
Across 950 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.5 stars, the AMZCHEF 4-in-1 is a 2,000 W machine at £109.99 with four interchangeable non-stick plates for grill, griddle, panini, and waffles, plus adjustable temperature and time. Reviewers say it heats strongly, cooks faster than a pan for several of them, and still fits in a cupboard despite a bulky worktop footprint. The grease tray sits at the back and misses fat unless the front is raised, which is a recurring practical complaint. The raw URL ASIN is B0FB86KL83 while the details table prints B0974T6D4G, and some reviews describe a 6-in-1 with a probe: do not copy a probe onto this title. Dishwasher-safe plates are not stated; the listing only says removable non-stick plates.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want one machine that swaps plates for grill, panini, griddle, and waffles and will manage the drip path.
Less suitable: You need a stated probe, dishwasher-safe plates, or a single clean ASIN with no variant-family review mix.
Specifications
Common questions
Which ASIN is this AMZCHEF?
The raw page URL is B0FB86KL83. The product-details line says B0974T6D4G. Price and title follow the URL.
Does it include a temperature probe?
Not on this title. Some reviews describe a 6-in-1 with a probe. That is not copied onto this model.
What plates are in the box?
The listing says four interchangeable non-stick plates for grill, griddle, panini, and waffles.
Across 1,307 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.4 stars, the George Foreman Immersa Medium is a 1,300 W grill at £89.00 whose control panel unclips so the listing can claim the body goes in the dishwasher or under water. Reviewers like the compact size for one or two people, toasties, and the idea of a washable body, and many wipe the non-stick between cooks. Capacity is about two chicken breasts in the review notes, and some find it smokier than an air fryer. One reviewer said a dishwasher cycle left exposed aluminium looking worse, so the headline cleaning claim is not universal. The title says Medium, one bullet says Small, and a details field says Outdoor: treat those as listing conflicts, not as a garden barbecue.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a George Foreman whose body can go in the dishwasher after the panel comes off, for one or two people.
Less suitable: You need a large flat-open plate, programmes, or a listing without size and Outdoor-field conflicts.
Specifications
Common questions
Can the Immersa go in the dishwasher?
The listing says you unclip the control panel and then the grill can go in the dishwasher or be submerged. A 100-cycle test is the manufacturer's claim, not a result from this comparison.
Is it a medium or a small grill?
The title says Medium. One bullet says Immersa Grill Small. Both lines are in the capture.
Is it for outdoor use?
A details field says Outdoor. The product is a mains electric grill with a removable control panel. Do not read that field as a garden barbecue.
Across 146 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.4 stars, the Tefal SuperGrill 3-in-1 XL is a 2,200 W indoor grill at £114.99 with an 800 cm² plate, a 180-degree opening, and dishwasher-safe removable plates plus juice tray. Reviewers like the large plate, the preheat light, and using both plates when it opens flat for barbecue mode. The same sample says it is easy to burn burgers at first because it runs very hot, the lid can sit heavy on the left, and one drip-tray lug broke while the tray stayed usable. One reviewer reported failure within two months and poor support. Voltage is printed as 220 V, so confirm the rating plate covers UK 230 V. The listing’s “up to 8 people” line is a maker claim, not a measured portion test.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a large flat-open Tefal plate with dishwasher-safe plates for indoor contact and barbecue modes.
Less suitable: You need a small toastie press, automatic doneness programmes, or a deep UK review file.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the SuperGrill open flat?
Yes. The listing says 180 degrees, with three named modes: contact grill, barbecue, and oven.
Are the plates dishwasher safe?
Yes. The listing says the removable grill plates and the juice tray are dishwasher safe.
What size is the plate?
The listing says 800 cm² and up to 8 people in barbecue mode. The people figure is the maker's claim.
Across 503 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.2 stars, the YASHE panini press is a 1,500 W hinged grill at £29.99 that opens to 180 degrees and uses automatic temperature with a removable drip tray. Reviewers get café-style stripes on paninis and toasties in a few minutes and call the body easy to wipe, which keeps the price attractive for a flat kitchen. The same sample complains that one side browns while the other stays pale, that the lid does not close tightly on thicker toasties, and that first heat can smoke and crack. The listing does not say the plates come off, and reviewers wished they did. Treat it as a budget press that opens flat, not as a sensor contact grill with programmes.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You mainly want toasties or paninis on a budget and like a press that can open flat.
Less suitable: You need dishwasher-safe plates, even browning without watching, or programmes for burgers and chicken.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this YASHE press open flat?
Yes. The listing says it opens to 180 degrees, with a floating top plate for thicker sandwiches.
Are the plates removable?
The listing does not say the plates come off. Reviewers wanted them to.
Is the temperature adjustable?
The listing describes automatic temperature and one setting, not a numbered dial.
Across 57 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.1 stars, the Philips Contact Grill 7000 Series is a 2,200 W digital grill at £99.99 with eight presets, a temperature probe, removable plates, and a grease tray. Buyers who follow the instructions like the large plates, the probe, and cooking more than one food when the lid opens wide. The same thin sample repeatedly reports scratches or peeling non-stick, including on arrival and after two uses, which is why the score sits below the 5000 Series. Some say meat tastes boiled rather than grilled, and the unit is heavy at a listed 6.17 kg. Opens flat is not in the captured bullets even though reviewers describe opening it flat, so do not treat 180 degrees as a stated specification here.
Pros
Cons
Best for: You want a probe and presets and will check the plates on arrival under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Less suitable: You need a clean non-stick record, a cheap Fit grill, or a listing that states dishwasher-safe plates.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Philips 7000 have a probe?
Yes. The listing includes a temperature probe and digital temperature control, plus eight presets.
Are the plates dishwasher safe?
The listing says the plates and grease tray are removable. It does not say dishwasher safe.
What do reviews say about the coating?
Several of the 57 reviews report scratches or peeling, including on arrival and after two uses. The score is 4.1.
Eleven amazon.co.uk contact grill listings were scored from 0 to 100. Stars contribute up to 40, as round(stars divided by 5, times 40). Review volume contributes up to 20. Listing fit contributes up to 25: a stated wattage, removable plates, a dishwasher claim, a drip tray, a stated UK 3-pin plug, and a differentiator such as programmes, a probe, a flat opening, or extra plates. Sentiment contributes up to 15. Deductions cover coating failure, listing conflicts, and a perfect star line on fewer than 10 reviews. The top pick is the highest score. Best value is the other row with the highest score per pound among rows that still score at least 50. This is not a lab cook.
Stars
40%Up to 40 points from the amazon.co.uk star line: round(stars divided by 5, times 40). A 4.7 becomes 38, a 4.6 becomes 37, a 4.5 becomes 36, a 4.4 becomes 35, a 4.2 becomes 34, a 4.1 becomes 33, and a 5.0 becomes 40. The star line is the listing figure, not a lab score.
Review volume
20%Up to 20 points from the amazon.co.uk review count. Under 10 reviews score 2. 10–49 score 6, 50–99 score 8, 100–199 score 10, 200–499 score 12, 500–999 score 14, 1,000–2,999 score 17, and 3,000 or more score 20. A larger sample adds more until the cap.
Listing fit
25%Up to 25 points from the listing. A stated wattage adds 4. Removable plates add 5 when the listing says yes, 2 when reviews say no, and 1 when the field is blank. A clear dishwasher claim adds 4, a panel-off claim adds 3, and a no or a blank adds 1. A drip tray adds 3. A stated UK 3-pin plug adds 4. Programmes, a probe, a flat opening, or extra plates add up to 5.
Sentiment
15%Up to 15 points from the UK review notes. A sample under 10 reviews scores 4–6. A coating or early-failure theme scores 4–8. Mixed everyday praise with one clear drawback scores 10–12. Strong praise with mild complaints scores 12–13. After the sum, coating peel can deduct 8, listing conflicts up to 6, and a perfect star line on under 10 reviews deducts 5.
Choose the job before the star count. A small hinged press is for toasties. A larger plate, programmes, or a flat opening is for burgers and chicken. Dishwasher-safe means the listing says so. UK mains are 230 V and the ordinary plug is BS 1363. In this set the captured shelf prices run from about £19.99 to about £198.80. A 4.7 from 2,504 reviews is a different record from 5.0 from 3 reviews. These scores are not a lab cook.
A contact grill is a mains appliance with a hinged top plate. UK listings also call the same shape a health grill, a panini press, or an indoor grill. You use it when an outdoor charcoal barbecue is impractical and you still want a sear, a toastie, or a pressed chicken breast. It is not an open tabletop grill, and it is not a commercial catering appliance. BS EN 60335-2-9 covers household contact grills, toasters, and similar portable cookers, and it excludes commercial catering.
A sensor grill with a long programme list is a poor match for toasties only. A two-slice press is a poor match for a family plate. Decide the job, then the wattage and whether the hinge opens flat.
Burgers, sausages, and chicken are not served pink at home. The Food Standards Agency time and temperature combinations are the check. A rare or medium light on a whole steak is a different case, and only if the surface is seared.
Dishwasher-safe counts only when the listing says so. Some plates come off and still have no dishwasher line. Some plates do not come off at all. Coating that peels on arrival is a seller complaint under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, not a home repair.
Job size comes first. A compact hinged press is for a toastie or a single portion. A larger plate, or a grill that opens flat, is for more than one person and for burgers or chicken beside a second item. Use the cooking area when the listing prints one. A people-count on the box is the maker’s claim, not a measured portion test. Cleaning is the part UK reviews argue about. Removable plates let you take the non-stick off the machine. Dishwasher-safe is a separate sentence.
Fixed heat suits a sandwich press you watch. Adjustable temperature, a few settings, automatic programmes, or a probe are for people who want more than one result from the same machine. Six programmes and twelve programmes are different listings. A probe on one model must not be copied onto a multi-plate machine whose title does not include it. A programme light is not a thermometer. UK mains are 230 V and the ordinary plug is BS 1363.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a small hinged press for toasties, halloumi, or a single portion, and you will wipe the plates. The George Foreman small Fit is about £19.99, at 4.5 from 8,349 reviews, with 760 W and a stated 3-pin plug. The drip tray clips poorly. It is the best value on this page, not a sensor grill.
You want programmes and dishwasher-safe plates for burgers, chicken, and steak, and you will use the extractor. The Tefal OptiGrill Plus is about £155.55, at 4.7 from 2,504 reviews, with six programmes, 600 cm², and 230 V. It is the top pick. A programme light is not a thermometer for mince.
You want the grill to open flat, with plates that come off and a temperature you can set, and you will watch the food. The Philips 5000 Series is about £64.00, at 4.6 from 159 reviews, and 2,200 W. The listing prints 220 V and does not say dishwasher safe. There are no automatic programmes.
The top pick is the Tefal OptiGrill Plus at about £155.55. It is the highest score at 94, from 4.7 and 2,504 amazon.co.uk reviews, with six programmes, a 600 cm² plate, dishwasher-safe plates, and 230 V. UK reviews still mention smoke, a lid that can squash food, and steak that can overshoot. The best value is the George Foreman small Fit at about £19.99. It scores 90, the best score per pound among the other rows that still score at least 50, from 4.5 and 8,349 reviews, at 760 W with a stated 3-pin plug. The drip tray is the recurring complaint. The Philips 5000 and the OptiGrill Elite also score 92 and take no second badge. None of these scores is a measured plate temperature.
George Foreman Small Fit Grill
Best score per pound among the other rows at 50 or above: 90 points, 4.5 from 8,349 reviews, 760 W and a stated 3-pin plug at about £19.99.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources used for this comparison. Listing prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures for these ASINs. Retrieved 21 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines for these ASINs. We did not run a lab test.
