Best Sandwich Presses in 2026 as reviewed by Australian consumers

Should I get a sandwich press?
What can you cook in a sandwich press?
What to look for when choosing a sandwich press
Are sandwich makers worth it?

Two sandwiches with ham, lettuce and tomato in a 2 slice sandwich press that hasn't been closed and turned on yet.

Should I get a sandwich press?

Sandwich presses are a kitchen appliance with flat plates that press and toast a sandwich. There are also jaffle makers, which have grooves on the plates that seal the edges of a sandwich so that its contents are completely covered in bread.

Sandwich presses and makers are handy appliances that let you quickly make food, but whether or not you decide to get one will likely depend on how often you’d use one, what you want it to do, and whether you want to store another kitchen appliance.

Here are some pros and cons of buying and using a sandwich press.

Pros

Simple to use, particularly if you get a model with preset cooking functions.

Offer quick cooking times.

Versatile, as they can be used to cook or prepare a variety of foods.

Typically easy to clean.

Cons

Some models can be costly.

For some, having a dedicated appliance for sandwiches isn’t worth taking up extra storage or benchtop space.

What can you cook in a sandwich press?

In addition to heating and grilling sandwiches, sandwich presses (or toastie makers, if that’s what you prefer to call them) can also prepare a range of other foods. This includes toasting pastries, reheating pizza, and cooking everything from eggs and pancakes to quesadillas and burritos. You might even be able to grill meat on some models!

What you can cook in your sandwich press will often depend on the features of the model you buy. Make sure to read reviews of the model you’re considering purchasing to see what other customers have had to say about its ability to reheat and cook different types of food.

What to look for when choosing a sandwich press

Size

Generally, sandwich presses come in 2 sizes: 2 slice and 4 slice sandwich presses. If it’s for the occasional toastie, a 2 slice sandwich press should be fine. If you’re cooking for the family, then the larger capacity of a 4 slice model may be more suitable. Don’t forget that a 4 slice model will take up more benchtop space and might be more difficult to find storage room for.

Function

Think about the functionality you need from your sandwich press. Do you just need one that can be used as a press, or do you want a sandwich maker that can also be used as an open grill (without the top plate) or an oven grill?

Some sandwich presses also have different preset functions that let you cook in different ways at just the touch of a button, with some offering different melt levels and some offering functions to cook different foods, such as paninis or waffles.

A few more premium models also have dual-zone heating, letting you control the temperature of each plate independently.

Finish

It’s common for sandwich presses to have a polished stainless finish. A stainless steel or glass top is easier to clean and lasts longer than plastic.

Features

Some toastie makers have certain features that make them easier to use and clean, and let you achieve different results with just the one appliance.

Here are some to consider:

Multi-height locking: If the top plate can lock at different heights, then you can use the sandwich press for open melts and use it to make sandwiches with lots of fillings.
Floating hinge: A floating hinge lets you adjust the press to suit different sandwich thicknesses, ensuring the top plate applies less pressure to the sandwich so you can achieve fluffy toasties and prevent their ingredients from getting squashed.
Indicator lights: These will usually be ‘power on’ and ‘ready’ indicators, however some toastie makers have indicator lights for different temperature levels.
Cord storage: Some presses have storage underneath the bottom plate to keep it tidy on your countertop or when stored.
Non-slip feet: This helps keep the sandwich maker stable on your benchtop surface. Some non-slip feet also double as cord storage, as you can wrap the cord around them.
Drip tray: A removable drip tray will make your appliance easier to clean, particularly if you’re grilling meats or using a lot of cheese.
Storage latch: This locks the top and bottom components together so the sandwich maker is easy to carry and can be stored vertically.
Chargrill plates: These give your sandwich ribbed sear marks.

Cleaning and maintenance

When shopping for a sandwich press, check in store for nooks and crannies on the appliance that might be difficult to clean food out of. Keep in mind that non-stick plates will also be easier to clean.

Price

Sandwich presses can cost anywhere from $20 to $150 and over. Kmart sandwich makers are usually the most affordable and do the job, but if you want features like a floating hinge or adjustable height settings, you might want to consider a sandwich press from brands like Breville and Sunbeam.

How much you want to fork out for a sandwich press may depend on what you’ll be using it for and how often you think you’ll use it. If you’re a toastie aficionado, you may want to spend a bit more on an appliance that helps you perfect your sandwiches.

You should also look for a decent warranty; many brands offer at least a 12-month warranty on their sandwich makers.

Are sandwich makers worth it?

Depending on the model you buy, sandwich makers can do a lot more than make a delicious toasted sandwich. There are different options that let you load up on the fillings or grill foods other than bread.

Of course, you’ll have to think about what you’d realistically use your sandwich maker for. If you’re just after the occasional toastie, then you might be able to make do with just a frypan. If you want fluffy toasties with evenly cooked ingredients, or you want a multi-function appliance that can do more than this, then a sandwich maker with the extra features you need may be worth your money.

Best Sandwich Presses

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