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Although peak grill season has come and gone, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a perfectly seared steak, grilled veggies, or beautifully charred burgers! Even in the chillier seasons, Meggan still cooks up delicious barbecue-inspired meals with some of the best smokeless indoor grills. It’s seriously the best of both worlds: Yummy grilled food without the hassle of any smoke!
Meggan and I did TONS of research on the best picks from beloved kitchenware brands like Philips and Oster. Eventually, we narrowed down our list to our top four, including Meggan’s personal favorite, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill, which she loves for its versatile design and quick cooking abilities!
Below, check out 5 of the best smokeless indoor electric grills!
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill – $259.99 at Amazon
- Best for Families: Instant Pot 6-in-1 Air Fryer and Indoor Grill – $169.95 at Amazon
- Best Traditional: Philips Smoke-less Indoor Grill – $149.95 at Walmart
- Best Budget: Elite Gourmet Smokeless Indoor Electric BBQ Grill – $34.99 at Walmart
- Best Electric: Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill – $50.80 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Smokeless Indoor Grills
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
Meggan owns and LOVES the countertop Ninja GG551 Foodi Smart XL because of its handy six-in-one (!) capabilities: It can grill, air fry, dehydrate, roast, bake, AND broil! She was able to replace other appliances in her kitchen with this one after buying it two summers ago. It completely saved her when she didn’t want to cook outside in the California heat!
“It also works as a convection oven, so it grills food faster than a standard grill,” she notes. It can sear and cook any type of protein or veggies, including Meggan’s delicious Pork Burgers with Feta Mustard and her juicy Grilled New York Strip Steak.
There are also a variety of smart functions, like the dual smart thermometer, which continuously monitors the food’s temperature as it cooks. The four smart protein settings and nine customizable doneness levels are a few other awesome bonuses.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 15.75 by 16.54 by 11.1 inches
- Wattage: 825 watts
- Cooking Functions: 6 (grill, air crisp, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate)
- Weight: 22.44 pounds
The Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Can replace other kitchen appliances
- Easy to clean
- Extra large capacity
The Cons:
- On the pricier side
- May have too many functions for some people
What Others Are Saying:
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill was featured in Good Housekeeping’s list of the best indoor grills, and its Food Network’s best large indoor grill pick. It also has a solid 4.7-star rating from more than 14,000 reviewers on Amazon.
Buy the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill:
2. Best for Families: Instant Pot 6-in-1 Air Fryer and Indoor Grill
Similar to the Ninja Foodi XL, the Instant Pot 6-in-1 Air Fryer and Indoor Grill is a great option for fast family dinners. It also has six different functions including grill, bake, reheat, roast, and dehydrate.
While it’s not open like a traditional grill, the see-through lid is handy because you can see your food cooking. It also comes with a message display on the front panel, along with easy-to-use presets and dials for temperature control and time. We especially like the replaceable filter and removable oil collector, which makes for a far quicker clean-up process than a gas grill.
As a bonus, the lid, grill plate, air frying tray, and air frying basket are all dishwasher-safe!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 18 by 16.8 by 8.7 inches
- Wattage: 1700 watts
- Cooking Functions: 6 (grill, bake, reheat, roast, dehydrate, air fry)
- Weight: 24.7 pounds
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- The see-through lid is convenient
- Functions are easy to use
The Cons:
- Large size may make it hard to store
- May be too many presets for some
What Others Are Saying:
The Instant Pot Indoor Grill currently has a 3.9-star rating from more than 200 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Instant Pot 6-in-1 Air Fryer and Indoor Grill:
3. Best Traditional: Philips Smoke-less Indoor Grill
The Philips Smoke-less Indoor Grill is a great option for people seeking a more traditional indoor grill. It has a sleek design thanks to the flat full grill top, handles on the sides, and a sturdy base with grilling buttons on the sides. Compared to other options on our list, this simpler model is great for chefs who want an easy grilling process.
Another reason why it’s super easy to use? It only has one temperature setting of 446 degrees F. According to the brand, this is the optimal temperature for cooking poultry and fish while still maintaining a tender interior. Clean-up is also a breeze thanks to the dishwasher-safe parts, especially since the aluminum grill has a non-stick surface.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.48 by 21.85 by 16.93 inches
- Wattage: 1660 watts
- Cooking Functions: 1 (grill)
- Weight: 12.35 pounds
The Pros:
- Very simple to use
- Lightweight
- Parts are dishwasher-safe
- Temperature controlled
- Nonstick
The Cons:
- No lid to prevent splatters
- No additional features
What Others Are Saying:
Divine Grill featured this grill and gave points for its easy setup. It also has a 4.4-star rating from more than 3,000 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Philips Smoke-less Indoor Grill:
4. Best Budget: Elite Gourmet Smokeless Indoor Electric BBQ Grill
This affordable indoor grill only has one cooking function, but there are 5 temperature settings that go up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its lower price point, there are still many handy features, like the temperature probe on the side that allows you to set the temperature and wait for the grill to preheat. It also has a unique circular design, which is nice because you can cook your main meat and sides simultaneously, all with the included tempered glass lid on top.
All parts are dishwasher-safe, AND there’s a removable drip tray for quick and easy cleaning!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 17.2 by 17 by 4.1 inches
- Wattage: 1400 watts
- Cooking Functions: 1 (grill)
- Weight: 6 pounds
The Pros:
- Circular shape
- Glass lid to watch cooking and prevent splatters
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Lightweight
- Affordable
The Cons:
- Only one cooking function
What Others Are Saying:
The Elite Gourmet Smokeless Indoor Electric BBQ Grill is named best budget indoor grill by Southern Living and HuffPost. It also has a great 4.5-star rating from more than 10,000 Amazon buyers.
Buy the Elite Gourmet Smokeless Indoor Electric BBQ Grill:
5. Best Electric: Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill
For folks who want something simple and affordable, this grill from Chefman is a great pick. It looks like a full griddle but has grilling grates that allow for a variety of cooking zones to grill proteins, veggies, and more. The adjustable temperature control allows you to have different temperatures on different parts of the surface, too.
Other handy features include the auto shut-off, nonstick surface, dishwasher-safe parts, and large 150-square-inch cooking surface.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 20.5 by 10.5 by 3.5 inches
- Wattage: 1220 watts
- Cooking Functions: 1 (grill)
- Weight: 3.8 pounds
The Pros:
- Easy cleanup
- Extra large cooking surface
- Great ratings
The Cons:
- May be hard to store
- Only one cooking function
What Others Are Saying:
The Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill has been named the best indoor smokeless grill by The Strategist. It also has a 4.4-star rating from more than 4,500 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill:
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! My name is Katelyn Chef, and I have more than 10 years of lifestyle writing experience covering home and food across publications like All Recipes, Taste of Home, and Martha Stewart Living. I worked on this roundup of the best smokeless indoor grills with Meggan, the founder of Culinary Hill. Over the years, she’s tested out a bunch of different small appliances and developed a ton of delicious recipes, including one of her all-time favorites, Grilled Pork Chops!
To find the best smokeless indoor grills, Meggan and I scoured the web and our own kitchens. We read through tons of reviews from customers and trusted online retailers, and then narrowed our list down by factoring in budget, features, and ease of use.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Smokeless Indoor Grill
What to Consider Before Buying a Smokeless Indoor Grill
Before purchasing your first indoor smokeless grill, there are a few things to consider:
Type and features: There are a variety of indoor grills on the market, many of which have different features. Some options only have one setting (grilling), while others can air fry, bake, roast, and more. Unlike models mentioned here, there are contact grills, which have heated grill grates on the top and bottom, which is similar to a George Foreman grill or panini press. Consider your needs and how your indoor grill will meet them.
Temperature: Different models have different heating elements, capabilities, and settings. Before deciding, you should think about what you’d like to use your indoor grill for (poultry, veggies, or otherwise) to figure out the best temperature settings. 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.
Cleaning: Like a variety of small kitchen appliances, smokeless indoor grills have different cleaning directions. Look for an indoor smokeless grill that is easy to clean and has dishwasher-safe parts.
How Do Indoor Smokeless Grills Work?
Many indoor smokeless grills on the market have a water-filled drip pan. So, when the grease reaches the drip pan, it cools, elevating the smoke. The Food Network explains that in addition to the water-filled drip pan, other smokeless grills use infrared heat to cook the food instead of exposed flames that you’d find using an outdoor grill.
There might be some small puffs of smoke when you use your indoor grill, but nothing major that would result in the fire department arriving at your doorstep. Additionally, some indoor grills, like the Ninja Foodi XL, also have built-in fan ventilation, which helps reduce smoke even when the lid is closed.
How Do You Cook Steak on an Indoor Smokeless Grill?
The key to cooking a juicy steak on an indoor grill is to preheat your grill for at least 15 minutes, as Meggan explains in her Grilled New York Strip Steak recipe. You should also season your steak before placing it on the surface, then cook it for around 4 to 5 minutes on each side. However, cooking time depends on how well done you’d like your meat and the cut that you’re grilling.
What Can You Cook on a Smokeless Indoor Grill?
There are a ton of different foods you can cook on an indoor grill that are similar to an outdoor grill. Some of Meggan’s favorites include animal proteins, vegetables, and even fruit. She also recommends using one for burgers, salmon, chicken breasts, kebabs, whole ears of corn, potatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, and veggie burgers, which can typically fall apart on an outdoor grill.
If a BBQ chicken recipe is calling your name, try Meggan’s Barbecue Chicken recipe on your indoor grill.
Are Indoor Smokeless Grills Worth It?
We think so! Buying an indoor grill allows home cooks to make everything from chicken to steak all on one appliance. In many cases, an indoor grill is more convenient since it doesn’t require as many pans, skillets, or space, especially if you are in an apartment. Additionally, when the weather isn’t cooperating or you don’t own an outdoor grill, an indoor grill allows you to savor that seared flavor without setting off a smoke alarm.
The Best Grill Recipes
The options of what to make on your indoor grill are endless. Thankfully, Meggan has TONS of grill recipes that you can try on your new smokeless indoor grill.
- Best Bacon Cheese Burgers
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Mexican Street Corn Elote
- Carne Asada
- Grilled Tri-Tip Recipe
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
