Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill: Which Indoor Grill Wins?

Indoor grills have come a long way from being just a novelty item in the kitchen. Today, appliances like the Cuisinart Griddler Elite and the Breville Smart Grill can handle everything from juicy steaks to crispy paninis, giving you that outdoor grilling experience right on your countertop.

I’ve cooked with both of these models over the past few months, testing them with everything from breakfast pancakes to thick ribeye steaks. While they share similarities in design and purpose, they’re definitely geared toward different kinds of users.

Let’s dive into the key differences, compare them side by side, and break down how they performed in my kitchen.

Key Difference Between Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill

The Cuisinart Griddler Elite is all about versatility. With six cooking modes including grill, griddle, panini press, and even a top-melt function it’s designed to be an all-in-one cooking station. It also boasts higher wattage (2400W), a sear function that hits 500°F, and dual-zone temperature control for cooking different foods at once.

The Breville Smart Grill, on the other hand, focuses on precision and performance. With heating elements embedded directly into the plates and a smart thermostat, it provides consistent, high heat that’s perfect for searing meats. It also opens flat into a BBQ mode, giving you a generous 260-square-inch cooking surface.

So, in short:

• Cuisinart Griddler Elite = More versatility and functions
• Breville Smart Grill = More consistent heat and professional-level grilling

Comparison Table: Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill

Feature	Cuisinart Griddler Elite (GR-300WSP1)	Breville Smart Grill (BGR820XL)
Dimensions	14.65″D x 16.22″W x 8.11″H	16.7″D x 14″W x 5″H
Weight	16.8 lbs	19.4 lbs
Wattage	2400 watts	1800 watts
Cooking Surface	240 sq. in.	260 sq. in.
Cooking Modes	6-in-1: Grill, Griddle, Panini Press, Full Grill, Full Griddle, Top Melt	Contact Grill, Sandwich Press, Open Flat BBQ Mode
Temperature Range	Up to 500°F (sear function)	Adjustable with electronic thermostat
Plates	Removable, reversible, nonstick, dishwasher-safe	Removable, PFOA-free nonstick, dishwasher-safe
Display	LCD screen + LED indicators	LCD screen with preheat/cooking timer
Special Features	Dual-zone temperature control, 60-minute timer	Embedded heating elements for faster, even heating
Warranty	3 years	1 year
Best For	Versatility and variety of cooking styles	Precision grilling and meat searing
Check Price	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Detailed Comparative Review

1. Design & Build Quality

The Cuisinart Griddler Elite feels like a solid piece of equipment. Its stainless steel housing and adjustable top cover give it a professional look. The handlebar-style grip makes it easy to open and close, and I like that it locks for storage. The build quality is sturdy but not overly heavy, making it manageable to move around.

The Breville Smart Grill is slightly heavier and has a lower, sleeker profile. The brushed stainless steel finish looks premium, and the embedded heating elements give it a more commercial-grade vibe. It feels more like a “grill-first” appliance, while the Cuisinart feels more like a “do-it-all” machine.

Verdict: Breville wins in premium feel, but Cuisinart edges out in flexibility.

2. Ease of Use

With the Cuisinart Griddler Elite, the LCD screen and dual-zone temperature knobs made it super easy to control. I could sear steak on one plate at 500°F while grilling veggies at a lower temperature on the other. The 60-minute countdown timer was also handy when multitasking in the kitchen.

The Breville Smart Grill takes a slightly simpler approach. The LCD display is clear and lets you know when it’s preheated, which I appreciated when cooking delicate foods like salmon. It doesn’t have dual-zone control, but the electronic thermostat does an excellent job maintaining consistent heat.

Verdict: Cuisinart is better for multitasking and variety, while Breville is better for straightforward, precision grilling.

3. Cooking Performance

This is where the Breville Smart Grill really shined for me. Because the heating elements are embedded in the plates, it reached and maintained high heat faster than the Cuisinart. When I cooked ribeye steaks, I got restaurant-quality sear marks and an evenly cooked center without much effort.

The Cuisinart Griddler Elite impressed me with its versatility. I used it to make crispy paninis, fluffy pancakes, and even grilled vegetables in half-grill/half-griddle mode. The sear function at 500°F worked beautifully for burgers. However, I did notice that it took a little longer to reach top temperatures compared to the Breville.

Verdict: Breville for serious grilling, Cuisinart for versatility and variety.

4. Cleaning & Maintenance

Both models feature removable, nonstick plates that are dishwasher safe. The Cuisinart plates are reversible (grill on one side, griddle on the other), which makes it super convenient. The Breville plates are also high-quality, PFOA-free, and easy to clean, but they’re not reversible.

The drip trays on both caught grease well, though I found Breville’s integrated tray slightly easier to handle without spilling.

Verdict: Cuisinart wins for reversible plates, Breville wins for ease of handling grease.

5. Special Features

• Cuisinart Griddler Elite:
  • Six cooking modes
  • Dual-zone temperature control
  • 60-minute countdown timer
  • Reversible plates
• Breville Smart Grill:
  • Embedded heating elements (faster heat, more consistent)
  • Open-flat BBQ mode for a massive cooking surface
  • Precise electronic thermostat
  • Sleek, premium build

Verdict: Cuisinart offers more flexibility, Breville offers more precision.

Cuisinart Griddler Elite

Pros:

• 6-in-1 versatility (grill, griddle, panini press, etc.)
• Dual-zone temperature control
• Sear function at 500°F
• Reversible plates
• Longer warranty (3 years)

Cons:

• Slightly slower to heat up
• Bulkier design compared to Breville

Buy on Amazon

Breville Smart Grill

Pros:

• Embedded heating elements for even cooking
• Open-flat BBQ mode with 260 sq. in. surface
• Excellent for searing meats
• Premium stainless steel build
• Simple and precise controls

Cons:

• Fewer cooking modes
• No dual-zone control
• Shorter warranty (1 year)

Buy on Amazon

Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?

After using both grills, I can say this: it really depends on how you cook.

If you’re someone who loves versatility making paninis one day, pancakes the next, and searing burgers on the weekend—the Cuisinart Griddler Elite is the better choice. Its six cooking modes, dual-zone temperature control, and reversible plates make it a true all-rounder.

But if your focus is on grilling performance and precision, the Breville Smart Grill is hard to beat. The embedded heating elements and open-flat BBQ mode give you professional-level results that come close to outdoor grilling.

My Recommendation:

• Choose the Cuisinart Griddler Elite if you want one machine that can handle a wide range of cooking tasks.
• Choose the Breville Smart Grill if you want the best possible indoor grilling experience with consistent heat and searing power.

Either way, both of these indoor grills will elevate your kitchen game, you just need to decide whether you value variety or precision more.