Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill: Real-World Showdown

Some kitchen appliances quietly become the star of weeknight dinners. Over the past month I rotated two heavy-hitters—the Cuisinart Griddler Elite and the Breville Smart Grill—through every meal from Sunday pancakes to Friday steak night. Both promise restaurant-style searing and indoor BBQ convenience, yet their personalities are distinct. Here’s the full picture from daily use.

Key Difference in a Nutshell: Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill

The Cuisinart Griddler Elite is a true multi-cooker, offering six different configurations with powerful 2400-watt heating and a 500 °F sear function. The Breville Smart Grill, while slightly less powerful at 1800 watts, focuses on precision grilling with embedded heating elements and an open-flat BBQ mode that feels like an outdoor grill brought indoors.

Quick Comparison Table: Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill

Feature	Cuisinart Griddler Elite	Breville Smart Grill
Power	2400 watts	1800 watts
Cooking Modes	6 (contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, half grill/half griddle, top melt)	3 (contact grill, sandwich press, open-flat BBQ)
Temperature Range	Up to 500 °F sear	High sear with embedded elements, electronically regulated
Cooking Surface	240 sq. in. (dual zone)	260 sq. in. open-flat
Dimensions (D×W×H)	14.65″ × 16.22″ × 8.11″	16.7″ × 14″ × 5″
Weight	16.8 lbs	19.4 lbs
Plates	Reversible non-stick grill/griddle plates, dishwasher-safe	Ribbed and flat non-stick plates, dishwasher-safe
Controls	Dual zone digital LCD, 60-min timer	Digital LCD, electronic thermostat
Special Extras	Top melt function, dual zone heat control	Embedded high-sear elements, quick recovery temperature
Warranty	3-year limited	1-year replacement
Latest Price & Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Hands-On Comparative Review

Design & Build Quality

Both machines are handsome stainless-steel beasts that look at home on the counter.

• Cuisinart Griddler Elite: Taller and boxier, it feels like a countertop powerhouse. The floating top lid with adjustable height makes pressing sandwiches or melting cheese incredibly easy.
• Breville Smart Grill: Sleeker and slightly lower profile when closed, but it feels denser and more robust thanks to its heavier plates and embedded heating elements.

Both models feature removable drip trays and dishwasher-safe plates, but Breville’s ribbed/flat plate set is a touch thicker and snaps in with a satisfying click.

Ease of Use

After a week of weekday lunches, I appreciated the Cuisinart’s dual zone controls. I could sear chicken on one side while keeping vegetables at a gentler temperature on the other. The LCD screen is bright, and the 60-minute timer saves me from hovering.

Breville keeps things simpler: choose your temperature setting, preheat, and the electronic thermostat takes over. The open-flat BBQ mode was a star when I grilled shrimp and asparagus side-by-side without crowding.

Heating & Performance

Power is where the Cuisinart flexes its muscle. That 2400-watt output combined with the 500 °F sear gave me caramelized crusts on steaks in under two minutes. Dual zones meant perfectly cooked fish next to sizzling burgers.

The Breville, despite lower wattage, counters with embedded heating elements that recover heat fast. Searing a ribeye felt consistent end-to-end, and the electronic thermostat kept pancakes from over-browning even when I opened the lid repeatedly.

Versatility

If you love variety, the Cuisinart wins. Six configurations—contact grill, panini press, full or half grill/griddle, and top melt—make it an all-day appliance. Breakfast eggs, lunchtime paninis, evening fajitas: it handled them all.

Breville focuses on the grilling experience. The ability to lay it completely flat into a 260-sq-in BBQ surface mimics an outdoor grill better than the Cuisinart. For steak nights and family BBQ indoors, that open mode is unbeatable.

Cleanup

Both models include PFOA-free non-stick plates and removable drip trays. Plates slide off easily and fit in the dishwasher. I found the Breville’s embedded elements mean less oil seepage beneath the plate, slightly reducing wipe-downs.

Cuisinart Griddler Elite

Pros:

• 2400-watt power with 500 °F sear
• Six cooking modes for maximum flexibility
• Dual zone temperature control
• Three-year warranty

Cons:

• Bulkier, taller footprint
• More buttons and settings may overwhelm casual users

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Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill

Pros:

• Embedded heating elements for rapid heat recovery
• Opens flat to a spacious 260 sq in BBQ surface
• Precise electronic thermostat for even cooking
• Sleek, compact profile when closed

Cons:

• Lower wattage than Cuisinart
• Only a one-year warranty
• Fewer cooking modes—less of a “multi-cooker”

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Verdict and Recommendation:

Both appliances turned out consistently delicious food, but they suit different cooking personalities.

Choose the Cuisinart Griddler Elite if:

• You want maximum versatility—breakfast to dinner with multiple configurations.
• High searing heat and dual zone control appeal to you.
• A longer warranty gives peace of mind.

Choose the Breville Smart Grill if:

• Indoor BBQ flavor is your top priority.
• You value fast heat recovery and precise temperature for steaks and seafood.
• A sleeker design with fewer controls fits your lifestyle.

For my own kitchen, I’d keep the Cuisinart Griddler Elite because I love experimenting—pancakes in the morning, paninis at lunch, seared tuna at night. But if I were hosting weekly steak nights or wanted the closest thing to outdoor grilling inside, the Breville Smart Grill would be my pick. Either way, both are top-tier indoor grills that elevate weeknight meals and weekend feasts alike.