Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill: A Hands-On Comparison

Some kitchen appliances earn a permanent place on the counter simply because of how often you reach for them. That’s exactly how I ended up testing the Cuisinart Griddler Elite and the Breville Smart Grill side-by-side. Both are marketed as versatile indoor grills capable of handling everything from steak to pancakes, but after using them extensively, I realized their personalities couldn’t be more different.

One is built around flexibility and wide cooking functions. The other is engineered for precision heat and searing performance. If you’re torn between the two, this in-depth comparison will help you understand how they actually perform in day-to-day cooking.

Main Difference Between Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill

The Cuisinart Griddler Elite focuses on versatility with 6 cooking functions and a large 240 sq. in. surface, making it ideal for bigger meals and multifunction cooking. The Breville Smart Grill focuses on high-heat searing and temperature precision, excelling at steak, burgers, and grilled foods thanks to embedded heating elements.

Comparison Table: Cuisinart Griddler Elite vs Breville Smart Grill

Feature	Cuisinart Griddler Elite	Breville Smart Grill (BGR820XL)
Dimensions	14.65″D × 16.22″W × 8.11″H	16.7″D × 14″W × 5″H
Cooking Surface	240 sq. in.	260 sq. in. (BBQ mode)
Heating Power	2400 watts	1800 watts
Cooking Functions	6-in-1 grilling modes	BBQ, contact grill, sandwich mode
Interface	LCD + programmable controls	LCD with timer & temperature display
Plate Type	Reversible grill/griddle plates	Interchangeable flat & ribbed plates
Sear Capability	500°F sear function	Embedded heating elements for strong sear
Cleaning	Dishwasher-safe plates	Dishwasher-safe plates
Weight	16.84 lbs	19.44 lbs
Warranty	3-year limited	1-year replacement
Best For	All-purpose family cooking and meal prep	High-heat grilling and meat searing
Check Latest Price & Deals	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Design & Build Quality

Cuisinart Griddler Elite

The Griddler Elite has a sturdy stainless steel shell and a slightly taller build. The hinges feel robust, and the floating cover adjusts smoothly when pressing sandwiches or paninis. What stands out is the large LCD screen, which makes the machine feel modern, yet not complicated.

Because the plates are reversible, I didn’t need separate pieces for grilling or griddling — a nice bonus for saving storage space.

Breville Smart Grill

The Breville Smart Grill has that unmistakable Breville feel: dense, premium, and built with refined engineering. It’s heavier than the Cuisinart, and the lid motion feels smoother and more controlled.

The biggest design difference lies in the embedded heating elements inside the plates, which significantly improves heat retention and searing performance. This is a design advantage you feel immediately once you start cooking steak or burgers.

Ease of Use

Cuisinart Griddler Elite

The Griddler Elite is the more beginner-friendly machine. The interface is straightforward: select plate temperature, choose mode, set time, and start. Switching between grill and griddle modes is as simple as flipping the plates.

I also liked that it can open flat into a large grilling station, which came in handy for breakfast when cooking eggs on one side and bacon on the other.

Breville Smart Grill

The Smart Grill has fewer modes, but the controls feel more responsive. The embedded heating elements make preheating noticeably faster. I found myself using the timer frequently because the LCD countdown is very clear.

While there aren’t as many cooking functions, the grill excels at exactly what it claims — consistent, high-heat grilling.

Cooking Performance

Cuisinart Griddler Elite – Versatility First

Over several weeks, I used the Elite for everything from pancakes to fajitas. The ability to combine grill and griddle surfaces in one machine makes it a true all-rounder.

A few key observations:

• It maintains heat well for large meals.
• The 500°F sear function works nicely for browning meat.
• Temperature control is accurate, though slower to recover heat compared to the Breville.

Where this machine really shines is multitasking — cooking breakfast spreads, pressing paninis, grilling chicken, or melting cheese on open-face sandwiches.

Breville Smart Grill – Pure Searing Power

If the Griddler Elite is a multitasker, the Breville Smart Grill is a specialist.

Because the heating elements are embedded inside the plates, not beneath them, the grill retains heat much better. This creates a dramatic difference in how steak and burgers sear.

My experience:

• Searing marks were deeper and more even.
• Temperature bounce-back was fast when adding cold food.
• Meat came out juicier due to consistent heat distribution.

For grilling enthusiasts, this precision and power is hard to beat.

Functionality Comparison

Cuisinart Griddler Elite

6 cooking functions:

1. Contact Grill
2. Full Grill
3. Full Griddle
4. Half Grill/Half Griddle
5. Panini Press
6. Top Melt

This versatility made it feel like a multi-unit appliance. I often used the half-grill/half-griddle setup to cook a full meal in one go.

Breville Smart Grill

While it has fewer named functions, the Smart Grill excels in:

• BBQ mode (opens flat with 260 sq. inches)
• Sandwich mode with adjustable height
• Contact grill mode for high-heat searing

Its strength lies in focused performance rather than multiple modes.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Both machines offer dishwasher-safe removable plates, which is a lifesaver. The Cuisinart’s reversible plates are easier to store, while the Breville’s plates are heavier due to embedded heating elements.

The Breville traps grease more effectively with its integrated drip tray, while the Cuisinart’s tray handles larger meals but fills faster.

Cuisinart Elite Griddler Electric Grill

Pros:

• Six cooking functions in one appliance
• Large cooking surface
• Reversible plates reduce storage needs
• 500°F sear capability
• Excellent for meal prep or family cooking
• LCD screen is clear and simple
• Lower price and longer warranty

Cons:

• Heat recovery is slower
• Not as strong at searing meats
• Bulkier when fully opened

Breville Smart Stainless Steel Electric Grill

Pros:

• Superior searing due to embedded heating elements
• Heats quickly and maintains temperature
• Excellent steak, chicken, and burger results
• Heavy-duty build quality
• Plates are easy to remove and wash

Cons:

• Fewer cooking modes
• Higher price
• Heavier and less portable
• 1-year warranty is short compared to Cuisinart

Conclusion & Recommendation:

After cooking extensively on both grills, I see them as two performers built for different types of home cooks.

Choose the Cuisinart Griddler Elite if:

• You want one appliance that can do virtually everything.
• You cook meals for multiple people or like multi-surface cooking.
• You prefer a more affordable, versatile grill.
• Breakfast foods, sandwiches, and mixed cooking styles are your priority.

Choose the Breville Smart Grill if:

• Your main goal is achieving restaurant-level searing.
• You cook a lot of meat — especially steaks and burgers.
• You want the fastest heat recovery and most consistent results.
• Durability and high-performance grilling matter more than variety.

My Personal Recommendation:

For versatility and everyday use, the Cuisinart Griddler Elite is the better all-around machine. It’s spacious, programmable, and truly multifunctional.

But for pure grilling performance, the Breville Smart Grill wins — especially if you’re serious about searing and want results that come very close to outdoor grilling.

Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you prefer a Swiss army knife (Cuisinart) or a high-performance grill specialist (Breville).