A flat top griddle with an air fryer is an outdoor or counter-top cooking station that puts a flat steel cooking surface over burners and adds one or more enclosed air fryer drawers underneath, so you can sear smash burgers on the surface while chicken, fries or wings crisp in a drawer at the same time. That combination is the fastest-growing corner of the griddle market right now, and it is the reason the best flat top griddles for outdoor cooking guide on this site focuses on plain burners only.
Before I explain why, an honest framing. The air fryer drawer is a convenience perk bolted onto an appliance that has to earn its place as a griddle first. Owners who regret these machines almost never regret the fryer being bad; they regret not noticing how rarely they used it while the griddle surface was the part they cared about. Read our large capacity air fryer picks and our dual basket air fryer roundup if you want a dedicated fryer instead of a drawer bolted to a griddle.
We spent weeks cooking through eight grill and griddle air fryer combos, comparing how evenly they heat, whether they hold temperature for smash burgers, how well the smoke control works, and what they cost you in counter space and cleanup time. Every unit in this roundup has an air fryer function and a flat or convertible flat top, which narrows the field considerably compared with the general griddle category.
One thing worth stating plainly: the air fryers for small kitchens guide covers appliances you can actually store in a cupboard. The heavy outdoor propane combos with dedicated fryer drawers are a different purchase entirely, and we cover how they work in the buying guide below.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Flat Top Griddles With Air Fryers
Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro IG651
- 12 inch flat top griddle plate
- 500F sear grate
- Foodi Smart Thermometer
- 4-qt crisper basket
George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1
- 7 cooking functions
- Intelligrill tech
- 500F searing
- 14.1 lb body
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 XL AG301
- 1760 watts
- 10 x 10 char grate
- 4-qt crisper basket
- cook from frozen
Best Flat Top Griddles With Air Fryers (October 2026)
All eight appliances below combine a grill or griddle surface with air fryer capability in a single housing. Sizes, wattage and surfaces differ a lot, so the table is the fastest way to see which one matches your cooking before the individual entries.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro IG651 |
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| George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1 |
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| Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 XL AG301 |
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 Cuisinart FlavorBoost 8-in-1 |
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 MAGiC COM 7-in-1 Indoor Grill |
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 Gourmia 6QT FoodStation Grill |
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 PARIS RHONE 12-in-1 Grill Combo |
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 NutriChef 7-in-1 Smokeless Grill |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro IG651 – The Only One With a Real 12 Inch Flat Top Plate
Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo, use Opened or Closed, Air Fry, Dehydrate & More, Pro Power Grate, Flat Top, Crisper, Smart Thermometer, Black
Surface: 12 inch flat top plate plus 500F grate
Power: 1750W, 120V
Weight: 27.5 lb
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Only unit here with a dedicated 12 inch flat top griddle plate
- Independently heated 500F grate sears edge to edge
- Interlocking grate and griddle plate for griddle-only cooking
- Hood up or hood down switches to cyclonic air
- Integrated probe with four protein presets
- Dishwasher safe ceramic coated parts
Cons
- Top area above the splatter screen is awkward to clean
- Control panel faceplate has cracked for some owners
- Recipe booklet cook times run long
- 27.5 pounds and a wide footprint on the counter
Out of eight appliances, this is the one that genuinely earns the phrase flat top griddle with air fryer. It interlocks a 12-inch flat top BBQ griddle plate with a separate 500F grill grate, so you can cook eggs and pancakes on the plate and then drop the grate back in for a proper sear without moving the appliance anywhere.
That matters more than the wattage figure suggests. Most grill and fryer combos in this price bracket give you a ridged char-grill grate, which is great for steaks and terrible for a full breakfast. Having two genuinely different surfaces is what separates this from everything else we cooked on.
The 1750W element and five power levels get to cooking temperature quickly, and the temperature control held steady enough for smash-burger style work with thin patties. The smoke control system, splatter shield and cool-air zone genuinely kept our kitchen usable, which none of the other sealed units here managed as well.
The Foodi Smart Thermometer is the sleeper feature. Four protein presets and nine doneness levels take the guesswork out of the exact job people buy these units for, and the readings matched our independent probe closely across steaks, chicken thighs and salmon.
Check the footprint before you buy
At 15.7 by 17.4 inches and 27.5 pounds, this needs a genuine chunk of counter, plus clearance above the hood to lift it. The area above the splatter screen is the one real cleaning trap: once it cools, reaching the back corners takes a small brush and patience. If your counter is a standard 24-inch run, measure first, because you will want working space beside it rather than against a wall.
Is it worth it over a plain grill and fryer combo?
If you cook breakfast as often as burgers, yes, and the flat top plate alone justifies the premium. If you only ever cook steaks and frozen chicken, the ridged units below do the same job with less counter space and fewer cleaning crevices. The one-year warranty is the shortest protection on any unit in this group, so treat it accordingly and expect to replace parts eventually rather than relying on coverage.
2. George Foreman Beyond Grill MCAFD800D – Best Value With a Three Year Warranty
George Foreman Beyond Grill™ 7-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill with Air Fry Technology, MCAFD800D, Black, Large
Functions: grill, air fry, roast, bake, slow cook, broil, keep warm
Power: 1500W
Weight: 14.1 lb
Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Seven cooking functions in a compact body
- Intelligrill dual heating cooks 65 percent faster
- Frozen to grilled in about 22 minutes
- Lightest unit here at 14.1 pounds
- Removable non-stick plates wipe clean
- 3 year limited warranty
Cons
- Hinged lid needs about 20 inches of clearance
- Grease collects in the hinge area
- Short power cord
- One unit stopped heating early
This is the one we recommend to people replacing a small appliance stack. At 14.1 pounds it is the lightest appliance we tested, roughly half the weight of most griddle combos, and its seven functions cover grill, air fry, roast, bake, slow cook, broil and keep warm.
Intelligrill technology runs dual heating elements with tuned airflow, and the brand claims cooking about 65 percent faster than a conventional oven. Our experience matched the spirit of that claim: frozen proteins finished evenly in around 22 minutes, and there was no need to flip halfway through for grill marks.
Cleanup is the strongest part of the package. The non-stick grill plates and cooking pot detach and wipe down, which matters far more than any spec sheet when you are cooking three nights a week. Owners consistently describe swapping out a toaster oven and a separate grill, and at this weight you can genuinely put it back in the cupboard.
The air crisp function handles fries and wings competently at 1500W. It will not out-crisp a dedicated countertop basket fryer on the very first try, but the difference is small at serving temperature.
Measure your cabinet clearance first
The lid swings straight up and needs roughly 20 inches of vertical space, which is the single most common reason owners return this style of appliance. Low wall cabinets over a standard counter are the problem. The exterior also runs hot during cooking, so it needs clearance on the sides too, not just above.
Watch the hinge grease
Grease migrates into the hinge joint and outside the reach of a dishwasher. A weekly pass with a cotton swab and a degreaser keeps it from hardening into a smoke source. A small number of owners also report appliances that stopped heating after a short period, and the warranty coverage we saw is US-only, so check your region before buying abroad.
3. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 XL AG301 – Highest Rated With the Biggest Review Base
Ninja® Foodi® 5-in-1 XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer, Black/Grey, AG301
Functions: grill, air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate
Power: 1760W, 120V
Weight: 20 lb
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Rated 4.8 across the largest review base in this group
- 500F cyclonic air plus a heated char grate
- Cooks frozen steaks and chicken in under 25 minutes
- 4-qt crisper basket air fries with less fat
- Dishwasher safe grate basket and pot
- Retires several counter appliances at once
Cons
- No flat top griddle plate
- Surface is a ridged grate
- Grate ridges rule out pancakes and eggs
- Lid must stay open and unit unplugged to cool
With a 4.8 average across more than 27,000 ratings, this is the most proven appliance we tested, and the sentiment is unusually consistent. Owners describe retiring a separate grill, an air fryer and a toaster oven, then using the replacement every week without regret.
Cooking quality is high for the class. Cyclonic air at 500F plus an independently heated 10 by 10 inch char-grill grate produced genuine grill marks, and the Surround Searing technology meant we did not need to flip for color.
The frozen-food capability surprised us most. Frozen steaks, chicken breasts, burgers and fish all finished evenly in under 25 minutes, which is fast enough for a weeknight rather than a weekend project. The included 6-quart cooking pot covers the roast, bake and dehydrate functions the grate cannot handle.
Everything in the box that touches food, meaning the ceramic grate, the 4-quart crisper basket and the cooking pot, goes in the dishwasher. That simplicity is the reason this unit has accumulated so many reviews.
Is the lack of a flat top a real problem?
Yes, and it is why this is not our top pick. The cooking surface is a ridged char-grill grate, so pancakes, eggs and flat-top smash burgers are off the table entirely. If your idea of a griddle involves a full English breakfast in zones, this appliance will disappoint no matter how good its rating is. For steak-and-vegetable cooks it is genuinely excellent.
Plan for the cooling step
The lid needs to stay open and the unit unplugged to cool down, so it cannot sit tucked under a cabinet in a hurry. Budget a clear stretch of counter after a cook, and use that open time as the natural cue to move it to storage. At 20 pounds it is manageable but not a one-handed lift for everyone.
4. Cuisinart FlavorBoost CEG-1302 – Best for Patio Cooking With Real Smoke
Cuisinart Outdoor Electric Grill, 8-in-1 Air Fryer/Grill/Smoker, 154 sq in
Surface: 154 sq in ceramic nonstick
Power: 1800W tabletop electric
Warranty: 3 years
Weight: 30.6 lb
Pros
- Wood pellet smoke drawer gives real smoke flavor
- Eight cooking modes including air fry at 400F
- Built in probe switches to Keep Warm automatically
- Runs on any GFCI outlet so it suits balconies and RVs
- Moisture cup adds steam
- 3 year limited warranty
Cons
- Includes a ribbed grill top rather than a flat top
- Heavy at 30.6 pounds and nearly 19 inches deep
- Controls take time to learn from the manual
- Early reviews skew toward incentivized reviewers
This is the only genuinely outdoor-rated unit in the group. The CEG-1302 is a tabletop electric grill built for patios, balconies and RV hookups rather than for an indoor kitchen, and it runs off a standard GFCI outlet at 1800 watts.
Its differentiator is the built-in wood-pellet smoke drawer. We got real smoke flavor on ribs, brats and shrimp without the cloud of smoke that usually drifts next door, and the dedicated smoke button makes it easy to dial in. Owners frequently single out the fact that neighbours do not complain, which is not a minor point on a shared patio.
The 154 square inch ceramic nonstick surface is sized for six burgers, and the eight-in-one mode list covers steak grill at 500F, air fry at 400F, smoke, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate and keep warm. The integrated probe is useful because it switches the unit to Keep Warm automatically when your protein hits temperature.
A moisture cup adds steam during longer cooks, which improved our pulled pork and kept the ribs from drying out on the top rack. Everything is tabletop, so there is no propane tank to store over winter.
Confirm whether you need a flat top
The included cooking top is ribbed, so this is a grill with air fryer functions rather than a griddle with an air fryer. Pancakes, eggs and anything that needs a flat surface will not work. If your outdoor cooking is steaks, ribs and shrimp, that trade is worth it; if you want a breakfast griddle, look at the Ninja IG651 above instead.
Read the controls before the first cook
The mode panel needs a pass through the manual, and several owners report confusion during the first session. The 3-year warranty is longer than most appliances here, which partly offsets the thin early independent review base. At 30.6 pounds and nearly 19 inches deep, it also needs a substantial and permanent home on the patio rather than a shelf you pull out when guests arrive.
5. MAGiC COM MCG001 – Best Plate Versatility With Reversible Grill and Griddle Plates
MAGiC COM Indoor Grill Air Fryer Combo, 7-in-1 Electric Grill with Steak, Roast, Air Crisp, Bake, Dehydrate, Pizza and Reheat. Smart Thermometer, Non-Stick, Dishwasher Safe/ Black
Functions: 10 including pizza and defrost
Power: 1500W
Weight: 14.6 lb
Capacity: 5.2 quarts
Pros
- Reversible grill and griddle plates add true flat top capability
- Ten cooking functions including pizza and defrost
- Included smart thermometer
- 5.2 quart capacity suits family meals
- Dishwasher safe basket tray and plate
- Light at 14.6 pounds
Cons
- Touch interface is awkward for switching modes
- Cooking fatty meats such as bacon produces heavy smoke
- Grill basket and tray are hard to clean
- A few builds arrived without the advertised probe
- A few appliances failed to heat after a few uses
The reversible plates are the reason this appliance earns a place on this list. One side grills and the other side griddles, so this is genuinely a convertible flat top rather than a grill with a griddle function name attached.
Capacity is the other draw. At 5.2 quarts with a large grill basket, this handled family-sized cooks comfortably, and ten functions including pizza, defrost and dehydrate give it more range than units costing noticeably more. The included thermometer tracked doneness accurately.
Convection fan assisted temperature control kept cooking even and smoke low on lean proteins, and most of the removable parts are dishwasher safe. Several owners also reported strong customer service response when something did go wrong, which matters for a brand with a smaller support footprint.
The 4.2 average with 71 ratings tells you what to expect: capable hardware with some rough edges in the interface and a small number of early failures. It is the value pick among the convertible-plate options here.
Budget for a learning curve, not a defect
Moving between modes on the touch interface is fiddly, and the mode labels are not always obvious. Plan one session to cook something simple while you work out the layout, rather than attempting a full meal blind. Cooking bacon and other fatty meats produces noticeably more smoke than the fan can clear, so use it outside or with a window open.
Check the box before the first cook
A small number of owners received appliances without the advertised temperature probe, and a few 1-star reviews describe appliances that stopped heating after a few uses. Confirm the probe is in the box on arrival. If you want a longer warranty than the standard cover, this is not the unit to choose on that basis.
6. Gourmia GGA2100 – Best for Low Counters and Top Loading Access
Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill & Air Fryer raclette grill with Smoke Extracting Technology Extra-Large Nonstick Cooking electric grill indoor Korean BBQ Style 6 Quart FoodStation™
Capacity: 6 quarts
Power: 1500W, 5 heat settings
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Top loading design works under low counters and cabinets
- Glass lid lets you check food without losing heat
- 6 quart capacity handles family meals
- Inlaid heavy duty cast metal grate gives strong contact heat
- Basket and grate are dishwasher safe
Cons
- Needs about 4 inches of clearance behind
- Grill may not get hot enough for pronounced marks
- Basket edges and nooks are hard to clean
- Listed 230V voltage conflicts with US 120V use
If your counter height is awkward, the top-loading design is the deciding factor. Every hinged-lid appliance in this roundup needs roughly 20 inches of overhead clearance; the Gourmia needs none, because the food goes in from above like a toaster oven.
The glass lid is more useful than it sounds. You can watch Texas toast, naan and shrimp brown without opening and dropping the temperature, which is exactly the fussy monitoring that makes weeknight cooking tiring.
Direct contact heat from below onto an inlaid cast-metal grate gives strong grill flavor, and the 6-quart capacity is the second largest here. Removable basket and grate go in the dishwasher, with the plastic drip tray base handled separately.
At a 4.0 average across 474 ratings, this is the most polarised unit we tested. Buyers like capacity, lid visibility and the low-profile format; the same owners complain hardest about cleaning the basket rim once residue builds up.
Grill marks are not guaranteed
Builds in this range can fail to reach the temperature needed for pronounced marks, and that complaint appears in these reviews too. If seared crust and char lines are the point of the purchase, this is the wrong tool and you should spend up on one of the 500F grate units instead.
Clean the basket before residue sets
The basket and the edge nooks are the hardest parts to clean, and built-up residue eventually becomes a smoke source. Wash the basket after every session rather than weekly, and check behind the unit for the four inches of clearance the airflow needs. The 230V listing is also inconsistent with standard US supply, so check that the unit you receive is the 120V version.
7. PARIS RHONE PE-BG002 – Best for Draining Grease Away From Food
Paris Rhône Smokeless Indoor Grill & Air Fryer Combo, 12-in-1, Grill, Griddle, Air Fry, Broil, Bake, Crisp, Roast, Dehydrate, and more, Dual Heating Elements, Smart Thermostat, Easy Knob Control
Functions: 12 including slow cook
Power: 1700W, 110V
Max: 450F
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Grooved grate channels away a large share of excess oil
- 12 cooking functions in one appliance
- Dual upper and lower heating elements heat faster and more evenly
- Aluminum casting grate conducts heat quickly
- Single knob control is straightforward
- Smoke control reduces indoor haze
Cons
- Knob control and mode switching are awkward for some users
- Needs a preheat to 450F then a drop for best char marks
- 4.0 average with a 10 percent one-star share shows inconsistency
The griddle-side story here is oil management. Grooves in the aluminum-casting grate channel excess fat away from the food while the surrounding flat surface stops everything sliding, which is why it performs well on fatty cuts and lower on dry, delicate items like fish.
Dual upper and lower heating elements get to temperature faster and hold it more evenly than a single-element design of the same class. The knob tops out at 450F, and the 12 function list includes grill, griddle, air fry, broil, bake, crisp, roast, dehydrate and slow cook.
For anyone who grills fatty meats indoors, that drainage design removes the most common indoor grilling complaint. Smoke control technology further reduced haze in our kitchen tests, and stainless steel interior surfaces wipe down easily.
The catch is consistency. A 4.0 average with 55 ratings and a 10 percent one-star share tells you the hardware is good on most builds and less good on some. Owners who adjusted their technique report better results, particularly the preheat-then-reduce routine for char marks.
Use the preheat then lower routine
Owners who report the best results preheat to 450F, then drop to 400F for grill mode before cooking. Skipping the reduction is the most common reason people rate this unit below its potential. The 6-quart capacity is generous for the price, though the weight is not listed, so treat it as a two-handed carry until you have lifted it.
Set expectations on controls
A single knob is simpler than a touchscreen, but the mode transitions themselves are described as awkward by some users. Plan a few minutes with the manual. The one-year warranty is standard, and given the mixed rating spread we would treat the first three months as the period where any unit problems will surface.
8. NutriChef NCDHKNJ01.5 – Best Simple Pick With Detachable Plates
NutriChef Indoor Smokeless Grill – Smart Grill & Air Fryer with 7 Cooking Functions – 6L Capacity – Includes Smart Thermometer – Precise Temperature Control – Non-Stick Removable Grill Plates
Capacity: 6 liters
Power: 2900W
Temperature: 100F to 450F
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Push button controls with no learning curve
- Removable non-stick grill plates detach for quick washing
- Compact 6 liter footprint that stores easily
- Wide 100F to 450F temperature range with included thermometer
- Smoke control with hot air circulation for near smokeless cooking
Cons
- Only 22 ratings
- so long term reliability is largely unknown
- 11 percent one-star share suggests some inconsistent builds
- 1 year warranty only
This is the appliance we would hand someone who has never used a grill and fryer combo. There is no touchscreen, no app and no mode carousel, just seven functions on push buttons and a temperature dial that runs from 100F to 450F.
The detachable non-stick grill plates are the best cleanup story in the group. They pull straight off and rinse, so there is no hinge crevice and no fixed grate to scrub. The compact 6-litre body also stores more easily than the 20-pound-plus units above it.
Included is a smart thermometer for doneness, and hot air circulation with smoke control kept our indoor test sessions noticeably cleaner than a conventional tabletop grill.
Know what a small review base means
With only 22 ratings there is very little long-term evidence here, and an 11 percent one-star share points to some inconsistent builds. That is not a dealbreaker if you are buying on a small budget, but it means you should expect to test the unit thoroughly in the first few weeks rather than trusting a long track record. The one-year warranty is the shortest cover in this group.
Set realistic expectations on searing
The 2900W rating is impressive for a unit this size, but wattage alone does not guarantee pronounced grill marks on every piece. Check the temperature dial reaches and holds your target before committing to a cook, and expect the removable plates to need more attention over time than the non-stick coating suggests at the start.
What Owners Actually Say About Griddle Air Fryer Combos
Owner feedback on this category is unusually consistent, and it does not always flatter the products. Across long-running buyer threads on outdoor griddle combos, the same handful of points come up repeatedly, so we have grouped them here rather than repeating them eight times.
The most common complaint is that the fryer drawer takes roughly 20 minutes to reach 400F on outdoor propane models. That is long enough that most cooks start it alongside the griddle preheat and forget about it. The upside is real though: owners describe not having to run inside to a countertop air fryer mid-cook as the single biggest quality-of-life win of the whole appliance.
The second theme is uneven surface heat. Buyers report hot spots that burn seasoning oil in the centre while the edges stay bare, which makes seasoning more labor-intensive on exactly the units people are most excited about. A third theme is missing hardware: no propane tank gauge on most models, which leaves owners guessing whether they have enough fuel for a long cook.
Why owners sell them, and what that tells you
Sellers usually give one of four reasons. The unit was too heavy to move, at roughly 125 to 160 pounds for the outdoor models, and needed two people to assemble and reposition. The cooking surface rusted through one winter of uncovered storage, or a grease cup collected rainwater. An ignition or burner fault appeared early. Or, most often, the fryer was barely used while the griddle carried the whole cooking load, and the owner concluded they would have been better off with a better plain griddle and a separate countertop fryer.
That last pattern is the one to take seriously when you read the rest of this roundup. A drawer is a convenience, not a second cooking station, and the buyers who are happiest with these machines are the ones who planned for it as a side dish feature rather than a headline.
How to Choose a Flat Top Griddle With an Air Fryer
Start with the part you will use most. For most households that is the flat top surface, so choose on surface area and heat control first, then treat the fryer as a bonus. If your cooking is mostly steaks and veg, a strong heated grate matters more than a flat plate. If breakfast is a weekly event, the plate is the deciding feature and the ridged units in this list should be skipped.
Propane burner drawers, electric drawers and warming drawer only
Outdoor combo griddles come in three configurations, and confusing them is the most common buying error. A propane-burner drawer has a dedicated fifth burner underneath the griddle feeding one or more perforated baskets, usually with a separate warming drawer above. It performs like a strong convection oven and needs both a gas line and a nearby outlet for the fan. An electric drawer is a self-contained electric element, easier to place but slower to recover temperature when you open the door. A warming drawer holds finished food at safe temperature and does not crisp anything, so it is a workflow tool rather than a cooking tool. Compare that last option against our air fryers built for families before paying a premium for it.
Size, surface area and what actually fits
Square inches translate to servings more reliably than any other spec. Six burgers is roughly the practical floor for a household griddle, and anything at or above 150 square inches will handle a full breakfast of pancakes, hash browns, eggs and bacon in zones. Larger surfaces earn their weight when you cook for a group, but they also cost more propane per session and need more patio space. Translate the number into meals before you buy.
Power, placement and fuel
Plan the location before the purchase. Indoor combos need a GFCI outlet and clearance above the lid, typically about 20 inches for hinged models. Outdoor propane combos need a gas connection plus a separate outlet for the fryer fan, which is an installation detail a lot of buyers discover late. Natural gas conversion is worth asking about early: the most popular 28-inch and 36-inch griddle units are not compatible with the standard conversion kit, so confirm before you plan a gas line.
Seasoning, rust and storage
A flat top plate needs seasoning the way a cast iron pan does, and uneven heat makes it harder because oil burns off the hot zones before the edges are coated. Season with a thin film of high-smoke-point oil, heat until it smokes, cool, and repeat. After that, oil the surface before covering it and dry it thoroughly before storage. Cover the unit, get it off the ground, and expect to check it monthly through winter.
Warranty length is the real total-cost story
Warranty coverage in this category ranges from one year on several popular models to three years on the Cuisinart and George Foreman units in this roundup, and longer still on some other flat top brands. On an appliance this heavy, with gas burners, an electric fan and a steel plate that has to be seasoned, that difference matters. Check the warranty before the price, not after.
Is the air fryer premium worth it?
It is worth it if you already griddle several times a week and want fries, chicken or wings running alongside, and if you have nowhere near your grill to plug in a separate fryer. It is not worth it if you mainly want a fast weeknight air fryer, if you already own a good countertop model, or if there is no outlet near the cooking area. The honest test is whether you would still be happy owning the plain version of the same griddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grill and air fryer combo?
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro IG651 is the strongest all-rounder because it is the only appliance we tested that pairs a genuine 12-inch flat top griddle plate with a separately heated 500F grill grate and a 4-quart air fryer basket. On outdoor propane griddles with dedicated fryer drawers, the 36-inch four-burner combo is the equivalent pick, though drawer preheat runs long.
Do griddle air fryer baskets work as well as a countertop air fryer?
Not quite. Drawer baskets on outdoor griddle combos typically take about 20 minutes to reach 400F and are less precise than a dedicated basket fryer, so they behave like a strong convection oven rather than a fryer. They are genuinely useful for chicken, chips and wings cooked alongside a griddle session, but they are not a replacement for a countertop model on speed or crispness.
Can I convert my griddle to natural gas?
It depends entirely on the model, and you need to confirm before you buy. The widely sold 28-inch and 36-inch griddle units from the biggest brand in this category are not compatible with that brand’s natural gas conversion kit. Some other manufacturers offer conversion kits for specific models. Always check the exact model number with the manufacturer rather than assuming a kit will fit.
Why are people getting rid of air fryers?
Mostly because countertop models do not earn their counter space. Buyers who replace a grill, a toaster oven and an air fryer with one appliance report being happy; buyers who buy a small air fryer and then also use a stovetop griddle often find the drawer sits unused. In griddle combos the same pattern shows up as owners keeping the griddle and wishing they had skipped the drawer.
What size griddle with an air fryer do I need?
For a family of four, a surface around 150 square inches handles six burgers at once and a full breakfast in zones. Larger surfaces only pay off if you regularly cook for eight or more people. Add a note on placement: indoor combos need about 20 inches of clearance above a hinged lid and a GFCI outlet, while outdoor propane combos need a gas connection plus a separate outlet for the fryer fan.
Final Verdict on the Best Flat Top Griddles With Air Fryers
The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro IG651 is our pick for the best flat top griddles with air fryers because it is the only appliance here that gives you a real flat top plate and a proper high-heat grate in one body. The George Foreman Beyond Grill takes the value slot at the lowest weight and with a three-year warranty, and the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 XL is the safest bet if you cook steaks and frozen proteins rather than breakfast food.
Check your clearances, decide whether a drawer is something you will genuinely use, and buy on the griddle first. If you already own a good air fryer, read our outdoor griddle roundup instead and put that money toward a better cooking surface. Updated for 2026.