Skip to content
Pickoryx
Menu / Search

Breville Panini Duo BSG520XL vs Breville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS

Do you mainly want a floating-hinge sandwich press, or an open-flat grill with independently controlled plates—and how important is dishwasher cleanup?

Products compared

ASIN B002PY6X1E

Breville Panini Duo BSG520XL

You want a sandwich-press workflow with a floating top plate and adjustable height for varied sandwich thicknesses.

Last observed offer

$99.95

Check price on AmazonPaid link
  • Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon

Size: 2 Slice

Price checked

Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.

ASIN B08DP5KMCS

Breville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS

You want to open the grill flat or set different temperatures for the two plates.

Last observed offer

$249.95

Check price on AmazonPaid link
  • Confirm offer eligibility on Amazon

Size: Medium

Price checked

Observed condition: new. Coupon and subscription requirements unverified.

Prices are per listed package. Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-20 · Source checked 2026-10-20 23:07 UTC

The main trade-off

The BSG520XL centers on a sandwich-press format with a floating hinge and adjustable top-plate height. The BGR700 adds open-flat cooking, separate plate-temperature controls and documented removable dishwasher-safe plates. The BSG520 manual gives a wipe-clean method but does not specify plate removal or dishwasher use.

Quick verdict

For mostly pressed sandwiches, the BSG520XL’s flat plates, floating hinge and adjustable height make its documented format the direct fit. Choose the BGR700 if you will use open-flat mode, separate plate temperatures or removable plates that the manual says can go on the dishwasher’s top rack. Breville’s feature descriptions do not establish a cooking-speed, browning or taste winner.

Choose Breville Panini Duo BSG520XL if

  • You want a sandwich-press workflow with a floating top plate and adjustable height for varied sandwich thicknesses.
  • You mainly make paninis and are comfortable following the manual’s wipe-clean routine.

Choose Breville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS if

  • You want to open the grill flat or set different temperatures for the two plates.
  • Removing the plates for top-rack dishwasher cleaning matters to your cleanup routine.
When to skip: You need an outdoor grill rather than an indoor countertop press/grill; Breville says not to use the Sear & Press outdoors.
When the recommendation changes
  • If dishwasher-safe removable plates are essential, confirm BSG520XL plate handling with Breville because its manual does not specify that workflow.
  • If waffle plates matter, note that Breville identifies compatible BGR001 plates as a separately sold accessory.

The differences that matter

Decision pointBreville Panini Duo BSG520XLBreville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS
Grilling Controls And Food FitBreville presents the BSG520XL Panini Duo as a sandwich press with flat plates, a floating hinge and adjustable top-plate height for different sandwich thicknesses.[1, 2]Breville documents the BGR700 Sear & Press with reversible ribbed/flat plates, a 240 sq. in. open-flat surface, Panini/Burger/Sear settings and separately set plate temperatures.[3, 4]

What this changes: The BSG520XL fits a buyer focused on pressed sandwiches and adjustable clearance. The BGR700 fits someone who will use open-flat grilling or separate temperature settings. This is feature-fit guidance; manufacturer descriptions do not establish which grill cooks faster or produces better food.[1, 2, 3, 4]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Plate Care And StorageThe BSG520 manual describes wiping the plates with a soft cloth and warns against abrasives; it also describes locking and upright storage with cord storage. It does not document a plate-removal or dishwasher routine.[2, 1]The BGR700 manual explains releasing its upper and lower plates and placing them in the dishwasher top rack or washing by hand. The removable drip tray is dishwasher-safe; the grill also has a locking clip and cord storage for upright storage.[4, 3]

What this changes: If you want removable plates for dishwasher cleaning, Breville documents that workflow for the BGR700. The BSG520 manual documents wiping the plates on the appliance but does not say whether they detach or are dishwasher-safe, so verify if that determines your choice. Both have documented upright/cord storage; no storage-space winner is claimed.[2, 4, 1, 3]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

Pressed sandwiches with adjustable clearance for thick fillings

Best fit: Breville Panini Duo BSG520XL

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Breville documents the BSG520XL floating hinge and adjustable-height top plate for different sandwich thicknesses. This is a feature match, not evidence of better cooking results.

Open-flat grilling or cooking two plates at separately selected temperatures

Best fit: Breville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Breville documents an open-flat mode and independent plate-temperature controls on the BGR700. This does not imply measured performance superiority.

Dishwasher cleaning of removable cooking plates

Best fit: Breville Sear & Press Grill BGR700BSS

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

The BGR700 manual documents removing the plates and placing them on the dishwasher’s top rack. The BSG520 manual describes wiping plates but does not establish whether they detach or are dishwasher-safe.

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

If the BGR700 costs more when you shop, its extra cooking modes, separate plate controls and documented dishwasher workflow matter only if you expect to use them.

Compare the current offers for the exact models when you shop; this comparison does not establish whether either price will be lower later.

Limitations

  • Breville’s BSG520 manual gives a wipe-clean procedure for its plates but does not state whether they detach or are dishwasher-safe; verify with Breville if that feature determines your purchase.
  • Breville identifies BGR001 waffle plates as a separately sold accessory. Check the current package details if waffle plates matter.
  • The BGR700’s controls and surface modes are manufacturer-described features, not evidence of faster cooking, more even browning or better-tasting food than the BSG520XL.
  • No hands-on or same-condition cooking comparison was conducted.

Questions shoppers ask

Does the BGR700 include waffle plates?

Breville lists BGR001 waffle plates as a separately sold accessory. Its instruction book identifies reversible grill/griddle plates for standard use and labels the waffle plates as an accessory. Check the current seller’s package listing if waffles are part of your plan.

Can I put the BSG520XL plates in a dishwasher?

The BSG520 manual describes wiping the plates with a soft cloth and avoiding abrasives; it does not specify plate removal or dishwasher use. That is unknown, not proof that the plates cannot be removed. Ask Breville if dishwasher cleaning is a deciding requirement.

Methodology and sources

Compared the documented plate design, cooking modes and controls, then checked each model’s cleaning and storage instructions. Feature descriptions are not treated as cooking tests.

Research assistance organized Breville’s published product and care information; no appliance or cooking-performance testing was performed.

View 4 sources
  1. 1.the Panini Duo | Breville USBreville US · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-20 23:07 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • U.S. product page, SKU BSG520XL: flat plates, height control, floating hinge, upright storage and cord wrap: Breville’s U.S. BSG520XL page describes the Panini Duo’s flat plates, adjustable-height top plate and floating hinge for different sandwich thicknesses. It also lists a storage clip, upright storage and integrated cord wrap. These are features, not comparative performance measurements.
  2. 2.BSG520 Instruction ManualBreville US · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-20 23:07 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Official U.S. BSG520 PDF: operating, care/cleaning and storage sections: The U.S. BSG520 manual describes the floating hinge and adjustable-height control and gives a wipe-clean procedure for the plates after unplugging and cooling. It cautions against abrasive cleaning and describes upright/cable storage. Its procedure does not establish whether plates are removable or dishwasher-safe; the draft does not infer either status.
  3. 3.the Sear & Press Grill | Breville USBreville US · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-20 23:07 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • U.S. BGR700 product page, SKU BGR700BSS1BUS1: modes, controls, plates, open-flat surface and accessories: Breville’s U.S. BGR700 page for SKU BGR700BSS1BUS1 describes Panini/Burger/Sear presets, independent plate-temperature controls, reversible ceramic plates, a 240-square-inch open-flat mode and removable plates/drip tray. It says waffle plates are sold separately. These features do not establish superior cooking results.
  4. 4.the Sear & Press Grill Instruction BookBreville · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-20 23:07 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • U.S./North American instruction book: Components, Functions, Care & Cleaning, Storage: The BGR700 manual identifies reversible ceramic plates with ribbed and flat sides, separate upper/lower plate releases, independent plate controls, named presets and a removable drip tray. It documents top-rack dishwasher cleaning for the cooking plates and upright storage. The compatible BGR001 waffle plates are identified as sold separately.