There are two tools called a burger press, and buying the wrong one is a common mistake. A smash press flattens a ball of beef on a hot griddle. A patty press, the subject of this guide, shapes raw meat into even rounds before cooking, so a whole tray of burgers cooks at the same rate. If you came for the griddle tool, go to our guide to the best grill press for smash burgers.
An even patty is worth more than it sounds when you are feeding a crowd. Every burger reaches temperature together, and you are not guessing which one is done. We compare adjustable, stuffed and simple designs, and note what independent testers at Food Network found.
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Quick verdict: the best burger press for shaping patties
Buy the Cuisinart Adjustable Burger Press (CABP-300). It has a dial for 1/4 to 3/4 pound patties, and Cuisinart gives the thickness each weight will make. For a simple, low-fuss option, Food Network named the Weber Original Burger Press its best value. For stuffed burgers, buy the Cuisinart 4-in-1; Food Network named its smaller 3-in-1 sibling the most versatile press it tested.
Five burger presses compared
One pick for each kind of burger night, with sizes as stated by each maker or listing.
| Press | Best for | Patty size | Material | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart Adjustable Burger PressBest overall
|
Most home cooks | 1/4 to 3/4 lb | Cast aluminum | View on Amazon |
Weber Original Burger PressBest value
|
Simple quarter and half pounders | 1/4 or 1/2 lb | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart 4-in-1 Stuffed Burger PressBest for stuffed burgers
|
Stuffed burgers and sliders | Slider to 3/4 lb | Non-stick | View on Amazon |
LEM Adjustable Burger PressBest for thickness control
|
Exact thickness | 1/4 to 1 in thick | Aluminum | View on Amazon |
Pit Boss 3-in-1 Burger PressBest plastic 3-in-1
|
Easy cleanup | Sizes not stated | BPA-free plastic | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes and materials are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best burger press
Eight picks, all patty presses rather than smash tools, and none repeated from our smash press guide. Grillaholics is the one Amazon-first brand here.
1. Cuisinart Adjustable Burger Press – A Dial for Patty Thickness
The dial is what sets this apart. You turn it to choose the patty size, and Cuisinart gives the result: a 1/4-pound patty comes out 1/2 inch thick, a 1/3-pound patty 3/4 inch, a 1/2-pound patty 1 inch, and a 3/4-pound patty 1 1/4 inches. That table makes it easy to repeat a burger you liked.
It is pre-seasoned cast aluminum with a non-stick surface to help keep patties intact. Cuisinart lists a 1-year limited warranty. Its title says 4-inch diameter while the features say all burgers come out 4 1/2 inches, so we go with the more detailed feature line.
It does one job, without stuffing or slider inserts. Cuisinart says it also works for veggie and salmon burgers. It is a simple tool, and that simplicity is why we chose it first.
Why we like it
- Dial sets patty size and thickness
- Thickness figures for each weight
- Cast aluminum with non-stick surface
- 1-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | CABP-300 |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | 4 1/2 in per features; title says 4 in |
| Patty size | 1/4 to 3/4 lb |
| Material | Pre-seasoned cast aluminum, non-stick |
| Adjustment | Dial |
| Stuffed patties | No |
| Cleaning | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Why we recommend it
This suits cooks who want repeatable burgers without fuss. If you weigh your meat, you can match the dial exactly each time.
Skip it if you want stuffed burgers or sliders from one tool. Look at the stuffed picks below.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear adjustable sizes
- Metal build
- Simple to use
Cons
- One job only
- Listing conflict on diameter
2. Weber Original Burger Press – Simple, With a Built-In Dimple
Food Network tested 12 products by forming quarter-pound patties of 85% lean beef and cooking them, and it named this Weber its best value. Its reversible base handles quarter- or half-pound burgers, and the press adds a dimple to each patty.
Testers also found a real weakness: patties stuck inside the clear dome, and they suggested parchment or cooking spray. A detachable handle with a nylon grip makes it easier to clean.
It offers two sizes and no in-between. If you want that simplicity and a known grill brand, it is an easy choice. Weber’s listing does not give a diameter or a material.
Why we like it
- Named best value by Food Network
- Quarter- and half-pound sizes
- Makes a dimple in each patty
- Detachable handle for cleaning
Key specifications
| Model | 6483 |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | Not stated |
| Patty size | 1/4 or 1/2 lb |
| Material | Not stated |
| Adjustment | Reversible base, two sizes |
| Stuffed patties | No |
| Cleaning | Detachable handle |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose this for ordinary burgers on a known grill brand’s tool, with independent testing behind it.
Skip it if you dislike using parchment or spray. Food Network says patties can stick without them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent testing
- Easy two-size choice
- Handle comes off
Cons
- Patties may stick
- No sizes in between
3. Cuisinart 4-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press – Sliders Through Big Patties
This press makes four things: a restaurant-style slider, a 1/4-pound patty at 4 inches, a stuffed 1/2-pound patty, and a 1/2 to 3/4-pound patty at 4.5 inches. A non-stick coating helps prevent buildup, and Cuisinart says the tool is dishwasher safe. It also suits black bean and salmon burgers.
Food Network tested the smaller sibling, Cuisinart’s 3-in-1, and named it the most versatile press in its test. Testers said stuffed burgers were fun to make, but they noted a learning curve and a patty of about 3.5 inches that shrank to about 2.75 inches when cooked. We chose this model partly because it adds a larger 4.5-inch size, but Food Network did not test this exact press.
The 3-in-1 was short of stock when we last checked, which is another reason this one is our pick. Amazon sells this listing directly. The listing states no warranty.
Why we like it
- Four patty options, including a stuffed one
- Larger 4.5-inch size for big patties
- Dishwasher safe, per Cuisinart
- Sibling model was Food Network’s most versatile
Key specifications
| Model | CSBP-200 |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | 4 in and 4.5 in; slider size not stated |
| Patty size | Slider, 1/4 lb, stuffed 1/2 lb, 1/2 to 3/4 lb |
| Material | Non-stick coating; material not stated |
| Adjustment | 4 functions |
| Stuffed patties | Yes |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
This is the one for a family that likes filling burgers with cheese or chiles, and wants to make sliders on the same night.
Skip it if you only make plain burgers. The adjustable press above is simpler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Four uses
- Larger patty option
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- This exact model not independently tested
- Learning curve likely, as on its sibling
4. Weston Burger Press With Spring Ejector – Pops the Patty Back Up
Weston builds meat-processing gear, and this press adds a spring plunger button that compacts the patty and then pops it back up. It makes 4 1/2-inch patties, with markings on the handle for quarter-, third-, half- and three-quarter-pound sizes, and a non-stick cast aluminum body.
Food Network tested a Weston press with a height-adjusting knob and spring-loaded ejector and said it worked fairly well, but cleaning was a chore because the whole thing needed to be disassembled and hand-washed, with small parts that can get lost. Expect similar upkeep here.
It is still useful if you make a lot of burgers and hate tearing them on the way out. The warranty is one year limited.
Why we like it
- Spring button for release
- Weight markings on the handle
- Non-stick cast aluminum
- Also for crab cakes and sausage patties
Key specifications
| Model | 07-0310-W |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | 4 1/2 in |
| Patty size | 1/4 to 3/4 lb |
| Material | Non-stick cast aluminum |
| Adjustment | Handle markings; spring plunger |
| Stuffed patties | Not a stated feature of the plunger design, though Weston says it suits stuffed burgers |
| Cleaning | Hand wash; disassembles, per Food Network |
| Warranty | 1 year limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose this for large batches where clean release matters more than cleanup speed.
Skip it if you want a quick wash afterward. Food Network found it a chore to clean.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good range of sizes
- Spring release
- Metal body
Cons
- Cleanup takes time
- Small parts can get lost
5. LEM Adjustable Burger Press – Set by Thickness, Not Weight
LEM sets this press by thickness rather than by weight. It is 4 3/8 inches across and adjusts from 1/4 to 1 inch. You loosen a wing nut, turn the screw and lock it in place, so a setting stays put through a whole batch.
It is heavy-duty aluminum with a non-stick surface, and LEM says to hand wash it to keep it in good shape. As with its other gear, you get a one-year factory warranty, lifetime support and access to replacement parts.
Setting it takes a moment longer than turning a dial, but it suits a cook who has found the thickness they like. The 1/4-inch setting is useful for thin griddle patties.
Why we like it
- Adjustable from 1/4 to 1 inch
- Locking wing nut holds your setting
- Aluminum body
- Warranty and parts support
Key specifications
| Model | 534 |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | 4 3/8 in |
| Patty size | 1/4 to 1 in thick |
| Material | Non-stick aluminum |
| Adjustment | Screw with wing nut |
| Stuffed patties | No |
| Cleaning | Hand wash only |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
For cooks who care more about exact thickness than exact weight, or anyone who buys meat-processing gear from LEM already.
Skip it if you want dishwasher-safe. LEM says hand wash only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exact thickness control
- Good maker support
- Holds its setting
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Slower to adjust
6. Norpro Hamburger Press – Small, Plain and Light
Norpro’s press is the plain answer: a 4.5-inch mold with no dial or screw. You control thickness by hand pressure, and Norpro gives guidance, about 3/8 inch for a 1/4-pound patty and 1/2 inch for a 1/3-pound one.
It measures 4.5 by 4.5 by 2.5 inches, which is small enough for a drawer. Norpro suggests pressing onto parchment or wax paper for easy transfer to the grill or freezer, and says it also suits turkey, chicken, sausage rounds, crab cakes and veggie burgers.
Hand washing is recommended, and the listing does not name the material or give a warranty. With no adjustment, consistency depends on you weighing the meat.
Why we like it
- Stated size of 4.5 inches
- Very simple to use
- Small enough for a drawer
- Good freezer-prep advice from the maker
Key specifications
| Model | 507 |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | 4.5 in |
| Patty size | 1/4 to 1/3 lb, per maker guidance |
| Material | Not stated |
| Adjustment | Hand pressure |
| Stuffed patties | No |
| Cleaning | Hand wash recommended |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Good for someone who makes burgers now and then and has no room for a bulky tool.
Skip it if you want set sizes without weighing. Use a dial model.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small and simple
- Clear guidance
- Works for many patties
Cons
- No adjustment
- Material not stated
7. Pit Boss 3-in-1 Burger Press – Plastic That Goes in the Wash
Pit Boss is a pellet grill maker, and this plastic press handles burgers, sliders and stuffed patties. A removable bottom keeps the patty’s shape on the way out, and the listing calls the BPA-free plastic non-stick.
It is dishwasher safe and easy to store. That makes it the low-effort answer to the cleaning complaints that come with metal presses. The listing gives no sizes in inches or pounds, so you are buying on the maker’s name and format.
It suits a grill owner who wants something cheap to keep with the tools. If you want more control of size, go for one of the adjustable models.
Why we like it
- Burgers, sliders and stuffed
- Removable bottom
- Dishwasher safe
- From a known grill maker
Key specifications
| Model | 67268 |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | Not stated |
| Patty size | Not stated |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Adjustment | 3 functions |
| Stuffed patties | Yes |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
For a backyard griller who wants simple cleanup and the option of stuffed burgers.
Skip it if you want exact sizes. The listing does not give any.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy cleanup
- Three uses
- Light
Cons
- Sizes not stated
- Plastic build
8. Grillaholics 3-in-1 Stuffed Burger Press – Juicy Lucy Focus
Grillaholics, an Amazon-first brand, built this press around stuffed burgers. You press the patty, add a filling, then seal it with a second layer. A removable lift plate pops each burger out, and the same press does classic patties up to 1/2 pound and sliders.
Its listing makes the difference from a smash press plain: smash tools make thin, flat patties, and this makes thick ones with fillings sealed in. It is BPA-free and dishwasher safe, and it comes with a free recipe eBook.
It has no stated size in inches and no fixed warranty, though Grillaholics promises to make things right. Keep the filling away from the edge when you seal it, or it may leak out in the heat.
Why we like it
- Made for stuffed burgers
- Removable lift plate
- Dishwasher safe
- Recipe eBook included
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Patty diameter | Not stated |
| Patty size | Up to 1/2 lb |
| Material | BPA-free; material not stated |
| Adjustment | 3 functions |
| Stuffed patties | Yes |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | Not stated; maker promises to make it right |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if stuffed burgers are the main reason you are buying a press, and you want a press built only around that job.
Skip it if you want a known maker. Grillaholics sells mainly through Amazon.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stuffed burger focus
- Lift plate
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- No size in inches
How to choose a burger press
Confirm which press you want. Patty presses shape raw meat before cooking. Smash presses flatten meat on the griddle. Weight and material needs are very different. If you are making griddle burgers, read the smash guide first.
Decide how much control you want. A dial or screw gives you repeatable sizes, while a simple mold depends on you weighing the meat. A kitchen scale makes every option here more consistent.
Mind the shrink. Patties shrink as they cook. Food Network measured about 3.5 inches shrinking to about 2.75 on one press. Check your bun size against the finished patty, not the mold.
Plan for release and cleaning. Parchment or patty papers help nearly every model. Metal presses often need hand washing, while plastic models usually go in the dishwasher. Follow each maker’s line, since non-stick surfaces can wear.
Keep raw meat clean. A press touches raw ground beef, so wash it with hot soapy water after use, or as the maker directs, and keep it away from cooked food. A meat thermometer is the sure way to check that burgers are done.
How we chose these eight patty presses
A kitchen cooking burgers in volume wants even size and clean release. We used that as the test for reading listings, looked for identifiable makers on Amazon US and confirmed each one was in stock and New. We read Food Network’s test of 12 burger tools, which covered three designs close to those here. We searched for other independent reviews and did not find any we would rely on, so the Cuisinart CABP-300, LEM, Norpro, Pit Boss and Grillaholics picks rest on maker and listing details. We checked CPSC recall records by brand and found nothing on these products. We excluded every smash press and every product already on our smash press guide. We have not used these presses ourselves.
Burger press questions, answered
What is a hamburger patty maker?
It is another name for a patty press: a mold, usually with a lid or plunger, that shapes ground meat into an even round before you cook it.
Is a burger press the same as a smash press?
No. A patty press shapes raw meat, while a smash press flattens it during cooking. They are different tools for different burgers.
What size press should I buy?
Most here make patties of about 4 to 4 1/2 inches. Think about your buns and remember patties shrink as they cook. Food Network found the Cuisinart 3-in-1 made a smaller patty.
How do I stop patties from sticking?
Use parchment or wax squares. Food Network suggested parchment or cooking spray for the Weber, and Norpro recommends pressing onto paper.
Can I make stuffed burgers in any press?
No. Look for a stuffed function, as on the Cuisinart 4-in-1, Pit Boss and Grillaholics. Weston also says its press suits stuffed burgers, but it does not come with a stuffing insert.
Our final pick for even patties
Buy the Cuisinart adjustable if you want set sizes without fuss, and the Weber if you want the simplest tested option. For griddle burgers, see our smash burger press guide, and for ideas on what to put in the middle, try our burger cookbook guide. And if you would rather have someone else at the stove tonight, see the menu and call to order.