Sunbeam CKSBPM5020 Panini Maker, Small Review (2026)

Who This Panini Press Fits

This panini maker is aimed at someone who wants a straightforward way to press a hot sandwich or panini without a large countertop appliance eating up limited space. Sunbeam is a familiar, budget friendly appliance brand, and this small format press is built for basic, no fuss operation rather than a long list of settings or presets. It suits a household that makes toasted sandwiches occasionally to a few times a week and values a compact appliance that can be tucked into a cabinet between uses. It is a weaker fit for anyone who wants a large multi function grill that doubles as an open flat griddle with adjustable temperature settings, since this model is designed around a simpler, single purpose pressing function.

Size and Everyday Fit

Listings for this model describe an overall footprint of roughly 13.9 by 12.3 by 6 inches, which is a compact size for a panini press and should fit on a small section of counter or slide into a cabinet shelf without much trouble. The small format is the main selling point for a tight kitchen, since a two slice press this size takes up far less room than a large panini grill built for bigger batches or multiple sandwiches at once. Buyers with a small kitchen should still measure their intended storage spot before buying, since even a compact appliance needs a dedicated place to live between uses.

Pressing Mechanism and Cooking

Retailer listings describe the press as using a floating hinge design, which allows the top plate to adjust to sandwiches of different thicknesses rather than forcing every sandwich to be pressed to a single fixed height. This is useful for anyone who makes sandwiches with varying amounts of filling, since a rigid hinge can crush a thin sandwich while barely touching a thick one. The plates are described as nonstick, and a drip tray is included to catch grease or crumbs that escape during pressing, which keeps cleanup more contained than a press without a tray.

Cleaning and Maintenance

According to retailer descriptions, the removable parts of this panini maker are dishwasher safe, which simplifies cleanup after pressing sandwiches with melted cheese or sauces that can be messy to scrub by hand. The nonstick coating on the plates should also help food release more easily during use, reducing how much scraping is needed even before the parts reach the dishwasher. Because the unit is a smaller, simpler design, there are fewer crevices and components to clean compared with larger multi function grills that include removable plates, adjustable racks, or extra accessories.

Value as a Basic Press

As an older, straightforward model from a budget appliance brand, this press does not offer the temperature dials, interchangeable plates, or flat griddle mode found on some newer panini makers, and the styling reflects an earlier generation of kitchen appliance design. For a small kitchen that just wants a reliable way to make a pressed sandwich without learning a complicated appliance, that simplicity is a reasonable trade off against the more feature rich, and usually pricier, presses on the market today. Buyers who specifically want adjustable heat settings or a larger cooking surface for bigger sandwiches should look at other panini presses instead.

Frequently asked questions