If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard or outdoor area that is solely yours, getting some fresh air easily is a beloved privilege. Don’t let that go to waste.
If you really want to make the most of your outdoor space (besides getting some nice new furniture), we can’t stress enough how great it is to have a grill. Not only will it provide you with plenty of new cooking opportunities, but it’ll also give you a reason to get out of the house for a moment and perhaps spend some quality time with your loved ones while you whip up a meal.
Summertime is synonymous with grilling, so we say it’s time to get with the program. And if you need some help choosing the best grill for you and your space, we’ve got you covered.
What to take into consideration
Gas grills come in all shapes and sizes (and prices), which means that picking one out can get overwhelming very quickly. Something that is vital to remember when shopping for one: Just because it’s the most, doesn’t mean it’s the best (for you). In other words, if you have a tiny backyard and prefer the concept of minimalism, the super expensive, gigantic, five-burner grill isn’t really going to fit your vibe. It might be for someone else, but we’re shopping for you, remember?
Now that we got that lesson out of the way, there are two major points you’ll want to get figured out before purchasing your very own gas grill:
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Size: Not just the amount of physical space it takes up (which is still important), but also take note of the amount of burners you need. How much food do you normally cook at once? Are you regularly feeding a whole family? The more food, the more burners and surface area you’ll want.
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Versatility and extra features: This can range anywhere from temperature regulation, to smart features, to warming racks, to external side burners, to equipment storage, and more. It’ll all come down to what you see as necessary, and what you see as superfluous.
Get those priorities in check, and you’ve already done most of the work.
Gas grills vs. charcoal grills
Ah, yes, the age-old debate: Gas or charcoal?
The answer to that question will depend on where your priorities lie — convenience or flavor? Gas grills are all about the former. You can light them immediately, and they’re normally ready to cook on within minutes. With a charcoal grill, it’s a different story. Those generally take 20 to 30 minutes to start up, which can be frustrating if patience isn’t your strong suit.
But, with patience comes reward — many say that cooking with a charcoal grill helps you retain the smoky flavor of whatever you’re cooking, ending in a better final result. Gas grills usually end up vaporizing a lot of the good stuff, even though it gets the job done more quickly. Of course, if you’re a crappy cook, the flavor factor might not even matter. Make sure you know what you’re doing before you fire up that grill or prepare for unhappy tastebuds for all.
Gas grills are also inarguably more versatile and easier to operate. In addition to quick startup and shutdown, gas grills allow you to more meticulously control the temperature of your cooking surface. Many also come with multiple burners and extras that charcoal grills just don’t. You’ll end up paying more, though, and buying charcoal is a whole lot easier than refilling your propane tank in terms of availability (not to mention that gas grills are typically much bulkier). What we’re saying is that both have their advantages and disadvantages.
You can’t really go wrong, though. Consider your cooking style, budget, and taste preference, then make an informed decision. Don’t stress over it — it’s just food after all, and both will give you the opportunity to make something truly delicious.
What is the best gas grill for under $500?
The best grill for under $500 also happens to be our top pick overall: The Weber Spirit II E-310.
You’ll be able to read our full take on it below, but in short, we think it’s a great all-around grill that boasts the features of more expensive options, just at a way better price. Plus, it’s compatible with smart devices. How cool!
What is the best gas grill, period?
We’re happy you asked. Without further ado, our picks for the best gas grills.
Smart compatibility • 10-year warranty • Consistent performance with all dishes
No cabinet to hide propane tank • iGrill sold separately
The Weber Spirit II E-310 is a great all-around grill for a great price, making it our top pick.
1. Weber Spirit II E-310
The Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top pick — it features many of the qualities of more expensive grills, but at an affordable price.
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Number of burners:
3
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Warming rack?:
Yes
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External side burner?:
No
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Total cooking space:
529 square inches
Middle of the road when it comes to price but high-end when it comes to features, the
Weber Spirit II E-310 grill takes our top spot.
This grill is a great all-around player, giving a consistent performance across most food types. It has a relatively spacious cooking area with three burners and Weber’s patented cast iron cooking grates, which also feature Flavorizer bars that help your food from losing its taste.
It’s also compatible with Weber’s iGrill 3 smart device, which can monitor your food’s temperature from start to finish and send the data straight to your phone (unfortunately, it’s
sold separately).
One Home Depot reviewer writes:
“This is my second Weber and I wouldn’t buy anything else — my first one lasted 20 years and was still usable! The size is just right for my deck and, more importantly, the heat is very even and controllable. And there are small but important changes since my last Weber. The grilling space is larger, the overall area is greater (the height of the cover has increased), and the small rack is higher which makes it easy to access the rear of the grill. I love it.”
Five burners • External side burner and rotisserie spit • LED display for nighttime grilling
Stainless steel shows marks easily • Some reviewers said it’s prone to flare-ups
You won’t have trouble feeding the whole family with the Broil King Regal S590 Pro — it’s big enough to handle even the hungriest of crowds.
2. Broil King Regal S590 Pro
This extra-large Broil King grill gives you the size and versatility you need to make something bountiful and delicious.
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Number of burners:
5
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Warming rack?:
Yes
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External side burner?:
Yes
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Total cooking space:
625 square inches
If you have a big backyard and a lot of hungry mouths to feed, you’re going to need a big grill.
The
Broil King Regal S590 Pro is a great choice for those who take “go big or go home” seriously. It features
five burners on the main cooking space, as well as an external burner to the side for pots and skillets and a rotisserie spit. Talk about versatility, right?
It also features a cabinet to hide your propane tank, as well as plenty of storage space for grilling tools and seasonings. Just make sure you take care of the grill’s interior
and exterior — that stainless stell has the propensity to show dings and scratches.
One Amazon reviewer says:
“Let me start by saying I love this grill. I have had several others, including Webers, and would say it’s on the same quality while providing more high-end benefits at a lower cost. It can reach approximately 700 degrees in 5 minutes, comes with a motorized rotisserie, has a great side burner, illuminated LED knobs, and excellent heat distribution for even cooking.”
Minimalist and not bogged down by bells and whistles • Plenty of cooking area and shelf space
Lacks in temperature control
No need to get fancy with it — the Char-Broil Classic 360 features all the attributes that a decent grill should have while staying low-budget.
3. Char-Broil Classic 360
If bells and whistles aren’t your cup of tea, check out this minimalist and affordable grill from Char-Broil.
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Number of burners:
3
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Warming rack?:
Yes
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External side burner?:
No
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Total cooking space:
360 square inches
If you’re tight on budget, the
Char-Broil Classic 360 will certainly get the job done for you without draining the old bank account.
It’s pretty minimalist, but comes with all the necessities that a competent grill should have — a decent amount of cooking space, a warming rack, dual side shelves, and reliable burners (three, to be exact). The only complaint that reviewers had was the not-so-great temperature control, so you’ll just have to be extra attentive during use.
It’s nothing special, but sometimes you don’t need special, you just need something that works.
One Amazon reviewer writes:
“I was looking for a quality grill with none of the bells and whistles. This is a great size for myself and my girlfriend to make dinner, but also big enough for meal prepping and hosting. If you want a simple grill, with good quality materials at a low price, this is a great option!”
Vertical design is good for small outdoor spaces • A good amount of surface area for a small grill
If you aren’t working with a large outdoor space, the Fuego Element will still allow you to grill without overcrowding things.
4. Fuego Element Grill
Not everyone has a gigantic backyard — the Fuego Element is a great grill suited for small patios and decks thanks to its vertical design.
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Number of burners:
2
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Warming rack?:
No
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External side burner?:
No
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Total cooking space:
364 square inches
If you don’t have a lot to work with in your outdoor space, this grill from
Fuego shouldn’t take up a lot of room.
This grill has a more vertical design as to not get in the way of anything, which is helpful if you’re willing to sacrifice the storage space that most other grills have. It still comes with a good amount of cooking surface area, though, with two burners and the ability to hold about 15 burgers at a time.
It’s easy to roll around, too, and has an offset lid handle so you don’t end up burning yourself while opening or closing it. Just be careful, the grill has a totally flush surface, so there’s nothing keeping your food from falling off.
Here’s what one Home Depot reviewer had to say:
“This grill is really small, but has a large grilling area. We live in a condo and have it on our deck. It seems to be very versatile with its direct and indirect heat settings. It also holds a constant temperature real well. I would highly recommend.”
Truly portable • Foldable side tables
No storage • Cart sold separately
Tailgaters, beach bums, and small patio owners rejoice — this grill should fit into your lifestyle effortlessly.
5. Weber Q1200
If you plan on grilling everywhere that you legally can, you’ll need a grill that’s truly portable and high-quality — the Weber Q1200 is precisely that.
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Number of burners:
1
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Warming rack?:
No
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External side burner?:
No
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Total cooking space:
189 square inches
Yes, portable grills are a thing, just ask George Foreman.
We recommend getting the
Weber Q1200 if you think you’ll be taking your grill on your travels. This single-burner model can be brought just about anywhere that grills are legally allowed, and features a good amount of space for something so portable (just don’t expect to feed an entire party).
You’ll have to bring all of your tools and supplies along separately due to the lack of storage, but you can’t expect much more from a grill like this. Oh, and those foldable side tables are pretty awesome.
One Amazon reviewer wrote:
“This portable gas grill is perfect for apartment balconies or patios (if your apartment allows you to use a gas grill) and compact enough to travel with on road trips and camping trips. I purchased this grill with Weber’s 6557 Q Portable Cart and the combination could not be more perfect and stylish, if I must say so myself. Since it is just the wife and I, this grill is perfect for our life style.”
Made from corrosion-resistant materials • Fights against flare-ups • Easily converted to natural gas
Some reviewers said the heat distribution could be better
The KitchenAid two-burner grill brings a lot to the table for a reasonable price, making it a great pick for your money.
6. KitchenAid Two-Burner Grill
KitchenAid fans will be happy to know that the company makes a grill, too — and it’s a great bang for your buck.
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Number of burners:
2
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Warming rack?:
Yes
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External side burner?:
No
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Total cooking space:
457 square inches
KitchenAid makes grills, too? How about that. And it’s a good one, too.
KitchenAid’s two-burner grill is a great bang for your buck — it’s a good size for most outdoor spaces, has a cooking area that stacks up against more expensive options, foldable side shelves, and doesn’t cost nearly as much as other grills of its kind.
Also, it just looks really great, like most of KitchenAid’s stuff.
Here’s what one Home Depot reviewer wrote about it:
“I bought this grill because we have an upper and lower outdoor space. All of our outdoor cooking stuff is on the lower patio, and sometimes running the stairs when putting something together for just the family (kitchen is upstairs) is a hassle. I found this little gem and swooped it up. It’s the perfect size for everyday use, doesn’t take up a ton of space, and looks very nice as well! I love it, and was able to put it together pretty easily. Instructions were clear, and it was up and running in no time!”
All the features of the Weber Spirit II E-310 • External burner and extra storage • iGrill app integration
iGrill monitor sold separately
If you have the extra cash to spend on the upgraded version of the Weber Spirit II E-310, this grill will be your best bet.
7. Weber Genesis II E-335
A nice upgrade from the Weber Spirit II E-310, the Genesis II E-335 has all the same great features and then some.
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Number of burners:
3
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Warming rack?:
Yes
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External side burner?:
Yes
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Total cooking space:
513 square inches
Not super expensive but also not low-budget by any means, we think the
Weber Genesis II E-335 is a good intermediate pick for grillers who want high-quality but don’t want to go overboard.
At its core, it’s really just an upgraded version of the Weber Spirit II E-310 (which took our top spot). It has the app integration, warranty, and great performance, but adds in a nice storage cabinet and an extra side burner. We ultimately thought that the Spirit model was the better pick for your money, but if you have the extra funds, this one certainly has
more.
One Amazon reviewer writes:
“Weber has always had a great reputation and we are so pleased with the purchase of our Weber Genesis II. The grill heats up quickly and sears meat beautifully, and the temperature is well distributed and easily controlled. We love the high quality stainless look and design plus the warming rack can be dropped down for larger grilling space when not in use. We LOVE this grill and highly recommend it!”
