The Best Gas Grills for Every Budget

Convenience, ease of use and superior temperature regulation are why you buy a gas grill over charcoal or pellet. And though grilling enthusiasts often see this as a strike against America’s favorite grill type, gas grills are not just burgers, hot dogs and half-seared steaks. Not the good ones, at least.

The grills in this guide reach near-charcoal temperatures, offer plenty of versatility with low-and-slow cooking and prioritize endurance over shiny stainless steel for the sake of it. From the best grills for your apartment balcony to professional-grade monsters that will feed an army, these are the best gas grills for your money.

How We Tested

Photos by Gear Patrol Staff

Our testers got their hands on a number of grills from the top brands in the industry, some of which were called in specifically for testing and some that our users recommend based on months or years of personal use. We grilled a wide variety of foods, everything from veggies to burgers to steaks, to determine how the grills performed when cooking different meals. Our testers also took into account other factors, like how durable their grills were and how easy they were to clean, move and generally live with.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Best Overall Gas Grill

Weber

Weber Genesis E-325s

Specs

Cooking Space	787 square inches
Gas Type	Propane or natural gas
Max Temperature	~600° F

Pros

• Large grilling area
• Very easy to use
• Grease cleanup is a breeze

Cons

• Side tables don’t have a side burner
• For the price, we'd prefer steel grates over Weber’s iron grates

• $849 at Weber

There are cheaper grills with most of the features and cheaper grills with comparable build quality and cheaper grills supported by healthy warranties and strong customer service, but there is no grill that matches the Weber’s Genesis E-325s complete package.

The Genesis E-325s features nearly 800 square inches of prime cooking real estate, featuring Weber’s largest sear zone for super high-heat cooking. With its PureBlu burners, flames are hot and even, and ignition is reliable and consistent. The grill features Weber’s new grease management system that makes cleanup easier than ever so you can spend more time grilling and hanging out and less time scrubbing and scouring.

Best Upgrade Gas Grill

Napoleon

Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Propane Grill

Specs

Cooking Space	500 square inches
Gas Type	Propane or natural gas
Max Temperature	~700° F

Pros

• Rotisserie is incredibly satisfying
• Charcoal-level heat
• Stainless steel construction is great

Cons

• Given how luxe the rest of the grill is, the wheels feel rickety

• $2,499 at BBQ Guys

Napoleon is a major player at the top of the mid-market grilling space and through the ultra-premium categories. This particular grill is in the middle of the pack in Napoleon terms, but it’s the quintessential shiny stainless gas grill. Above all else, you are paying for build quality and cooking payload. Most of the grill is made of sturdy 304 stainless steel and the firebox is ultra-durable cast aluminum.

There are four primary burners, each with a heat diffuser, as well as a rotisserie burner and an infrared side burner. And though Napoleon’s trademark wavy grates can be frustrating to clean at times, the brand gets the materials right (9.5mm stainless steel). The infrared burner is a step above those from Weber and other more budget-focused brands. Recorded with an IR gun, the burner was pushing 1,100 degrees. That is charcoal-level heat, available in seconds.

Best Budget Gas Grill

Weber

Weber Spirit II E-210

Specs

Cooking Space	450 square inches
Gas Type	Propane
Max Temperature	500° – 550° F

Pros

• Great Heat Retention
• Easy to Move Around
• Excellent Cast Iron Grill Grates

Cons

• Modest Searing
• Needs a Cover

Read our full review of the Weber Spirit II E-210

• $449 at Weber

If you’re into the gas grill scene, you’re probably familiar with Weber’s moderately-priced Spirit line, which comes in both two-burner (E-210) and three-burner (E-310). Our tester has been using the E-210 for four years, and he’s a big fan of it as an entry-level grill. Thanks to a thick cast-iron body and small vent, our tester says the Spirit offered outstanding heat retention and heat-up times for the rather fuel-efficient 72 BTUs per square inch.

Photo by Mitch Kwitek for Gear Patrol

While the original Spirit has a cabinet to hide away your propane tank, the Spirit II opts for an open design, making things look a bit less tidy. But our tester thinks the grill at least partly makes up for this by improving the wheel design of the original Spirt by swapping the small caster wheels that are shaky, hard to lock and difficult to move on uneven surfaces to one set of large 7 1/2-inch wheels that allow the Spirit II to be rolled easily through complicated backyards and uneven decks.

Best Gas Griddle

Blackstone

Blackstone Culinary Pro 36in Cabinet Griddle

Specs

Cooking Space	768 square inches
Gas Type	Propane
Max Temperature	650+° F

Pros

• Efficient grease management system
• Large cooking surface with four zones

Cons

• Protecting the sides and underside of cooking surface near salt-water bodies of water is difficult
• If you want extra features, like a propane cabinet, you're really gonna have to shell out

• $399 at Blackstone
  $499 (20% off)

Our tester reviewed the now-discontinued version of this grill that included cabinets, a heavy-duty hood and extra storage, and while he loved the experience, he lamented the extra cost, and we’re confident in recommending the more bare-bones version of Blackstone’s quintessential flat-top grill.

The grill’s 4-burner, 60,000-BTU design has a 768 sq-in cold rolled steel cooktop, with some fold-out shelves for food prep and a magnetic tool holder for storage. This hefty griddle has casters to move it around and a removable hard cover to protect the cooking surface when not in use.

Video by John Zientek for Gear Patrol

Our tester notes that before using the flat top for the first time, you need to season the surface much like you’d season a cast-iron skillet — it’s a simple process, but takes about an hour. This griddle is incredibly useful and can be used in a wide variety of applications to broaden your outdoor cooking repertoire. Heat it up to searing temps and get the perfect sears on steaks — you also don’t have to worry about setting off smoke alarms in your house.

You can also control the cooking zones and prepare multiple components of your meal at the same time. The surface, when seasoned properly, is nonstick and super easy to clean. Our tester says having an outdoor griddle has been a game changer for how he cooks at home and is definitely something people should consider. And since Blackstone is the griddle brand, picking up its large-sized model is the way to go.

Best Built-In Gas Grill

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo K750HB Built-in Hybrid Fire Grill

Specs

Cooking Space	726 square inches
Gas Type	Bulk Propane or natural gas (plus charcoal and wood)
Max Temperature	~1,100° F

Pros

• Can cook with gas, charcoal and wood
• Reaches temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees
• Unmatched heat distribution thanks to the ultra-deep firebox
• Handmade in the U.S. from the highest-quality materials

Cons

• Starting above $25,000, it’s in a class of its own when it comes to price

• $25,295 at Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet is like the final boss of grill brands: If you’re a grilling enthusiast, there simply is no better grill on the market than this, and the $25,000+ price tag reflects that. The Hybrid Fire Grill is available in three different sizes as both a standalone grill or as a built-in, but the brand’s most popular rendition is this medium-sized built-in (Kalamazoo’s clientele are typically building out entire outdoor kitchens, and around 90 percent of grills the brand sells are of the built-in variety).

There’s a lot that makes the Hybrid Fire Grill special. It’s handcrafted from stainless steel (either 304 or 316L Marine Grade if you’re near salt water) at the brand’s factory in Michigan. It features three heavy-duty cast stainless steel “Dragon Burners,” along with a built-in infrared burner and motorized rotisserie. It eschews traditional grates in favor of laser-cut stainless steel cooking surfaces featuring different cutouts for meat, fish and veggies. Its firebox is about four times as deep as on a traditional gas grill, which allows for unrivaled heat circulation that eliminates hot spots and flare-ups. And its controls include safety gas control valves that prevent gas from flowing if the burners aren’t on — the first American grill brand to include this feature.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

But what’s most outstanding about Kalamazoo’s Hybrid Fire Grill is the “Hybrid Fire” aspect. You can use the grill as a gas grill only, where temperatures range from about 250–750° F. Or you can fill the custom grilling drawer with whatever combination of wood and charcoal you like, allowing for temperatures well into four-digit territory that will have you searing steaks in mere seconds. And with the control offered by your three burners, you can easily set up different temperature zones on your grill to suit your needs. Our reviewer witnessed Kalamazoo’s chief designer and resident grillmaster, Russ Faulk, demonstrate the sear and slide method on the grill to perfectly cook medium-rare steaks by first giving them a quick sear on the charcoal-fueled side of the grill before moving them over to the gas-only side where they finished cooking over low and controlled heat.

Our tester also cooked hot dogs on the Hybrid Fire Grill and was impressed with the ease of using the somewhat intimidating-looking grill. The laser-cut cooking surfaces are an absolute dream — there’s no concern of food falling through, they hold heat exceptionally well and they don’t get in your way when moving food around. There’s just so much room to work with on this grill and so much versatility offered, our tester says that if you’re serious about grilling — and you have the budget for it, which let’s be real, is significant — then there’s really no beating the Hybrid Fire Grill.

Best Compact Gas Grill

Amazon

Fuego Element Hinged F21C-H

Specs

Cooking Space	346 square inches
Gas Type	Propane
Max Temperature	~625° F

Pros

• Tiny footprint
• Impressive temperature range
• Unique and striking design

Cons

• Wheels feel like an afterthought

• $399 at Amazon

This grill’s design takes up as little space on your patio or porch as possible. And considering it can pull temperatures north of 500 degrees in 5 minutes or less (with max temps upward of 625), you’ve got a solid space-cost-firepower ratio brewing. It comes with enameled cast-iron grates standard and a cleverly offset lid handle, so opening and closing don’t threaten your arm hair.

The Fuego can effectively grill about 15 burgers at a time, but what’s perhaps most notable about it is its looks. This thing looks more like a Star Wars droid than a grill, and it owes its unique design to former chief computer designer at Apple, Robert Brunner. But you’ll need to like where you place the Fuego, as even though its small, its tiny wheels aren’t super useful when it comes time to move it.

Best Gas Grill for Balconies

Weber

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Specs

Cooking Space	320 square inches
Gas Type	Propane
Max Temperature	500° – 550° F

Pros

• Easy to assemble and easy to use
• Moving from point A to B is a breeze
• Gets surprisingly hot for its size

Cons

• Temperature control isn't easy
• Lacks grease guards for the burners
• Grill cover must be purchased separately

• $399 at Weber

Out of the box, the Weber Traveler took our tester less than five minutes to assemble and looks damn good, especially in that classic Weber red. Our tester made the silly mistake of assembling it inside, but fortunately, it travels like a suitcase, so he was able to wheel it outside with very little effort. Compared to other portable grills he’s used – which can feel rickety, with wavering hoods like sheet metal – our tester says the Traveler feels sturdy and secure, and while he wouldn’t consider it “lightweight”, it’s light enough to lift from the ground to the back of one’s car.

Photo by Matthew Pastorius for Gear Patrol

The grill fits perfectly on our tester’s back patio, and while he hasn’t taken it on the road yet, he judges it would fit nicely in the back of a mid-size vehicle (anything smaller may require some serious maneuvering) heading to a tailgate or a weekend trip upstate. Our user notes that the Weber Traveler is extremely easy to use, has a surprising amount of grill space on the grates, heats up quickly and retains heat well.

However, with only one burner, cooking more than one thing at a time is a little difficult, and controlling the temperature takes some practice. Moreover, it’s only designed to reach ~500 degrees (though the meter says 600). Our tester wouldn’t consider it a workhorse or a viable alternative to, say, the Spirit II, but he’d bet money on it being the best grill in its class on the market right now. As our tester put it, “It’s a Weber, after all.”

Best Gas Grill for Small Spaces

Napoleon

Napoleon Rogue XT 425 SIB

Specs

Cooking Space	655 square inches
Gas Type	Natural gas
Max Temperature	700+° F

Pros

• Foldable sides make the grill ultra-compact
• Premium casters make it easy to move
• Side burner lets you cook different foods simultaneously
• Stainless-steel exterior is rugged and rust-resistant

Cons

• Cast-iron grates on the side burner require maintenance and are prone to rust
• Expensive per square inch of grilling area

• $899 at BBQ Guys

The Rogue XT 425 SIB is what you buy when you want an everyday gas grill with a few tricks up its sleeve. This grill can do a lot, but our tester — who’s been using the grill for a year — says it shines at weeknight dinners. It ignites quickly, preheats in a flash and comes with a few notable features that make it versatile for cooking a lot of things at once. The Napoleon’s signature wave-shaped grates help prevent small, narrow foods like veggies from falling through, while the side burner can sear at extremely high temperatures or simmer sauces while other things cook.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Our tester finds that the grill rolls around easily thanks to the lockable caster wheels. Those, combined with the compactible side shelves, mean that the grill can quickly be tucked away in a corner when not in use. The sear plates, which cover burners, prevent flare-ups and keep the grill overall more hygienic. However, our tester notes that they’re also one more thing to clean at the end of every season. A worthy trade-off — but worth mentioning, nonetheless.

Napoleon grills are famously well-built, and our tester found that the Rogue XT 425 SIB sticks to that script. After a full year, the stainless-steel finish shows very little rust and wear — even after getting caught in a few rainstorms. Our user did find, however, that the cast-iron grates on the infrared side burner are susceptible to rust — take extra care and consider storing them indoors when not in use. They’re small enough to make it worth the hassle.

Best Portable Gas Grill

Weber

Weber Q 1200

Specs

Cooking Space	189 square inches
Gas Type	Propane
Max Temperature	~475° F

Pros

• Cast-aluminum body is weather-proof
• Folds away and fits in a trunk with ease

Cons

• At 30 pounds, it's not that light
• Fold-out prep counters are cute, but we'd rather have a few more inches of grill

• $259 at Weber

A rule of thumb: if you want a portable or small grill, odds are you want a Weber. It couldn’t be more different than the iconic Smokey Joe, but its strength and value are just as clear. At first glance, it looks chintzy — it is not. A cast-aluminum body and lid provide balanced heat inside the grill and complete rust resistance. There’s space for about 10 burgers, and it gets hot enough (low 500 degrees range) to char them without overcooking. It’s ready to grill out of the box, and it’s about as good as truly portable grills get.

Our only qualm lies with the fold-out prep counters on the sides. While useful in theory, they’re not quite big enough to use for most cooking tasks and the truth is we’d prefer Weber pump out a few more inches of grill space in their place.

Best Luxury Gas Grill

BBQ Guys

Aspire By Hestan 36-Inch Freestanding Grill

Specs

Cooking Space	830 square inches
Gas Type	Propane or natural gas
Max Temperature	1,000° F

Pros

• Extremely even heat distribution
• Lifetime warranty
• Spring-assisted hood is a nice touch
• Ceramic heat distributors flip outward for easy cleaning

Cons

• Nearly $6K is a lot for a grill, no matter how great
• Infrared burner and alternate colors cost extra

• $5,628 at BBQ Guys
  $5,908 (5% off)

Hestans come in many, many configurations, but most share a few key attributes: luxe materials, clever fixes to common gas grill issues and wicked looks. This configuration sports two primary burners that, instead of a typical tent-like diffuser, are covered by a ceramic and stainless plate that provides wildly even, hot temperature control that is designed in such a way that, when dirty, can be flipped completely over to burn off on direct heat.

This is accompanied by an optional rotisserie burner, an uber-powerful infrared burner and myriad color options, which is extremely rare outside of the Webers of the world. Instead of cast-iron grates, the Hestan’s grates are thick-as-hell stainless steel, which is less prone to over-browning and easier to clean. These all make till, it’s an awful lot of money for a grill, considering other options that will get you 90 percent there for a lot less money.

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