The 6 Best Propane Grills of 2024, According to Testing

The Bottom Line

After testing, we determined that the best propane grill is the Weber Spirit II E-310 Three-Burner Liquid Propane Grill because it's compact, durable, easy to use, and provides plenty of cooking surface to cover most grilling needs. 

Our Testing Process

We put both portable and propane grills to the test to determine which were deserving of a spot on our list. To begin, we tested each grill’s ease of assembly, timing how long it took to put together based on the manufacturer’s instructions. We also evaluated their portability by lifting or rolling the grill to a designated spot and, in the case of portable grills, collapsing each for travel and storage and setting them back up, noting how difficult or easy it was. 

Additionally, we tested the temperature ranges of the grills. We determined the maximum temperature with a wired probe thermometer and noted how long it took to reach the highest possible temperature. We recorded how long the grills took to heat up to 250°F, 350°F, and 450°F. This also gave us a chance to determine if the temperature gauge on the grills were accurate. 

After this, we cooked both onions and burgers on each grill. Cooking on each grill helped us to determine how much food could fit on each grill. It also helped us to determine if the grill cooked all of the food evenly or had any flare-ups. It also gave us an idea of how effective the grates were at keeping food from falling between or sticking. 

We tested onions first, heating our grills up to a medium-high heat and brushing grill grates with a neutral oil. We noted how many onion rings fit onto the grill, closed the lid, and then cooked them for 10 minutes before flipping, and then cooked them for another 10 minutes. We noted if any onions fell between the grates. 

We then moved on to burgers, heating the grills to high heat (around 475°F) and repeating the process of the onions. We brushed the grates with neutral oil, laid 12 patties evenly over the grill, and then closed the lid and cooked them for five minutes. After 5 minutes, we flipped the burgers and cooked them for five more minutes, uncovered.

For this step, we also measured the temperature inside of each burger using a meat thermometer, noting whether any of the burgers’ internal temperatures were significantly higher or lower than 165°F. We also toasted burger buns as part of our testing, noting how long it took for them to turn a golden brown and how evenly they were toasted. 

Finally, we cleaned the grills, noting how easy or difficult it was based on the manufacturer’s instructions. We cleaned the grates and grease trap, removed stuck-on food, and scrubbed the fire box.

What to Know About Propane Grills Before Shopping

Cooking Space

When it comes to choosing the best propane grill, the cooking space, like that offered on flat-top grills, is an important deciding factor. To start, Hill recommends you consider factors such as how many people you'll likely be cooking for.

"I always recommend getting a grill that has at least one more burner than you think you'll need—it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it," Hill says.

We chose the Monument Grills 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill as the best large propane grill because it has 723 square inches of cooking space, plus four main burners and two side burners to use for searing and cooking.

Portability

Depending on how you plan to use your propane grill, portability is worth considering. According to Hill, you should think about how you plan to store your grill as well as if you want to take it on the go when camping or grilling at the park.

While many models are large and hefty and will stay in one place in your outdoor space, there are plenty of more lightweight options that are more compact. Our pick for the best portable propane grill, the Weber Q1200 Gas Grill, cooks evenly and consistently and is easy to assemble and reassemble as you move it from place to place.

BTUs

BTUs (British thermal units) are used to measure the amount of heat a propane grill produces. Whether you want to cook up some vegetables or grill burgers and steaks, you'll need a range of heat to cook each properly.

Propane grills have BTU ratings that usually range from 13,000 to 48,000, and it is typically recommended that you have 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking area to ensure proper heating. BTUs are also a good indicator of how much fuel you’ll use—a grill that has a higher BTU will need more fuel.

Number of Burners 

Watts says that purchasing a grill with extra burners is never a bad idea. "We prefer units that have three or more burners. This allows you better temperature control and [gives you] the ability to more effectively cook indirectly." We loved the Weber Genesis E-325s, which has three burners, and cooked food evenly over the 787 square inches of total cooking area. 

Price 

The price of your propane grill depends largely on its quality and the materials used, but you can expect to spend at least $250 for a basic propane grill. From there, you can purchase great, middle-of-the-road options, like our best overall pick, the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill, which costs a few hundred dollars. Other options, like the Weber Genesis E-325s 3-Burner Gas Grill, can cost about a thousand dollars.

Features 

Most propane grills come with grill grates, a pullout grill tray, burners, and igniters. They may also come with tool hooks for storing your grilling utensils, as well as storage or even side shelves.

Aside from these basic features, you may choose a grill that has more burners, zoned heating, or attachments that allow you to cook on a rotisserie or smoke meat. These features are not integral to having a high quality grill, but they do make certain tasks easier.

Some propane grills, like the Weber Genesis E-325s 3-Burner Gas Grill, also have accompanying apps that you can use while cooking to keep an eye on your grill’s temperature or cook time.

Grate Material 

The grate material is where the cooking happens, so you’ll want to have a material that is long-lasting and durable. Your options are typically between stainless steel, cast iron, or enamel coated grill grate. Stainless steel grates heat up quickly and are non-stick, although they aren’t known to hold heat for very long.

On the other hand, cast iron grates are the opposite—they heat up slowly but stay hot. Cast iron is also known for producing an even cooking temperature. However, you’ll need to season your cast iron grates in order to make sure they’re nonstick (much like that cast iron skillet you have in your cabinet). Cast iron is also prone to rusting if not properly maintained, where stainless steel does not have the same issue. 

Enamel grill grates are typically either of these materials, covered in enamel that creates a nonstick surface and keeps the material beneath from corroding or rusting. Be careful though—enamel needs proper care as well, as it can be chipped. With any of these grill grates, moisture is the enemy since this can cause rusting.

Other Propane Grills We Tested

Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner (720-0925P)

After testing, we found that the Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner would be a great propane grill for a beginner. It has a push-to-start ignition, its cooking temperature was easy to regulate, and its relatively affordable price tag won’t give you sticker shock. Unfortunately, we also found that this grill was very difficult to assemble and attach the propane tank on our own, and we would probably opt to have it assembled by a professional next time. 

Char-Broil Deluxe Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill

The Char-Broil Deluxe Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill won points with us for its budget-friendly price point, but ultimately it fell flat when it came to functionality. During our testing, onions fell victim to the large grates, our burgers stuck to the grates during the initial flip, and the temperature was difficult to regulate. We also discovered that this portable grill was difficult to transport since it did not fold and there was no latch on the lid to keep the grates in place during transport. 

Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion 2 Burner Propane Gas Portable Grill

After testing, we felt that the Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion 2 Burner Propane Gas Portable Grill was a good choice for beginners who love camping, but ultimately we found that it had lots of hot and cold spots while cooking, making results inconsistent. It also was difficult to move since there were no handles, so it didn’t quite live up to its promise of being portable.

Your Questions, Answered

How much should you expect to spend on a propane grill?

The price of a propane grill depends on a few factors, such as size, material, and features. But investing in a propane grill doesn’t have to break the bank. “There are many great propane grills that can fit a tight budget,” Hill says. “They may not have all the bells and whistles, but they can still grill a great burger.”

When choosing the best propane grill, you can expect to spend at least $250. Our best budget pick, the Dyna-Glo Premier 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill, Black (DGP3321CNP-D) is only a few hundred dollars, while the Weber Genesis E-325s 3-Burner Gas Grill costs about a thousand dollars.

What are the advantages of propane grills?

Propane grills are easy to start and generally heat up faster than charcoal grills. Another feature to love about cooking on a propane grill is that users have more precise control. This means you can easily raise or lower the heat via a convenient temperature dial. "Charcoal temperature regulation is much tougher and takes a lot of practice," Hill says.

Propane is also cheaper than charcoal. "While a propane grill might be a little more of an investment upfront, you will spend less over time," Hill says. For example, a 15-pound tank of propane will last about 20 uses while a 15-pound bag of charcoal will only last for two to four grilling sessions.

What type of grill lasts the longest? 

The best grills can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on the quality of the materials, how often you use the grill, and how well you maintain it. That being said, grills with stainless steel grates often last longer than other grills because they do not rust or experience corrosion the way that other materials, like porcelain-coated stainless steel and cast iron, tend to experience.

Who We Are

Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. For this story, she spent several hours researching the best propane grills by comparing product specifications and interpreting results from our testing. 

Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade. To come up with this list of the best propane grills, she looked at each grill's BTUs, cooking surface space, weight, and features. She also interviewed Eudel Watts IV, a fifth-generation pitmaster and co-founder of Old Arthur's Barbecue Products, and grilling expert Shawn Hill of The Grilling Dad, who has tested hundreds of propane grills over the last 25 years.