The 9 Best Grills of 2024, According to Testing

The Bottom Line

Our pick for the best gas grill is the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill because of its ease of setup, even heat distribution, and quality materials. If you’re looking for something that you can take on the go, we liked the Weber Q1200 Gas Grill for its heat dispersion and compact design.

Our Testing Process

To determine the best grills, we diligently tested 73 of grills, grading each grill on overall performance, ease of use, and design.

For the best gas grills, we used a stopwatch to time how long it took to assemble the grills following manufacturer instruction. We also noted how easy it was to move the grill once it was assembled. We then used aluminum foil to secure a wired probe thermometer to the center of the grill’s cooking area and checked the temperature after 45 minutes.

We noted how easy it was to install propane and determined how long it took the grill to heat to 250°F, 350°F, and 450°F. Then, we cooked onions, burgers, and buns, paying attention to details like flare ups and evenness of cooking. For the best portable gas grills, we followed a similar protocol, paying particular attention to how easy they were to move, store, and maneuver. 

For the best charcoal grills, we timed how long it took to assemble them. Next, we smoked baby back ribs for seven to eight hours, rotating them 180 degrees after one hour, and recording the internal temperature with a thermometer. We also made a note of whether the grill had lost temperature and accounted for this by adding more charcoal if necessary, noting the time and amount of charcoal that we added.

After two hours, we removed the ribs, put them on aluminum foil, and used a thermometer to record the internal temperature. We then folded the ribs into the aluminum foil and placed them back into the grill. We removed them at three hours and checked the temperature again, and applied sauce to both sides, and again checked the internal temperature.

We put them back on the grill, and noted the time that the ribs reached 185 degrees, and made notes about their appearance, flavor, and doneness. We then cleaned the grill to determine how easy or difficult it was to perform regular maintenance. 

For the electric grills, we noted how easy they were to assemble on a 1-5 scale. Next, we checked the doneness of bread, flank steak, chicken, and zucchini, paying attention to details like levels of smoke, sticking, and grill marks. 

For the fire pit grills, we timed the assembly, and tested each at least three times for a minimum of one hour each, paying attention to functional details such as whether the pit offers a way to regulate the flame and how much effort is required to maintain the flame. We also examined how good of a job the grills did at containing embers, while noting how any additional features like an integrated table worked for us.

To test the fire pit grills, we varied our approach depending on the manufacturer’s instructions and depending on the fuel source, and for options with grill grates we cooked either a burger or a hotdog, noting the ease of assembly and functionality of the grill grate. We then gauged how easy the cleaning of the fire pits were when following manufacturer instructions.

Other Grills We Tested

Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared 22.5-Inch Charcoal Grill 

We liked the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared 22.5-Inch Charcoal Grill for its ease of assembly. However, while it intends to have innovative features, we found that it fell short in a few regards, namely, there was no way to close the bottom damper, and there was no clear instructions on how to properly use the top damper. Additionally, the longer burn time wasn’t particularly useful for people who needed to transport it quickly after using it. 

Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion 2 Burner Propane Gas Portable Grill 

The Coleman RoadTrip X-Cursion 2 Burner Propane Gas Portable Grill took us less than five minutes to assemble, and it was easy to attach the propane tank. However, it also had a wide disparity in temperatures all across it, with the edges measuring between 400 to 500°F, while the grates could get as high as 840°F. It also didn’t have handles, which made transporting it a bit of a nuisance.  

Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill 

While the controls were clear on the ​​Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill and it alerted us to when it was preheated, it left us wanting more. The sides got particularly hot, so moving it after use wasn’t really an option. The temperatures were also not accurate and the nonstick interiors scratched easily. Plus, it didn’t wash as easily as other grills.

What to Know About Grills Before Shopping

Fuel Type

The most common types of grills are gas, charcoal, and pellet, each of which offers its own benefits. Gas options, like the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill, both light and heat up quickly using a direct flame. A charcoal grill, like the Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill, will add a strong, smoky flavor to your food, and it's more compact for storing than other grill types. 

A pellet grill, like the Recteq RT-700 Wood Pellet Grill is both a grill and a smoker in one and is great for barbecuing meats that have a long cook time, such as brisket and ribs, because the grill needs little monitoring. However, a pellet grill does produce ash that you'll have to clean up afterwards.

Grill Size

The best grill size depends on your outdoor space and how much meat you want to cook at once. Small to midsize grills usually range from 28 to 32 inches wide, while larger models can be 36 to 42 inches wide, like the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner. While you're shopping, it's worth noting where you plan to place it and whether a tabletop or portable option would work better for your layout than a bulkier, full-size grill.

Cook Surface Size

Whether you plan to entertain often or just want to cook up a few things, you'll also want to note the cook surface size of each grill. The larger the surface, as with flat-top grills, the greater number of temperature zones and the more food you can cook in one go, meaning more flexibility while cooking.

Some grills, like the Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill also have multiple rack levels for more surface area." This allows you to move the food around depending on the types of food you are cooking and have everything done at the same time," Kindem says.

Heating Power

The most common types of grills are gas, charcoal, and pellet, each of which offers its own benefits. Gas options, which are fairly popular, both light and heat up quickly using a direct flame. A charcoal grill will add a strong, smoky flavor to your food, and it's more compact for storing than other grill types.

A pellet grill is both a grill and a smoker in one and is great for barbecuing meats that have a long cook time, such as brisket and ribs, because the grill needs little monitoring. However, a pellet grill does produce ash that you'll have to clean up afterwards.

The best grill size depends on your outdoor space and how much meat you want to cook at once. Small to midsize grills usually range from 28 to 32 inches wide, while larger models can be 36 to 42 inches wide. While you're shopping, it's worth noting where you plan to place it and whether a tabletop or portable option would work better for your layout than a bulkier, full-size grill.

Whether you plan to entertain often or just want to cook up a few things, you'll also want to note the cook surface size of each grill. The larger the surface, the greater number of temperature zones and the more food you can cook in one go, meaning more flexibility while cooking. Some grills also have multiple rack levels for more surface area.

"This allows you to move the food around depending on the types of food you are cooking and have everything done at the same time," Kindem says.

A grill's heating power is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit), and the larger the grill the more BTUs that are required to reach a designated temperature. Lower-level grills may have around 10,000 to 12,000 BTUs per burner, while premium and luxury grills can go as high as 20,000 to 25,000 BTUs per burner.

Some grills may come with additional accessories and features, like grill covers, folding side tables, and a thermometer. Though you can certainly purchase more accessories separately, it's worth noting if the grill includes it to save you the cost.

There are also some safety features, like lids that lock and handles that won't overheat. Though it's always important to take precautions, these are especially worth keeping in mind if you have small children that might be near the grill while you use it.

Your Questions, Answered

Is a high-end grill worth it?

According to Kindem, a high-end grill is a worthy investment for frequent grillers. For starters, higher-end grills tend to come with above-average warranties, meaning it's easy to get replacement parts or repairs done when needed.

"The more money someone spends on a grill, the higher the quality of the grill, the better it performs, and the less maintenance it needs over the life of the grill."

That said, if you're new to grilling and are unsure about what type of grill you prefer, consider starting with a smaller grill or even a tabletop or portable model. You can always invest in a full-size grill once you're confident in the method of grilling you want to pursue.

“Higher end grills are made with stronger materials,” Sidoriak says. “They have better components and are typically more efficient than less expensive grills. But you need to ask yourself if the additional cost is worth it.”

He notes that if you are just cooking burgers and hotdogs, a more affordable option will work just fine, but if you are looking to cook prime rib or brisket with consistency, then a higher end option will be the way to go. For us, this means purchasing something like the Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill.

What kind of grill should a beginner buy?

If you're purchasing your first grill, you'll want one that's easy to use and without a ton of bells and whistles. Kindem recommends gas grills due to their "quick learning curve" and easily-adjusted temperatures. Newcomers should also look for grills made from stainless steel, he adds, due to the parts' longevity and durability, like the Barebones Living Cowboy Fire Pit Grill.

How much should I spend on a grill?

The price of the grill depends on the style, fuel type, and any additional features or accessories it might have. For gas grills, expect to spend at least $1,000, says Kindem. However, charcoal grills can go for closer to the $200 to $600 range and pellet grills can be even more expensive, like the Recteq RT-700 Wood Pellet Grill which costs over $1,000.

How long do grills last?

Sidoriak tells us that grills should outlast most other appliances in your home, noting that a well made grill with solid materials that isn’t overly exposed to the elements can last 10 to 20 years. He adds that the two components that usually fail first are the burners and grill grates.

“If you hope to have your grill for a while, find a manufacturer with ample replacement parts as the ones that deteriorate are simple to replace and often require no special tools,” he says. Another important factor to consider is finding something that is easy to clean, like the Hamilton Beach 25361 Electric Indoor Searing Grill, so that you can maintain it without a major headache.

Who We Are

Rachel Simon is a writer for Better Homes & Gardens with many years of experience covering home products. To make this list, she researched a variety of grills and considered each pick's fuel type, heating power, size, and cook surface size. She also consulted Paul Kindem, owner and head of marketing and service at Original Grills.

This article was updated by Jack Byram, a freelance writer who covers all things home related. For this article he spoke with Paul Sidoriak, a barbecue expert, cookbook author, and founder of Grilling Montana. Jack used Sidoriak’s expert insight in tandem with the rigorous testing and research that was performed on numerous grills to better explain the products that made our list.