The 9 Best Gas Grills of 2023 for Your Summer BBQs, Tested and Reviewed
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Find out which Webers made the list and discover some affordable alternatives
People / Russell Kilgore
Whether you’re an experienced pitmaster or a newbie who’s just getting into grilling, a large gas grill is one of the best grills for your home. These grills are spacious, reliable, and generally moderately priced, and they’re perfect for everything from cooking dinner for your family to hosting big backyard parties in the summer.
Professionals love gas grills for their consistency and ease of use: “You turn the grill on, and within just 10 to 15 minutes, it's ready to go with steady and consistent heat,” says Chef Dale Talde, chef and owner at Goosefeather and host of Tastemade’s All Up In My Grill. Even Bobby Flay uses a gas grill at home!
As you look at different gas grills, you’ll want to consider factors like their cooking space, number of burners, and special features like side burners or smart connectivity. To help narrow down your options, we tested 13 of today’s best large gas grills, evaluating their ease of use and cooking abilities.
Here are the best large gas grills that PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: Monument Grills Stainless 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Pros
Great value for its feature set (hundreds less than others on the list)
High-quality stainless steel construction
Responsive to heat adjustments
Intuitive to use, even for beginners
Cons
Cold spots at front of the grill
In terms of size, performance, and value, it’s hard to beat the Monument Grills 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill. This attractive grill has a sleek stainless steel exterior, and it features four burners across its 513-square-inch main cooking area. It has porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and it even includes a 12,000-BTU side burner and a rotisserie kit. Despite all these features, it’s still extremely reasonably priced, costing hundreds less than many other models we tested.
While its spec sheet is nothing to scoff at, we were equally impressed with the performance of this grill. It started up easily thanks to its electronic ignition system, and the heat was easy to adjust using the four knobs on the front of the unit. During testing, we found that the flame was very responsive to the dials from high all the way down to low. The intuitive nature of the heat and use of the burners leaves this grill more consistent in temperature.
We cooked hamburgers, steak, and fish during testing, and all the dishes were evenly cooked with nice char marks. The front of the grill does seem to be a bit cooler than the middle and back, but overall, the unit performed reliably. Its size makes it perfect for a large family or frequent host, and its high-quality construction will stand up to years of use.
How it's held up:
Our tester was a brand new grill user, and they loved the ease of setup and temperature controls on this grill. The performance was effective and consistent, with the grill heating up quickly, retaining the heat, and cooking the food evenly. We do wish there was something to catch stray grease drops, but that's not a dealbreaker. Our tester also noted the side burner can be used as extra counter space when you close the lid.
Price at time of publish: $449
Dimensions: 19 x 54 x 46 inches | Weight: 118 pounds | Cooking Area: 723 square inches | Burners: 4, plus a side burner | Maximum BTU: 60,000 | Fuel: Propane
Related: The Best Summer Outdoor Gear of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Runner Up, Best Overall: Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill
Pros
Responsive to temperature changes
Sturdy open-cart style construction
Comes in both propane and natural gas models
Cons
Unreliable lid thermometer
You can’t go wrong with Weber gas grills, which are known for easy use and reliability, and after testing several different models, the Spirit II E-310 was our favorite. This popular gas grill is available in both propane and natural gas models, and it features 529 square inches of cooking space over three burners. Its racks are made from porcelain-coated cast iron, and it has an open-cart design with two wheels for easy portability.
During testing, we found the grill was intuitive to operate, even for beginners: The temperature was easy to regulate and responsive, and the internal grill temperature adjusts quickly when knobs are altered. The grill left nice char marks on all the different types of food, and while the grill is slightly hotter in the middle of the grate, its temperature was consistent overall. Plus, we loved that the grill's interior is spacious enough to make cleaning quick and easy. It's the type of grill that'll have you grilling foods you didn't know you could.
Our one complaint about the Spirit II E-310 is that its built-in lid thermometer is fairly inaccurate. During testing, it was often 50-100 degrees off from our control thermometer, and as such, we didn’t feel confident relying on it to gauge the inner temperature of the grill.
How it's held up:
Overall, we appreciated how this grill facilitated entertaining for large groups. It's well-built, heats up quickly, and cooks food evenly. We did notice the propane tank has to be opened for a few moments to build pressure so the burners work correctly. We also appreciate the hooks on this grill that allow you to hang some of your grilling accessories, and how the grill can be partially disassembled for easy transport.
Price at time of publish: $569
Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 44.5 inches | Weight: 114 pounds | Cooking Area: 529 square inches | Burners: 3 | Maximum BTU: 30,000 | Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
Best Budget: Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Pros
Low price for a fairly large grill
Lightweight and easy to move
Temperature responds quickly to adjustments
Cons
Complicated and time-consuming assembly
Made from lower-quality materials
If you’re looking for a big grill without a big price tag, the Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill is worth considering. It has a fairly basic, no-frills design, but it has a 417-square-inch main cooking grate with four burners, giving you plenty of space to grill for a crowd. It also features a handy side burner and an electronic ignition, and it weighs significantly less than other grills, making it easy to move around as needed.
The Nexgrill was fairly average in terms of its performance — it didn’t get quite as hot as some of the more expensive grills and had a few hot spots, but it still got the job done. It performs best on basics like hamburgers and hot dogs, and the grill responded quickly to any temperature changes during testing, making it easy to control. However, if you do opt for this budget-friendly grill, be warned that assembly is time-consuming and a bit complicated — of all the grills we tested, it took us the longest to put together due to its unclear instructions.
How it's held up:
After one month of usage, we can say the grill has a reliable quick-start ignition, good temperature control, and effective performance. So far, everything is working as it should, and our tester was happy that food hasn't stuck to the grates once. The top rack works well to keep some foods warm while others continue grilling so our tester was able to fit two fajita pans on the main grates while corn cooked on the top rack. One concern is that moisture gets into the thermometer, which could affect the gauge's performance over time.
Price at time of publish: $249
Dimensions: 49.5 x 24.2 x 46.5 inches | Weight: 72.8 pounds | Cooking Area: 562 square inches | Burners: 4, plus side burner | Maximum BTU: 40,000 | Fuel: Propane
Best Investment: Weber Genesis E-325s 3-Burner Gas Grill
Pros
Sear zone delivers a perfectly crispy texture on meat
High-quality construction will last for years
Comes in both propane and natural gas models
Cons
Double the price of other models
The Weber Genesis E-325S is a worthwhile investment for frequent grillers, as it’s simply a joy to use. It comes in both propane and natural gas models, and there are even three different finishes to choose from. The grill has three burners, as well as a special high-heat searing zone, and its primary cooking grate is 513 square inches, providing plenty of space for your food.
When it came to testing, the Genesis E-325S proved that it’s worth its high price tag. This grill could cook anything, and it has a large capacity, so cooking multiple things that need different attention is a huge draw. There weren’t any noticeable hot spots across the cooking grates, and we found the “sear zone” delivered a crispy outer texture on meat. We were also impressed with the overall construction of the grill, noting that it could easily last for 10 years if taken care of properly.
How it's held up:
A rockstar for beginners, this grill is easy to set up, use, and clean, and the large internal capacity creates space for effective cooking. The propane tank also has a meter to track when you need more, which is super helpful. You should keep the grill covered, if possible, since our tester noticed a tiny bit of rust forming on the grill's side shelves. Our tester was able to complete the whole grilling process (including cleaning) in under 40 minutes.
Price at time of publish: $999
Dimensions: 63 x 62 x 31 inches | Weight: 188 pounds | Cooking Area: 787 square inches | Burners: 3 | Maximum BTU: 39,000 | Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
Best Value: Char-Broil Signature Series Amplifire 2-Burner Gas Grill
Pros
Good value for a medium-size grill
Even heat distribution thanks to TRU-Infrared plates
No flare-ups while cooking, so it's great for beginners
Cons
Smokes more than most grills when grease drips
The Char-Broil Signature Series Amplifire Gas Grill offers a lot of bang for your buck, especially if you’re new to the world of grilling. This two-burner grill is smaller than many others we tested, with just 325 square inches of cooking space on its main surface, but it’s reasonably priced to match and has several unique features that make it exceptionally easy to operate.
In testing, we found that the grill’s “TRU-Infrared plates” — basically perforated stainless steel plates underneath the cooking grates — provide impressive heat distribution, preventing any hot spots and allowing all our food to cook evenly. It also effectively prevented any flare-ups, making it a good choice for new grillers. However, the downside of the plates is any grease that drips onto them ends up smoking, which may affect the flavor of your food. Overall, we think this grill is a great value, especially for beginners or those who don’t necessarily need an extra-large cooking area.
How it's held up:
During one month of testing, our team loved using this grill. The temperature controls are intuitive, and the infrared capabilities of the grates and burners are top-notch. It actually exceeded our griller's expectations in terms of heat retention, the overall searing capabilities, and the efficacy of the burner zones — which provided more than enough space for direct and indirect cooking. Our tester tried a variety of cooking methods, and this grill aced them all, plus, it's incredibly simple to clean once you're finished grilling.
Price at time of publish: $429
Dimensions: 22.5 x 46.8 x 47.2 inches | Weight: 99 pounds | Cooking Area: 445 square inches | Burners: 2 | Maximum BTU: 20,000 | Fuel: Propane
Related: The 10 Best Grill Cleaners of 2023, According to Grilling Experts
Best 2-Burner: Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
Pros
Spacious cooking area for a two-burner grill
Built-in fuel gauge shows how much propane is left
Very similar to our Best Overall, Runner Up option — minus one burner
Cons
Didn’t produce the most pronounced sear marks
If you usually only cook for a few people at a time, the Weber Spirit II E-210 is a more compact (and affordable) option for your patio. It’s essentially the same design as our best overall runner-up, the Spirit II E-310, except it only has two burners instead of three. Despite its smaller size, the E-210 has a primary cooking area of 360 square inches, and it has most of the same features as the more expensive model, including enamel-coated cast iron grates, an open cart design, and integrated tool hooks. There’s even a handy fuel gauge that shows you how much propane is left in the tank!
This grill produced consistently good results during testing, responding well to heat adjustments and cooking food evenly — though we did wish some of the char marks were more pronounced. The sides and front of the grilling surface were slightly cooler than the center, but overall, we found it was easy to operate, even for those with minimal grilling experience.
How it's held up:
Though our tester was nervous that this grill only had two burners, it didn't affect the performance at all. The spacious interior was easy to clean and provided a good surface area for cooking quite a few foods at once. It evenly sears food, and the small size makes it great for all grillers, but especially easy to use and store for beginners. We do wish both sides of the shelf folded down and that there were four wheels to roll it around rather than two, but overall it's a great grill.
Price at time of publish: $449
Dimensions: 44.5 x 48 x 27 inches | Weight: 103 pounds | Cooking Area: 450 square inches | Burners: 2 | Maximum BTU: 26,500 | Fuel: Propane
Best Smart: Weber Genesis EX-325S Propane Gas Smart Grill
Pros
Temperature probes monitor food doneness
Connects to smartphone via Bluetooth and sends you real-time temp alerts and reminders
Comes in both propane and natural gas models
Cons
High price due to smart features
The Weber Genesis EX-325S is essentially the same grill as our pick for best investment, the Weber Genesis E-325S, but it has added smart features that are sure to please any tech-savvy grillers. Once it’s connected to your smartphone, the grill can send you real-time food temperature alerts, flip reminders and serve notifications so you never overcook another burger.
Similar to the base model, the Genesis EX-325S also delivered an impressive cooking performance — our team could barely find any faults with it! The grill performed so well that the app was almost unnecessary (though convenient when you step away while cooking). Just keep in mind that this grill’s high price is largely due to its smart features, so if you don’t think you’ll use them, save yourself a few bucks and stick with the Genesis E-325S.
How it's held up:
Our tester used the grill at least three times a week over one month and loved the simple app setup, ease of use, and high-quality performance. Cooking is a breeze thanks to smart technology that helps avoid undercooked food and enables you to achieve the perfect char marks. Our tester grilled vegetables, steak, burgers, chicken, and sausage, and each food cooked perfectly, achieving delicious results. Notable concerns include the third burner being slower to ignite and one of the probes having some inconsistent readings.
Price at time of publish: $1,179
Dimensions: 63 x 62 x 31 inches | Weight: 188 pounds | Cooking Area: 787 square inches | Burners: 3 | Maximum BTU: 39,000 | Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
Best Design: Napoleon Prestige 500 Propane Gas Grill
Pros
Sleek stainless steel design with backlit knobs
Special side burner for searing meat
Comes in both propane and natural gas models
Cons
Not very responsive to temperature changes
Challenging to clean
The Napoleon Prestige 500 was one of the most expensive gas grills we tested, and while it has an incredibly sleek design, its lab performance wasn’t good enough to earn it a top spot on our rankings during the first round of testing, but our at-home tester loved it so much, we decided to reconsider. This grill has 500 square inches of cooking space over four main burners, and it also has a unique “Infrared Sizzle Zone” side burner that gets extra hot, allowing you to char meat quickly.
During testing, we found that the Napoleon Prestige 500 didn’t respond as well as other grills to temperature changes, but mainly, we struggled when it came time to clean the grill, as it’s tough to remove debris and grease from underneath the burners. However, if ease of cleaning isn't your top priority, we think you should consider this grill for your next summer BBQ.
How it's held up:
Our tester called the grill "one of the best we have ever owned or tried." It lights quickly, The grates are designed so food doesn't fall through, and the surface area is spacious enough to cook a lot of food at once. It heats up quickly and retains that heat throughout your grilling session. We would suggest you get a cover for this grill because when our team stored it, the sides fold down, but they collected water and debris.
Price at time of publish: $1,374
Dimensions: 26.5 x 66.25 x 50.25 inches | Weight: 196 pounds | Cooking Area: 760 square inches | Burners: 4, plus side burner | Maximum BTU: 48,000 | Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
Best for Small Outdoor Spaces: Char-Broil 463630021 Performance Series 2-Burner Gas Grill
Pros
Quick and easy to assemble
Good value for small homes
Four caster wheels for easy movement
Cons
Construction is somewhat wobbly
Temperature control requires some finesse
The Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner Gas Grill is another option that didn't quite make the cut during our first round of testing, but our at-home tester loved it for entertaining in their small backyard. This grill is one of the more compact options we tested, with just two burners and 300 square inches of primary cooking space. It’s lightweight and mounted on four caster wheels, and while it was extremely easy to put together, we found it was a bit shaky during operation.
This grill was middle-of-the-road in terms of performance — there were noticeable hot spots around the edges of the cooking area, but food placed in the middle of the grill was cooked nicely. We noted that it takes a little trial and error to get the grill where you want it to be, and while it wasn’t a top performer, it still might be a worthwhile option if you’re looking for something small and inexpensive.
How it's held up:
Our tester was a little suspicious of gas grills prior to trying this one but was delighted at the performance of the grill. The tester has a small family and thought the grill was a perfect size, and the retractable trays make it easy to store away when not in use. The grill is easy to maneuver and use, but our tester noted the temperature fluctuates a bit.
Price at time of publish: $249
Dimensions: 24.5 x 42.9 x 44 inches | Weight: 82.5 pounds | Cooking Area: 400 square inches | Burners: 2 | Maximum BTU: 24,000 | Fuel: Propane
Related: The 10 Best Portable Charcoal Grills of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Things to Consider Before Buying a Large Gas Grill
Fuel Type
There are two different types of gas grills that you can buy today: liquid propane or natural gas. Propane grills are typically more popular, as they’re powered by 20-pound liquid propane tanks, which you can purchase from most home improvement stores. These tanks are convenient to use and can be refilled as needed.
However, if you have a natural gas line in your home, there are some gas grills that can use this type of fuel. Some grills come with a conversion kit that lets you change them from propane to natural gas, while other grills are solely designed to use with natural gas. Many Weber grills, including our runner-up for best overall, the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill, can be purchased in both liquid propane or natural gas models.
Capacity
When comparing different grills, one of the key factors to consider is its capacity, which is measured in square inches. Most grills have multiple measurements listed in their specifications, including the total cooking area, primary cooking area, and cooking racks.
The primary cooking area refers to the size of the main grate directly over the grill’s burners. This is where you’ll place meat and other food that needs high heat to be cooked, so you’ll want to select a grill that’s spacious enough for your needs. If you have a smaller family, a grill with a 200-300 square inch primary cooking surface will likely be plenty, but if you regularly host parties, you may want a grill with 500+ square inches of cooking space so you can cook more food at a time.
Secondary cooking space, on the other hand, includes any additional racks within the grill, which are often used for cooking with indirect heat or warming up items like burger buns.
Burners
Large gas grills can have anywhere from two to six burners, but most people find that three or four burners is the sweet spot when cooking for multiple people. When your grill has multiple burners, you’re able to create different cooking zones across its grates. When burners are on, it creates a direct cooking zone with high heat, but when you leave certain burners off, you can have indirect cooking zones at the same time.
Features
There are plenty of basic gas grills with minimal features, such as the Char-Broil Signature Series Amplifire 2-Burner Gas Grill, but you can also find grills with specialty features, if you’re so inclined. Some popular options include a side burner, which can be used to boil a pot of water to cook vegetables while you grill, or a sear station, which delivers extra-high heat to put a beautiful char on meat.
Other features you may see on large gas grills include smart connectivity, rotisserie cookers, built-in cabinets for storage, temperature probes, and more.
People / Russell Kilgore
When to Buy
Gas grills are a seasonal item, often being used heavily during the summertime, and as such, they’re most in-demand between April and July. If you’re looking for the best deal on large or portable gas grills, it’s best to wait until after this period of high-demand to start shopping. In the early fall, many retailers put their grill inventory on sale, and you’ll be able to get the best grills for lower prices.
If you do want to buy a new grill in the spring or summer, you’ll generally find the best prices around major sale holidays like Memorial Day or even Father’s Day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular gas grill size?
For an average 4-person household, medium or large gas grills are a popular choice. These grills typically feature between two and four burners, and they can have anywhere from 300 to 500 square inches of primary cooking space.
How much should I spend on a good gas grill?
Large gas grills can range anywhere from $200 to $1,000+ in price, but the sweet spot for quality and value falls somewhere in the middle. “Look to spend anywhere between $300 and $400 for a quality grill,” recommends Talde. Our top pick, the Monument Grills 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill, falls within this range, retailing for around $400.
What grills are comparable to Weber?
Weber is one of the best-known grill brands today, and many of its models performed extremely well in our testing. However, there are several other gas grill brands that are worth considering as you shop. The top performers during our testing included products from Monument Grills, and we were also impressed by certain models from Char-Broil and Nexgrill, which tend to be more budget-friendly than Weber.
How We Tested
To find the best gas grills for your backyard cookouts, the PEOPLE Tested team spent several days testing 13 different full-size gas grills. In the first round of testing, we used each grill to cook hamburgers and buns, as well as grilled onions, and after comparing all the results, we selected the 10 top performers to move onto round two. In the second round of testing, we cooked skin-on fish filets and steak, evaluating each grill on its ease of use, performance, cleaning, design, and value.
Once all our testing was complete and the scores were tallied, the Monument Grills 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill came out as our top pick with a score of 4.8 out of 5, and the Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill was right behind it with 4.6 out of 5, earning it the title of runner-up.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance commerce writer and product tester specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 6+ years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. For this article, she consulted tested insights and interviewed Chef Dale Talde, chef and owner at Goosefeather and host of Tastemade’s All Up In My Grill.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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