Yahoo Lifestyle The Best Grills for Barbecuing
- 1/15
The Best Grills for Barbecuing
We updated this article in March 2023 to make sure all of our picks were up to date and in stock. We also added more information to each description based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. We added a pick for the best small grill and updated our best portable grill and our best pellet grill.
Grilling outside is one of our favorite ways to cook and it's great whether you're a beginner or a pro. We love how quickly recipes cook over an open flame, how low-fuss they are to prepare (and clean up!) and how they explode with flavor, especially when you use a good grill.
The definition of a good grill varies depending on the type of grill you choose but, after testing more than 80 grills in the Good Housekeeping Institute since 2011, we've learned that all good grills have a few things in common: they're easy to use, can achieve a good sear and maintain temperature well.
To come up with our list of best grills, we referenced our archives and conducted tests on more than 45 new grills over the past three years. We've tested an assortment of full-sized gas grills, charcoal grills, pellet grills, Kamado-style grills and almost 20 portable versions. Each was scored on how evenly it heated, how well it seared, how quickly it cooked a variety of foods and more. We also took note of smoking and flare-ups and assessed multiple ease-of-use features like tool holders, storage space and more. Here are the best grills you can buy in 2023, according to our testing. Each grill in this roundup was tested in our Lab and continues to be used by consumers so we can continue to report back on the grill's longevity and long-term user experience.Our top picks:
After our picks, read on to learn more about how we tested outdoor grills and what to look for when shopping. You can also learn about our favorite grill accessories like top grill baskets and best-tested grill brushes.
Courtesy of Amazon - 2/15
1) Genesis II EX-335 Natural Gas Grill
Weber
amazon.com
Weber grills consistently rise to the top in our outdoor grill tests. They have solid builds with porcelain-enameled cast iron grates that heat evenly and create nice grill marks. This Genesis EX-335 Smart Grill toasted bread the most evenly in our gas grill test and made a delicious steak with beautiful grill marks, a juicy pink center and no flare-ups. It has top-of-the-line features, including two temperature probes so you can monitor the internal temperature of food directly on the control panel or via the Weber Connect app.
In addition to being a smart gas grill, it's loaded with other standout details like a flashlight that attaches to the lid handle; knobs that illuminate when they're in use; large, sturdy side shelves and plenty of storage space. It has three burners, a searing section and a side burner. If you can do without the smart features and are looking to spend a bit less, consider the Weber Genesis E-335 which also performed well in our tests.
Weber - 3/15
2) 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Nexgrill
homedepot.com
$349.00
It can be tough to find a great quality grill for under $500, but the NexGrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill is an A+ choice for the price tag. In our tests, it showed an impressively even heating pattern and was excellent at searing steak. It delivered perfect grill marks with no noticeable smoking or flare-ups.
It earned top scores for ease of use with its two side shelves, hidden storage space and convenient access to both the propane tank and grease drainage system. It includes a side burner as well and has a gleaming stainless steel exterior.
Nexgrill - 4/15
3) Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Weber
amazon.com
$219.00
This Weber kettle is iconic in the industry and well-loved by consumers, so it's not surprisingly a best-seller (and its slightly less expensive version, which has an exposed ashtray, has more than 1,400 five-star reviews on Amazon). It's powered by charcoal and features an enclosed ash collector below the grill that makes cleanup easy; just use the lever to swipe the ash into the metal bin. The structure is sturdy but still lightweight, with solid accessories and a removable lid that can be rested on the side of the grill, and it can be rolled around easily for storage. In our tests, the handles stayed cool during cooking and it was easy to load and maintain the charcoal during the cooking process.
Weber - 5/15
4) Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill
Weber
amazon.com
549.00
When it comes to cooking, this three-burner stainless steel grill is just about perfect. In our test, it turned out steaks with gorgeous grill marks that were beautifully rare and juicy. Chicken came off the grates golden brown, moist and tender — and all this with barely any flare-ups. After using it for more than two years, it still heats quickly and evenly and has stood up to the New York City elements.
We appreciate the many features that make it pleasant to use like sturdy side shelves, tool holders and a shelf to stash extra items. We also appreciate the propane tank holder that lets you know how much gas is left in the tank (a feature on many Weber grills). It comes with porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates.
Weber - 6/15
5) Commercial Tru-Infrared Gas Grill
Char-Broil
lowes.com
$449.00
This Char-Broil grill heated quickly and evenly in our tests and didn't flare up once, which makes it great for beginners. It turned on with no effort at all and got hot enough to sear steak and chicken without burning them. This model features Char-Broil's Tru-Infrared technology, which is basically a large metal plate that sits below the cooking grates and traps the food's juices as it cooks. Once the juices hit the plate, they steam and infuse the food with more flavor. This design also helps prevent flare-ups since the burners themselves are shielded. Results were juicy and not dry, though some testers missed the charring from the direct flame.
In addition to the Char-Broil's cooking performance, we liked the simple, two-knob design that quickly responded to adjustments. When you're done cooking, the entire grill is easy to move and store away.
Char-Broil - 7/15
6) Pulse 2000 Electric Grill
Weber
amazon.com
$840.67
For locations that may not allow a traditional outdoor grill, this Weber electric grill is the next best thing. Simply plug it in and turn it to the desired temperature using the digital precision temperature control. It works with the Weber Connect App to remotely monitor the grill and food temperatures. It also has dual cooking zones to simultaneously grill two different foods at different temperatures. Take note that you’ll need to wait for it to preheat, but thanks to the digital thermometer, you’ll know exactly when it reaches the right temperature. It can be used as a tabletop grill or with a grill cart (sold separately), and the control panel comes off so it can be stored in a case indoors while the rest of the grill can remain outside.
In our tests, we found the grill to be easy to use, and it cooked a strip steak with beautiful sear marks to 145ºF in about 8 minutes. Chicken thighs came out juicy and golden, too, in under 30 minutes.
Weber - 8/15
7) 2-Burner Gas Grill
Permasteel
amazon.com
$349.99
Not only is this grill cute and compact, but it performed great in our tests. It heated bread evenly with only a few light spots on the very edge of the grill. Plus, it seared a juicy steak and made tasty chicken with limited flare-ups. While it didn't get as hot or heat as quickly as other grills we tested, we appreciated that we didn't have to worry about burning during cooking or too much smoking.
The folding side shelves offered ample space to store trays, and the gas tank and grease tray were easy to access. The small footprint and lightweight construction of the grill made it easy to roll away for storage. It's the perfect grill for small spaces or someone on a budget who doesn't want to sacrifice quality. It comes in two other colors (black and a camel-colored brown.)
Permasteel - 9/15
8) Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Weber
amazon.com
$399.00
This portable grill is good enough to stand in as your full-time grill. It has a solid and sturdy build that can stay put year-round, but it's still easy enough to fold up and light enough to roll around. We love that it has a latch that locks the lid in place when it's in the folded position for easier movement. It has a porcelain-enameled cast iron grate that can fit up to 15 burgers and reaches full heat in less than 10 minutes.
In our tests, steak and chicken got beautiful sear marks, and we didn't experience any flare-ups. It lights with the press of an igniter button and uses a one-pound propane tank (or you can purchase an adaptor hose that allows it to be used with a full-size propane tank). It uses a disposable drip tray, which isn't common among the portable grills we tested and makes cleanup easy.
For a portable grill without wheels, consider the Weber Travel Q, which scored high marks in our portable grill test.
Weber - 10/15
9) Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill, Black
Weber
amazon.com
$259.00
For those looking to grill on the go, this gas grill doesn't compromise quality. It works with both a small propane tank or a standard-sized one depending on your needs. In our tests, it heated evenly and made good steak and chicken thighs with no flare-ups. The side shelves fold in when the grill is not in use; they're a unique feature that most portable grills don't have.
It's relatively lightweight and can be carried by one person. It can also be set up on a cart for a standing grill experience.
Weber - 11/15
10) Classic Joe II 18-in Red Kamado Charcoal Grill
Kamado Joe
lowes.com
$1199.00
This grill from Kamado Joe is our pick for the best overall Kamado grill. It has thick ceramic walls that retain heat well and can withstand temps up to 750ºF. It's loaded with accessories like a built-in thermometer, side shelves, an ash removal tool, a pull-out ashtray and more. It also comes with a two-tier grilling grate so you can better control your grilling experience.
Kamado grills use charcoal to heat and can be used to smoke at low temperatures or grill at moderate to high temperatures. You can also make pizza at high temperatures — one of our favorite uses. The wheeled stand is helpful for moving it around, as it's very heavy. Little details that set it apart from its competitors include a seal around the lid to allow for a soft close and markings on the vent to better control the temp and smoke levels.
Kamado Joe - 12/15
11) Pro Series 575 Grill Black
Traeger
wayfair.com
$899.95
Traeger is known for its wide assortment of large pellet grills designed to grill or smoke a lot of meat at a designated temperature. They use wood pellets to heat and cook over indirect heat so you won't get any flare-ups but will still achieve a smoky flavor. In general, pellet grills light more easily than charcoal grills and are less fussy since you just plug them in, make sure the hopper's full (this one has a large, 18-pound hopper that will last through a long and slow smoke) and press ignite.
Of all the pellet grills we've tested so far, we liked this one for its solid build that's still easy to move around and its simple-to-use controls. It also connects to an app so you can monitor the temperature from afar, which was useful when we cooked brisket overnight. We also tested chicken and steak, which developed a delicate smoke flavor, and ribs, which came out smokier.
• Cook surface: 572 sq. in.
• Fuel type: Wood pellets
• Dimensions: 53" x 41" x 27"
• Grate material: Porcelain-coated steelwayfaur - 13/15
12) Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger Pellet Grills
amazon.com
$1499.95
Pellet grills are excellent for slow-cooking meats, fish and veggies at low temperatures using smoke. This one from Traeger is one of the brand's most popular models. It's made from heavy-duty stainless steel and feels as sturdy as it looks. It has a temperature range from 165ºF to 500ºF, and you can program it right from the control panel or from the connected app that monitors the entire cooking process.
In our tests, it made some of the best brisket we've ever tasted; it cooked overnight and turned out juicy with a good bend that didn't fall apart (the sign of a good brisket that's tender but not overcooked). It also made fall-off-the-bone ribs and tender chicken. Compared to other pellet grills we tested, it seemed to cook gently and consistently. None of the foods we cooked ended up too soft or dry.
Traeger - 14/15
13) Roadtrip 225 Tabletop Grill
Coleman
amazon.com
$199.49
This portable, tabletop grill is small but mighty. It features cast iron grates, 225 square inches of cooking space and cooks with up to 11,000 BTUs. It uses a 1-pound tank of propane that easily and securely attaches to the back of the grill. It starts with the press of a button and has two dials that respectively heat the inner and outer rings of the burner. Its feet are sturdy and balanced, and the grill can easily be transported by one person. The grease-collection tray is located inside the body of the grill and can be drained and then washed in the sink with soap and water.
In our tests, we appreciated how much cooking area the grill offered for its size and how we were able to achieve deep sear marks without having to worry about flare-ups. It produced delicious steak and golden-brown chicken thighs with crispy skin and barely any burnt marks.
• Cook surface: 225 sq. in.
• Fuel type: Propane
• Dimensions: 28.81" x 18.31" x 10.63"
• Grate material: Cast ironColeman - 15/15
14) How we test grills
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've tested more than 80 grills since 2011, including gas grills, charcoal grills, Kamado grills, pellet grills, electric grills and portable grills. (And that number doesn't even include indoor grills!) To determine which new grills to test, we first scour the internet and popular retailers for newcomers, keep our eyes peeled at industry trade shows like CES and the Builder's Show and communicate with brands to learn about their latest models and innovations. From there, we request samples to test and either put them together ourselves or hire an outside company to help. When we assemble the grills ourselves, we take notes on how easy or hard it is and record how long it takes, but we don't score the process since it's easy enough to buy grills pre-assembled (which we recommend!) and everyone's skill level (and patience level) is different.
When we test grills, we assess performance and ease of use. For gas grills, we cover the surface with sliced white bread to determine how evenly the grill distributes heat. We cook steak and chicken to evaluate how quickly they cook with the least amount of flare-ups. We cook steak and chicken on charcoal grills as well, but we weigh ease of use more heavily since it's harder to control charcoal as a variable. When we test pellet grills, we cook steak, chicken and ribs.
In terms of ease of use, we value clear instructions, labeled parts and simple assembly. We also consider helpful accessories like shelves, side tables, tool holders, built-in thermometers, wheels, types of igniters and more. After we complete our testing, we compare all of our notes to determine which performed the best.
Hearst Owned
