The 10 Best Gas Grills of 2024 for Your Summer BBQs, Tested in Real Backyards
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Find out which Webers made the list and discover some affordable alternatives
People / Russell Kilgore
Deal Alert!
Planning on grilling during the holiday weekend? Two of our favorite gas grills — Char-Broil Signature Series Two-Burner Gas Grill and Weber Genesis Smart Gas Grill — are on sale now.
Among all of the best grills out there today, gas grills are arguably the easiest option to use, making them popular for grillers of all skill levels.
Experts Say
“Gas grills are the most popular type of outdoor grills, primarily for the convenience they provide in fast meals cooked outdoors.They heat up quickly and are easy to use, requiring very little cleanup.”—Joe Downey, Senior Merchant of Grills at The Home Depot
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 18 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
Star Qualities
Great value for its feature set
Intuitive to use, even for beginners
High-quality stainless steel construction
Responsive to heat adjustments
Red Flags
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, as well as a 12,000-BTU side burner and a rotisserie kit.
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. 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 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 wish there was something to catch stray grease drops, but that's not a dealbreaker. The side burner can also be used as extra counter space when you close the lid.
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
The More You Know
On its own, propane gas is actually odorless. However, propane companies use a chemical called mercaptan to give the gas its distinctive scent, making it easier to detect leaks.
Runner Up, Best Overall: Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill
Star Qualities
Responsive to temperature changes
Easy to clean thanks to spacious interior
Sturdy open-cart style construction
Comes in both propane and natural gas models
Red Flags
Unreliable lid thermometer
You can’t go wrong with Weber gas grills, and of all the options we tested, 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. During testing, we found the grill was intuitive to operate, even for beginners. The temperature is easy to regulate and responds quickly when you turn the knobs.
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 interior of the grill is spacious enough for quick and easy cleaning. Our one complaint about the Spirit II E-310 is that its built-in lid thermometer is fairly inaccurate — it was often 50 to 100 degrees off from our control thermometer.
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. The propane tank does have to be open for a few moments to build pressure so the burners work correctly. We 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.
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
Star Qualities
Easy and intuitive to use
Big enough to cook for a crowd
Easy-to-clean pull-out drawer
Red Flags
Some components feel flimsy
Tricky to install propane tank
Editor’s Note: While we originally named an older model of the Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill our best budget pick, the latest edition has proved superior.
The newest version of the Nexgrill Gas Grill sports four burners and two generously sized side tables — our tester was able to fit 23 chicken wings across the grate. The controls are also easy to use, even for less-experienced cooks. In fact, the most noticeable difference (to the eye anyway) is in the angular design, but we were most impressed by the grill’s responsiveness and overall cooking abilities.
However, it does feel somewhat flimsy, especially compared to other options, and we struggled to install its propane tank. Still, it might be a worthwhile pick if you want a large grill for a lower price.
Dimensions: 46.5 x 49.5 x 24.2 inches | Weight: 76.8 pounds | Cooking Area: 566 square inches | Burners: 4 | Maximum BTU: 40,000 | Fuel: Propane
Best Budget (Cheaper): Megamaster 3 Burner Propane Gas Grill
Star Qualities
Lightweight and easy to move
Heats up quickly
Food doesn’t stick to grates
Red Flags
Uneven heat around the edges
Less durable construction
If you just want to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for your family, the Megamaster Gas Grill is a basic, no frills option that’s easy on your wallet. This 3-burner propane grill is surprisingly lightweight and easy to move around — but that also translates into thinner, less durable materials.
Still, we found that the grill heats up quickly, as there aren’t any heat deflectors over the burners, and its stainless steel cooking grates put a nice sear on most foods. There are some cold spots that you’ll need to work around as you cook, but overall, it gets the job done and is a low-cost option for occasional backyard use.
Dimensions: 48.2 x 22.1 x 43.3 inches | Weight: 38.6 pounds | Cooking Area: 447 square inches | Burners: 3 | Maximum BTU: 27,000 | Fuel: Propane
Why To Buy
“Gas grills typically take about 10 minutes to heat up, meaning you can turn on your grill and get it to a very high temperature in a matter of minutes,” explains Downey.
Best Investment: Weber Genesis E-325 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Star Qualities
Sturdy construction and high-quality materials
Spacious cast iron cooking grates
No hot or cold spots across cooking surface
Red Flags
Tricky to clean inside grill body
For a large, powerful grill that will last for years, the Weber Genesis E-325 is worth the investment. It has a sleek design that’s built from high-end materials, and we were impressed by its sturdy and durable construction, which stood out compared to less-expensive options. During testing, we were able to comfortably fit 25 chicken wings across the grill’s cast iron grates, and all the food came out well-cooked and released without sticking.
The burners responded instantly to any adjustments of the control knobs, and the Sear Zone burner is ideal if you want to put a nice crust on meat. The only downside that we found is that it’s slightly challenging to clean inside the grill due to the weight of the grates.
Dimensions: 48.1 x 57.7 x 27 inches | Weight: 162 pounds | Cooking Area: 641 square inches | Burners: 3 | Maximum BTU: 39,000 | Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
What We Learned
Carts with four wheels — not just two — are easier to move and feel sturdier overall.
Best Value: Char-Broil Signature Series Amplifire 2-Burner Gas Grill
Star Qualities
Good value for a medium-size grill
Even heat distribution thanks to TRU-Infrared plates
No flare-ups while cooking
Red Flags
Smokes more than most grills when grease drips
The Char-Broil Signature Series Amplifire Gas Grill offers a lot of bang for your buck. This two-burner grill is smaller than many others we tested, but it’s reasonably priced 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 food to cook evenly. It also effectively prevented 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.
How it's held up
During one month of additional 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.
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
Best For Patios: Weber Spirit EX-325s Smart Grill
Star Qualities
Temperature is highly responsive
Smart features monitor grill and food temperatures
Quick and easy to clean
Red Flags
Higher price due to smart features
The Weber Spirit EX-325s is a mid-sized smart grill that’s ideal for smaller outdoor spaces. During testing, we were impressed by both its design and performance — it started up quickly and was highly responsive to changes in temperature. There was plenty of space to comfortably cook multiple servings, and we didn’t run into any issues with sticking or flare-ups.
This grill has a higher-than-average price due to its smart features, which may be useful if you’re a less-experienced griller. A digital display shows the grill’s real-time temperature, and you can plug in a thermometer probe to monitor your food’s status. All this information will be sent to your smartphone, too, so you can keep tabs on the grill even if you have to walk away.
Dimensions: 45.5 x 49.5 x 24 inches | Weight: 103 pounds | Cooking Area: 529 square inches | Burners: 3 | Maximum BTU: 32,000 | Fuel: Propane
Best 2-Burner: Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
Star Qualities
Simple design is well-suited to beginners
Spacious cooking area for a two-burner grill
Built-in fuel gauge shows how much propane is left
Red Flags
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. Still, it has most of the same features as the more expensive model, including enamel-coated cast iron grates, an open cart design, propane gauge, and integrated tool hooks.
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.
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
Star Qualities
Temperature probes monitor how well-done the food is
Connects to smartphone via Bluetooth
Sear zone for high-heat cooking
Comes in both propane and natural gas models
Red Flags
Couldn’t find any
The Weber Genesis EX-325S is similar to 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 testers couldn’t find fault with it apart from the price! It was convenient to be able to walk away while cooking, but it’s just as easy to operate manually. 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. They 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.
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
Most Versatile: Weber Q 2800N+ Liquid Propane Grill
Star Qualities
Grill can be removed from base
Removable side tables for prep
Pull-out grease drawer
Red Flags
Food sometimes sticks to grates
The Weber Q 2800N+ can be used as both a compact portable grill and freestanding grill, making it the most versatile option we tested. The grill comes mounted on a wheeled base with a lower storage cabinet, but it can also be removed and used for things like camping or tailgating. We found it easy to remove and reattach the grill, and we also loved that the removable side tables are quite sturdy.
In terms of performance, the W 2800+ is easy to light and heats up quickly. It doesn’t have as much cooking space as other grills, but we still fit 20 chicken wings on its cast iron grates. All types of food cooked beautifully in our tests, but ingredients did occasionally stick to certain parts of the grate.
Dimensions: 42.8 x 30 x 19.7 inches | Weight: 83 pounds | Cooking Area: 320 square inches | Burners: 2 | Maximum BTU: 18,000 | Fuel: Propane
Other Gas Grills We Tried
Napoleon Prestige 500 Gas Grill: The Napoleon Prestige 500 was one of the most expensive gas grills we tested, and while it has a sleek design, its performance wasn’t good enough to earn it a top spot on our rankings. During testing, the Napoleon Prestige 500 didn’t respond as well as other grills to temperature changes, and it didn’t deliver good searing on the main grill, either. Further, we struggled when it came time to clean the grill, as it’s very hard to remove debris and grease from underneath the burners.
People / Russell Kilgore
Grilled onion results during testingBehind the Scenes
To find the best gas grills for your backyard cookouts, we spent several days testing neary 20 full-size gas grills and cooking approximately 156 hamburgers, 125 chicken wings, 60 onions, 13 fish filets, 13 steaks, and 8 large zucchini — for a total of 375 grilled goodies.
Design: After assembly, we looked at the overall design of each grill. We considered whether it was attractive, if the materials felt durable, and if it had useful features like wheels, propane storage, side tables, or tool hooks.
Performance: To test the cooking abilities of each grill, we used them to cook a wide range of foods, from hamburgers and grilled onions to chicken wings, steak, and fish filets. For each recipe, we noted how evenly the meat cooked, if there were good sear marks, and if the ingredients stuck to the grates.
Ease of Use: Throughout the course of testing, we noted whether each grill was easy and intuitive to use. Is it easy to light? Do the burners respond well to temperature changes? Is the propane tank easy to install? All these questions (and more) will impact your overall experience with a grill.
Cleaning: After all our testing was complete, we cleaned out each grill — an important step to keep it in good working shape. We cleaned both the grill grates and body, noting whether it was easy to do and if there were any complicated steps.
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.
People / Russell Kilgore
What to Know About Gas Grills
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 grill 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, is 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.
“Multiple burners can create different heat zones for searing, cooking or warming foods on the grill, and can provide a more even heat distribution,” explains Downey. 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 set a Dutch oven of chili to simmer, 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.
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 a gas grill, 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.
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.
“No matter what grill you choose, be sure you’re shopping for the size that’s right for your outdoor area,” recommends Downey. “Along with the unit’s overall footprint on your deck or patio, also think about the cooking surface of the grill.”
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 Chef Dale 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.
People / Russell Kilgore
A tester checking the heat of a cast iron pan on a gas grillWhy 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, including close to a dozen different grills, and her work appears in publications such as The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more.
For this article, she consulted testing insights from the PEOPLE Tested team (who grilled almost 400 food items during testing) and spoke with two grill experts: Chef Dale Talde, chef and owner at Goosefeather and host of Tastemade’s All Up In My Grill, and Joe Downey, Senior Merchant of Grills at The Home Depot.
Our Expert Panel
Dale Talde is chef and owner at Goosefeather and host of Tastemade’s All Up In My Grill
Joe Downey is the Senior Merchant of Grills at Home Depot
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