Gas Grills to Look for at End-of-Season Grill Sales

Kimberly Janeway
Updated

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Labor Day is often the occasion of the last backyard barbecue of the season. And it's a great time to look for a deal on a gas grill, especially if you plan to fire up well past summer. You can find grills on sale from now through October. “Retailers are making room for other seasonal merchandise in many areas. Online grill sales are good, too, as retailers need to free up warehouse space,” says Mark Allwood, a senior market analyst for Consumer Reports.

So before the leaf blowers and snow blowers replace the grills at your local store, here are some models that were impressive in Consumer Reports’ tests—and several grills to pass on.     

The gas grills that make our recommended list must be high-performing and also have a lower rate of repair. We call it brand reliability and for you it’s a glimpse into the future. Consider the recommended gas grills, but also look beyond them for a good grill at a price that’s right for you, keeping brand reliability in mind. To find out what nearly 7,000 people had to say about their brand’s performance, durability, ease of cleaning, and more see Top Gas Grill Brands.

Gas Grills to Look For

When you're shopping for a grill at this time of year, inventory may be low and it differs from store to store. But if you see a deal on any of the high-scoring gas grills below, grab it. You'll be glad you did.

Gas Grills for $400 or less
Portable, small, and midsized grills that get the job done without the fancy features can be yours for under $400 or less.
Small (18 burgers or less): Huntington 630124, Char-Broil Signature 463675517, and Huntington 665154
Midsize (18 to 28 burgers): Nexgrill 720-0830H, Nexgrill Deluxe 720-0896B, Even Embers GAS7540AS, and Char-Broil Advantage 463344116
On sale now: The price of the Weber Spirit E-210 46310001, a small grill, has been lowered to $349 (from $480) at Home Depot and Lowe's. Ask the Lowe's cashier to apply the coupon for this discount. And check out the small Char-Broil Commercial Tru-Infrared 463642316 at Lowe's. It's reduced to $211 from $300. 
For more choices read Best Gas Grills for $400 or Less.

Gas Grills Between $400 and $700
At these prices construction tends to sturdier than the cheaper grills and you'll start to see 10-year burner warranties. 
Small: Napoleon Terrace SE325PK and Weber Genesis II E-210
Midsize: Char-Broil Signature 463372017 and Weber Genesis II E-310
Large (28 burgers or more): Grill Zone BG2615B
On sale now: Get $50 off the midsize Weber Spirit E-310 46510001 (from $630) at Home Depot and Lowe's. To receive the discount, ask the Lowe's cashier to apply the coupon.
For more options read Best Gas Grills for $400 to $700.

Gas Grills Between $700 and $1000
Expect grills in this price range to be well-built, and many take design cues from pro-style ranges. Here's where you start to see features that make grilling easier. 
Small: Char-Broil SmartChef 463346017 
Midsize: Napoleon Rogue R425SBPK
Large: KitchenAid 720-0893 and Weber Genesis II E-410
For more choices see Best Gas Grills for $700 to $1,000

Gas Grills for $1,000 and Up
Spending over $1,000 will buy you an eye-catching grill. Construction should be superior, and features may include rotisserie burners with a motorized spit, and LED lights inside the hood and rimming the controls that make grilling after dusk easier.
Small: Weber Genesis II LX S-240
Midsize: Weber Genesis II LX S-340 and Napoleon LEX485RSlB
Large: Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB, Napoleon Mirage M730RSBIPSS, and Weber Summit E-670
For more good choices read Best Gas Grills for $1,000 and Up

Gas Grills to Skip

Some grills aren't a good deal even at a reduced price. These grills scored 40 or lower out of 100 in our gas grill tests. None provided even heat across the cooking surface in our tests, and their temperature range is limited. The Cadac Stratros was very good at preheating, but the others weren't very hot after 10 minutes of preheating. You can start grilling, but without proper preheating the food will take longer to cook. 
Portable gas grill: North American Outdoors BB12919G
Small gas grill: Cadac Stratos 98700-23-01 
Midsize gas grills: Saber Cast Black R67CC1117, Master Forge Island Grill BG179A, and Fervor Icon 350S

Before you shop, check our gas grill ratings and our gas grill buying guide to help you decide.



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