The Best Grills for Every Outdoor Setup, According to Our Tests

Our Grill Tests

Much like the onions we attempted to caramelize on dozens of grill grates, our testing required layers. We found ourselves smoking mountains of chicken wings on pellet grills in the peak summer heat and searing steaks to warm ourselves in the chilly hours early spring. Our team dug deep for science (read: delicious science) and developed hundreds of insights for the usual brands we've always loved (Weber and Traeger) to newcomers that have innovated and made a space for themselves in our hearts and our own backyards.

To find the best grills available today, our team researched and selected nearly 100 grills of varying quality, price, and design. We put every product through multiple days of testing, considering everything from setup and performance to cleanup. Electric grills were first, testing both indoor and outdoor implications for top models with toast, chicken breasts, steaks, and zucchini. Next up came the pellet grills, with the aforementioned wings (testing smoking), steaks (searing), and pizza (baking). We then put the best pellet performers through a long smoke with a mighty pork shoulder to find the cream of the crop. We continued with searing steaks and smoking ribs on full-size charcoal grills, spent weeks slinging burgers, hot dogs, and corn cobs on dozens of portable grills (gas and charcoal), and finally tried fish filets and — you guessed it — steaks on full-size gas grills.

All of our grills have since landed in the homes of our editors and writers, and we're always following up with the winners to see how our favorites have stood the test of time and repeated use. This list will ebb and flow with new products we test as we confirm they're viable long-term (we can't wait to find out how the new Konnected Joe holds up).

What We Consider When Choosing a Grill

Fuel Source

When it comes to grills, you’ve got lots of options. Perhaps the first thing to determine is which type of grill you want, and in this case, type refers to fuel source.

“Electric grills are generally the most convenient,” says Melanie Marcus RD, a chef and dietician from the greater Charlotte area. “They’re great for their easy-to-use plug-in capability, steady temperature control, and minimal clean-up. But electric grills aren’t as powerful as other types of grills, and don’t offer the same smoky flavor that gas or charcoal grills are known for.” 

Marcus recommends a charcoal grill for those who prefer traditional grilling methods and love the rich smokiness that just can’t be replicated by other fuel sources. “Charcoal grills take more effort to light and maintain while cooking, but result in an unmatched, delicious char,” she says.

Gas grills, on the other hand, are great for fast grilling sessions since they heat quickly and are easy to control. “Perhaps they’re not as flavorful as charcoal, but gas grills are fuss-free and efficient,” says Marcus.

Finally, there’s the option of a pellet grill, which uses wood pellets instead of charcoal or gas. “They’re quite versatile,” says Marcus. “I think of pellet grills as smokers that can grill, bake, and roast. The key difference is that they often have a lower maximum temperature, which makes getting that traditional sear more difficult.”

Size and Number of Burners

The size of your grill may be determined by the available space you have. If you’re flexible there, choose a grill with a capacity that best matches your intended use. Love to entertain a crowd? Go with a grill with a large cooking space that can better accommodate foods cooking at different temperatures. Only need enough room for a couple of burgers? A smaller grill will keep everything nice and tidy.

Cooking Grate Material

Grill grates are generally either stainless steel or enameled cast iron. The latter tends to have more non-stick properties, but remember that food typically sticks when the surface isn’t hot enough. Grate material is not a defining factor for us when choosing a grill.

BTUs

BTUs really only come into play when talking about gas grills and reference how much heat the grill generates when it’s cranked up to the highest setting. But BTUs are more of an efficiency rating rather than a gauge of how hot a grill will actually get — it’s more important to consider how evenly a grill is capable of maintaining heat rather than analyzing BTU stats.

Accessories

“If you’re grilling, at a minimum, you’ll need high-quality tongs and a meat thermometer,” says Marcus. She recommends looking for tongs with long handles and a sturdy grip and opting for a digital thermometer for accurate measurements. Other accessories Marcus suggests are cooking trays to help keep things separated, a grill basket to help with delicate foods like fish or vegetables, and a grill brush for thorough cleaning. A pair of grill gloves are also great to have on hand.

Other Grills We Tested

Strong Contenders

Char-Griller Classic Cart Style Charcoal Grill ($349 at Home Depot)

This grill performed well in our tests, with testers praising its ease of use and solid construction. That said, there’s a bit of a learning curve with the height of the charcoal and determining where that should be in order to reach your desired temperature.

SNS Grills Slow ‘N Sear Original Charcoal Kettle Grill ($335 at SNS Grills)

Testers like this grill for its affordability, ease of use, and great results. It was a pain to put together, though, taking one tester nearly 45 minutes of frustration with its “many pieces and small parts.”

Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Propane Grill ($569 on Amazon)

This gas grill distributes heat well and turned out nicely cooked burgers, but testers noted that the external lid thermometer was wildly inaccurate. Overall, it’s a nice value and suitable for both beginners and experienced grillers.

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill ($449 on Amazon)

The Weber Traveler is an excellent standing portable grill. It’s easy to put together and easy to use, and our testers were impressed with its functionality. The Cuisinart edged it out for value and portability.

What Didn’t Make The List

Some outdoor grills just didn’t wow our testers enough to warrant a recommendation. Some grills felt flimsy and unstable in their construction, others had poor heat retention or distribution, and some were just plain fussy to work with. Grills that didn’t make the cut include brands like Napoleon, Oklahoma Joe’s, Royal Gourmet, and portable gas grills from Char-Broil.

Our Expertise

This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She wrote this article with notes and data from Food & Wine product testers, in-depth research, and conversation with a chef and dietitian.