The Best Gas Grills Under $500 In 2022
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Owning a grill is the first step to hosting a backyard barbecue. It is the standard appliance for having parties with hot dogs and hamburgers on the menu. But it can also improve your day-to-day cooking game. Easy weeknight recipes like chicken, salmon, or shrimp are perfect for the grill. You can also try out less obvious dishes that you wouldn't think could be cooked outside. It is actually easy to make things like pizza, quesadillas, or even cooked fruit on the grill. By purchasing your first grill — or getting an affordable upgrade — you open yourself up to new culinary opportunities. But where should you even begin shopping?
First, learn about the different kinds of grills. As Greatist explains, your desired power source is the first thing to consider. Charcoal, gas, or electric are the three main types of grills. According to the BBQ Guys, the primary debate is gas versus charcoal. Fans of charcoal say the flavor imparted by smoke and the affordability of this type of grill makes it superior. However, gas grills come with their own advantages. Gas grills heat up quickly, have versatile components like multiple burners and accessories, are easy to clean, and usually are relatively simple to use.
Gas grills can get pricey, with high-quality gas grills easily surpassing the $1,000 mark. For this story, we've limited our budget to $500, at most, per grill. Luckily for you, we've found a bunch of great products within this budget.
How we selected products
Along with the budget, our search for the best gas grills on the market was guided by several factors. We started by deciding which features are most desirable. Even within the broad category of gas grills, there are several different types, based on what specific heat source you want. Infrared, propane, natural gas, and charcoal-gas hybrid grills all come with their own benefits (via Grillers Spot). Other qualities, like size, what you use it for, and accessories are also important to consider when looking for a gas grill.
We used several methods to find the best grills for each category. We looked at user reviews to see what real customers said. We researched previous press coverage to see what criticism or recommendations had been offered. We looked at the general popularity. What grills lived up to the hype? Which products fly under the radar? Within each of these areas, we looked at how successfully each function was achieved. Read on to learn about some of the best gas grills being sold in 2022. All prices are accurate as of the publishing date of this article.
Best overall
The best overall gas grill is the Weber Spirit II E-210. Per the company, it is a two-burner propane gas grill. The base is somewhat compact, allowing it to squeeze into small spaces. However, it can still grill 12 burgers simultaneously. This grill also comes with the guarantee of a long life: Weber offers a ten-year warranty for all parts, as long as grill pieces don't break as a result of normal wear and tear.
Weber makes a larger version of this grill — the Spirit E-310. However, this particular model costs several hundred dollars more than the Spirit II E-210. We prefer the cheaper option. Along with affordability, the compact size makes the Weber Spirit II E-210 a better choice for most shoppers.
The product has been reviewed over 4,000 times on Amazon, where it has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. People are confident in the grill's quality. "Probably the last grill I'll ever own," wrote one Amazon user. "This is the best Weber grill I have ever purchased ... I am 74 years old and have owned many a grill," said another person who purchased it. For those looking for a somewhat small gas grill that uses propane, you won't be disappointed by this well-made item.
You can buy the Weber Spirit II E-210 on Amazon for $499.
Best budget
At less than $200 on Amazon, the American Gourmet Classic three-burner is much cheaper than most gas grills you will encounter. Even at this price, it comes with three burners, as well as additional useful features. According to American Gourmet, it has 360 inches of cooking space and delivers 30,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of heat. As Napoleon explains, BTUs measure how much heat a piece of cooking equipment can generate. Basically, the more BTUs, the better. But in more specific terms, if you divide the number of BTUs by the number of square inches on your grill, then get a number between 80 and 100, then your grill is considered high quality (via BBQ Galore). By those standards, the American Gourmet Classic three-burner grill is sufficient.
This product is sold on Amazon, where it has been reviewed over 3,000 times. It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Customers said it wasn't the sturdiest or longest-lasting item out there, but many appreciated it for its value. Other buyers noted that it's on the smaller side, so don't get this for entertaining big groups. However, you could put this grill on your small patio space and use it to cook weeknight dinners.
You can buy the American Gourmet Classic three-burner grill on Amazon for $170.
Best natural gas
Instead of using disposable propane tanks, natural gas grills are connected to your home's natural gas line. As Food Fire Friends explains, this is part of what makes natural gas grills cheaper in the long run. However, natural gas grills tend to be initially more expensive. On top of the price, there's the cost of getting the device hooked up to natural gas (via AEI Corporation). If you don't have natural gas in your home already, there's an additional fee for that, as well. But the convenience of not constantly buying propane tanks — plus some possible environmental benefits — makes natural gas grills desirable to some. If you have to pick one, go with the Dyna-Glo two-burner natural gas grill.
With only two burners, this grill is compact. However, you can still fit up to 15 burgers on the grill simultaneously. This is good for hosting smaller get-togethers. Another added benefit is the grill's materials. It's made with stainless steel (including the burners themselves). As BBQ Guys explains, using this material for at least some grill elements is a mark of quality. On Amazon, the Dyna-Glo two-burner Natural Gas Grill received favorable reviews from the public. Customers said "Excellent quality...very happy," and "This is a good grill."
You can buy the Dyna-Glo two-burner natural gas grill on Amazon for $387.
Best infrared
Infrared gas grills still use natural gas or propane, but the heating process differs slightly. Per Star Fire Direct, most grills heat your food by increasing the temperature of the air around it. But with an infrared grill, heat is going directly from the grill plates into your food. Infrared grills also tend to be hotter: hey can get up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal gas grills tend to reach only 750 degrees Fahrenheit. Some people also think infrared grills produce better flavors, explains Smoked BBQ Source. If you're looking for an affordable product of this kind, go with Char-Broil's Performance Series TRU-Infrared three-burner gas grill.
This convenient propane grill comes with three main burners, plus one additional side burner. This smaller burner can be used for items that require less heat, such as sides or sauces. On Amazon, the grill has been reviewed over 1,000 times and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Customers commented on the high quality of it. "This is the second infrared BBQ that I have owned. This one is by far, the best one ever," said one Amazon user.
You can buy this Char-Broil infrared gas grill on Amazon for $400.
Best gas/charcoal hybrid
Sometimes, grill shoppers opt for a combination of gas and charcoal cooking in their chosen product. If they do, they buy a hybrid grill. Per American Made Grills, hybrid grills offer "the convenience of gas and the flavor of charcoal." If you're impatient, you can quickly fire up the gas component to get grilling started quickly. If you've got the time, you can put in the extra effort for that smokey flavor imparted by charcoal. If this sounds good to you, an excellent hybrid product is the Char-Broil Gas2Coal three-burner propane and charcoal hybrid grill.
On Amazon, its been reviewed over 200 times, coming to an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. On the virtual marketplace, customers were enthusiastic about the ability to cook two different ways. "I've had it for several months now and I couldn't be more pleased ... I'm so happy I went hybrid!" said one user. Another person who purchased the hybrid grill said, "This is one of the best grills under $400. You can have the best of both gas and charcoal in one system."
Garden Gate Magazine recommended this device. They noted the ease of switching between gas and charcoal, saying it took only a minute to do.
You can buy the Char-Broil Gas2Coal three-burner grill from Walmart for $416.
Best grill/griddle combo
Another way to add versatility to your grill is by purchasing one that comes with a griddle. A griddle is a flat surface that enables you to cook different foods outdoors, explains Food Fire Friends. Without the holes between the grates that come on a typical grill, you are free to cook recipes like pancakes or fried rice, per The North End BBQ. If you're looking to cook these types of recipes and do traditional grilling as well, go with the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600.
This stainless steel appliance comes with a griddle, grill grate, four burners, two folding shelves, a propane tank holder, and adjustable legs. It is among the top 100 propane grills on Amazon. There, customers reviewed this item over 900 times, giving the product an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. "I love everything about this combo grill," said one buyer. "Love it and glad I chose this one over the Blackstone model," wrote another.
Among the press, this Camp Chef Flat grill/griddle combo is well-reviewed. Griddle King called this product hard to beat when compared to other combination cooking tools, citing the easily removable grill and the large cooking surface as beneficial to users.
You can buy the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 on Amazon for $430.
Best for entertaining
The Blackstone Flat Top 28-inch gas griddle (with two burners) is key for entertaining. It doesn't do traditional grill-style cooking, but a griddle opens you up to new culinary possibilities. This griddle feature allows you to cook dishes with small parts, such as roasted veggies, scrambled eggs, or potatoes. The burners are adjustable, helping to prevent burning. It also puts out 30,000 BTUs of heat, which is powerful for this affordable product. Most importantly, it can fit up to 44 hot dogs simultaneously, making this perfect for a party.
On Amazon, this griddle is a best seller. It is ranks number two out of all propane grills on the entire website. It's been reviewed over 9,000 times, receiving an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. "This is a great investment for outdoor entertaining!" wrote one customer. "This makes cooking fun. The whole dinner party joined in!" said another person.
Other bonuses include the easy ability to move this grill. Even if you're not hosting the event, you can easily bring this griddle along with you. GearPatrol also recommended this product, appreciating its inclusion of a grease catcher. You'll cherish the easy clean-up, they said, after hosting a food-filled party using this convenient griddle.
You can buy the 28-Inch, two-burner Blackstone gas griddle on Amazon for $229.
Most versatile
Part of the reason the Cuisinart 360 XL Griddle Outdoor Cooking Station is so versatile is its flat surface. This griddle cooktop allows owners to cook a variety of recipes, including things you couldn't cook on a regular grill.
Other than the griddle top, more aspects of this appliance's design are useful. With a large, circular surface, you have a form that mimics cooking on a regular stove with a typical pan. The griddle itself is sizable, allowing you to cook different dishes simultaneously. The two foldaway prep tables help to keep things organized. To maintain a neat cooking area, the product comes with an oversized grease pan, which catches any spills. This three-burner device even comes with a stainless steel lid. That lid comes with a vent (a feature that Top Ten Reviews found to be desirable). Aside from grill marks, it comes with almost everything you need to be an outdoor chef.
Girls Can Grill complimented the circular shape of this griddle. The press outlet said this shape makes the griddle compact while allowing other cooks to join in on the grilling. On Amazon, it has been reviewed over 1,000 times, receiving an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. As one user aptly put it, "This does what other outdoor griddles do, but cheaper and with more versatility."
You can buy the Cuisinart 360 XL Griddle Outdoor Cooking Station on Amazon for $303.
Best small
Many grills available today under $500 are going to be on the small side. But if you're in the market for something really compact, look no further than the Fuego Element hinged propane gas grill. This grill is truly scaled-down. Its total dimensions are 21 inches by 21 inches when the lid is closed (via Fuego). The grilling surface itself is less than 350 square inches. Despite its small size, it comes with nice features like a conveniently hinged propane tank area and a quick electronic ignition.
On Amazon, this grill has been reviewed over 600 times, coming to an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. "I've owned a myriad of small propane grills ... and none compare to this grill," wrote one person. "The footprint is small yet the grilling space is plenty," said another customer. One more Amazon user said, "It's just perfect for a small patio gas grill."
You can buy the Fuego Element hinged propane gas grill on Amazon for $372.
Best large
Monument Grills' four-burner propane gas grill is a great way to get your hands on a huge grill. It has over 700 square inches of cooking space. It comes with some advanced features like a rotisserie kit as well. Along with its size, this product is high quality: It's made with premium materials, using stainless steel burners and cast iron cooking grates.
On Amazon, this gas grill has been reviewed over 200 times. Those who've reviewed this Monument Grills product give it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Customers say things like, "The price was great for the size."
The website Protocol Reviews complimented features like the searing burner (which helps you to cook steak) and the porcelain grates (which prevent the grill from decaying over time). But to us, one of the most impressive features is the warranty. According to Monument Grills, there is a one-year full warranty for the grill itself, as well as an eight-year limited warranty for its stainless steel burners.
You can buy the Monument Grills four-burner propane gas grill on Amazon for $360.
Best for camping
The SPRK Camp Grill from Eureka! comes highly recommended by several press outlets. CNN called it perfect for summer dinners, as it can do all its grilling from atop a picnic table. Men's Health called it a way to up your cooking game while camping.
On Amazon, this grill has been reviewed over 100 times, where it has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. Customers who like the outdoors appreciated the Eureka! grill. "It was great for camping," said one person. "Just fine for a camper or car camping," wrote another buyer. Another customer added, "This is literally so nice for anyone who camps or likes to travel."
Desirable features of this grill include a ceramic grate, removable grease tray, adjustable feet, room for an 8-ounce butane canister, and a carrying case (which is included with purchase, according to Eureka!). On REI's website, this product received a favorable average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Customers there complimented the grill, saying it could be used for things like Korean barbecue dinners.
You can buy the Eureka! SPRK grill on Amazon for $135.
Best portable
If you need a grill on the go but have room for something a little bigger than the Eureka!, choose the Coleman RoadTrip 285 portable grill. This model runs on propane. It's called the 285 because it contains 285 square inches of grilling area. This isn't much, but it will do for a last-minute barbecue. This grill is ideal for such situations because it has collapsable legs and wheels. For additional ease, it has a push-button ignition, a built-in thermometer, and three different burners. Per Coleman, you can also order this grill in a wide range of fun colors. Also, the product comes with a three-year limited warranty.
On Amazon, this product has been reviewed over 5,000 times, coming to an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Many of those who purchased it complimented this Coleman grill's portability. Reviewers said things like, "Very good little portable grill," and "Find ourselves using it all the time, traveling or at home."
You can buy the Coleman Roadtrip 285 Portable grill on Amazon for $290.