When it comes to playing with fire, whether you’re a seasoned expert or shopping for the resident barbecue master in your household, selecting the right grill is paramount for achieving that perfect low, slow, indirect cooking.
With a vast array of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to pick the one that suits you best.
In the realm of barbecues, the adage “simpler is better” holds true.
You don’t need a flashy extravagant, and automated grill to achieve that impeccably charred steak.
What truly matters is focusing on your lifestyle needs and not getting swayed by marketing claims that promise a single grill can do it all.
Consider factors like your budget and the type of grill you are most comfortable using, be it charcoal, pellet, or gas.
Equally important is selecting a grill that aligns with the amount of food you typically cook.
Taking all these factors into careful consideration, along with a few other detailed aspects mentioned below, we sought the advice of pitmasters and barbecue experts to identify the finest barbecue grills available.
The Very Best Barbecue Grills
Best Overall Barbecue Grill
Here’s a description of its key features:
- Timeless Design. The Weber Original Kettle features an iconic round shape that has stood the test of time, evoking a sense of nostalgia and authenticity in your grilling experience.
- Generous Cooking Area. With a 22-inch diameter cooking grate, this grill provides ample space to cook for a small family or a group of friends, making it suitable for gatherings and parties.
- Porcelain-Enameled Grates. The cooking grates are made of durable porcelain-enameled material, which retains heat efficiently and distributes it evenly across the cooking surface.
- Ash Catcher. Cleaning up after a grilling session is made easy with the ash catcher located underneath the grill. It collects ashes, preventing mess and simplifying maintenance.
- Adjustable Air Vents. The grill features rust-resistant aluminum dampers that allow you to control the airflow, enabling you to fine-tune the temperature for both direct and indirect cooking.
- Lid Thermometer. The built-in lid thermometer lets you monitor the internal temperature without lifting the lid, helping you achieve precise cooking results.
- One-Touch Cleaning System. The grill is equipped with a one-touch cleaning system, allowing you to sweep ashes into the ash catcher with a single motion, streamlining the cleaning process.
- Sturdy Construction. The Weber Original Kettle is built to last, featuring a durable porcelain-enameled bowl and lid, along with a weather-resistant nylon handle for added durability.
- Portable and Compact. Despite its large cooking area, the grill is designed with portability in mind. Its compact size and two wheels make it easy to move around your patio or backyard.
- Versatile Grilling Options. From searing steaks and burgers to slow-cooking tender ribs, the Weber Original Kettle provides versatility for various grilling techniques.
- Trusted Brand. Weber is a well-respected and trusted brand in the grilling industry, known for its quality products and outstanding customer support.
Whether you’re a seasoned griller or a beginner, the Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill offers a user-friendly and reliable grilling experience, delivering delicious results every time.
Best Less Expensive Barbecue Grill
Here’s a description of its features:
- Compact Size: The Weber Smokey Joe is designed with portability in mind. Its compact 14-inch size makes it easy to transport and store, making it an ideal choice for picnics, camping trips, tailgating, or small outdoor spaces.
- Durable Construction: Despite its small size, this portable grill boasts a sturdy and durable construction. The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl ensure heat retention and resistance to rust and wear.
- Cooking Grate: The grill features a plated steel cooking grate with a 147-square-inch cooking area, providing ample space to grill burgers, hot dogs, vegetables, and more for a small group.
- Air Vents: Equipped with top and bottom dampers, the Smokey Joe allows you to control the airflow, enabling precise temperature adjustments for different grilling techniques.
- Lid Locks for Portability: The lid comes with convenient lid locks, which secure the lid in place during transportation, ensuring a mess-free and hassle-free journey.
- Ash Catcher: Cleaning up after your grilling session is a breeze with the removable ash catcher. It collects ashes, making maintenance quick and easy.
- Heat Resistant Handle: The handle on the lid is heat resistant, providing a comfortable grip even when the grill is hot, allowing you to open and close it safely.
- Classic Design: The Smokey Joe sports a classic and timeless design that captures the essence of traditional charcoal grilling.
- Versatile Cooking: Despite its compact size, this portable grill allows for versatile cooking options, from direct grilling to indirect cooking, giving you the flexibility to cook various dishes.
- Easy Assembly: The grill is straightforward to assemble, requiring minimal effort to get it ready for grilling.
- Trusted Brand: As part of the Weber family, the Smokey Joe comes from a reputable brand known for its quality and performance in the grilling industry.
Whether you’re tailgating at a sports event, going camping in the great outdoors, or simply enjoying a cozy barbecue in your backyard, the Weber Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill offers a reliable and convenient grilling experience that you can take wherever adventure calls.
Best Large Barbecue Grill
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- Large Cooking Area. The grill boasts an expansive 830 square inches of primary cooking space, providing ample room to grill large quantities of meat, vegetables, or even whole cuts for gatherings and parties.
- Durable Construction. Built to last, the Char-Griller E1224 features heavy-duty steel construction with a powder-coated finish. This not only enhances its durability but also adds a sleek black appearance.
- Side Fire Box. One of the standout features of this grill is the side firebox. It allows for additional cooking options such as smoking and indirect heat cooking, making it a versatile tool for achieving various barbecue styles.
- Adjustable Dampers. The grill is equipped with adjustable dampers on the main cooking chamber and firebox, enabling precise control of airflow and temperature, ensuring optimal cooking conditions.
- Cooks with Charcoal or Wood. This grill offers the flexibility to use both charcoal and wood as fuel, giving you the freedom to experiment with different flavors and aromas in your grilled dishes.
- Built-in Temperature Gauge. The lid of the main cooking chamber comes with a built-in temperature gauge, allowing you to monitor the internal heat without having to open the lid, which helps maintain consistent cooking temperatures.
- Large Storage Shelf. The grill features a convenient front shelf that provides ample space to hold grilling tools, spices, and plates, enhancing your grilling experience.
- Wheels for Mobility. Despite its substantial size, the grill is designed with two sturdy wheels, making it easier to move around your backyard or patio as needed.
- Easy Ash Removal. The grill is designed with an easy-to-access ash pan, simplifying the process of ash removal and cleanup after grilling.
- Additional Prep Space. The side firebox can also act as an additional workspace for food prep, giving you more room to prepare your ingredients while you grill.
- Traditional Look. The Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro features a classic barrel-style design, reminiscent of traditional smokers, adding an appealing and authentic touch to your outdoor cooking space.
For barbecue enthusiasts who appreciate the art of smoking and grilling, the Char-Griller E1224 Smokin Pro offers a high-capacity cooking area, versatile cooking options, and sturdy construction.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or honing your smoking skills, this grill will satisfy your culinary ambitions and deliver delicious results.
Best Gas Barbecue Grill
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- Spacious Cooking Area. The Weber Spirit E-310 boasts a generous 529 square inches of total cooking area, including a primary cooking space of 424 square inches and a warming rack area of 105 square inches. This provides ample room to grill for a medium to large-sized gathering.
- Powerful Burners. The grill is equipped with three powerful stainless steel burners, which provide even and consistent heat distribution across the cooking surface, ensuring perfectly grilled food.
- Electronic Crossover Ignition. Starting the grill is a breeze with the electronic crossover ignition system, which swiftly and reliably ignites each burner with just the push of a button.
- Porcelain-Enameled Cooking Grates. The cooking grates are made of durable porcelain-enameled cast iron, which retains heat effectively, creates beautiful grill marks, and is easy to clean.
- Flavorizer Bars. The Weber Spirit E-310 features flavorizer bars made of stainless steel. These bars catch drippings from the food, vaporize them, and infuse the smoke back into the food, enhancing its flavor.
- Built-in Thermometer. The lid comes with a built-in thermometer, enabling you to monitor the cooking temperature without needing to lift the lid, ensuring precise cooking results.
- Fold-Down Side Tables. The grill is designed with two convenient fold-down side tables, providing extra workspace for food prep and serving, and can be folded down to save space when not in use.
- Easy Grease Management. The grill includes a grease management system that funnels grease away from the burners and into a removable drip tray, making cleaning hassle-free.
- Fuel Gauge. The propane tank is stored under the grill, and a fuel gauge is conveniently placed on the front panel, allowing you to keep track of the propane level while cooking.
- Sturdy Construction. The Weber Spirit E-310 is built to withstand the elements, with a durable and attractive black finish and sturdy casters that provide mobility and stability.
- Compatible with iGrill Technology. This grill is compatible with Weber’s iGrill technology, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of your food using a smartphone app.
- Trusted Brand. Weber is a renowned brand known for its quality and innovation in the grilling industry, offering excellent customer support and warranties.
The Weber Spirit E-310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill combines functionality, style, and durability, making it an excellent choice for grill enthusiasts who seek a reliable and high-performance gas grill for their outdoor cooking needs.
Best Pellet Barbecue Grill
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- Wood Pellet Technology: The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A operates on wood pellets, which infuse your food with natural smoky flavors. This technology allows for precise temperature control, ensuring consistent heat distribution throughout the cooking process.
- Large Cooking Area: With a total cooking area of 450 square inches, the grill offers ample space to cook for a medium-sized group, making it suitable for family gatherings and small parties.
- Digital Temperature Control: The grill comes with a digital temperature control system that allows you to set the desired temperature easily. This feature ensures accurate and reliable temperature readings, eliminating the need for constant monitoring.
- Versatile Grilling and Smoking: This grill functions as both a grill and a smoker, giving you the flexibility to sear steaks at high temperatures or slow-cook ribs and briskets at low and slow temperatures.
- Automatic Pellet Feeding System: The ZPG-450A is equipped with an automated pellet feeding system, ensuring a steady supply of wood pellets, and maintaining consistent heat levels during long cooking sessions.
- Porcelain-Coated Cooking Grates: The cooking grates are made of durable porcelain-coated cast iron, providing even heat distribution and creating beautiful grill marks on your food.
- Waste Oil Collector: The grill includes a waste oil collector located beneath the cooking chamber, making grease management and cleanup more convenient.
- Convenient Side Shelf: The grill features a side shelf that provides additional workspace for food preparation, making grilling more efficient and organized.
- Sturdy Construction: The ZPG-450A is built with high-quality materials, including a stainless steel lid and a powder-coated steel body, ensuring durability and resistance to the elements.
- Compact and Portable: Despite its generous cooking area, the grill has a compact design and features two sturdy wheels, making it easy to move around your backyard or patio.
- Trusted Brand: Z GRILLS is a reputable brand known for producing reliable and innovative wood pellet grills and smokers, backed by excellent customer service.
Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a beginner, the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker offers a user-friendly and flavorful grilling experience, perfect for creating mouthwatering dishes that will impress your family and friends.
Best Barrel Barbecue
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- Ample Cooking Area. The grill offers a 800 square inch total cooking area, including a primary cooking space of 438 square inches and a warming rack area of 179 square inches. This generous size allows you to grill for a medium to large-sized gathering.
- Durable Construction. Built with heavy-duty steel, the Royal Gourmet CC1830 ensures durability and long-lasting performance, with a heat-resistant black finish that adds an attractive touch to your outdoor cooking space.
- Adjustable Charcoal Pan. The grill features an adjustable charcoal pan, allowing you to control the distance between the charcoal and the cooking grate. This feature gives you the flexibility to set up different heat zones for various grilling techniques.
- Temperature Gauge. The lid of the grill comes with a built-in temperature gauge, enabling you to monitor the internal cooking temperature without having to lift the lid, ensuring precise cooking results.
- Removable Ash Pan. Cleaning up after grilling is made easy with the removable ash pan, which collects ashes, making maintenance and cleanup a breeze.
- Side Table. The grill is equipped with a convenient side table, providing extra workspace for food prep, condiments, and grilling tools, enhancing your grilling efficiency and organization.
- Bottom Storage Shelf. The grill includes a bottom storage shelf where you can store extra charcoal bags, grilling accessories, or other cooking essentials, keeping them within easy reach.
- Air Ventilation System. The grill is designed with an adjustable air vent on the lid and a damper under the charcoal pan, enabling you to control the airflow and thus the temperature inside the grill.
- Easy Mobility. Two wheels are integrated into the design, making it easy to move the grill around your backyard or patio as needed.
- Trusted Brand. Royal Gourmet is a reputable brand known for producing quality grills and outdoor cooking equipment, ensuring reliability and customer satisfaction.
The Royal Gourmet 30″ Barrel Charcoal Grill offers a spacious cooking area, adjustable features, and durable construction, making it an excellent choice for grill enthusiasts who seek versatility and functionality.
Whether you’re grilling burgers for a family cookout or experimenting with low and slow barbecue techniques, this grill will deliver excellent results and elevate your outdoor cooking experience.
Best Smoker Barbecue Grill
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- Large Cooking Area. The Pro Series 34 offers a generous 884 square inches of total cooking area, providing ample space to grill and smoke large quantities of food, making it ideal for gatherings and events.
- Electric Operation. This grill operates using electricity, making it easy to use and eliminating the need for dealing with propane or charcoal. Simply plug it into a power source, and it’s ready to go.
- Wood Pellet Technology. The Pro Series 34 utilizes wood pellets as the fuel source, infusing your food with rich, smoky flavors. The pellet hopper automatically feeds pellets into the firepot, ensuring consistent heat and smoke production.
- Digital Pro Controller. The grill is equipped with a Digital Pro Controller, allowing you to set and maintain precise temperatures within a 15-degree Fahrenheit range. This feature ensures consistent and even cooking results.
- Versatile Grilling and Smoking. With the ability to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ, the Pro Series 34 provides versatility for a wide range of cooking techniques, allowing you to explore various recipes.
- Large Hopper Capacity. The pellet hopper can hold up to 18 pounds of wood pellets, providing extended cooking times without the need for constant refilling.
- Durable Construction. The grill is built with sturdy steel construction and finished in an attractive bronze color, adding an elegant touch to your outdoor cooking space.
- Porcelain-Coated Grates. The cooking grates are made of durable porcelain-coated steel, which retains heat effectively, creates beautiful grill marks, and is easy to clean.
- Double-Walled Stainless Steel Interior. The interior features double-walled stainless steel construction, enhancing heat retention and durability.
- Convenient Side Shelf. The grill comes with a side shelf that provides additional workspace for food preparation and serving, enhancing your grilling experience.
- Easy Cleanup. The Pro Series 34 includes a grease management system with a removable drip tray, making grease collection and cleanup simple and mess-free.
- Trusted Brand. Traeger is a well-respected and trusted brand in the pellet grill industry, known for its quality products and commitment to customer satisfaction.
The Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is the ultimate outdoor cooking companion for grill enthusiasts who seek a large cooking area, precise temperature control, and the unbeatable flavor of wood pellet grilling.
With its versatility and ease of use, it offers a delightful grilling and smoking experience that will elevate your outdoor cooking to a whole new level.
Best Kamado Barbecue Grill (and Value)
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- Kamado Design. The AKORN Jr. Kamado is inspired by the traditional Kamado-style grills, known for their excellent heat retention and fuel efficiency. It features a double-walled steel construction with an insulated interior, allowing for precise temperature control.
- Compact Size. With a cooking surface of 153 square inches, the AKORN Jr. Kamado is ideal for small outdoor spaces, patios, balconies, or for taking it along on camping trips and picnics.
- Triple-Wall Steel. The grill is constructed with triple-walled steel, providing exceptional insulation to maintain consistent temperatures and reduce charcoal consumption.
- Cast Iron Cooking Grates. The cooking grates are made of durable cast iron, which retains heat efficiently and delivers beautiful sear marks on your grilled food.
- Adjustable Dampers. The grill comes with top and bottom adjustable dampers, allowing you to control the airflow and thus the temperature inside the grill for both low and slow cooking or high-temperature grilling.
- Easy Temperature Gauge. The built-in temperature gauge on the lid enables you to monitor the internal temperature without the need to open the grill, ensuring precise cooking results.
- Convenient Ash Pan. Cleaning up after grilling is made simple with the removable ash pan, which collects ashes, making maintenance and disposal hassle-free.
- Locking Lid and Foldable Legs. The AKORN Jr. Kamado features a locking lid and foldable legs, making it easy to transport and store when not in use.
- Multiple Cooking Styles. This grill is versatile and can be used for grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, and more, allowing you to experiment with a variety of outdoor cooking techniques.
- Durable Finish. The grill is coated with a powder-coated finish, providing excellent resistance against rust and wear, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- Trusted Brand. Char-Griller is a well-known and reputable brand in the grilling industry, known for producing quality products with a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.
The Char-Griller E86714 AKORN Jr. Kamado is a perfect choice for individuals or small families looking to enjoy the versatility and flavor of Kamado-style cooking in a compact and portable package.
Its durable construction, excellent heat retention, and easy-to-use features make it a reliable and efficient charcoal grill for your outdoor culinary adventures.
Best Built-In Barbecue Grill
Here’s a detailed description of its features:
- High-Quality Construction. The Blaze Professional LUX grill is built with top-notch materials, featuring a durable 304 stainless steel construction that ensures longevity, resistance to rust, and a sleek appearance.
- Generous Cooking Area. With a total cooking area of 782 square inches, including a primary grilling area of 558 square inches and a warming rack area of 224 square inches, this grill provides ample space to cook for a large gathering.
- Powerful Burners. The grill is equipped with three high-performance cast stainless steel burners, each capable of delivering 18,000 BTUs of cooking power. These burners offer precise temperature control and even heat distribution for perfect grilling results.
- Rear Infrared Burner. In addition to the main burners, the grill features a rear infrared burner that provides an additional 10,000 BTUs of cooking power. This burner is ideal for rotisserie-style cooking, allowing you to roast whole chickens, turkeys, and other large cuts of meat.
- Flame Stabilizing Grids. The flame stabilizing grids help distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface, minimizing flare-ups and ensuring consistent grilling performance.
- Illuminated Control Knobs. The control knobs are backlit with attractive LED lights, adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor cooking area while also providing visibility during evening grilling sessions.
- Heat Zone Separators. The grill features heat zone separators that allow you to create different temperature zones on the cooking surface, making it possible to simultaneously cook various foods at different heat levels.
- Double-Lined Hood. The double-lined, stainless steel hood retains heat efficiently, helping maintain consistent cooking temperatures and reducing heat loss.
- Grease Management System. The grill includes a removable grease tray and a full-width drip pan for easy cleanup and grease management, ensuring a tidy and sanitary grilling experience.
- Integrated Smoker Box. The Blaze Professional LUX grill comes with an integrated smoker box, allowing you to add wood chips or chunks for extra smoky flavors to your grilled dishes.
- Trusted Brand. Blaze is a reputable brand known for producing high-quality grills and outdoor kitchen appliances, backed by excellent customer support and warranties.
The Blaze Professional LUX 34-Inch 3-Burner Built-in Natural Gas Grill with Rear Infrared Burner is a top-of-the-line option for grill enthusiasts who seek premium features, exceptional performance, and a sophisticated design for their outdoor cooking space.
With its powerful burners, infrared rear burner, and durable construction, this grill is sure to elevate your grilling experience and impress your guests with deliciously grilled dishes.
Bottom Line – The Very Best Barbecue Grills
Finding the perfect barbecue grill is essential for taking your grilling game to the next level.
By considering your lifestyle needs, budget, cooking preferences, and the advice of experts, you can select a grill that perfectly complements your outdoor cooking journey.
Whether it’s a classic charcoal grill, a versatile gas grill, or a high-tech pellet grill, the right choice will make all the difference in achieving that perfect smoky flavor and delectable grilled dishes for memorable gatherings with family and friends.
