7 Best Grill Brands to Show You’re Serious About Your BBQ Game in 2024
Updated: Mar. 22, 2024
Are you an easy burger flipper or a serious cook who spends 12 hours babying barbecue? The best grill brands have something for both styles of cooks.
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Whether your outdoor kitchen is decked out or you just need a fast, easy grill for cookouts, there’s a style of grill for you. When it’s time to shop, the best grill brands have all kinds of innovations. First, you need to decide if you prefer the convenience of gas grills or the control and flavor of charcoal. Some grills double as smokers while others, like Kamodo-style ceramic grills, have a steeper learning curve but come with serious bragging rights. You might also prefer indoor grills instead.
And then, of course, there’s the price to consider. A simple grill that’s sturdy enough to last a few years can cost as little as $200 while a fully tricked-out pellet grill smoker can run up to $1,500. Here are the best grill brands to check out before you put on the burgers.
Best Overall Charcoal Grill
Weber Performer Deluxe 22-inch Charcoal Grill
Ever since its first kettle grill came on the market in 1952, Weber has been one of the best grill brands on the market. Yes, charcoal takes 20 minutes to light, but the flavor is unbeatable. Weber’s deluxe charcoal grill is set into a stand on wheels, making it simple to position on a deck or patio. (Pro tip: To keep ash from filtering through the openings on the bottom wire shelf, a large sheet pan from a restaurant supply store fits perfectly as a liner.)
The built-in charcoal holder, which is basically a large plastic bin, easily holds a 50-pound bag of briquettes. Beneath the grill is an ash catcher with blades that lets you push in the dusty stuff without getting your hands dirty. Even though this is a charcoal grill, it has a gas ignition system that makes lighting briquettes simple. The round kettle-style performs well as a smoker, too, by letting you line up the top vent to pull smoke over the food.
Pros
- Features a dual grate system
- Has a durable porcelain-coated steel exterior
- Includes a built-in, removable LED timer
- Round kettle style also performs as a smoker
Cons
- Propane tank for the ignition system not included
Best Overall Gas Grill
Char-Broil Performance Four-Burner Gas Grill
Char-Broil’s backyard performer gives you the click-and-cook ease of a gas grill with serious heat and control. It puts out 36,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat with a 565-square-inch area for cooking. The cast-iron grates are porcelain-coated, so they won’t rust and food is less likely to stick. An upper set of swing-away grates keeps things warm, or can be used for toasting buns. The 10,000-BTU side burner has a flat lid, so you can use it for an extra work surface when you’re not heating sauces or side dishes.
Pros
- Offers main cooking area and side burner
- Burners are made of stainless steel
- Electronic lighting system works with the touch of a button
- Has a removable grease tray and pan
Cons
- Side work surface is small compared to other grill carts
Best Budget Grill
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
If you want a basic grill for a wallet-friendly price, it’s smart to rely on one of the best grill brands. Weber’s Original Kettle Charcoal Grill will give you years of service. The features are simple, like the curved metal heat guard under the handle and the small metal dish to catch ashes (there are blades inside to push ashes out). But the outside is the same durable porcelain-coated steel as all the other Weber kettles. The kettle shape is so efficient for holding in heat and smoke, especially for indirect grilling. If you really want smoke flavor, line up the vents on the lid so they’re on the opposite side from the bottom vents, pulling smoke across your food.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- 22-inch diameter gives plenty of grilling surface
- Hooked lid can be hung from the side of the grill
- Vents act as dampers to increase or decrease air flow for temperature control
Cons
- Domed lid doesn’t allow much for tall foods
Best Grill for Serious Barbecuers
Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
When you’re ready to move beyond hot dogs and hamburgers and get serious about low-and-slow cooking, it’s time to consider a pellet grill. Traeger invented the system of using an auger to pull wood pellets into a fire pot, allowing precise temperature control and deep smoke penetration. This electric pellet grill is versatile, allowing smoking, roasting, braising and even baking! That sort of innovation is why Traeger is one of the best grill brands on the market today.
The powder-coated finish will last for years, and the drip tray catches grease and moves it away from the food. Porcelain grill grates are easy to clean and resist sticking. Two included meat probes let you monitor your food without lifting the lid and letting heat escape.
Pros
- Smokes, roasts, braises and bakes
- Includes two meat probes
- Easy to clean
- Porcelain grates are nearly nonstick
Cons
- Pricey
Best Portable Grill
Coleman Gas Camping Grill/Stove
When you’re headed out to tailgate, hang at the beach or spend the weekend camping, a portable propane grill can save a lot of trouble, particularly in getting rid of ash and hot coals. Coleman’s gas camping grill has that covered. It’s small, but it still provides up to 20,000 BTUs of heat with a stove-like burner on one side and a small grilling burner on the other. Built-in wind guards on both sides can double as work surfaces on calm days. Pressure control keeps the heat steady, even when the fuel runs low.
Pros
- Has a built-in handle
- Weighs under 14 pounds
- Features built-in wind guards that double as work surfaces
- Includes a removable drip tray
Cons
- Small grilling surface
Best Grill for Apartment Dwellers
Char-Broil Edge Electric Grill
Electric grills have advantages. They don’t release smoke and fumes, so they’re easier on the environment. Plus, if you’re living in an apartment building with a patio or balcony, your lease may prohibit grills with open flames. There are limitations, though—you need a safe, dedicated plug (most extension cords can’t handle the load, and most outlets shouldn’t have anything else plugged in).
Many electric grills don’t produce enough heat to get caramelization and grilled flavor, which is why the Char-Broil Edge is the best grill brand for apartment patios and balconies. This electric grill can get up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, giving you solid grilled results. Digital temperature control maintains steady heat, so you can get a good, hard sear on your meat—and honest-to-goodness grill marks, too!
Pros
- Rental-friendly
- Doesn’t release smoke or fumes
- Has digital temperature control
- Auto-clean setting makes cleanup easy
Cons
- Can be hard to tell when it’s preheated to the correct temperature
Best Ceramic Grill
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill
When ceramic grills came on the market, there was only one brand available, and it could cost more than $1,000 to get in the game. These days there are plenty of competitors, so prices have come down considerably. We believe that Char-Griller is one of the best grill brands if you’re ready to try this traditional Japanese-style of grilling.
Char-Griller’s Akorn Kamado Grill gives you the same smoky flavor of the big egg-shaped grills at a fraction of the cost. Triple-walled steel construction holds in heat efficiently up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, and the 20-inch diameter grate can hold plenty of food. Adjustable top and bottom dampers maintain even temperatures, allowing you to use less charcoal.
Pros
- Retains and maintains heat
- Has a 20-inch diameter grate
- Triple-walled steel construction for durability
- Has two foldable work areas
Cons
- There may be a learning curve to using a Kamado grill
What to Consider When Buying A Grill
The kind of cook you are will determine what kind of grill you need. Charcoal grills give smoke and flavor, if you don’t mind lighting coals and managing fire. Gas grills are as simple as clicking a button, but they may not give all the flavor you expect from cooking outdoors. Then, there are places where no grills with flames are allowed, like apartment balconies, which call for an electric grill.
Types of Grills
- Gas grills: These are convenient and turn on with a quick click, but may not give all the smoky flavor you’re hoping for.
- Charcoal grills: These take 20 minutes to light using a charcoal chimney.
- Electric grills: You can feel good knowing these have less impact on the environment and are safe for use on balconies and decks. However, quality ones can be expensive.
- Pellet grills: These are fueled by compressed wood pellets to grill, smoke and roast food at high temperatures. They offer precise temperature control, and impart the signature smoky flavor you want from a grill.
- Kamado grills: These are traditional Japanese-style, egg-shaped ceramic grills that are fueled by charcoal. They offer superior heat retention, and can smoke, grill, roast and bake.
How We Found the Best Grill Brands
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Are expensive grills worth it?
Materials, such as heavy-gauge steel, can last longer, and trusted brand names have track records. Those things can cost more, but they also mean you get a piece of outdoor cooking equipment that can last for years—not just a few summers.
How many years do grills last?
It depends on the construction and how exposed the grill is to the weather. Paying a little extra for a grill cover will go a long way in helping your grill last for years.
What is the best time of year to buy a grill?
Everyone wants a grill in time for Memorial Day, but Labor Day is the best time to grab a quality grill on sale.
Originally Published: March 22, 2024
