Sunnier days are just around the corner, and there's nothing like a cookout with loved ones while soaking up the beautiful weather. The best grills let you fire up burgers, franks and more with ease and — dare we say it? — look good while doing so. We've been writing about grills for about four years now, and all the picks on this list come editor-tested and highly recommended.
In this story
Whether you're looking for a gas grill that's easy breezy (Weber's Spirit II for the win), a heavy-duty kamado grill (Kamado Joe takes the lead) or a hybrid model that doubles as a pizza oven (lookin' at you, Ninja FlexFlame), we've got the best grills for every taste and need. We believe you can buy a truly great grill for less than $1,000, so that's the price cap for most of these picks — but many cost far less. Oh, and once you've got your grill in place, check out the best grill brushes to keep those grates gleaming.
Best grills for 2026
Size:48.3"W x 46.2"H x 26.6"D | Fuel type:Propane | Burners:Two | Wheels:Two
I've owned the Weber Spirit II for several years, and my brother has owned the latest version (pictured) for about a year now. We can both attest that it's a no-frills gas grill that gets the job done, and then some.
How it works:This grill was relatively intuitive to set up, taking about an hour with the help of the included flat wrench and an additional Phillips-head screwdriver. There are two burners for customizing the heat in two different zones, plus a built-in lid thermometer and two side trays for prepping food or keeping utensils handy.
Why it's great:This is the first grill I've owned, and it's not only straightforward to assemble, but also to use on a regular basis. As with most gas grills, you simply turn the propane tank valve slowly, counterclockwise, to open it, then turn the burner knob on and press the ignition button until you hear the click indicating it has caught.
Over the past few summers, I've used this grill to fire up burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steak, sausage, veggies and more — and everything has been cooked evenly and deliciously. I love how one of the trays folds to make it more compact, handy when I'm not using the grill and want to tuck it into a corner. I don’t move my grill a lot, but I do on occasion, and for me, the two wheels are sufficient for mobility. The exterior thermometer is helpful for monitoring temps (though I typically keep a meat thermometer at the ready), and the included drip tray makes cleanups breezy.
As someone with a medium-sized deck who often cooks for smaller groups, I consider the Weber Spirit II the perfect size — large enough to grill several tomahawk steaks or about 12 to 16 burgers at once. But the brand also offers a larger, four-burner Spirit , which includes a searing zone for those who need extra cooking room or just really want to turn up the heat. At less than $400, the Weber Spirit II is competitive in terms of performance and durability. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty!
- Compact and intuitive
- Includes two side trays, one of them folding
- Comes with attachable utensil holder
- Fairly easy to clean
- Only two burners (but four-burner option available)
- Smaller surface space than some grills on this list
Jessica Dodell-Feder/Yahoo
Size:22.5"W x 27"H x 22.5"D | Fuel type:Charcoal | Burners:N/A | Wheels:Two
For a reliable — and portable! — charcoal grill, Weber’s Original Kettle is a rolling classic. The top-rated model is beloved not only by customers, with more than 2,000 five-star reviews, but also by Yahoo editors and even professional chefs.
How it works:The grill itself is very clean-cut, consisting of wheeled legs, a porcelain-enameled bowl and lid that retain heat, charcoal basket holders and a cooking grate. The setup was pretty simple, says Lead Home & Garden Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder , who has owned this grill for four years. You have to attach the legs to the base, and then the base to the kettle. Place lit charcoal briquettes on the coal grate, then fit the grill with the cooking grate, and you're good to go.
Why it's great:"It's the platonic ideal of a charcoal grill, with easy-to-clean grates and a large surface area for grilling lots of burgers and franks at once," Dodell-Feder explains. The hinged cooking grate makes it easy to manage the charcoal, she notes, and the enamel exterior wipes clean (though she says her limited-edition light-blue grill definitely gets dirty). "The enclosed ash catcher is a big plus because it prevents ash from blowing all over the place."
Dodell-Feder also recommends the Original Charcoal Grill , which is similar to the Premium version but costs about $100 less. "It lacks some of the bells and whistles — like the lid thermometer and the hinged cooking grate — but it cooks the same."
And if you end up buying a Weber charcoal grill, you’ll be in good company, as celebrity chefs also swear by this model: "I used to work at Food Network Magazine, and both Sunny Anderson and Michael Symon told me they used Weber charcoal grills at home," Dodell-Feder shares. "If that's not a solid endorsement, I don't know what is!"
- Large surface area
- Big wheels for maneuverability
- Premium version features an ash catcher
- Comes in three colors
- Relatively affordable
- Heavy
- Enamel exterior can get dirty
Saundra Latham/Yahoo
Size:65"W x 39.3"H x 45"D | Fuel type:Propane | Burners:Four | Wheels:Four
With a flat-top grill, you don't need to worry about food slipping through the cracks of a grill grate. This makes it extremely versatile — you can cook up burgers, as well as foods like fried rice, bacon, eggs and pancakes. Commerce Editor Saundra Latham has owned this Blackstone for two years, and it hasn't shown signs of slowing down.
How it works:This grill has a lot of parts, but detailed instructions to support them (the only tool needed that wasn't included was a Phillips-head screwdriver), says Latham. And the operation is just as intuitive: Aside from opening the propane line, there's a push-button to ignite the flame, and four easy-to-adjust knobs along the front of the grill for controlling each heat zone.
Why it's great:The griddle plate of Blackstone's flat-top stretches 36 inches for 768 square inches of cooking space. Depending on how big you like them, that's enough to fit about 30 burgers or 20 hotcakes. There's a fold-out, extendable tray (more like a buffet table) along the side for creating your own prepping or serving station, and a paper towel holder on the other side for convenience.
Underneath the flat-top is a double-doored cabinet that conceals the propane tank, along with hooks for tools and a trash bin. A special drainage system along the rear keeps grease at bay. There's no temp readout, but, as Latham puts it, "We prefer to use a Bluetooth meat thermometer to track doneness anyway."
Although the Blackstone Culinary Griddle is heavy and takes up a fair amount of space, it has four wheels, so you can move it if needed. Latham says it's well worth it for anyone who feeds a crowd or just wants the flexibility of a flat-top. "You do have to make sure the top is well seasoned, but that hasn't been much of an issue. I think it would satisfy all but the most extreme 'must have that precise char/smoky flavor' purists, who probably will stick with charcoal or another style," she says.
- Huge griddle surface
- Four burners
- Includes extendable side trays
- Features paper towel and trash can holders
- Heavy
- Takes up a lot of space
Kristin Granero/Yahoo
Size:56.3"W x 46.1"H x 24.8"D | Fuel type:Propane | Burners:Five | Wheels:Four
Why choose between a traditional racked grill and a griddle when you can have both? Better yet, Cuisinart decided to bundle a pizza oven into their Propel+ model for good measure.
How it works:The grill connects to a standard propane tank, with four burners along the front, each tied to a different heat zone, plus an extra one on the right for firing the (included) cast-iron griddle plate. Despite its numerous elements, this grill was fairly intuitive to set up. The main (domed) portion came mostly assembled, and the directions were easy to understand. It came with all the pieces needed for assembly — minus a Phillips-head screwdriver — which took a little over an hour.
Why it's great:The gas grill features 477 square inches of main cooking space, plus a 138-square-inch warming rack, with 44,000 BTUs across its four main burners (more than some five-burner gas grills!). The side table adds an extra 176 square inches of griddle space, powered by its own extra-large burner — and you can grill and griddle simultaneously for when you want to cook different types of food at once or, say, when you’re cooking steaks and want to achieve a good sear.
The pizza oven includes a 15-inch cordierite stone, and the pizza rack is slightly raised to promote better heat circulation. My sister owns this grill, and we've had success grilling meat (like sausage and bacon) while frying up eggs and pancakes. I like how there's a good amount of room to turn or otherwise tinker with the pizzas. Historically, they've turned out pretty tasty for us (though if you're looking for a traditional home pizza oven, we have recommendations, including a pizza oven from Cuisinart , too.)
This multitasker comes with a rack that sits in the cabinet, along with the propane tank, to keep the griddle and pizza oven stone in reach. While it's on the bigger and heavier side, it has four wheels for added maneuverability. As another perk, the Propel+ 3-in-1 is dual-fuel-capable with a natural gas conversion kit (sold separately).
- Serves as a grill, griddle and pizza oven in one
- Features a 477 sq.-in. main cooking surface
- Comes with a griddle tray and pizza stone, with rack
- Has a window along the front so you can see cooking progress
- Heavy
- Takes up a lot of space
Lisa Schweitzer/Yahoo
Size:25.08"W x 48.31"H x 60.12"D | Fuel type:Propane (also needs electricity) | Burners:Three | Wheels:Four
If you really want to “flex” your culinary skills, this jack-of-all-trades from Ninja lets you not only grill, griddle and make pizza, but also smoke and roast. It's definitely a splurge, but Senior Home Writer Lisa Schweitzer considers it a worthy investment.
How it works:As Schweitzer notes in her Ninja FlexFlame review, the key to this grill's many functions is that it pairs three propane-fueled burners with an electricity-fueled convection heat system (which ensures 360-degree cooking), a smoker igniter and a temperature gauge.
There's a tray on either side of the grill for prep and four wheels that make it easy to move. As for assembly, Schweitzer caveats that reading the manual could take all day, but you can get through it fairly easily by just skipping to the parts you need.
Why it's great:Schweitzer has used the FlexFlame to smoke ribs, grill steaks, cook pork tenderloin, and roast vegetables and a whole spatchcocked chicken. "The convection or cyclonic fan aspect of the grill is incredible for cooking meats fast and evenly," she raves.
Schweitzer is particularly appreciative of the temperature gauge, which plays a big role in ensuring every meal is a success. "There's no guessing as to what the ambient temperature is, and if you're using a leave-in meat thermometer, it's truly foolproof outdoor cooking."
The Ninja FlexFlame comes with two porcelain-enamel cast-iron grill grates, a porcelain-enamel-coated steel indirect roast and smoke rack, a 12-inch pizza stone, a removable pellet box, six side hooks for hanging and a grease tray for easier cleaning. At over $1,000, this grill isn't cheap, but it has a ton of bells and whistles, and that’s not even counting all of the accessories. If you love outdoor cooking, you'll find yourself using it for everything, proclaims Schweitzer.
- Multi-funcitional
- Fast, even cooking
- Expansive cooking surface
- Easy to use
- Expensive
- Requires electricity
Rachel Murphy/Yahoo
Size:46.5"W x 48.5"H x 30.1"D | Fuel type:Charcoal | Burners:N/A | Wheels:Four
Kamado grills have a dedicated following for their fuel efficiency, heat retention and versatility (that and their domed or egg-like shape). Just ask Yahoo Editor Rachel Murphy , who's owned hers for about seven years and relies on it every summer to cook steaks, burgers, chicken and more.
How it works:Murphy describes the Kamado Joe Classic Joe as old-school. "There aren’t buttons or digital controls, just the manual vents. You have to learn how to control the airflow and temperature using the top-dome vent slider," she explains. She points out this isn't difficult, but there's a bit of a learning curve.
The grill takes charcoal, but Murphy notes she sometimes fuels it with wood chunks. She says the setup is a bit of a distant memory at this point, but because this grill is heavy, she remembers needing two people to lift and assemble it. Be prepared with a wrench and Phillips-head screwdriver.
Why it's great:"It works really well, especially if you’re into charcoal or like smoking meats (we also like it for pizza)," Murphy explains. "The thermometer and vents give you good control, and the side shelves are nice to have."
Murphy adds that, while this grill is slower to start than, say, a propane grill — and that the vent sliders can take a little getting used to — the Classic Joe is really versatile once you get the hang of it. "You can grill or smoke, and it feels pretty simple, especially because there's no gas,” she shares. “We also use it to smoke pork for barbecue and bacon when we're feeling fancy. We've previously used it to smoke our Thanksgiving turkey as well."
At 200 pounds, this is a behemoth, but if you do want to move it around a bit, it's mounted on a wheeled stand. As a bonus, Murphy says it’s fairly easy to clean as long as you don't let the ash at the bottom build up. “The grill plates are removable, which is helpful too."
- Durable construction
- Can use as a pellet grill by swapping out the charcoal for wood chips
- Features wheels for added mobility
- Fairly easy to clean
- Heavy
- Manual vents can take a bit to get used to
Size:53"W x 49"H x 27"D | Fuel type:Wood pellets (also needs electricity) | Burners:N/A | Wheels:Four
When it comes to smokers, there's a lot of buzz surrounding Traeger pellet grills, and for good reason. These dynamos can handle a wide range of cooking tasks — from smoking and grilling to baking and braising — with quality and precision.
How it works:You plug the Pro 34 into an electrical outlet, fill the auger with wood pellets, arrange whatever meat you're smoking and set the temperature and cooking time. The auger, a corkscrew-shaped metal component, then feeds wood pellets from the hopper to the fire pot, fueling the grill and ensuring it cooks (or smokes) consistently for the duration.
There's a meat probe that lets you monitor food temperatures without lifting the lid, and you can connect your Traeger to an app to make temperature and time adjustments remotely.
Why it's great:This roomy model in particular boasts 884 square inches of prime cooking real estate, plus a hopper that can hold 18 pounds of pellets (so you don’t need to worry about running out of fuel mid-roast). While we wouldn't recommend you lugging this thing around unnecessarily, it’s also built with two all-terrain wheels for maneuverability.
My brother, who's owned the Pro 34 for four-ish years now, has used it for short cooks of less than an hour, as well as six-plus hour smoking sessions for ribs, pork belly and pork shoulder. I've been lucky enough to taste many of these dishes and can confirm they were bursting with juicy, smoky flavor. (You can also use this Traeger to grill burgers and hot dogs, just not as quickly as you would be able to with a gas grill.)
He finds the cooking surface substantial and says the probe and app connectivity make it easy to cook meat evenly and deliciously. With a little familiarity and experience, you can, for the most part, "set it and forget it," he says.
- Large 884-sq.-in. cooking surface
- 18-lb. pellet hopper capacity
- Built-in meat probe
- App connectivity
- Heavy
- Requires electricity
Factors to consider when choosing a grill
✓ Size:Larger grills tend to have larger surface areas and cooking capacities, ideal for bigger families and parties. Having multiple burners can improve heat distribution, especially on grills with large cooking surfaces, while wheels can enhance maneuverability.
✓ Number of burners:Burners are typically connected to respective heat zones, with more burners offering greater heat distribution. That said, some grills have burners for not only different zones, but also different functions. For example, a grill may have additional burners and respective zones for searing or using a griddle specifically.
✓ Fuel type:If you're planning to use your grill for regular, weeknight cooking, Jonathan Fox of Atlanta's Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q advises going for a gas grill that connects to a propane tank and can be ready to go in five to 10 minutes. If you dream of a grill that doubles as a smoker, consider a pellet grill or a ceramic grill (like the Kamado Joe above). Just know it'll take 45 minutes to an hour to heat up, says Fox, which might not be ideal for cooking a weeknight dinner. Charcoal grills fall somewhere in the middle in terms of heat-up time and add that classic char flavor to veggies and meats.
✓ Material:Stainless steel is known for its durability, while cast iron is often regarded highly for heat retention. Because of this, stainless steel is often the preferred material for grills, and cast iron is commonly used for smokers. Additionally, you'll typically see cast iron used for griddles and griddle trays, and round stones incorporated into grills with pizza-making functionality.
✓ Intended use:With so many options, you’ll want to zero in on a grill that’s practical for your space and cooking tastes. "There are so many choices in grills today, it’s easy to get drawn in by some fancy feature that you’ll never need," says world barbecue champion Melissa Cookston , owner of Memphis BBQ Co . "Are you cooking mainly burgers, steaks and hot dogs, or do you want more versatility? Would you prefer gas or charcoal? Are you cooking just for the immediate family?"
✓ Experience:Before you go out and buy the most expensive grill in the hardware store, get real about your skillset in the kitchen, er, backyard. "Are you a novice, a hold-your-own or the next great meat influencer? These are some great questions to ask," says Fox.
✓ Price:You don’t have to break the bank to make a great meal on the grill. But price will likely be a major factor as you shop. With that in mind, Fox says a higher price tag isn’t always better or necessary, but more expensive grills do tend to last longer. Otherwise, you might want to factor in additional functionality, accessories, and warranties when weighing a grill's overall value.
How we chose these grills
Each of these grills has been tried by a Yahoo editor, who rated the grill on ease of use, maintenance, durability, size, portability and design. Most of us have owned our pick for at least a year, and we've used them to make classic cookout fare like burgers and hot dogs, alongside steaks, chicken, vegetables and more. If the grill has additional features, such as a smoker or pizza oven, we tried those as well.
Other grills we plan to test
The following models were included in a previous version of this story based on their high customer ratings and positive reviews. As we try out more grills, we plan to include them in our sample pool:
Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill :When it comes to a solid gas grill on a budget, Char-Broil’s Performance Series 4-Burner is one to beat, with a 435-square-inch surface area — plus an additional 130 square inches of secondary cooking space — for serving up a sizable feast. (For added peace of mind, it includes a five-year burner warranty.)
Weber Q1400 Electric Grill :Weber's top-rated, portable electric grill is a great option for those who want the convenience of electricity in a compact, table-friendly frame. This grill has racked up more than 1,100 five-star ratings from reviewers who’ve come to rely on it for its easy setup, even heat distribution, and compact yet sufficient grilling space (it fits about six burgers at a time). Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates and a removable catch pan make it easy to clean.
Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill and Griddle :Is this the best indoor grill on the market? It just might be according to its many fans. You can use it as a full grill, full griddle and grill-griddle hybrid. Just switch up the aluminum plates according to the menu and occasion.
Grill FAQs
What’s the difference between propane and charcoal?
Propane and charcoal differ primarily in their method of combustion. Propane provides consistent heat and is easy to ignite, whereas charcoal creates a smokier flavor and reaches higher cooking temperatures. Keep in mind that charcoal grills require much more prep and cleanup time.
How do pellet grills work?
Pellet grills burn wood pellets (essentially pieces of compressed hardwood). Wood pellets are typically moved from a hopper to a fire pot via an auger where they're then ignited. Pellet grills are known for consistent heat and giving food a natural woodsmoke flavor.
Are griddles better than grills?
It all depends! Griddles and grills serve different purposes, so you’ll want to figure out which types of foods you plan to cook primarily. Griddles are ideal for pancakes and eggs given their flat surface, while grills lend a smoky flavor — and those signature grill marks — that a griddle can’t achieve.
Best grills specs comparison chart
| Size |
Fuel type |
Burners |
Wheels |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Spirit II Liquid Propane Grill |
26.6"D x 48.3"W x 46.2"H |
Gas |
2 |
2 |
| Blackstone Culinary Griddle, 36" |
45"D x 65"W x 39.3"H |
Gas |
4 |
4 |
| Cuisinart Propel+ 3-in-1 Gas Grill |
45"D x 65"W x 39.3"H |
Gas |
5 |
4 |
| Ninja FlexFlame 5-in-1 Gas and Electric Grill |
60.12"D x 25.08"W x 48.31"H |
Gas (also requires electricity) |
3 |
4 |
| Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill |
22.5"D x 22.5"W x 27"H |
Charcoal |
N/A |
2 |
| Kamado Classic Joe Charcoal Grill with Cart, 18 in. |
30.1"D x 46.5"W x 48.5"H |
Charcoal |
N/A |
4 |
| Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill |
27"D x 53"W x 49"H |
Wood pellets (also requires electricity) |
N/A |
4 |
Meet our experts
-
Melissa Cookston , World Barbecue champion, and owner, Memphis BBQ Co.
-
Jonathan Fox, owner, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Update, April 7, 2026: We confirmed current pricing and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick for best grill remains unchanged, but we added new models that have been tested and come recommended by Yahoo editors.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
