We've cooked on a lot of grills. Gas grills that light in two seconds and charcoal grills that take twenty minutes to get going but reward the patience. Pellet grills that hold 225°F for six hours without you touching them, and flat top griddles that do smash burgers better than any restaurant in your zip code. After putting 20+ models through real outdoor cooking — steaks, ribs, whole chickens, burgers, breakfast spreads — we landed on five that are genuinely worth buying in 2026.
The right grill depends on how you cook, not just how much you want to spend. A $139 kettle can outperform a $500 gas grill for certain foods. A pellet grill at $799 does things no charcoal setup can match. We'll break all of that down below, but if you just want the short answer: the Weber Spirit II E-310 is the best all-around outdoor grill for most people, and it's not particularly close.
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#1 — Weber Spirit II E-310
The Spirit II E-310 is the grill we'd buy if we could only own one. Three burners, 529 square inches of cooking space, and Weber's GS4 grilling system — which covers the burners, ignition, grates, and grease management — all working together in a way that feels engineered rather than assembled. The stainless steel burners put out 30,000 BTUs total, which is enough to sear a ribeye properly and maintain consistent heat across the entire cooking surface. We've tested cheaper three-burner gas grills that have hot spots bad enough to burn one side of a burger while the other side is still pink. The Spirit II doesn't do that.
The porcelain-enameled cast iron grates retain heat well and clean up without much effort. The Infinity ignition system lit on the first try every single time we tested it — no clicking five times and hoping. The grease management system funnels drippings into a removable catch pan, which is a small thing that makes a real difference in how often you actually clean the grill. Weber backs this with a 10-year warranty on most components, which is the best coverage in this price range by a significant margin.
At around $499, it's not the cheapest gas grill you can buy. But it's the one that will still be cooking well in year eight while the $299 alternative has rusted out or developed a burner that won't light. The value calculation over time strongly favors the Weber.
Pros
- GS4 grilling system — burners, ignition, grates, grease management
- 529 sq in total cooking area
- Infinity ignition — lights first try, every time
- Even heat distribution across all three burners
- 10-year warranty on most components
- Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates
Cons
- No side burner (available on E-315 upgrade)
- Assembly takes 1–2 hours out of the box
- Higher upfront cost than budget gas grills
Best for: Most backyard grillers who want a reliable, long-lasting gas grill that handles everything from weeknight burgers to weekend cookouts.
#2 — Traeger Pro 575
If you've ever wanted to smoke a brisket without babysitting a fire for 12 hours, the Traeger Pro 575 is the answer. It runs on wood pellets and uses a digital controller to hold temperature within ±15°F — set it to 225°F and walk away. The WiFIRE app lets you monitor and adjust temperature from your phone, which sounds like a gimmick until you're inside watching the game and want to check on your ribs without going back outside. It works reliably and the app is genuinely well-designed.
The 575 square inches of cooking space handles a full packer brisket, six racks of ribs, or a dozen chicken thighs without crowding. The 6-in-1 cooking capability — grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ — is real, not marketing fluff. We've baked pizza on this thing at 450°F and smoked salmon at 180°F on the same weekend. The wood pellet flavor is subtle but present, and you can swap pellet flavors (hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite) to match what you're cooking.
The trade-off is that pellet grills don't produce the same high-heat sear as a gas or charcoal grill. The Pro 575 maxes out at 500°F, which is adequate but not ideal for a hard crust on a steak. If searing is your priority, pair it with a cast iron skillet or look at the Traeger Ironwood series. For everything else — low-and-slow BBQ, roasting, smoking — this is the most capable grill on this list.
Pros
- WiFIRE app — monitor and control from your phone
- 575 sq in cooking area
- Precise digital temperature control (±15°F)
- 6-in-1: grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, BBQ
- Real wood smoke flavor with pellet variety
- Set-and-forget convenience for long cooks
Cons
- Max 500°F — not ideal for hard searing
- Requires wood pellets (ongoing cost)
- Longer startup time than gas
Best for: BBQ enthusiasts, low-and-slow smokers, and anyone who wants app-controlled precision cooking with real wood flavor.
#3 — Weber Original Kettle 22"
The Weber Kettle has been around since 1952 and the design hasn't changed much because it doesn't need to. The 22-inch bowl gives you 363 square inches of cooking space — enough for a dozen burgers or a whole spatchcocked chicken — and the combination of the domed lid and adjustable vents gives you more temperature control than most people expect from a charcoal grill. Bank the coals to one side and you've got a two-zone setup for indirect cooking. Open the vents wide and you can hit temperatures that will properly char a steak.
The porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist rust and retain heat well. The One-Touch cleaning system — a set of three sweeping blades that push ash into a removable catcher — makes cleanup genuinely easy, which is the main complaint people have about charcoal grills. At $139, this is the best dollar-for-dollar grill on this list. The flavor you get from charcoal, especially lump charcoal, is something no gas grill can replicate. If you've never cooked on charcoal before, this is the right place to start.
Pros
- Classic, proven design — refined over 70+ years
- 363 sq in cooking area — fits 12 burgers
- One-Touch cleaning system with ash catcher
- Porcelain-enameled bowl and lid resist rust
- Excellent two-zone cooking capability
- Best price on this list at ~$139
Cons
- Charcoal takes 20–30 min to reach cooking temp
- Less precise temperature control than gas or pellet
- No built-in thermometer on base model
Best for: Charcoal purists, budget-conscious buyers, and anyone who wants the best possible flavor from a simple, durable setup.
#4 — Blackstone 36" Griddle
The Blackstone 36" is a different category of outdoor cooking than the other grills on this list, and that's exactly why it's here. Four independently controlled burners under a 720 square inch cold-rolled steel flat top surface means you can run four different heat zones simultaneously — screaming hot on one side for smash burgers, medium on another for eggs, low on a third for keeping pancakes warm. It's the closest thing to a restaurant flat top you can put on a residential patio, and it shows in the food.
Smash burgers on this griddle are genuinely better than anything you'll make on a grate. The full contact between the patty and the flat steel surface creates a crust that grate cooking simply can't replicate. The same logic applies to breakfast — bacon, eggs, hash browns, and pancakes all at once, no juggling pans. Once you cook a full breakfast spread on a Blackstone, it's hard to go back to a stovetop. The steel surface seasons over time like a cast iron skillet, becoming more non-stick and more flavorful with every cook.
The trade-off is that this isn't a traditional grill — you won't get grill marks or the open-flame char that gas and charcoal deliver. It's also a commitment in terms of size and weight. At $397, it's a strong value for what it does, but "what it does" is a specific style of cooking. If you already own a grill and want to expand your outdoor cooking repertoire, this is the best addition you can make.
Pros
- 720 sq in flat top — largest cooking area on this list
- 4 independent burner zones for precise heat control
- Unbeatable for smash burgers, breakfast, stir fry
- Cold-rolled steel seasons like cast iron over time
- Restaurant-style flat top cooking at home
- Strong value at ~$397
Cons
- No grill marks or open-flame char
- Heavy and not easily portable
- Requires seasoning and regular maintenance
Best for: Smash burger fans, breakfast cooks, and anyone who wants restaurant flat top results in their backyard.
#5 — Napoleon Prestige 500
Napoleon is a Canadian grill manufacturer that doesn't get enough attention in the US, and the Prestige 500 is the reason to pay attention. Four main burners plus an infrared rear burner for rotisserie cooking, 900 square inches of total cooking space across the main grate and warming rack, and a build quality that matches or exceeds Weber at this price point. The stainless steel construction is heavy-gauge throughout — not the thin sheet metal you find on budget grills that dents if you lean on it.
The infrared rear burner is the standout feature. Infrared burners produce intense, even radiant heat that's ideal for rotisserie cooking — a whole chicken on the included rotisserie kit comes out with skin that's uniformly crispy all the way around, something that's hard to achieve with conventional burners. The WAVE cooking grids have a wave pattern that creates both sear marks and flat contact zones simultaneously, giving you more versatility in how you cook a piece of meat. The integrated smoker tray lets you add wood chips for a hint of smoke flavor without switching to a dedicated smoker.
At $1,299, this is a serious investment. It's priced for people who grill frequently, entertain regularly, and want a grill that will last a decade or more without significant maintenance. If that's you, the Napoleon Prestige 500 delivers on every front. If you grill a few times a month and want something reliable without the premium price, the Weber Spirit II E-310 is the smarter buy.
Pros
- 900 sq in total cooking area
- Infrared rear burner — ideal for rotisserie
- Heavy-gauge stainless steel construction
- WAVE cooking grids for sear marks + flat contact
- Integrated smoker tray for wood chip flavor
- Rotisserie kit included
Cons
- Premium price — $1,299 is a significant investment
- Large footprint requires dedicated patio space
- Overkill for casual or infrequent grillers
Best for: Serious grillers, frequent entertainers, and anyone who wants a premium gas grill built to last a decade.
Outdoor Grill Buying Guide
Gas vs charcoal vs pellet vs flat top: Gas grills are the most convenient — turn a knob, push a button, cooking in five minutes. Charcoal grills take longer to start but produce better flavor, especially for steaks and burgers where the high heat and smoke make a real difference. Pellet grills are the best option for low-and-slow BBQ and smoking, with digital temperature control that removes most of the guesswork. Flat top griddles are a different tool entirely — best for smash burgers, breakfast, and anything that benefits from full surface contact rather than grate cooking. Most serious outdoor cooks end up owning two: a gas or charcoal grill for everyday cooking, and either a pellet grill or flat top for specialty cooks.
BTU ratings: BTUs measure heat output, but more isn't always better. A three-burner gas grill with 30,000–36,000 BTUs is plenty for most cooking. What matters more than total BTUs is BTUs per square inch — a grill with 40,000 BTUs spread across 800 square inches may actually cook less efficiently than one with 30,000 BTUs across 500 square inches. Look for roughly 80–100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface as a baseline for good searing performance.
Cooking area (square inches): For two to four people, 400–500 square inches is comfortable. For five or more, or if you entertain regularly, aim for 600+ square inches. Keep in mind that stated cooking area often includes warming racks, which cook at lower temperatures and aren't suitable for direct grilling. Focus on the primary grate size when comparing models.
Materials — stainless vs porcelain: Stainless steel grates are durable and easy to clean but can stick if not properly preheated and oiled. Porcelain-enameled cast iron grates retain heat better and are more naturally non-stick, but the enamel can chip if you use metal scrapers aggressively. For the grill body, heavy-gauge stainless steel is the most durable option. Powder-coated steel is fine but will eventually rust in humid climates without a cover.
Portability: Most full-size grills are designed to stay in one place. If you need something you can take camping or tailgating, look at the Weber Traveler or a portable charcoal option — none of the five grills on this list are designed for frequent transport. The Blackstone 36" in particular is heavy and awkward to move once assembled.
Who Should Buy Which
- Best for most people: Weber Spirit II E-310 — reliable, even-heating gas grill with a 10-year warranty. The right answer for the majority of backyard grillers.
- Best for BBQ and smoking: Traeger Pro 575 — set-and-forget pellet cooking with app control. The only grill on this list that can smoke a brisket properly.
- Best on a budget: Weber Original Kettle 22" — $139 and it produces better-tasting food than gas grills costing three times as much, if you're willing to manage the charcoal.
- Best for smash burgers and breakfast: Blackstone 36" Griddle — nothing else on this list comes close for flat top cooking. A second grill worth owning.
- Best premium gas grill: Napoleon Prestige 500 — for serious grillers who want the best build quality, most cooking space, and infrared rotisserie capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gas vs charcoal grill — which is better?
It depends on what you value. Gas grills are faster, more convenient, and easier to control — you can be cooking in five minutes with precise temperature adjustment. Charcoal grills produce better flavor, especially for steaks and burgers, because the high heat and combustion byproducts create compounds that gas simply doesn't. If convenience is your priority, go gas. If flavor is your priority, go charcoal. Many serious grillers own both.
What size grill do I need?
For one to two people, 300–400 square inches is plenty. For three to four people, 400–550 square inches covers most cooks without batching. For five or more, or if you entertain regularly, look for 600+ square inches. A good rule of thumb: you need about 72 square inches per burger patty to cook in a single layer, which is important for even results.
How do I season a new grill?
For gas and charcoal grills, burn off any manufacturing residue by running the grill at high heat for 20–30 minutes before your first cook. Then brush the grates with a high smoke-point oil (vegetable, canola, or flaxseed) and heat again until it smokes off. For flat top griddles like the Blackstone, seasoning is more involved — apply a thin layer of oil across the entire surface, heat until it smokes, let it cool, and repeat three to four times to build up a proper seasoning layer.
How long do gas grills last?
A quality gas grill like the Weber Spirit II should last 10–15 years with basic maintenance — keeping it covered, cleaning the grates regularly, and replacing burners if they corrode. Budget gas grills often last three to five years before the burners rust out or the body deteriorates. The 10-year warranty on the Weber is a meaningful signal about expected lifespan.
What is a pellet grill?
A pellet grill uses compressed wood pellets as fuel, fed automatically by an auger into a fire pot. A digital controller manages the auger speed to maintain a set temperature, making it the most hands-off outdoor cooking method available. Pellet grills can smoke, grill, bake, and roast, with temperatures typically ranging from 165°F to 500°F. The wood pellets come in different flavors — hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite — and impart a subtle smoke flavor to everything you cook.
Can I use a grill in the rain?
Light rain is generally fine for gas and charcoal grills — the cooking area is hot enough that moisture evaporates quickly. Heavy rain can make charcoal difficult to light and maintain, and can cause flare-ups on gas grills as water hits hot grease. Never use a grill under a covered structure like a garage or enclosed porch due to carbon monoxide risk. Pellet grills are more sensitive to moisture — heavy rain can wet the pellets in the hopper, causing feed jams. Most manufacturers recommend a grill cover for storage and avoiding cooking in heavy downpours.