The best gas grills of 2021 combine convenience, style, and fancy extras
Overview
Table of Contents
If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard or outdoor area that is solely yours, getting some fresh air easily is a beloved privilege. Don’t let that go to waste.
If you really want to make the most of your outdoor space (besides getting some nice new furniture), we can’t stress enough how great it is to have a grill. Not only will it provide you with plenty of new cooking opportunities, but it’ll also give you a reason to get out of the house for a moment and perhaps spend some quality time with your loved ones while you whip up a meal.
Summertime is synonymous with grilling, so we say it’s time to get with the program. And if you need some help choosing the best grill for you and your space, we’ve got you covered.
What to take into consideration
Gas grills come in all shapes and sizes (and prices), which means that picking one out can get overwhelming very quickly. Something that is vital to remember when shopping for one: Just because it’s the most, doesn’t mean it’s the best (for you). In other words, if you have a tiny backyard and prefer the concept of minimalism, the super expensive, gigantic, five-burner grill isn’t really going to fit your vibe. It might be for someone else, but we’re shopping for you, remember?
Now that we got that lesson out of the way, there are two major points you’ll want to get figured out before purchasing your very own gas grill:
Size: Not just the amount of physical space it takes up (which is still important), but also take note of the amount of burners you need. How much food do you normally cook at once? Are you regularly feeding a whole family? The more food, the more burners and surface area you’ll want.
Versatility and extra features: This can range anywhere from temperature regulation, to smart features, to warming racks, to external side burners, to equipment storage, and more. It’ll all come down to what you see as necessary, and what you see as superfluous.
Get those priorities in check, and you’ve already done most of the work.
Gas grills vs. charcoal grills
Ah, yes, the age-old debate: Gas or charcoal?
The answer to that question will depend on where your priorities lie — convenience or flavor? Gas grills are all about the former. You can light them immediately, and they’re normally ready to cook on within minutes. With a charcoal grill, it’s a different story. Those generally take 20 to 30 minutes to start up, which can be frustrating if patience isn’t your strong suit.
But, with patience comes reward — many say that cooking with a charcoal grill helps you retain the smoky flavor of whatever you’re cooking, ending in a better final result. Gas grills usually end up vaporizing a lot of the good stuff, even though it gets the job done more quickly. Of course, if you’re a crappy cook, the flavor factor might not even matter. Make sure you know what you’re doing before you fire up that grill or prepare for unhappy tastebuds for all.
Gas grills are also inarguably more versatile and easier to operate. In addition to quick startup and shutdown, gas grills allow you to more meticulously control the temperature of your cooking surface. Many also come with multiple burners and extras that charcoal grills just don’t. You’ll end up paying more, though, and buying charcoal is a whole lot easier than refilling your propane tank in terms of availability (not to mention that gas grills are typically much bulkier). What we’re saying is that both have their advantages and disadvantages.
You can’t really go wrong, though. Consider your cooking style, budget, and taste preference, then make an informed decision. Don’t stress over it — it’s just food after all, and both will give you the opportunity to make something truly delicious.
What is the best gas grill for under $500?
The best grill for under $500 also happens to be our top pick overall: The Weber Spirit II E-310.
You’ll be able to read our full take on it below, but in short, we think it's a great all-around grill that boasts the features of more expensive options, just at a way better price. Plus, it's compatible with smart devices. How cool!
What is the best gas grill, period?
We’re happy you asked. Without further ado, our picks for the best gas grills.
Weber Spirit II E-310
Best Grill Overall
The Good & The Bad
- Smart compatibility
- 10-year warranty
- Consistent performance with all dishes
- No cabinet to hide propane tank
- iGrill sold separately
Why We Like It
Middle of the road when it comes to price but high-end when it comes to features, the Weber Spirit II E-310 grill takes our top spot.
This grill is a great all-around player, giving a consistent performance across most food types. It has a relatively spacious cooking area with three burners and Weber's patented cast iron cooking grates, which also feature Flavorizer bars that help your food from losing its taste.
It's also compatible with Weber's iGrill 3 smart device, which can monitor your food's temperature from start to finish and send the data straight to your phone (unfortunately, it's sold separately).
Details
Broil King Regal S590 Pro
Best Large Grill
The Good & The Bad
- Five burners
- External side burner and rotisserie spit
- LED display for nighttime grilling
- Stainless steel shows marks easily
- Some reviewers said it's prone to flare-ups
Why We Like It
If you have a big backyard and a lot of hungry mouths to feed, you're going to need a big grill.
The Broil King Regal S590 Pro is a great choice for those who take "go big or go home" seriously. It features five burners on the main cooking space, as well as an external burner to the side for pots and skillets and a rotisserie spit. Talk about versatility, right?
It also features a cabinet to hide your propane tank, as well as plenty of storage space for grilling tools and seasonings. Just make sure you take care of the grill's interior and exterior — that stainless steel has the propensity to show dings and scratches.
Details
Char-Broil Classic 360
Best Minimalist Grill
The Good & The Bad
- Minimalist and not bogged down by bells and whistles
- Plenty of cooking area and shelf space
- Lacks in temperature control
Why We Like It
If you're tight on budget, the Char-Broil Classic 360 will certainly get the job done for you without draining the old bank account.
It's pretty minimalist, but comes with all the necessities that a competent grill should have — a decent amount of cooking space, a warming rack, dual side shelves, and reliable burners (three, to be exact). The only complaint that reviewers had was the not-so-great temperature control, so you'll just have to be extra attentive during use.
It's nothing special, but sometimes you don't need special, you just need something that works.
Details
Fuego Element Grill
Best Small Grill
The Good & The Bad
- Vertical design is good for small outdoor spaces
- A good amount of surface area for a small grill
- No storage space
Why We Like It
If you don't have a lot to work with in your outdoor space, this grill from Fuego shouldn't take up a lot of room.
This grill has a more vertical design as to not get in the way of anything, which is helpful if you're willing to sacrifice the storage space that most other grills have. It still comes with a good amount of cooking surface area, though, with two burners and the ability to hold about 15 burgers at a time.
It's easy to roll around, too, and has an offset lid handle so you don't end up burning yourself while opening or closing it. Just be careful, the grill has a totally flush surface, so there's nothing keeping your food from falling off.
Details
Weber Q1200
Best Portable Grill
The Good & The Bad
- Truly portable
- Foldable side tables
- No storage
- Cart sold separately
Why We Like It
Yes, portable grills are a thing, just ask George Foreman.
We recommend getting the Weber Q1200 if you think you'll be taking your grill on your travels. This single-burner model can be brought just about anywhere that grills are legally allowed, and features a good amount of space for something so portable (just don't expect to feed an entire party).
You'll have to bring all of your tools and supplies along separately due to the lack of storage, but you can't expect much more from a grill like this. Oh, and those foldable side tables are pretty awesome.
Details
KitchenAid Two-Burner Grill
Best Bang For Your Buck
The Good & The Bad
- Made from corrosion-resistant materials
- Fights against flare-ups
- Easily converted to natural gas
- Some reviewers said the heat distribution could be better
Why We Like It
KitchenAid makes grills? How about that. And it's a good one, too.
KitchenAid's two-burner grill is a great bang for your buck — it's a good size for most outdoor spaces, has a cooking area that stacks up against more expensive options, foldable side shelves, and doesn't cost nearly as much as other grills of its kind.
Also, it just looks really great, like most of KitchenAid's stuff.
Details
Weber Genesis II E-335
Best Intermediate Grill
The Good & The Bad
- All the features of the Weber Spirit II E-310
- External burner and extra storage
- iGrill app integration
- iGrill monitor sold separately
Why We Like It
Not super expensive but also not low-budget by any means, we think the Weber Genesis II E-335 is a good intermediate pick for grillers who want high-quality but don't want to go overboard.
At its core, it's really just an upgraded version of the Weber Spirit II E-310 (which took our top spot). It has the app integration, warranty, and great performance, but adds in a nice storage cabinet and an extra side burner. We ultimately thought that the Spirit model was the better pick for your money, but if you have the extra funds, this one certainly has more.
Details
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Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, laptops, fitness, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.
