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Grill on the market


Best grills of 2022: for outdoor living and entertaining

(Image credit: Traeger)

Buying the best grill will give you the freedom to make the most of your yard when the summer hits. Creating a central space for you to entertain or simply prepare your meals al fresco, the best grill will be easy to assemble and clean, and most importantly, deliver on those classic flame-grilled flavors no matter what fuel you opt for. 

In our best grills guide, we have analyzed and tested products from brands such as Weber, Traeger, Char-Broil, Z Grills, Everdure and Kamado Joe, covering an array of different designs, sizes and functions to suit any gathering.

If you are a newcomer to the grilling game, key things to consider include: the space you have available and what size grill will fit best, your chosen grill fuel type – our guide to the best gas grill has more on this. 

Don't wait until summertime to purchase a new grill, ensure you do your research and purchase one of the best grills with plenty of time to spare – and make the most of the sales when they come around!

Best grills holiday deals

Why you can trust Homes & Gardens Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Everdure FURNACE Gas Grill: was $1,199.99, now $900.99 at Best Buy
The Everdure FURNACE Gas Grill is an Australian icon. It's pioneered by Heston Blumenthal and comes in a selection of bright or pared-back colors. We enjoy the generous cooking space - nearly 500 square inches - and three independent burer

Weber Traveler Portable Propane Gas Grill: was $399, now $337.99 at Walmart
The Weber Traveler Portable Propane Gas Grill is a portable choice that's been tried and loved on our sister site. It folds flat for easy storage, or even for taking on the go when traveling. Despite that, it still offers 320 square inches of cook space.

Best grills 2022: 

(Image credit: Weber Genesis II EX-335 GBS)

1. Weber Genesis II E-335

The best grill on the market

Specifications

Cook surface: 513 sq-in

Dimensions: h57 x W59 x D29"

Fuel type: Liquid petroleum gas

Best for: Unparalleled smart features

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Generous cooking area

+

High quality side burner

+

Good warranty

+

Smart technology included

Reasons to avoid

-

Assembly takes a while

The Genesis II E-335 comes with Weber's smart technology built right in, and can even be paired with your smartphone for remote monitoring. With a 9,000 BTU sear zone burner and a 12,000 BTU side burner, it's a mighty grill that's up to just about any task you could throw its way. 

Infinity ignition meant we were able to get the Genesis II E-335 cooking in no time at all. It was ready to cook in just 10 minutes, and the Flavorizer bars are angled stainless steel, which left a classic grid-mark pattern on steaks and vegetables when grilling. 

We were able to pair the probe with our smartphone, and set it to monitor for a specific type of meat and preference in cooking. It alerted us when the meat was at the perfect temperature for juicy, medium-rare steak, with no guesswork involved.

At nearly 85kg, there is no denying that this is a hefty grill. Assembly took a while too, but once we had everything set up and ready to go, it was more than worth the trouble it took to assemble. 

You can monitor the grill from your phone but you cannot change the temperature or control it, so keep this in mind when slow cooking your meat.  

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Traeger)

2. Traeger Grills Ironwood 650 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

The best wood pellet grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 650 sq-in

Dimensions: 46 x 27 x 47 in

Fuel type: Wood pellets and electric outlet

Best for : Grilling and smoking meats

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Achieves ultimate wood flavoring in meats

+

Built-in meat probe and WiFi capabilities let you control the grill on your phone

+

Super Smoke Mode with a push of a button

Reasons to avoid

-

Must be plugged into an outdoor electrical outlet

Traeger revolutionized the grilling game when they introduced the world to wood pellet grills over 30 years ago. Though other wood pellet grill companies have surfaced, Traeger is still a hard one to beat, especially when you consider their Traeger Ironwood 650 Pellet Grill.

To fuel the Traeger Ironwood 650 Pellet Grill, you plug it into an outlet, then add hardwood pellets to the hopper, which are then moved to an auger where they’re ignited. The hardwood pellets provide a wonderful smokey wood flavor to vegetables and meats that you can't quite achieve with gas grills. If you want the smoky flavor to be more intense, hit the Super Smoke Mode button. 

To keep the fire going, a fan circulates the heat and smoke, while a drip tray catches grease and other drippings so the flames continue and heat flare-ups are prevented. With 650 square inches of cooking capacity, you can fit eight whole chickens, six pork butts, or five rib racks at a time. 

The technological features of this Traeger Ironwood 650 are also truly impressive. For instance, once you've set the temperature, the grill maintains that temperature for you. Plus, it's outfitted with WiFi and a built-in meat probe, so you can monitor the internal temperature of the food and the grill all on your phone. 

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Weber)

3. Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH Edition Grill

The best smoker grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 1,008 square inches

Dimensions: 47”H x 55.5”W x 33”D

Fuel type: Wood Fired Pellet

Best for : Easy smokey flavor

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Large hopper capacity

+

Smart self-feeding design

+

Temperature ranges from 200-600°F

Reasons to avoid

-

Needs to be connected to electricity

The Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH Edition Grill will deliver that delicious wood-smoked flavor that you want from a grill, thanks to the pellet fuels which offer cost-effective and low-maintenance cooking.  

The Z Grills ZPG-450A has a smart dial that can be turned from 200-600°F degrees, allowing you to cook at high heat but also to smoke and roast at the lower end. It will also keep itself running for hours with little-to-no maintenance, and you can check in on it remotely using the Weber CONNECT app, which also allows you to check the probe and adjust the temperature for easy pre-heating. 

Under the hood, you'll find enough space to cook quantities of food for a large family. With easy assembly and a sturdy design, this smoker grill doesn't cut any corners when it comes to making delicious meals. It does need to be connected to electricity to work though, so ensure to place it somewhere with easy access. 

(Image credit: Weber)

4. Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22-inch

Best budget charcoal grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 363 sq-in

Dimensions: 18 x 23 x 35 in

Fuel type: Charcoal

Best for: Budget

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Compact

+

Comes with an ash catcher

+

Hinged lid

Reasons to avoid

-

Not suitable for large crowds

Weber's Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has a 22-inch diameter that can fit a family-sized amount of hamburgers or hot dogs. For parties though, you may struggle with its singular burner.

Other charcoal grills such as the Kamado Joe Classic II feature side shelves, which can make serving up and storing plates and accessories easier. While the more compact Weber Kettle lacks this, it is also a mere fraction of the price. 

This charcoal grill has a hinged lid that makes it easy to add briquets while cooking. There's also an ash-catcher on the underside that makes clearing away straightforward when the fun is over. 

The lid has a thermometer to make warming up and maintaining temperature a breeze. You can use the dampers to make controlling the temperature even easier. You can also enjoy the two wheels and the fact that it weighs just slightly over 3 pounds - this makes the grill very portable. 

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Kamado Joe)

5. Kamado Joe Classic II

The best charcoal grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 510 sq in

Dimensions: 26. 4 x 26.4 x 36 in

Fuel type: Charcoal

Best for: Grilling, searing, and smoking meats and vegetables; option to use as rotisserie or pizza oven

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber distributes smoke evenly

+

Multi-level rack allows you to cook multiple items at different temperatures

+

Has iKamand capabilities 

Reasons to avoid

-

Must clean ash after every use 

-

Smaller cooking surface than other grills

If you plan to grill meat, you’re going to want to use the Kamado Joe Classic III. Even though it takes a bit longer to heat than gas grills, the Kamado Joe Classic III is the most advanced ceramic charcoal grill on the market that offers the perfect sear and tenderness to your protein, and a smoky flavor to match.

What makes the Kamado Joe Classic III so unique is the brand’s SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber insert. It’s designed to evenly distribute the smoke and heat in rolling waves so that the food cooks more thoroughly without the peskiness of hot spots. Better yet, it’s outfitted with a multi-level rack so that you can cook on the top 18-inch surface, or utilize four additional half-moon grates for a total of 510-square-inches of cooking surface.

Overall, this charcoal grill can reach temperatures of 225 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit, though when using the SlōRoller, the grill has a maximum temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also control the air and temperature with an airlift hinge on the top.

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Weber)

6. Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill

The best Weber grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 994 sq. in.

Dimensions: 27 in. (D) x 68.5 (W) x 48.5 in (H)

Fuel type: Propane

Best for : Advanced gas cooking

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Prep tables and grill locker

+

Sear burner and side burner

+

Expandable top cooking grate

Reasons to avoid

-

Can't adjust temperature remotely

Weber has been in the game for 65 years, and the Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill is one of the smartest you can buy. It's compatible with the Grill 3, which is a smart thermometer that can sync with your phone for the utmost insight into your cooking in real-time. 

The Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill features a sear station, which is designed to leave those classic charred lines in your steaks and burgers for maximum flavor by creating an intense heat zone. There's also a side burner that can be used to prep side dishes or cook off smaller items that can't go on the main grill. This burner is powered by gas. 

There's also a foldable warming rack that can be used to heat up burger buns or keep hot dogs warm when they're done cooking, which will allow you to prep your meals at different timings, but with the same intended serving time.

(Image credit: Saber)

7. Saber Elite 3-Burner Gas Grill

The best infrared grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 675 sq-in

Dimensions: 56.5 x 25 x 48.4 in

Fuel type: Gas

Best for: Grilling and rotisserie meats and vegetables

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Infrared burners help food retain more moisture

+

Uses 30 percent less propane than other gas grills

+

Rotisserie kit and side burner for additional cooking options 

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the best for cooking at low temperatures

As the name implies, this grill has three burners that heat 500 square inches of primary cooking surface and 175 square inches on the second rack. Where most gas grills create convection heat, the SABER Elite 3-Burner Gas Grill uses propane or natural gas to generate infrared or ‘radiant’ heat which directs airflow away from the surface of the grill so that the food retains moisture. In theory, it produces juicier meats and vegetables, reduces cook times, eliminates flare-ups, and vaporizes drippings and debris. Most importantly, it results in using 30 percent less propane than other gas grills.

On the left side of the grill is a dual tube side burner that can be used for making sauces or cooking side dishes. A rotisserie motor kit and rod are included so a night of rotisserie chicken, lamb, or beef roast is certainly on the menu.

To make your grilling experience easier, use the side table for preparation, and the below cabinet basket to store condiments. Store the propane tank on a pull-out tray that's hidden behind doors. Halogen lights and above-knob LED lighting allow you to grill at night.

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Weber)

8. Weber Genesis II E-310 Gas Grill

The top gas grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 660 sq-in

Dimensions: 29 x 59 x 47 in

Fuel type: Gas

Best for: Grilling meats and vegetables

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Warming rack tucks away for rotisserie 

+

Center-mounted thermometer

+

Flavorizer bars helps circulate moisture and juices back into the food 

Reasons to avoid

-

Low BTU output

The Weber Genesis II E-310 Gas Grill is found on many ‘best gas grill’ lists because it's dependable, easy-to-use, and great for novice and intermediate grillmasters.

The three stainless steel burners offer an output of 39,000 BTUs, which isn't as high as other gas grills, but it'll still get the job done. With a Tuck-Away warming rack, barbecue enthusiasts have a total of 660-square inches of cooking area  (the main grate is 513 square inches). Flavorizer bars catch grease and food drippings, which protects the burner tubes and prevents flare-ups. More importantly, when the grease hits the bars, it vaporizes and is then absorbed into the food making it juicier and tastier.  

Weber installed a center-mounted thermometer in this grill, though for the cook who wants a more high-tech experience, purchase an iGrill 3 thermometer. When paired with the Weber Genesis II E-310, it monitors the temperature of up to four cuts of meat at a time and will send a notification to your phone when the protein is cooked through. 

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Char-Broil)

9. Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill

The best electric grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 320 sq-in

Dimensions: h48 x w24 x d24 inches

Fuel type: Electricity

Best for : Electric grilling

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Compact design

+

Porcelain-coated burners for a traditional taste

+

Rust-resistant

Reasons to avoid

-

You'll need access to an electrical socket

If you are able to plug it in, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill is an amazing renter-friendly option. Because it's not a charcoal or gas grill, this grill can sneak its way into some communities that otherwise prohibit traditional grills. 

While it's compact, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill has space for 12 burgers at any one time. It's also equipped with porcelain-coated cooking grates that are sure to inject some smokey flavor into your meals for that classic barbecue taste.

The warming racks and cooking grate are both rust-resistant, and they're also convenient to clean thanks to that porcelain coating. 

Although the main grill area offers about 240 square inches of primary cooking space, the removable warming rack adds another 80 square inches. The heat is adjustable thanks to the front dial, and the lid-mounted temperature gauge will help you to keep track of your cooking temperatures. 

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Weber)

10. Weber Q 1200 Portable Grill

The best portable grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 189 sq-in

Dimensions: 20. 5 x 40.9 x 24.6 inches

Fuel type: Gas

Best for: Taking on the go

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Folds away 

+

Stand is optional for setting up camp

+

Comes in a good range of colors

+

Two side tables for meal prep

Reasons to avoid

-

Low BTU output

Planning on traveling this summer? The Weber Q 1200 Portable Grill is built to be taken on the go. It's got two foldable side tables for preparing dishes when you've set up camp, but simply fold them back up when you want to set off again. 

This gas grill weighs only 20 pounds, which is impressive considering the porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates. These can be removed for easy cleaning and while there is only one burner, it can be used to power the entirety of the 189-square-inch cooking area.  

Another portable element of the Q1200 is its fuel, which is designed to pair with 14- or 16-ounce propane cylinders as opposed to large tanks. Each one will last at least an hour, so it's perfectly suitable for some vacation cooking and traveling light. 

This grill is still being put through its paces – these are our first thoughts.

(Image credit: Everdure)

11. Everdure FUSION Grill

The best adaptable grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 284in2

Dimensions: 35.4 x (Poles Up: 42.6 in) x 28.7 (Rod Inserted: 33.8 in) x 16.1 in

Fuel type: Charcoal

Best for: Rotisserie and versatile portability

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Smart and sleek, modern design

+

Rotisserie function

+

Can be adapted into a portable grill

+

Fast flame ignition

Reasons to avoid

-

Smaller cooking surface area than others

-

Rotisserie function could be more sturdy

A stylish, modern design that fuses together the timeless qualities of cooking on a charcoal fire with innovative, modern technology and the speed of gas, the Everdue FUSION Grill by Heston Blumenthal embodies a truly versatile design.

The grill's fast flame ignition means that the FUSION can be set-up and ready for cooking in less than ten minutes. Featuring a grill-plate as well as a rotisserie function, the design allows for you to cook all manner of meals.

Relatively simple and easy to use, the grill has a detachable pedestal and can be adapted into a handy portable design, ideal for use away from the home.

With everything powered more or less by the simple click of a button, we love the Everdure FUSION Grill by Heston Blumenthal's smart and efficient design, and how it can integrate into both small patio spaces and larger backyards alike.

What is the best grill in 2022? 

Our top pick of the best grills is the Weber Genesis II E-335 . It has everything we love from Weber, including a smart sear station to ensure your steaks and burgers get those classic char-marks. We think the three burners are a good size for most families and would serve well at small-to-medium-sized gatherings.  

If you want to step away from gas cooking, the Traeger Grills Ironwood 650 is also a top pick. It runs on wood pellets and has an in-built meat probe to make cooking easier. 

How we test grills 

We like to get hands-on experience with the products featured in our guides, and the grills are no exception. From Traegar to Z Grills, it's our mission to test as many of these grills in our backyards as possible. Our expert panel combines close-and-personal experience with customer reviews to get the lowdown on these grills' strengths and weaknesses. We assess factors such as the ease of set-up and use, cleaning, maintenance and storage and ultimately, how well each grill cooks.

For further information about how we conduct our reviews and for our product-testing process explained, explore how we test on Homes & Gardens.

Head of Reviews

Millie Fender is Head of Reviews at Homes & Gardens. Formerly our head of all things cooking, she has tested pizza ovens, grills, and even fire pits.  

Millie recently finished her Weber SmokeFire EPX6 Wood Fired Pellet Grill STEALTH Edition review, which almost converted her away from the ease of gas grilling. 

Contributing Editor

Alex Temblador is a award-winning author and freelance writer based in Dallas, Texas. With an expansive outdoor space for thorough testing, she has tested everything from hot tubs to grills for Homes & Gardens and our sister brand, Gardeningetc. 

Alex tested the Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill, assembling it with the help of her cousin for three hours straight. Once assembled, she was wowed by the quality cooking she was able to achieve with this large and impressive gas grill. 

Which type of grill is best? 

The most conventional type of grill is a charcoal grill, which will slow-cook all manner of dishes for smoked meat or chargrilled vegetables. Gas grills are loved for their convenience. They are easy to ignite and you can work the burners independently, whether that is at different temperatures or for smaller servings without wasting gas.

More popular in recent years is the smoker grill. Powered by pellets, they often feature intelligent temperature probes and auto-dosing burners to keep your grill cooking for hours on end, even when unattended. 

Charcoal grills

Pros: Charcoal grills provide a phenomenal smoky flavor to food, which is especially tasty in meats.

Cons: They take longer to heat up and the temperature can be somewhat harder to control. Even grills that have charcoal boxes that keep the ash contained require some time toward cleaning. 

Liquid propane or gas grills

Pros: Gas grills are quick to heat, easy to adjust the temperature, and don’t require a lot of prep or clean-up time. Gas grills are best for those who are new to grilling.

Cons: They may offer great sear and grill lines and have the capabilities to keep your meats juicy and tender, but unless the grill is outfitted with a built-in or separate wood box, you can’t achieve the same delicious smoky flavor that's provided with charcoal or wood pellet grills.

Electric grills

Pros: Some electric grills can be used indoors and others must be used outdoors. They heat quickly and don't require a lot of post-grilling maintenance. 

Cons: Indoor electric grills are small. If you have an outdoor grill that needs electricity, like a wood pellet grill, you’ll need an outdoor outlet, which may not be placed in the most ideal (or safe) grilling location.

Wood pellet grills

Pros: Meats come out juicy, tender, smoky, and fully-flavored with a wood pellet grill. Once you set the temperature on a wood pellet grill, the grill maintains that temperature for you, so your attention can be elsewhere. If you like cooking with wood, you'll love the best pizza ovens. 

Cons: These types of grills require electricity to function, so you’ll need a good outlet in a safe location outdoors.  

Which type of grill is easiest to clean?

All grills need regular care and maintenance in order for them to be working at their best, so learning how to clean a grill  and how to clean grill grates is essential.

Round up of today's best deals

Reduced Price

Weber Original Kettle

£219.99

£199.99

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Weber Genesis II EX-335 GBS Smart

£1,699

View

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Traeger Ironwood 650

£1,499

View

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Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH Edition

£2,199

View

See all prices

Reduced Price

Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Classic II Charcoal

£1,499

£1,062. 64

View

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Weber Genesis II E-310 GBS

£1,169.99

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Weber Q 1200 Portable Grill

£314.99

View

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Everdure Fusion Grill

£999

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Alex Temblador is a Mixed Latinx award-winning author and freelance writer based in Dallas, Texas. Her work in the home space has appeared in outlets like Real Homes, Dwell, Architectural Digest, Culture Trip, and Neighborhoods.com, among many others.  She writes on a wide variety of topics for H&G, and has tested everything from vacuum cleaners to fitness equipment and pizza ovens in the name of product research. 

10 Best Outdoor Grills 2022

We updated this article in August 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. We added a kamado grill recommendation as well as updated our picks for portable and tabletop grills.

Nothing says summer like grilling up quick summer recipes. And to turn out delicious food with perfectly charred results, you need the right grill (and grill accessories from grill tongs to grill baskets!) to make the job quick, easy and low-mess.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we've tested more than 65 grills over the years to determine which are the best you can buy, including gas grills, charcoal grills, kamado grills, pellet grills and portable grills. We've cooked more than 70 steaks and 280 pieces of chicken to determine how well each grill sears, while keeping an eye on smoking and flare-ups. We've also toasted more than 1,000 pieces of bread on the gas grills to see how evenly they heat. In addition to performance, we assessed helpful extras like side tables, tool storage, concealed gas tanks and wheels for portability.

You can read more about how we evaluate outdoor grills in our tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best grill you can buy — at the end of this guide. Looking for more ways to make the most out of grilling season? Check out our guides to the best grill cleaners and the best grill thermometers for your money, plus our favorite grilling recipes of all time.

Best Overall Grill

Weber

Genesis II EX-335 3-Burner Natural Gas Smart Grill in Black

Weber

$1,699 AT HOME DEPOT

Best Value Grill

Nexgrill

4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

Nexgrill

Now 13% off

$349 AT HOME DEPOT

Best Gas Grill

Weber

Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill

Weber

$639 AT AMAZON

Best Grill for Beginners

Char-Broil

Commercial Tru-Infrared Gas Grill

Char-Broil

$429 AT LOWE'S

Best Charcoal Grill

Weber

Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

Weber

$219 AT AMAZON $219 AT HOME DEPOT $220 AT FARMANDFLEET. COM

Best Pellet Grill

Traeger

Pro Series 575 Grill Black

wayfaur

$900 AT WAYFAIR $900 AT HOME DEPOT

Best Kamado Grill

Kamado Joe

Classic Joe II

Kamado Joe

$1,299 AT AMAZON $1,299 AT HOME DEPOT

Best Stand-Up Portable Grill

Weber

Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Weber

Now 11% off

$373 AT AMAZON $399 AT HOME DEPOT $399 AT DICK'S SPORTING GOODS

Best Tabletop Grill

Coleman

Roadtrip 225 Tabletop Grill

Coleman

$210 AT AMAZON $252 AT WALMART $210 AT DICK'S SPORTING GOODS

Best Electric Outdoor Grill

Weber

Pulse 2000 Electric Grill

Weber

$841 AT AMAZON $849 AT HOME DEPOT

How we test grills

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've tested more than 65 grills over the years, including gas grills, charcoal grills, kamado grills, pellet grills, portable grills, indoor grills, electric grills and more. To determine which grills to test, we scour our data to determine which grills seem the most interesting and popular. We also communicate with brands to learn about their latest models and keep an eye out for innovations and new technology.

When we test all types of grills, we assess performance and ease of use. For gas grills, we cover the surface with sliced white bread to determine how evenly the grill distributes heat, and we cook steak and chicken to evaluate how quickly they cook with the least amount of flareups. We cook steak and chicken on charcoal grills as well, but we weigh ease of use more heavily since charcoal can vary in terms of distribution and heat retention.

Our ease-of-use assessment begins with assembling the grill. We value clear instructions, labeled parts and simple assembly. We also consider helpful accessories like shelves, side tables, tool holders, built-in thermometers, wheels, type of igniters and more. After we complete our testing, we compare all of our notes to determine which performed the best.

Hearst

A small sampling of the grills we tested

What to look for when buying the best grill

✔️ Fuel type: The first thing to consider is what type of grill you'd like. The two main types are gas and charcoal. Gas is easy to use, while charcoal is trickier to master but delivers a smokier taste. There are also kamado grills, which use charcoal, and pellet grills, which use wood pellets. (More on the pros and cons of each below.)

✔️ Size: Once you narrow down the type of grill you'd like to buy, think of how much room you have to use and store it, as well as how many people you're cooking for at a time. Three-burner gas grills are ideal for families of four or fewer and can still handle the occasional party. A 22-inch diameter is common for charcoal grills: Any larger is ideal for cooking more at once, and smaller is better for storage. If you don't have a lot of room, consider a portable grill that's typically much smaller but does the trick in terms of turning out a delicious meal.

✔️ Accessories: While side shelves and tool holders may not seem important, they make the overall grilling experience smooth. We also like shelves underneath the grill for storage, a quality set of wheels, tank holders for gas grills and more.

What type of grill is best?

When buying a new outdoor grill, the two biggest players are gas and charcoal, but electric, kamado and pellet grills are also fair game. When selecting what type of grill to buy, consider how often you'll be grilling, the amount of space you have for storage, what flavors you prefer and the amount of time and attention you'll want to spend cooking. Here are the basics on each:

✔️ Gas grills are the most common type. They're great because they offer excellent control of the heat (the ability to adjust the burner knobs makes it less likely that you'll end up with burnt brisket!), plus they ignite with the push of a button, heat up quickly and are easy to clean. It's the go-to option for no-fuss grillers who plan to barbecue frequently. Just keep in mind that you'll need fuel from a propane tank or natural gas line on your property.

✔️ Charcoal grills require briquettes or lump charcoal to ignite. Charcoal is more hands-on and takes time to heat up and cool down, but it imparts a better, smokier flavor than gas because it often gets hotter. It's really for grilling purists.

✔️ Kamado grills use charcoal to heat but are often made of ceramic and have thicker walls than charcoal grills. They can reach very hot temperatures, like a pizza oven, and they retain heat well for low-and-slow smokes.

✔️ Electric grills plug in and can't be beat for ease-of-use or convenience — especially the grills that can be used indoors or at apartment complexes that don't allow charcoal or gas grills. Just don't expect steaks or burgers cooked on an electric grill to taste like the ones from a real BBQ.

✔️ Pellet grills are a growing category that use electricity and hardwood pellets made out of wood scraps to heat. Pellets provide a delicious, authentic hardwood flavor to food but are costly.