The Best Gas Grills for Fast, Easy, Hot Outdoor Cooking
What happens when you ask pro cooks and seasoned grillmasters to recommend the best gas grills? You’ll get a few raised eyebrows from the charcoal purists, but here’s the thing: Gas grills are easy to use, quick to heat up, simple to clean, and great for cooking a lot of food fast. Sure, charcoal might offer smoky flavor and a certain romance, but sometimes you just want to throw a damn hot dog over a fire without all the work required to get your coals just right.
Our top picks
- Best gas grill overall: Weber Spirit EP-435
- A budget grill that rivals high-end models: Nexgrill 4-Burner Stainless Steel Grill with Side Burner
- A compact budget grill: Charbroil Flavormax 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
With a gas grill, you can cook 10 burgers or 20 hot dogs at a time while your buns warm on the top rack. Or you can char veggies on one side while you cook chicken on the other. And while gas grills have a well-earned reputation for not getting hot enough to sear a steak, the best gas grills will give your rib eye gorgeous grill marks every time. Beyond a large cooking area, many of the freestanding gas models we recommend also come with built-in side tables, which can be a real lifesaver when you’re cooking a lot of food over an open flame.
Gas grills are indeed pricier than charcoal grills of comparable quality and size (you can get a good Weber kettle grill for less than $150), but as you’ll see with one of our top picks below, you can get a really great gas grill for less than $500.
**New in this update: **We found some good and some bad among the new grills tested, which we picked from the brands that seem inescapable every time you visit a big-box store, like Nexgrill, Megamaster, and Charbroil.
Best gas grill overall: Weber Spirit EP-435
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Sear burners get incredibly hot
- Comes with side burner
- Cleans up easily
- Accommodates various outdoor cooking accessories
Cons:
- Preheating takes longer than on some other grills we tried
Specs
Body material: Painted steel
Cooking grates material: Porcelain-enameled cast iron
Number of burners: 4 (plus side burner)
Total BTUs: 35,000 (plus 12,000 side burner)
Cooking area: 533 square inches (428 square inches primary)
Footprint: 46.5" x 52" x 25.5"
Sear burner: Yes
Warming rack: Yes
Additional features: Compatible with Weber Crafted accessories
Warranty: 10-year
Good to know
If you’d rather hook up to an outdoor gas line than a liquid propane tank, the Spirit line is also available as natural gas grills.
In 2025, Weber released a new version of its entry-level Spirit line; in our testing, it blew away every other “entry” level grill I’ve used. Upgrades from earlier lines include both the cooking area of the grill as well as some new nice-to-have features.
What we love: The first thing to know about this grill is that it gets hot. The new and improved Spirit line includes a Sear Zone that, on the 435, encompasses half the grill (there are a number of different series within the Spirit line that come at different prices with more or fewer features). You activate the Sear Zone by giving the temperature knobs an extra turn, which means you can choose whether or not you want searing temps or more moderate ones across the entire surface. When I used the Sear Zone, I was able to get temperatures up above 800°. Without them, temps topped out just under 500°, but the cast-iron grate still produced excellent grill marks.
Another welcome update to the new Spirit line is its snap-to-start igniters. Instead of the push-button igniters of old, the snap ignition lights by simply clicking on each burner—easy enough that you can do it one-handed.
The Spirit line accommodates Weber's Crafted accessories, which allow you to replace your grates with items like a wok station or griddle. There are also drop-in accessories like a cutting board or condiment basket that fit into the side shelf.
Finally, the new Spirit cleans up easier than earlier Weber grills. An angled pan below the burners funnels any mess into a removable grease tray.
I chose the 435 model of the Spirit for a few nice-to-have, but not absolutely necessary features. An included battery-operated thermostat with a huge digital display makes it easy to see exactly how hot your grill has gotten from across the yard, and a side burner lets you simultaneously sauté vegetables while grilling proteins. But you can still get the benefits of the Sear Zones and everything discussed above in the less expensive versions of the Spirit that I think are the best starter grill you can get.
What we’d leave: Everything in the new Spirit feels very considered, solving almost every typical issue with a gas grill. The one thing to know, though, is that its thicker cast-iron grates take a little bit of extra time to heat up.
A budget grill that rivals high-end models: Nexgrill 4-Burner Stainless Steel Propane Gas Grill With Side Burner
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Sleek, stainless steel design (including grates) with hidden propane tank
- Side burner
- Heats up quickly
- Four wheels, including two that lock
- Exterior tool hooks
Cons:
- Uneven cooking/hot spots
Specs
Body material: Stainless steel
Cooking grates material: Stainless steel
Number of burners: 4
Total BTUs: 60,000
Cooking area: 621 square inches
Footprint: 51" x 46.5" x 22.4"
Warming rack: Yes
Additional features: Swivel-and-lock casters; side burner, two tool hooks
Warranty: 5-year against perforation
Good to know
While we didn’t test the 2-burner option, there is one available. It doesn’t have a side burner, and the grates are constructed of porcelain-coated cast iron. There’s also a gourmet 6-burner one with the same bells and whistles as the 4-burner, plus 811 square inches of cooking surface and the Griddle Max Cooking System, which provides the option to smoke, griddle, and sauté.
What we love: The look and construction of this grill feels premium, even though it’s priced at only $400. (There’s a 2-burner option for $300). Yes, that’s more than the 2-burner Charbroil below, but it’s a difference that’s well worth it if you have the space. First off, the stainless-steel construction on the model I tested was solid—it rivals some of the high-end grills out there.
This model is roomy, but not too roomy. I found it perfect for two-zone cooking—I was able to sear thick-cut pork chops on one side (with impressive grill marks) and move them to the cooler side of the grill to finish cooking. The Nexgrill heated up quickly; it took less than 10 minutes to get up to temp, and once there, it maintained its temperature well—resetting relatively quickly when the lid was opened and closed. I love that this well-priced model came with stainless-steel grates (I prefer them over the porcelain-coated ones for durability).
If you plan on fully leaning into the grilling life, the Nexgrill has a side burner. This is a nice-to-have feature for searing or cooking sauces or a side dish so you don’t have to turn on your indoor stove. When it’s not in use, it can just be an extra shelf to hold a tray or grilling accessories. There are also two hooks on the opposite shelf to hang tools, which comes in handy. There’s even more storage inside the front double doors, which is also where the propane tank is located.
Unlike some of the other models I tested, the lid’s handle didn’t get too hot, so I was able to use my bare hands to open and close the grill. And there are four wheels on this grill—two with locking mechanisms—so moving around this larger piece of equipment isn’t a problem.
What we’d leave: I did notice a couple of hot spots on the grates that made some of my chops extra-charred in places, so the heat distribution could be slightly improved.
A compact budget grill: Charbroil Performance FlavorMax 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Pros and cons
Pros
- Great value
- Compact footprint and fold-down side shelves make it good for smaller patios
- Propane tank hidden in cabinet
- Shelves offer good amount of prep space
Cons
- No side burner
- Lid handle gets very hot
Specs
Body material: Painted steel or stainless with painted steel
Cooking grates material: Porcelain-coated steel
Number of burners: 2
Total BTUs: 22,000
Cooking area: 395 square inches primary cooking space
Footprint: 44.9" x 44.5" x 22.4"
Warming rack: Yes
Additional features: None
Warranty: 5-year burner, 2-year lid/firebox, 1-year grate/emitter and other parts
Good to know
If you like the sound of this grill but need something bigger, there’s also a 4-burner model
What we love: With only two burners, this certainly isn’t the best option for someone who wants a larger grill for bigger projects, but if you’re limited by space or budget, or you’re simply an occasional griller, this will definitely get the job done. And for something with a relatively low price tag, it also has some impressive features. One is its FlavorMax technology, which distributes heat evenly across the grates and reduces messy flare-ups. Speaking of grates, these are porcelain-coated, which is resistant to rust and is great at retaining heat. And this grill heated up quickly, as well as retained the temperature relatively well.
I love that there are two foldable side shelves for prep work, sturdy enough to hold heavy sheet pans full of steaks. This grill is easy to store, too. When the side tables are folded down, the whole thing takes up only a few square feet, about the footprint of a large countertop oven, and it’s easy to roll around a patio or in and out of a garage.
The propane tank hides inside a closed cabinet, which can conveniently hold other grilling accessories. For propane users, this is an aesthetic bonus–especially considering the grill’s petite size. It includes a warming rack, which is nice in theory, but if you’re trying to maximize the small surface, I’d recommend stowing it away (it’s easily removable); otherwise, it’s very difficult to flip items underneath the rack.
What we'd leave: Because it’s a smaller grill, it has capacity limitations. It also lacks a side burner. However, these are the typical compromises you make when picking a budget option. A less expected compromise was the grill’s handle. It got hot—so hot that I nearly burned myself when trying to open the lid (and it wasn’t super hot outside the days I was grilling). Do yourself a favor and wear a mitt of some sort when grilling with this model.
How we tested the best gas grills
First things first, we unboxed and assembled every grill. If you’ve never assembled a gas grill before, they have a bit of a flatpack furniture situation going on. So even if a brand offered assembly, we rejected it so that we knew how laborious the process was.
Next, we ran some temperature tests. We used an infrared thermometer to see how hot the grills could get when cranked all the way up.
When it was time to cook, we used chicken breasts and thighs, burgers, hot dogs, and thick-cut pork chops. That let us look for the kinds of char and caramelization that we expect out of an effective grill, as well as how well each grill handled indirect cooking.
For grills that performed well during the first set of cooking tests, we continued to use them to regularly prepare dinners over a couple of weeks.
What to consider when buying a gas grill
Ease of use
Gas grills are supposed to make grilling easier, so if yours is still a hassle, you’ve got the wrong one. The control panel knobs should be intuitive, and it should be easy to empty the grease tray and clean the grates.
BTUs
The best grill, whatever the type, gets hot. Really hot. On a gas grill, that capacity is measured in BTUs (British thermal units), so the higher the BTUs, the better the grilling experience. That said, infrared features—which use metal or ceramic materials to direct heat more efficiently and effectively—can make up for lower BTUs.
Price point
Unless you plan to spend a lot of money on a built-in grill with a really long warranty, keep in mind that grills live outside, so even the best gas grill will need to be replaced eventually. If you take really good care of it, you could get 10 or 15 years of use, but it’s smart to bank on a 5-year lifespan for most models, so plan your budget accordingly.
Size
Beyond the grill’s footprint, think about what kind of grilling surface you need. If you’re only cooking outdoors for a few people at a time, you can get away with a smaller grill with two burners. But if your new grill acquisition means you’re now in charge of hosting all of the family or neighborhood cookouts, you’ll want enough room for 10 burgers, 20 hot dogs, etc. In that case, you’ll want something in the neighborhood of 500–700 square inches of primary cooking space. That’s different from the measurement of the total cooking space, which usually includes a second rack (sometimes called a warming rack) that can be used for toasting, warming, and cooking foods that require lower or indirect heat. Some grills also have a side burner that you can toss a cast-iron skillet on.
Materials
When it comes to something that lives outdoors, durability is key, and a good gas grill is made with quality materials that can stand up to the elements, as well as lots of high-heat cooking. Look for materials like stainless steel and porcelain coatings as signs that your grill will hold up to heavy use.
Acquisition and assembly
If you order a gas grill online, you still need to get it home. Many retailers offer free shipping, while others will offer pickup or delivery from a local store. Some even offer assembly, but if the grill is being shipped to you, you’ll need to assemble it yourself. Assembly is rarely complicated—large pieces come preassembled, but it will require two people.
Repair options
Big-name brands aren’t the best option for every purchase, but they’re usually a good bet for gas grills. That’s because if you end up needing to make a repair or replace a part, it’s usually easy to get what you need through the manufacturer or to pick it up at a major retailer like Amazon, Walmart, or Home Depot.
Other gas grills we liked
The previous top pick on this list, Weber’s Genesis is, technically, a step up from the Spirit line. It is an excellent grill, but because of the Spirit’s latest improvements and its more accessible price point, the Genesis lost its top spot. That said, the Genesis line still has plenty to recommend it. First released in 2022, this three-burner Weber grill consistently turned out perfectly cooked meat and veggies. In windy conditions, it outperformed a much pricier Napoleon model. It also has cast-iron grates and an ample 787 square inches of cooking space.
The Weber’s Genesis has the original version of the Sear Zone, an additional 13,000-BTU burner that’s built into the main cooking area and can be turned on with the twist of a knob to give the heat a substantial boost for the really hard, fast sears you want on anything you’re cooking rare or medium-rare.
The Weber Genesis is compatible with Weber Crafted accessories, so you can also transform the cooking surface into a griddle, a wok, or a baking stone—or you can add a rotisserie attachment.
Those short on space might want to avoid the particular Genesis model tested here, though. At 61.5" wide, including the sturdy side tables, it’s a beast.
Napoleon has a reputation as the luxury gas grill company, and this Rogue series grill is certainly that. I loved the performance of this powerful grill (the wavy grates were a little cheesy, but I got over it), and it had even heat across the cook area, producing gorgeous grill marks. The infrared burner did produce steakhouse-quality sears, although the Sear Zones on the Webers did as well. Ultimately, it lost out on a top spot because of its higher price point, combined with the fact that it struggled to keep an even flame during some particularly windy days.
Gas grills we don’t recommend
Considering how much I liked the Nexgrill, I was surprised how much I disliked the Megamaster (they’re partner brands under the Global Leisure Group). From the minute I unpacked the box, it was a headache—the assembly instructions were unclear and not all components and hardware were marked. Post-assembly (which took nearly three hours), produced a subpar grill, from the thin steel construction to the low-quality plastic knobs and wheels. The grill did heat up extremely fast; however, even when I had two burners down to low and one burner completely off, the temperature was still a scorching 500°F, making anything under medium-high nearly impossible.
The Charbroil Cruise is what would happen if a grill and an oven had a baby. It uses a thermostat sensor tied to its two burners to maintain a set temperature. And while the power of the Amplifire system was, well, powerful, this grill felt too gimmicky to be practical. It also struggled in the wind, although upon further investigation discovered this was a feature, not a bug. The grill includes a safety feature that turns it off automatically if it takes too long to light or if the flame goes out.
The Fuego Element doesn’t look like any other gas grill out there, which is what you’d expect for something drawn up by a former Apple designer. Fuego is known for very expensive, high-end outdoor kitchens and massive grill setups, but the Element is the brand’s more accessible line. It’s not as powerful as grills like the Webers and Char-Broil, so while everything will get cooked, it just takes a little longer. The real issue was that the cast-iron grill grate extends all the way to the outer edge of the grill. As a result, some hot dogs rolled straight off and onto the ground.
The Master Cook is a cheap grill, and it shows. The main cooking grate is relatively thin enamel-coated wire (the sort of material nicer grills use on their upper racks), and the legs and walls felt flimsy.
It did get hot enough to produce a nice char on chicken breasts, but the materials don’t feel substantial enough to survive anywhere that has actual seasons. For about $100 more, you can get the budget Char-Broil, which we think is a more reliable choice.
What else do you need with your grill?
- The grill brushes that will keep you grates in top shape
- Our favorite burger recipes
- Some healthy grilling recipes (because it can't all be burgers)
Looking for more grill recommendations? Check out our reviews of all types of grills, including the best charcoal grills, and the best pellet grills.
