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The best outdoor grills

The best grills elevate outdoor cooking to an art form

When choosing an outdoor grill, consider the size. You don’t want your guests waiting too long on their food with a grill that can only cook one serving at a time. It is also important that the item you choose provides you with the most dependable performance, whether searing steak or smoking meat. Let us dive into the top outdoor grills to find the most suitable ones for your needs.

Weber Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill

Best Overall

Whether you’re cooking for just yourself or hosting a neighborhood-wide backyard bash, you can count on Weber’s Spirit E310. This grill’s cooking grates, lid, and internal flavoring tray are all porcelain-enameled. They work in unison to evenly distribute heat throughout the grill body. Moreover, its 529 square inches of cooking space gives plenty of room for the meal you’re preparing.  

Why we love it:

  • Features side tables for holding trays, utensils, and spices
  • Caster wheels make it easy to push it around your property
  • Built-in thermometer on the lid lets you monitor the temperature without lifting the cover

Something to consider: Assembly might be a little time-consuming, but it will be easy as long as you follow the instructions carefully.

Weber Original Charcoal Grill

Best Value

If you love charred food, you can’t go wrong with the Weber Original Charcoal Grill. This offers 363 square inches of total cooking space, which is more than enough room for a casual barbecue session. Thanks to its top-mounted damper system, adjusting the heat will be a breeze. We love this outdoor grill’s lightweight but durable construction, making it an excellent option for picnics and camping. 

Why we love it:

  • Equipped with porcelain-enameled lid and bowl that can retain heat
  • Has a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup of ash
  • Has durable wheels to move the grill around easily

Something to consider: You may not be able to do some things with it like broil a whole chicken, but it’s reliable for small families and groups.

Cuisinart Tabletop Grill

Best for Balconies

This two-burner grill from Cuisinart is a perfect option for those whose outdoor space is not big enough for large grills. Featuring a two-burner grill, this allows you to cook different foods simultaneously while having the freedom to control each temperature. With a tabletop design, this can easily be transported—even going up the stairs! Unlike some of the larger units on the market, this tabletop grill doesn’t require assembly, so it will be ready to use in under 10 minutes.

Why we love it:

  • Made with stainless steel that evenly provides heat across the cooking space
  • Compact and lightweight for ease of transport
  • Features twist-start automatic ignition, so there’s no need for matches 

Something to consider: It might burn too hot quickly, so be careful and avoid touching it with bare hands.

Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill

Most Versatile

We love this charcoal grill from Kamado Joe because it has a double-tiered design that lets you cook different foods at various temperatures simultaneously. For smoking precision, it features a top vent system that maintains a perfect airflow. These unique features make it easy to adjust to accommodate specific cooking needs. Enclosed in a ceramic shell featuring an airtight seal, this grill measuring 18 inches can deliver food with a deep, savory flavor.

Why we love it:

  • Top vent allows easy airflow control
  • Equipped with a fiberglass mesh gasket sealing smoke and moisture in
  • Uses charcoal, so it delivers a smokey flavor

Something to consider: Because this has a ceramic shell, it is quite heavy and might be difficult to carry. It has wheels that make it easy to roll from one place to another, but if you have to take a grill up a flight of stairs, you might want to consider our more lightweight picks.

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Gas Grill

Best for Beginners

Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared Gas Grill is great for any backyard chef, but particularly beginners. It doesn’t flare up, so it ensures even cooking—great for those not yet knowledgeable about meat temperatures. Boasting 310 square inches of cooking area, it’s large enough for grilling around 16 burgers at the same time. We also like the foldable side shelves, which are ideal for preparing sauces for marinades and holding utensils.

Why we love it:

  • Delivers uniform heat and cooks more juicy food
  • Features porcelain-coated grates that withstand corrosion and are simple to clean
  • Equipped with a temperature gauge for easy monitoring of heat level even with the lid down

Something to consider: This is simple and easy to use for beginners but might offer less versatility for more experienced users.

About the Author

Alex Walker loves trying new things and reporting on her experiences with using them. She has tried products meant for kids, tools that are used on job sites, emerging tech, and even some toys for her pets. All of this diversity lets her bring non-biased, real-world findings to share with everyone that’s interested and looking to buy them.

Why You Should Trust Us

The Digital Trends team prides itself in offering expert product recommendations in ways that everyone can understand. Our team of experts is constantly using and reviewing the latest and greatest consumer tech, smart home gadgets, televisions, and so much more to offer insights to help guide your purchasing decision. We have vigorously tested thousands of different products across these categories, and we’ve distilled our lists to bring you the best of the best. If we feel a product does not live up to our expectations, it doesn’t make the list. We are humans though, and realize that not every recommended product will be perfect for everyone, so we do our best to call out important features that may impact your choices. Below our top picks we’ve included additional product information to ensure that you are making the right choice for your unique needs. The products in this guide have been carefully curated by our team of experts and enthusiasts who understand the value and quality needed for the best options.

Alex Walker
Alex Walker loves trying new things and reporting on her experiences with using them. She has tried products meant for kids…