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 2023:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
You might be surprised to see a portable grill so far up the list, but the Ninja Woodfire passed our tests with flying colors. This portable electric grill has seven different functions, offering grilling, roasting, smoking, frying, baking, dehydrating, and broiling.
The standout feature, however is the smoker. The Woodfire uses a box of wood pellets to infuse your dishes with delicious, smoky flavour. While it's not the same as the smokers on bigger grills, it's still delicious. We used it to make an incredible smoked pork tenderloin in just 45 minutes, and a neighbour we shared it with though it was the best tenderloin they'd ever had.
It offers incredibly quick cooking. We had a joint of salmon ready in only 7 minutes, and if anything, it was almost too quick. The handy smart display will tell you when it's time to flip your food, but we recommend keeping an eye on it anyway, as this grill is so efficient that it will cook faster than the given recipe times.
While it can't match the cooking area of a full-sized smoker, this grill is perfect for small families and camping trips, offering fast, simple, and delicious smoked foods.
My full Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill review has all the detail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (opens in new tab) 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 2023?
Our top pick of the best grills is the Weber Genesis II E-335 (opens in new tab). 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 (opens in new tab) 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.
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.
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.
When it comes to looking at which type of grill is easiest to clean, stainless steel and gas grills often come out on top. Charcoal grills can get dirty very quickly, and require you to remove and dispose of the old ashes – always wait until they are completely cool.
The best tools to use when cleaning a grill include: a wire brush with tough stainless steel bristles for the grills grates, a sponge or cloth for the other grill areas – and some have even learnt how to use an onion to clean a grill!
For optimal food safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in new tab) (CDC) recommends, ‘wash work surfaces, utensils, and the grill before and after cooking.’
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