8 Best Outdoor BBQ Grill Brands of 2023
Whether making cheeseburgers or smoking ribs, a good grill is essential for any home cook.
But the range of products on the market for your next grill is staggering and can seem pretty intimidating.
Whether it is gas, charcoal, or pellets, the right grill is out there for you. The hardest part is finding it.
It has to be reliable enough to cook the perfect steak every time and tough enough to handle any winter storm.
This list will break down the leaders in the world of grilling and then dive into the differences between types of grills and what to look for when you are shopping for your own.
So here are the eight best brands in the industry and their standout products so that you will be ready for your next BBQ or casual night in the backyard.
Best Outdoor Grill Brands
- Weber: Best Charcoal Grills
- Char-Broil: Best Gas Grills
- Traeger: Best Wood Pellet Grills
- Masterbuilt: Best Brand for Grill & Smoker Combos
- Big Green Egg: Best Kamado Grills
- Coleman: Best Camping Grills
- Char-Griller: Best Dual Fuel Grills
- Spark Grill: Best Electric Grills
Weber: Best Charcoal Grills
Weber charcoal grills are iconic for a reason. They are built tough and are one of the easiest grills to use.
They are best known for their classic Kettle Charcoal Grill, which they created almost 70 years ago and has been the gold standard for a reliable charcoal grill ever since.
That said, they have branched off over the years and now have a variety of gas, pellet, and even electric grills to choose from. They even offer smaller models as well as portable ones for those who like camping or on the go.
Known for how sturdy they are, Weber grills can often be on the pricier side, but you certainly get what you pay for.
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is the grill that started it all.
It was created by George Stephen in the 50s and has survived as one of the greatest outdoor grills of all time and still a popular and reliable model today.
Its buoy shape makes it perfect for keeping in heat and filling with charcoal. Plus, since it is basically made of 3 solid steel parts, breaking a Weber Kettle Charcoal Grill is nearly impossible.
The classic Kettle grill at the standard size of 22" generally starts under $150 and can range to about under $600 for a decked out Performer series grill, making these a great value for the money.
| Series | Features |
|---|---|
| Original Kettle | Original Kettle, comes in three different sizes and a few colors. |
| Master-Touch | A step up from the original Kettle, the Master-Touch includes the Tuck-Away lid storage, lid thermometer, a one-touch cleaning system, and warming rack. |
| Performer | Must-have for frequent grillers, the performer has the premium features of the Master-Touch plus a rollable cart/workspace, hooks for utensil storage, charcoal storage bin, hinged grate, and an electronic gas ignition system. |
| Portable Kettle | A smaller portable version of the kettle classic, complete with its only stand and Tuck-Away lid storage, it's perfect for camping, picnicking, or tailgating. |
| Summit Kamado | Summit Kamado is Weber's line of Kamado grills. The biggest different between the two models the E6 and S6 is the portable cart/work space. |
| Ranch | This is the largest grill Weber offer at 37", you get over 1,000 square inches of grilling surface. |
| Smokey Mountain | Weber offers smokers in three different sizes. This is exclusively for smoking. |
Char-Broil: Best Gas Grills
Of all the types of grills out there, gas is the most common, meaning that there are many different brands to choose from.
We not only recommend Char-Broils because of how durable and consistent they are but this reviewer has used them, personally, for years precisely for this reason. Gas grills are often made with cheaper metals to keep the price down.
These metals can often break down after only a season of use, which is infuriating for any homeowner. Char-Broils are built tough enough to last for years.
Plus, they have a grill for any budget with plenty of affordable products.
Do not expect anything too fancy from a Char-Broil, but if you want a reliable grill that can withstand the elements and the hotdogs you throw at it, it is the way to go.
Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill, is a grill from their gas line that is particularly of note.
For its price, the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill is unmatched. With plenty of room for any gathering, you are trying to cook for.
You can not set the temperature with your iPhone, and it will not reach 700 degrees, but for basic day-to-day grilling, there is no better option.
Char-Broils selection of gas grill is extremely competitive when it comes to price. A standard-size gas grill start at around $300, with their top-of-the-line Signature Series grill coming in well under $1,000.
| Series | Features |
|---|---|
| Cruise | Char-Broil's first gas grill to offer "cruise control". You can set the grill to your desired temperature and the grill will not only reach that temp but also maintain for as long as you need. |
| Griddle | Basically, an outdoor gas-powered griddle. It has an ample amount of cooking surface and 4 burners for cooking a wide variety of foods like bacon, eggs, burgers, etc. |
| Amplifire Gas Griddle | The Amplifire is a step up from their classic griddle. This griddle uses the Amplifire technology which eliminates cold and hot spots to even out and perfect your cooking. It also comes with more workspace and a professional presentation. |
| Performance | The Performance series offers a wide selection and is the most affordable line Char-Broil offers for their standard gas grills. Considered an excellent starter gas grill. |
| Signature Series | The Char-Broil Signature series is a big step up in it's features from the Performance Line and is perfect for the serious home chef and grill master. Made of more durable materials and uses Amplifire technology to upgrade your cooking, with a more polished appearance. |
| Commercial Series | Close to the Signature series in function and features, with a slightly sleeker design. |
Traeger: Best Wood Pellet Grills
John Traeger created the first pellet grill back in 1985, and the company has been perfecting it ever since.
Like Webers, Traeger grills have a simple design that ensures ultra-durability that will outlast most other pellet grills on the market.
The temperature technology is so precise that it can go low and slow or hot and searing, depending on what you wish.
If you are a fan of pellet grills, there's no better choice than a Traeger.
With that in mind, they are not the cheapest option for outdoor grills.
Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill is one example of their excellence.
The Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grills is equipped with a digital controller so that you can make your temperature as exact as possible.
Meaning that you can smoke ribs, sear salmon, and even bake a pie if you want to. Making it one of the more versatile outdoor grills you can get.
Expect to pay more for a wood pellet grill. Traeger's most modest Pro starts around $900 with their customizable premium Timberline XL coming in around $3,500, depending on the retailer.
| Series | Features |
|---|---|
| Pro Series | Despite the name, this is Traeger's starter series. The Pro Series offers two different sizes and comes with their Set-It & Forget-It temperature system. These are more expensive than typical starter grills but these grills are made of solid durable materials and have all the ease and precision a Traeger Pellet grill has to offer. |
| Ironwood | Ironwood is an upgraded system from the Pro Series. Ironwood include an extra shelf for even more cooking surface, better heat insulation and exhaust system, convection and smoking features, plus much more. |
| Timberline | Timberline is Traeger's top of line pellet grill. It has all the features and functions the Pro Series and Ironwood have plus a third grilling shelf, a larger capacity for pellet load, and more. |
| Portable | Traeger has two portable grills, the Tailgater and the Ranger. The Tailgater is a lighter more compact version of the Pro grill. However, the Ranger is a pellet grill in the form of a sleek case, making tabletop grilling a reality. It comes with the classic capabilities of a Traeger pellet grill. |
Masterbuilt: Best Brand for Grill & Smoker Combos
Masterbuilt’s claim to fame is its new Gravity Line, which boasts that its grills can reach temperatures of 700 degrees F in less than 15 minutes.
Their automated loading and cleaning system makes it so that the most annoying parts of a charcoal grilling disappear.
This system also allows for 12 hours of fuel, meaning that most of the time, you will never even have to get your hands dirty with any pesky charcoal. Instead, you can just turn it on and start cooking.
They have regular smokers as well, but if you are looking for a brand that is really trying to push the limit of what can be done with an outdoor grill, then there is no better choice than the Masterbuilt Gravity Grill.
The MasterBuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill is not to be missed.
This MasterBuilt Gravity Grill comes in surprisingly cheap for how cutting edge it is. For less than $500, you can have the charcoal grill of the future.
As mentioned above, it gets hot extremely fast and can hold half a day's worth of fuel at any given time. Plus, you can control it from any smart device.
The Gravity line starts around $500 and goes up to about $800. These are more expensive than traditional grills but you are paying more for many additional features such as a the ability to smoke, digital temperature control, and a gravity-fed charcoal feeder.
| Models | Features |
|---|---|
| Gravity Line 560 | The 560 is Masterbuilt's smallest grill. Features like the Gravityfed charcoal hopper, digital controls, smart temp control, digital fan, and three grilling shelves come standard with this grill. |
| Gravity Line 800 | The 800 has all the functions that the 560 does but is a larger model. It also has additional features like a folding steel shelf, a griddle insert, and cord storage. |
| Gravity Line 1050 | The most deluxe size grill Masterbuilt offers. It has the same features of the 800 except for the griddle insert. |
Big Green Egg: Best Kamado Grills
Big Green Eggs and kamado grills became all the rage a short while ago, and for a good reason.
Despite being a charcoal grill, their strategic airflow system allows it so you can easily set and maintain an exact temperature.
Making it able to grill, smoke, and even bake, the Big Green egg is equipped for any outdoor cooking you can throw at it.
Keep in mind that The Big Green Egg comes with a big green price tag and has some of the most expensive products on our list.
The 18-inch grill is the perfect size for those who want to do a decent amount of grilling but don't need to supply a huge party.
The variety in the Big Green Egg products comes down to what size you want. We picked the large simply because it is their most popular grill.
Their other products range from being small enough to throw in your car for a picnic and large enough to handle a family reunion.
Kamado grills tend to be a lot pricier than traditional grills and Big Green Egg isn't any different. The Mini starts under $500, but the largest size can be well over $2,000. Their custom island packages are well over $3,000.
Big Green Egg grills, however, come with a free limited lifetime warranty.
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Mini Max Package | This package includes the grill, as well as charcoal, and a number of other accessories and tools. |
| Mini Max with Nest Package | All the offerings of the Mini Max package but also includes the Nest carrier/stand. |
| Large in IntEGGrated Nest + Handler Package | Large egg with same package as Mini Max but with Nest + Handler frame. |
| Large in a Nest w/ Composite Mates Package | All the components of the package above but includes EGG mates which attach to the sides of the Nest for added workspace. |
| Large in Modular Package | Large egg with cleaning kit, charcoal, other tools and accessories, plus modular Nest EGG Frame. |
| Large in Acacia Table Package | Typical Nest package but includes an acacia table. |
| XL in Modular Nest Package | Same package Modular Package as above but in with an XL Egg. |
| XL in IntEGGrated Nest + Handler w/ Mates Package | Same package as described with the large size, only with and XL Egg. |
| XL w/ Acacia Table Package | XL Egg package with an acacia table. |
| Large in 49-Inch Custom Island Package | Large Egg that comes with a fully outfitted beautifully designed movable island with locking casters |
| Large in 76-Inch Custom Island Package | Same as above but larger more professional looking island. |
Coleman: Best Camping Grill Brand
Coleman is the king of the camping grill. Built small and sturdy, they are perfect for throwing in the back of your car and heading out to the woods for the weekend.
Since they fold into compact sizes, you will never have to worry about lugging around a heavy grill at your campsite.
You do not need to carry around big bags of charcoal or heavy propane tanks either since all their camping grills use 1-pound propane cylinders.
This PropertyNest reviewer camps pretty often and has used Coleman camping grills many times and have nothing but praise for the company. They are super easy to use, and their lightweight makes them easy to bring on any car-camping expedition.
The Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill in particular stands out.
While Coleman sells tons of different kinds of portable camping grills, this one is best for your average car camper. It is a little bigger than some of their models, but the fact that it comes with a portable stand makes all the difference.
Finding a picnic table or stable stump can often be impossible when you are in the woods, but with the Coleman RoadTrip 285, that is not a problem.
Because Coleman is a camping equipment company, all their grills are made to be portable. The starting price for their smallest most basic grill is around $35 (which is little more than a pail with a grate on top). Their most expensive premium grill is about $330.
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Road Trip Sportster Propane Gas Grill | This grill comes with a propane can with 11,000 BTUs, push-button ignition, uses a lift-and-lock system, has wheels, and can last up to 2 hours with one can of propane. |
| Road Trip X-Cursion 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill | The X-Cursion comes with 20,000 BTUs, 2 burners, has an interchangeable cooktop, radiant heat for even cooking, all the features of the Sporster, plus a side table for some workspace. |
| Road Trip 225 Portable Stand-up Gas Grill | Has all the features of the Sportster but include a side table and 2 burners. |
| Road Trip 285 Portable Stand-up Gas Grill | Has all the features and power of the X-Cursion but now with 3 burners and two side tables. |
| Road Trip LX Stand-up Propane Gas Grill | Has all the features of the X-Cursion but a larger size with 285 square inches of cooking area, plus two side tables. |
| NXT 200 Grill | Has all the features and power of the X-Cursion but their largest cooking surface area and two steel side tables. |
Char-Griller: Best Dual Fuel Grills
If you are one of the many people who are unsure whether to get a gas or a charcoal grill, then you might want to look into Char-Grillers.
Known for their barrel-style gas and charcoal grills, they offer the best of both worlds.
Want the smokey taste of a charcoal grill one night but do not want to hassle with the ashes the next, no problem. It can do both.
Not to mention that its durable steel construction and large cooking surfaces makes it one of the toughest and biggest grill brands in the industry.
The Double Play 3 Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill offers a great grilling experience at a decent price point.
This grill offers a massive amount of cooking space yet is cheap enough not to break the budget.
As mentioned before, it can grill with charcoal or gas, depending on what side you choose. Plus, with the addition of a firebox, it can work as a smoker as well.
Char-Griller's lowest cost model is the Camp stove starting around $320 up to $600 for their high-end product their Flavor Pro Multi-Fuel Grill.
That puts Char-Griller's grills in a very competitively priced range.
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
| Char-Griller 3 Burner Camp Stove | 3 cast aluminum burners, 90,000 BTUs, and folding legs. |
| Hybrid Gas & Charcoal Grill | Includes Gravity-fed charcoal loader, 3 burners, heavy duty steel construction, and cover. |
| Dual Function | Similar features to the Hybrid but with more BTUs, and more solid steel construction, and powder-coated finish. |
| Dual Function 2 | A smaller version of the Dual Function, with just 2 burners and 24,000 BTUs. |
| Double Play | Same features of the Dual Function but even more cooking surface area and the power of 52,800 BTUs, and dual smokestacks. |
| Triple Play | Enjoy the features of the Dual Function but with the cooking surface of the Double play and have the option of adding a side fire box for Texas-style barbecuing. |
| Flavor Pro | Char-Griller's grill in more of a conventional gas grill form. The Flavor Drawer allows the cook to add charcoal to the gas grill for charcoal flavor. Comes with 4 burners and cover. |
| DUO 5050 | Has all the features of the Double Play except without dual smokestack, has 3 gas burners with 40,800 BTUs. |
| Texas Trio | All the same features of the DUO but with a premium side fire box for Texas-style BBQ. |
Spark Grill: Best Electric Grills
Outdoor electric grills have been getting a bad wrap for a long time, but Spark Grill is trying to fix that.
Spark Grill is just as easy to use as any other electric grill, but they now have the ability to impart that savory BBQ flavor.
With its patented Briq, it operates as a charcoal grill but heats up in a fraction of the time.
All you have to do is slide the charcoal Brig under the grill, press a button, and in 10 minutes, you are ready to go.
Since they are such a new company, they only sell one product, but the essentials packages is the basics of everything you need and a great place to start
It comes with the grill and enough Briqs to get you started. Plus, it comes with a 100-day free trial if you are worried about spending that much money on such a new product.
Pricing is similar to all their packages as there really is only one model and package prices vary from about $1,00-$1,400 and is dependent on the accessories.
At this price point, Sparks Grill start on the high side.
| Package | Features |
|---|---|
| Essentials | Comes with Sparks Grill, grill cart/workspace, cutting board, power cord, 3 started Briqs, and 2 temp probes. |
| Prime | All the components of the essentials package but with 8 Briqs and a cover. |
| Chef's | Everything in the Prime package but also includes a pizza stone, a pizza peal, and an apron. |
Types of Grills
The world of outdoor grills is a big one with many strong opinions on what particular type of grill is the best. When looking into grills, figuring out the right type of grill for your budget, experience, and tastes should be the first thing you do.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills have been around since man first tried to flip a burger. So many people love them because they impart a chargrilled flavor to anything they cook.
They require a lot of work to get started and are difficult to maintain temperature throughout your cooking, so they are not always a beginner's grill.
Pros and Cons of Charcoal Grills
- Least expensive fuel source
- Gives food a smoky taste
- Harder to control the temperature
- Heats up slower than gas or electric grills
- Requires more cleanup
Gas Grills
Gas grills can either be fueled by propane or natural gas.
Propane comes in tanks, while natural gas can be linked up directly to your home. Most gas grills are set up for propane but can easily adapt to natural gas.
They are great grills for just sparking up and cooking.
You do not have to wait for the charcoal to soak or the coals to get up to temperature. Turn the knob, light the burners, and you are ready to go in ten minutes.
Most grills on the market are gas grills.
Pros and Cons of Gas Grills
- Heats up very quickly
- Minimal cleanup
- Push button to start
- Temperature control knobs
- Not as durable as charcoal
- Often have uneven heating areas
Pellet Grills
There are few pellet grill manufacturers, but people who own a pellet grill love them. They are fueled by hardwood pellets that come in various types to give your grilling a ton of distinct flavors.
Pellet grills control temperature exceptionally well, and many newer models even have Bluetooth temperature gauges so you can control how hot your grill is getting from your phone.
Pros and Cons of Wood Pellet Grills
- Precise digital heat control
- Gives food a distinct wood-smoked flavor
- Can grill, smoke, or bake
- Expensive
- Require special wood pellets
Kamado Grills
Kamado grills are known for their distinct shape and ability to cook food evenly. They can grill, smoke, or even bake, depending on what you want.
They can get up to temperature quickly and maintain that temperature easily for long amounts of time.
Pros and Cons of Kamado Grills
- Retains heat really well
- Very versatile
- Large temperature range
- Easy to clean
- Can only really cook one thing at a time
- The ceramic shell is fragile and can fracture
- Specific types of charcoal may be required
Smokers
Nothing can give a piece of meat or vegetable the wonderful BBQ flavor of a proper smoker. They are usually fueled by either pellets or charcoal and are built to cook food at low temperatures for long periods of time.
If you are looking to grill something in the next half hour, then smokers are not for you, but if you have 8 hours to spare smoking a brisket, there is no better option.
Pros and Cons of Smokers
- Cooks food low and slow for distinct smoked flavors
- No other grill can give the favor of a smoker
- Long cooking times
- Difficult to control temperature
Electric Grills
Electric grills are great if you live in a smaller space like an apartment. They do not take up much room, and there is no need for propane or charcoal.
That said, they do not come in large sizes and do not give food a distinct flavor like charcoal or pellet grills.
Pros and Cons of Electric Grills
- No fuel needed
- Cooks evenly
- Easy to cleanup
- Small and not suitable for large amounts of food
- Not very durable
- Cannot reach the temperatures of gas, charcoal, or pellet
Methodology
How We Picked the Best Grills
When looking for the best grills, we kept to several major criteria to ensure that only the best grill brands would be on our list.
Customer Satisfaction
If people do not absolutely love their grills, then there is no reason to recommend them. So the very first thing we looked at was the customer reviews, so you do not have to.
Brand Accessibility
If you could not easily get the grills we mentioned above, then there would again be no reason to recommend them. Hence why, almost all of our brands can be found at major retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, or Amazon.
Spark Grill is not offered by those companies yet, but you can order from their website and get it shipped to you anywhere.
Price
We try to keep the prices in our lists as affordable as possible but will make an exception for really standout products.
Our products range in price but never value so that you can find the right grill for any budget.
Quality & Features
All the grills mentioned above are equipped with the latest and greatest in grilling technologies and are made by industry professionals that ensure their quality is up to standard.
